Sail Life - Crossing the Bay Of Biscay⛵

[@delucain]

You guys are having so much fun! All Mads' years of hard work is paying off!

[@mlmontalvo]

I have been so impressed with the improved cinematic quality of your content. This channel has really grown since Mad’s first nervous video on Obelix. Great job guys.

[@53glowe]

Lovely episode. Ava is such a character...love her humorous pieces to camera 🎬🎥👍

[@Nerd3927]

Agreed!

[@elliotcurry2284]

I cannot get enough sail life. This is a fantastic channel you have created and built over the years. Athena is magnificent and I thoroughly enjoy both the DIY fun and the voyages. Thank you for all the hard work.

[@johnwishart7950]

nice to see ava being more ava she's a great sense of humour by the way lovely video which was quite educational

[@Wanderglobe]

Love the care and attention that goes into these videos. No clickbait thumbnails. No manufactured drama in the titles. Just some nice sailing. Glad you weren't attacked by orca's.

[@ceirwan]

03:05 That boat alongside you 'Peppermint' used to be owned by my father! I think the last time I saw it was 1999 or somewhere around that then, even the colour scheme is still the same. Apparently one of the previous was something to do with Trebor mints back in the day, hence the name. Small world!

[@brucemcnair2]

Congratulations!! After so many years of following you, you guys are now proper adventurers. Something to be so proud of 😊⛵️🕺

[@johncollier608]

Yey! Big crossing, incident free and not an Orca in sight - tick ✔This is what all the hard work over the past years has been all about. Thanks for sharing.

[@craigsuggs6114]

Mads & Ava: This last week's video was the best EVER!!! The way each of you were talking about what was going on during your three day voyage - especially about the "person" NOT on watch had me laughing. For those who have had to deal with watch rotations, your comments on the person "off watch" was especially hilarious. Keep up the terrific video's! Blessings,

[@TeuluTribe]

Such a cool vid! Looks like your passage was a little bit smoother than ours. The moon looked so incredible too 😀

[@CheersWarren]

I have to say I agree with you Ava , I like collared shirts with buttons and 2 pockets. Much more practical that Sloppy Tee shirts. Built in sun protection for neck, adjustable temperature control, practical storage for credit cards/cash and a pencil or pen. Besides that no need to pull thing over your head to put on. They also don’t stretch out of shape and come in a wide variety of materials from light wt UV protection, cool patterns, iron free fabrics, even silk for this special occasions. What’s not to like? Great Biscay passage by the way! Boring is just fine ! Cheers Warren

[@bbjim1]

Such a fun adventure. I love Eva gassing you up Mads, she's a diamond.

[@trailsandsails2722]

That was the best discussion of crossing logistics looking at wave and comfort data I've seen anywhere. Kudos to you Matts! Given your attention to detail in DIY I shouldn't be surprised but thanks for your enriching content! Great video all-way around! Dean

[@rodnelson8110]

I love the technical of these videos Mads is a genius, Ava can you do a section on what you cook and eat that would be good, and i think the boat is really cool

[@mattevans-koch9353]

Love your new country ritual. That bus looked really nice. I don't know if Ava ever rode a Greyhound or Trailways bus in the US but they would be considered derelicts in comparison to those in Spain. You two definitely need to get some sun now that you are further south. Thank you for sharing this adventure. P.S.-Mads, it is inappropriate to only have a few T-shirts and only one shirt with a collar. To be appropriate you need at least seven T-shirts so you can change each day. That way you can wear the same shirt on the same day every week and not have to do laundry more than once a month. A shirt with collar is then acceptable.

[@CalVlogz]

It’s going to be so fun looking back on these videos after you have had a few Atlantic or pacific crossing in your belts! The pre trip jitters are always there but as your experience continues it’s always fun to look back and see what would make you uncomfortable in the beginning you wouldn’t even bat an eye at in a couple of years. Love seeing the hard work payoff and seeing you all enjoying the fruits of labor ❤

[@JCAJCA3]

Getting closer to the beautiful Caribbean! GOD bless,JC

[@Alan52L]

Awesome content. Just love Sail Life videos. Content is excellent.

[@New.Adventures.Sailing]

Music choices were excellent!. Fun trip, and no seasickness. Notch that leg off your list, crossing the Bay of Biscay no storms, or whale attacks. Well done.

[@jacktyler7599]

I envy you your Biscay crossing to Gijon. When we crossed there from Falmouth, it was one tolerable day and then 3 long single-handed days of pounding while my sweet bride was horribly seasick. It was the only time in 11 years & 53 countries that she got off the boat and immediately kissed the dock.

[@horstszibulski19]

😮

[@albertczyk]

Glad you enjoyed our Northern Coast! I live in Santander and was surprised to see it here. If you're still sailing westward from Gijon you could enter the Santander Bay and enjoy the landscapes, it's a very popular sailing spot.

[@vaneboating4949]

You are on my part of the woods! Make sure you try the local cider

[@svbarryduckworth628]

Nice use of the "roving fender" by Ava when casting off from France. Those big ball fenders work pretty well for that.

[@kiplingslastcat]

It's so nice to watch yall actually traveling! I love it! I look forward to more tours with Ava!

[@kathrynaston6841]

Yet another fun packed adventure. Can’t wait for Sundays. Thank you

[@johnmooney9444]

Great stuff and after 5+ years of watching you my friend, I will say it again, Ava content is much appreciated. Cheers

[@gavinferguson]

congrats on the passage and avoiding the rudder nibbling killers. careful ava european food is so good

[@carlamerritt490]

Love seeing yall actually out on passage. I'd love to hear you geek out on how she sails sometime.

[@billhanna8838]

A roller furler staysail Oh perfect , Its a must & if a sore but is all that was the outcome of a Biscay crossing - Great , Your all looking healthy happy & more relaxed - ENJOY .

[@DVKajak]

So nice to see this beautiful time on sea after all the years of hard DIY fun! Keep up with this perfect combination of sailing, culture and crafting 👍😊

[@mk1photography62]

Always spiffy Sunday viewing thanks! You were so so lucky that the bay of Biscay was kind. We had a hideous crossing on a cruise ship once!

[@alasdairgeddes]

well done on finishing the boat! I haven't seen your channel in years and it just appeared on my KZbin again.

[@jonworthing7467]

That looked like a nice calm journey. Safe sailing, as they say living the dream.

[@dirtroadsailing6418]

I honestly can't wait for your Atlantic crossing!

[@gmoose777]

I agree Mads no-one needs more than three t-shirts and they don't need to be different colours, all black is fine. Same with shorts three pair and two longs all navy denim work pants, wardrobe done

[@robaust3049]

Look at the confidence you both sown at 4 minutes in, lovely to see you take those first nervous steps to now your first crossing. Thank you for taking us along. Wishing you nice winds, blue sky days and calm seas.

[@sailingmoonshadow3169]

You had a lucky passage across there guys. I too lucked out on my crossing from Plymouth Gijon (that's pronounced heehon by the way). You'll love the trip along to A Coruna, it's an awesome coastline. I stopped at Cudillero (which has a slightly terrifying entrance, the loudest seagulls in the entire universe plus a somewhat quirky mooring system), Ribadeo and Viveiro. All really nice places...

[@jcaam8094]

Sail life has finally become a sailing channel.

[@judywebb8358]

You sure refitted Athena into a beautiful boat! Love the attention to detail in your finishes.

[@WaterFaucet24]

Athena is currently getting pretty close to Portugal (on the tracker, near Palmeira, Spain). Hope the coastal cruising is helping you both at getting a good feel for all operations onboard. Sea Yoo!

[@C_R_O_M________]

That acoustic Spanish guitar near the end was excellent. Shazam and now I got it.

[@shirleypeters]

Thanks for the video. Fun to watch from cold rainy Sydney

[@chrisshields1775]

Well done and very enjoyable. From Devon in the UK

[@jamesl5149]

Awesome stuff. Liked the music on this one, very atmospheric

[@edwardhovitz1753]

So neat! Thanks for sharing your life with me / us. Sending out good vibes from Wisconsin USA

[@normanboyes4983]

Great video all round. Glad you had a smooth crossing. Next anxiety - orcas😳👍⛵️

[@hellsop]

16:27 "Green man walking!" became something of a joke to get the group of friends I was in Spain with to stop conversing and start crossing. :)

[@manfredschmalbach9023]

Those nerdy seasickness graphs had me chuckling to be honest. While going without any serious wind is quite an insurance to keep it sickness free, it's not even motorsailing, let alone sailing, is it? Deepwatersailing outside of the continental step went very smooth though I reckon. You will grow Your sea legs eventually and overcome the seasickness to change from motoring or motorsailing towards sailing. Thanks for sharing!

[@thepigwillfly5869]

I'm with you on the wardrobe. I have two pair of shorts and like five t-shirts that I wear all the time...drives my wife nuts.

[@stephencoster9532]

Hiya Ada & Mads, Thank you for a wonderful video, I've thoroughly enjoyed your journey from picking Athena up in Scotland low those many years ago to sailing with the misses across The Bay of Biscay, even seeing a whale but not having your rudder attacked. Congratulations to you both for all the glorious DIY and other works you've suffered for the sake of having the freedom of the seas, all I can say is, Perfect Winds, and Following Seas to you both, stay safe, Steve...

[@mp6756]

I agree so few pixels yet a great depiction of a human walking. Stay safe guys another great sailing videos. 👍

[@TheRealIdleTime]

Love El guitarrista...nice touch.

[@bbqwithrandy]

So dang happy for y’all!

[@dgrant2467]

I really enjoy your videos; thank you for all the work you put into creating them! I learned from another channel that KZbin's algorithm gives higher points to videos that are watched all the way to the end. You may want to redo your end splash screen to entice folks to watch until the end and therefore help your numbers; just an idea to consider. All the best!

[@Marschy85]

Eva crocheting reminded me of Penny Blossums😁

[@seamusreilly6522]

Ava is a funny girl. Love her humour. Have to agree with Mads. A few teeshirts, and your sorted. Safe travels guys

[@jameswesthart5873]

Great Video! Full screen definition nice and clear. Your camera equipment must be top quality. Thank you.

[@hughe29]

Do you do man-over-board drills? Would Ava know what to do?

[@NothusDeusVagus]

I love what you're both doing... It's magnificent and inspiring. I make no claim to being a sailor in anything other than my imagination but where that's concerned your adventure has set it thoroughly ablaze. I like may others, have followed your progress from the time you started your work on transforming Athena into the sleek, swift and sophisticated lady she is now, and that stage alone seemed to satisfy in so many ways. Had I not been able to "share" in this current adventure I probably would've thought myself content but I realise now that I am enjoying this as much, if not more. The sense of "I've got to know what comes next." is always present when I see that you've posted yet another instalment of your wonderful life and journey together... Oddly, all of the mentions of the plans and preparations you've made, the destinations that you have visited and those others much further and beyond, (y'know... that might be good title for a book, or compiled series of videos, which of course would have to feature the music of Vangelis) put me in mind of a series of Novels featuring the Character Horatio Hornblower. You both have certainly brought a smile to m'dial. Thankyou for that which we've had and for what we are about to recieve, we are indeed truly grateful.

[@gregyellenik8492]

The first time I saw those crosswalk lights in Mexico I stopped and starred in amazement. The ones here have the green men start to run when it is about to turn amber. I love these videos because we retrofit our boat three years ago and left Canada. COVID delayed us a bit here and there but we are still exploring and learning along the way. It is fantastic.

[@keltictourers]

Hey Mads and Ava! Lovely part of Spain you are cruising. Bayona in the south of Galicia is a must. Also visit the beach on cies island (you’ll need a permit to anchor) voted one of the top 5 beaches in the world by the Times. Buen Viaje!

[@SheilaConvery]

I don't think you could have hoped for an easier Biscay crossing!! nice

[@kevinsaunby982]

As you head south make sure to stop in Oporto and sample the Warres - deliberate pun 😃. Eva would definitely enjoy a visit to Lello bookshop in Rua das Carmelita.

[@Soulbandet]

Really enjoyed to follow your crossing 🌞 God luck further on 👍

[@777rogerf]

Thanks for the Spanish music. Local traditional music adds adds ad to any sailing videos yet it's rare (I wonder why). Congratulations on launching your first long passage!

[@WreckDiver99]

I own no less than 100 T-Shirts. I rotate them, so during the summer each may only see 1 or 2 wears. I have two sets of shirts..."Nice" and "work". Nice are the daily drivers, whereas the "work" are for doing stuff in the shop, the garden, etc. Sometimes you go through 2 or 3 shirts in a day when it's 38C out, and you hate anything above around 18C. LOL... For the winter I have about 10 hoodies. :)

[@ianlangley987]

Hi from New Zealand. It is really nice to see you both now enjoying the fruits of your labour over the last how many years. I love your film clips so keep them coming. Mads, it sounds like you had better get used to wearing collared shirts as you are now officially out of your "construction uniform" Cheers and have fun. Ian

[@davidjacobs5266]

Good luck we sailed across the Atlantic from Florida and have been in Portugal now for a month- and met lots of people attracted by Orcas. There are lots or thoughts on why by we listened to lots of sailers on what they did when under attached. It seems noice and reversing engines seem to help. We just created a small regatta of boats going from Sines to Porttimao.Yesterday we heard about attatchs off of Cascais. I am sure you heard about this and the people new know that were attached suffered only minor scratches. Good luck to you.

[@TR4zest]

Fun, fab passage. Well done guys.

[@MerleNicholson]

I'm thoroughly enjoying your episodes. I remember Mads apprehension over becoming a traveling channel, and honestly there's nothing to worry about. I do have a DIY request though. I'm interested in seeing some details about that unique toerail system. How about a tour and maybe some remarks about what you'd do differently, what you did right, etc. Love the episodes.

[@Morechocolatenow]

5 minutes of exploring Spain and I actually feel that I been there. You’re great at pulling the details out of your adventures.

[@sageleeone]

Good Video editing. Thanks, We enjoyed you adventure!

[@Mowikan]

Gijon a is nice place. Beautiful old town. Good food everywhere!

[@rbenning242]

What a great video!! Thanks Mads and Ava.

[@ronaldwarren5220]

This video was nicely done. Dare I say, quite spiffy!

[@bin_chicken80]

Your sailing videos are equally as good as your diy videos. You're doing a great job. Thank you! :)

[@GypsyTinker2012]

Mads, I must insist that you keep making your dreams come true. We are counting on it. I've been watching you from the actual start, really great to see you cruising and happy with your partner

[@RayVRoberts]

Have to agree, that building architecture was beautiful. !! And where was that exactly?

[@hurdurdur7rl696]

I think an autobalancing satellite mount (double axle, weight below to balance similarly to your stove) could be your next fun project to build :)

[@aleciacarpenter7856]

I like the new music! Sure do love you guys!

[@dcallan812]

Snazzy bus or would that be coach. Great update and nice you got over the bay with no issues. 2x👍

[@william6526]

All the years of hard work are finally paying off. You two have a wonderful future ahead of you and many great adventures for years to come. Ava has such a wonderful fun loving personality and Mads you might as well surrender to the fact you are going to have more then two shirts. God bless and happy sailing.

[@Abc-kf4qx]

Your weather planning is like watching a Vulcan sail. Live long and prosper

[@blegi1245]

I guess you are not married to someone who is prone to sea sickness and planning on staying married.

[@albertofourie3294]

First time I watched your channel. Most enjoyable and engaging video especially, as both you guys are so natural! The Bay of Biscay sure was "kind" to you on your passage! 😜

[@AfterMath342]

Another wonderful video. What fun! Safe travels.

[@ArcticSeaCamel]

This is so awesome! Can't believe it really. For me it all started when you were installing that Refleks stove to Obelix! 😅 And yes, I got shivers of the feel when you left for the crossing 🥰

[@andrewmullen4003]

loving the reinforced T shirts!!

[@allsearpw3829]

Hi, great to see all went well , with you both having fun on dry land picking up your sails and Athena took it all in her stride . Thank you both and catch you on the next one . 😉

[@billjeffery2419]

you starting to get your boat dialed in ,smooth sailing a head. great video

[@Edward-uf8mi]

Sail Life is so excellent. Great to know that Starlink works across the Bay of Biscay. Was the fishing guy perhaps inviting you aboard to 'shoot the breeze' with a mojito?

[@jonunya3128]

your channel is amazing and a pleasure. still in awe of the 'somewhat extensive refit..'

[@josephstevens3357]

As always, an excellent video! Thanks Guys, and enjoy the adventure!

[@sanantoniotonight5569]

Just discovered your channel, bravo! Love your sense of humor!

[@Seabee441]

Great Video Mads Following you from Northern California, really enjoy your escapades and genius repairs on good Ole Athena

[@maryjnorwood3962]

What a lovely trip! (Only one whale, yay!) Spain looks amazing. Serrano ham? 💕💕💕😎

[@allansr100]

Great video, it’s fantastic seeing all your hard work paying off. 👍

[@sharpfocus5]

New country ritual...sweet!

[@retiredandroaming]

Love Ava"s (or is it Eva"s?) Humorous short pieces. You guys go so well together! Great content and channel. One of my very favorite channels on YT! Thank you!

[@Amicaner]

Cool video! Very much looking forward to my new sailboat maskot!