Sigma 36 solo sailing six hundred miles September 2020

I buy a racer /cruiser Sigma 36 in Suffolk and spend a week preparing it for a 605 mile coastal and offshore trip to the Menai Straits, North Wales. I get some hot summer weather and some good sailing weather sailing home, all managed to do in September, a second summer for me this year when I thought I'd be lucky to sail at all considering the outlook of Covid restrictions earlier in the year. Over 1000 miles of sailing including my Scottish trip in July.
All content my own and all rights reserved excluding the little excerpt from U96 Schiller remix which doesn't belong to me.
It was good to meet up with Dave Osborne from Newlyn Harbour who helped me when I was weather bound on my Sabre 27 trip 'Winter sailing solo Devon to Anglesey' seven years ago.
If you want to see more of Sigma 36 sailing I can recommend: • 2014 Solo Tasman Yacht... 2014 Solo Tasman race - Sigma 36 'Rogue Wave' by MrKevlep. If I could get mine set up like that, she would be ideal.
Take a look at my two other Sigma 36 videos.

[@AdventuresofanoldSeadog]

Love the channel.

[@mjcooke2sailingmostly]

Thanks Barry, I'm still watching yours too, you've gone a long way since I nearly met you in Camarinas!

[@Ploddingalong67]

Mr Cooke, thank you for uploading this adventure, thoroughly enjoyable. Hopefully more to come in 2021.

[@mjcooke2sailingmostly]

I'm glad you enjoyed it and thanks for taking time to comment. I hope to keep doing the videos, they keep my interest in sailing.

[@hellohellohello6847]

Sweet mate, thanks for making the video. I really enjoyed it. Phil gosport UK

[@mjcooke2sailingmostly]

Thanks for taking the time to comment Phil, great you enjoyed.

[@msulemanf]

Great video, really enjoyed it. So useful to see long UK coastal journey, inc. so much south coast, with lots of points of reference and clues on when and how to take cover.

[@mjcooke2sailingmostly]

Some may have stretched it out with several videos but as KZbin now allow longer ones, I like to show a start and end destination. A complete record. I'm glad you find it enjoyable.

[@claireb2700]

Wonderful video, Mike!!! Thanks for sharing your amazing adventure... The sunsets were particularly lovely. You did fantastic job of getting that boat home with no auto helm and fiddly sails. Hope we see more of her on the water next year. Glad you are back safe and I hope you have had some rest!!

[@mjcooke2sailingmostly]

Thank you Claire, I'm back to lazyness at home now. I only noticed the salt spray spots on the video when it got to a larger screen but they show an authenticity I suppose. I used a gopro copy in a case when I was concerned about spray, was handy to keep in my pocket too. The boat steered herself to windward at times but with wind on the quarter or aft needed constant attention. A preventer saved dozens of gybes when my attention faltered , which it did. I wished for a star right ahead to follow. I tried following clouds but they tend to move! I hope to sail her next year, just have to weigh up the costs to make cruiser friendly or invite enthusiastic crew!

[@SCCFORUM]

That was fantastic to watch.

[@mjcooke2sailingmostly]

That's a great boost to get comments like that, thank you.

[@SCCFORUM]

@@mjcooke2sailingmostly You are very welcome mate.👍 Your video style and edit is very similar to Samingo sailing channel, another great sailor like yourself. I am looking forward to watching future videos of your great journeys. Regards, Paul.

[@mjcooke2sailingmostly]

@@SCCFORUM Give me a few months and I hope freedom to get somewhere, thanks.

[@WildlingSailing]

Bloody brilliant. I wasn't expecting this, such a massive trip in one video. many of the places brought back good memories. I challenge you to a race, just give us a 300 mile head start. Ive just shared on the youtube sailing channels facebook page

[@mjcooke2sailingmostly]

Thanks Wildlings, glad you found time to watch, not so easy on the move. I try to keep people's interest and move along but find watchtime shows people still skip! I was cautious and had permanent 2 reefs and smallest jib, she doesn't need her big sails to fly at times. Definitely one for crew or to make things easier with roller furling and slides on the main and lazyjacks and bag too ideally. Plenty of space, aft cabin something new to me.. .6ft 1in draft, no anchoring near the beach! There's a twin sister in Pwlleli for sale I think would sell cheap, been for sale long time. Great to see your progress and entertaining videos, the songs a real treat.

[@WildlingSailing]

@@mjcooke2sailingmostly woah! ill try and fins the pwllheli one for sale. Even our most popular videos all have an average watch time of less than 50 percent, so no matter what you do there'll be people that skip, i like your format a lot!

[@mjcooke2sailingmostly]

It seems to me the watch time gets less and less as a video becomes popular. That Sigma is with Boatshed, a quick Apollo Duck search will find it. Owners are abroad and it needs work so current asking price is unrealistic, offer half. I never viewed. Odd if you bought, you would be almost resetting your mileage clock to zero. Like the monopoly game , go back to jail! Plenty of opportunities in the Med I'm sure, check for vat paid status if ex charter boats especially. Greece must be top of the list for likely find. Thanks again for what you did, I have had lots of new subscribers. I lost my partner status recently but oddly, views started increasing afterward.

[@jcfgh]

A lovely journey. Thank you so much for sharing it

[@mjcooke2sailingmostly]

Thank you James for your support, glad you found it worth watching.

[@stevemartell6598]

Another enjoyable video Mike, thanks for posting it👍 Enjoy your rest! Steve

[@mjcooke2sailingmostly]

Thank you Steve for your encouragement, It's good to see people getting some enjoyment out of my videos. Yes, I'll be lazy for a while.

[@joeswinny7686]

There's no holding you down Mike great job once again.

[@mjcooke2sailingmostly]

Slowed down now for the winter, some maintenance jobs to do and looking into changes to make easier to sail.

[@SVNimbus]

You've really captured some beautiful scenery on this passage, a fantastic video and great to see so many familiar landmarks from such a nice looking vessel , I'm begining to think you're bought and sailed every yacht there is !!!

[@mjcooke2sailingmostly]

I thought I'd go through the alphabet. A few H's so far. S seems like progress but I had a Vega. The Greek Sigma is like a back to front E so if I start on the Greek alphabet there will be more boats. I lost count of numbers, 15 plus. I wanted something bigger and they are cheaper than the Bavarias, Beneteaus etc. It flies but quite a handful without crew with present rig. Good space inside and comfortable too.

[@simonsargent9514]

Wow we get to see her ! lovely boat, looking forward to watching your adventures on her x

[@mjcooke2sailingmostly]

Thank you Simon. I hope you have been able to arrange things with yours.

[@SailingYachtSaltyLass]

What a great trip!

[@mjcooke2sailingmostly]

Thanks B & G, It turned out OK, considering it was an untried boat and a racer with no cruiser luxuries like roller furling and an effective autopilot. A bit tiring though, I've ordered Furlex and new forestay, I have the mast down and will fit lazyjacks as it was comical (to anyone watching anyway) trying to flake the mainsail singlehanded. Lots of small things also as the boat was lacking maintenance for some time. A cracking Volvo 2030 though, still only less than 300hrs use, so quiet. Fastest boat I've ever had! I hope you watched all through, video viewtime figures kept dropping, all the skipping! Lots of dislikes too, I'd prefer people to say why. I was happy with it anyway, thanks for comments, see you in some harbour or anchorage sometime I'm sure.

[@SailingYachtSaltyLass]

@@mjcooke2sailingmostly - Never mind dislikes, there are always some negative people. You did well singlehandling a strange (to you) boat around half of GB.

[@johnbirchall2878]

Well done & as always very enjoyable and informative to watch. Respect!

[@mjcooke2sailingmostly]

Thanks John, It's good to hear people have found it enjoyable, I was happy with the trip, no real problems. I just saw I got my first dislike for the video, I would prefer people to say why they dislike, it would be more constructive.

[@johnbirchall2878]

@@mjcooke2sailingmostly I don´t see any reason to dislike this video of a great adventure sailing some treacherous waters singlehanded! Obviously isn´t a sailor lol

[@tonymorgan2813]

Great video....great chanel!!!👍

[@mjcooke2sailingmostly]

Thanks for the supportive comment, I'm gearing up for another trip in the Sigma, keep an eye for a sequel!

[@physiohelp]

Thank you from me too, very enjoyable to watch. I’m thinking about a sigma, they do have a good reputation. Great video

[@mjcooke2sailingmostly]

Good to hear it's enjoyed, quite some interest in this one. I've found the boat a spacious , fast and cheaper alternative to the Bavarias, Beneteaus etc. There is some spending to do, altering sails, a roller furling gear etc to make her easier to sail solo. A family with eager teen sailors to change sails would no doubt like her as she is. Right now, I'm just doing maintenance and repair work.

[@rex5360]

nice boat Mike, i see you bought it so it is yours super, i still keep my Mirage and i am now very happy with the boat, you where my lead in that, best regards Reinier

[@mjcooke2sailingmostly]

Hi Reinier, They are attractive boats, a few people told me already. I do like the Mirage, I had a good holiday on mine to Ireland. She is now in good hands and has been treated to a new headsail and a full cockpit sprayhood enclosure, arch, davits.

[@sygo-cart3579]

Great video. It brought lots of nice memories. We spent two years sailing from Whitehaven and another two from Conwy. We're in Plymouth now not too far from Jennycliff. Looking forward to see more videos next year.

[@mjcooke2sailingmostly]

I remember, I watched your videos at the time. Plymouth seems a good base for sailing further and also exploring up the rivers. My first time anchoring on the Jennycliff side, I was further out, a little cautious over the draft, it was just bed and breakfast for me there and was off west.

[@libreasotavento6594]

Great video Mike!! As always! I've been away from social media for a while, so i watched it bit late, i bet you don't have her already! xD I heard those Sigma are quite fast... i guess that she is quite different than the fulmar. Take care! Hopefully i'll see you this summer but... you know... covid permitting!!

[@mjcooke2sailingmostly]

Hi Eduardo, I was hoping to see you soon, Fragancia seems OK, am sure you will be able to get here soon. The Sigma sure is fast, I have fitted roller furling and lazyjacks now so will be easier to sail her short handed. I will launch when am ready for a trip and the weather seems OK.

[@andrewsherriff1702]

great video , what a great looking boat hope to see more of her in upcoming videos

[@mjcooke2sailingmostly]

Thanks, I think they are smart boats, no spray hoods or the trimmings of a cruiser to spoil the looks! I did wish for some on the way though. I'd like a roller headsail and lazybag and slides for the main, and a few other things. I started a list!

[@andrewsherriff1702]

i think a spray hood would help they do seem to lean well so very wet in strong winds

[@SJ-zb7zr]

Nice memory id forgotten I sailed a Sigma 36/2 down to La Coruna over 20 years ago great boat....running backstays make it interesting

[@mjcooke2sailingmostly]

They are lively boats and don't need a big sail area to sail a decent speed. Not pressing it as they would in a race, I didnt use the running backstays apart from using one to hold up the boom. I intend to alter the sails to be more cruiser friendly, I have a Furlex to fit and have the main re-cut. I saw one for sale in southern Spain last year, I wonder if that was the one you sailed.

[@SJ-zb7zr]

@@mjcooke2sailingmostly yes for cruising u def don't need the backstays. The one i took down had a tiller. Think we did Plymouth to La Coruna in about 5+ days was fun....

[@mjcooke2sailingmostly]

@@SJ-zb7zr There is a tiller aboard, she must have been converted to wheel later. It would be better as tiller I'm sure, cheaper for an autopilot too, the ones recommended for these are internal ram type around £2500. The ST4000 wheelpilot was not coping.I was impressed with the way the one in the video I linked sailed with autopilot in gale conditions. What was your boat fitted with?

[@SJ-zb7zr]

@@mjcooke2sailingmostly there was no autopilot as I remember we helmed it all the way down - crew of 4 was fine and tbh keeps u awake on ur watch at night. We were young then ;-) couldnt do it now

[@mjcooke2sailingmostly]

@@SJ-zb7zr Crew might be cheaper than an autopilot! It was tiring, the longest leg over 24hrs, mostly hand steering. I found I could lock the wheel for short periods going to windward and she would allow me time to do quick jobs or put the kettle on. Downwind was tiring.

[@eebygumcaptain]

Hi Mike, Another boat ! I sailed in a Sigma 38 across the Bay of Biscay, great sea worthy boat 👍

[@mjcooke2sailingmostly]

I watched your video more than once. The 38's look a great boat. I used to see the Conwy sea school one in the bay here , think they changed now to a different boat. I find the 36 a fast responsive but lively boat. Am sure they do well in racing. For single handing it will need to be a lot easier, an autopilot that works well no1 priority, those linear drive ones quite expensive.

[@chrisomalley50]

Bloody brilliant.

[@mjcooke2sailingmostly]

Thanks for your praise, it means a lot that people enjoy my videos.

[@s.v.corycia5643]

Thanks for sharing great sailing!

[@mjcooke2sailingmostly]

Challenging for sure, we have to see what we can do, your own achievement sommething too.

[@nicholashaig9113]

Excellent video & Sailing ⛵️

[@mjcooke2sailingmostly]

Thanks for the encouragement.

[@S1ideRorama]

The content is quite awesome, I am very happy for you for your authentic adventure, and I am sure that you had quite experience. Also I would like to mention that editing is glitchy, you definitely should change your editing software. Good luck with your Sigma!

[@mjcooke2sailingmostly]

I'm sorry for my reply, which I wrote , didn't appear at the time. Thanks for your nice comment and constructive criticism which is always welcome. My old wmv movie maker editing is the same as when I started doing videos 10 years ago now as is the windows 7 laptop. An upgrade would be good. I do sometimes include footage from a 4k gopro type camera as I did in this one but the sound is not so good with that.

[@algarveblues]

Thanks for sharing this trip by video. I wonder why you sail upwind with the hatch open. And no sprayhood. Good luck with further trips.

[@mjcooke2sailingmostly]

Thanks for commenting. The boat came without a sprayhood, I'd just bought her. With the wheel steering and an autopilot that didn't cope , I was stuck at the stern so a spray hood wouldn't have helped me much anyway. With previous tiller steered boats, I have spent most of my time on passages under the hood. I don't like steering for hours on end but no choice . I would have shut the hatch in any more serious weather.

[@AndyUK-Corrival]

Great boats, best of luck with her. I used to race with the designer back in the 80’s on Creamcracker. With the swept back spreaders you don’t need to worry about the running backstays' they are just to tension the forestay on a beat. You can keep them tied forward to the shrouds out of the way most of the time. Fair winds. Andy UK

[@mjcooke2sailingmostly]

Thanks Andy for the advice, I have little experience of racing or racing boats. I was cautious of sail area and kept two reefs kn tne main all tne way. She sailed well like that even in lighter winds and flew in f6. I found I needed constant attention at the wheelin those conditions , especially quartering seas. I'm thinking of making the boat more cruiser friendly with mainsail slides and lazyjacks/bag and a roller furler but a little concerned I would spoil it. A handful for one as she is though. I have a Rival 32, a very slow project, 26yrs!, progress been made this year, I do want to sail her, too much time and money spent not to.

[@AndyUK-Corrival]

mjcooke2 Hi Martin, they are beat sailed without the leeward toerail under so I think two reefs in the main and small jib was right. As you say main sail sliders and lazy jacks would make things easier and safer when solo. Is she masthead or fractional rig? It’s a big main on the fractional. A furler up front would compromise upwind pointing but then all boats have to compromise somewhere. I sail a Rival 32 myself, kept in Emsworth on a mooring. I run the Rival Facebook page so check it out if you haven’t already, apologies if we have exchanged messages before' my memory for names is not what it was. Best of luck Andy UK

[@santamulligan676]

I would have liked a splash cover,ducking the waves in my lounge😹🎩

[@mjcooke2sailingmostly]

Best way to sail I think, watch others' sailing videos and keep dry! The Sigma didn't ship much water over the decks although in 600 miles I never went on the foredeck! She had a racing past so sprayhoods weren't a priority. I do like them when they're there. With wheel steering and a lot of hand steering and blazing sun at least to the Solent, I'd have appreciated a bimini. Having been in the sun all summer, I still got my face burnt.

[@teddyboysdontknit810]

Learnt to sail on one of these, over 25 years ago. Good solid boat, but can get very wet in heavy seas.

[@mjcooke2sailingmostly]

I learned on a 34ft long keel cruiser on a sail from Port Elizabeth to Cape Town then across to Brazil and the Caribbean as crew. I suppose my real learning came afterwards in my own smaller first boat an Invicta 26 long keel. I can imagine being in heavy seas in a Sigma 36 would be quite an experience if you have seen the Tasman video I mentioned in the description. I was impressed with how his autopilot coped, wish mine had worked better.

[@twister2869]

great stuff!

[@mjcooke2sailingmostly]

Thank you Twister 28. I have owned a few long keel boats but never a Twister, been interested in one or two over the years though.

[@verynearlyaboutsailing8114]

Very nice video Mike. That is a lovely looking boat. But quite a handful for single-handed sailing - I don't think I'll be upgrading to one unless I got a permanent crew on board ;) Have they upgraded any of the facilities at Newlyn yet? I asked if they had showers when I stopped there. The lady at the desk said that they did, but she wouldn't tell me where they were because they were so awful. But she also added they they were planning to make some improvements. Cheers, Paul

[@mjcooke2sailingmostly]

Hi Paul, I did get comments along the way on the boat's looks, no big renovation work this time but converting to be more manageable could be expensive. An enthusiastic crew might be cheaper! She's comfortable below, nice newish upholstery by Jeckells, all teak varnishwork in good condition and a large heads with all the elbow room anyone could wish for ha ha. Yachts take second place in Newlyn because of it's nature as a fishing port, the 'marina' was paid for with a fishing grant so they will not likely do anything that will attract more yachties. I just washed on the boat, my last shower was Eastbourne!. I did think of sitting out a coming gale there but found I had enough time to get to Dale. When I spent a slice of one winter there I was glad of a hot shower and not bothered about the decor. With shops an easy walk and perfect shelter and a great hopping off point for a journey north, I find it ideal. I like the commercial feel to the place and feel at home there.

[@SCCFORUM]

Hi Mike, Would be great to have your view on what would be a good choice for my first sailing vessel. I would like it to be sub 30 feet and I would be mostly sailing alone. Budget would be up to £20,000 and I think I will get a base on the south coast as that would be the nearest coast for me. Technically it wouldn't be my first sailing boat as I presently have a Mirror and Wayfarer dinghy which I am trying to learn the ropes between lockdown. Look forward to hearing from you. Kind regards, Paul.⛵️

[@mjcooke2sailingmostly]

Paul, you will see a few of my choices in my previous videos, what I've owned has been a fair variety depending mainly on what caught my eye as a good deal. Bilge keel yachts have been very handy and you may find cheaper moorings for one. Go for volume and adequate headroom if you mean to spend a lot of time on board. Boats coming on the market now as people paying for yacht upkeep and not being able to use. I started with long keel yachts but have become more open minded, they all get you out to sea. Something will catch your eye.

[@SCCFORUM]

@@mjcooke2sailingmostly Thanks Mike. 👍

[@mjcooke2sailingmostly]

@@SCCFORUMPS. Make sure you buy one with a good replacement engine if an older boat, (Betas and Yanmar fresh water cooled). That's the most costly thing to replace. Sails and rigging next. Never mind about electronics, a depth sounder and a plotter app on your tablet and phone is all you need.

[@SCCFORUM]

@@mjcooke2sailingmostly Thank you for the tips Mike.👍

[@TheShorterboy]

just remember all the exercise running back and forward to pull stuff up and down is good for you, an idea on actual boat speed would be nice, are these types of boat any better

[@mjcooke2sailingmostly]

I'm sure! I think we are spoilt these days with roller furling, electric anchor windlass, etc. My Fulmar had 30m of 3/8'' or 10mm chain and a 25lb CQR, pulling that lot up along with a large clump of kelp was good excercise. This boat's autopilot was ineffective so to leave the cockpit to change sails was not practical. The small sail area of the double reefed main and no4 jib was good most the time. I intend to fit a furling gear and likely use the no2, the other headsails are the racing non dacron type. I have spotted some mainsail slides with rollers too and likely make a mk2 lazybag! I could not have managed hauling the jib singlehanded without a feeder, bought from the sailmaker at Levington. Some good advice from them too.

[@mjcooke2sailingmostly]

Sorry, didn't see the full comment first time. The Sigma 36 is a flier. She needs far more attention steering and general work. Others I have seen on KZbin and for sale ads have been made more cruiser friendly. As she is now, she is a racer that would have six crew. Racing is not my thing but I do appreciate the boat's performance and windward ability. I only used speed over ground but in areas where I was crossing tide, the speeds I saw in stronger winds were consistwnt 7.9kn and occasional 8s and 9s.

[@sailingsomewherejames5167]

Hi Mike, great video as always. The Simga is a change of pace to the bilge keels of your past. You planning a different kind of adventure next year?

[@mjcooke2sailingmostly]

Hi James, I've been aiming for a larger boat for a while, hence the buying of the rig last year in Scilly. The Sigma is a kind of compromise, she has an aft cabin and a wheel steering, both new to me and far cheaper than Bavarias and Beneteaus of the same size. I found the racing rig a handful , she needs to be more cruiser friendly for me anyway, maybe different if crewed. She flies, I got sustained 7.9 kn and saw 8 and 9 at times although by then she needed constant attention at the wheel. She needs a better autopilot or a couple of enthusiastic crew!

[@kz4506]

You could ease the heal pop , and tuck a reef

[@mjcooke2sailingmostly]

Two reefs in the main there and the smallest headsail no4. There is a 3rd reef but I guess it would be for gale or near gale strengths. I was in 5 to 6 there.