My First Ever Destination Sail | Blaine, Washington, USA

Congratulations 🎉! Nicely done John. From one novice to another, you are getting it figured out and thinking about the right things while preparing before, during and after the journey. I would say all you need is more experience and that is exactly what you are getting! Look forward to seeing Blaine for myself, thanks for sharing.

"One sail at a time. Little wins all the time." Mega inspiring following your adventure, John. And hearing the stories and wisdom you're sharing with us along the way.

I love watching this, the beginning of our story.

The boat has a pretty versatile furler setup as you can hank on as you are and also add the furler head (if you can replace the bearings) and have a furler. We can chat about that and look at the other sails to clarify the options. Basically you have a dual setup.

Hey John, the opening shot with you sailing, I said to myself…boy is he Mr. Confident (of course in a good way) then you started saying how nervous you are…looks like mild conditions😊 I have been a captain (100 ton master) since the early 90’s, and this week I ran aground hard…just took 1 second of looking the wrong way (I was in the channel) I tried everything to free the boat, but I ended up having to call for a tow..the tow captain was so nice and in about half an hour I was free! I was about 300 yards to turning in my next Anchorage…the tow boat was so nice, without even asking, he towed me into where I was going to anchor and waited until my anchor was down, and had started my engine to be sure it was ok! A beautiful night, steak on the grill and all was right with the world. Anyway, just wanted to share even someone with tons of experience can have a challenging day! You are doing an awesome job!😊⛵

Super awesome, it totally changes things when you can actually go somewhere. Must be liberating!

Congratulations, you did it.....hats off to you!!

Wow!!! You are truly amazing!!! Everytime I watch a video I am praying you never fall or slip off or on the boat. 🛐 I actually get nervous watching the videos even though I know that you posted this so you made it back and you did your editing I still get nervous. That's just me!! You have a blast their you deserve it!!😊 Can't wait to hear all you did next week!!💪🤸 You did it!!

Hint no. 3: Definitely do jacklines and a tether for going forward! I'm 86 and still sailing. My first relatively open water trip was Port Townsend to Victoria, some 30 years ago! Another John!

First solo destination, that's great!

First time watching! Love it! I know nothing about the sea, or sailing. But this was calming and interesting. I sure will be back for more.

After 3 years I’m still nervous. You’re on the ocean, be nervous. It’s a good thing. I’d stick with a furler.

Hi John! Good to see you sail, also now with a DESTINATION! Regarding the headsail, I agree with you about keeping things simple. However, choosing system probably depends on the type of sailing that you are going to do. If one only does day sailing, and perhaps performance is important, then I would think the hanked-on type is a good choice. However, as in my case, I plan to sail far, and will hence need to handle the genoa frequently and safely. Single handed sailing is safer with a furling system in my opinion. You can handle it all safely from the cockpit, even in rough seas. By the way, I envy your beautiful weather, in Sweden we have rain and snow still! But spring is soon here I hope. Best wishes, Christofer

Hi John, nice video and the sense of accomplishment when you arrive at your destination. Did you feel that? You are developing some good habits there: The companionway closed while on passage, flaking the sails and making "Vie Sauvage" shipshape before venturing to town, for example. I love that you mustered the courage to raise the genoa! I have to say: You HAVE to wear a tether line when you sail alone, at all time. Especially if you venture out of the cockpit. Especially if you are going to the foredeck for some maneuver. It is a MUST! Furthermore with an autopilot that will steer a compass course, if the wind changes while you are on deck you can get in real trouble. I think the outhaul was lose on the mainsail and that is why it was so baggy. You might want to rig a preventer while going downwind. Nothing fancy, just an extra line (!). When I got "Laysan" there was no headsails and the furler was buggered-up, in the end I fixed the furler. When racing, some decades ago, we would carry up to seven headsails to have "just the right one" for all conditions, + spinnakers. There is no way I would dedicate such space and effort to that today, a simple furler and the job is done. I have a 120 genoa that can carry me from 5-7knt to 20-25knt, I also have a gennaker with its own dynema forestay that I raise with a spare halyard for very light wind. Finally three reaches in a big heavy roach mainsail. I am just missing a little storm headsail. The next big project is: http://caphorn.com/en/welcome/ Cheers, a.

Nice work. You can convert to tiller steering and then be able to use a line to wrap around the tiller and tying each end to a port and a starboard cleat, with a couple wraps around the tiller when centered. Then you can do your sail management and adjustments, then return to your helm duties.

I have said the pacific north west since I was 6 years old. I am 60 now and I am enjoying your quest. Say the course.

I'm a fellow newb too! Great channel! Look forward to watching the adventure. My boat is currently down in SF Bay. Perhaps you'll be passing through?

Glad to see you're monetized! 🙏

A great first cruise! Hints: Raise sail with halyard until luff wrinkles disappear, sheet in just enough to keep sail off of spreader and shrouds! How we learn, eh!

I didn’t watch on Patreon because I want that 4,000 hours almost as much as you do, and it’s a nice way to spend a Friday morning.