Preparing for a MONTH AT SEA | Crossing the INDIAN OCEAN | Sailing Florence - Ep.102

We are about to set sail on a 3000 mile offshore ocean passage. Just the two of us double handed, sailing our 37ft yacht Florence all alone on board, for up to a month at sea. In this video we share some of the preparations as we undertake a full mast tip to bilge check over of Florence. Preparing a yacht in this part of Indonesia with almost no marine yachting services requires us to undertake everything ourselves. It is not long now until we depart Indonesia to continue our world sailing circumnavigation which was put on pause when we were stuck here by the pandemic, we have 16,000 miles of ocean sailing left between us and home in England.
We are a British couple who set off from England in 2016 to fulfill our dream of sailing around the world on our 37ft sail boat, Florence. Along the way we share the live aboard lifestyle with the highs and lows of travelling around the world by boat, our own little tiny house. Boat life out at sea on the ocean and off the grid.
Support us on Patreon: / sailingyachtflorence
You can also follow us via our blog at www.sailwiththeflo.wordpress.com
#Sailing #sailingaroundtheworld #offshore #oceanpassage #offshoresailing #Indonesia #travel #covidtravel #circumnavigation #SailingYachtFlorence
Music in order as played:
Keep Walking - Alvaro Angeloro - www.hooksounds.com - Creative Commons - Attribution Creative Commons 4.0 license

[@earthangel8730]

You are both top notch sailors! Your attention to important details is outstanding. Well done!

[@Chris-be1fo]

The most under rated channel on KZbin. Bon voyage. ⛵️

[@julianbatcheler9970]

Totally agree. And one of the few sailing channels that’s interesting and real and not filled with BS.

[@IanB22]

Right???!! What a solid - must watch channel!

[@mosca3289]

The abandon ship checklist is a great idea. Aviation style 👍🏻

[@papajeff5486]

It’s so good of you to share this part of your voyage. This is great advice for anyone buying a yacht and preparing for a long trip. I absolutely love your modesty, and do it yourself work. It gives me courage, making me think maybe this is not just an impossible dream. Texas

[@vernholmes7940]

Great instructional video on the many things you need to consider before undertaking such a voyage. I look forward to the videos to come. Fair winds and following seas!

[@robinhodgkinson]

You guys obviously put a lot of thought, time and effort into these videos. Thank you!

[@MrRourk]

A big crossing! Exciting stuff. You have almost done the whole circle of our Earth now.

[@pataulson]

Great episode; clear, concise and laden with useful info. Thank you!

[@Tim8mit]

wishing you fair winds and following seas.....looking forward to following you across the Indian Ocean

[@Government-EconomicsTeacher]

We soo appreciated these videos bc If we ever sail it helps us learn from those who have gone before. My hubby is a contractor so super handy and I know he can learn to fix just about anything even though boats aren't anything he is familiar with. These are the videos he will rely on if we make the leap :)

[@geoffpalmer6424]

A great video, showing the work that goes into your preparation. Looking forward to the next one and the story of your voyage across the Indian Ocean. Fair winds.

[@dawnfoor579]

I have so much respect for you two. Pray God continues to bless your adventures! Thank you for sharing!

[@rainfinger]

The Indian Ocean was the best passage we ever did, circumnavigating in the 1980s. You guys will ace this, because of your incredible teamwork!

[@same.5564]

You guys deserve 1.0M followers...

[@ginfancher3760]

I Love your videos and am constantly amazed at the things I learn. I'm not a sailor but many years ago I had that dream. Mine was a smaller dream in most ways but my end result was basically impossible though my best friend and I were going to try. Our dream was to sail a teakwood yacht from Miami to the Florida Keys to shark fish with Jimmy Buffet (Google him, he's been our hero since 9th grade and I'm 64 now) That ain't happening lol. But the biggest lesson you've taught me is how a marriage is meant to be. I've been married 4 times and had any of them and I had been alone on a boat that long my husband would have gone missing while on his watch lol. I'd have to do it Before he did it to me! You guys are true inspiration on so many levels! Thank you and thanks for letting me kinda relive my dream that was supposed to happen in 2008 when our children were out of high school and 18.

[@Mesozoic_mammal]

When you are in the Seychelles make sure to check out La Digue, it is a beautiful small island with hardly any cars. It is worth to get a guide for a jungle tour. And in Praslin (the second largest island) we would recommend Anse Lazio, a wonderful beach. :-)

[@hv7978]

I personally use a headset with a light on it (white/red). It points to where you're looking at. Very handy. It not only lets you see the things you want to see in the cockpit, but also travels with you if you need to go forward on deck.

[@owenjeynes8248]

I haven't sailed to Seychelles but it is honestly one of my favourite places on earth. My grandmother was born there and it feels like my home and the home of everybody who visits

[@mikefalke6005]

How much I appreciate your videos ! I am learning skills that you make easy to follow up. Good luck to your crossing , thank you!

[@ThePottski]

I always enjoy your videos, it will be great to see you on the move again!

[@lawnitenisa2680]

thank you for using Pertamina Dex! 😊

[@Riverboat374]

God be with you guys on your passage.

[@airbear9445]

My best wishes in your long-awaited endeavour!

[@gabibls792]

Just a friendly tip: - When changing the oil filter, always fill it up with fresh oil before mounting it to the engine!

[@trinadecker657]

Fair Winds and Following Seas!

[@matthewlawson884]

Very thorough preparation and useful reminder for others in a similar situation. Well done and thank you.

[@bdphourde]

In all the episodes of MANY sailing channels I watch, yours is the first I've see that covers the "long voyage planning preparation"! And you have covered it so well and thoroughly! I am really inpressed! I'm not really surprised though as every episode stands out in some way or another. Your viewers are really fortunate!

[@papajoe6254]

Wow I found this episode to be one of your most interesting and important to the realization that a 3000 mile trip is no light matter to undertake, and best to be prepared for everything and anything that might come your way. I look forward to your next episode.

[@brrraaaapp8502]

Excellent episode - as real as it gets. Your camerawork and editing is always amazing. Fair winds.

[@donanderson2264]

You guys really do a great job of portraying the side of cruising life as it needs to be portrayed. There will be a lot of newbies joining the cruising world when the pandemic is over. They are already spending a lot of energy to get out there. I fear that newbies will be a taxing element in the cruising world due to big dreams and limited experience. I look forward to and always enjoy your videos.

[@sal_e._mander5151]

With your attention to detail, watching boat repairs you two do is very interesting. Keep up the good work.

[@DavidKirwanirl]

One of my favourite channels! Will be following along you two and Florence

[@nickbrown6457]

This is my most favourite channel on the whole of KZbin!

[@chriskirkman5425]

Ditto

[@joelevy750]

Great attention to detail especially your safety and emergency equipment prep work.. Looking forward to to the crossing.

[@budawang77]

You sure have to be thorough and meticulous if you want want to long passages safely. Good stuff.

[@susanokane5209]

A very thorough preparation with extremely limited resources. The gas refill was genius.

[@nealeburgess6756]

Florence is looking good! Nice work, and interesting to see your preparations, especially with no supporting infrastructure.

[@digitalcanvas4444]

Awesome information. Saving this for review before my 1st passage. Thanks you two!

[@AfricanFlightStar]

Great preparation process, thanks for sharing 👍🏻⛵️🙏🏻

[@bintorodibyoseputro4791]

Appreciating your visit to Sumatra, Indonesia. Wish your next passages good luck !

[@michakj4994]

Great to meet you again! Watch you and listen to your story. Thank you for releasing this video.

[@guy.h]

Thanks for sharing this - it's all very interesting & useful. Look forward to next week & of course the adventures ahead

[@ABeriault]

Impressive and well done! Cant wait to follow you across

[@Dobbo314]

I like the project videos. So please do video more in the future.

[@Matthew-ut6ed]

Great job, Matt and Amy. I just love your attention to detail and your knowledge of what it takes. I can sense your excitement to be moving again after so long stuck in lockdown. And when you hit the Seychelles get some diving in. You'll find clearer waters there than what you had in Indonesia! Wish I was there doing the passage with you. Fair winds and a following sea...

[@EnglishLawyer]

Guys.As you know I think you two are wonderful and present a great show. Just had a question and a comment. Question: Since the weather seems so good, why don't you carry antifouling so that you can careen her on a lovely beach. One side each tide as the ye olde pirates used to do? Yeah hindsight. LOL. Secondly: This is a great tip. I owned a 47' motorsailer. 47 feet long, 12'6' wide and she drew 5'10. Big underwater area. Full length keel like a fishing boat. How to clean her bottom in a bay? Well after much fanning about, I bought a household plunger which allowed me to stay under water with my scuba and I was able to attach the plunger, use a brush which would push me away from the hull but the plunger would keep me in place and then slide the plunger along the hull and I was able to do her within an hour with very little effort and minimal use of air.

[@solitadeleon8010]

Thank you for sharing with us your adventures and travel.

[@888arnie]

I have learned a great deal from both of you. Well done!

[@mikehortin9964]

For hard to reach grease nipples consider adding grease lines: small diameter hydraulic hose to somewhere more convenient with a grease nipple on the end.

[@woonkamer5206]

Great video! The bit of info I missed was checking how full the gas bottles are. Overfilling is very dangerous; you wouldn’t be the first to pop your boats deck off in the middle of the ocean with an overheated and overfilled gas bottle. Using a simple fish weighing spring to check how much gas you added to a bottle is a pretty fool proof way to do it. Good luck with the crossing!

[@SailingYachtFlorence]

Our gas bottles also have over pressure release valves, so they will vent off some gas if it expands too much, they are all stored in lockers which are ventilated and drain overboard. We generally only fill them to 2/3 but have more bottles for the reason you mention.

[@Johndadiver]

“Trusty Stick”- gauges can lie (inaccurate) but sticks never lie

[@andrewbalcombe1338]

A boat maintenance video that was actually very interesting. Thank you!

[@itemgamers7762]

Nice presentation

[@rusrus29]

What a lovely couple!! Great content... Thankyou x

[@arterrebuck7233]

The July /aug Indian Ocean Pilot charts look like the best chance of favourable winds will be between 10deg to 20 deg south , Have a great voyage !

[@ke6319]

Best of luck to you. Hope you make it safely

[@Phil-dj6co]

Good Luck Guys fantastic show 🥇

[@chriskirkman5425]

Again good stuff. Very proud of you both.

[@reloadncharge9907]

Excellent episode! Thx, fair winds Andrew

[@meh4743]

This by far my most favorite channel. May God Bless and protect you on your next voyage. We will keep you in our prayers.🙏

[@silviofontana5144]

stay safe guys

[@newforestobservatory9322]

That was really very interesting indeed!!! Your next one sounds just as good :)

[@southerncross86]

GREAT WORK IN SECURING PREPAREDNESS, AWESOME

[@philgray1023]

Learned a couple of things from this. Good to see your level of detail. Thank you for the video.

[@Boediprasetya]

Terimakasih / Thank you for stopping in Indonesia, sorry if a lot of bad things like jerycan fuel were taken by people on the island of Nias, waiting a long time to process immigration documents and maybe also looking for spare parts that are hard to find...maybe if you were in a bigger city it would be easier. A smart solution for filling gas by turning the gas bottle upside down and hanging it on a tree. Good luck for U Crossing the INDIAN OCEAN, keep safe and healthy.... I'm waiting for videos during the next trip Salam.....

[@SailingYachtFlorence]

Thanks, We found the people of Indonesia to be some of the kindest and most friendly in the world. We loved our time there and the people that we met. Some things are difficult in any country and by all accounts the bureaucracy has got and is getting better/easier. M&A

[@Boediprasetya]

@@SailingYachtFlorence keep safety. Keep healthy. Selamat Berlayar

[@dakardad1]

Sweaty, covered in bilge grime, your still cute as hell. Lucky guy.

[@MrBernie101]

Amy is rather lovely too, John 🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@jasonchamberlin1532]

Loved the video and the boat jobs section was actually very interesting. Definitely be interested in seeing more of that side - Sailing Fair Isle have 2 separate collections of videos, technical videos and travelogue videos which seems to work well

[@judebug329]

Wow. I found you at the very start of “That which shall not be named.” I’ve only see you in this one section of the world. Looking forward to seeing your passage ahead!

[@Chebab-Chebab]

Watch the other videos.

[@nicholaskouyoumdjian9392]

Love the video. Very interesting and well filmed.

[@Thomas-eu6fj]

Your theme music is just beautiful ❤️ Very interesting video 👍 Every minute of it 😊

[@chinoodin4735]

Glad to catch your update before running across Indian Ocean. Your efficiencies have served you well through many of unexpected events. Wind can change anytime! Thanks for sharing your adventure. The moments recorded have been most enjoyable, inspiring to all who have acquainted themselves with Florence and her crew. Wish you well as you venture on, stay safe. Looking forward to seeing that first anchorage beyond the horizon. Cheers 🥂

[@geniexmay562]

Always learn so much from your vids. Thank You ....... : )

[@whitebeltforlife]

I really like your videos

[@Echobase71]

Good thinking with the Nutella in the life raft 👍🏻

[@ColoradoGal1651]

Safe travels!

[@murrayisabeth1897]

Great video guy's! The hard work and attention to detail on your safety is spot on. We look forward to watching your epic adventure. May you have fair winds and calm seas.

[@cruisepassion2918]

great videos, thanks for sharing

[@franktartan6808]

Thanks for another great video!! ......take me with you!!!!!!!

[@normansufrin207]

Hey guys. I’m so pleased for you being able to sail away across the Indian Ocean. Looking forward to your next vid

[@elroncubano]

Thanks for sharing Safe sailing

[@andyjamesable]

As always a really excellent video .. well done guys ..

[@IceglacierArnar]

I am back watching. Took a break from travel video's

[@tarbaby6571]

Enjoyed Thankyou

[@Oceans_Sail]

Really great video - a helpful reminder of some of the things we need to think about - although journey prep, it emphasises again the old sailing adage that sailing is the art of travelling very very slowly to a new destination in order to repair your boat! 95% of sailing is work, frustration, discomfort ….and contrary to popular images most of the time is spent chasing wind not avoiding it. But when that 5% happens….oh my oh my….it all makes perfect sense! Thanks for these great vids!

[@garyshoulders4030]

All the best of luck with your passage.. from Opua NZ

[@jaywinters2483]

Preventative maintenance is everything.

[@MrBernie101]

Hi both, what an excellent video. We could all take a leaf out of your book regarding maintenance and pre-planning, not because WE are crossing oceans, but just maybe doing a season's serious sailing, well offshore. NB, just a little tip, when cleaning the bottom of the boat, whether snorkeling or using SCUBA gear, tying a rope completely around the boat, so that you can anchor yourself and gain some purchase, can be of great help. Do you have a cast off date yet, and, do you stow your anchor or leave it on the prow? Kind Regards, Barnacle Bern SY Cadbri

[@krcb197]

Must be a serious job as the Xyratex T-shirt has come out

[@SailingYachtFlorence]

For the REALLY serious jobs it is the xyratex New Day t-shirt...

[@cnc75adventures49]

They make hoses that extend your grease cert for remote greasing hard to reach spots they use them on heavy equipment all the time you could have it right on the edge the lazaret opening 👍👍

[@immostlyharmless]

At the end of the video, Amy somewhat apologized for a video about maintenance. Compared to other channels, you show very little maintenance, to the point that the viewer starts thinking: "Matt and Amy must have the perfect boat!". So, it was nice to see the two of you engaged in some maintenance! (Agreed, though, that the passage planning will be more interesting!) Fair winds and following seas!

[@alfy1269]

Looking forward to seeing your trip. Something to watch out for with oil filters, even if the spin on, there can be subtle differences with the porting plate, just check that it looks the same and doesn't restrict flow. Cheers

[@edl617]

Blue lite works well too. Easier to read with

[@sebastianjoseph396]

I iNvite myself to your wedding when you both are back in the UK 😂

[@paulkopp3634]

A strip of 2” gaffer tape around glass bottles prevents clinking .

[@GreatOutDoorWorldofMines]

Idk what the time gap is on your uploads. Perhaps youre already across the Indian, That being said, this is a hell of a story you are living. I have lived in isolation before, and faced hardships that mother nature stirs into our lives, best of luck and sending vibes to help you laugh in the face of adversity! What an adventure! Thanks for sharing your experience.

[@j.j.breland1164]

☀️🌴👣🍷 Jacksonville Florida

[@jaimesan3119]

Hey guys! Why did you not go to Sri Lanka and India on your way in the Indian Ocean? Any particular reason to consider? Thanks for showing us so much!

[@derrymic]

Hi guys what about the safety glasses !! Very well done nevertheless.

[@harryfritter8266]

I learned something new. I always thought a seacock was a type of chicken

[@marcocanb]

Blue light is actually better for night vision over distance.