Sailing solo across Bass Strait in an 88 year old open cockpit timber 26ft boat

[@riddy64]

Incredible voyage Nick! I remember watching that front come through when you were at Deal Island. I have a screenshot of the BOM observations for Hogan Island reading 62 knot gusts at 3am on the 8th Dec '22. It's a tough passage let alone in an open boat, amazing stuff.

[@NickJaffe]

Cheers! I certainly had a restless sleep that night! All I kept thinking was… If the anchor lets go, I’m going to be blown out right into the Strait 💨😧

[@scotto7924]

Katabatic wind is where all the air is heated up during the day but at night hills cool down quicker so air in contact with them cools and becomes denser. Gravity then caused this air to fall down the side of the hill and becomes an off-shore wind.

[@dougalannh]

It's so nice to watch a sailing video shot with a gimbaled video camera, and thank you for a great video.

[@bradraymond4024]

Many people can only dream of what you have accomplished. Guts, determination and the will to do what you desire. Congratulations!

[@spacewalktraveller1]

That was a great journey to watch. I'm from Melbourne and have done a lot of hiking down at the Prom. I really loved Huia, she's a great looking boat with a rich history. Thanks for the video, I really enjoyed it. I really wish you and your family the very best.

[@truth-Hurts375]

Amazing video....I recalled the day I left Newman in Western Australia for Port Headland to cycle solo...unsupported around Australia....not knowing what was waiting for me....6months later and after more than 16 000km on my bicycle I rode into Port Headland again.. .tears was rolling down my cheecks....I have done it !!! But not a single soul around me knew what I have just done....I walked into the first petrol station to buy a coke....I said to the guy...I have done it....he said...done what?...I said...I cycled around this continent....And he said...Good on you...mate !!! Thats all !!! Yes I must still go around Tasmania before I can say I cycled around Australia..😂 And there is no next year !!! Time will tell....

[@bazza945]

Beware, the Tassie Tyger lives!

[@WaveformV1.0]

Good for you mate. You make some vids of the trips

[@knight-mitchell]

This was a very inspiring video and I dream of doing something like this one day. The Alexander Stewart sign at 7:26 was left from a voyage that I went on back in 2018, refuge cove looks just as beautiful!

[@user-zk1hv7mk9v]

As very much a land based creature myself, I take my hat off to those who venture into the blue abyss. And what an inspiration to the youth watching to make the voyage in an open vessel nearly a century old. Life is rarely as safe as we believe. Adventures such as this, narratated with a calm manner by a competent & humble person is a great example to those hoping to live a little larger than most. Well done & thank you 👍

[@matthewcullen1298]

Nicely said mate😊

[@user-zk1hv7mk9v]

@@matthewcullen1298 Cheers 👍

[@NickJaffe]

Very kind, thank you!

[@georgemarris]

Well done Nick . Thanks for sharing , I like your modest style and truly appreciate the lack of music . I fish and sail around tassie and understand the challenges. Respect to you for your considered passage planning - it’s not always champagne sailing here !

[@dillipphunbar7924]

Wonderful! Congrats on the new family member. Lovely boat, and those fisherman who checked in on you and their hospitality..that was heart-warming.

[@clivejbarrett]

Fantastic Nick. Great trip. Spent many years sailing a clinker built gaff rigged couta in Auckland NZ as a youngster. Never had the kahunas to sail out into the open sea. Well done mate.

[@JoeBlakeonQuora]

Thank you! So satisfying to a voyaging sailor like myself: the intent, the carrying-out, the living out of this possibility,and so well presented - beautiful filmwork, I loved the way the camera stayed level so the horizon stayed level! ❤

[@NickJaffe]

Very kind, thank you!

[@kennetw42]

Congratulations, great adventure. I remember the "Couta" boats at Portarlington & Queenscliff back in the early 50's. Wonderful seacraft.

[@nickwhite9059]

Great video, well done doing it solo in an open boat. It brings back memories of a similar trip I did from Melbourne to Flinders island in a Tophat 25. We spent 5 days hunkered down in winter cove waiting for better weather while getting slammed by wind bullets that rush down the surrounding hills. Still Deal island was my highlight as you can explore the whole island on foot.

[@NickJaffe]

“Wind bullets”! That’s exactly what they were! The Tophat is an iconic little pocket cruiser, nice!

[@clintouttrim2053]

You cant beat good old deal

[@speedmachine69]

Good misssion, nice boat also.... 3 banger Yanmar is a great power plant for a boat like that, keep the oil changed it will last forever.... might as well try and wear out an anvil.... cheers from a boat in NZ....

[@NickJaffe]

Yes, 3GM Yanmar 💪

[@brucemcmillan1149]

nice to see whats more on the water, out of boat perspectives

[@rawholdings]

I was in Geelong and saw the boat before you decide to push on and head to Tassie. Always the inspiration Nick !!!! I love your story telling and the adventures you do. Hoping we can catch up again in the near future, there are a lot of boat stories to talk about. DR

[@NickJaffe]

Fancy seeing you here! Looking forward to it DR!

[@TravisRead-q6f]

I'm sure you had some periods of guilt and aprehension, taking on risks and time away with a young family at home, but life is made for such adventures and so much more real on a beautiful old open decker than a new boat. Thanks for providing the opportunity for us to live vicariously through you. I'll dip the ensign next time we pass.

[@Tomdogful]

Thouroughly enjoyable vid. Nothing like the feel of a timber vessel under your feet. Back in the 80’s I sailed a small (32ft) Kauri yacht to Tonga-Fiji-Vanuatu and back to NZ so I know full well what Huia might feel and smell like. Hope you get onto those deck leaks as fresh water is the death of a timber vessel. Keep up the good work and I look forward to more adventures 👌

[@m1kalD]

Well done dude. And thanks for sharing your journey. I'd love to see more footage of you out sailing in her. She looks like a very level headed craft..... great fur the coast of Tazi i can imagine....

[@geoffjames8519]

Hello Nick, I enjoyed your laid back but considered style, lovely boat, great story, and especially your stopover in Refuge Bay - I also stopped there solo on the way from Queenscliff to Bermagui. Thanks for suggesting Refuelling Solutions because I'd also like to try biodiesel. Cheers, Geoff.

[@rossbarnett3759]

Well done with the video-making filming. Lots of work on top of your quest. Patience is the key with weather but when it is there you gotta go for it. I think your trip was a true adventure.

[@davidwolff8903]

Grew up around Couta Boats Portsea and Sorrento. Tim Phillips would agree. Don't underestimate how good a sea boat a 26 foot Couta Boat is. I know being an open boat it's deceiving but don't let that put you off. Back in the Depression no engines and through the Rip daily wind against tide getting Couta. Have done it myself several times with swell curling. Them boats love it.

[@jonathonlane864]

Great video. Good insight into how it goes with a classic boat and simple gear. Thanks ❤

[@dhouse-d5l]

Beautiful little boat, and in such lovely condition. Bravo.

[@basaltplainscreationsaustr1194]

Nice video, good to see that people are still doing the trip. I was very fortunate on my first crossing in 1990, 23 foot couta with NE the whole way from my starting point of Port Albert.

[@NickJaffe]

Nice! I wish I was so lucky! Did you do multiple couta boat crossings?

[@basaltplainscreationsaustr1194]

@@NickJaffe all up about 2 dozen.

[@basaltplainscreationsaustr1194]

I also took one to Eden. That was an interesting trip.

[@NickJaffe]

@@basaltplainscreationsaustr1194That's incredible - can you tell me more? Why so many? Were you alone or with crew? Do you have any logs or photos online anywhere? When was your last big trip in a couta? I have questions!

[@LucScheffers]

Wow, this video views exp[oded, and i have to say, very rightfully so. Small boats do make big adventures!! What a great story, voyage and edit Nick. Thanks for the effort!!, I really enjoyed it. Good luck with selling her, and hope to see what (boat) video is coming next!

[@zzzsydneyhom1379]

Cool and gutsy trip mate! I spent nine days delivering a modern yacht from Sydney to Adelaide and take my hat off to you for solo crossing Bass Strait in your open Couta Boat. No doubt it's a memory that you will long cherish. Nothing beats time spent at sea...!

[@MyLife-lg6tg]

Nick, have you thought about rigging a boom tent? That seems like it would keep everything dry and cozy. If you sewed it with ends, it could be made quite tight, and opening windows could be added for visual and ventilation? Dan S. From Michigan & Texas USA

[@BrownPeterAnthony]

Great trip and so real, thanks for taking us along with you.

[@MikeSantis]

Beautiful voyage in a beautiful boat. Thanks

[@julianstafford7761]

Really inspirational trip Nick , seeing you take the couta boat out of Port Phillip heads what a rush! Hopefully spot your boat in an anchorage in Tas sometime, hat off to you mate

[@joesprague1464]

I love that boat! So proven capable over 88 years of sailing in at times very treacherous conditions,a testament to her design and build quality.Hope you keep long and prosper from the experience.

[@quentinstacy35]

Nice show. The first I've seen of you. Shoutout to Helly Hanson for supporting great sailing content on KZbin. First became aware of the brand through their support of 'alluring arctic sailing' channel. KZbin is a great introduction to the brand. Cheers from Hobart, Tas.

[@SeaDog-Si]

Nick released a film many years ago before KZbin sailing channels were a thing. It's called Between Home and it's his story of sailing from the Uk to Australia on a shoestring budget. It's still available for rent on Vimeo

[@CaptainAndy99]

Fascinating, learned about those little islands along the way. Well done, great story.

[@SailingSnowGum]

@ 4:14 Great video Nick and congratulations to you and your lady on the birth of your son; a fine little Australian no doubt. 🙂As sailors we know about tides and a prevalent one is the tide of Americanisms washing over us, such as 'forecasted', a variant never heard here before KZbin and other American cultural influences swamped us. Let's be a little bit like the French and work to maintain our own language and culture. I wish you bon voyage and hope that the weather you get is that which was forecast. 🙂

[@mickwebs]

Thanks for the video I live in Warrnambool and those winds were incredible even for us who get a lot of wind. And I was not on a boat.

[@Sunnysideaus]

Amazing! What an adventure. Certainly making memories and stories to tell your young one.

[@neilparks2651]

Thoroughly enjoyed the adventure, excellent. Wonderful boat and nicely told story.

[@terenceseagrave7627]

What is it about the sea and boats that some of us understand and others dont. So good to go with you on your journey and wish you many safe paasages in the times to come.

[@Jujbbyigs8766]

I reckon I crossed a few weeks ahead of you in my Duncanson 29. Same route but left from hastings Victoria and went to Devonport. I am amazed you did it an open boat. Wow! Refuge bay is nice, I also pulled into Deal a nd Flinders (Whitemark). I met some awesome people along the way.

[@rimasmeleshyus9486]

Congratulations, it was quite an interesting video about sailing ⛵️ Greetings from Patagonia Chileana, Punta Arenas Chile 🇨🇱 Antarctica

[@frankh7303]

I sailed to Deal island in 1990 ob SY Redbill, a 52ft Peraling Lugger. Back then the two families employed by the light board were still resident. We went ashore fro a meal with them. It was truly stepping back into the past. Wonderful place.

[@4amwaj]

Great stuff mate.

[@NickJaffe]

Cheers!

[@michaelcoad6828]

Awesome well done hope we can see more of your adventures.

[@Stevos_HookedonRods4844]

Wow, what a journey, An Adventure of mammoth proportion I take my Hat of to you 🙏 Safe travels

[@mitchmc4063]

this is awesome, cant wait to see more of these adventures

[@climber222]

Not a glamorous life in those fishing day's. Nice work mate 👍

[@FlatlandMando]

What a fantastic boat & voyage...really the BEST

[@shanemulligan791]

Loved watching this voyage. Pretty cool,

[@yguven67]

Awesome adventure, nice production.

[@ingomuller4537]

Tolles Boot, tolles Video!!!🫡

[@johnsavage1109]

Great stuff, I also have an old couda boat. She is 25ft but with a cab.

[@danielsimpson2494]

Great video, awesome content, inspirational n informative too, thanks for sharing 👍👍👍

[@lancedaniels]

Thanks for posting and sharing. Very informative.

[@rhysstapleton1074]

Great video thanks for that you've reminded me that I really should make more time to do up my old wooden boat to do something similar as was my dream when I first got her.

[@NickJaffe]

Do it, and send me some pics when you do!!

[@rhysstapleton1074]

@@NickJaffe it's going to be a while before she's ready but she has the potential to be a beautiful sea boat and these old wooden planked boats are worth it they have a soul that the glass or ply ones don't that the

[@sf017s4]

Nice one mate, great adventure!

[@jamiesaunders188]

Wonderful video Nick, thank you

[@dirtyharrydownunder9501]

Good job Nick that took courage also a good video well done👍

[@MarcelLENORMAND]

Stunning! Great effort. Well done!

[@adventurecurated]

Big trip Nick - nice work!

[@johnlangmead3357]

Well done.

[@biffa1234100]

BRILLIANT crack on brother , you got your life ahead of you and the possibilities nowadays. I could have shared some fun if we had I - phones in the 80's .

[@Verdigris.]

What a beautiful story. Thank you for sharing.

[@Antipodean33]

Since a child I've always loved the couta boats, especially the big 26 footer. She's a lovely boat and I'm sure you'll be sailing for many more years hopefully you still have her for her 100th. Is there a chance we might see you at the wooden boat festival with this lovely boat?

[@NickJaffe]

It is with mixed feelings that after spending the summer doing a refit on her (new cockpit floor, refurbished decks and a re-paint), I have her up for sale on Yachthub. But you never know, perhaps fate has other plans for Huia & I.

[@martineyer5336]

Absolutely amazing adventure. Wow that was hardcore sailing. 👍nicely narrated as well.

[@thomasdickson2959]

Great video mate! bit of a rogue one, I think we have the same compass, I've been trying to figure out what make it is so I can get a cover. Your's is a bit more open than mine, any chance there is make or model info on it?

[@NickJaffe]

I’ll try to remember next I’m down on the boat ⛵️

[@lifeliver9000]

Yes named after a beautiful NZ native bird that was alive when this boat was being built. Sad story. The King of England came to NZ and some native Māori gave him a feather for his hat. A tail feather of a Huia. On the Kings return to uk, Europe loved the sharp look of the feather and orders came in for the tail feathers. Māori and non Māori hunted the bird to extinction to fill the orders. The male had a different diet to the female with his long beak and her short beak..there has been a rumour of one or two still alive in a very remote spot in NZ but experts say very very unlikely. 🤞

[@NickJaffe]

You're right, the Huia was alive when the boat was being built, I never thought of it that way... A world war, a rocket launch, many extinctions, a nuclear bomb... A lot has happened in her lifetime!

[@tnth9099]

Why did the huia become extinct? Huia | New Zealand Birds Online Genetic study indicates huia had "moderate to high" historical population of 34,000 to 89,000 birds; probably higher pre-human settlement. Predation by introduced mammals and, to a lesser extent, human hunting, was the likely cause of huia extinction.

[@paulmurphy1280]

I am afraid but I do not believe this story.

[@adamtedder1012]

Loved this. Hope to see more.

[@grant8124]

What an adventure! I was a bit emotional. I'll have to subscribe.

[@robinbarrett7174]

Living my dream mate. Actually done similar sort of things on the Mozambique coast. Kids all grew up fine despite/because of all that. So did I actually.

[@KochADV]

Well what can one say... u wanted an adventure and u got it... thx for the vid

[@AdventuresofanoldSeadog]

So loved this video, a real adventure. Well done.

[@garywinkworth3380]

great video love the old boat. stay safe mate.

[@alansmollen]

Beautiful work and happiness to you sir.

[@kevinwaller6572]

Only time i have been truly scared at sea, was in bass Strait. Difference was that i was on a guilded missile destroyer and didn't have to steer. Glad you didnt encounter any rough weather. Bass Strait is treacherous...

[@Bob-bt7ty]

Incredible journey thanks for sharing 👍

[@kirkmulhearn7931]

Thanks for sharing, very inspiring story-you are forcing me back to failing at 60

[@kirkmulhearn7931]

Sailing

[@anthonymaddison9588]

Great work mate.

[@kevingardner1658]

congratulations mate epic

[@claverton]

nicely done!

[@roamingtheblue]

Loved watching this adventure Nick. Just wondering what month you went across?

[@NickJaffe]

Cheers! Start of December was when I went

[@Ramenscooter]

She’s a gorgeous craft.

[@Runninlejit]

Love it mate. we need more adventurers :)

[@SwiftRIBSAust]

Very nice vid mate

[@steinrich56]

What a beautiful vid....!.....just one quick question...if you were going to do this trip again, what other stuff would you take, or do differently ...??

[@NickJaffe]

Honestly, I wouldn’t change anything. I had everything I needed and the voyage was very much as I expected. The tiller pilot breaking was annoying, but, I was actually surprised it lasted as long as it did… !

[@justinsquire4212]

I often race against coutta boats, very capable boats that usually take a bit of muscle to operate, and did this voyage solo..well done.. btw is she still for sale?

[@NickJaffe]

Yes, definitely takes some getting used to sailing solo - yes, still for sale, few people interested though, so let's see...

[@stevepeterson5943]

Go small go now, yes great passage thanks, fellow singlehander. Hopefully you rig the tiller with a simple line, add a bungee makes it deluxe, that gets you a long ways hands free. . . . A tiller pilot came with the boat i bought 12 years ago, I've never plugged it in. Just lash tiller, or sheet to tiller. Youll be a fine steward of that boat.

[@pauly1605]

Well done - and thanks

[@terrysmall1421]

love it...on ya mate

[@akcarlos]

for an Austrailian boat she sure has an iconic Kiwi name. Huia is a native extinct bird from New Zealand known for its beautiful singing.

[@NickJaffe]

She is named Huia after the NZ trading schooner of the same name. Planked in Kauri, it is presumed the kauri came off the trading schooner - hence her name.

[@marcoirkens9484]

Thank you for sharing the journey. Is the bowsprit meant to be curved down, or did that happen by the tension of the chain to the bow over the years?

[@romandybala]

Google Couta Boats.

[@NickJaffe]

No, the downward bowsprit is traditional for Couta boats.

[@marcoirkens9484]

@romandybala if you don't like conversations, do not participate. That would be my advice...

[@marktracey387]

Great passage Nick,i look forward to your next adventure.

[@SuperDonald64]

Beautiful

[@markwng]

Wow, so many changes, I am going to have to replace my 1981 melways. What ways?

[@k.whiking4372]

Couta boats were built to handle Bass Strait. Great job well done.

[@rickman2267]

Good job! South Oz.

[@mojojunkman]

Taylor goes thru Hell! Nice!

[@bazza945]

Did you pack the Tim-Tams, mate.

[@SuperPancake06]

She's a beauty!