Round The Island Race 2024...WE HAD TO ABANDON

Hey im Ed and welcome aboard sailing optimist. I have decided at 28 years old to ditch the normal life and start living our my dream. Ive managed to sell, beg and mainly borrow (thank you good credit) to buy my dream boat! A 1997 Westerly Oceanquest 35.
This week we pushed the boat! But we were all SAFE.
Sponsor: www.pantaenius...
Please like & Subscribe and come along on the journey, because let's face it! Life is to short not to do these things, and who knows where we will end up!
Instagram: @sailingoptimist95
Camera: Canon R6 MK2
Drone: Magic Mini 3 Pro

[@grantsutherland6798]

With those nasty tides, and huge winds, nobody needs to break gear and bodies unnecessarily

[@SailingOptimist]

for sure !

[@rarerufus8864]

Simply not worth the risk, most especially with one on board who's never sailed before, as you rightly say you'd have put them off for life! In those conditions you need everyone to have experience, one bad error, mishap or uncertainty in those seas could spell serious danger to everyone. Good decision to abandon (like so many others did).

[@SailingOptimist]

Exactly! I wouldn't want him to be in any danger

[@josephkelley8634]

As both a mountain climber and blue water sailor one of the first things I learned was when to retreat.

[@annoyingbstard9407]

As a road sweeper and toilet cleaner so did I.

[@gbr562]

We sail for FUN. if the fun stops, stop. Good call.

[@SailingOptimist]

it was fun! Just not for green crew!

[@deborahbailey4572]

Sign of a great skipper, crew and boat safety comes first, good shout.

[@SailingOptimist]

Thank you!

[@MarcHillM]

Good call. Everyone is safe. Things can escalate real quick in saliing.

[@SailingOptimist]

It only takes a gust and a big wave!

[@johnvidelo3348]

What a sensible guy, comes over very well.

[@SailingOptimist]

Appreciate it :)

[@sell500hp]

Sensible call to retire and head back....3.28 we made the same choice 😮

[@SailingOptimist]

That is good going !!

[@davidbarry5517]

Sailing whilst wearing rings on one's fingers is asking for trouble!

[@paulmahy]

Yup, stay in port and ramp up some experience.

[@SailingOptimist]

I mean...I have 47,000nm under my belt! but who's counting ;)

[@paulmahy]

@@SailingOptimist Wow, less than we do in a year you fkn nob. Look forward to seeing your epirb activate.