Is Sailing in East Africa Dangerous? Preparing for Passage when DANGER LURKS! Patrick Childress#34

[@RVLifeNOW]

Hi everyone...Don’t forget to SUBSCRIBE! Have you ever hit anything while sailing?

[@hyrocket]

You just gave so much information in such a short time on sailing. Also, what to really watch for when you go close to shore in third world countries. thank you.

[@nomadequipment2177]

My first sailboat ever and first singlehanded sail: was rushing to get to a narrow channel tidal Rapids at slack tide and ran aground doing six knots under the engine. Jumped out with engine still running and not drawing water to lift the keel off the rocks🤦‍♂️ Barely was able to get back aboard because I neglected to put a ladder out. Yep, lol. Turns out depths shown on charts are not necessarily very accurate 😂 Fortunately no leaks and I still made the narrows at slack tide.

[@bertkutoob]

Africa.... Heading north and cutting it close to shore to keep in the counter current just south of Tugela mouth. About 2am I came on deck to take a leak and while happily communing with nature over the port rail saw white water where there shouldn't have been... Me (sleepily) : "Oi skipper - what's that!?" SKIPPER (on the wheel) : "SHIT ! TACK!" Puts wheel somewhat rapidly over to starboard... Africa : "Hello boat! Bam bam!" Rest of crew (3 large men - emerging simultaneously through the hatch like toothpaste being squeezed out of a tube) "WTF!!!??" Skipper : "Oops, sorry chaps..." Crew : "stony silence" Fortunately a fully steel boat and no harm suffered. Even more fortunately - the skipper was on the wheel so he couldn't crap on anyone but himself...

[@ekim228]

Hi Rebecca so sorry to hear about Patrick . I have leant so much from the two of you and i have always looked forward to seeing your posts. Please don't stop doing the channel you still have a lot to pass on to others and i look forward to seeing you on KZbin. Good luck best wishes mike.

[@philiptheunismuller6165]

he was a fantastic person and a person with in dept sailing experience, miss him dearly

[@RVLifeNOW]

OMG...you have that right! Me too. Nearly 2 years without him now...I learned so much.

[@briangilliland3620]

Totally agree 😢

[@maninavan.2043]

I have just come across you're video blog with you giving a contagious heart felt video with the loss of your Husband, Patrick.. My deepest sympathy and a big hug.

[@ShabaaUkelele]

Same here. Sorry for your loss 😢😢

[@RVLifeNOW]

Thank you…still sailing…hope you still watching…

[@RVLifeNOW]

Thank you Shabba

[@tvonzweck]

Such a great man and inspiration. Thoughts and prayers are still with you Rebecca.

[@glassman51]

Another wonderful video! As someone who is planning to shovel off in a year and a half on their own cruising adventure, I can’t tell you how valuable your videos are to me. Sharing all your tips, tricks and insight into safe and comfortable cruising has increased my skill set greatly. Thank you again, you both are an inspiration. Fairwinds

[@RVLifeNOW]

Thanks for such a nice comment.

[@clayfarnet970]

As always, informative and entertaining. When considering the cruising lifestyle I’m always amazed at the amount of planning, hard work and patience that goes into the daily routine. Kevin brings it to another level. 👍👍👍

[@RVLifeNOW]

Thanks for the comment.

[@z.shaughnessy9634]

Another great Episode - really enjoy your videos. Am learning a lot new tips and tricks along the way. Keep it going!

[@RVLifeNOW]

Thanks!

[@sonnylange3051]

Its nice to see that Rebecca is getting involved into the videos. Its good to see parts of the world through your eyes that a lot of sailors don't visit.

[@RVLifeNOW]

Thanks, Ralph. I hope Rebecca stays involved....I will make sure she sees your comment.

[@toliver66]

Very refreshing, a sailing channel that is actually about sailing and not just a travel Vlog disguised as a sailing channel. Thanks for sharing. Subscribed

[@RVLifeNOW]

Thanks, toliver66.

[@chriscodrington5464]

Thanks for another refreshingly direct episode and for the tip on Kevin,s sailing oceans site as well

[@RVLifeNOW]

Thanks, Chris.

[@dazjacktar6202]

The most useful sailing video I've watched in a long time, so many practical and useful tips - thanks guys!

[@RVLifeNOW]

Thanks for the nice comment.

[@dutchglobetrotter4513]

Your videos are getting better and better with each episode. Keep em coming captain.

[@RVLifeNOW]

Thanks, Dutch. The editing process has been a long road to figure out. I look back at the earliest vids and wish I could change them.

[@10lauset]

There aren't many KZbinrs showing material in and around Africa in general. Thanks for the glimpses.

[@RVLifeNOW]

Since some of the on land material is not really suitable for a sailing channel, we started the "Travels and Animals" channel for the safaris and other nature things.

[@2jsims]

yet another excellent video with lots of helpful ideas & pointers! Thank You, Patrick!!

[@RVLifeNOW]

Thanks Patrick!

[@kz4506]

Amazed at how many of these blogs there is some one to take the ropes , have any of them docked alone , I do it every time and reverse in as well

[@RVLifeNOW]

I am with you on that. I used to do a lot of single handing. It just takes practice and planning.

[@RVLifeNOW]

Luckily Patrick does an awesome job of making sure our engine always works, for which I am thankful. But there was a time about 3 years ago that we thought we had a problem and didn’t want to do any damage, so didn’t run the engine to go in to the marina. Luckily there was wind and we could sail in. We managed to sail a big S , and down a skinny channel, and went right in to the slip with no assist, and a smooth landing. It can be done, and Patrick is truly a genius at it when we have to do it. But I’d rather the engine just work..boring is much better! - Rebecca Childress

[@pbrown6097]

First time viewing you channel. 44 years driving a truck in the U.S. The reason I mention this is your wrapping of your power cables with split hoses. Your right to do it!! Vibration against anything hard will cut wiring, fuel lines, bolts will grind into and anything else rubbing against something else. Also I believe I saw a fram oil filter, look on the web for oil filter testing, fram was rated as the worst! good way to wear out and engine early. Thanks for showing me and all the others who are locked to the soil about all the things a person has to do on a small sail boat. Be SAFE OUT THERE!!

[@RVLifeNOW]

How interesting that the video came your way. Yes we have gotten that advice from a few other viewers about the Fram filters. Won’t buy this again when so many others are available. Any brands you recommend? -Rebecca

[@RVLifeNOW]

P Brown, from a couple other commenters, and you, I now realize how bad Fram filters are. Good thing I had been changing the engine oil every 100 hrs instead of 150 har. as the Yanmar manual suggests. With the Fram filters, maybe I should have been changing the oil every 50 hours. Certainly, no more Fram filters for this boat. Thanks for your comment.

[@AdamC5013]

​@@RVLifeNOW yup fram is bad, wix is a great filter for the low cost. we use them in our limo fleet

[@grancito2]

@@RVLifeNOW Wix, NAPA gold(not the standard one), and Bosch are the most common automotive brands that are OK.

[@thesailingkiwi]

Thank you team Brickhouse - we are 3 months away from sailing off and your videos are useful, insightful and great entertainment and we appreciate your hardwork putting these videos together

[@RVLifeNOW]

Great to hear you are close to sailing away. Before you know it, 5 years will have passed by....and many great anchorages.

[@sollasollew3208]

Thanks for taking us on your journey, Kevins channel is one of my favorite, along with yours of course 😃

[@RVLifeNOW]

Thanks for watching

[@greysilverback3924]

Great information. Well done !

[@XTarantis]

+1 in 2021.

[@RVLifeNOW]

Thanks

[@williamwiese9963]

Patrick an absolutely great video!! I just found you and subscribed! Keep up the great tips and ticks for living aboard..learning as much as I can before I start my adventure one day..stay safe and fair sea's 👍

[@RVLifeNOW]

Thanks for the compliment. Let me know if there is anything in particular we should cover.

[@gregj9391]

Patrick, Thanks for sharing true sailing videos. Your time and effort is VERY much appreciated!! Keep up the great work!!

[@RVLifeNOW]

Thanks, Greg.

[@howtosailoceans1423]

Thanks Patrick! Um, I rarely try to sail into a slip even when I have to. In calm conditions the scull will work. Otherwise, best to drop anchor just outside the slip and run a warp to the dock and gradually pull the boat in--you have much more control that way. But generally I just avoid docks. Those local boats look to be quite speedy under sail.

[@RVLifeNOW]

Haha, but we know you can if you want to....and all those techniques you use which are new to the rest of us.

[@Pat.Mustard]

Thanks for sharing Patrick. I’m a big fan of Kevin’s channel too.

[@RVLifeNOW]

Yea…

[@patrickjamescollins5323]

Great video, Patrick. Thank you!

[@RVLifeNOW]

Thanks for watching!

[@jptravels]

Beautiful video. Very very informative. Thank you for sharing ❣

[@PillSharks]

I feel for the yachtsman with the wrecked boat, he’s lucky to be alive as tug towing wires aren’t something you want to mess with and even if the tugs stops the barge will carry on! I take the barge was dead and showing no nav lights? Another thing to watch is the emergency towing gear, they normally set a buoy over the stern on a long messenger and then the tug tow, I’ve put some out which have been over a 100m so anyone who takes the stern of the barge should be aware of this....like you say give anything like that a wide berth!

[@RVLifeNOW]

That boat is all he has so he has no option but try to "fix" it. That seems an impossible task. Thanks for the info on the emergency towing gear.

[@PillSharks]

Mal L yes that’s normally the length when we do the job, we were surprised how far the tug master wanted it put out on this occasions but that’s what he wanted so that’s what we did, we joked at the time about the next crew who have to pull it all in because obviously it’s all done by hand on a dead barge...They all have navigation lights fitted but as you know some are lashed on very poorly and I have seen a couple where they’ve been hit off or washed off the mount on arrival! I’ll be very surprised if the tug master in Africa uses the same guidelines as you in Norway so it not surprising he went between the tug and tow if it was unlit... Like Both have us have already said.... if in doubt give them a wide berth!

[@Gabriel-x2y]

showing the care and maintenance you give to that boat I would buy one from you any day !!

[@RVLifeNOW]

Maybe I should sell you this one!

[@davidc6510]

I like those security bars you installed in the hatch way. Really cool way to allow the boat to breath at night. A very ship shape engine room Patrick. It is good to see the boat is kept tidy in both the visible and hidden areas. Great video and informative on the dangers of sailing in those parts of the world. Love all the sailing tips at port, at anchor, and on the water.

[@RVLifeNOW]

Thanks, David, for your positive comment.

[@Alsatiagent]

@@RVLifeNOW Is there any danger of intruders locking you in?

[@sicchuckie]

Nice thorough sailer, like I would know tho. Interesting channel.

[@XTarantis]

Fully agree. Totally different channel from another on yt. A lot of practice cnowlage.

[@RVLifeNOW]

Thanks for watxhing

[@johnbolongo9978]

Just noticed your awning design....very interesting. Any insight on the design and functionality. Thanks for sharing all your expertise.

[@RVLifeNOW]

John, the awning is Sunbrella. There are Sunbrella straps sewn onto the awning that go over the stern arch pipe and secure back onto the awning with a twist lock. On the forward end, 2 plastic zippers attach the awning to the hard dodger top. Each port and starboard zipper start on the outboard end then meet in the middle. At the two corners of the forward edge of the awning, each corner has a snap to secure it to the hard dodger top. The awning makes a good rain catch. I think it was in the first part of the Valiant tour the rain catch and gutter system has some close up views. Thanks for the comment.

[@johnbolongo9978]

Thanks Patrick. Gave me some great ideas.

[@bigredinfinity3126]

I have printouts of heaps of info like markers etc .Just makes it so much easier when you are under pressure

[@RVLifeNOW]

Yes

[@billleskeep2033]

I got worn out by the constant pace of instruction. You've got a great rhythm of maintenance and safety checks!

[@RVLifeNOW]

Thanks, Bill.

[@mr.e7022]

Great video as usual. I always ask myself what would Captain Bobby do. Bob was/is my sailing mentor.

[@RVLifeNOW]

Yep

[@LovingAtlanta]

😢😭Oooh noooo. This is heartbreaking. 😢😭 Condolences. I’m so sorry for your loss. May your fond memories comfort you. 👍Definitely continue the channel. Even if existing subscribers aren’t interested, you’ll gain new subscribers based in the new / different content. Wishing you the absolute best. 💝🤗💞🤗

[@RVLifeNOW]

That’s a good point. Was worried. Thanks so much.

[@oceancowboy6981]

Yes Patrick I watch Kevin’s videos how to sail oceans and your videos that is neat to know you watch Kevin’s videos both of you guys have videos full of knowledge god bless and cheers from Texas oceancowboy 🤠⛵️⚓️

[@RVLifeNOW]

Thank you, Ocean Cowboy.

[@klemenprezelj]

Watching just last ep.i.know i can learn a lot from you. Great video. Best regards from Slovenia.

[@RVLifeNOW]

Thank you, Klemen, for the comment.

[@nedkline886]

excellent video, very informative, the best i have seen so far.

[@RVLifeNOW]

Thank you Ned.

[@MrAli171]

Well sorted engine room

[@RVLifeNOW]

Most of the time!

[@michaelryan5160]

I'd love to see some of Zanzibar if you wouldn't mind posting it! Thanks for all the information! Safe travels!

[@RVLifeNOW]

Michael, at the end of some videos, I put a little destination video about some of the interesting things we see but most people didn't seem all that interested as viewer retention dropped off quickly at that point. Maybe when we leave Zanzibar for S. Africa I will put up some images of this historic place to begin a passage video I am planning. We started another channel just for some of the destination videos. To start the new, Travels and Animals, channel, I took those short destination vids and made stand alone videos of each. Some of those videos, like about the Lemurs, I was able to expand a bit with other footage and images.

[@michaelryan5160]

@@RVLifeNOW that's great news. I'm very happy to hear that. How current are you on your videos, if you don't mind me asking? I truly enjoy how informative you are in these videos, head and shoulders above the other sailing channels! Travel safe! Cheers!

[@kriiigern777]

Lucky man, on a trip with 3 nice ladies. You don't need more than that in life. That is something I have learned over the years ;) This is a good inspiration, and a guide to sailing around the world. Thank you for all the editing, and the rest of the work! ;)

[@RVLifeNOW]

This is Rebecca...I just “got” your joke...Rebecca...Lily the cat, and Brick House the boat...the 3 ladies...very clever ;)

[@jenadidio6536]

So very sad to have just found your channel. Sending you so much love and the biggest hug. ❤️

[@RVLifeNOW]

Thanks so much...hope you will keep watching...

[@user-wr8go9ee2n]

Hello Patrick and Rebecca, Thanks for the great videos. I am trying to learn as much as I can about sailing before I buy my own boat in the next 4 years. Your videos have been the best I've seen so far. You get to the nitty gritty and provide a lot of information in every video. You talk about things I had not considered. Thank you so much for your time and effort. Dave

[@RVLifeNOW]

Thanks David for the great compliment. It is fun making these videos and pulling out bits of details from past experiences which might be new to some ocean crossers. In the next video about our nav station, I get to tell a little about the quirks of a plastic sextant and the antiquated radio direction finders and show some of the most up to date, incredible, electronics.

[@bigredinfinity3126]

can you please do a video on rigging sails and just basic ideas to help shorthand

[@RVLifeNOW]

Because of the autopilot and roller furling, I often don't bother Rebecca to help me deal with sail adjustments. The only problem I have is in strong wind when I want to reduce the size of the jib and roll it in some without luffing too much, which requires easing out the sheet as the sail is rolled in and not losing the sheet all together and allowing the sail to wildly flap in the wind. That easing of the sheet and rolling in the jib in strong wind is something I still haven't fully figured out yet.

[@billb2176]

Excellent vid as always and a well deserved shout out to Kevin on How to Cross Oceans - he doesn't have a zillion subscribers but I'm surprised how many experienced sailors watch his adventures and acknowledge his skills. FWAFS

[@popsoldboats3406]

I am on 2nd time watching this vid. I am looking at the plotter. See I am setting up one sail boat and one 31' Trojan with 277 chysler engines and would like to know more about that plotter. I will be doing alot of coastal sailing soon and want to be set up just in case I decide to set a course to deeper waters. Also the Trojan will be making trips 20 miles out every day soon. I can't stand the land any longer after working on the long line boats years ago.

[@RVLifeNOW]

A few years ago we had a much smaller screen plotter. In this case, bigger is better, a lot better. Of course the MFD, multi function display, can show radar, AIS, two types of fish finders and do a lot more. These fish finders each use a sweep of frequencies, not the standard 50 or 200kz fixed frequencies for deep and shallow water. That gives a much finer detail of what you are looking at. This is an amazing machine.

[@mikeferguson2828]

Just found your channel with this video. You guys are getting close to me. I’m in Maputo 🇲🇿 Mozambique . Your next country on route to South Africa. I have my Leopard cat here and sail in this region. I’ve done done 10 000nm of sailing in this region over the past 3 years. Yes all the local dhow’s never have lights at night but neither do they have any form of safely gear radios etc. it’s just the way it is and quite a few drown where I am ever year. You spot them at night as you get closer and they see and hear you they flick a lighter or sometimes the light on their cell phones to warn you they are there. I carry a strong rechargeable Cree LED touch to scan every now and then for them. You also need to watch for illegal large Chinese fishing vessels along this whole coast at night. They have AIS but keep it off so they cannot be tracked or traced. They put down long lines everywhere with radio beacons and use this to come closer to shore at night to retrieve the lines under the protection of darkness.. Let me know when you are closer to Maputo or if you need some info on good spots in mozambique. Rgards MikeF

[@RVLifeNOW]

Mike. It’s Rebecca...how do we contact you? Some local info would be great..and bummer it continues down that coast. It should be A fun passage in a few months ;) -Rebecca

[@betsysmith9176]

Truly living the dream. I will have to try to convince my other have that we should sail the African coast. We have only sailed as far as Morocco, and it was beautiful, amazing.

[@RVLifeNOW]

This is the other half of Patrick...Rebecca... I’ve never thought of sailing to Morocco...how was that???

[@RVLifeNOW]

Betsy, As we crossed the Indian Ocean we ran into South African cruisers who insisted we had to experience Tanzania. We knew nothing about east Africa. Tanzania is well worth the stop. Great people and lots of nature further inland.

[@vitorjunquilho]

Muito bom o canal de vocês, venham visitar o Brasil, é lindo e hospitaleiro!

[@patricklaine6958]

Great episode Patrick. A lot of 'best practices'. Thanks. (Am also a big fan of Kevin, and mention him in my next video as well (not yet published). :-)

[@RVLifeNOW]

Thanks, Patrick.

[@wienerwoods]

Great sailing, and your're a fan of Kevin's too! I've been sailing for forty years, done some long distance and local cruising and have lived aboard my boat for 10 years and counting. I sail her regularly and put around 1,000 nm a year on her because I simply love sailing. Still, I learned more in the first 10 minutes of your video than I did all last year actually sailing. Great stuff! Hardcore old school guys like Kevin and couples like you are what inspired me to start cruising . Very informative and concise. ...and I keep telling people the worst part of cruising isn't the offshore passages. It's all the inshore hazards. Especially at night around poor countries. It's not from piracy, it's from unlit boats, nets, traps, and of course reefs. You have to keep a sharp watch at all times, and that's impossible single handing and exhausting as a couple. Most fishing boats wont be lit and large ones won't AIS. Hell I was halfway down the Baja Peninsula when in the middle of the night I see a cruise ship lit up like a Christmas tree. No AIS. Huge ship. Military vessels also don't show up. It's better than nothing though when crossing commercial shipping lanes. You want to be far away from shore at night. Seems backwards to most people until you explain what you showed with that demolished boat. Really drives the point home. Well done!

[@RVLifeNOW]

You are right about those fishing boats. The worst is off of Central America and in S.E. Asia. It seems no matter the size of fishing boat in S.E. Asia, they just don't have proper running lights, just the lights they need to work their decks by. We have had near collisions because of this. A 1,000mw blue laser shined at the wheel house, or since it is often so dark, where the wheel house might be, does sometimes get their attention and then we can hear the drop in their engine RPMs. Rebecca and I are happy to hear there is useful information in our videos. And thanks for your comment.

[@johnbolongo9978]

Great episode.....also a big fan of Kevin's abilities.

[@RVLifeNOW]

Yes he is awesome!

[@chiefcliff]

Have you discussed your trip alarms before? Can you do a "security" video. Would love to see that!

[@RVLifeNOW]

Video #10 kzbin.info/www/bejne/ppqTq6OvbKh7a9E Burglar alarms.

[@okcpicker]

Wow Patrick, you and Rebecca have learned to shoot and edit really well. Great storytelling! I'm confined to a big inland lake but have learned a ton of useful information watching your channel.

[@RVLifeNOW]

All of the photography and editing is Patrick...frankly..those cameras make me a bit nervous ;) - Rebecca

[@okcpicker]

@@RVLifeNOW , Rebecca, On-camera presentation plays a major part. You cover that very well! Your piece on navigation electronics was the best I've seen.

[@markwentland3147]

Hi you guys !! I watch Kevin too, I really like his channel, he would also use his sculling ore coming into a marina or when he is getting the boat pulled out !!

[@RVLifeNOW]

Kevin's is one of the few sailing channels I watch. I can relate to his sailing style.

[@MikeH-fl9lu]

Patrick. I know you have heard this many times before but your information videos are greatly appreciated. A man with your experience has forgotten more thing than us cruisers have learned and your knowledge is greatly appreciated if we ever cross paths It would be a privilege to treat you all to dinner stay safe guys and remember no question is a stupid question if your not sure thank you again

[@RVLifeNOW]

Mike, We will be looking forward to meeting up. Thanks!

[@robertbeck1003]

Well I'm not a sailor but I enjoy your vids. You provide interesting detailed small details on many things. how to hook this or that, how to prepare for this or that, how to set up for different situations. Thanks and good luck with your travels. I always find that when I revisit a beautiful remote location after 15 or 20 years I am amazed and disappointed by the transformation to a full blown tourist destination.

[@RVLifeNOW]

Amazed and disappointed! I know perfectly what you are saying. The first time I was in Academy Bay, Port Ayora, Galapagos, was in 1980. I have a picture of a water truck damping down the one dirt road that ran parallel to the shore then took a turn to go up hill to the nature preserve Visit Port Ayora now and the roads are paved. There are so many roads you need a taxi, which there are many, to get around. Immigration and population control in the Galapagos was never the reality the government said it would be. It is the same everywhere. I grew up in a great place called Miami, Florida. Now, I wouldn't give you 2 cents for that over crowded, fully paved landscape with rush hour traffic all day. The cruising life has changed equally. I just read that someone paid an astounding $450 to spend one month sailing in the Turks & Caicos, outside of the Bahamas. It used to cost nothing. There are still a few good places like eastern Fiji. Robert, at least we know what others have missed. If someone is thinking about the cruising life, they best not wait.

[@SailingMerewether]

Stunning vid guys

[@RVLifeNOW]

Thanks

[@twistedrace6885]

I do have to say a very informative episode that I enjoy very much . It was very useful and educational in so many different aspect of sailing... and I will check out KENS sight and see his channel too. I do look forward to seeing more from your channel. Robert North Star

[@RVLifeNOW]

Thanks for watching.

[@nessuno1948]

I'm a professional sea master - retired - and what you say "the mistery of navigation" is one of the true intellectual pleasure of this life. Prior the electronic era, till the 80s, with help from heavenly bodies and the centuries old experience of our ancestors. For the rest, nice boat, nice libe, bon voyage. Smooth seas, prosperous winds.

[@RVLifeNOW]

I spent 3 years on a solo circumnavigation before anyone ever heard of "chart plotter" or GPS. Satnav was still in the future. It is pretty mindless pushing buttons these days.

[@MrLikeke]

I recently watched a movie on You Tube called simply, Longitude. It is the story of John Harrison and his clocks and two hundred years later, Rupert Gould who restored Harrison's clocks. It is well scripted and kept my attention. It is a bit more than three hours in length.

[@nessuno1948]

@@MrLikeke I was born some years after Harrison's longitude finder..... In my times though, we learned the ancient nautical science, from Saint Hilaire's method of drawing a Line of Position, to the use of the Pilot Charts derived by the massive collections and studies of Captain Maury of the Confederate Navy, Pilot Books, Tides, Magnetism, etc. etc, with a smattering of modern radio navigation. It was an intellectual challenge as you had to observe and judge and calculate. Today, GPS, Routeing from shore, meteo on computer, easy, but the pleasure of competing with the nature, observing and acting is lost.

[@MrLikeke]

Friend, not entirely lost, there are many who still use those methods although they be fewer these days. I use LOP and those traditional methods. As a commercial pilot (aviator) and USCG (expired) mariner I use those methods of which you have written. My preference is to leave the GPS off and usually do. I adore paper charts of all kinds and do use them. I have read the biography of Matthew Fontaine Maury and have studied his work. Sailors often refer to Cornell's pilot charts but it was Maury who originated the idea and the format still in use today. The first electronics I used on the waters was a depth sounder (the size of a TV) and LORAN C, which of course had limitations for ocean passages, and RDF tuned to AM stations. For weather guessing I read the clouds and make great use of the 4 [panel Prognostic charts put out by NOAA. Also, sea surface temperatures.

[@randalljames1]

I would suggest "Wix" filters.. that Fram stuff is not very good.. Was a time they were but that was when you were a younger man..

[@RVLifeNOW]

Thanks for that information. I will certainly make note of that and post it in my box of filters for the next time I need to refill the box.

[@captainsalty56]

BRAVO ZULU on the video Patrick.

[@RVLifeNOW]

Yes!

[@luisroebuck4354]

like the way you explain what you do , very informative, keep enjoying

[@RVLifeNOW]

Thanks for the nice comment! Patrick really enjoys doing these! -Rebecca

[@sailingnordicsun7199]

Looks like you guys are having a good time. Can't wait to get cruising on my boat.

[@RVLifeNOW]

We thought we would be sailing for 4 years, it has now been 12 and now I can't imagine ever living in a house again. I hope you can start your adventure soon!

[@sailingnordicsun7199]

@@RVLifeNOW Patrick, really love what you got going on KZbin. Hope some day my KZbin channel can grow up to have 1000+ subscribers. I do have another question you might be able to help with. I'm looking for sails for my boat. Any good lofts you know about at a reasonable price. Also what kind of sail cloth should I consider. I'm planning on heading south to Mexico from the Pacific Northwest in summer 2020. If you could help with that it would be much appreciated.

[@_droid]

Your attention to detail is awesome, thanks

[@RVLifeNOW]

Thanks for watching…

[@quovadis7119]

Subscribed. Kevin believes in the 'less is more' principle! 😁 Are you going to haul in Durban, South Africa? ( where I live).

[@RVLifeNOW]

That is a possibility but probably Richards Bay. Is one better than the other?

[@quovadis7119]

@@RVLifeNOW Durban has more ameniities, spares, boat goods shops, laundromats, within walking distance of the harbour, services etc. and much more to see, more restuarants. Durban is a city - huge harbour - Richards Bay smallish town.Let me know if you do Durban, and when - I'll come for a visit - fetch you for a barbie at my house.

[@RVLifeNOW]

That sounds great.

[@dougmoore9230]

Once again, great info, Patrick.

[@RVLifeNOW]

Thx

[@jamestim319]

Excellent as usual!!

[@RVLifeNOW]

Thx

[@sicchuckie]

WWKD, and you are both really great at giving a wanna be sailor some super tips. Sitting in the middle of the US farm fields I would never have thought sailing included scrubbing the fishy smelly stuff from the anchor chain. Looks like a whole lots of work.

[@RVLifeNOW]

All sailboats are a maintenance treadmill. But that is what it takes to sail the oceans of the world and be able to spend weeks and months in a place regular tourists can only visit for a week while away from work. It is worth it. Check out one of our more recent videos about fixing the keel and all the resin blisters I am in the middle of repairing. But, Richards Bay. S. Africa is our new home for a while as I do all the work. On the weekends we do an overnighter in one of the game preserves and do a safari. Lots of fun. I hope one day you can make it work to cross oceans and explore islands and places few people have ever heard of.

[@andersjakobsen9906]

Another great one Patrick!! Zanzibar...it has a nice cling to it ;-) I`m not THAT old, but there is a semi famus Norwegian song from the 50`s abaout Zanzibar. (He promist me a ring at Zanzibar, at Zanzibar. But,- Zanzibar, where is that) Wel, at 2019 it`s still exotic to me. Fair winds ,,,,,,,,,,,/),,,,,,,,,,,,,,

[@RVLifeNOW]

Yes, Zanzibar has an exotic ring to the name, like Tierra del Fuego. Thanks for the comment.

[@andersjakobsen9906]

@@RVLifeNOW Ha ha, I just happend to speak Portugues as a 3. language. And that name, more scared me. (Land of Fire) But as a waypoint, with Cape horn , and all the stories around that area. And now I learnd whay its called Tierra del Fuego as well.... The only problem is that in my head, its always storms down there ;-) All the stories from books, as a young kid ;-) Fair winds ,,,,,,,,,,,,,/),,,,,,,,,,,,,,

[@donaldl.blandjr.6442]

Hey Capn Childress, good show ! Great to see the "shout out" to Boothby's channel especially coming from a professional, licensed captain . I never met or crewed for you but remember seeing Capt P.Childress, on some job listing rosters back in Florida days. Good duty ya got goin now !

[@RVLifeNOW]

Thanks Donald for the comment. Rebecca and I continue to have more adventures as we just managed to dodge a severe storm and have an adventurous passage from Tanzania to S. Africa.....and all this sailing really started in Biscayne Bay and over to Bimini many decades ago.

[@roncanizares9966]

When you say your are always checking the vacuum gauge when motoring, what do you mean by "always"?

[@RVLifeNOW]

There is no clock that I follow. While motoring for any length of time, I get a feeling, and a need, to go into the engine room and make sure all is well. Normally everything is okay but if the fuel filters are starting to become restricted the vacuum gauge will show it. On one recent passage, checking the engine room, I found a broken hose clamp which caused a salt water leak while the engine was running. That was an easy fix before anything terrible happened. Not having discovered the leak early would have caused a disaster salt water saturated electrical cables and connections.

[@roncanizares9966]

Thank you Patrick. Another question: Do you use your SSB? I ask as I have a IC-M710 and a tuner in a box and am wondering if it is worth installing on my new (to me) boat, as I intend to get the Predict Wind Iridium Go package. (I can always sell it if I don't install it.) Your thoughts?

[@RVLifeNOW]

Ron, the SSB is becoming an antiquated piece of equipment. We now have Iridium Go satellite communications and for down loading weather onto our Predict Wind weather app. There is still some use on long passages for keeping in touch with SSB "nets" but certainly not like in years past. So many other yachts also have the same satellite communications we rarely talk on the SSB. Last November I was in Newport, Rhode Island and captained a charter boat to St. Maarten. It was all part of a rally going to the Caribbean. I was very surprised the 53 foot boat I was on did not have a SSB and the rally made no provision for a SSB scheduled check in, as they had always done in the past when I used to do a lot of boat deliveries. Of course we will keep the SSB in place but we hardly ever turn it on anymore. It is good backup equipment.... like an RDF, radio direction finder, mechanical type writer, cassette player...….all antiquated equipment.

[@MrLikeke]

@@RVLifeNOW That is called good watch keeping. Every now and then during watch, I walk the decks, check every system, check engine gauges, inspect the engine room. I have found broken mounts for antennas, screws backed out, capsized lashings, split hoses, hardware fallen to the deck, etc. Even found a rudder pintle sheared off although not felt at the helm. Problems don't fix themselves, but they may cause other problems if left uncorrected.

[@cbcinfla]

11:42 if you came here to see what danger is lurking, otherwise you get a lesson on basic boat maintenance.

[@RVLifeNOW]

Yes, those are some of the dangers off the boat, but the other dangers lie right on the preparation and maintenance on your own boat. Those are often the biggest dangers! -Rebecca

[@johnrice4307]

Hello P&R, and thanks again to you both for your informative and very enjoyable videos. Having read all prior comments on this video, my only hopefully constructive comment is that I found on your previous videos, some fantastic musical accompaniment that really got me moving--actually up off my half-dead arse and attempting my lame (figuratively and literally) dance moves. The music (it seemed to me) was from the country you were visiting at the time, and I found it both refreshing and enlivening and not overbearing or distracting. To me, you have proven you can walk and chew gum at the same time, and I urge you to continue musically, as I believe it adds, not detracts. Thanks so much for all the effort you must expend to provide so much expertise and knowledge for so many people you'll likely never meet. You have my undying respect.

[@RVLifeNOW]

What a nice compliment. Thank you, John.

[@Garryck-1]

Just found your channel, and must say I'm impressed. Subscribed! Must say though, that the more sailing videos I watch, the more convinced I become that my decision to go with junk rig for my own upcoming build is the right one. All the sail and gear handling necessary to sail a Bermudian or gaff rig just leaves me cold.. so much fiddle-farting around... so much complex gear to operate, maintain and stow... so many potential points of failure... so much physical effort involved. I'll pass, thanks. A system that puts no excessive loads on the hull and rig, that needs no standing rigging, where tacking is simply a matter of putting the helm over, and nobody ever has to go forward on deck in heavy weather, is a much more civilised way to go, IMO. (And anyone who's reading this can spare me the comments about 'junks don't go to windward'. They do, almost as well as a Bermudian rig. All such comments prove is that the person making them has no idea about modern junk rig designs, and/or is just parroting what others have said in the past.)

[@RVLifeNOW]

Blondie Hasler was a big believer in the junk rig. It is unfortunate he did not live longer to further demonstrate their good properties. The rest of us are stuck with production boats that follow marketing trends. Junk rigs have proven themselves over centuries. I just started a Travels and Animals , You tube channel to put up some of our destination videos.....which include sailing one local boat and closeups of the tremendous cargo capacity of another, in S.E. Asia. Go to that site and you will see the 2 thumbnails with the local sailboats. Amazing old rigs that have been around since the early Egyptians. Why change a good thing. I would be very interested to keep in touch and see how your project progresses.

[@advancednutritioninc908]

Excellent Video Thank You!! Subbed!! Liked !!

[@RVLifeNOW]

Thanks so much! Glad you liked it, and thank you for subbing! -Rebecca

[@andrewtaylor9615]

You had me at vee drive... If you don't have the room .. good deal. Love my straight drive but toyota/size luck.

[@RVLifeNOW]

Yep

[@brianpetersen3429]

An excellent video!

[@RVLifeNOW]

Thx

[@todmills]

Nice video! I think you misspoke, calling your deck pipe a hawse pipe? Those holes p/s in your bulwarks are the hawse pipes, while the one in the deck below the gypsy is a deck pipe :-)

[@RVLifeNOW]

Yep, you are right. Thanks for the correction!

[@frankblake3365]

Patrick, you and Rebecca can really tell the story. I'm amazed the technical difficulties you must have (but we don't see) of being in remote locations, your videos are really good, presentation is great and you provide links to where we can continue our education. I'm learning so much and don't even realize it until I think through issues when I'm on my boat (43 Irwin). I think to myself "What would Patrick do" lol. Thanks to you both! And agree and very nice of you to point us to other Vlogs where we can continue to learn - Kevin/How To Sailing Oceans - That guy is amazing! All the best and safe adventures! Frank - Amelia Island Florida

[@RVLifeNOW]

Frank, thank you for the great compliment!

[@jayomjarmo]

you are awsom a real sailing freak ! Bravo thanks !

[@RVLifeNOW]

Thanks!

[@charles1379]

great and interesting video series. thank you. I note that the red power cable from the alternator is hanging loose. this to is an issue and may cause fatigue in the cable. it is always a good idea to cable tie all cables so they do not wave (sic) around in the rocking of the boat.

[@RVLifeNOW]

Thanks, Charles for pointing that out. That wire is thick and stiff so isn't very flexible. It quickly rests on the stringer after leaving the alternator, which is as good as it can get. In another video, if it wasn't this one, I am starting to forget which video shows what, I show proper chafing gear on hoses and especially electrical wires. Probably as you know, a well supported wire, just vibrating against a hard spot of the engine, will cause chafe and could eventually start a fire. Thanks for your comment.

[@alicecoppers8980]

Did you add the manual blower yourself or was that part of the original design?

[@RVLifeNOW]

A previous owner installed the blower but it discharged right out the side of the coaming, over the side deck. Of course sea water had washed into the blower and rusted everything destroying the motor. I rerouted the discharge into the coaming.

[@williamlacombe5818]

I know nothing about sailing but your video is about the most informative I've come across plus u Don t waste time hemming and hawing about insignificant things also very little music if any was a big plus.furthermore information provided is both practical and applicable.do u have any night vision on board and also firearms ,are u aloud to have firearms when sailing international. I would think it b pretty lonely without one

[@RVLifeNOW]

Interesting you ask about night vision. I just haven't thought to mention it. We have a very old generation 1 night vision scope. It was amazing back then, like 16 years ago, but the newer ones are far better. Great for seeing unlit buoys and picking up very dim navigation lights on a far off vessel, like a poorly lit barge behind a tug. We also have a couple Infra Red scopes but I haven't yet figured out the knack to get the best use out of them yet so prefer the night scope. No, we do not have fire arms on board. Each to his own on that subject. Most experienced cruisers do not talk about fire arms nor would they admit to anyone they have them on board if they do. At sea, a vessel is under the rules of their "flag state", that is the country in which the vessel is registered. When entering the waters of a foreign country, the vessel comes under the laws of that country. Thanks for the comments about the production and what works. There is enough entertainment videos out there and "look at what we did wrong today" vids. I wanted to try a different approach.

[@williamlacombe5818]

@@RVLifeNOW you c now thats EXACTLY what I meant when saying how much i loke the way u explain things quick,to the point with BUILT in solutions .this is in reference to the way u answered that one touchy subject .keep them coming your vids are far and away the best I've found

[@AJMackey1]

Just found your channel, excellent, informative videos, thank you

[@RVLifeNOW]

Thanks for watching! Hope you will subscribe and watch more!

[@EnglishPatriot101]

Very interesting ! Best of luck with future voyages

[@RVLifeNOW]

Thanks Paul.

[@dmzflightmedic]

New to your chanel and somewhat new to sailing... would you please comment on your decision to sail a Cutter, over a Sloop or a Ketch. Thanks for the video.

[@RVLifeNOW]

A ketch or yawl is an outdated concept. It leaves a lot of weight and rigging aloft to add only a little amount of sail area. A boat has to counter balance all the uphill weight with much more ballast down below and weighing down the boat. A sloop is doable but there are times you need a much smaller foresail to deal with higher wind conditions. You just can't roll in a genoa and expect it to have good aerodynamic capabilities. A stay sail, whether permanently attached or detachable, is perfect for heavy winds after the headsail in rolled in. In the old days of hanked on sails, the big jib would be hauled down, bagged, then shoved down below and the smaller storm jib would be hanked onto the head stay. Now it is more common to have both jib and staysail on their own roller furling. As shown in the video, I often use the staysail to fill the gap between the main and head stay to gain a little extra resistance to the wind when off the wind but also the staysail if often set when heading into the wind and the wind is light. There is more to it than this description but this is the basics. View the Valiant 40 tour, part one and it will show a bit more about the head sails. Thanks for your comment.

[@alicecoppers8980]

Sorry to make so many good comments but I love your security measures!

[@RVLifeNOW]

Thanks, Alice, the more comments the better!

[@moriver3857]

Great video! Breakfast looked good. So many preventive measures, and that's great to see. Looking forward to more videos.

[@RVLifeNOW]

Thanks Mo River! Glad to have you onboard! -Rebecca

[@moriver3857]

@@RVLifeNOW Youre welcome. Need to catch up on videos. East Africa looks awesome. Moses

[@RVLifeNOW]

@@moriver3857 From Tanzania south, Africa has been a very pleasant surprise.

[@mjb007bond]

That frying pan looked interesting. What is it made out of? It looked like solid stone (not the handle).

[@rubennavegante3491]

I guess I got the right idea I am building a sailboat thanks

[@RVLifeNOW]

The survival of this old boat is very impressive. Unlike with newer production boats, I have never heard of a keel or rudder simply falling off of a 1970s fiberglass boat.

[@superdon1chw]

did you know fram oil filters are the worse filter you can buy if you get board cut one open on you next filter change .

[@RVLifeNOW]

I did not know that till recent commenters like you made the posts. Way back, they used to be good. I will certainly look for a better brand here in Africa. Thanks for your information.

[@murph914]

So what should we buy then?

[@superdon1chw]

@@murph914 anything but fram every thing else is better

[@RVLifeNOW]

@@murph914 Down the list of comments, you might find the comment which has a link to a You Tube video where someone cut open a bunch of filters. Very impressive. Nearly all the filters were good and some a little better, but Fram was junk.

[@scottdecker3072]

After watching many sailing videos.....why do these engines require so much maintenance...ie oil change every 150hrs???? Auto engines go thousands of miles and hours etc???? Thanks

[@RVLifeNOW]

It is always debatable how often a car engine oil should be changed but many say every 3 months or 3,000 miles. I once saw a calculation that a car at 3,000 miles is close in use to a boats engine running at 2,500 RPM at 100 hours. Someone else can decide how accurate that is. In any case, oil is cheap and clean oil in an engine will make for a longer life engine. We can go many months before putting on 100 hours on our diesel. With an oil change pump, changing engine oil is quick and easy. Since there is no filter, (other than a small magnet in the V-drive) on the V-drive or transmission, it is important to change those oils at every engine oil change. All part of the sailing life.

[@marceld6061]

@@RVLifeNOW & Scott Decker I think it has to do with the transmission in cars. Especially newer ones that now have up to 8 different ratios in an automatic transmission. Once you hit cruising speed (overdrive) in a car the engine rotates less than the wheels thanks to the gearing in the transmission. Not so much in a boat! You want the prop to turn faster, then the engine must too. Another factor is (and this is a big one): Can you call AAA when your boat stops running in the middle of the ocean? Nope. If your car breaks down you might be, at most, a few hours from the nearest tow truck. Like airplanes, you keep the boat in the best shape possible because YOUR equipment is your only guarantee of getting home. A breakdown on the ocean could cost you your life. That is a lot more inconvenient than waiting a few hours for a tow truck. "Take care of your equipment and it will take care of you"

[@johnmaclean2466]

Did you go back through into the engine compartment and checking fluid levels before leaving the cove enroute to Z or were you satisfied with the previous days results?

[@RVLifeNOW]

He looked one more time…always so carefull . This is the wife btw…

[@behometexas6633]

What a great set of videos. Exactly what I've been looking for! I am just getting started in sailing in my C22. Dreaming of sailing from Texas to the Caribbean (not in the C22!) Wondered what your thoughts are doing this journey in a modern Catalina 35-40ish ft. Myself and the wife. Love your Valiant!

[@RVLifeNOW]

Decades ago I sailed a Catalina 27 around the world on a solo circumnavigation. So nearly anything can do it if you stay in the right latitudes at the right time of year and keep up the maintenance. Rebecca started sailing on a C27 then owned a C30 and C36. It is amazing how many people started out on small Catalinas. Now that we have been out for over 12 years, I would not want a boat smaller than 40 feet. 43' would be better. Thanks for the compliment!

[@randalljames1]

More good stuff... Hey, on the OPO stuff.. you still advocate for them? thinking it might be a good start

[@RVLifeNOW]

Yes, they operate sea worthy boats with captains who have a long history of making the New England to St. Marten run. The best way to get your first offshore experience and hopefully in more than 20 knots of wind.

[@RiggingDoctor]

Scary to think about that poor guy smacking into the tow line like that! I like to stay FAR far away from anyone for that very reason. What if the tugs "towing lights" were as dim as the barge light? We always radio the commercial boat and make sure what their plans are and what they are doing. Are we annoying them? Probably, but it helps clear up any confusion while we have miles between us.

[@TheMorganMonroeShow]

Red over white light,,, your houser is tight.

[@RVLifeNOW]

This is Rebecca...Yes I agree...my heart was broken as we were chatting with him about it. We don’t always call them...but we definitely always stay as far away as possible...he was a singlehanded and I’m sure exhaustion was a part of it, but I don’t know anything for certain.

[@tip00former1]

Wow, some great information. Nearly professional :-) Were you a seaman or just cruising for 20+ years? Subscribed.

[@RVLifeNOW]

Back in 1979 I set out from Miami on a 27 foot boat and took 3 years to complete a solo circumnavigation. Then worked professionally in the Caribbean for a few years. Did a lot of boat deliveries between New England and the Caribbean. We have been on our present voyage for 12 years....but always more to learn. Thanks for joining us.

[@terrybaker8349]

Patrick. Just a question on AIS. Is yours transmitting?

[@RVLifeNOW]

Yes it transmits. Is it transmitting right now....no...This is Rebecca btw...

[@RVLifeNOW]

Terry, we have a switch to the right of the chart table to turn on or off the transmit portion of the AIS. We display incoming AIS on the stand alone Vesper display to the upper right of the chart plotter, or MFD, Multi Function Display, as Raymarine calls it, and on the MFD itself while in chart plotting mode.

[@rf-bh3fh]

Thank you

[@RVLifeNOW]

Thanks for watching…

[@1SeanBond]

A excellent veiw! Ohhhh i sure love this Channel, I bought a Brick House purple hoodie! It will be awesome for the cold prairies Winter's gets to -40f or -40c interesting how different the Temp Scales actually line up in insane cold here in Saskatchewan Canada....sure different then my hometown of Vancouver lol where you never tanned you rusted😊! Take care Rebecca Luv&Peace Sean&family 🙂✌

[@hapticboychuk2734]

😂😂😂😂 rusted Why on earth would you move to SK? Brrrr!

[@RVLifeNOW]

Thank you. And thanks for watching!

[@1SeanBond]

@@hapticboychuk2734 After living in Vancouver B.C for 30years I bought 40acre with a modern house to raise my 3 children! I like it lol but it dose get to +40c in summer & -40c in the winter... Cheers!

[@1SeanBond]

@@RVLifeNOW lol Rebecca thank's! that comment was from a while back 🙂...sure appreciate it ...& I'm still enjoying that nicely made hoodie! Cheers .