Single Handed Poole To Portland. Best Sail of 2024.

[@fatfreddyscat2]

So pleased to see that you're still refraining from acting your age😉

[@davesailing]

Hi Chris, Good to hear from you :-) I guess I'll keep going until I can't - keeping on keeping on... Hope all is well with you. Best Wishes ... Dave

[@DavidPritt-xh7qq]

Loved the video. I made the trip from our berth in Poole to Weymouth in our Sadler 29 for the weekend many times, often taking the inshore passage which starts running west before the main stream, this brought back some great memories. I am off to Lanzarote tomorrow to help move a boat from there to Almeria, should be fun. While only a spring chicken to you Dave, as I am only 71, we oldies need to keep sailing, good for the old mental health. Did a lot of scuba diving around Portland Harbour, interesting drift dives. Best wishes.

[@davesailing]

Hi David, Glad you enjoyed the video. Getting back wasn't so easy - that's in the next video. You're quite a jet setter :-) Lanzarote Eh! Hope it goes well and you have a lovely trip... Best Wishes Dave

[@sallyniemann8360]

A cliff hanger! More like the Dave I knew *grin*

[@davesailing]

Hi Sally, Hope you're well - all will be revealed in a few days.... Dave

[@BOOMERANGSAILING]

Thanks for sharing. Another nice video, Dave. I always enjoy riding along with you and your lovely commentary.

[@davesailing]

Thank you for watching and your kind words Bill. I pretend I'm telling my log gone dad what's going on :-) Best Wishes ... Dave

[@Zabessa]

Great Video, always a pleasure to see a good trip on a well cared for boat!

[@davesailing]

Thanks James, glad you enjoyed it :-) Have you still got that cute rabbit ? Best Wishes ... Dave

[@Zabessa]

@ sadly not, she left us 6 years ago

[@Siravingmon]

Really nice commentary, thanks! 😊

[@davesailing]

Thanks for watching Simon. and for your helpful comment. I pretend I'm explaining it to my late dad.. Best wishes ... Dave

[@debbietodd6064]

Thanks for the video Dave. On a grey November afternoon, it's lovely to see sun , sea and sailing ⛵️

[@davesailing]

Thanks for watching Debbie and glad it lifted your spirits. I often watch one or two on cold dark winter days and it lifts my spirits too. The next episode, which I'm editing now is not so sunny though :-( Best Wishes ... Dave

[@glyda685]

That was a cracking sail and as you said, along a lovely coast. As one of your other commentators remarked, just the right video for a dark winter’s afternoon. I await with interest, the return trip! Off to look up about Medallia.

[@davesailing]

Hi Tony, yes a lovely stress free trip, most enjoyable. Good to hear from you.. Best Wishes ... Dave

[@kenbudd6216]

Thanks great film

[@davesailing]

Thanks Ken 😊

[@patrickhorgan8389]

Best Wishes from SW corner of 🇮🇪 🤞 all is well now.

[@davesailing]

Lovely to hear from you Patrick - have a really good time ...Dave

[@dreamtimesv]

Good story, and building Dave. All set for the finale. I was impressed you were able to get the whisper pole out and set for the heady. Tricky single handed. Ive only tried it once under similar conditions, with no guys how does it stay in place? Also interested in the type of auto-helm you have in board, obviously a reasonably robust model. I have been dock tied whilst I replace some of my exhaust system, almost done but was confounded by prior use of different diameter exhaust lines. Hope for a sail this week. Best, Mark.

[@davesailing]

Hi Mark, I'm just starting putting the next episode together. Ok on the whisker pole. It helps that the foresail is quite high cut with the clew well above the deck. I ordered it that way to help with visibility. The sheet pulls back but also down, the leech of the sail pulls up and if you get the mast end of the pole in the right place on the mast it sort of balances. As you can see in the video. It might have been better if the mast end was just a few inches higher. Partly furling the foresail stops the clew flying around and makes it easier to hook the end of the pole on the sheet. Ok on the exhaust problems - hope that's been resolved now. The auto pilot is a standard Raymarine with a ram directly onto an arm on the rudder shaft in the lazarette. It works quite well as long as the boat is reasonably balanced. It's not so good on a beam reach with a gusty wind. I help it sometimes by easing the main a bit to reduce the weather helm. Hope your sailing goes well. I'm just thinking of getting sails off and laying up :-( ... Dave

[@fish-hawk5903]

I just had a look at what your E-wincher costs. I spent less buying my last yacht, not kidding! I was wondering during an earlier video, whether it is secured on a lanyard fixed amidships, long enough to reach either primary winch. It's not something you want to see disappearing into the green! Terrific footage of the coast and sea, and the boat under way. I can't think who else is doing it better. 👍

[@davesailing]

Well I must admit I have bought three boats in the past, each for less than that, BUT times are different now. I saved over the years so able to buy a bigger boat, which is great, but the loads on the jib sheets are very high, Probably a tonne or more and though I've got some reasonable winches the last little bit to wind in, really takes it out of me - being 80 sucks sometimes. I thought about uprating the sheet winches or fitting electric winches, but in the end the Ewincher is the most cost effective answer. It will fit on any winch, no extra wiring etc. and it's been a game changer for me and my mate Bill. I don't need a lanyard. There is a wrist, strap which helps when you put it on a winch, but once it's on, it locks in place just like a locking winch handle. Worth every penny for me. Though I did gulp a bit when I saw how much. However a single electric winch would be nearly twice that. Thanks for the compliment about the video. I still think I could do better, but I see so many videos of sailing ... somewhere, going .... somewhere which get boring very quickly. I imagine that my long gone Dad is watching so I make it for him... Thanks for watching - Do you have a name by the way Mr. Fish-hawk5903 ? Best wishes ... Dave

[@fish-hawk5903]

@@davesailing The high-tech electric winch handle needs no explaining, it's a brilliant sailing aid, even if its price is stunning. I'm only thinking I would want mine tied on securely against any conceivable gust, knockdown or whale-related calamity. But you know best, Cap'n. For that matter, I hope it goes home with you when you're not aboard - outboard engines have always been vulnerable to piratical types because they're so portable and valuable, but the E-wincher would be far more easily liberated. Sorry to cast a gloom there! I don't think you need to change anything about your style of videos, it's all great. I'm confident your father will be enjoying your adventures as much as mine will! 🙂 I'm Dan, by the way.

[@ilxylau]

What a cliffhanger, hope youre okay. Lovely views though.

[@davesailing]

All will be revealed soon. Thanks for your comment.. Best Wishes .... Dave

[@paulcollins4932]

I came across St Albans ledge on my way to Portland and the seas were 8ft +. And really confused it was a really rough ride

[@davesailing]

Hi Paul, good to hear from you. Yes with a bit of tide running against the wind St Albans head can be very challenging. Even in a flat calm it's not that nice with a good tide. It was a bit rough when I came back. Video will be published shortly ... Best Wishes ... Dave

[@maxsothcott4484]

Awww mate, you can’t leave us hanging like that!!!! How long till the next edition? You good?

[@davesailing]

OH! sorry Max. I survived, which is the important bit :-) I'll try and get it out before the end of next week. I'm ok, usual 80 year old problems - Too many jabs, too many pills, too many people saying I ought to take it easy. Take care yourself .... Dave