Singlehanded sailing voyage from BC to Hawaii

[@perfentoo]

I’ve watched your Hawaii voyage at least 10 times over the years. I love the narration, the writing, and the music of this well put together video. You really brought out the feel of long distance sailing. And you did it my way - solo.

[@PatrickDickieSailing]

Thanks for your kind words - glad you enjoyed it. Cheers

[@mjcubo2246]

I just found you on YT today and checked out all your videos but don't see many uploaded and none that are recent. Please do so. I used to live in the PNW and watching your videos makes me homesick - but in a good way. Just wish I had started sailing back then.

[@HarryTobin1999]

TRULY AMAZING me and my blind friend want to do this when i am older (as i am only 14) thanks for giving us a taste of whats its like!

[@scuzzbucket8485]

You're 21 or close to it, time to get cracking!

[@AmatuerHourCoding]

Hope that dream is alive and well still in 2021 :)

[@pw3543]

I was so disappointed that the video ended. Thank you

[@mikestone9129]

I think every sailor dreams of a crossing like you made. This is the things dreams are made of.

[@lckayaker]

Nice video Patrick. I singlehanded my Pearson 35 from San Francisco to Hawaii in 2001 - took 19 days, partly because I was having a great time "out there" once I settled into a routine. You are correct - it is exhausting, but I would eagerly repeat it. I'm configuring my next boat, a Bayfield 36, for more offshore singlehanding. Your comment "...never really felt scared" is accurate. Trust in your vessel, confidence in yourself.

[@ke6nber]

Great video! The sunset at 12:20 is beautiful. 24 glorious days at sea! Thanks for letting us come aboard.

[@perfentoo]

I've watched this video five times over the last year. Love the music, the sound of your voice, and the way you worked your way through the problem. It all adds up to a great description of the pace of a voyage. Thank you.

[@BhamJames]

I come back to rewatch this video every so often. You might be pleased to learn that I've enjoyed it so much that I am getting my ASA 101, 103, and 104 sailing certifications in June! I hope some day to single-hand like you. Amusingly, we're neighbors--I live in Bellingham, WA.

[@SailingSeaDreamofClyde]

Great video! This is a trip I look forward to doing aboard my Westerly Discus in the not to distant future! Thanks for sharing!

[@petergallienne8700]

Lovely video of a nice chap having a ball and still learning that the sea always has a supprise up its sleve for you. We hope you continue to have loads of fun in the yacht. Safe sailing ,fair winds and sunny skys my friend. Cheers Pete and Sally Morlaix Brittany

[@erikjohnson2976]

What a fantastic adventure and tale. Congratulations on doing what many of us merely dream of. Perhaps, one of these days...

[@dwaynerobertson383]

Exceptional video, captain! Music didn't drown me out (and good stuff - Maritime), real time scenarios, and you arrived with the sextant still stowed away. Seriously, excellent video. Thanks for sharing.

[@kevinhenderson8323]

I know absolutely nothing about sailing and may never have the opportunity to sail but your video was very interesting. What an adventure. Thanks for sharing.

[@soundbeings1]

Great video of a fantastic adventure - congrats Patrick, the Mrs and I are very envious. best wishes from Nova Scotia.

[@DeanMoriarty99]

Great adventure! We sailed from from England to Jamaica in 1986, with a few months in the Med and 6 months in the Caribbean... your vid brought back some good memories! oh and I quite enjoyed the music, cheers! ;)

[@thomasmcgregor4626]

I hope you are still sailing friend!! 🙂

[@scottybell9082]

Can’t believe you didn’t sink with balls that big. Awesome video.

[@limegreenbc]

How cool is this! I have a sailor heart and have began my journey of getting enough experience under my belt to sail solo as a female. Looking forward to the day when I'm making videos! Thanks for sharing!

[@kathsweas]

Loved watching and listening and joining in on the sail. Thanks, Patrick!

[@Kyleinasailing]

Nicely presented. I sailed alone from Falmouth to Portugal in the summer in a Westerly Tiger 1973 bought on ebay. I had a few problems, not so much with the boat but more with myself. I was actually quite seasick wich suprised me. Am working on the boat to do some really long passages. Thanks for taking the time....

[@jsonnichsen]

Thank you for sharing an amazing part of your life. It was an honor to watch it.

[@PatrickDickieSailing]

Thanks. When I hove to I kept the reefed mainsail and the staysail up. The staysail was"backed" (sheeted on the windward side), and the tiller was lashed to leeward. The tiller and the main made the boat want to head up into the wind, while the backed staysail made it want to head the other way - the result is the boat holds a pretty steady course 45 degrees off the wind, moving very slowly. It is also much more comfortable than actually sailing in large seas.

[@ploneuk]

Nice video Pat. Thanks for taking the time to make it and share it with me.

[@WanderingSoleTV]

Incredible experience Patrick! A great story to tell through the video!

[@rwdyer2263]

This makes me want to take JB weld and epoxy with me when I'm out there! Great to learn from the unfortunate misfortunes of others. Mahalo sir!

[@nagendaryadav556]

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[@rimasmeleshyus6545]

Great video,many thanks, incredible voyage. I love it I am watching. all the time on KZbin, from around the world. I am by myself sailing around the world. I was blind sailing more than 5 years. Now I am fixed my eyes , my vision perfect. I wish you fair winds and following seas.

[@tonybell8752]

I enjoyed your video. Superbly calm under duress. Lashing has saved many a day. Good work. I hope your return journey went smoothly.

[@robvann]

Thanks for sharing and documenting your voyage. I just got a 12 foot Widgeon, that I play with in the Bay of Fundy. The 50 foot tide swings here create challenges of their own. Maybe someday I'll get a bigger boat and try a long trip...

[@lawrencewitt7548]

Thanks for sharing your journey here. I liked the video, and the audio too. I just got my first boat and found inspiration here... though not near the Pacific l will attempt to conquer sailing on the Great lakes! (Your voice sounds so familiar)

[@mozellagi]

Great video, great stills, wonderful story telling with out being too technical. The dream lives..

[@my2ube306]

Like your videos. They're probably the only chance I'll ever get to go to sea. I know zilch about sailing. My knowledge of sailing would fit in a thimble with room left over. Hope you finished your voyage in good shape.

[@awuma]

Wonderful video! I love the calm, resourceful atmosphere, and the simple, sound approach. One can sail safely without the latest super-duper stuff.

[@skipperhawk7688]

Great video and awesome journey. The water is so incredibly blue. I do short overnight solo cruises and am always experimenting with self steering. Fair winds.

[@Albertarocks]

Thanks for sharing your adventure Patrick - your vid was a particularly enjoyable view for some reason. Well done! I'm land-locked here a few hundred miles to the east of your B.C. home but I'm in love with your part of the world. Lately all I have been able to think about is boats and I have no idea why. I've never even been on one but for reasons unknown I have an incredible itch to try it. Best of success in whatever you do and thanks again. AR

[@waderogers]

Interesting video that shows the trials and rewards of long passage making. Amazing how a person finds themselves and learns more about themselves on a trip of this nature. I live and sail in Alaska and while I've never been more than 100 miles offshore, I done some passages from Alaska to Washington and from California to Puerto Vallarta. Thanks for the video!

[@TheMorganMonroeShow]

My wife and I really enjoyed this! We look forward to more :)

[@genegapsis]

Greetings! I live on the east side of Vancouver Island, and sailed to Kaua'i at the same time you made your journey. I crewed for some people out of Seattle on a Nordic 44. It truly was incredible being in the middle of the blue pearl of the Pacific. Happy Sailing!

[@twaggenson]

you should look up the Sheet-to-Tiller Self Steering method for self steering for your next voyage. good video!

[@rocket862]

I love your story! The constant music detracts

[@crazycowify]

A really good manual backup for the Aries is a very strong surgical tubing; purchased at about any drug store. Cruising LeaLea used it to go from Hawaii to Port Townsend Washington.

[@blackl1steddrums]

This gives me great insight to the reality of sailing, thanks for the non-hollywood youtube video! commended

[@PatrickDickieSailing]

As for going alone, I always liked the notion of making a singlehanded ocean passage. Also, I think a 35 foot sailboat is awfully small to be on for a month with anyone other than immediate family. My own family wasn't keen on sailing across the Pacific, and I wasn't keen on putting them at risk (particularly as it was my first long passage and I wasn't sure quite what to expect). We did meet in Hawaii, and my 12 year old daughter sailed through the islands with me - a fabulous experience.

[@mulliedog1]

Great video. Although I don't have a clue how to sail, videos like this make me want to learn. Very nice.

[@PatrickDickieSailing]

Glad you liked it. I'm already home - left from Hanalei Bay, Kauai on September 12 and headed pretty well due north. Started turning toward home at about 33 degrees north - lots of wind and not much of a pacific high. Ended up making un unscheduled stop for repairs in Astoria, Oregon on October 8. Finally got back to Vancouver in November.

[@Rick_Schott]

Thank you for taking us along, sir. Great video.

[@jungsomewhat]

Very Enjoyable! thanks for taking us armchair sailors with you ...

[@PatrickDickieSailing]

Thanks for the comment. For electronics I have an AIS transponder (Vesper Watchmate 850) that was always on. It tells me when ships come within about 100 miles. It also tells ships that I am there, but I found some freighters don't maintain a proper watch (they either have their AIS set to filter out small boats, or else they just don't pay attention). I also have a Furuno radar (which I did not always use because of its power draw). Both the AIS and the radar have alarms.

[@twblaw]

nice video and good to see someone living out their dream. I hope to sail off when I retire in the not so distant future with luck. Looks like you have a good single handing boat. Not to big or too small. Fairwinds

[@CurtisWestsail]

Excellent video . Thanks for sharing I really enjoyed your adventure and would love to see more.

[@USMCRadioman]

Great adventure Patrick! Will be sailing the Southern Ocean this fall (Clipper RTW race). Really like that boat you have. Fair winds :)

[@PatrickDickieSailing]

Thanks. Always wanted to sail in your part of the world - maybe I'll make it that far my next trip.

[@RoryL83]

That was excellent thanks for sharing!!!!

[@YachtsforTots]

We're new to the #sailing community and are so thankful for your contribution to the wealth of nautical knowledge here on #youtube . Its #awesome to be learning while away from the water, here in the office. Excited for more!! #newportbeach #yachtsfortots #yachts4tots #501c3

[@mulc242]

enjoyed this video very much......glad you made it safely

[@championskyeterrier]

Beautiful music, beautiful voyage. Thanks for sharing this. I'm a sailor too and would love to make a voyage such as this.

[@xlenau]

Thank you for your reply about your boat's name Sir. I had to check previous posts before asking. I wish you and Kısmet the best destiny full of joy.

[@stephenmiriaja4322]

Try adding a couple lead sinkers to the counter weight in really light winds. I've had good results with me monitor

[@thegrumpygenxer]

Great video, the only thing missing was a shot of you pulling into Hawaii!

[@PatrickDickieSailing]

Many people have commented that I should have included a shot of the landfall in Hilo, but it was getting dark and I was too busy watching the reefs to get my camera out! It was a 24 day passage there, and a 26 day passage back. I spent about 6 weeks in the Hawaiian islands - I went from the Big Island to Maui, then Molokai, Oahu, and Kauai. In all, the voyage was a bit over 4 months (I also spent some time on the Oregon/Washington coast on the way home).

[@susyturandot]

Its funny when you dont know anything about sailing but your boyfriend loves to sail, thanks for the video!

[@coreyharn]

Wow, Great trip. You sailed from my favorite place, in my neck of the woods, Vancouver Island, to my favorite side of the big Island. I'm just getting into sailing and that is my first big goal. I too envey you.

[@melee401]

I have been out many times in an Albin Ballad with a tiller pilot that never had any issues even in high aft quartering seas. The unit was over-sized for the vessel and was ofthe circulating bearing type actuator arm. We had it closer to the rudder post as the thing was rated for up to a 60' boat the increased pressure on the ram was no problem. That decreased the reaction time and as stated, worked quite well in everything our passages through at it with no problems.

[@johnl.cwierz9750]

Well, my boat, the best, of course. A Morgan 37 Out Island Sloop year 77.This boat is a full keel type. Tell you something, it steered itself. I just adjusted the sails and locked in place the wheel, and by itself it went. For hours. Not fast when not enough wind. But reliable as hell. I had my faith do the rest. Now here in Sevilla, Spain.receiving some fix up. Regards, John.

[@DolphinStriker]

Yes my friend owned it here in Comox. Gary MacLean - I should have bought it when I had the chance. Great that you got an offshore trip in.

[@PatrickDickieSailing]

Please let Gary know about the trip if you see him - I know he'd hoped to take the boat offshore himself. Cheers

[@Stevek552]

Wonderful unique video, a year from now I`ll be on the ocean and living life as a free man, great insight for me, I thank you!

[@gingashednomad6401]

Did you make it to the ocean life bud?

[@RaphaelOertel]

Nice trip! To bad we didn’t see your arrival at the beautiful island

[@bobleask8446]

Brings back memories, my first offshore sail also started from Vancouver Island. I also had self steering problems. I then discovered sheet to tiller self steering, which was my backup/standby for the remainder of my circumnavigation. I strongly recommend offshore sailors set their boats up for it. The one system which will never break (not much to it).

[@PatrickDickieSailing]

+Bob Leask I did think about trying sheet to tiller steering, but I figured I needed calmer conditions to experiment with it (I didn't have any surgical tubing, but I did have some light bungee cord that I thought might work). Then by the time I got the calmer conditions, I had fixed the windvane. But I do plan to have sheet to tiller steering mastered before my next passage!

[@PatrickDickieSailing]

Thanks for the suggestion. Early in the passage my tillerpilot took a jibe while I was sleeping that pulled its arm right out of the body. I got it back together, but it was squeaking and clearly was on its last legs. That's why I was only using it in light conditions. Before its arm pulled out, it was steering fine in pretty big following seas. I still prefer a windvane in really big seas though - the stronger the wind the better it steers.

[@kevingallagher2729]

Brilliant.......I'm so jealous :-). Good luck on future journeys across the oceans.

[@pjo12]

Awesome job, I hope to do the same passage in about 25 years

[@DanielDyck379BA]

Great video!!! I loved the music, the narration, everything about it was awesome! Keep up the good work!

[@frootloopsian]

Mr. Dickie. Odd as it may seem, your appearance exactly matches your voice. Ever since I learned of and read David McTaggart's sailing odyssey which he called Greenpeace III Journey into the Bomb, I have worked toward life as a full time sailor. Soon, it will be my reality. Thanks for sharing this.

[@vladimirkazancheev7716]

Hi Patrick, I have made the jacket by myself, but only to save my ribs. I was seek from punches I got sailing from all sailboat parts. I had 30 feet Greek Dromor. Named Aiolos - ancient Greek's God of winds, who carried me from Greece to Florida. It was single-handed too. In 2008. Nice travel and with accidents too. 2 times I was for to repair broken cords of my mast.

[@189wolfy]

Really enjoyed your video and narration! Your boat looks so much like an Ericson especially with the Ericson logo on your main. Thanks for posting

[@awuma]

Very good point. The tuning really is important; I had the same trouble with bigger seas until I learned to adjust my tiller pilot correctly. However, I do have my doubts about the durability of these things... I had a wheel pilot come apart and spew its gears all over the cockpit out in the Atlantic once ...

[@adamspencer9066]

Great video! It's great to see a video made by a knowledgeable sailor.

[@lutang15]

This Spencer looks very stable...thank's for the film

[@merlincovlin4377]

I was looking forward to what you first seen of hawaii and your greeting!

[@PatrickDickieSailing]

I loved the Aries after I fixed it in Hawaii. Just make sure that all the joints move VERY freely. That was the problem with mine - the joint where the bolt eventually failed was too tight (not sure why - maybe penetrating fluid deformed the plastic bushing?). If any of the joints are tight it won't work well downwind or in light winds. But if the joints move freely and you oil it daily on passages, it will steer great in any conditions. Best wishes for your Atlantic passage.

[@ecnavttocs]

Good on ya. Very inspiring. My dream is a passage from Australia to New Zealand and then see what happens. Looking at an H 28 for the job. Cheers

[@dustinmorrison147]

Patrick, just watched your video. Great job on documenting your journey. My son and I costal sail out of Marina Del Rey, Ca. It's the best. We charter in the 27' to 32' range. Take care. Dusty.

[@Greenasbro]

Have a look at sheet to tiller self steering... Its a very simple setup that would have made up for the loss of the Aries gear and is possibly just ad effective. There are a few good videos on KZbin showing how it works. I haven't tried it myself, but intend to when I get my wee 20' trailer sailer in the water later this year.

[@onsdag2k]

great vid ,, makes me want to go out again , the feeling wen your all alone under the stars(not like land stars it's about a million more and bright as ,,,,,) at nightwatch ,, but wen you met that container ship you said he would see you on the AIS , yep he would see you but those boats take a long time to change course , so when they see you it's too late ,, and that is if they are not drunk or asleep ,, i have done the stretch from croatia to norway a couple of times in a sailboat :)

[@PatrickDickieSailing]

Glad you like it. The boat is a 1981 Spencer 35 MK II. A trip to the Azores sounds great - hope it works out for you.

[@twblaw]

Nice video. once did a sail from the gulf coast of the US to Yucatan. Before I got a monitor I had two new units made by a manufacturer other than autohelm at that time and kept in a locker a very old unit that was an old Combi likely 20+years old. On the way down I burned out one new unit. (I had a westsail 32 at the time) And another barely made it. Got them replaced for free. On the way back 2 new failed. Used duck tape to use the Combi that had not been used in 15 years. Flawless

[@BroRoland]

Nice !!... Thanks for sharing your adventure !

[@PatrickDickieSailing]

It is a Spencer 35 designed by John Brandlmayr and built by Spencer Boats in Richmond, British Columbia. The first one was built in 1962. Mine was one of the last ones built (1981). It is very similar to the Alberg 35, though the beam is a bit narrower, the forefoot of the keel is cutaway a bit more, and the aft sections are flatter. The well known sailing author Hal Roth wrote several books about his travels in one named "Whisper".

[@LeaperiteProductionsLLC]

Wish I could have seen you arriving in Hawaii. Didn't want the video to end! :D Wonderful video.

[@filmismaximus2960]

Fantastic video. Thanks for taking the time to post it!

[@astroarda]

It is so good to see that Pasific still remembers Captain Sadun Boro and Kısmet. Thanks Patrick, take care!

[@maj21093]

Good video. Thanks for sharing your adventure!

[@seanimous]

that was awesome. congrats on your successful adventure

[@craigcinca]

Thanks for documenting and posting your voyage!

[@PatrickDickieSailing]

I learned to sail on Vancouver Island. BC has wonderfully protected cruising grounds between Vancouver Island and the mainland (in fact, you can sail all the way to Alaska and be protected from the open ocean except in a few spots). Lots of good ports and anchorages. The biggest challenge is probably the strong currents in the passes. Might be best to stay south of Campbell river for your first trip - it gets a bit more challenging north of there. Great place to learn to sail.

[@AtomicPhill]

nice video man, i just learned how to sail few days ago and now looking on buying my first ( cheap to start ) boat. just looking at some videos and find this inspiring since i too well be sailing alone. thanks

[@nasanction]

I know this video is a few years old, and too many comments to see if anyone has already posted this suggestion. Do a search on YT for "Sheet to tiller autopilot". It's a good alternative for steerage in this exact circumstance. Hove to, or Heave to is a good tactic if the sea conditions are good. But in ruff sea's I wouldn't recommend it. A beam over wave could easily capsize a small vessel. Learn to use the "Sheet to Tiller" method for just these kind of situations. Also there are ways to do "Sheet to Wheel" if your sailboat doesn't have a tiller. Good video! Thumbs up! Subbed!

[@BornFreeSailor]

Well done solving your issues with the self steering. I know it is a special time at sea. Great vid /Bornfreesailor

[@dandanpowell1]

Patrick, your video is amazing and also inspiring.........thank you so much, Are you planning on any other single handed sailing trips, and if so where would you go?

[@MrChefjms]

Enjoyed your video more than most. I like your ingenuity regaurding the wind vane, I always keep spare parts aboard just for that reason. I saw how your solar pannels are mounted, my solar pannel is mounted off the stern rail.Would it interfere with the wind vane? I sail an O'Day 27 and done a lot of coastal cruising, but I would like to do some blue water sailing, I'm totally a single handed sailor. Do you think a 27ft O'Day is built for blue water, cuz I can't afford a bigger boat.

[@PatrickDickieSailing]

Thanks. That's a long voyage you made in a 25' boat - not surprising you had some problems. I found this voyage to Hawaii - my first offshore passage - very challenging as well. I fortunately didn't get seasick, but I had difficulty sleeping and never felt quite right. If it's any comfort, my voyage home a few months later was much easier (despite more challenging conditions) - having a bit of experience made a big difference.

[@bjmartinphotography]

You boat people are hardy and adventurous people. Lucky you. I wish I learned when a kid.

[@SuperBullyone]

never too late in life to learn to sail well, as long as you are rather healthy.

[@fredpinczuk7352]

Never too late.

[@pmacc3557]

Beautiful story! Amazing ocean!