Preparing for 8000 miles of Offshore Sailing | Boat Maintenance | Sailing Florence Ep. 128

[@william6526]

Out of all the sailing channels I watch yours is one of the best. You guys actually sail and it's a very nice experience to watch a video of someone sailing without all the clutter of how they are basically sailing a few miles and then basically living for months tied to a dock or mooring bar . I'm really looking forward to your sailing to the Caribbean then to America and finally back across the Atlantic to England. Stay safe and have a great crossing.

[@robbuhops2]

Not one of the best…….THE BEST…….Thank you

[@stephenjones2374]

Love watching them

[@willyum1208]

did they ever give a reason why they took the southern route instead of up through the red sea like Zatara, Aquarius and Nohua? A lot less miles to get back to England this way.

[@lancehowetravels]

Hello random comment reader and/or sailing peeps! Have a wonderful Friday!

[@geo-fry896]

you also have wonderful day! :)

[@kenholt8297]

what?

[@rondonze5285]

I really like your calm narrative style. A pleasure to watch.

[@Kit2Canada]

Just a tip - have someone tip a bucket of very warm water inside the wetsuit before you enter the water. You’ll be amazed how much body-heat it saves you (next time).

[@crazyjay7676]

Another good wet suit tip when cold is to have a wee as this feels nice and warm until washed away by the cold water.

[@SailingYachtFlorence]

That used to be called turning on the central heating when I was dinghy sailing as a kid...

[@daveperry4391]

@@crazyjay7676 Never pee in a wetsuit, it will stink forever !!

[@jdlft.w836]

I use to put a black bucket of water on deck to rinse off AFTER a cold dive.

[@kirkrobbins9090]

@@SailingYachtFlorence if you're double suiting, you might really be in HOT WATER once Amy realizes what you have done!

[@annafraley5388]

Looking back at all the things you have done, places you’ve been, problems you’ve had, along with the fun. Yes it’s been a while now and look at you two, you ALWAYS get er done, no matter what..!!✅ You two do a very good job, Certainly NOT Slackers. 😎🥳👏👍

[@webheadusa9377]

Matt, when your jobs are running longer than expected, think about this: your worst day on board Florence is better than the best day of many of your subscribers! Yeah, your are where you are because that is exactly where you want to be and where you are able, in many respects, to be. You are in 37 feet of paradise! Best, :¬) Webhead USA

[@canismajoris6733]

That's not true lol

[@andrewbond6933]

You are both inspirational. I have recently bought a similar yacht and am planning many similar voyages. Thanks for sharing your adventures. Cheers Andrew.

[@jdlft.w836]

Matt, thank you for sparing us from "sweaty curssing". As an old USN sailor I will probably use that. I love cruising vicariously through your KZbin videos.

[@wbnethery3]

I’ve been watching your videos for a while now (but not as long as some) and I must say that the cinematography has reached a new high ... I assume it is the combination of better gear, more experience and possibly some training. Whatever it is, you’ve definitely earned a spot in my regular lineup of subscriptions... safe travels!

[@alanrowell7108]

Full of admiration for your achievements and your unique way of explaining all the finest details particularly safety here’s wishing you a safe voyage, how I envy what you both have achieved so entertaining

[@peterturner5241]

An informative and practical explanation of the hard facts of keeping the yacht functioning before voyaging across remote oceans. I wish you a safe and exciting adventure and will follow your progress with great interest. Cheers, Peter NZ.

[@sjeffreyw]

You folks are amazing, the journey you have been on is remarkable. I've watched just about all your videos crossing the Pacific to New Zealand, then through the Asian countries, then the Indian Ocean and now you're getting ready for the Atlantic Ocean. I'd give you both a big hug if I could. You two are and amazing team, keep up the safe sailing.

[@colinmorley6983]

Great video. Thank you. Good to see you all prepared. I wish you a safe and enjoyable adventure/ sail across the Atlantic.

[@christophermelo7889]

Thank you for the AIS info share. If Emtek isnt sponsoring you,they should be! I was just commenting this week that when a set that shared my mast head antenna became affordable I would switch from a receiver to a transponder. Also very happy for the teaser on the future. You guys have a great combination of good level headed practicality, fun, and fantastic production skills that makes one look forward to every episode! Others have said it, but I recall the same anticipation whenever i could find one of the Hiscock`s books.

[@barbrapieters5089]

Glad we could assist with your Life raft. Great Video. Barbra Pieters - NovaMarine Service Manager

[@christopherhutchings9621]

An amazing REAL sailing channel!!! The videos of South Africa make me think of retirement there😊, fair winds and following sea.

[@NorthPoleTime]

I always love your videos but your videography is brilliant. Very well done! Thank you for the great entertainment value.

[@ericballard74]

I just recently found your channel and am now catching up on old videos. I love your smiles and way of approaching life. Just so positive!!!!

[@rainfinger]

Great job explaining the problems. New chain is a wonderful feeling.

[@thegreens980]

Absolute fantastic and informative video Matt!

[@dsmethurst1]

Another awesome example of how to prepare your boat. Thank you to you both!

[@SailingwithScott]

Love your channel! Great storytelling and editing. Wonderful! Fair winds to you always.

[@tomst9417]

A very engaging video of the behind the scenes maintenance and preparation so important for safe sailing. I think the only thing that requires (much) more maintenance than a house is a boat. The marine environment is very harsh on virtually all materials . Happy to see you didn't need to replace your life raft and that it was in functional condition despite its appearance. Advances in technology are amazing when compared to what was available just 20 years ago. AIS is a wonderful invention. Looks like you are well-prepared for the South Atlantic crossing, fair winds!

[@robertnixon3816]

Thats a very well thought out design for your cocpit cover! Very clever! So enjoy your videos! Well done in every way!

[@janeingram7331]

Congrats on over 100K subscribers. You are one of the best sailing channels and other say you are too. Safe journey across the South Pacific. Jane, Philadelphia,

[@edgarchegwin961]

Matt and Amy happy to see you guys doing those lots of repairs and upgrades so needed on your boat, wishing ya two a safe trip back to England as you cross those 8.000 miles over the Atlantc ocean. Thank you for that nice video. I am sure you will enjoy your journey. Hugs to you, see you soon. bst rgs

[@bjrnlvjomas8083]

Nice to hear you are coming to Norway 🇳🇴

[@MrLebro11]

You two can even make maintenance and boat jobs seem fun. And so educational too. Thrilled to hear the voyage plan of sailing to the Caribbean and up to Northern Seas. Exciting adventures are ahead. Great vid once again. 👍

[@johngrigg8210]

Glad u enjoyed South Africa. Safe sailing!!!

[@billwilliams9527]

Cool beans on the quick upgrades for the cockpit, kudos on creativity. Looks good too! Following Florence and crew.

[@SuperPecker1]

Great to see your proactive approach to systems and safety...well done

[@neilgordon8145]

Really pleased to hear about your plans to sail north, (from a totally selfish point of view). I very much look forward to your videos, so delighted they will keep coming!

[@nigelmorgan3449]

Great video plenty of information and good boat maintenance enjoyed watching you fix everything

[@FuntimesCA]

Yup boat jobs never seem to be over. Always enjoy your videos. So excited and looking forward to your next sailing. Love the “The Ocean is Calling” Cheers 🍻

[@robaust3049]

Luv the innocent and honest; “sorry Mum…”

[@exotichandyman]

So good to hear you are going to continue north after you get home. We we’re getting worried the entertainment would end… we’ve watched every video of yours.

[@mojoneko8303]

Good Luck on the next leg of your journey. Once you hit the Caribbean the rest of this trip is going to be a cake walk for you two. 🙂 Fair winds and following sea. Sail On!

[@Oceans_Sail]

As usual - an absolutely brilliant video - packed full of useful boat information and tips. ~I love your balance between adventure (the point of it all) and the practical boat and a sailing tasks. Spot on! You guys rock!

[@philiph-b4402]

We sailed from Southsea to Almerimar via Gibraltar with our VHS radio connected to a mobile phone aerial!!!! Engineers in Southsea and in Gibraltar could not fix the short range transmission. I wish I had Matt's skills at sorting out problems himself rather than relying on strangers! Our problem was fixed by the late Mike Hughes whose wife, Elizabeth Anne of Ursamarine used to look after my boat when I was in England. We became firm friends!

[@tomcraddock244]

Another wonderful video!! So much fun following your amazing journey Fair winds ⛵️

[@chrismktgpsu]

You guys may want to look into adding some insulation to your life raft storage compartment to protect from engine heat. Or extra insulation on engine compartment roof. Cheers!

[@rimasmeleshyus9486]

Very good job ,preparation 8,000 miles back to England 🇬🇧. From the South Africa 🇿🇦 I wish you a fair winds and following seas 🌊

[@ooytyt]

can't wait for your Namibia videos !

[@stevelambert7496]

Nice episode guys always good to see all the maintenance it takes to keep florence going thanks for sharing

[@hxspace5455]

Wow, that was a lot of work. Thank you for sharing as always. Love you guys!

[@Thomas-eu6fj]

Worth waiting for each new episode ☺️ Fascinating Video. Not a moment wasted !

[@dellybel1979]

Really interesting video guys - thanks for making it! I have loved your channel for a fair few years. It would be great to see the beginning of your journey if videos 1&2 are available? Glad you’re having fun and living life!

[@samehmoneim6732]

Thank you very much for sharing your experience, I liked much your idea of the tent, your videos are very inspiring. wishing to you a safe sailing.

[@edferculo8887]

THEE ABSOLUTE BEST SAILING CHANNEL THERE IS. THANK YOU BOTHSO MUCH

[@vhollinrake]

Hey, everything always takes longer than you think, there is always a screw that gets stuck, a thing that won't move.......so its the same on an idyllic boat cruise!! Thanks for sharing the nuts and bolts of sea life with a land lubber 😀

[@Oceans_Sail]

Blimey - 88 miles!!! Now that’s a great tip of an upgrade! Thanks a lot!!!

[@EdToml]

After you crossed the Pacific, I was not at all sure that you would continue with your vlog - I am really glad that you did. Another interesting video.

[@sailingsitka]

Absolutely love your channel. loving the prep videos but also looking forward to seeing your upcoming crossing.

[@theubiquitusgastronaut8273]

So good to see you new cockpit cover. Looks like a well thought out design. Heaps of procrastination and deliberation I bet. Probably for the good 👍

[@stephenburnage7687]

I was wondering, however. Could they not have used a conventional (full height) bridge (between dodger and bimini) and simply solved the wind vane air flow problem with a longer paddle?

[@ReflectingMe2024]

Excellent video Matt and Amy. I am a full amateur radio license holder so was especially interested in the VHF radio section. Really enjoy watching your videos. John

[@WM_Partners]

More Amy please!!! Matt, you do an excellent job of explaining the work, and I’m not complaining mind you, but…. Amy? Yes please. You two do make an adorable couple. Keep on cruising, and keep that life raft stowed. Mast up. Keel down.

[@cathytodd3996]

Super video, thanks for sharing!

[@ranger2316]

Your videography is gorgeous. Be safe!

[@astromags584]

Loving your videos. May be one day I will be able to join the crew, but thank you for sharing lots of free footage, safe travels to you both. ⛵

[@justarandomguy3071]

You should put a bit of chain between the swivel and the anchor. The way you have it now, it is prone to breaking under sideways load.

[@BRYKS22]

Never thought about testing my anchor chain with calipers...good job guys.

[@klaudiaskyes2922]

How do you test yours?

[@BRYKS22]

@@klaudiaskyes2922 to be honest not with anything orthodox like what they do, just mainly by sight, how much corrosion has taken place etc.

[@geoffreylotz3661]

I believe this is the first video I have watched on your channel, and how weirdly coincidental that you are not only moored in my old home town in Hout Bay, with what looked like the masts of my old cat Ketch momentarily i the background, but you then went to my old place of work and featured an ex-colleague of mine (Ashley). Cool video, thanks for the upload....I shall watch the next as you head up the West coast....

[@stephaancoetzee9383]

Hi love your videos ,I amfrom Namibia and wish you fair winds on your Atlantic crossing

[@kirkrobbins9090]

I love your planning & attention to detail. Your Mum should feel comforted as you go through your prep & upgrades, even if you get a scolding for the life raft (probably no worse than you've given yourselves). Looks like you're about ready to go! Those of us following from home look forward to you're fair winds and following seas, but know you're ready for more! Love your voyages !

[@diepeterpan]

What’s it boat people, maintenance and more maintenance….. Good luck with the journey ahead.

[@JosephMullin]

Fair winds and following seas. Godspeed Florence

[@1sheinz]

An easy way to get the rust off an anchor chain is to TOW IT BEHIND A CAR ON A GRAVEL ROAD, this works fantastic to clean up all the rust. CHEERS Steve h.

[@svZia-Switch51]

I’ve got keel coolers for both the fridge and freezer units an when the zincs get fused in I’m generally able to pop them out with a flat tip screwdriver and/or a knife. Good luck!

[@bojangles8837]

Love the Spade, good choice. Although you have a weak point. I have never seen the point of anchor swivels? All they do is add a potential point of failure to the anchoring system and provide little or no benefits in return. If you have an anchor swivel, I strongly recommend that you remove it and replace it with the appropriately sized bow shackle installed the right way. If you really must use a swivel, do not connect it directly to the anchor, instead use a short length of chain between the anchor and the swivel.

[@waterboy8999]

Thank you, I'm just about to set up a new chain on mine.

[@Oceans_Sail]

Clean brand spanking new chain - oh joy!

[@ksc743]

I don't know the first thing about sailing but I found this so fascinating because of the practical nature of the items you replaced. You guys are going to be like the cats who got the cream (or the penguins who got the pilchards🤪) when you tootle up to Namibia. Really looking forward to the next part of your journey✌

[@dennisrobinson4588]

Upkeep always seems to take longer than expected, it never fails does it. But like others I would rather be at sea. There is always the way it is. Looking forward to a new video, good sailing and may the winds be favorable. God bless to you guys and all who follow you! Cheers

[@johnfrancis9668]

Good to see you keeping up with the maintenance, it is just good seamanship.

[@Deano.1978]

Having visited Cape Town in late summer, I can confirm the water is bloody freezing even then!

[@saiyav1181]

For a minute after coming across your videos, I thought you were Jack Whitehall. Great videos, especially in Fiji.

[@franktartan6808]

wonderful!!! Could you get a longer screw for the anode, and secure the new over the old? Best of luck into the Atlantic.

[@DeanColegate]

Hey Matt / Amy, your liferaft looked the same as ours when we tried to get it serviced - unfortunately ours failed the test and we've got to buy a new one :( I blame the dodgy OH37 liferaft locker that never seems to drain well. Oh well, noone ever said sailing was cheap! Really like the cockpit tent design can imagine that will make a big difference :)

[@stephenburnage7687]

In case were wondering about the splitter, we found in our case (a Raymarine model), that we still have the AIS receive function if powered down but not the AIS transmit function. Haven't tested the voice function but I think that works the same way (need power for transmit but not receive). For that reason we wired it to the VHF circuit breaker, rather than the circuit breaker for the MFD etc.

[@whackerjacker]

Great video lads, very educational for a newbie like me

[@michakj4994]

When I read the comments about Amy and Mat's navigation, your fans and myself admire your mastership of sailing across the world ocean. You are true passionate sailors and traveling explorers. But when I started to talk about your voyage to my brother it was not so easy to explain your journey and exploration. "They are a young couple, they are behaving this way; it is not good - I heard". For me you are a good example of young couple doing great things. But I cannot convince my brother about it. I tried and failed. Sorry that I was not smart enough to explain. Wish you to continue your amazing voyage safely I will continue to accompany you along through your videos and your comments. You have set new standards for sailing across the world. It is more reasonable to sail as you do than to climb the Himalayas.

[@Oceans_Sail]

Life raft - what everyone usually ignores - “oh it’ll be alright…what could possibly go wrong?” The service intervals are there for a reason and its not to support service dealers

[@englishmaninfrance661]

Good work getting done

[@nicovanrensburg3186]

Really like your cockpit tent! Great addition.

[@Oceans_Sail]

Love the tent upgrade - brilliant!

[@Oceans_Sail]

That’s not a mess behind your electrical panel - that’s amazingly neat and tidy! You have been away at sea too long to judge!

[@christip20]

Wow! That’s nearly 200 ft of chain! After you posted the price in UK & Dollars, it made me curious to see how much it payed for because I’ve never bought that much at once. I have a new respect for it now, for sure....

[@rickloren4766]

Hey Matt, Rick up here in Canada. You could have your Anchor chain sandblasted as a quick way to see what kind of shape it's in Quicker than a chipping hammer.

[@anthonywentzel7176]

Amazing how you to have enjoined my home city. To See the Cape through your eyes just gives my country of birth a new perspective. I always wanted to sail the waters of the Cape but apartheid prevented me the opportunity. It took me to move to England to learn to sail & enjoy sailing.

[@peterward8349]

well done kids fair winds ahead

[@davidfisher268]

Good one guys

[@Matthew-ut6ed]

Top notch electronics skills Matt, well done.

[@billedgecombe9040]

You must be the master of your boat ,but you must also be a " master of all trades ". if you come to newfoundland on your way back I' ll buy you both a real Newfie Cod Fish meal , love your videos , what an adventure ,lifelong memories being made and we get to be stowaways in the bilges ,haha

[@IceglacierArnar]

You mention about Iceland...welcome... yes we have cold climate but very very beautiful land, nothing you have seen before

[@SVBlownAway]

Another great video, showing real cruising life!

[@felipegomezpinzon7815]

Hello Florence, los sigo en sus videos desde San Andrés Islas in Colombia. Son geniales y ese ha sido mi sueño desde que era un niño, poder navegar en un velero como el FLORENCE. Les envío un abrazo desde Colombia. Bye..

[@fkend1]

Just use longer screws and fix your new anodes on top of the old ones should do the trick.

[@christopherclevenger7118]

Hot water: soak your hood in hot water before putting it on then pour more hot water (I use about a quart/litre} into your wetsuit. This warm layer will remove the shock of the entering cold water since it can't fill the area due to the hot water. Using hot water before entering will greatly extend your time of feeling warm/comfortable in the water Luv your vids!

[@jmcmurrah]

I love boat work videos… great job!

[@shaunnewman8375]

Hey Guys - Re the anodes, leave the old ones in situ and attach the new items over top using longer screws until you can haul out next. As long as they are galvanically connected they will still function.

[@alanbrookes6637]

Many people who want to take off sailing have little idea what’s needed regarding ongoing work and maintenance. Good decision to replace chain by the way!

[@johnnyjoe0515]

do you guys do your own sprouting? you can grow micro greens with very little water and almost no space. fresh greens every five days. you can buy large packages of mixed organic seeds so you have an abundance of vitamins and minerals. and the seeds are easy to store. be sure to add radish seeds for some extra zing.