A Dream of Solo Sailing to Hawaii in a Small Boat Lost after self-steering failure
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- čas přidán 5. 07. 2021
- Episode # 196 : A Change of Course
Hello Friends,
Here is the story of my ill fated attempt at solo sailing our 30ft sailboat Triteia to the Hawaiian Islands.
We had pushed hard to finally live land life behind and were 2 months behind our planned departure date due to parts shortages and unexpected complications with getting our new mast installed. Our original cruising plans were for James to sail solo to Hawaii then continue on to Alaska where Camille and Mister Steady would come on board. All of the delays and the advancing summer season gave us a very tight time window on making this dream come true. This resulted in not enough time to throughly sea trail the windvane....
After days of beating into 20-30 knot winds, my self steering Windvane began to work its self loose from the boat. The threads in the housing of the windvane itself failed which presented the possibility of losing the vane into the sea or WORSE possibly damage the transom of the boat due to the massive loads placed on this gear at sea. Impossible to fix underway I made the hard call and came about and abandoned my attempt for Hawaii.
Could I have lashed the windvane and continued on? Possibly yes but my concern was once I made it to Hawaii would I get stuck in Hawaii if the vane was not able to be repaired? I also had to consider there is no quick exit from Hawaii. It is 3 weeks or a month sail from Hawaii to anywhere on the West Coast of the North America.
I had not 1 but 2 electronic "Tiller Pilots" as a back up and for coastal cruising in light winds but these units are, strangely enough, Not waterproof and tend to burn out very easily. So I wasn't without redundancies but anyone who goes ocean sailing knows that a windvane is the most critical gear on the boat especially so for a solo sailor.
So as with all things sailing, one must be flexible and willing to change course when necessary.
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Love,
James & Camille
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Also here in SF we have an organization for singlehanded sailors that runs a race to Hawaii. In order to qualify to race you need to finish something called the LongPac which is just sailing 200 miles off shore and back. It’s kind of a shake down type of thing. It pretty similar to what you just did. So now you have sailed 500 mikes off shore so you know you can definitely make it to Hawaii. Every boat comes back with problems to fix from the LongPac and you fix them and then head back out. That’s offshore sailing, full of adventure and boat repairs! Btw your boat looked great in the video. Much improved from when you got her. But I’m sure you can get 100 miles a day out of her. Don’t be afraid to tweak the sails a bit more. Maybe a smaller headsail that’s you can unroll all the way might be helpful. Love your videos. Thanks for sharing your adventure.
@enochian seven you are right. They are trying to kill us all
@enochian seven lol.
@@intheworkseg6 what was enochian saying?
Bro, you are my Hero! I'm 45 years old and my dream is to sail to different places on the coast, But I'm to afraid to do it. I have no experience what so ever. I just watch your videos for now, Saludos.
Dude, you just have to jump into it. Fear is the mindkiller. It's an illusion.
that is what makes a good captain, making the hard decisions. Smart choice, better it failed now then halfway there.
Good man ! Wisdom is doing the smart thing ! Tomorrow is yet another day. 👍
If nothing goes wrong it's not an adventure, it's just a trip. That's what I always tell myself, problems make things memorable.
Great vid!! Aside from the gear failure, Triteia is looking amazing and you found your stride quickly after a rough condition start. Day 5 started so great, and I'm sure that would have been the vibe all the way to Hawaii. All the right calls were made.
Great shot of you in the cabin. With the sounds of the ocean and the rocking of Tritea you really bring in the viewer right there in the cabin.
Tough decision to make. Reliable self steering is crucial when sailing solo. Have had to cut voyages short on two occasions due to failures. I learned a lot each time , still learning, still trying.
It takes courage to face that ocean.. Man do i feel old.. We never had auto helm or electronic nav..
Soooo bummed for you. Glad you’re safe. Tritea looked like a million bucks cruising out of the harbor.
James
I just saw this video.
You made the right decision.
Get the repairs done…
You will get there next time!👍👍👍
Love that Alberg 30
Totally loved the shots of just the waves behind you and the shots of the waves out the window. It helps me feel I'm there, but with a pucker factor of 10 out of 10.
James: Can't begin to know how totally disappointed you must be having to make that decision. Of all the sailing channels I follow was most excited to see you set off on your first long ocean passage. However you showed what a truly seasoned sailor your are by ultimately reversing course. Confident you will make the required repairs, set course for Hawaii and a have a successful passage. I look forward to following you when you set sail for Hawaii.
Good call to turn around, live to fight another day. Sailing is always going to throw up problems, it's how you deal with them that counts. Sat here on a sunny day enjoying you're video in the UK.
Stay safe my friend and chase down those dreams👍
James, I don't know the reason your wife did what she did, but I had the something happen to me, when I was over the road in my Semi. I feel for you brother! You are a cool cat, you will meet an awesome person, with the personality and knowledge you have! Stay strong my Brother!
Spare parts are always required on such long hauls. Good choice to return and try again another day. Figuring where the water is coming in is way more important. Good luck on the prep for the next try.
A good honest video and a highly worthwhile shake-down sail, with the whales being your wee bonus. I'm sure you know the next steps without a load of advice. A set-back; a learning curve, but not a failure.
Just what I was thinking
James and Camille and Steady! I got a day off from AM running coming up! I usually get up early before the kids and enjoy solo coffee and quiet! So I plan on sitting down and watching all 36 minuets!
James I see that trip as the real "shakedown cruise".
Liked for the wise decision to turn around, wanted to like again for the sweet whale footage. Best of luck with repairs.
You're amazing brave guy! What a life you live.thanks for sharing. Very cool interesting and educating.stay safe. Have a great time in Hawaii!
One of the boldest men on the face of the earth!!!! Sir, from Arkansas, I love you man....
There is nothing like sea trials just consider this a sea trial
Good job keeping you cool bud
Exactly
Really glad you included this video, sailing is not like the picture in the screen saver : )
I imagine it stings a bit, but still, a really beautiful video, look forward to more : )
Aloha from Honolulu!! Sorry about the mishap but glad you were on it and able to make the decision to turn around. So many things to go wrong but I agree it was a good decision. Take care.
I always sleep in the cockpit as much as possible much less seasickness for me thanks for sharing 👍🇺🇸
A wise choice. I'm sorry you had to turn back. Another time perhaps. Glad you are safely home!
Good decision making and good experience gained. Onwards and upwards . . .
We live to sail another day!!! Great vid and it was good to see you in Cat Harbor.
Aww James. I was so excited for you. What a bummer man. You made the correct choice in calling it and returning to port. That vane would have haunted you the entire time.
"If at first you don't succeed try, try and try again." - Robert the Bruce, King of Scotland (1314)
Very smart decision Sir.James.
Nice job with showing us your trip.
Great show, Thank you
You inspire awe man, keep it goin.... I will watch till you get to Hawai
I was watching your progress on your tracker and the logs you posted. To bad man that happened. You will sort it and do it again.
Enjoyed seeing the video and what life is like aboard.
Don’t give up the dream. Make the fixes and head out again. YOU’RE ALL DRESSED AND DO HAVE A PLACE TO GO!
Great video. Good lessons learned I sure.
well, that's a bummer dude, Hope ya get back out there soon. 😎
Bummer ! I was watching you on the tracker and knew how disappointed you would be, I don't know how many accounts I've read and heard about where people's steering failed, they get super fatigued steering by hand , then makes bad decisions and incidents happen.
You made the right decision....
Hard but correct decision. The trip will be there when you get everything right. Look at it as a post shakedown shakedown sail.
Hey!!!
First Time on your youtube Channel.
Very good vibrations !!
I'll follow you during your free Sparrow ocean way of life !
Thanks.
Taken care.
Stéphane.
Escaping California is so freaking rough. That brings me back to my Hawaii passage. The pounding you take always seems to forces water in someway or another😣. Such a bummer about the windvane. That whale sighting was pretty rad though. Will you try again this season?
No the timeline doesn’t make sense now because Hawaii was just a waypoint for Alaska and the season is too far advanced for Alaska , we are heading up to SF Bay for the summer then down to the sea of Cortez in November
No the timeline doesn’t make sense now because Hawaii was just a waypoint for Alaska and the season is too far advanced for Alaska , we are heading up to SF Bay for the summer then down to the sea of Cortez in November
@@SailorJames right on. I always figured la to sf would be kind of a suffer fest weather wise but should make for some fun videos! You’ll definitely have it dialed by the time you head south. And then the horn?
Great job mate be safe out there.
Let's Go !! And It Was Epic !!!!!
Well Captain, I felt your dismay and disappointment! So much work & effort put toward your adventure and a mechanical issue shut it down. Knowing you, you’ll be back out there in n9 time.
She look like a tough little ship out there on her own but it's good that you turned around no sense of losing the wind vane regroup and give her another try good job buddy.
great vid! Raw and truthful. If possible check hull to deck seal and leaks around anchor chain hawse pipe. Keeping it real!!!
better safe than sorry...good call! and you gained a new subscriber
I love your channel buddy. I watch your youtube vid where you went to Hawaii from California most nights to go too sleep. Respect buddy. I appreaciate your content
Gotta admit, felt a tug at my heart watching Steady saying goodbye to his master.
Count your blessings. Only five days out you discovered a faulty bilge pump, leak, broken vane. A perfect sea trial for both the vessel and yourself. I get the disappointment, of course, but it’s given you some insight on your future trip and has only set you back as long as you want it to. Love the channel and the love you have for your women. Hope to anchor by you some day in Catalina. I’ll be aboard a red Fuji 35 ketch.
Wow I wish I could go on one of your voyages with you I"m no sailor but I'd go anywhere with you, YOU are a true Sailor..
Good call.
So sorry for you. But there always another day. You will make it on your next try. But you might consider taking Camile and Mr. Steady. Just to cheer you up. Best wishes. Be safe.
A good case for working out a reliable sheet to tiller steering system. There are a number of utubes on the topic…. a bit of line, a turning block or two, a bungie…… An excellent shakedown…. when you set out again, hopefully you will have some things resolved.
That's what I use on my small sailboat. Works great and seems to be very reliable when you get steady winds.
Agreed. There isn't anything that can't break. Having sheet to tiller gear and a bit of knowledge is the backup replacement for the windvane. If you play with it enough to build confidence that you can make it work next windvane problem you will just sigh, break out the sheet to tiller gear and carry on.
That's some rotten luck on the wind vane issues, but don't let it get you down. I'm sure you'll have it all sorted out and ready for a new adventure soon!
This takes a very brave person even with all modern technology no way I'd do it I admire Jim to no end I was in the navy thought I was brave but this is scary and I cried when this man saw Hawaii I'm like thank you Jesus 😎🥸💘
Man when seasick, I can't stand being down below, I need to look at the sea.
The whales were super cool! I have seen Grey's near Tofino BC years ago but they were juvenile and not aa big as these ones. Great video amigo, looking forward to checking out more of your offerings.
It was nice talking to you after you anchored at Cat. Sad that you didn’t make it, but you made the right decision.
Don’t beat yourself up brother you made the right choice to turn back Godspeed
It wouldn't be sailing if everything went right. Live to fight another day.
i like your vids..well done. been lookin at boats.
Bravo dokrore.
James, I know you may feel a little defeated now but fix your wind vane and Go For It! You will regret not heading back out there in the future. Good luck!
Good decision. Get in, get it done, get out 👍
Bad break. Sorry you had to abort after all of your hard work, but definitely a good decision. Looking forward to see what comes next.
Nice Mantus. Brutal trip, but got to see whales, jellyfish, and have a nice bit of sailing eventually.
Evertime I watched your video make me wanna live on the sea ⛵
damn, staying calm! id probably have lost my shit and threw the whole thing overboard
Awesome your amazing ❤
On Point Dude -
Sorry that one did not work out for you James. Certainly not wasted time though. I hope the repairs go smoothly and the three of you go find some great cruising adventures and fun. I came up short on my goal of making Santa Cruz last month. Called it after pulling into Morrow Bay for a night and the forecast was for ~20kt headwinds for 5 days pretty much right up against Pt Sur. But, I got some time at San Miguel, Santa Rosa, Santa Barbara and Cat Harbor before heading back to San Diego. Every setback if used properly leads to eventual success. Off to Mex and beyond in November (if COVID doesn't blow up again).
just ran into your vids. Great content.
Nice video.👍👍
Get bolts with a hole thru the head and use mechanics wire to keep them from backing off or falling out. That is what I use on pto shaft yokes. I think they use them on aircraft also.
Hey man. Found your channel on accident. Really enjoying your content. Had to sub.
Nice voyage
You made the right choice
That would've been a tough call to make. Sorry it didn't work out this time.
I had a similar size boat and decided to move up a bit to a robust Skookum. To be sure, Alberg 30s have sailed the world but as you move up in displacement it seems that bigger is better. You have a leaking hatch and a few other things...not ready yet. Add to that, going solo, it's pretty tough...."taking on water somewhere"..."Bilge pump stopped working" ..turning around for sorting stuff out is the path to your reset, so don't be too bummed.
Your a better sailor for having made that decision.
Here I am watching James sailing and browsing secondhand 30' sailing boats. Lol.
That was the glassiest water I have ever seen on the ocean. Crazy.
Great video and wise choice to turn around. I really like your dodger. Is it built by you? And if yes which episode.
My dream is the south pacific im still years away but I hope to get there with you soon brother fair winds
Drill, retap, slightly over size, metric/standard, drill hole through bolt head and wire lock(safety wire) the bolt, good luck👍
You are living my dream lol
Very sorry for the outcome, but you took the right decision. On the positive side, you now have performed a proper sea trial of your vessel. Now you can fix all weaknesses. I'm not blue water expert, but I would have ease off a bit by few degrees to a close reach and maybe beam reach in worst conditions. This would get you off course a bit, but you know wind would turn more favorable later in the passage. Making it easy for the boat and the crew is key in these kind of passage. just a thought....
Actually taking those seas on the beam would have been much harder on the boat and crew so being close hauled and taking the waves at an angle was for sure the best option. I was trying to stay on the outskirts of the worst of the wind in the 17-20knot zone - further north it was a steady 30 knots for days , I didn’t feel it was bad enough to run off and I know once it passed there would be days of calms and I didn’t want to make any more southing than necessary especially if I were to find myself with no wind for a week or so. You are Totally right about the proper sea trail though !
Dog was sad to see you go.
I know that this video is old,.. but, a TIP, every essential bolt on your vessel that cannot loose, change them like they use in airplanes,... lockwire them all, simple, cheap and really useful!
I work in a factory that built sailboats for about 20 years, it's called Delta Yachts from Brasil, we build 36' and 41' feet sailboats and now we are building a Delta 46' !! Really nice to see your adventures in your boat man. You are very brave !! Maybe someday i'll be the owner of my own boat and experience the same. Be aways with in the hands of lord bro and take care !!!
Can I ask possibly a stupid question..... how many different paddles does that windvane have? Is there any reason to think that the windvane needed less stress on it with a smaller paddle? Then the other thought instead of threads, turn the mounting bracket into a welded post and pin type system with a heavy duty retaining pin? PS - let us know what continue-fit is going to be! Water tight companion way?
If you hadn’t decided it was a trip to Hawaii, it would have been a very challenging test for yourself and the boat. I’m sure you learned a lot: to me that means it was a success. You have a lot of options. I think this was a blessing in disguise. Maybe beat up the coast to the northwest in small hops. I don’t know you, but I’ve been watching since the first couple videos, and I get how much work you’ve put in - I think you can be proud of this. Once things have settled, I think a postmortem video on what you learned, and what you’re going to change would be really interesting.
Yeah I wouldn’t have changed in thing in the whole scenario, glad I went out in high winds and it worked the boat hard to discover the weakness sooner rather than later
@@SailorJames Exactly. This only makes you and the boat stronger.
Have you tried mainsheet to tiller steering & jibsheet to tiller steering?
Next time u take a trip can u show stuff like your meals and how u entertain yourself and different stuff like that. You should keep a compound bow and a fishing line contraption attached to arrows to catch and cook some fish and stuff
Hard but good decisions.
Cannot beat experience and that's what your getting.
Wow that was a long test sail ~ SUcks the guy didnt tell you about the vane.
A tough break, but the boat can be fixed, you can restart.
Hello. I’m wondering if the weather you set out in (25knts, big waves) was the best you could hope for? Otherwise I’m wondering why not wait?
Might as well shake your boat out in the beginning and see if it holds? It didn't. Better to discover the weak links early as it occurred. Worked out for the best probably. Just my 2 cents.