Post Refit BOAT TOUR | Sailing Florence Refit - Ep.181

[@dt6393]

I think the biggest challenge you faced was not the work, it was the stress and tension, not to mention the fatigue you endured through it all.The true beauty is the love, patience and strength you gained from each other. Florence is looking great, but your love and devotion to each other truly brings life to her. God Bless !

[@ingriddoorn1201]

So very well said, I couldn’t agree more

[@ianbell5611]

Great video. Best part being your honesty about what is truely involved in achieving so much. That said you must be totally chuffed with the results of your labour. Cheers

[@alanluscombe8a553]

Yes. And money. Lots of money

[@earthangel8730]

I've said it before and I'll say it again (and again...) BEST sailing channel on KZbin! Reasons being: Amy, Matt and the invincible and beautiful, Sea surfing FLORENCE!!! Let's go! ⛵️

[@giork2828]

😂

[@CorM1]

Only pity they dont answer the questions you have🧐

[@crispyfried]

Good to see Florence back in the water. She's looking amazing, really reflects the hard work you have both put in, congratulations on a brilliant refurb.

[@kankama1]

As someone who has built 4 boats (and was working on them today) I really like the addendum you put on the video. I see a lot of videos from people who make refits look easy and fun. There will be times when you wish you hadn't started and the only thing you can do is grit your teeth and plug on. The vast majority of popular yacht sailing videos do not show the real world of ownership and the mental struggles to keep on going when life is passing you by and you make very slow progress on the build. So great advice to keep things simple and get out there. Cheers Phil

[@jamesolson807]

The two of you are such a compatible couple in every way. Love Amy's blue dress. It really illuminates your lovely smile.

[@atir4u]

You two are a loving couple. The end of this video was emotional with you explaining the hard work both of you endured. Very nice of your parents to cook you meals and have a place to stay. All the best to future adventures.

[@KThrace-sg9up]

Everything looks great! One note as a long time cold weather backpacker- you can permanently decrease the loft (and therefore the r-value) of down gear (jackets, sleeping bags, etc.) by storing them under compression. The jackets-as-pillow-stuffing idea is a clever use of space, but I would be careful not to damage your warm weather gear over time by keeping them stored like that.

[@papajeff5486]

Matt, Amy, your refit and upgrades are just wonderful. Personally, having owned some sail boats in my own past, I think your knowledge base of Florence, all the refit parts and their function is HUGE, and the bigger part. WELL DONE, folks. I have watched for a long time, your circumnavigation. Have grown truly fond of you, way more than I deserve, as I’ve watched and listened to you and you wouldn’t know me. Please know that there are a lot of us that care and worry for you out on blue water. May God be with you….from east Tennessee.

[@chrismalkin4070]

Your honesty and transparency at the end of this refit video is the true inspiration. You are both legends. Thank you. C

[@janetmessman95]

All I can say is WOW! Florence is beautiful 😊

[@rossjardine195]

You two have made what could have been a very boring vlog and turned it into a great one. Keep it going for many years to come.

[@robertgamber5979]

What nice people. These video's are a pleasure to watch.

[@kbbarton1]

Using pillows to store stuff is brilliant!

[@robertgold2643]

Great to see you so close to resuming sailing 🙏

[@awuma]

"Florence" looks magnificent! A furler with a luff wire is great! I had a ~160% genny with a wire on my 1971 Grampian 30 in the '90s, the furler mounted just aft of the headstay. Old fashioned, and not great for reefing (i.e. partial furling) unless going downwind, but so convenient. The reefable working jib (yankee) and storm jib were hank-on, the furled genny being dropped and coiled on the foredeck followed by hanking on the smaller jib, Of course, the jib could be hanked on before furling and dropping the genny, provided it didn't interfere with the furler. Yes, I had to go forward, and the halyard and sheets had to be moved over to the jib, but that working jib was so efficient. Stepping and unstepping the mast was so much nicer not having to bother with the longer-than-mast extrusion and heavy furler, and in my opinion safer than the conventional furling jib which can get stuck on the extrusion, especially if partially furled. I always found conventional furlers temperamental on other people's boats.

[@SoumyanathChatterjee]

Florence looks like a new boat. Marvelous workmanship. At the end of your adventure, you may start a yacht making business. Wish you best luck.

[@saracampbell7134]

Florence looks amazing! Bravo!

[@Waynedomo1]

Florence looks absolutely stunning. Well done you 2 massive effort.🙏🖖🇳🇿😎

[@barbarianlife]

Well done. The boat looks amazing.

[@uwesoltau4923]

She looks beautiful now and fit for sailing. Looking forward to watch your top class videos. Thanks for sharing.

[@davidmontgomery1016]

She is looking fabulous! Looking forward to the next chapter. Bon Voyage!

[@william6526]

Yea,my favorite couple are going to be sailing again and making the best videos on utube. God bless you both with his loving grace,keep you safe and many many more years of love and happiness togeather.

[@marinamars73]

I truly feel is the first time someone gives a reality check ! Well done. You guys rock ! ❤marina

[@Somemaysayso]

Beautiful. I look forward to your videos more than vagabond. Thanks and fair winds.

[@billjeffery2419]

FLORENCE is looking ship shape and ready for sea ,nice work done by you both

[@EdToml]

Congradulations. Look forward to see you both sailing. Your refit did NOT look easy. Got the impression you worked your a**es off.

[@millo8186]

thank you folks.. you are such an inspiration.. so decent.. so true.. so motivating.. take good care and fair winds forever.. greeting from Switzerland

[@rolanddunk5054]

You have done a great job refitting Florence,she looks beautiful I am now looking forward to watching the future sailing videos.Thank you for your time and effort…I just had a thought,I love the way your dress matches Florence’s paintwork.cheers,Roly🇬🇧.

[@wow.sailor.]

Wow Sailor's, looking forward to you sail again ❤

[@MHow1900]

Great Job!!! Congratulations

[@blazerboy9216]

I moved up to a Heritage from a Contessa 32. Beautiful boat and identical to 'Florence' except you have done so much more to her and she looks brand spanking new. I hope that you have many happy years together sailing in safety and comfort. Incidentally my boat Velindra' was sailed to Australia where she was sold.

[@SailingYachtFlorence]

Small world, we met Velindra in Mackay marinia Australia, she has since been sold again and the new Australian owners are Patrons and came to visit us last month when they were visiting the UK.

[@Chrisfeb68]

You two make a great team.

[@MarchTwentyfour-t8z]

Great job guys! True voices of experience, absolutely golden info for all prospective cruisers. Thank you for being so detailed and informative. Using cushions to store thermal clothes.... Bloody BRILLIANT idea! You never have enough cushions and those thermal clothes take up so much needed room in the limited wardrobe space. Seriously brilliant!

[@SailingSteelSapphire]

So glad you added the coda at the end about the realities of what you've just undertaken. Compressing 12-18 months of refit into 8 months is simultaneously heroic and totally crazy, not to mention filming and editing and managing a YT channel along the way. So fantastic to see Florence looking so great, and you both smiling at the end, but the sheer amount of blood, sweat and tears you've mostly left to our imaginations and having been there I know what an amazing feeling it is to actually get out there again. The best bit is how quickly the pain recedes in our memeories. Amy, your toe-rail synposis rings very true to us too . There are so many jobs that we seriously regretted undertaking during and in the immediate aftermath, and now are grateful every day that we did. Congratulations and happy sailing!

[@JR-ro5kv]

Florence looks great! Well done.

[@robinwatts7079]

Good job! The three of you are looking fresh and ready for your next adventure. Good luck🇬🇧

[@davek4442]

You did a fabulous job on your boat refit. So much work has paid off! I see it lasting for many years and it will be so enjoyable up north. Looking forward to your new adventures!

[@kimberlyonseastar]

Congratulations on a fantastic job well done. Florence looks amazing! Can’t wait to see you out on the water again.

[@hectorcyre7664]

ALL THAT in eight months - absolutely incredible. Thank you for taking us along. And greatest thanks for sharing the reality of what the refit demanded of you, That is such an important message to all the folks who take inspiration from your efforts (and results) but have less experience. Signifcant repairs, and even some routine maintenance take a greater toll on persons' mental health than most would imagine. Our rule has always been to double the time (and usually the cost) assumed in our initial estimates of work on our boat that we plan to do ourselves. Reality has a nasty side. For us, it means that we sometimes bite the bullet and outsource to professionals the tasks that require more skill, experience, and/or tools and equipment than we have. Our experience has been that doing so often doesn't exceed our "double the assumed cost" rule by very much and almost always results in a better result attained more quickly. Then we go boating. We're in our late 70's now, so that objective is taking on greater priority in our decisions. It will be wonderful to see your new adventures on the water. As others have said, yours is our favoriate sailing channel. Fair winds. Following seas.

[@bryanbadger6841]

Congratulations, well done. Amazing the work you've achieved. Someone once said, "A boat is a hole in the ocean, into which you pour money." Looking forward to further adventures with you and Florence. Thank you for sharing. Take care and all the very best from down here in Nz.

[@tomasseglaren4731]

If you ever done ordinary maintenance on a boat,you can imagine how much work you two have done this winter. Well done and fair winds,from Tomas in Sweden. Hope to see you here this summer. 🥰🥰🥰⛵️⛵️⛵️

[@andrewgaved7994]

Matching dress too! Safe sailing peeps.

[@snubblarinte]

You guys are so great!!!

[@DarceeVorndran]

You guys pooped me out just watching it! Good for you and happy wakes -Darcee

[@MrMichaelcurran]

You have done amazing work to make your boat an Artic Adventure. I look forward to viewing the Artic Adventure of a Life Time. You have earned this new travel experience.😊

[@MaritvanLieshout]

Florence looks wonderfull and very sympathic of you to be so transparent on the effort it took! That focused boat-work mode you describe is very recognizable! Since I grew so fond of you I take the liberty to share two concerns that rose when I was looking at the video: 1) the cushions: if you do not use them to sit against it may work, but as soon as you use them (and we use our cushions a lot on board) your puff jackets will reduce to no more than cushion filling. But that is not my major concern, my major concern is 2) the tapestry like material that you added to the wall next to your sleeping berths. The insulation beneath this material is a very good idea, but I expect that the tapestry will not prevent the formation of condensate, but it will hide it. Giving you less clues that you have to improve ventilation, also you can not wipe it dry as you can a normal cabin surface and hang out the cloth. Furthermore, it will gather dust etc . I therefore fear that in this way you unintendedly created the ideal mold growing spot next to the place you sleep, which is potentially very harmfull to your health... Just wanting you to be safe!

[@evanputterill8286]

Idea for your insulated blinds: For your blinds instead of suction cups you could attach bolt snap fasteners to the surround and blind and snap it in place; and have the blinds out far enough from the window that if you wanted to put in the insulation the blind would hold it in place.

[@januszg7162]

Pięknie odnowiony . Zazdroszczę i pozdrawiam . :)

[@ngpaul9253]

Florence looks like a brand new boat now.

[@greenwave819]

Stoked for this video... I think we have all been waiting for this one. Also, nice touch wearing the matching blue!

[@julianbatcheler9970]

Amazing. You must be so proud.

[@chancevonfreund9145]

She looks fantastic! Cheers🍻⛵

[@catherineb6561]

wish you fair winds and calm seas...take care

[@steveburton5825]

Having sailed thousands of miles on the oceans with B&G very similar to that, I think you'll love it. Their wind display is brilliant for sailing. (the one you are showing on the inside of the boat tour). Much nicer than the Garmin/Raymarine alternative. The Lithium battery system will transform your cruising experience - especially in high latitudes. Love your new dodger setup and the interior changes. Rolly Tasker has done well for you guys. I'm much impressed with them. I'm not under any misunderstanding of the work required to do all of that. Great job all around!

[@bobobolinsky5001]

Nice work guys.

[@davidpearson8954]

She looks fabulous. Very nice yacht. I’m looking forward to seeing the trip north. ❤

[@richardcamp8301]

Flo looks great. looking forward to Nordic adventures

[@gmchristie123]

That blue colored dress really suits you. It highlights your eyes and smile.

[@JayBee-cr8jm]

I recently cleaned up a rental house. It took 5 months to go through it: Carpet, paint, HVAC updates, insulation, re-stained the kitchen cabinets, appliances, etc. There's no easy way out on that stuff. Either fix it now or fix it later. Looks like Florence will be up to whatever comes her way. Well done.

[@jameshearn2225]

Looks absolutely amazing - what a job you've both done!

[@jonathanscott550]

Thanks, you two for showing Florence off after your dedicated hard work. I was one of the subscribers that said at the beginning of the refit that you were really pushing it only giving yourselves 6 months to do the work you wanted. You did however accomplish a lot more than I expected job very well done. Florence looks absolutely revived. Let's hope the northern climates and weather are nice to her. until next video stasy safe and hope the new sails do arrive for next video cheers

[@Marta-sh3ou]

Great job, Florence looks fantastic! As for the blackout blinds - eyemask is the best

[@williamwiese9963]

Florence is amazing!! One day..great video❤️

[@warrennerraw7237]

Well done guys!!! look forward to following your new adventures!

[@norman4991]

Absolutely amazing refit and upgrade, well done, huge job. Enjoy the sailing.

[@i335a]

Looks AMAZING! You guys worked hard and it shows! Well done!👍🏼

[@elmonte7834]

impressive work

[@jerrycooke6511]

There's a girl here in Canada who has started a slight craze with her curtains. She glued little dollar store magnets around her ports. Then made up two sets of curtains, one summer and one with insulation, of course with magnets sewn in. You can do them in halves to give some control.

[@richardstever3242]

Norway to Scotland, Iceland and all the islands...like Eric. So cool and so daring.

[@humblestever24]

How ?

[@richardstever3242]

@@humblestever24 By boat

[@Grahamcracker6366]

I appreciate your honesty. She looks great!

[@richardkeen1996]

Great refurbishment and fit-out guys!! Really looking forward to stowing away and following you along on your northern waters adventures!! Bon voyage - fair winds and calm seas!!

[@ianvanson652]

what a fabulous couple I with you all the very best in your adventures, as a sailor I think your positivity is commendable. You are Bothe very talented people and the work you have achieved is brilliant you should be very proud of your boat it looks stunning. I wish you a happy season of sailing and please keep the video's coming.Kind regards and may the wind be always at your back.

[@sunlovesailing]

Very good job. But I'm as impressed with the fact that you guys stayed on task, kept your goal in sight, worked hard at it and completed it as i am with the quality of the work.. That you didn't get to a few things is par for the course. Very comprehensive, and well done. Stoked for your season in the north.

[@pitj69]

Highly recommend a air dehumidifier to keep condensation in control. We use it during cold spring and fall sails in Sweden (and when our 2 golden retrievers are wet). Also doubles as a drier when washing cloths and you can’t hang-dry outside.

[@stuartsutherland7664]

Florence is as good as new! Looking forward to your northern oceans videos.

[@emsevol2712]

We put the Froli system under our mattress and we get no condensation and it’s much more comfortable.

[@newmanlord4052]

Fantastic refit congratulations 🎊 🎉

[@Darenbranch]

Glad to see 🙏

[@annettemay5743]

Super human effort guys, Florence look so good. Very impressive, carn't wait for the next Vid.

[@chriskirkman5425]

Proud.....comes to mind.

[@terenceacton5803]

Fantastic job - I understand the blood, sweat and tears that you have experieced over the last six months. Looking forward to seeing you sailing again. Hope you visit Sweden

[@georgemorris9971]

Wow!

[@gatanelson]

You have done an amazing job. Well done.

[@sandywilson3112]

Congratulations on an amazing job well done! No way did I ever think this was an easy refit. I got tired just watching all you did! Looking forward to your sailing Florence to the north! Safe sailing!

[@ranger2316]

You two are amazing... as are your parents! I look forward to seeing the next leg of your adventure.

[@stevebrunning3432]

What a great job, she looks great and I wish you many more miles of sailing. The videos are superb, keep up the good work.

[@Miguel-Migs]

Florence is looking great! Good for you for keeping it Authentic and realistic. Keep up the great work and I look forward to your northern voyage. Wishing you both fair winds and following seas! Cheers 🤙

[@danthemansmail]

I am really looking forward to your new adventure, you two are the best.

[@bdphourde]

A boat that comes out looking so great after only 8 months of hard work is a great accomplishment! Florence and Amy have never looked better! We got a rough idea of the work load involved without any of the fatigue and grouchiness that goes with it! I suspect that you will be jumping out of the frying pan and into the fire when the days get short and the temps drop, and you are experimenting with a new environment under trying conditions. I don't know how many diesel cans you will carry on deck but it will never seem like enough now that you have to heat the boat with it in the arctic. Additionally burning propane while cooking is going to give off that water vapor you didn't want to condense on everything, Maybe you will have to wait until dinner is over to close up the boat and turn on the heater. And I don't know if burning diesel will also give off water vapor, but most of that should go out with the exhaust. Will you have internet in the high latitudes? Will you have anyone doing the weather monitoring for you? I will enjoy seeing Florence's tender out sailing in the glacial fjords to get closeups of the calving glaciers! Isn't that why you put a new rub-rail on it? ;)

[@jsvno]

Congratulations with a shiny new boat - so i hope to see you here in Norway soon.....

[@mhorses72]

you two are the best! I wish you all the best on your new adventures

[@robertlafferry3455]

We call that workaholics here in the states. I have that disease myself. Work life balance is definitely a tough one to master.

[@jamesfairbairn6084]

Great Job Guys, excited for your next navigation

[@sparklepea]

Wow Florence is looking spectacular! I’m not from the UK so if you spent the summer hosting your family and friends on Florence for day sails and short hops around the coast I wouldn’t complain it’d all be interesting and in fact more unique as I’ve already followed a few channels north through Scandinavia and the Arctic.

[@alannorman6166]

Well done so if you get back to New Zealand pop in for a cuppa ☕️

[@spiritflower6640]

We appreciate your videos so much! And, hope that you got some quality time with your loved ones, as well. And God bless your folks for their generous hospitality and support of this project! All blessings and fortunate cirumstances to you and yours! 😊

[@Robert-og2kr]

My takeaway from the refit videos was "how on earth did they finish all of those projects in 8 months? They must have worked like hell non-stop." However, people should take inspiration from you. As you said at the end, they should also know it isn't easy and probably cost time, money, frustration, anxiety, and every other emotion known to man. Look forward to seeing you sailing again.

[@richh9241]

Looks really good!Amazing work! Can't wait to see how the improvements work out! Well done!

[@danieltempleton7512]

Great job people, and given your disclaimer at the end.. you must have really been going hard for months. It's unhealthy for some, sure. But given your drive and motivation it has paid off. Now you will reap the rewards of the brutal work. All the best and wishing you both a fantastic new adventure on your beautiful little ship. Hello from Australia!

[@carolinecaiger6717]

Florence looks fantastic!