Suffolk to Amsterdam Part 1: Solo Sailing Adventure acrossed the Southern North Sea.

[@mikefriend7570]

This has to be one of the best sailing channels on KZbin. No nonsense dialogue, humorous ' I was going to show my egg bap but I ate it so fast I barely saw it myself' ! Gosh I did larf! Great stuff sir you are an inspiration to a VERY cautious 73 year old New Zealand coastal sailor

[@samsails9820]

Thanks for watching 😎

[@stevenwatsham5973]

I don't know if you will ever read this... But a Hurley 22 is an incredible bomb proof little Yacht that will look after you in any weather!.. They are extremely inexpensive but will take you anywhere that you want to go...

[@chriscook7594]

You make me die, with your calmness and sense of humor, when it all goes wrong. I'd be swearing and kicking stuff about!

[@samsails9820]

@@chriscook7594 😆

[@philgray3443]

I'd be slapping the muppet that caused things to go wrong. That'd be me.

[@HP-qj4gz]

My go to channel for honest, no-nonsense sailing. Thanks for another enjoyable video.

[@mikewells6121]

I love Sam's no nonsense approach and his no nonsense un-ponsified Nic 32. An inspiration.

[@lotophagi711]

I did this trip in 1965 with my Dad. Departed from Benfleet. I was 7 and my main memory is of being cold and wet and my Dad fiddling continually with an RDF set. I also reread the same comic multiple times. Food was Bilge stew made by emptying whatever label less cans were found in the bilge. I also was supplied with lots or cream soda and my father with Long Life beer.

[@samsails9820]

@@lotophagi711 back in the days when a weather forcast was good for a couple of hours at most. I remember in the mid 90's doing this trip with my Dad in a 25ft folkboat. It was the first passage using a Megellan GPS. The waves were so large coming into Ijmuiden the harbour pilot boat came out to escort us in, I remember it very clearly as we could see the spinning prop on the pilot vessel as its transom was lifted from the water. I was a young boy back then and had a grey teddy bear that took 2 weeks to dry even though he was supposedly stashed safely away in the sleeping bag. Vivid memories. Thanks for watching

[@nickwalter9630]

were you scared at all?

[@lotophagi711]

@@nickwalter9630 No, I had done lots of sailing with my Dad in the Thames estuary in some really bad weather. IN fact I remember being a bit bored.

[@VictorBianculli]

I love the old boat, proves you don't need fancy new vessels to go on an adventure.

[@Dronesteve-72]

Never watched a boating video You changed that !! Thank you very nice ride

[@jamesoakes782]

Top sail Sam!! When watching I learn lots and have a laugh at the same time 👍🏻

[@michiel6596]

Great content! Nice to sail along on your beautiful ship and get all your insights on the crossing....and ofcourse as a dutchman enjoying the port entry as well...Amsterdam next :)

[@samsails9820]

Thanks for watching 😎

[@philparker7231]

My first time on the channel and thought it was great, you feel like you are sitting alongside Sam and seeing the North Sea from a small brilliant sailing yacht - an amazing video.

[@samsails9820]

Thanks, i try and show sailing as it is

[@bhco]

Well glad this was recommended. I was brought up in Woodbridge and my dad had a strong routes in sailing. This was really awesome to see, something I've always wanted to do as a kid!

[@neilparks2651]

Love the way you find certain situations 'interesting', where others would be letting of steam with colourful language. Enjoyed the footage - nicely diversified, and commentary and style - great stuff.

[@msf60khz]

Very well done, quite intimidating.

[@Waldi369]

small boat BIG MAN ...BRAVO

[@SimonFlax]

Good video thanks 🎉🎉

[@liamhemmings9039]

Whilst I like watching videos of people doing amazing stuff in amazing places on amazing boats, this is far more my cup of tea. It feels within reach and down to earth and it is tough sailing too, with lots of plates to spin. I think Customs were looking for stowaway intelligence on stuff loaded before you went home.

[@samsails9820]

Thanks for watching, I only know sailing like this

[@davesailing]

Well done Sam, Lumpy old trip, but the Nic 32 proved as seaworthy as they always do. I'll be watching your next episode.. Best Wishes and Fair Winds .... Dave

[@stevewright1664]

Amazed at how much speed you can achieve from sail

[@Jamie71q]

As a Norfolk lad living in the NE of Scotland, I love hearing the East Anglian accent. Glad this popped up in my recommended list. Subbed

[@DaveandGinny972]

Good one Sam. Liked that you went through your passage plan in detail but not sure boiling water in a swell is a good idea haha...I get nervous just boiling the kettle! Looking forward to episode two already.

[@samsails9820]

It really wasn't, I've ordered some pans with lids on 😎

[@DaveandGinny972]

@@samsails9820 or maybe a salad for the return Sam 😉

[@slacker2101]

​@@samsails9820You might try a large pump type thermos vacuum flask. Fill it with boiling water before setting out and it will last most of the day for hot drinks and reconstituted food.

[@malcolmnabarro8742]

Hi Sam, I really enjoyed watching your vid. I did the passage Lowesoft to Ijmuiden back in 1998, so many happy memories. Many thanks!

[@urbanrider429]

Just subscribed,great video Sam,Chris

[@OGillo2001]

Nice boat, my mate took one around the world. Sail safe my son

[@johncarr3856]

Well done Sam, nice voyage for you apart from slight heads spillage! Enjoy the Netherlands

[@Lreserved]

I’m a Suffolk boy. Great video

[@marksims5730]

Great video Sam, weird to see two ex Seajacks rigs @36:16 Hydra and Leviathan now with new owners. Spent much time on Leviathan, great crew.

[@WildlingSailing]

great video. im looking back at your old vids for good info on crossing the North Sea. let me know if you're around NL would be good to get a beer!

[@samsails9820]

Thanks for watching, im back in UK now, if you're ever planning on heading over suffolk area let me know 🍺⛵️

[@eebygumcaptain]

Keeping it real Sam ! I’ve just arrived in Stornoway today… sailing the Western Isles feels a lot easier !

[@sodiumlights]

Really enjoying your video/crossing ❤

[@sao9995]

Well done. Bare bones sailing in crowded waters.

[@jennajt]

Sit back relax you having a laugh lol I was scared at the beginning intro choppy sea scared me 😂

[@FIL357]

Another interesting passage, thank you. Phil, Suffolk👍😁

[@NauticalNightmareDeep]

Sailed Essex to Laboe via the Kiel canal (interesting ww2 history) passed idjmuden on the way into the Baltic. It’s not that far really. Harwich is damn busy & full of sand banks just offshore. Avoid it! Nice marina in Harwich shotley marina, you can get a bath there. Circumnavigated the uk.

[@ajwest3081]

This looks challenging and a lot like hard work……

[@carldenny8131]

This is great to see thank you. I'm about to buy a bigger boat and hope to be doing a crossing like this next year. Very informative fair winds my friend.

[@Steve98345]

Very interesting.. I sailed many moons back. That yacht needs some TLC 🙂

[@sadko360]

Good for you, always a dream for me but get scared.

[@johnhanson5943]

Very Informational and entertaining, thanks!

[@MrFlyingguy]

quality, loved every minute, a newcomer to the channel but permanent now....

[@gilesl]

Seems pretty scary to me in such a small boat but fair play to you!

[@KillickGreenieRN]

Nice one mate. Thanks.

[@FirstNameLastName-hahaha]

Nice one Sam. Enjoyed the ride.

[@eppro2197]

Subbed. Great video. Keep them coming 😊

[@travellingtom6091]

RyanAir £50....you're welcome. 😂 I'm kidding of course. Thank you for the vid. ❤

[@samsails9820]

Thanks for watching 😎

[@travellingtom6091]

@@samsails9820 Seriously, it is great watching someone who is skilled and passionate about their subject. I am not into sailing at all to be honest despite living on the coast a little north from Orford. Subbed so I can be an armchair sailor.

[@mlegge]

Excellent job in some pretty ropey weather.

[@Winterbourne_Workshop]

A rit ol Suffolk twang their partner. Just up the coast from you near that thing that glows at night!

[@jcfgh]

Fantastic episode, thank you. Best wishes

[@worndisk320]

The boat looks in a right state ! But he has stone's or maybe has a top notch life raft .... It's hard to tell.

[@samsails9820]

Paint job is on the cards, thanks for watching 😎

[@andytaylor3098]

hi Sam good to see your crossing adventures we met a Titchmarsh marina we did our Holland trip in June we hade quite a rough trip over and back in the end but a great place to visit good luck with it all regards Andy

[@samsails9820]

Hi Andy, thanks for watching, good to hear you got over to NL. Agree it is a great place to take the boat, i'm planning a longer visit next time.

[@peterc2248]

Strangely interesting vid but something I could never do. Sailers are mad 😉

[@sailawayteam]

I've had the hebridean in use this summer. It is astonishing how well that strange little contraption works.

[@samsails9820]

Yes it a good system, mine needs some adjustments though to make control a little more responsive. Thanks for watching

[@sailawayteam]

@@samsails9820 I've noticed the small chain to connect to tiller is great since it allows to easily add the "base" rudder angle. And the blessed bungee chord at the pendulum...

[@suffolkbuh2035]

Good vid buh! Looking forward to next ep.

[@V855Jupiter]

Hi Sam, when I am crossing to the UK I do not correct for the tide. As the crossing takes 24 hours anyway it doesn't matter as you are pushed 2x northward and 2x southward. Correcting for the tide will just cost speed and time

[@samsails9820]

@@V855Jupiter yes and that was the plan, but needed to compensate for TSS clearance around N.Hinder. I arrived a little earlier than planned and still had south bound tide 😆 Thanks for watching

[@philgray3443]

I sadly just use Nintendo navigation. Predict wind weather routing. If it doesn't look OK after an hour, just alter course until it does. My pilot training was the same, but alter after 10 minutes.

[@sumobear2031]

Great video as usual, Katrina may have done the trip a wee bit quicker and in more comfort than the Nic, but its good to see you being thrown about!

[@samsails9820]

😆😆

[@simonpritchard6074]

Great sail Sam..Thanks.

[@ShippingMagnet]

Well done and a brilliant no nonsense video to boot. Respect right there. Something I always wanted to do and perhaps may do it be4 I kick the bucket. You give me inspiration - thank you. You just got a sub

[@samsails9820]

@@ShippingMagnet Thanks for watching 😎

[@mikehurley5052]

The engine would run with no belt, fuel problem, sucking in air from a bad joint?

[@samsails9820]

I'll check the fuel line, air ingress makes sense, sounds a bit sluggish in idle, maybe some adjustment required also. Thanks for watching

[@1Mattza]

Check the non return valve in the priming bulb to ensure fuel is not flowing back to tank, hence not holding its prime, the belt would not cause that issue. good blog 👍

[@captratty2167]

Agree that it’s probably fuel related. If you recently changed a fuel filter, sometimes bleeding the system seems OK - engine starts and idles, but stumbles or stalls under load. On several boats now I have fitted an outboard motor type fuel priming bulb between the tank and the primary (low pressure) fuel filter. It makes bleeding the system quick and easy, and in an emergency will back up a weak or failed lift pump if you give it a squeeze every few minutes. After changing filters I run the engine under load for a good 15 minutes before casting off (having once been embarrassed when it stalled just after letting go), then shut down, check for leaks and check it restarts easily. On a swing mooring you will have to run it in reverse to put enough load on it. Simply revving the engine in neutral doesn’t prove much as fuel flow will still be very low.

[@marceltromp1454]

Hi did u go out the other side of Amsterdam maybe 2 miles away into the ijselmeer every sailboat in Holland is there , and at night u can go through the whole city and end up in the niewe meer from where u can follow de big ships to anywhere !

[@samsails9820]

I hope to explore the NL a bit more next year

[@PaulNurse1]

I thought sailing was supposed to be a jolly in the sun with a glass of Pimms. That looks like a lot of physical and mental effort.

[@samsails9820]

Some sailors prefer to sail instead 😉

[@peterbee88]

Interesting. That boat looks to be in a bit of a state though - it looks like it's been sat neglected somewhere and is in need of a good overhaul.

[@dreameroftheday.8381]

Bit harsh… good job and well done I say👍

[@peterbee88]

@ It's a realistic and truthful statement that's based purely upon observable reality.

[@dreameroftheday.8381]

@peterbee88 you can’t tell… it looks just superficial paint work, as long as eng, electrics, seacocks etc good🤷‍♂️there is always something to fix on a boat.

[@peterbee88]

@ Of course you can tell. The owner has also confirmed it.

[@daveberry2177]

well-done sir

[@oldjack3023]

Hi Sam Great video and good to see someone plotting on a paper chart , it seems to be a dying art . I think your nick 32 is a bit to powerfull for the hebridean, a nice reconditioned aries would be the go, i have had 3 of them on 3 different boats all withe different hull and keel/rudder combinations over the last 30 plus years all used for both coastal and trans ocean passages, can highly recommend. Greetings from south australia again

[@samsails9820]

Im on the lookout for a new wind vame system, Aries would be great but probably a little out of my budget. Thanks for watching 😎

[@MrJoeboy456]

Reminds me of when the trotters went to Amsterdam… can’t be that far 😂

[@jameswhitbread7173]

Hi Sam, Great Channel nice dialog no repetertive bang bang music What size boat do you have. I'm 62 and really want to do this but I want to do a few courses and sail with a few experience people. And look fir a nice boat

[@samsails9820]

@@jameswhitbread7173 thanks its a nicholson 32, 9.75metres

[@henrycartwright3673]

Really epic

[@gunghoadventures871]

Keep it up Sam - Mark - sv Gung Ho - Barbados.

[@rkc123ross]

Really enjoyable video. I am just commenting as I notice you often have a little audio pop between clips, I am not sure if you have noticed it yourself, but it can be a little distracting, particularly when viewing with headphones. I edit videos myself and this is a common problem with GoPro footage, and I found an easy fix is just to add a little audio transition or crossfade between clips when putting the video together, it can be very short, only a few frames, so you don't notice it when watching, but it just eliminates the pop.

[@samsails9820]

@@rkc123ross thanks for the tip, i'll check this out in the next video edit 👌

[@johnjordansailing]

Seems like a level up. Nice!

[@01matthewc]

I've just liked & subscribed.

[@simondavey7787]

Just discovered your channel. What an awesome hobby. How did you get in to sailing?

[@samsails9820]

Started out dinghy sailing at around the age of 10, off and on until my early 20's when I bought my first cruising boat. Welcome to the channel 😎

[@nicholascarter2640]

Where you headed Sam, we’re up in Texel atm, laid back after Amsterdam, Fellow Pinmiller, Nick on Rolling Mist

[@samsails9820]

@@nicholascarter2640 back in UK now, enjoy Texel 👍

[@Gerrit-h4u]

Good to see that our Coastguard is active, mo offense but it is a hassle since the UK left the EU. Stupid idea, but welcome to Holland nevertheless!

[@samsails9820]

Thanks for watch Gerrit

[@bambooforest7665]

How long does it take to get enough experience to undertake such a trip generally? You seem very knowledgeable and confident!

[@samsails9820]

Im not really sure tbh, I guess doing small trips and build up to it helps. Small steps with the occasional challenge thrown in. Thanks for watching.

[@ageoflove1980]

Seems like the Dutch coast guard is rather proficient in "stopping the boats" :D No sorry, just a joke. Being Dutch myself I was rather surprized how serious and professional they handled the docking. But very cool to see you sailing right up to Amsterdam Central Station all the way over from the UK just by yourself!

[@ginobragoli1448]

Yes they were not caught napping were they, unlike ours here in the UK! 😁

[@claverton]

Nice one, good vid. I noticed your control lines on the hebridean are pretty slack. Might be worth taking out the slackness and seeing if it works better?

[@samsails9820]

@@claverton yes i need to rig some lighter lines with a couple of jammers on the tiller ideally, thanks 😎

[@jackgalloway8314]

You left the dinghy on the mooring?? Won't ask about the coathangers.

[@samsails9820]

Yeah I don't like towing a dinghy usually, thanks for watching

[@Eastcoastanlife]

Where in Suffolk did you leave from mate I’m from Lowestoft wanna do this on a speedboat

[@samsails9820]

From the River Orwell

[@Eastcoastanlife]

@@samsails9820 nice my old man used to take me around that way on a speed boat tubing on rubber donuts 🍩 back in the 90s

[@BrownianMotionPicture]

If you did this in a speedboat I'd be impressed

[@eoinodunlaing4391]

Can I give you a hint? Use a small 1 or 2 pressure cookers-they reduce cooking time and have the lid on most of the time unless you are sautéing onions. A beef stew can be done in 25 mins pressure cooking time! Saves gas and time! And less likely to spill with lid on. Good you isolate at the gas bottle as well. Nice sailing!

[@samsails9820]

I've now got one onboard, it works very well 👌

[@Clan501-Scotland]

Free travel to amsterdam ✅ Cheap accommodation in amsterdam ✅ Im in 💨

[@MarlboroughBlenheim1]

Where in Suffolk did you set off from?

[@samsails9820]

From Pin Mill, River orwell

[@Falney]

If I were to ever be tumbled about like that, I think I'd rely on sandwiches.

[@whatnextincomo]

Where did you learn to sail and why do you enjoy it? Do you ever get seasick?

[@samsails9820]

I learned to sail on the river Deben in Suffolk, Yes there are a couple of times I've suffered from seasickness. Thanks for watching

[@kutasi75]

Help me please, what did the helicopter ask for? Last what? I just don't understand. Thanks!

[@samsails9820]

@@kutasi75 customs and border force checks, asking for details, purpose of the passage, etc

[@Kosty19]

Cool sailing! Was Your Nic refurbished from the inside? The woodwork inside looks newer than the old original. I like the big windows in the cabin too.

[@samsails9820]

@@Kosty19 yes there has been some works carried out internally, thanks for watching

[@jasoncarbis7751]

Hi Sam, just out of interest what do you use to get AIS targets onto your navionics ? are you using digital yacht ? Cheers take it easy ✊🏾

[@samsails9820]

Its a £100 reciever, 'quark QK-A024'

[@tactical1981]

How much roughly did this journey cost in terms of fuel, fees, etc…

[@samsails9820]

@@tactical1981 three nights in marinas 90 euros, fuel £60, food and drink about £30

[@nigelwhybrow9257]

Yep liked that ,I’m currently in Morocco on my Camper and Nicholson 303 ,lovely to see you’re Nicholson sailing so nicely ,,,I’d love to see more footage of the river Orwell especially pin mill and the Orwell. BRidge ,I’ve spent a small amount of time around there but never on a boat,anyway you got youreself anew subscription and likes 😊

[@contessa26-jim]

Wow, you've really taken this to the next level, what camera set up are you using now, it's really impressive!

[@samsails9820]

Hi Jim, its a gopro 12, very impressed with it. Good on battery usage also. Congrats on completing Jester 24 👌

[@contessa26-jim]

@@samsails9820 Thanks Sam, the journey back was the hard bit actually! I'm really impressed with that camera, I think its a must have... I take it you just have the standard lens

[@samsails9820]

​@@contessa26-jimyeah just sgandard lense, it doesn't need a separate waterproof case as its waterproof to about 5 metres on its own.

[@contessa26-jim]

@@samsails9820 I bought one!

[@longshotkdb]

That was crazy. I'm a complete novice literally wondering if I could actually do this or not. Regardless if I become technically competent... Kinda terrifying frankly.

[@philgray3443]

It is easy. I've done it heaps of times, I could do it in my sleep. In fact I have. On the DFDS ship that is.

[@jsytac]

I can’t believe you call it ‘Harwich Harbour’. Your boat lives in Suffolk, so it should be Felixstowe Harbour. Don’t let those Essex lot get any pretensions. Regarding the ‘Genoa jam’, it sounds like you let the working sheet off too soon. On the gybe, make sure it fully backs inside the forstay before letting off. To make it easier single handed. Take all the slack in on the lazy sheet and lock it off before. Then jybe the Main, then let off the old working sheet. The Genoa will have jybed itself and be reasonably set on the new tack.

[@samsails9820]

Thanks for the tip, will keep in mind for next time 😎

[@annoyingbstard9407]

It’s the Haven.

[@johnfoxamsterdamnl2725]

Hey Sam, are you still in Amsterdam? Last time, you maybe remember, I just missed you to get us a coffee 😊

[@samsails9820]

Hi John, no im back home now, next time 😎 😊

[@johnfoxamsterdamnl2725]

Haha, just not our thing..do you have an AIS name? Makes it way more easy. Keep up you good work..your online content is just great!❤

[@samsails9820]

@@johnfoxamsterdamnl2725 no AIS transponder yet, another thing on the bucketlist

[@naignildoi826]

do u take time off work and just go for a jolly?????

[@samsails9820]

Absolutely! 😎

[@tobiasruffer5626]

What boat Model is that?

[@Chebab-Chebab]

1:1

[@samsails9820]

Nicholson 32 Mk3

[@danielmoran9902]

Can anyone recommend the best way to learn how to sail? Take the piss if you like, but as a bloke of fifty it's something I have always wanted to do, so.....any advice?

[@samsails9820]

Dinghy sailing is a good start, joining a club is a good way of learning. Thanks for watching

[@dreameroftheday.8381]

Do a competent crew course with the RYA couple of hundred quid for a few days course and instruction and then there is crew finder sites looking for crew.🤷‍♂️

[@Pithead]

'This is helicopter gunship. Respond or we will open fire'.

[@TonyFisherPuzzles]

But remoaners told us this wasn't possible whereas as expected it's still pretty straightforward.

[@rvmdutch]

Chart out of date... That windfarm is 10x bigger now...

[@samsails9820]

@@rvmdutch yes its extended to the maas junction

[@rvmdutch]

@@samsails9820 i know, because i work on that wind farm... Always looking for sailboats passing by. Love how small they look next to our monster turbines. 🤘

[@rvmdutch]

@@samsails9820 quick question tho... Your not using any online chats or maps?

[@samsails9820]

@@rvmdutch yes i'm using Navionics

[@felixarbable]

what happens at night? do you drop an anchor?

[@samsails9820]

Boat sails during night

[@felixarbable]

@@samsails9820 so you dont sleep?

[@samsails9820]

@@felixarbable nap for 10-15 minute intervals

[@byteme9718]

I prefer the ferry. At the very least I have my car to use.

[@SuperDiagnostic]

Brilliant fun Sam well perhaps with the exception of the over zealous fed encounter ❤

[@philgray3443]

They are there to ensure your safety. There's a lot of money made from people smuggling across that stretch of sea. He is crossing international borders there.

[@philgray3443]

Not sure what country you are from, but I take it you would be happy with foreigners arriving in your country without asking where or why they were arriving. Seriously think it through.