S4E20 Solo Atlantic Crossing: Azores to Ireland in a 21ft Home Built Sailboat Pt5

[@Kellysworld224]

I found this channel by accident and I am absolutely fascinated, hello from cork Ireland 🇮🇪

[@RoversAdventure]

The videos are a bit behind. I have already been to several ports in Cork. Cork will always remain one of the best places I have ever sailed.

[@Kellysworld224]

@ hope to see you back soon !

[@marcgatto9675]

You threw me for a loop and then had me in stitches. What a drag. Good luck and happy travels.

[@RoversAdventure]

lol

[@garymalm]

Sailing from Western Australia to Indonesia we hauled in a descent sized tuna every second day. One day we hooked one big enough to slow us down. Haul in gaff, hook ready. Line went slack . When we hauled the line in there was nothing but the head left. Fish head curry for dinner and all thoughts of taking a swim banished. gary in japan

[@RoversAdventure]

Great story, thanks for sharing

[@garymalm]

@@RoversAdventure Anytime Allan. Thanks for your inspirational efforts.

[@Wv8675]

Don't lose it man

[@garygoldstein6023]

Glad that no rogue wave came along while you were cutting that rope with full pressure over your leg!!! Bleeding profusely in the middle of the Atlantic is not much better than falling overboard.

[@RoversAdventure]

Always good to be careful, especially when dealing with sharp objects!

[@robkunzig5795]

Alan, I noticed the "chafe" at 13:28 and was hoping you found it before.... congrats and thanks for your time with these videos!

[@RoversAdventure]

Good eye my friend

[@user-pu2nl4sj4s]

“A big lure….” Love it. Glad you’re still with us to share this journey! Fair winds.

[@RoversAdventure]

More to come!

[@PaulBlundell-xf6mt]

Without at least knots ,an the odd loop , , u wouldn't be able to haul yrself back to yr boat , especially in shock, , and very cold hands ***❤ all the best , brilliant 👍 ..

[@Taichungman]

Alan, Im not sure u could pull youself in with that setup. I sailed solo in the 1980's with Monitor Windvane. I too trailed a line, but with knots spaced 2' apart and attached to disingage the windvane. Thankfully I never had to check it out and always wore harness with 2 short tethers. My boat was also 27'. No Nav equip except Loran, compass and charts.

[@RoversAdventure]

Thanks for sharing that instructive insight

[@johnnewman8412]

I'm happy to see the lifeline rope, and even happier to see (or perhaps sense) that you're well aware of its limitations. I'm sure Einstein would back me up on the relative length of 18 seconds depending on darkness, wave height, water temperature, what you're wearing and, not least, how surprised you are to suddenly find yourself on the wrong side of the grab rail! Safe travels!

[@DrSurf-fx4gf]

Alan Please don't fall overboard! A whole bunch of us would miss you! And that fish omelet of yours. Stay safe.

[@RoversAdventure]

Thanks so much my friend

[@kirbythomas5468]

I second that sentiment!

[@user-pu2nl4sj4s]

Thanks!

[@RoversAdventure]

Thank you so much my friend! It will be put toward a nice steak in Ireland

[@user-pu2nl4sj4s]

@@RoversAdventure A hearty meal for a tired sailor! Fitting I think.

[@davidwimberley5026]

Keep up the dream or memory or introspective moments. You’ve gone from typical KZbin sailor to literature. It’s deeply affective. It’s life as it really is, beyond even typical KZbinrs, who are already beyond landlubbers’ life. Be the poet that you are, it’s exhilarating and inspiring.

[@RoversAdventure]

Thank you so much for your very kind words my friend.

[@sabatieryves6536]

Merci pour vos partages . Vos vidéos sont de plus en plus précises et excellentes .

[@RoversAdventure]

Merci beaucoup mon ami

[@sylvaingagnon3211]

Wave Rover, I do trail a line behind when I sail alone but I attach one of these orange standard PFD to the end. It adds visibility and something to grab on at the bitter end. Thank you for sharing your sailing life and your philosophy.

[@RoversAdventure]

It's great to hear from fellow solo sailors!

[@ben1895]

I forget that whilst I'm going about my humdrum daily existence, you're out there in the oggin living a hard routine... literally forging your own adventure.

[@RoversAdventure]

It is a huge privilege to be doing what I get to do

[@brianjudd460]

Hi Alan, I admire the build quality of your boat and the setup with junk rig and home designed self steering, amongst other things. Not convinced by your trailing line as others have commented. Suspect you would end up as Jaws bait as you feared. I never bothered with a life jacket solo off shore but clipped on, even when it was calm and I was sunning all parts naked. A friend disappeared sailing solo. His yacht was found but he wasn't. It reminds one to be careful while enjoying the adventure. My boat was a 26 foot bilge keeler, (Sadler 26). I found it rode the waves well from Scotland to the Caribbean and back. Now I've got a 36 foot boat because although I loved sailing solo, I need to involve the ones I left behind. A different sort of adventure!

[@RoversAdventure]

Thanks for sharing Brian

[@rickhalstead8990]

Hey Alan. Even though I always clip onto a hard point, I too drag a “just in case” line behind my boat. Holding onto a poly line and pulling one’s self to a boat moving at five knots in any kind of sea is no easy task. You might consider placing a series of knots every two feet or so over the full length of the line that will serve as slippery hand stoppers and a point from which you can pull yourself forward. Doing so will create a bit of drag but you are not racing and compared to having the line slip through your hands, the increased drag is inconsequential. On, on!! Cheers.

[@RoversAdventure]

It is something that I am considering. I wanted to see if I noticed much drag from the initial line

[@igloo687]

Create loops

[@igloo687]

And why not a short rope ladder on the stern?

[@KarlFullerNZ]

I know a guy who couldn't pull himself up the line, and know of another. One sailed up on a reef off Australia and one the wind dropped off after hours. I attached my towed line to the Aries self steering wind vane so if pulled hard, it would turn the yacht. The yacht still steered fine.

[@nicholascarter2640]

Did an experiment in the Med, when I was 26, young, strong and fit. Towed a line to see at what boat speed I could still pull myself back to the boat. 3.5 knots was max, in bathers and warm water. Faster than that all I could was hold on, but not for long as it wasn’t possible to get my head out of the water to breath properly

[@luckytoastsebastian]

On or off that boat you're reaching out till the bitter end. Happy sailing!

[@markbailey6051]

The drag line should come from the water to the boats coming and over to the tiller. When you grab the drag line it will pull the helm hard over. Ues 15# fishing line to hold the pressure off the tiller when not tripped. Carnivore menu Baby!

[@RoversAdventure]

I'll look into that, thanks!

[@KarlFullerNZ]

Yes, I did something similar.

[@Peter-g1v]

Yes, must have the line rigged so that when activated it puts the rudder hard over. That is the only way you will make it back on board. The only thing worse than watching your boat sail off alone would be to perish at the end of that line and be unable to haul yourself back. Several floats and loops along the length are also a must. Looks untidy but it is then a genuine bit of lifesaving equipment.

[@christianaastorp6105]

No one'll be able to haul themselves against a current of 4-5 knots, or even more, using a slippery rope with no handholds.

[@RoversAdventure]

When your adrenaline is pumping you will surprise yourself. I once lifted a 6hp outboard over the side with broken ribs because I had too. I often say: whether you can or you can't...you are right

[@ruegalfonso]

I agree with chtistianaastorp. Better to use the rope for a kind of trip to rudder or to sail's sheet in order to stop propulsion before attempting to climb on board. Also provide couple of basic steps to help doing so.

[@redwood1957]

Could you tie a line on this to your sail. Where your load would drop your main. Then as the boat slows make your way to the boat. Thank you

[@mountainmandale1587]

I've successfully used one these, and it saved my life. You have obviously never been out there. Take what you can get, boy.

[@christianaastorp6105]

@@RoversAdventure I know nothing about solo-sailing, but I know quite a bit about water, water in motion and how to work against a strong current. If you fell overboard it would almost guaranteed to be in rough weather with heavy clothing and the boat moving quite fast. I certainly applaud your plan to have a last ditch line to self-rescue, but I'm quite certain it need regularly spaced handholds to work as intended.

[@bernardszirth9665]

Great au cas où Capitain! Always thinking ahead as it should be! Please stay safe!

[@RoversAdventure]

Thank you my friend. Always a pleasure to see your comments

[@kirbythomas5468]

Alan I’m glad that you are thinking about the possibilities… I like the tiller and fishing line idea. Definitely something to consider after all you are the only one around to rely on! Best bet is to not go overboard 👍

[@RoversAdventure]

Right on

[@asd67lkj]

Another great day at sea, although, I feel this episode got the most flack. Your reminiscing reminded me of the movie "Waterworld?" with Kevin Costner. LOL.

[@sleethmitchell]

the tale of hand over hand up the line back to the safety of the boat was much more listenable than the recipe for seafood omelet. here's one: during the 'perfect storm', undergoing a spate of knockdowns in a twin bilge keel boat similar to yours, a wave swept me off. before i had enough time to process my predicament, another wave lifted me up and dumped me on the foredeck. eventually, i survived long enough to get a helicopter ride to land.

[@RoversAdventure]

An amazing story my friend...far more interesting than the omelet

[@seanmorris]

@@RoversAdventure people had un ouef of omelets?

[@lledew]

Great boat, great crossing. About the rope, you'll not be able to be back on board with that. At four knots, it would need a tremendous force. The only way is to stop the boat. Then you have a chance. To do so, tie your rope on the tiller, let some slack , pass behind yor cleat and use a simple fishing line to hold your rope on the cleat or a stanshion. If you fall overboard and are lucky enough to grab the rope, the fishing line will break, the tiller go over and the boat will hove to. At least if Murphy does not interfere.

[@AnitaCavalieri-u7x]

Perpetual motion has to be good for relaxing while simultaneously thinking of many things, current and past 👍👍

[@sailingbrewer]

I saw an interesting product years ago that I'm sure one could remake for less. I was a buggie board with a drog in a bag on a pulley. If you feel over you'd grab the buggie board drop the drog and the drog would stop and the boat would pull the buggie board to the boat

[@RoversAdventure]

Interesting idea

[@justadam1917]

I have also seen this video it was an excellent idea it wasn't quite a boogie board because it had two clear handholds on the recovery board and you definitely need enough length in the ropes to pull the recovery board to yourself because with the sea anchor running through a pulley to the recovery board the pull was hard enough to lift the recovered person out of the water and up to the handrailing A single line is better than nothing at least for peace of mind when you are sailing but with any sort of speed you definitely need the strength of your legs to get back to the boat

[@jaghook]

That trailing rope needs to have large knots or loops in it as the longer it trails the more slime will build on it, and you will slide down it when you grab it. better still, tie a bouy to the end of it, Better still, tie the inboard end, to the boat part that will release the sail or anywhere that will stop the boat when you grab the rope and your weight is on it. Your doing good, crack on !

[@peterb9038]

Hi Alan, I have seen quite a few sailors trail a line , just in case. I think some put knots at regular spacing, so you can hand over hand more easily when using it. Also I think it may actually help with the boats pointing as well. Good video thanks

[@RoversAdventure]

That's a great idea!

[@markswishereatsstuff2500]

Why aren't you clipped in with a harness? When I do deliveries offshore, overnight solo night watch, always clipped with a Spinlock vest.

[@1KemosabeLarry]

Your deck and interior always looks clean, fresh, unlike many sailors I watch. Some have mold on the interior. It appears that you are one of those guys who are just neat! Maybe it's your diet! And take that as a compliment, for I know Mrs. Rover isn't there to swab your deck and chlorox your interior!😊 Keep on making Nautical miles in that watch cap, since you don't have a warm Stihl cap!! Don't go Ancient Mariner in one of those reflective moods!😊

[@RoversAdventure]

Thanks for the compliment my friend. Everything is so practical on WR so it's easy to stay organized

[@ende421]

Good thing it's a small boat. When moving at 4.5kts the hard thing is to actually start to hold onto thst rope. The boat will immediately slow down once you manage that. You could connect the rope to the tiller or make it release the sheet somehow. Or tie it to the bow. I guess it would be easy to make a boat this small round up with the line on the bow.

[@time.5316]

Putting a loop on the END of the line will create a wake, making it easier to see, and also a last chance grab, because that line's going to be slippery.

[@RoversAdventure]

good thought

[@KarlFullerNZ]

@@time.5316 I used a float at end of line.

[@robertdepalma7321]

Rig and use your jack line and harness CORRECTLY and you won't ever leave the boat! There have been many instances of watch standers being drug to their death . They couldn't overcome water drag and eventually drowned.

[@RoversAdventure]

What makes you think that I am not?

[@willymueller3278]

Alan, when I saw that red line over the stearn, I said to myself, heureka, Alan finally starts fishing ! How disapointed I was when I found out that it was only a MOB rig. 😂

[@RoversAdventure]

I am not lacking for food

[@willymueller3278]

@@RoversAdventure I am talking about fresh food ! Fresh fish !

[@Will-cf8hc]

You should put a fish lure on the end of that rope! Well back to the Vendee Globe race! Cheers!

[@MyOldSled]

Great episode, as always. I noticed a bird near you early in the video. How far from shore do you see birds?

[@RoversAdventure]

I saw birds the whole way from the Azores to Ireland. Gannets I think

[@paulcollins4932]

Safety rope a great idea but where’s your life jacket and safety line,

[@dondakin1]

Been watching your progress for a little while now. Great videos. I hope you picked up a multi meter in horta just in case. I guess your videos are a few months delayed from the time you take them AIS puts you in ireland in Sept. Can't wait to see more. Keep on Forging.....

[@RoversAdventure]

Multimeter onboard

[@rickwilson2741]

I've done this for years and suggest looping knots every five feet (or length of reach of arms). Helps with wet line not being pulled through panicked hands as easily. Also added key floats throughout length , at 25', to give idea of distance with last being g red.

[@sicko_the_ew]

Maybe when you get to your "Mk 4" version, you might want something that you can use your legs for the hauling with? (That gives you something like 10X the strength to work with.) And maybe do a loop through some kind of block and tackle, where first you hook in to one part, and then you start "pedaling". (I'm being deliberately vague so as not to prejudge too much what the details might be.)

[@RoversAdventure]

Vague is the secret sauce of creativity

[@simonhjc]

Geez! What a story. Inwouldnt want to go overboard ever

[@jepomer]

And I was anticipating a functional test of the overboard rope! Appropriately not done. At next port "for surely" (paraphrasing Janice of the Muppets).

[@RoversAdventure]

lol

[@jepomer]

@ - Sadly, most people do not test equipment before actually needing it. Being stressed is a poor way to learn AND learn quickly without mistakes.

[@lindamanderson62]

Oh gosh I hate to think of you as bait - what a scary thought - no wonder you scrambled back on board!! 😳 Stay safe out there!! I wish a bird or a dolphin would stop by for a visit! 🐬

[@hecdc305]

Any MOB recovery system is always good planning. Hopefully you'll never have to use it. Thanks for the video.

[@RoversAdventure]

Thanks for the comment, hopefully I won't need to use it!

[@et5222]

So much water. So much work, all that thought.....but no breakfast omelet : ( Great Video

[@RoversAdventure]

Thanks for watching, the breakfast omelet was eaten but not recorded lol

[@GrenvilleMelonseedSkiff496]

One hand for the ship … hold fast! ⛵️😄

[@RoversAdventure]

Always good to keep a grip, especially out here!

[@petesmith9472]

How about fitting a fall down ladder that goes below the waterline when released?

[@robertfontaine3650]

Not a safety rig I would want to test out in real life. Still a very good idea that I haven't seen before. Even at 4 or 5 knots it would be easy to miss that line after an oh shit moment. I'd rather be one of those guys tied to my boat pretty much continuously than find out. Still as a 3rd line of defense I like it. Add some fishing lures and you have a dual purpose rope.

[@chucksautter6154]

Whats on the other end of a line? A loop I hope.

[@philipchandler330]

So how is all the solar and charging going? Thought anymore about wind powered electric generation?

[@RoversAdventure]

All went well on the passage. Never dropped below 90% on the batteries

[@davetrotter258]

it might just be a feeling, but gut feelings are never wrong.......

[@shawnjohnson2524]

Hey, I think I saw you doing an interview with Kevin Boothby, good stuff. By the way I can tell you reached the big time when you get all these comments about what you are doing wrong 😂

[@RoversAdventure]

Thanks, you made me laugh

[@user-pu2nl4sj4s]

I was just wondering how much water you drink a day?

[@RoversAdventure]

about 2 liters

[@user-pu2nl4sj4s]

@ thanks

[@michaelschupp877]

Mathematically speaking, at 4 knots, your boat is moving at 2 m/s- 6.7 feet/s, you will have exactly 13-15 seconds to catch a 30m/100 foot long line, if it is that long.... good luck.

[@RoversAdventure]

That's right in line with my estimate

[@jayknight850]

Hate to sound like a neigh sayer, but I would invite anyone to try this technique ( with crew aboard) to reboard a moving sailboat. Possibly if the MOB line was attached to the main sheet or and there were loops in the overboard line. But a 3/8 line…..I doubt after the shock of going overboard then finding the line it will be possible to self rescue.

[@russianaircraft376]

I appreciate your video and I think it is very good advice but please don't use this type of rope and please put a Fender of a very bright color at the end of your rope and every two meters their needs to be a knot so that it becomes easier pulling yourself to the boat because you will struggle very very much when the Rope is this thin and the type of rope if you use a softer material and thicker rope it becomes a lot easier in a situation of emergency you don't want to make it more difficult for yourself use the Fender you can sit on it to recover from the first scare and first burst of energy that you needed to use to get to the Rope and then have not every short distance so that you can grab something with out its sliding especially in very bad weather that's a life saver. And Defender also is easier to spot in the middle of the night because it creates waves and noise if it is exclusively only the Rope the statistical chance that you will find the Rope within the 50/75 meters that you are using is very small. If you want to test this theory and you are ever in the Netherlands sent me a message I would love to help you and make a video together with you about safety on long journeys

[@joep5153]

I too would love to see a controlled test of this system.

[@RoversAdventure]

Thanks for the offer. Good ideas but I'm also conscious of drag

[@eagerv]

Another good one Alan, thank you. A pleasure to watch, but unfortunately "Forge your own Adventure" comes too quickly...🙂

[@RoversAdventure]

Thanks

[@reloadncharge9907]

Spend more energy into staying onboard….in the horrible weather that would likely cause a MOB, you will not have time, at 0200 or 0-dark-thirty, or ability in big seas, to find and hold onto a line. Good safety gear, harness hook points, and no complacency will keep things safe underway.

[@RoversAdventure]

Good advice. I am aware of the dangers of complacency, it is something that I am always striving to avoid.

[@churchofthegreenflipflop2436]

Love your videos Alan. . .Although i find drone’s annoying - it would be great if you could get some aerial footage. Otherwise people may think you are capturing all your footage from a single day sail. 😂😂😂😂

[@RoversAdventure]

Great idea but there's no denying that WR is achieving her destinations

[@churchofthegreenflipflop2436]

@@RoversAdventure Absolutely, without doubt. Excuse my british sense of humour.😉

[@voodoochild1954]

Whether your MOB rope will work or not, my question is why now? You sailed all the way across the Atlantic and now you make a MOB rope. 🧐

[@RoversAdventure]

Just got around to it and wanted to share it

[@-freespirit-3314]

In such a situation - outside the cabin - you should be permanently attached to a lifeline.

[@russianaircraft376]

The big majority of Accidents don't happen during storms. they happen during maintenance moments and just moving around. and having a small rogue wave that you don't expect. that's when most people get into the water. it's not the wind power 9 because you are warned that you need to be safe.

[@RoversAdventure]

Very good point indeed

[@Zajebancije]

Great adventure! 👍🍀 However. This advice is good in theory but I don't believe you would be able to pull yourself towards the boat using this slick nylon rope with no knots to help you. Too much drag and that just at the speeds of a few knots! And drag will be pulling you below the water. Anyone who tried pulling himself on the rope behind the sailingboat would confirm that. The only solution that would really help would be to disengage the sail by pulling on that rope and stop the boat that way. Otherwise forget about this solution.

[@timothydunn5889]

"How did Alan end his journey?"....."Oh, he cut his femoral artery cutting the tail off of an eye splice he was making, and bled out."😂

[@mikestevens9455]

only line to tiller might…might give you a chance…

[@RoversAdventure]

Somehow I have completed many of these voyages

[@paulthew2]

I like your channel, but hand over hand on that nylon line against four knots? Much better is to use the line as a safety leash when you are IN the cockpit.

[@RoversAdventure]

Why not both?

[@Andrey-z9m]

👍👍👍👍👍

[@michaelpearl-r8w]

In my experience if your boat is moving at anything over 2 knots you will not be able to pull yourself back to the boat, better to always clip on with a short tether that will stop you from leaving the boat in the first place. stay safe and enjoy your adventure.

[@norml.hugh-mann]

the weight and drag of a person will darn near bring a 21' to a crawl so i think it could be useful

[@RoversAdventure]

Good point!

[@sanchezshots]

Alan thank you for the school ,my wife ask me why you do not fish . You have fallowed people that are seasone sailors. Carfull for others boats prop.

[@petesmith9472]

Hey mate…I acknowledge you’re the expert but you’re out at sea, miles from help and you’re doing work that can leave you with serious injuries with just one slip. Can I suggest you get yourself a leather welders apron or similar and cut your self a protective cover over your knees and thighs? Just saying

[@MichaelGowland]

I know you've had lots of comments on this, and several people have probably said what I'm about to say, but trailing a rope off the back of your boat, whilst arguably better than nothing at all, is just not a suitable device to rely upon to save your life. You would be so much better off following standard practice for offshore sailing and using a tether to ensure you don't end up in the water in the first place. Bear in mind that if you ever do end up in the water the chances are that it won't have happened on a nice calm day when you're feeling good, the chances are you are either going to be dazed, knocked unconscious, or in the dark in very heavy seas. In those conditions your chance of grabbing onto that rope, holding onto it and hauling yourself into the boat will be pretty close to zero. Probably one of the biggest dangers in sailing, and in any activity, is the false sense of security and safety familiarity can produce, especially when that misleading sense of safety is backed up by untested safety devices. I would strongly suggest that if the only thing you have available to protect yourself from getting knocked over the side is that rope, then you be better off tying it around your waist with a bowline, or making a harness out of three loops, and securing yourself to the mast with a length of the rope that will not let you end up in the water.

[@ancienttractorbuoy]

Man overboard rope is a waste of time. You shouldn't exit the cabin without being clagged on. You should have installed the necessary equipment to remain secure whilst working the boat from bow to stern

[@RoversAdventure]

Explain that to those very experienced sailors who have fallen overboard...

[@morrisonaj]

I don't think your MOB rope will work. You won't be able to pull yourself up the rope if the boat is moving at any speed., even if you can find the rope after you fsll overboard. Maybe if you rig the rope so that it pulls the rudder over if any big load comes on the rope you might have a chance.

[@ben1895]

Interesting idea about it pulling the rudder over 🤔. Mind you, having a MOB rope is better than not having MOB rope.

[@RoversAdventure]

Very true

[@obiwanjacobi]

Oh man, be careful with cutting on your leg like that. One slip and you could have a major problem.

[@RoversAdventure]

I always try to be careful with sharp instruments.

[@Nick-kn2os]

No chance not even a fit 22year old would be able do that

[@RoversAdventure]

lol, I guess fitness is relative

[@c.a.mcneil7599]

One shouldn’t be cutting on your leg with a razor knife. especially alone in a middle of sea. That could have been done so much safer.

[@markbennett9787]

Why have you only just rigged your MOB system in the second half of your voyage ?

[@charlie125125uk]

That is not a splice you splice that 8plt polyethylene with a Brummel splice you just shoved it through a few times, then finish it with a tail 50x diameter of rope and a locking stitch i watched you build a boat and butcher an eye splice lol

[@fibber2u]

Pity about the irritating "noise" whilst you were talking towards the end. It ruined an excellent video for me.

[@dennis6325]

Did you actually think you could get away with cutting across your femoral artery without catching flak? Be safe. Try to keep safety in the top five or so, donut. ha ha.