UK to Australia in an 18ft open boat - Australia The Hard Way

[@AQUAHOLIC]

Just to add, there will be a short Q&A with the author about the trip coming to this channel soon, so please subscribe and click the little bell so that it lets you know when it is uploaded.

[@justinfacer6332]

You should ask how difficult it was to keep camera equipment working on a journey like this. Did he have spare equipment?

[@oneslackr]

That must have been an amazing adventure for David and his cameraman. Great story. Thanks for sharing it Nick.

[@dukecamilo2041]

I know Im asking the wrong place but does anyone know a way to log back into an instagram account? I somehow forgot the password. I would appreciate any tricks you can give me!

[@kyloleonardo8795]

@Duke Camilo Instablaster :)

[@SVPearler]

​@justinfacer6332 yeah which GoPro did they use, lol

[@miabrockwell7130]

Super proud this is my grandad David Pyle xxx

[@AQUAHOLIC]

Fantastic! I'm glad you're proud, it's an incredible story. Thanks for your comment Mia. :)

[@douglaselliott6768]

David is an amazing character, a true adventurer, I'm proud to have built his Drascombe Lugger "Hermes" alongside my brother John Elliott.

[@douglaselliott4300]

Please say hello to your grandad David from Douglas Elliott, my brother John and myself built "Hermes" for him, I expect he will remember me.

[@AndyUK-Corrival]

Incredible, I doubt anyone could do this trip now with the troubles in so many areas. I bet he has many tales to tell. Andy UK

[@douglaselliott4300]

I would love to get in touch with David again, I lost the email contact when he left Princess Yachts.

[@joesoap9385]

Most astounding thing I ever saw. Good lord. I will never complain about the weather,sea state or size of my boat again

[@warrenthorp]

Wow! What a story! What an adventure! What bravery! What skill! Amazing.

[@1martingreen]

What an absolutely brilliant adventure and story I am in awe of those two gentlemen. Thank you for allowing us a very tiny viewing window into that fabulous memory.

[@AQUAHOLIC]

Thank you Martin. It is only a tiny snapshot, the book goes in to far more detail. It's out of print now unfortunately but can be tracked down secondhand and I thoroughly recommend it. I'm extremely grateful to Mr. Pyle (the author) for allowing me access to the footage and agreeing to narrate it for me, he did a great job.

[@martinpiggins5772]

I like how everyone along the way we’re amenable and happy to help, inquisitive and interested. A real journey of old for its time in a modern time.

[@douglaselliott4300]

Thank you for producing the video. Really nice to see it, proud that my brother John Elliott and myself built Hermes for David. Regards Douglas Elliott

[@AQUAHOLIC]

Hi Douglas, just spotted your post. Very pleased that you've seen and enjoyed it. :)

[@felixcat9318]

It would be difficult to imagine a more challenging adventure than these two young men setting out to sail to Australia from England in an open, wooden dinghy! I look forward to buying the book of their journey. Thank you for interviewing this truly wonderful man and bringing their adventure to a wider audience. Subscribed.

[@AQUAHOLIC]

Welcome aboard and enjoy the book, it's a fascinating read!

[@robincoomer9721]

I have to agree with Martin - what a great story! Thoroughly enjoyed and the footage was a time capsule in itself - journey of a lifetime, thanks for sharing.

[@AQUAHOLIC]

Thanks Robin, really glad you enjoyed it.

[@tarakai2]

Awesome stuff ! I circumnavigated in a 27ft but anyone doing this in an open !8ft Drascombe is really hard core. I met a Canadian in Darwin in 1993 who was circumnavigating in his Drascomb 18ft. Greg Blanchette was his name. I dont know how they do it being so exposed to the elements.

[@rickcochranerealestate]

What an incredible story! Thanks for putting this out Nick - well done.

[@AQUAHOLIC]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@rickcochranerealestate]

@@AQUAHOLIC LOVED it! Inspiring

[@douglaselliott4300]

​@@AQUAHOLIC I've recently learnt what happened to "Hermes" after David sold the boat to a fisherman to pay for their return flight to England. " Hermes" was left neglected for several years at a sailing club, eventually she was burnt and used as a barbecue. The man who told me the story is sailing his Drascombe Lugger "Thom Tuff" through the French canals and on to Greece. His father owned a wooden Drascombe Longboat in Australia, he'd heard about "Hermes" being neglected and made attempts to locate her and save her, but was unfortunately a few days too late, and "Hermes" had been burnt, he did get information about the spars and sails still existing and managed to obtain them. "Thom Tuff" is now carrying the storm sail from "Hermes" on board during their voyage to Greece. Unfortunately, I've lost David's contact details, otherwise I'd pass that information to him. The last time I met with him he told me he didn't know what happened to "Hermes". I'm sure he would like to know.

[@theghostcore]

I generally watch his large yacht videos with all the fancy amenities but this sort of sailing resonates with me deeply. Thank you for sharing.

[@glenmchargue5461]

I stumbled onto this story early in the morning. I slowly listened while constantly pausing and following along on Google maps. The area(s) that this took place in is so pretty and the mix of cultures so intriguing. Not to mention the era it was filmed is interesting on its own. Thanks to all involved for getting this video together. It was fun. I have very little money, and travel isn't an option. So it was nice to go on an adventure for the morning.

[@AQUAHOLIC]

I'm glad you enjoyed it, I think it's a fascinating tale. :)

[@linuskarlsen8691]

I also followed along on Google maps haha I'd love to do an adventure like this too

[@matthiasschnapka9180]

What a Journey of a Livetime.......as an old Gentleman he now is.....he could enjoy himself, knowing that he had such an adventure in his youth, seen and experianced much much more then 99,9% as the rest of us will ever get, because this times ( Dubai without any Skyscrapers ) have long gone. I will try to get this book as well. THX

[@eisirt55]

Unbelievable ! What an achievement!

[@benchokwaiman]

Amazing.. this is up there with the most daring trips that I have heard of.

[@andym847]

It's amazing how truly brave people like this gentleman, and the camera man, are so incredibly modest and measured, a lesson for people who are challenged by going to the shops. These chaps are made of stern stuff, probably a bit of empire and a lot of Viking raider. Sorry to be crude but I'm surprised they got their balls in an 18 foot open boat, they must be huge. What a man, you were lucky to meet such a character. Wow, I'm in awe. Just WOW. 👍👍👍🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧⚔⚒☠🛥⛴🛳🚤⛵⛵⛵⛵. WOW.

[@paulfenwick6144]

I came across this by chance and am in awe at the ability of these two adventurers. Thank you for recording an incredible piece of social history.

[@AQUAHOLIC]

I was very pleased to be able to do it. Not a 'big' video, but an important one I feel.

[@jamesfohare]

We arrived in Australia in 71 it took three days flying which was supposed to take 28 hours. Bahrain was the only place we allowed to get off the plane but had to stay in the airport as we where not supposed to have landed there. We were scheduled to land in Beirut but the airport had been damaged so the pilot made for Damascus which the IDF had earlier bombed the runway which been patched hastily but we where refueled just enough to continue, with all 100 people still on board surrounded armed solders try doing that now days. After Bahrain. Flew to Mumbai, Bangkok We where allowed off for two hours in Singapore, Darwin ,Sydney, So we covered pretty much the same journey only by air and in much less time, I remember a lot of the places Nick had filmed, We, my wife and I we had a 10 mouth old baby in tow, and we thought we had done it hard way at the time. But after watching this we didn't. But it was our adventure. Thanks to Nick and his Mate as well as Aquaholic, for bringing back the memories Fantastic video thanks again. cheers.

[@donotwantahandle1111]

We did the reverse trip when I was 11 in 1972 from Perth W.A. to London. No non stop flights in those days!

[@barrydavies2977]

Really impressed by 2 intrepid sailors. Adventure of a lifetime.

[@georgenewcomb1094]

owning and sailing a Drascombe Lugger for the last 40 years I can understand the effort that this required. I have read Australia the Hard Way and Webb Chiles Open Boat: Across the Pacific and I thank you very much for making this video.

[@AQUAHOLIC]

You're very welcome, I'm glad you enjoyed it. My family had a Drascombe Lugger when I was growing up so sailed in one a lot.

[@andrewbarten7347]

Now THAT is some hard core seamanship! Respect.

[@Team33Team33]

Downright stubborn olde English empire behaviour.

[@richardbanner9050]

Years ago. probably early 70's, I went on a school sailing holiday starting from Drake's Island in Plymouth. David Pyle was an instructor on the lead boat, the ex racing trimaran Gancia Girl. It was a great and memorable week. Dave wore yellow sailing boots, at that time the only wellington boots we'd ever seen were black so being teenagers we nicknamed him 'super boots'!

[@AQUAHOLIC]

That's fantastic! 😄 I've just sent it to David, I'm sure it will give him a smile.

[@DIY-DaddyO]

You've often said Nick "if you're floating, you boating" but this is hardcore. Proper Sir Robin Knox-Johnson stuff. Maybe when I retire I'll try something bonkers like this.

[@superwag634]

Amazing historical footage for the archives. Well done. A similar trip in the same boat was done by Webb Chiles. He got arrested and held in a prison in Saudi Arabia after damaging his rudder and drifting in. You can read his book on his website. The Open Boat is the book from memory.

[@Smanning23]

I came across this video by chance and was enthralled with this adventure. Goes to show what you achieve with just the most basic of equipment and a little bit of help from locals along the way.

[@AQUAHOLIC]

Glad you enjoyed it! The book is well worth a read, goes into far more detail.

[@chunkychinn]

Absolutely amazing and awe inspiring. A different world somewhere a million miles away. Thankyou so much. We were a very great and respected nation back then!

[@Philjamon]

What an amazing journey, I wonder how many long forgotten journeys are out there yet to be discovered.

[@aitchhennequin3979]

I bought the same drascombe lugger from John Elliot as an incomplete boat which I finished at home in my garage a sailed it from Eastney cruising Association at Eastney for many years It was the best boat I ever had.

[@Keith-ui4tp]

Amazing! Incredible! Awesome! No words can do this adventure justice!

[@AQUAHOLIC]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@AndyUK-Corrival]

Absolutely incredible, thanks so much for putting that together. So amazing to see places such a long time ago and some really interesting old boats. Must find the book now. Andy UK

[@AQUAHOLIC]

I heard that it might be being reprinted, not sure if that ever happened. But either way, well worth tracking one down, it's an incredible story!

[@Ethan7s]

I bet most 180 ft boats today haven’t made a journey anywhere close to this.

[@jimmyboy163]

Probably cuz it'd be a little difficult for a 180 footer to travel the Tigris river....

[@the_grand_tourer]

'69 was a hell of a year for sailing adventure (and the year I was born). The 50's and 60's was a breakthrough in low budget sailing - likely inspired by Knox-Johnston, Chay Blyth et al. This is new to me, how incredible !

[@Cyrusmagi]

The best video of any worth and meaning aqaholic ever made! True adventure in a great little design and true grit!

[@dermotcorrigan9178]

Fantastic video, I enjoy your normal boat reviews but this was a real surprise and another level. Well done and much appreciated that you took the time to make

[@AQUAHOLIC]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@timothyrepp4259]

I’m always amazed by stories like this.Stories like the first man to circumnavigate the globe.The first man to reach the north and south poles.The first man to reach the summit of Everest.The first man to go to space and even the moon.The list is endless but they all have one thing in common.Bet you can’t guess what it is.

[@philipderrick3430]

Thanks for the video, goodto see my brother if only in the last shot.

[@hellodarren]

Amazing journey and spirit of adventure! Really enjoyed this, thanks for sharing!

[@skuffbuzzer]

Fantastic material/footage. Thank you both a lot for sharing! 👍 Greetings from Germany 🇩🇪

[@AQUAHOLIC]

I'm glad that you enjoyed it 🙂

[@baddazzgarage2953]

Absolutely fantastic Nick! A story about true boaters! People that love and respect the ocean and its majesty! I one day will own a vessel and share the open ocean and magical Anchorage destinations with as many family and friends as possible! Im in Australia so this trip means alot to me as an Australian! We do have amazing coastlines with beautiful islands to travel to! One day a nice 60 to 70 foot flybridge will take me to freedom!! Thanks for a wonderful story i had not herd about!!⚓🛥

[@AQUAHOLIC]

It's quite something isn't it? Certainly well worth sharing. Thanks for your comment.

[@benhurst3365]

Fantastic, different time. Im from the uk and currently working for a sailor, lawyer and Vietnam vet at Hindmarsh Island, SA.

[@fredperry523]

I'm getting seasick just looking at this boat never mind sailing the thing ! Brave beyond words.

[@MostlyReading]

What a lovely privilege to hear about such an amazing journey. The footage of Dubai was really amusing. Thanks as always Nick!

[@AQUAHOLIC]

My pleasure!

[@olalovgren560]

Splendid! A real adventure! Nice to get it documented like this.

[@clayfarnet970]

This kind of wonderful content is what makes KZbin great. Thank you sir for posting this fantastic story. Is there a map with the route posted somewhere? That would be a helpful tool to illustrate the magnitude of his journey. Thanks again!

[@AQUAHOLIC]

There probably is in the book - well worth a read!

[@hollar5560]

What an amazing story, and some beautiful footage. Thank you for sharing!

[@AQUAHOLIC]

Thanks for watching

[@TheAtma50]

I found this by chance ... Incredible story !! Stay Safe !!

[@blackbird5634]

What a true joy to see, and it must have been an amazing time! Wonderful to see this. Thank you!

[@AQUAHOLIC]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@anthonygreaves4998]

Now that's what I'll call an adventure. Great documentary.

[@njmargetson]

Fantastic story and footage!

[@wikingerhaithabu3319]

A real Adventure! Thank you so much!

[@supershane1960]

Wow, amazing gutsy stuff... Imagine someone trying to make that journey again now on the same type of boat... Thanks for the video... ;-}

[@murraysands1468]

I had a Drascombe lugger,they can go anywhere,take a good sea and safe.

[@Turkeyhome]

An extraordinary adventure by an unassuming man and his even more unassuming conspirator. Brilliant, brave and bloody marvellous.

[@MINISTAofSINISTA]

Wow! Just wow! What an amazing adventure and story! Thank you for sharing but I wish it was much a longer video tho I understand, that in those conditions even this would have been a heck of work!

[@clivejbarrett]

Wow, incredible, well done indeed.

[@PaulBlundell-xf6mt]

Brilliant book, great journey, , I,m 62, and remember these guys setting off 👍❤ .

[@wildandbarefoot]

Shane Acton "shrimpy" was also a wonderful book. He set off and took years to world sail on a small 18ft Caprice. He wrote another inspired book called shrimpy sails again. It's what got me into sailing.

[@jvkanufan8115]

What a gem of a story, and what an amazing adventure. Thanks for making this.

[@AQUAHOLIC]

Thanks for watching it 🙂

[@Al-df7np]

Very cool story. They just did it and good on them.

[@Chris-vq5vr]

What a real gentleman. Thanks for this. Wow, I’m in awe.

[@AQUAHOLIC]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@busterholmes4934]

There is another amazing Journey from Germany to Australia in a canoe from 1932-1939. The adventurer is a Electrician from Hamburg named Oskar Speck. There is a quite new novel based on this story by Tobias Friedrich.

[@cbrusharmy]

That bread he talks about at c.14:15 is great stuff. I used to be given it all the time when I was in Iraq walking around in the mornings. Love it!

[@MikeFloutier]

Fabulous, this is epic, what an amazing adventure. Thanks so much for sharing this!

[@AQUAHOLIC]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@aloysiusjones3985]

I have never heard of this. How extraordinary. Incredibly courageous. Thanks.🇦🇺👍

[@AQUAHOLIC]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@anomalous1331]

Thank you for sharing this extraordinary story!!

[@blackfish7163]

amazing, thank you for saving this.

[@AQUAHOLIC]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@jonathansimmonds5784]

Read the book as a teenager in the early 70's, still got it, it was one of the many that kicked off my sailing career. What happened to the rest of the film? I was hoping to see some footage of the Marsh Arabs. Many years and adventures later having recently acquired a 21ft grp coble I'm preparing to retrace the Med part of your voyage, sadly the world is a much less friendly place to consider going further afield.

[@AQUAHOLIC]

That is all that remains unfortunately, but very pleased to be able to share what there is.

[@HistoricUlster]

Just bought the book for my father's birthday. Really nice of you to do that for him.

[@AQUAHOLIC]

Awesome! It's a fantastic book - borrow it when he's read it.

[@CH-yw2jx]

Great adventure! Great idea! Congrats!

[@aloosnackbar3888]

What a fantastic achievement and adventure to have made in your life. Real boys own stuff. Reminds me of the adventures of Frank Dye. I especially loved the health and safety of having a real fired tandoor oven aboard a wooden gulet derringer-do in its own right 😃

[@daejensen9685]

Fantastic story very brave

[@elitedavidhorne8494]

What an adventure. Couldnt imagine doing this today with technology and a smartphone. Yet alone back then.

[@katherinemarie1471]

Utterly fascinating! Can't believe the state of the boat when they arrived in Australia.

[@simonharrison7104]

What an adventure...what an adventurer...and the cameraman too 👊🏻💜...iv jus done a 30 mile round trip on the Thames on my little kayak 💪🏻...🤣 now iv watched that I can't help but feel "must do better" 😂

[@readmycomment3157]

Fabulous film nick, thank you for doing this

[@AQUAHOLIC]

Thanks for watching :)

[@vadusnisky31]

Incredible document

[@breakingtoast2255]

That would of been a great journey and adventure what a great interview Nick

[@r.a.monigold9789]

This is truly amazing - as is the Q & A. I saw that first and the conversations were so laid back that I thought the trip was like bobbing a cork in the bath. Then THIS -OMG... Thanks for all the work it took to put out this well produced real world adventure story. Jules Vern had nothing like this... P.S. Tristan Jones' name ever come up? If not, check him out - the first single handed circumnavigation by sea..

[@stephenb7333]

this is sailing gold nick.i have heard some old sea dogs in my time and this is one of the best.thank you for sharing

[@AQUAHOLIC]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@andrew097]

What an extraordinary story and adventure. Very modest about it too. Of course completely mad to do something like that.

[@daleskidmore1685]

Good job you showed the book, or we might not have known his name was David, lol. I have seen some amazing vids on YT of amazing adventures, this one ranks among the top.

[@getparadox]

Great story!

[@PeopleMakePictures]

No murdering terrorists, no land mines, no wars, no anti-west people, no USA/UK invasion to destroy the countries...

[@keithmyerscough9900]

Amazing adventure for the 2 guys , the boat seemed to be like triggers broom with all the repairs lol. Thank you for bring us this incredible story 👍👍👍

[@AQUAHOLIC]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@christopherlynch4347]

Incredible! Thanks so much for this story.

[@AQUAHOLIC]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@backtothebarky]

I was at the toe of Italy a couple of years back and saw those crazy fishing boats so they must still be at it!

[@murrayclarke2171]

Absolutely legendary. Imagine having this experience to tell the grandkids. Maybe you can find that South African who did a circumnavigation in a dinghy. Crazy stuff. Amazing people.

[@philippelapere2019]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/Z4LOi4FpareNnLcsi=fnRa_GQiDDYq4j7w

[@peterjohnson6273]

Most impressive! Thanks for creating this.

[@AQUAHOLIC]

Glad you liked it!

[@jacklondon8385]

great video, to see how much a lot has changed since then. you have to do this stuff when you are young.

[@bcarroll7317]

I wonder if the boat still exists

[@michellemieux1544]

Wow....that is one epic trip!!! Thank you for sharing !!!

[@AQUAHOLIC]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@dalsie105]

SAS sort of story. Them two had balls big balls. Well done and thanks for sharing

[@bstill6457]

Loved the video what an adventure that would have been.. and that old mercury I still have an old metal gas tank like the one shown very cool

[@g9rud]

What a fascinating video, definitely a book to read I think.

[@whippoorwill1124]

Any idea what we're looking at please, around 2:35? I'm guessing an immersion heater.

[@unicornheartsbunnyfarts3989]

Enthralling! Just enthralling!

[@BoraBilgin]

Amazing footage and adventure. Thanks for sharing

[@AQUAHOLIC]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@davidm0rgan]

Very happy you could save this footage, so inspiring. The book has been reprinted too.

[@AQUAHOLIC]

It sure has - a fantastic read!

[@jan_deno8175]

@11:40 why Tigris NOT Euphrates which is closer to the Mediterranean sea?