Truly gnarly weather 🥹- like the WORST sea state we’ve seen in YEARS (Calico Skies Sailing, Ep 210)

[@jmills1432]

Passages like that make the anchorage much more enjoyable.👍🍻

[@CalicoSkiesSailing]

For sure!! Def earned this passage beers after tough sailing :)

[@SailingCAVU]

Once again Bill is the man. Glad to see him use the safety equipment.

[@CalicoSkiesSailing]

Thanks guys!!

[@dannyfisher9223]

Well done captain Bill for keeping Grace and Calico safe and well powered! Thanks for another great episode guy's safe travels and fair winds

[@CalicoSkiesSailing]

Thank you kindly!

[@jimmymurray2996]

I felt the pressure that Bill must have been feeling. Wild moments!!! I continue prayers for Grace. Full recovery for you.

[@CalicoSkiesSailing]

Thank you Jimmy! Intense sailing

[@esmith1771]

Wow - that looked hectic - what a challenge! Well done Bill & Grace.

[@CalicoSkiesSailing]

Thanks Elsie!

[@eileenderheim3768]

That was some gnarly sea! Thank goodness for Bill's composure and diligence to keep you safe. Keeping you in my thoughts Grace for a full recovery.

[@yvonnekneeshaw2784]

Boy did my heart drop @ 17:11. Be safe 🇨🇦 ❤

[@CalicoSkiesSailing]

Us too! We didn’t realize how far we had gone over until we looked at the video footage. We were so focused on getting the boat under control!

[@joycebrown6079]

That was crazy, to frightening for this gal. So thrilled ya made it through the worst, unblemished.

[@CalicoSkiesSailing]

Yea that sea state was a bit sketch!

[@lesliearnison9547]

Wow! I felt like I was there on the boat experiencing all the drama! Advice: if you long to cruise but your partner on the fence; send them out shopping and watch this video alone! 😂

[@CalicoSkiesSailing]

😂😂

[@Northeaster-b3w]

We love your videos! You guys have way more sea miles than us, but we are curious as to why you didn't heave to when raising or reefing the mainsail? It typically makes it so much more calm and the mainsail will be luffing without the wind pressure on it, making it much easier and quicker to tension the halyard or the reef line.

[@CalicoSkiesSailing]

With the pole set it’d be impossible to heave to without first dropping the pole down. That takes quite a bit of time. Our boat doesn’t heave to that effectively without the main first raised and the jib backwinded. Needs to be in balance with the main driving forward and the jib back winded 👍

[@Northeaster-b3w]

Thanks for taking the time to reply back! We don't sail for long periods downwind, and our boat never came with a wisker or spinnnaker pole, so I hadn't thought of that getting in the way... Thanks for the explanation! Our boat is a 30 ft fin keel and it will sit reasonably well with just the jib backwinded and the steering hard over to counter the force - no mainsail needed which allows us to do work on the main with it out of the wind. Good luck on your future passages@@CalicoSkiesSailing

[@annewinning9723]

You got to love those sails! They are so bright and cheery.

[@CalicoSkiesSailing]

They are amazing!! We really like the way the look and sail :)

[@tomquinn5437]

Good lesson for those of us who have sailing adventures in our blood. It’s not always sit back and relax. There’s a lot of hard and sometimes dangerous work involved. Thanks for who you are and what you do.

[@CalicoSkiesSailing]

Aww thanks! Yes it’s not always beach’s and cocktails :)

[@Carsten-Berlin-Wi]

Wow, what a ride and Bill you are so cool 😎 👍

[@CalicoSkiesSailing]

Thanks! It was an intense ride for sure

[@OldManGibb]

Yea, More Calico Skies. Blessing to y'all, sail safe.

[@CalicoSkiesSailing]

Yay 🍾!

[@jonathanscott550]

Thanks Bill & Grace for another awesome wave catching video. Yes definitely from the video you could get a really good idea on how large and rolly the Sea of Cortez was for you. Seemed you were having difficulties with the Main Sail lines and for a while lines were hanging and kept going into the water everytime you came down off the wave. What a mess it left the inside of the boat. What's the saying you sailers use Secure, Secure, Secure lol. I don't know if that's the saying, but sound good to me. Grace hope Operation went well. Stay safe you two catch you later

[@CalicoSkiesSailing]

Thank you! Yes got a bit hectic there! We are waiting on our lazy jacks and stack pack. That will make things a bit smoother. We had to get the new main installed before we could measure for the stack pack so kinda forced to leave without it all completed with the upcoming surgery

[@johnreuteman2724]

Wow you saw the extremes that day. Great sailing for a bit just hauling along. Made me think of the days I have had the same great sail experience on the same trip the opposite as well, like you. I still had fun that day and maybe in time you will feel the same about this day. That is also the last day I went sailing without a downhaul in my jib. What is amazing is that you still got it on video and could get the experience across to us viewers. All I can say is that you two are GREAT.

[@CalicoSkiesSailing]

Thank you John :)

[@robm.4512]

That sucked, a lot! Shallow sea, weird tidal flows, steep short period waves with reflections from both coasts and 30 knots of breeze, maketh not a chilled out cruisey trip. Getting that middle reef point in the new main was definitely a bingo move, super useful. Hope your sis is doing ok, Grace, and that you’re still well on the mend. Only 70 degrees, huh? Cheers to both of you, from a much chillier SW UK R. 😎👍🍻

[@CalicoSkiesSailing]

Very well described haha. Waves are kinda from alll over!

[@robm.4512]

@@CalicoSkiesSailing 👍 On my travels I’ve sailed the English Channel, Biscay through into the Med and various other places around the world with two shorelines and enough fetch for a sea to build. They all sucked more or less horribly in much other than a decently long established no-wind high pressure period. Mind you, I hate motoring too. 😂 Cheers! Keep safe, R. 😎👍🍻

[@jams9705]

Gulf of Mexico can be very close together waves and when the storms from hurricanes come thru very scary for the sailors.

[@CalicoSkiesSailing]

Another body of water surrounded by three side :)

[@skinnwalker4515]

That was Insane. Glad you guys are okay. Love that "Learn to value yourself" affirmation.

[@CalicoSkiesSailing]

LOL what a random message to put on a generator cover LOL. The crazy thing is we didn't remeber the near knock down until reviewing the video footage hahah

[@carenclemmons5002]

Yah, I saw it nearly be a knockdown. So glad that didn’t happen.

[@mikemcguire4430]

Your boat sounds great, very quiet down below during the heavier winds, no bulkheads/furniture working. You guys did a very good job of beefing up the boat.

[@CalicoSkiesSailing]

Thanks 👍 Yea def one of the things we love about the Sabre very quite down below when running a sea way. Old fashioned "stick" built boat

[@shannonlowe2412]

Love the new sails. You guys did a great job of capturing the intensity of the that passage, I felt like I was on the boat. Bill and Grace you two rock, stay safe and wishing you all the best in your recovery. Wishing your sister all the best in her upcoming surgery. Prayers for you both.

[@CalicoSkiesSailing]

Thank you!! We are super stoked with how the new sails turned out 🥰. It was an intense passage glad we were able to safely navigate it!

[@MrFroglips69]

That was a gnarly episode dude and dudette.

[@DonMcConaughy]

I hope this will mean you have great sailing across the Pacific.

[@marisaconner628]

Oh wow…that was eventful! I was getting seasick just watching this! So well photographed though…glad you made it safely!

[@CalicoSkiesSailing]

💕💕

[@ljgarrison8374]

Scary- my hands tingle when I get a fright. Hands stayed numb a lot on this one. It felt like I was with you two and many memories popped into my mind of my sailing days. Great job Captain! Prayers for your safety. Sending much love.

[@CalicoSkiesSailing]

Oh wow!

[@Catalina58601]

Sailing is definitely for people who can keep their cool. Guess that's why I am watching from the comfort of my land-lubbing home.

[@CalicoSkiesSailing]

Very true, although I feel like we fall back on experience and it isn’t as scary :)

[@Joe-zt7ef]

The stress I can feel it here behind my laptop while watching you guys, I hope everything works out for the best and smooth sailing and happy times ahead.

[@CalicoSkiesSailing]

Thank you! Was intense! One of the few times actually felt a little nervous about the sea state

[@feanor3876]

Thank you for the honesty.

[@MavericAvi8or]

That was some hard work but you guys made it! Bill is a cool cucumber for not losing it with the twisted halyard - respect Sir✊. Thanks also for just letting the video run so we can see the real work warts and all. Good on ya!

[@CalicoSkiesSailing]

Yea we decided to keep the clips longer to give the viewers a better feel for what it felt like out there 😃

[@jimduke5545]

Y’all really keep it real. Great episode. New sails are always a learning experience. We get seas like that in the Chesapeake and we mostly avoid sailing in it. The Sunday at the end of the boat show was similar to what you did in this episode. It was…gnarly…really steep confused washing machine seas. Thoughts and prayers for Grace’s sister.

[@CalicoSkiesSailing]

Thanks for that! Yes the Chesapeake can be gnarly! Only place we’ve take a wave over our stern. Didn’t make the cockpit bit flooded the decks

[@LaurieVogt]

As a landlubber, I find this frightening! Bill, having to do this all on his own doesn't help. Brave, brave souls.

[@13souldigger]

Well done Bill👍😎

[@brucerhodes8197]

Sea states like those had to be good shakedown on the auto-pilot repairs! Pretty good workout for Bill too... Buy a boat, see the world, find peace and tranquility. They neglect to tell you that you gotta go through hell sometimes to find some of that peace and tranquility.

[@CalicoSkiesSailing]

lol yes very good shakedown. That’s what we were missing in the summer. Real sea states. We actually got a new AP drive but will also get the old one refurbished. It hung on with wind in the 30’s but wasn’t a quick to respond as it should have been

[@sailingsitka]

I felt your pain , the sea of Cortez sea state is definitely a nightmare most of the time . Too short a period between waves.

[@CalicoSkiesSailing]

Gnarly weather! So glad to be out and on the Pacific coast now!

[@jenniferdavis8088]

Ive been checking and waiting on your video all morning! So glad to see you two back out on the water , It would be great to see some adventures and not just all sailing , Continued prayers for grace in her recovery from the surgery!!

[@CalicoSkiesSailing]

Thanks!! We are slowing down now and getting ready for our Pacific Crossing

[@davidnichols147]

We are all praying for Grace and her sister, hopefully their Health will improve or possibly you might consider calling off the Pacific passage. Happy New Year to Calico Skies and their many subscriber's!

[@CalicoSkiesSailing]

Happy New Year! So far so good :)

[@timlamarre8680]

Thank you for posting.

[@CalicoSkiesSailing]

You bet!

[@richb313]

Even in those confused seas and rough ride Bill never panicked and dealt with issues one by one until he had the sails properly rigged and reefed.

[@CalicoSkiesSailing]

Slow and steady is the key in those condition, ignore the noise of sail luffing just take your tme and be safe :)

[@maureenb7399]

I know you say that it’s hard to show on video the scary sea state, but I feel like I saw it there! Nice to see you out sailing but holy cow. Fair winds Calico Skies, and best wishes in 2024.

[@CalicoSkiesSailing]

We feel like the camera never pics it up but glad you could experience the waves :)

[@rodneyjaynes2485]

Looks like some of the sea state on the Great Lakes at times!!

[@CalicoSkiesSailing]

I bet that is a good comparison. The Great Lakes are no joke!

[@Ghost_Recon_Actual]

10:30 The ocean is such a DEEP, DEEP blue. It's beautiful, even with the large rollers. Was the sea state with the bizarre wave directions and wind gusting to 30 knots because it is wintertime in the Sea of Cortez?

[@CalicoSkiesSailing]

The sea of Cortez is narrow and also very total contributing to steep waves. Not the big roller we see in the ocean. It’s a challenging place to sail for sure. We were a little late in the season making the weather heavier

[@elmenomaronido6653]

Love ❤ the new sails

[@CalicoSkiesSailing]

Thank you!! We are super pumped with how they turned out!

[@SailingAquamarine]

Ah, feels like sailing in the UK, just a bit warmer there! Just a little too much sail up for me, you gotta reel in those racing urges 😂

[@CalicoSkiesSailing]

lol such a fine balance. Our boat is most comfortable at around 5-6 knots thus the extra sail area. But that evening we had to close reach into about 28-30 and we wound up just staysail and dropped the main

[@SailingAquamarine]

@CalicoSkiesSailing Haha, arent we all most comfortable at 5-6 knots? I'm cutter rigged as well, very rare that I use the staysail down wind though, mostly I find it improves the performance upwind... apparently it improves laminar flow through the slot... gives me another anyway!

[@Janespony]

The Chesapeake Bay can be like this. Relatively shallow water, wind, tide, and current come together to create very uncomfortable movement. 30 knots offshore and 30 knots in a bay are not the same.

[@CalicoSkiesSailing]

Very true! The Chesapeake is the only spot we have had a wave come over our stern, not into the cockpit but flooded the side decks!

[@crowdfundcrew]

Waves looked like Lake Michigan - short/random. Looks like you handled it awesomely- and not one engine or auto-pilot repair! Hope the conditions get better and you enjoy some time of smooth sailing! Donate for a Dream

[@georgelasko7019]

Very nice job Bill!!!!!!

[@CalicoSkiesSailing]

Thank you kindly!!!

[@scyz2807]

WOW! For a second there it looked like you got blown over! Boy, what a ride. 8 - \

[@CalicoSkiesSailing]

Yes it was! Didn't really remeber that until we reviewed the footage, looks like we went way over!

[@scottabercrombie376]

You show it all…..the good, the bad, and the ugly! But I tell you what, you are the ones I would want on a crossing with me. Not just for your knowledge of sailing and all the systems, but you are the type of people I would love to call my friends. God speed intrepid sailors!

[@olemanjim1415]

Holy crap! A bit of an ass whupping of a passage 😬. It seems like the Sea of Cortez can act like a bathtub where the energy of the waves have nowhere to go, so you wind up with these horribly confused seas. In those conditions you've got two hopes, get through it and keep the damage to a minimum right? In that regard you guys did well but then you always do well or ok. I think that's where you're being prepared, as well as one can be, shows up for you. Less prepared come out of that with far more damage. Good stuff guys!! I miss you two!! Be well 🥰

[@CalicoSkiesSailing]

Hey Jim!! We took an ass whooping that passage! I think the waves funnel down the sea which is pretty narrow. Luckily didn't damage anything :)

[@ralphjansen9205]

That was hectic. I was there with you ( in my head ) my heart rate alarm went off on my watch. ( Upper limit of my training run) Glad you guys are ok.

[@CalicoSkiesSailing]

Oh wow! Yea it was intense but luckily we made it thru unscathed!

[@scottheffner7813]

Sailing got hectic and crazy for a bit but I don't understand what happened or what you did to stabilize things. Wish you could explain it more next time. Thanks for listening to me, here in Ohio, we don't know anything about difficult sailing conditions.

[@shatho9137]

Sea of Cortez is amazing for sailing but known for its short waves can make for a rough ride.

[@CalicoSkiesSailing]

Very true. Striking scenery, tough sailing in the fall and winter.

[@timepasses3380]

Interesting to see, thanks for sharing. Safe travels.

[@CalicoSkiesSailing]

Thanks for watching!

[@daneetaran8784]

You both have sand that's for sure ( an old cowboy expression) hope you get to your next stop for Grace's sister. In my prayers guys!

[@CalicoSkiesSailing]

Thanks so much! Thats a cool expression!

[@karlfair]

Yet, you made it through. One boot in front of the other. Nice work.

[@CalicoSkiesSailing]

Yes, thanks! Some times you have to grin and bear it!

[@raybedell883]

That was 2 videos in ONE! First I'm thinking " Whatta' great Day to BUY A BOAT!"... Conditions increible...I could close my eyes and listen...drift right off to sleep. The latter half, watching Bill WORK on deck, Wrangle the sail in Stiff wind, the sea state miserable..waves " Standing Up".. I thought this is Why landlubbers say.." isn't Sailing Allotta Work?".. lol almost outta the Sea. Hopefully onto Following Seas...We'll say a prayer for your sister too...!

[@CalicoSkiesSailing]

LOL good point, the highs and the lows of sailing!

[@JakobEngl]

great video

[@williamwhaley7842]

WOW! That was nuts!

[@CalicoSkiesSailing]

It was an intense sail for sure!

[@skohaya]

Happy New Year's 2024 Calico Skies. Since you post this video, I know that you made it to Civilization safely. That was a crazy sail. Is it any safer in a different boat like a catamaran? I wish you had more automated sails. Is it easier to cross the Atlantic or could you get whether like this? I am glad you guys are safe🎉 Blessings.

[@CalicoSkiesSailing]

Happy new year! We know our boat pretty well at this point so don’t feel the need for more automation. We are struggling to manage the mainsail while we wait on our lazy jack and stack pack to get built :)

[@n64funtime54]

Thanks guys as always great video

[@CalicoSkiesSailing]

Thanks for watching!

[@scubaseas1]

Weeee!! Way too much like work. Well done. Persistence pays off.

[@CalicoSkiesSailing]

LOL yes its not always easy :)

[@StealthMode139]

Great Job Bill on Soldering the autopilot motor Brushes. What did u use for a cap or did u find the brush cover?

[@CalicoSkiesSailing]

I found the brush cover in the bilge. Actually that broken brush sprung into the bilge and I had to go find it. The cover was right next to it 😂

[@terryshulmire1102]

With the new bigger and wider solar power frame

[@CalicoSkiesSailing]

She still is performing the same. The foot print isn’t too different from our old Bimini and we were actually able to lower and bring the davit/solar portion further forward

[@thomascallaghan5988]

Great video and they waves were making me seasick

[@CalicoSkiesSailing]

Glad you enjoyed! It’s was a pretty crazy motion out there!

[@davewright2819]

Great videos. Do you have a water maker? If so, what make and are you happy with it? Thanks!

[@CalicoSkiesSailing]

Thanks yes we do, we’ve had it since 2018 and it’s an echotec. Very happy with it so far!

[@Furree_68]

"It's not that warm, it's around 70° F" Well, I woke up to 7° F or -14° C here in Sweden. I swap with you any day you want Grace. 😁

[@CalicoSkiesSailing]

Yikes! Thats reallly cold!

[@Furree_68]

@@CalicoSkiesSailing Yep, winter is coming.. 🥶

[@CalicoSkiesSailing]

Winter is there 🙃at those temps!

[@Furree_68]

@@CalicoSkiesSailing Well, these are the temperature in southern parts of Sweden. In the North they have - 40° F/C. That's winter temperature... So enjoy 70 ° F. It's not that bad after all perhaps. 😁 All the love for you two. ❤️ And I hope you will get some smooth sailing soon.

[@paulreynolds2898]

70fh would be a bonus, it is 33.8fh or 1celcius at 0500, glad you are okay 👋

[@shawnee0011]

Sounds like Great Lakes sailing

[@davecummings6170]

I watch many sailing channels and notice a difference between sailors and cruisers. Sailing Uma and Florence crews are examples of sailors. When the conditions get rough they seem to rise to the challenge and are proud of their accomplishments. But many of the sailing channel crews are definitely cruisers. They don’t seem to enjoy anything much sportier than “champagne” sailing.

[@BonnieVolkle]

Holy cow y’all!

[@CalicoSkiesSailing]

Crazy eh?!

[@juddjohnson5200]

We caught a bunch of Mahi right there.

[@CalicoSkiesSailing]

So many mahi in the SoC!

[@faircompetition1203]

The camera makes waves look small I think it is because there is no perspective . They learned in filming dog fights for movies that clear skies were no good , you needed clouds to give the movement perspective or the planes looked like the were slow .

[@CalicoSkiesSailing]

Interesting!

[@Jim-jh9bd]

Hang in there you are so near to following others across the Ocean

[@Pasovineyard]

Almost looked like a knock down from the camera angle. Will be good when you get to AP. Just stay safe.

[@CalicoSkiesSailing]

Yea we noticed that too! We don’t really remember the event. She came back up real quick just a lot of stuff moved about down below

[@saikopro]

Agreed. It looked like a knock down and my stomach went to my toes. Glad it was just a big roller and the camera cut out.

[@feanor3876]

The under statement of the sail, it's a bit gnarly.

[@stanparsonstreeinc]

Bouncing in the bathtub the sea of Cortez

[@johnross440]

Nice to see you sailing again and not fixing something…. J&P… Canada…

[@CalicoSkiesSailing]

Same here! LOL

[@jamieweyndling1861]

You didn’t consider tacking downwind in those conditions?

[@CalicoSkiesSailing]

We could have but jibed but resetting the pole is quite a bit of work. Our boat sails pretty well double head sails which lets us carry pretty deep DDW

[@bradleyrobertson3185]

Mother Nature, roll the dice. This too shall pass. Enjoy

[@jimmanney4948]

Take care of yourselves folks you need a break.

[@codegame027]

I know electric winches are technically a luxury but have y'all ever considered swapping over to Electric Winches?

[@CalicoSkiesSailing]

We haven't, we have discussed a winch right or something that would help Grace be able to handle the loads easier

[@robertfontaine3650]

@@CalicoSkiesSailing If Grace can't handle the loads when you get knocked down or hurt then an electric winch is important. She needs to be able to take your place at any time. Stuff happens.

[@markwalker5231]

Bad juju, where’s your safety vest Grace. Come on safety first in those seas.

[@wendywilson9760]

I feel sea sick 😅

[@CalicoSkiesSailing]

🤣

[@salnichols94805]

I’m looking at backwinded sails wondering Wtf you’re doing?

[@patbfd]

Broach!!!

[@CalicoSkiesSailing]

lol kinda, ugh!

[@MiketakesaHike]

This is the same area that they lost that sailboat and 3 crew.....very, very, very spicy

[@CalicoSkiesSailing]

I don’t think I heard about that one!

[@thomasthornton5737]

😀👍👍👍❤

[@Custercounty01]

This is why people go with the diesel ducks when older/in poorer health.

[@CalicoSkiesSailing]

Yes i can totally see that! Lots of effort to keep a boat moving in varying conditions

[@rlpatton1970]

As a current cruiser sailing we both know cameras do zero justice to sea state and height.. looks like riffles on camera

[@CalicoSkiesSailing]

So true! Seems impossible to catch accurately !

[@californiakayaker]

That did not look like fun at all.

[@CalicoSkiesSailing]

🙃

[@ejs6010]

Not a very comfortable sail. Hope. things get better for you.

[@salnichols94805]

For the love of Christ, put another wrap on that winch that you’re torturing.

[@NeilCharlton-tv3mp]

Negative comments, poor sailing techniques and a boat choke full of meaningless toys has led me to stop watching your channel. The Sea of Cortez is one of the most beautiful and inspiring cruising grounds on the west coast and to hear "first timers" use terms like "never" and and "always" to describe their experience is unacceptable!

[@milenkopahor2882]

I agree with this gent. Poor seamanship hoisting the main with nearly stern wind. For your safety please arrange lazy Jack or bag. TAKE CARE

[@CalicoSkiesSailing]

Would you rather go head to waves in 30 knots or raise the sail downwind, a downwind raise is pretty common for folks sailing offshore. It a brand new main and we are transitioning from a dutchman system. Our lazy jacks are on order 👍

[@darrengladstone3159]

Their stern just has a paddle board and dinghy on davits, that's pretty common for cruising boats. And this is a cruising channel. I'm sure Bill would love to be in that weather with a stripped down J boat fully crewed, but that would be a different channel. Overall they are one of the most positive couples. As for seamanship, they have accrued many 1,000's of miles on this boat, including Atlantic crossings. I've never known this channel to say "this is how everyone should do it", as with anything on KZbin it should be taken in context of "this is how we do it".

[@braddobson2060]

A entire vidio complaining about the conditions not very interesting

[@scottabercrombie376]

I didn’t hear any complaining,

[@SMM-Mystery]

Come sail Lake Superior - What you are seeing is nothing compared to sailing Lake Superior. The waves can be 15 to 20 Feet, with absolutely no interval and coming from every direction. Though I definitely appreciate the fact that it is never fun or comfortable anytime that is happening, no matter where you are at.

[@CalicoSkiesSailing]

I’ve heard that lakes can be gnarly! Eat ocean going ships 😂

[@athosbulgari6571]

Please dont go...yet.........only lucky .........