What I Learned On My First Solo Ocean Crossing; Ship Handling to Sleep, Gear Failure to Landfall!
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- čas přidán 8. 07. 2024
- Episode #235 : An in-depth look at what I learned.
Hello Friends,
This is a deep dive into many of the things I learned during my first solo ocean crossing. It is a long video so I have broken it up into chapters / sections below so you can revisit specific subjects later on.
1 - Introduction
2 - Gear Redundancies - • What I Learned On My F...
3 - Gear Failure - • What I Learned On My F...
4 - Sleep - • What I Learned On My F...
5 - Ship Handling - • What I Learned On My F...
6 - When to Sail - • What I Learned On My F...
7 - Safety At Sea - • What I Learned On My F...
8 - Provisions and Cooking - • What I Learned On My F...
9 - Entertainment - • What I Learned On My F...
10 - Making Landfall - • What I Learned On My F...
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Fair Winds,
James
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I’m not a sailor or even a boater, but I am fascinated by your channel and am loving your videos.
Thanks. 👍🌞
Yet... your not a sailor or a boater, yet.
Hey Brother...Mark here
I want to thank you for helping me through a rough time tonight. I love the long videos ..I was able to sail with you and forget the shaky ground I was on . Thank you. I mean it.
As a new sailor who wants to make crossings, I must say that video is worth it's weight in gold. Thank you so much
glad it helped 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻
Look at your confidence now compared to when you left. Two thumbs up man, great to see!
I can relate to carelessness. I took all my reefing line at once, lowering my main from none to 3 reefs, and then pulled on the reefing lines, one huge pull at once. Suddenly I was across the cockpit, on my arse, luckily without hurting my back or breaking bones. So easy to do!
Everything must be done without hurry, and deliberately. Slow and easy...
I remember the first solo passage. I found it so ridiculous that no one would help you knowing you had no steering. I will never forget that.
The Cruisers' Handbook of Fishing is THE fishing for cruisers AND for those of us who don't cruise but fish in the tropics. I'm in the UK but have used techniques from it in Florida and Australia. Great video round up of your epic cruise. Well done and thank you.
Wonderful info James. Thank you for putting this together.
Love watching/ hearing from a sailor who sails 'close to the wind'. Moreover, I always get the feeling you're a past sailing soul sailing in the presence. Love your work.
Really enjoy your videos. Personally the sea scares the shit out of me so anybody who can cross an ocean solo is amazing in my book.
Just wanna say that you are the real Top G for learning old school navigation. Technology is too unreliable to rely on it for something your life depends on.
James, I just want to say how much I’ve enjoyed your content. I’ve never been interested in sailing and I stumbled upon your ocean crossing video about 2 months ago. It woke something up inside me I never knew I was missing. I’ve been obsessed with anything sailing lately and I have you to thank for that. Maybe one day I’ll be able to do what you do.
Thank you for this comment! its wonderful to hear 🙏🏻
Brilliant. No nonsense. Keep adding to this please ! Thank you.
Me too! I am buying a sailboat in two years and selling everything I own and heading out to the seas to go wherever the wind blows my sails and I am never coming back
Go sign up for young cruisers association (age doesn’t matter) and you will be even more excited. It’s a community of 10’s of thousands of sailors who when your sails cross in marinas or even during crossings, you lend a helping hand if it’s ever needed, and offer a cold drink, coffee or fish etc. It’s a community who has created their own on the water world society. People who live their life on the sea
Appreciate your honesty, all good advice. One possible addition to the content might be sail handling/set up. An old single handler taught me to always,, whatever point of sailing the boat is on, have a preventer on the boom when offshore alone. I have a relatively small mainsail (70s IOR boat) and find I can reef that on a run if I centre the boom first to take the power out of it (simple slab reefing, standard battens). A small jib pulled in tight amidships and a prevented main also works well running downwind, the jib acts to keep the boat on course.
Great advice. One thing we learned the hard way was to make sure the anchor is SECURE. It slipped down in big seas and my husband had to go out the v-berth hatch to pull it back up. What a nightmare!
Very interesting…Some of these practices you can also apply to life on land too. Having back up plans, awareness and so on…Much enjoyed watching 😎👍
Without a doubt ALL facts about getting injured... I developed sailors (tennis) elbow on my strong arm with 18 days left (ended up being 22 days) and you need each limb! The burning pain on my elbow from just lifting my coffee cup was unbearable, let alone pulling up the Anchor, Halyard, or working the Jib and Genoa lines. To this day, it still acts up and once in a while turning a door knob reminds me of that journey.
Dave from Hawaii here, following along with your fun journey after meeting you here. I think this is my favorite video of yours - thanks for sharing your experience.
@Sailing Triteia this is the best episode! And I was in the Coast Guard, in a hurricane. You are brilliant sir!
Love your channel. Excellent tips, I took notes.
Tip:
In the military we hv checklists and binders for EVERYTHING. Before an aircraft is launched and after it lands...check check check. A binder with checklists for everything including redundancy checklists. Stowed in waterproof bag.
Fair Winds
Thank you Captain James for sharing your journey and passing along all the important information and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Not only are you extremely talented of a sailor, you’re also very good at creating content. Keep up the great work.
Thank you 🙏🏻
Same here ! I watched your video sailing to Hawaii - I prayed for you! Even right now - let there always be peace when you sail
I only came across your channel last night in the UK. I watched your video with you sailing and losing your rudder. Very impressive.
Captivating Captain!! Fair winds ☮️❤️
Another really good episode you’re giving tips and warnings to sailors. Thank you for this, I’ll keep this one in my head
Very good points. Something extremely useful to have in first Aid Kits aboard for Bad Cuts etc, is after using an antiseptic wipe, use Superglue on the Cut, then hit the Superglue with accelerator spray which sets it in a few seconds, then you can build up Superglue layers for extra protection each layer getting accelerator sprayed . luckily I had both plus antiseptic wipes in my truck in a Hurricane Onshore as a Roofing slate got blown off a roof and I glimpsed it headingbto my head at high speed from my left and threw my hand up to deflect it over my head. It hit the index finger on my left hand, and almost severed it. Phoned the local Hospital ER, and they said there were so many injuries, it would be at least 3 hours to get in. Luckily I had a young Apprentice with me, and after cleaning everything up, stuck some Superglue in the gash and got him to hold it all together while Accelerator zsprayed it, then he applied the Superglue I sprayed, and we built it up enough to make a a solid finger stool (I think that's what it's called). I was a bit worried about getting the Superglue off, but as it turned out it all held together fine and after about a day or so, started coming off on its own, leaving a shiny line holding things together. Years later, you can barely see where the Cut was. Bonus the young apprentice stopped being squeamish about blood (a great kid, he turned out to be a top notch roofer, and did exhibition work at shows. Yes, potentially difficult to do single handed, but with care and taking your time, even that should be doable, when necessity comes knocking on the door. The trouble with playing music, is you do lose connection. At one time I was a professional long distance driver, and I stopped even listening to the radio in the Cab. For Naximum Safety on the Road your observation and thinking distance has to be much further ahead than most people have their attention. It's pretty much the same when Afloat. I used to work on 12 minute naps in the Cockpit at night in comfortable warm gear, then wake up, look around, set the alarm 12 minutes again, and right back to sleep. During the day, after a meal, Mostly it was possible to get a couple of 2 hour sleeps during Daylight. When I was in the USA in 2016 buying a boat, I tested Walmart Powdered Milk, found it was as good as the best in the World, so stocked up with it Porridge in sealed plastic bags is good for breakfast, so I'd mix the Powdered Milk in, add Sugar (which gets an undeserved bad press, as our bodies can handle sugar no problem) then just add hot water (nb, confession, I prefer nice honey in Porridge). I can go a half a day on that, but later in the morning, I have some chocolate, as my Dietician friend said Chocolate is brilliant for us in the Morning, but don't have any after lunch - so far, so good. It's also easy to make different types of bread Afloat - look for Navajo Fry Bread Recipes and Hillbilly Jitchen on CZcams for easy starter recipes. Stews, Chillies, things like that are easy and fast in a pressure cooker, and fresh bread goes nice with them, plus there's Pasta. Fishing. For round bodied Fish, if they aren't too big, Cut the belly from head to tail, clean out and rinse, cutbthe head off for bait, then on the firm galley worktop lay it out belly down and opened out, then with your fist bang down where the head was to the tail on the back from tail to head, head to tail a few times, then you should be able to grab the head end of the spine, and pull the spine and all the attached bones out of the body. If it's a Scaled Fish, you want to descale it before you start over a tray or something in the Cockpit, and throw them overboard or you'll get Fish scales everywhere and you'll be finding them for weeks. All,ofbthe Fish you now have left is edible. Some people eat fish Raw, but Avoid, as they can have very nasty Parasites, which you definitely don't want. A big problem in Scandinavia, where a lot of people like eating Raw Fish. Thebmorevfishbyouncatch, the better at catching them you get, and the better you get at preparing them when you catch them. Best Wishes and Fair Winds. Bob. 👍🙂🏴
Great information James. Thank you so much for taking the time to provide this detail.
Absolutely top notch. Thank you James.
brother, excellent episode. Nice job explaining it all. Right on! \m/
Another winner James! Nice job.
One of the best sailing videos that I've seen in a long time.
Really cool follow up video. Answered a lot of the questions I had been wondering about.
Thank you for this crucial info. I learned a ton. Thanks Captain
So happy to hear about your use of paper charts and non-electric abilities to navigate, IE sextant. I spent quite a bit of time on the ocean in the Navy. One of the favorite parts of my job was the use of charts. I was also fascinated when I would see others using the sextant. I don't even think they teach that anymore in the navy and the charts are electronic. Thanks so much for your efforts to put out these videos.
Fantastic trip, love watching your journeys
Thank you! I love these videos that just get to the point. I am preparing for my next phase of life with sailing abroad and love your videos. I couldn't have done that trip you did after what happened to you personally but that solo trip probably set you free in a lot of ways.
Excellent Video James! Its amazing how many things you think of, your plans are incredible and watching your videos gives me so many ideas for my future passage
A nice video that of course fits well to watch after the long video where you sail to Hawaii. I think that apart from the safety perspective, as you also point out, it is important to listen to the sounds from the elements and the boat. This is definitely an important part of the whole experience and clearly underestimated. It's a bit like going for a walk in the woods with your earplugs on and listening to Spotify. The natural sounds are gone and with it a big and important part of the whole experience. Sailing is fantastic. I only have experience from the Norwegian skerries and think that crossing a large sea and especially alone must be a really great experience. Keep up the god work :)
Outstanding video! This is a great look into the real world of solo sailing. Continued success in all you do!
Great vid with lots of info. Can't wait for more
👍🏻
Brilliant, interesting, informative, lessons learned and listed for future reference. Many thanks
Legend! Great Intel 👊🏾
Another great video of yours, thank you for shearing your adventure with us. Stay safe man, stay safe :)
Good to know. Thank you for your candor.
Outstanding video, thanks for sharing. Great to have a sailing channel that deals with actual sailing and cruising.
Really honest and informative. Thanks James.
Loved it. Thanks for taking time
It's very good to see your adventure so please have more of them stay safe
James,
Love your videos, especially your willingness to share your mistakes and what you have learned from them so that others can learn. I know that I have certainly changed what I bring in my dinghy after your dinghy accident posting!
I want to add another reason for having a helmet in your gear list. Going up the mast in any kind of sea state.
Keep up the good work!
Learning is life’s journey… Nice to hear tidbits that helps or hinders… Thanks a bunch…
Right on James, this was an excellent episode and topic and I’m betting you could put together a couple more like this one from all your travels as well all the knowledge you’ve attained through the years can’t be replaced or bought by someone thinking it’ll be easy with it and is why I like your channel it’s informative backed by trial and error from your hard work, attitude and effort with being down to earth it doesn’t get any more real than this… thank you for sharing all that you do and looking forward to seeing your next episodes… take care friend and everyone else…
Dude! So much good info here!
Great video. Lots to learn here. Thank you for sharing 👍
I learned a lot from your video's about sailing! I've operated medium sized open motor boat but never a sailboat and I really want to try sailing once! Thank you for sharing!
Absolutely brilliant James really worth listening too I enjoyed that well worth it,take care out there.🎉
I’ve sailed close to 50k miles, crossed oceans and been shipwrecked, and I found nothing in this video I disagree with. Can’t say that about 9 out of 10 sailing CZcamsrs . Liked and subscribed.
Will be watching this several times. Hoping to set sail sometime this year! Not single handed, but short handed. Good advice.
Massively helpful nice one mate cheers👍
Awsome Information!
Thank you for sharing. I am a beginner in sailing. In my opinion one of the best channels I know. Keep going!
Enjoyed that chat. A lot of useful observations there and well worth listening to.
Well done. Some very helpful, pragmatic information based on real experience.
Thanks for sharing.
AL
Vancouver.
You are such a beneficent soul. Thank you for sharing your knowledge and wisdom gained from hard earned experience. Keep giving back brother.
Really enjoy watching the channel, when it comes to advice from a budget minded single handed sailor your channel is the one with the best advice from someone with years of experience at sea. Looking forward to more!
There are other channels out there with higher production values and very expensive boats but yours is the one for 'real sailors'.
Thanks James. Much appreciated!
I'm a land lubber and really enjoyed your vid! Thanks for sharing your experiences.
Thanks for sharing. Your videos are great and inspiring.
I wish I could like this video twice. Thanks James 👍
Great Information... even for those that have not yet made ocean passage. The information about the navigation was so uplifting... we get lost in the array of must have electronics and often forget the beauty of old way navigation. You and Christian Williams have very similar approach to the philosophy of sailing and I love Christian Williams! Great Job and Thank You!!
So good, thanks for sharing !
I certainly can relate to the one cable and charger for your navigation device. I have been in the same position when a blue one come over the top and landed salt water directly on the cable and charger where it was plugged in. fortunately I was in semi familiar waters but not the harbor I was entering. It was an interesting night. Cant wait to see you visit New Zealand, fair winds.
Nice video! I'm currently prepping now, so very timely!
Powerful and precise.
Good on ya bro
Thank You for this excellent content. I thought I was just going to listen to a bit here and there but was really taken in by the details and your story telling. Watched everything to the end and subscribed.
Hope to make a mainland to Hawaii passage someday so all this info was so very practical.
Thanks again & stay safe 👍
Awesome James thanks for the great information, Steve, NZ.
Best instructional video I have ever seen
This is very informative for sailing solo and educating the modern sailor. Thanks brother James
Such great information. Thank you James.
Happy to help 👍🏻
I really enjoyed your video of the journey and this wrap up was great…i agree completely about no blasting music..thanks for the video
Great stuff James more of these :)
So many interesting details. thanks.
Great video and many things you mention are such common sense its very easy to forget so a great idea to make this video. Cheers
Thx James. Really interesting.
Fantastic advice thank you james
James, I never comment on any video. But, this one was just so good, so informative. Kudos bro.
I actually viewed the whole thing twice.
Taking notes for the future.
Fair winds buddy.
LD
great video and great infos!
Thank you for all thèse informations.
Have a good Luck.
Fantastic insights, thank you for sharing your knowledge. Hoping to soon be doing a few short handed passages across the Indian Ocean, was busy making notes.
Funny how many things we have in common as solo sailors James. For example, I see many sailors playing music while sailing, even coastal sailing, or using headphones. I will never do that. Firstly I'm out there to be in contact with the nature. And I wanna hear it and feel it! Secondly, I want to be able to hear every little sound that my boat makes. The sails, the water, the wind, lines, halyards, sheets, the engine. I also say that the boat speaks to me and I want to be able to listen when it needs me. Thanks for sharing your thoughts.
Great video! thanks for sharing
Great tips thanks mate. Totally agree with you about music on the boat.
Great info and good work. Well done.
Cheers from NZ
Class stuff mate. 👍
Thank you for your great video.
Great content, keep posting.
Excellent video, spot on.
Awesome vid James
Many thanks. Great work.
Thanks so much. Really useful information. I have far less experience, only one solo passage from the South coast UK up to the North Atlantic and Norway and back. On a24ft Trident. I’ve now bought a Nicholson 31 and am planning to cross the Atlantic and on into the Pacific. I hope to have one other person on board from UK to the Azores and then on my own from there. Your travels and especially this video ( that I’ve just found) are little pieces of gold!!! Thanks. Guy.
Your solo passage on a Nicholson 31 across the Atlantic will be a cakewalk compared to sailing across the North Sea to Norway on a 24ft boat 💪🏻 You got this no problem 👍🏻
Great video james... really important tips..
Thanks for sharing!