Hey Britalians! We hope this finds you well and that this video was is a nice break from everything... Here are some Questions & Answers: *Where are you now and is everyone ok?* ---------- We are in Italy in a fairly isolated house in the mountains. We have been here in self-isolation then lockdown for a couple of months. We are blessed that none of our immediate family members have contracted 'it'. Britaly is in Belgium and we obviously don't know when we will be able to go back yet. *When was this video filmed?* ---------- October 2019 *Where were Rossella & Emma and why weren't they on board with you?* ---------- We decided that the most efficient thing for us to do was for me to 'finish' the refit on my own and sail over to mainland Europe ASAP, so that we would be set up for our journey to the Med... I would never have done this crossing with Rossella & Emma on board in the unsettled October weather. *Why didn't you take crew with you?* ---------- This was something I felt that I had to do alone. There were several different reasons for this: 1) To push my boundaries and learn a lot - quickly. 2) The weather was always going to be dodgy in October, and I didn't want to put anyone else in a situation where they may not have been comfortable. 3) I could do whatever I wanted and whatever I felt comfortable doing, without having to consider other people (i.e. I'm going to anchor off Deal Pier, go to bed at 00:30 and wake up at 03:30 to set off across the channel for the first time ever on a sailing boat, on a day when a Force 9 is forecast as being inbound... I would never have done this if I had crew on board, whatever their experience level, as this would have been far too Captain Blye-esque. What this would have meant was my one week solo trip would have taken about 3 weeks with crew, waiting in ports for decent weather windows. I was in a rush to get home to hug my wife & daughter so single-handing was far more convenient. 4) I only had myself, the boat and the world around us to worry about. As soon as there is another human in the mix, there is a whole extra layer of things to think about. *Why didn't you get someone with lots of experience to skipper the boat for you?* ---------- Because I'm the skipper, and the best way to learn to do anything in life is to just get stuck in and start doing it. I am not completely inexperienced: I have worked offshore on ships & platforms since 2006, I was a boat importer & dealer for 3 years (I learnt a LOT during this time but had very little time for sailing), we've owned about a dozen used boats over the years (having never paid for a survey on any of them and having never sold one for less than we paid for it), we sailed our last boat in the Med for 4 years, I have completed the RYA Yachtmaster theory exam, but this trip was my first proper experience of tidal sailing. *If you could go back and do this again, would you go solo?* ---------- Absoflippinglutely yes! I loved every minute of this little adventure and I probably learned more in a week on my own than I would have in a year of sailing with crew. *What did you mean when you said if it wasn't for you making videos you would have been at home for Emma's birthday? How does making videos slow you down?* ---------- This was a raw nerve for me when I filmed this video. The nearly dropping this camera in the sea was the straw which broke the camel's back... I had only bought this camera a few weeks before to replace the previous one which stopped working as a result of using it to film DIY jobs on the boat. The reason it nearly fell in the sea is because the bendy Gorrilapod tripod which was holding the camera is so worn through overuse that it no longer works as it should - this is the latest of multiple tripods we have bought. I can't put into words how bad I felt (and will always feel) for missing Emma's 2nd birthday. I intended to be back in time for it, but I was delayed in the final stages of the refit and by then, with the weather as it was at this late stage in the year, I missed Emma's birthday by a few days. (We had a 'second 2nd birthday' for Emma, but obviously that's not the same as being there on the day). If I hadn't been making videos while I was working on the boat, Britaly would have been over the channel a LONG time ago. Every job I film takes about 4 times longer than it would if I wasn't filming (not including editing time, which is a gargantuan task in itself), and I have filmed the majorty of the jobs I have done during our refit. I love helping people and I know from the thousands of comments we have got on our DIY videos that they do help people, so I am very happy to make them, but this comes at a cost to our family. Filming videos has massively slowed down the progress of our refit. Even more than filming though it is the editing time which is the real killer. This video, for example, has taken over 40 hours of my time to make. I know that seems impossible but that really is how long it takes for us to produce a video like this. That is 40 hours of time that I cannot: A) Work on the other things I do in life which are far more financially productive; and B) Spend doing other things with my time such as spending quality time Rossella and Emma. I have made single car repair videos on my other KZfaq Channel - which reach a far wider viewership than the oversaturated niche of sailing - which have paid out more in ad revenue than it cost me to buy the car I was repairing... This is despite the fact that those kind of videos take about 90% less time for me to make than our sailing videos take. So why on earth do I continue to spend so much time making sailing videos then? 1) Because we have a wonderful 🌟Patreon Crew🌟 of 86 fantastic people who help us cover our costs in making these videos (Without our Patrons there is no way we could justify the time we spend making these videos and we will be eternally grateful to them for allowing us to continue pursue our passion of making sailing videos). 2) Because I am passionate about this channel and we love the community which it has created. 3) Because we have tons of very valuable knowledge to share with people which can help them get our there cruising (DIY, boat buying [we used to be boat dealers], Financial Freedom... Practical knowledge which our unique path through life has brought to us). We haven't even scratched the surface yet... We know we can help people do what we have done and get out there cruising every year in a sustainable way. *Will you still be making your videos in the current climate?* ---------- We really, really hope that we can continue making our videos... Footage isn't a problem as we have lots of videos which we have already recorded but haven't had the time to edit yet, plus we have a whole series of Financial Freedom videos to film where we will explain exactly how we have arranged our lives to allow us to afford Britaly and give us the freedom to go cruising several consecutive months each year - without having to give up our lives on land. If you want to go cruising, this is crucial information, as this is almost universally the biggest hurdle to people who would like to go off sailing the world. We have (understandably) lost some Patrons recently, but we have had existing Patrons jump up a tier, and have welcomed some new Patrons aboard recently too, so for now we can keep dedicating our time to keeping these videos coming. We sincerely hope that this will continue, in which case you can expect our videos to keep coming. If you enjoy our videos or find them informative and you'd like us to keep making them, we have set things up in such a way that anyone can sign up to join our 🌟Patreon Crew🌟 for just $1 per month. We don't need a lot of funds to keep this channel going, we just need enough so that we're not left too much out of pocket for the time we spend making them. If you want to get exclusive rewards from us [some of which can save you a lot of money!] and at the same time help ensure we keep our videos coming, you can sign up here: www.patreon.com/SailingBritaly If not, don't worry, we really appreciate each and every one of our viewers. If the videos stop at some point, you'll know we just had to concentrate on the other things we do in life which may not be our number one passion, but which pay much better than making sailing videos. If the status quo remains, the videos will keep coming, so fingers crossed!... *I've got a problem I think you can help me solve, how do I get in touch with you you?* ---------- We would love to help you and we are now offering one-to-one paid videocalls here: sailingbritaly.com/videocalls You only pay for the minutes we spend together on the videocall, and we can achieve a lot in a very short call, so this can work out to be very cost-effective compared to other options. (Our $5 + per month Patrons get a huge 50% off these videocalls). FREE STUFF! 👇👇👇 Get a FREE PDF ebook with details of over 3500 knots & Splices here: bit.ly/knotsPDF Be first in line to receive a FREE Financial Freedom PDF which explains how we can afford to go cruising, and how YOU can too! (We are writing this right now): bit.ly/FinancialFreedomPDF Watch this solo sailing mini-series from the beginning here: kzfaq.info/sun/PL_iyMbUuKBT7BtcQSIyZwLpddrIapkaAo Watch our sailing adventures from the beginning here: kzfaq.info/get/bejne/qddln6aQv9-seIU.html Watch our technical videos here: kzfaq.info/get/bejne/pcVyqZqQ2aeziWg.html Ok then, that's it for this video. We read each and every comment so please keep them coming. We may not be able to reply to all of them, but we try our best to. Wherever you are in the world, stay safe, look after your family and we're thinking of you all. Fair winds! Chris, Rossella & Emma 😊

Chris, one of the best sailing channels on KZfaq. Thank you

I always enjoy when ships day shapes, charts, currents, and cardinal marks are highlighted. Very cool.

Totally agree about becoming a Patreon for Sailing Britaly. I watch a few KZfaq channels on various subjects and they give the odd discount on merch and some extra vids, but Chris and Rosella really add value with the extra content which could save £100s per year or more!! Also its so refreshing to see someone willing to share their learning process in a humble, honset way.

I like that you think it through and let us all know the thought processes and the doubts. Its honest sailing. Just before the lockdown I had the luck to be asked to help take a friends yacht from Plymouth to the Hamble. Hadnt sea sailed for 25 years. Things have changed in that time. Used your videos to get up to date. Thank you.

Great video Chris. Your enthusiasm and professionalism is wonderful. We all need to get back to our boats now.

You are doing an excellent job. Planning your route, checking weather and tides well done. So nice to hear Emma talking a great motivate for you. Safe travel Chris.

Amazing good job, doing well I proud of you Captain

Chris you are so much more relaxed from episode 1 your looking around and smelling the roses so much more confident and you also singlehanded crossed the busiest shipping channel in the world !! tip of the cap there big guy , hope the family is good !!XXX

Hi Chris, great to see you continuing to make progress (& glad your home with your family)! Vicarious sailing is very helpful at the moment. Hope you are all well and you and we can get out on the sea again soon... Gary

Ciao Chris, good job man, good video, good sailing tips. How much it cost to run videos and everything on youtube i cannot imagine, maybe one day i will live the same experience and then i will know for sure. Still, if one day you succead in making big audience here, i wish you all the best, please, let me give you this tip, don't put too much "money and your need for money" on the spectacle. I guess this it may cause you that some people will leave...be more delicate concerning money and patrons. Sometimes it seems to me you're too quick on...most of the things you do. Also when you speak, thank god or Rossella :-) that you put undertitle otherwise, sometimes, it will be hard for me to get you properly. Fair Winds to You :-) and your Family :-)

A good trick for solo berthing is to attach a line at around mid ships or just a bit forwards of the mid point. Your carabiner would be fine since you have no mid cleat then take the line in a big loop, big enough to throw over a pontoon cleat back under the arch to the cockpit winch and make fast. Come alongside throw the line over the mooring cleat. Pull it in. If the wind is blowing offshore use the winch. Then when it’s reasonably close a foot or so off the pontoon make the line fast and put the engine in forward gear slowly as slow as it will go unless you are in a strong current. The boat will move forward come tight alongside the pontoon and just sit there. You can now attach the remaining lines and springs and make fast. Hop back aboard into neutral and engine off job done. Works a treat.

Always the first and the last 100 metres that are the most nerve wracking! Nice to see the sails out, thanks for another great video...

Lovely video and glad to see you so contented with the boat.

I enjoy your channel so much and I know how much time you spend making videos. I appreciate all the knowledge you share

great video as usual Chris, keep up the good work, hope all is safe

It’s great learning with you

The boat handling element and talking through your thought processes is great. 15-18 min is a good length. Well done Chris

awesome video, great to see the sails out :-)

Great video again Chris. Personally I love the more technical aspects of your videos as other channels I follow just don't do this - eg where fenders are, passage plans, bouts you pass, etc. So the more of that the better please even if it's a nerdy walk-through of the passage plan itself. As a Day Skipper certified but novice sailor these things are fascinating and not served well in the cruising KZfaq world.

We love your channel..and have watched if from the start. Its informative, educational and interesting. But it's your choice to do a sailing channel and to blame not being with your loved ones on doing a you tube channel your own fault and if you lose a camera it's part of what you do...

Got to say beautiful boat there too.⛵⛵⛵⛵⛵⛵⛵⛵⛵

Hi guys, just found your nice channel and subscribed! Cheers from Italy!

Another great video, Chris. I know you put a lot of effort and time into them, yet you had time a couple of years ago to try and help me solve my tiller pilot problem. You are an amazing gentleman and I learn so much from your various videos (the burning of the exterior wood is still a favorite). I'm no longer doing Patreon, due to my upcoming retirement, but may get back into it once things settle down. You'll be the first I think of at that time. Cheers!

Hi Chris, Great Vid understand your frustrations but do this for you and yours, enjoy it anything beyond is a bonus, don't worry about the sailing part that will come with the hands on experience and hours /miles under the belt. As you have the basics of passage planning and weather routing already the rest will fall into place as im sure you know being single handed keep your sail plan conservative reef early and often.

Fab vid Chris, looks ike you had relaxed a lot more and seemed very chilled. I'm looking forward to the technical vids as need to get lots of info in my mind for when its my time. All good here in sunny Weston, I only have one walk per day at the moment with 1-2 dogs so things are a bit tight. Cant visit my Jazzi Girl at the moment which is the worse thing. So much to do with lots of time is so not the norm! Take care and soon be back to normal :)

First time watching. Great solo tip backing up to mooring buoy to remain at the controls in the cockpit. Fair winds!

Unfortunately trying to make money from youtube is a big ask. Why youtube is so popular is that the content is free to watch. I enjoy your videos but have to be honest with you, that sounded very patronising and desperate to the point of almost a threat. If you feel that you are only making these videos for in your words compensation, Then I wouldn't bother making them as that isn't the point of the whole Vlogging idea of youtube. If people want to buy into a patrion subscription it is because they might want to help you out but not for you to make a living out of it. Just my thoughts.

There's always another knowledge bomb to take away from each video you guys make 👌🏻😁⛵️

Very inspirational well done

Another great vid. Chris, I love the maintenance and repair vids but I love the the boat handling vids even more! The family vids are always interesting too, Emma is such a joy :) and you guys are a sweet couple. I have paged back looking for the vid where you got that boat hook but cant find it again, please send the link. Keep up the great content !

Thanks for the tip on using a karabiner when there's no cleat available. That's going to be invaluable for us. Looking forward to the next leg.

Great vid!

You're pretty funny Chris.... Love the "Français" you are speaking... Michelin star... 🤣 Priceless......

Great video. Never apologize for keeping it real. That's why we watch. I can't afford to be a patreon, but I would if was still working in IT. I did my YM Offshore in 2018. The main thing I learnt is that you will never learn everything. You exemplify that totally. You have a fabulous boat and a wonderful family. Your attitude to life and these videos shows us how honest we can be in ' real life ' so keep it up. If you're ever in Cornwall give me a shout. If nothing else, I'm a pain therapist so maybe I can help there? I also have a washing machine and spare bedrooms. Much love and any support I can give brother.

Like others have said and I agree, I understand your frustration and the instant reaction when the camera fell over. However, what's more difficult to understand is why you chose to leave that in the video you uploaded.

Hey Chris. Another very informative video as usual. I wondered had you considered using a star board stern line to try and catch a cleat and then with boat still in gear on low revs this would have kept you pinned to the pontoon. Assuming your fenders were at the right height to protect the hull. I have used this technique many times when the wind is blowing off the moorings and using the throttle you can adjust the engine speed according to the wind. This then enables you to walk forward and tie of at the bow. Just a thought.

Thanks for the boat handling vid. It's the most stressful part of sailing for me. Most times it goes ok but every now and then a troop of clowns take over the boat and I become a ringmaster for a circus act. Always an audience for these occasions!

*_ Chris, been a subbie for ages and DO appreciate the effort you put in these Videos, that's why I enjoy the "Escapism" that they all ways present! Before the vid even starts I give it a Thumbs Up just to make sure I don't forget. Keep Safe & Healthy all three of you! _*

My wife and I were looking at Bavarias 37 and 38 before the world fell apart. I really like those boats.

All my life I've been scared of water and my dream is to sail for months never made the guts to sail but maybe one day.

Thanks for another great video and also the passage planning one ! I have a slightly bizarre question. How long does it take you to go from live-aboard state to sailing state ? I live aboard my yacht , while working a regular job ashore, and I may be a bit messy but it seems to take forever to secure everything before going for a sail. That and all the lines I have to the marina that need to be switched to slips means I can't seem to get away quickly for an evening sail. Keep up the good work please and good health to you and your family.

Nice video

do what you want in life. never separate yourself from your family for extra money. in the end, family time is ''ALL''..

Hi. Great and appreciated videos and really good to see the learning experience as it happens for the less experienced of us. I was quite intrigued when you built that folding dinghy, as storing a tender on a smaller boat like ours is a problem and it seemed like a good solution, especially as it could be sailed as well. Could you tell me why you went back to an inflatable instead? I did wonder at the time whether the folding boat would take the weather and rougher water UK - was that a consideration? Was it stability/ buoyancy? Thanks, Jeff.

1:12min what App/Software are you using? thanks

Hi - this is pretty much my dream to do this over the next few years. Maybe not so aggressively but looking to enjoy local towns that I'm landing in overnight. Would you ever trust leaving a tender on the beach or would you really have to rely on visiting ports with pontoons that provide access to the land?

Hi Chris, what heater are you using? Oh and what’s your other YT channel?

Great vid! You can def multitask well. Give us a cryptic hint of the yutubers who crossed the TSS at 45 degrees? I’m starting to take commercial maritime courses and I can see why professional seafarers look at us recreational guys with disdain a lot of times.

I’m trying to work out what your boat is. Being a little lazy and promise to go back further. Bavaria 37?

Hi Chris, Could you tell me where you got your engine insulation from and what the spec was. Regards, Buster

One question I keep meaning to ask. Do you have a fixed VHF or just the handheld? Cannot recall you using a fixed

what app are you using for navigation?

Good stuff Chris. English channel has some big tides and currents. We did this journey a few years ago and as you say it's all in the planning. Just to reiterate to those that enjoy your channel. KZfaq does not cover the cost of data to upload a video! It takes hours to edit and render videos. To get a decent output the cost of camera equipment, hard drives, software, computer programs to edit etc makes being a Video blogger a loss making undertaking where you finance entertainment for others at a loss, personally. You put out some great content mate and we are looking forward to you getting in to the Med. Hope your all safe. Still in Gaeta. Waiting to sail South and east............ If your reading this and you like the output from sailing Britaly think about becoming a "Patreon" because its your patronage that actually makes a difference. Sail Safe guys. Ant, Cid and the pooch crew.

Great little hop to Dunkirk and looks nice there. Glad you didn’t lose that camera and I do appreciate your videos but felt the guilt at not being a patreon and I could sense your frustration. Andy UK

Very strange concept to have to ask for permission to enter and leave a port. Unheard of where I sail. What's the reason for it there?

:)

Excellent video Chris. I know it is underappreciated, but being true to yourself is more important than bikinis, beer, and clickbait titles. Keep the faith Chris, it'll pay off in time. Fair winds and following seas. 🌬️⛵ Jacobus.

Good video, i will be getting a sail boat in 2021, i will not be doing you tube or any social media too much time wasted on that.

Another great vid. Chris, I love the maintenance and repair vids but I love the the boat handling vids even more! The family vids are always interesting too, Emma is such a joy :) and you guys are a sweet couple. I have paged back looking for the vid where you got that boat hook but cant find it again, please send the link. Keep up the great content !