When the going gets tough, turning back is a wise decision

I finally took off for a Winter sailing trip to Sweden. But my plans had to change.

[@allbushnocraft3031]

turning back when you don’t feel right is good seamanship

[@MikeSantis]

Thanks. That was what I felt also. Thanks for watching.

[@alessiamajormoon5836]

Your reasons for turning back were a great lesson for all. Well done. Thank you for sharing it.

[@MikeSantis]

Thank you so much for watching and commenting. I appreciate!

[@jimmyhvy2277]

I Would rather be at Port , Wishing i was Out at Sea Sailing Than Being out at sea , Wishing i was back at Port !

[@MikeSantis]

The conditions was not something I have never experienced before. That was not what made me turn back. But it was pointless being out there tacking my way through with 2-3 knots speed in order to make headroom and arriving at a rocky shore with skerries all over in darkness and dead tired. Like I said, a cocktail for a disaster.

[@robertharris7027]

A very good reason to put the fenders below deck is that you won't stumble about them when you have to go to the bow in a hurry. But you surely know better.

[@MikeSantis]

I very much agree to that. And I actually do that usually when I do longer trips. A mistake I didn't do it this time. Thanks for commenting and watching, I appreciate a lot.

[@Robeuten]

Sailing is like flying a plane: there are old pilots, and there are bold pilots - but no bold old pilots! Everything done right - all the best for your next trip(s)!

[@MikeSantis]

Thanks, eventhough I was in no danger, I had to make that call to be on the safe side, and thank you for watching, I appreciate.

[@sproket168]

This can be applied in a few aspects of life. Well said

[@nesleinf]

Great respect for you doing the right thing at the right time !

[@MikeSantis]

Better safe than sorry.

[@TMJ-YT]

I have turned back many times!

[@MikeSantis]

Yes better be safe than sorry. Thanks for watching and commenting. I appreciate!

[@sniffinclose]

Ive turned back going the other direction from Onsala to Österby a couple of times... Kattegatt might seem like a small pond but the waves can be totally crazy short and steep around Läsö due to the shallow sandbanks around the island. I will be waiting for the next episode!👍

[@MikeSantis]

Exactly! Although in this trip the problem was more the headwinds that meant that my crossing instead of 6 hours was going to actually be more than 12-15 hours. And I couldn't see the reason why I should carry on then. Pointless. Thanks for watching!

[@Abrightdivinelight]

Thanks for this video Mike! Your videos are chilled out, no nonesense and without ego. You sail wisely and pay attention to the signs your intuition and the conditions are giving. Many would push on and end up in serious trouble! You're Leading by example!

[@MikeSantis]

Thank you so much for the kind words. And thanks for watching. I appreciate 🙏

[@CHUDYZW]

Good job! Seasicknes is terrible. I also often have it, but swells on the sea are to prevent every Tom, Dick an Harry from sailing on the sea 😊 Bat I'm Tom! 😮

[@MikeSantis]

I rarely get sea sick. Years ago. Under other circumstances I would have carried on. But there was no reason to risk it since I was just a couple of hours away from the harbour I just left behind. Thanks for watching and commenting. I appreciate!

[@Slithey7433]

I think you are a prudent sailor. I wish you sunny days.

[@MikeSantis]

Thank you so much. Thanks for watching and commenting! Please stay tune for upcoming videos.

[@blpsailer]

I just found your videos. My father had a GD 28 for about 20 years, from about 1970 to 1990. It was not very fast, but it was very well built and seaworthy.

[@MikeSantis]

The GD28 is not a fast boat. But very sea worthy boat. Loving it! Thanks for watching and commenting 🙏

[@wahid-lg1kk]

​@@MikeSantis I almost bought one, cometely restored renewed and modernized, someone got it first.. Seems perfect for one person..

[@MikeSantis]

@@wahid-lg1kk was it a red one?

[@wahid-lg1kk]

@@MikeSantis dark blue new gel coat.. Superficially it's the same as a lot of small boats of the type, elizebethan 29, compass 29, etc, but there is something about the details, the sheer line, the interior fit and finishing, the deck layout, cockpit, that promises ease and pleasure..if I look at some of these other boats and picture being out in force 10, they don't make me feel so comfortable, for some reason. If I were below the 38th, in that boat, I wouldn't even look for my ditch bag..

[@Nifilheimur]

Always better to turn back and try another day than to risk it! Your boat reminds me of my old ALO 28.

[@MikeSantis]

Yes it might look a bit like ALO 28 from the front but the stern is different plus the Great Dane 28 is a long keel boat. Thank you so much for watching and commenting. I appreciate!

[@MogleCorp]

Thank you. A great video.

[@MikeSantis]

Thanks! And thank you so much for watching and commenting. Stay tune for the upcoming videos!

[@multa765]

I once set out from Harwich for Ostende, got a couple of hours out, saw the thunderstoms on the horizon ahead, looked at the condition and attitude of my crew and announced we were going back in. No-one objected and I view it as one of the best decisions I ever took. Yours was much the same, sir.

[@MikeSantis]

Sometimes you feel it, eventhough you can do it you choose not to. And this is what I always think about sailing. When you sail, the most important thing is to have TIME! That gives you the opportunity to turn back. Thanks for watching, I appreciate.

[@Berthelpaabaaden]

Good decision! And thank you for reminding us to sometimes think twice.

[@MikeSantis]

Please leave a comment and if you like this video I will appreciate if you subscribe. In this way you can support this video and my channel. Many thanks

[@megaluckydog1212]

Every good sailor has or will have their moments to make good decisions.

[@MikeSantis]

I agree. Thanks

[@megaluckydog1212]

@@MikeSantisLake Superior.

[@markthomasson5077]

Nice, very relaxing. Good photography also.

[@MikeSantis]

Thank you!

[@randyneilson7465]

Here's an idea. Wait until summer.

[@jamesbaldwin7676]

Captain Bligh and the Bounty battled Cape Horn for a month before giving up and turning around. His crew were not happy sailors. It's useless to battle wind and waves in a sailboat and a good voyage is the one you live to tell about. Mother Nature always makes the final decision anyway.

[@MikeSantis]

I had time and no need to push on. Thanks for commenting and watching.

[@sailinghaldis]

Thanks for the great video. I was in Gothenburg and Ellös a few weeks ago for a tour of the HR factory and will return in June to sail my new boat to the Mediterranean. I’m thinking of a quick sail to Smögen would be fun…the area is a bit intimidating on the charts though!

[@MikeSantis]

I was in Smögen last year in September. Beautiful. You can watch my Sailling the Swedish archipelago series Part two, Eight and Nine for that. kzbin.info/www/bejne/kKuXdqRmqtmJgK8

[@sailinghaldis]

I will check it out and will subscribe to your channel. I have a small channel as well. And will document my trips.

[@MikeSantis]

@@sailinghaldis thank you. I have just subscribed on yours.

[@Sailorboynumberone]

Hello, ive turned back like 3 times.. yesterday i went out and there were 3m waves.. 10s apart from the front so I got scared and wait until tomorrow 😇 never been to läsö only anholt 🎉 good vid🥳

[@MikeSantis]

3 meters waves that is something to have respect. Good you take wise decisions! Thanks for watching and commenting.

[@svcyclops]

That anchor might need to be secured

[@MikeSantis]

Yes, you have absolutely right and I have plans for it.

[@earthstick]

I'm new to sailing and got seasick on a short sail last year. I immediately felt very tired after, so tired I was nodding off as I steered the tiller back to the marina. Is seasickness associated with extreme fatigue?

[@MikeSantis]

I believe so. I got seasick a couple of times before but that was many years ago and it was not that bad. Not that it was really bad now though. But this time it got me tired right away. Like you say it, fatigue. But when I turned around and the motions changed, I began to feel better already. But I decided to make it back to the harbour anyway due to the headwinds coming exactly from where I wanted to go.

[@earthstick]

@@MikeSantis Live to fight another day

[@MikeSantis]

@@earthstick and I did so the next day. Stay tune for the next episode!

[@sleethmitchell]

take it from one who has had the pleasure of riding a coast guard helicopter to land, that is good advice.

[@MikeSantis]

Thank you!

[@jimiandersen6962]

Good call. Kattegat can get nasty real quick.

[@MikeSantis]

thanks, yes it is true! Especially around the sand low banks around Læsø.

[@davestuart495]

Turned back a few times one time at mauds landing when the sun came up i said fuck this headed back inside the reef sat back and injoyed me coffee

[@MikeSantis]

Yes better be safe than sorry if one feels it is the right decision. Thanks for watching and commenting!

[@dieterdewaele]

the new microphone makes a big difference, so much better!

[@MikeSantis]

Yes indeed! Thanks for watching and commenting.

[@hotttt28]

Follow your dreams

[@kubizdalis101]

3:36 red sky in the morning sailor's warning.

[@MikeSantis]

At no point did I feel unsafe. The sea state was nothing I have never tried before. It was the outcome of the day that made me take the decision to turn back.

[@Antipodean33]

Nothing wrong with turning back, because continuing against your better judgement and the worst does eventuate ending up with a disaster on your hands would be hard to live with (if you survived that is) As my father (the best man I've ever known) would say to me " it's better to be late in this life, than early in the next life"

[@MikeSantis]

Exactly my though. And I was not in doubt I was doing the right thing. Thanks for watching and commenting. Stay tuned for the upcoming videos

[@Antipodean33]

​@@MikeSantis I've subbed so will be watching, sailing and sailors are my number 1 interest on this platform

[@MikeSantis]

@@Antipodean33 thank you so much, I appreciate!

[@petethecatable]

This what intelligent sailors do.

[@guyfox68]

just found this channel. Great channel. Have to binge watch some videos now. What make is your boat?

[@MikeSantis]

Welcome and thank you. I appreciate. It is a Great Dane 28 Danish build

[@mikeh9882]

Nice one Mike, your views have really taken off with this vid - was it the title that did it?

[@MikeSantis]

thank you. I guess various things. Title, thumbnail and I want to hope content as well.

[@yguven67]

Subscribed!

[@MikeSantis]

Thank you so much 🙏I appreciate!

[@johnnyb2442]

Are you sailing a Bianca 27 🇩🇰 ?

[@MikeSantis]

It is a Great Dane 28

[@johnnyb2442]

@@MikeSantis okay lovely boat, it looks quite similar to a Bianca 27, which I'm sailing here in Denmark. All the best to you and feature endeavours.

[@MikeSantis]

@@johnnyb2442 Thank you. Bianca and GD are very much alike. Where are you in Denmark?

[@RoffeBystrom]

Dramatic video and a vice decision!

[@MikeSantis]

Thank you my friend, thanks for watching and commenting!

[@thomascocks2499]

Vise Call

[@MikeSantis]

Yes

[@perfstaas7188]

You did not have the skills to do it then?

[@MikeSantis]

I had the skills to take that decision though. The sea state was nothing worse from what I have tried many times before. Please watch this video kzbin.info/www/bejne/kKuXdqRmqtmJgK8

[@saturday7]

Many "skillful" sailors have lost their lives at the end of a passage due to fatigue. Making elementary Nav erros, putting their vessels on the rocks etc. Knowing when to turn back, and having the clarity of mind to do so is the mark of a competent skipper.

[@MikeSantis]

@@saturday7 Exactly! I always have this in mind while sailing. Thanks for your great comment!

[@perfstaas7188]

@@MikeSantis I did not understand that. Whas it the sea that stoped you ore was it you skills? Its a yes ore a no. The onle weather you cant be in is the weather you cant handle, so what is it? Was it the weather ore the skill?

[@MikeSantis]

@@perfstaas7188 there is a video coming up where I explain the situation

[@pparker768]

Harden up man. What do you expect. It's Winter. Try knitting.

[@MikeSantis]

Sure. But making an entry in a rocky coast with fishing pots all over at night and dead tired, I didn't think it was a good idea.

[@jimmyhvy2277]

But , But , Global Warming !