Trop gentil. Merci.

I now have a much shorter boat, so I don't find quite the same need for one, but I sure loved it on my 40 footer.....

I wish mine were too, but the geometry of the thing doesn't allow that. 😞

Many thanks.

Well, OK. I have a light and heavy duty drogue aboard (but have never used them other than in training). A para drogue is really meant to be used in a severe gale --- or God forbid, a hurricane. In those conditions, huge waves could pick the boat up and lauch it down the face of the wave -- where it would turn sidewise and probably roll. The para drogue is meant to act as a brake when the wave tries to pick the boat up and launch it down the face of the wave. Unless you are a 'round-the-world sailor' doing the major capes, I don't think you really need one. If it really concerns you, a Jordan Drogue (a series of small cones) might be more appropriate (but those too have their disadvantages). Again, I have sailed thorugh a half dozen gales, and never came close to launching my small drogue.

There are sail boats for absolutely every budget -- from $1000 to unlimited. This particular boat (depending on electronics aboard and sail condition) sells for $60 to $75K.

I had second thoughts about doing the comparison on KZfaq, because the boats were so different from each other. The Bavaria was a very comfortable, but relatively slow cruising boat. The Bongo was much faster, but with with almost zero comfort features. The RM 890 is a relatively fast cruiser, and much more comfortable than the Bongo, but the model I have is better suited for coastal day cruising rather than for long distance, blue water sailing. (I really should have bought the 11 or 12 meter version for the type of sailing I do -- to ride big seas more comfortably.) I didn't feel a public critique would be fair to the models.

@@patricklaine6958 that is a fair after thought. And what a delicate balance to find the sweet spot of size, comfort and performance of the single hand big sea boat. For every meter of hull there is typically 100,000 Euro price tag. But please do share your thoughts and dreams of vessels when appropriate in your super video blogs. RM, Pogo, JPK etc are all very interesting in this field. How do you prioritize upwind versus downwind performance for your adventures?↗↙

Hi Patrick, I agree with Soren. I think that your thoughts will be highly appreciated for many of us and that doesn't mean that one boat is better than the other, it simply means they can have a different program. I've watched all your videos and I think your way of sailing has changed a lot. When you started sailing in the Bavaria 40 you reefed your main sail every night, you didn't like heeling more than 15⁰ and you hardly used your genaker, while with the last two boats all those limitations have disappeared which explains part of the difference in speed. On the other hand, compared to the last two boats, the Bavaria 40 was more comfortable, not only inside: the cabin was higher, microwave, fuel cell, oven, etc; the way the boat passes the wave, the German system in the mainsail, the bimini... To summarise, all of this comments are because I am almost the same age as you and would like to solo sail as soon as I get retired, meaning that I would like to know if I need to search for another boat, if so, which one? I will appreciate your answer and thanks for your time!

Thanks, although I am currently recovering from Covid, all is well in general. My mainsail is particularly difficult to hoist because it is very heavy duty material, and with full battens and extra material due to square top. It is much heavier to hoist than the sails on my two previous boats. it gives me a good workout. :-)

@@patricklaine6958 Thanks for answering and your clarification in regards to your health - so happy to hear it's general good and the sail is much heavier than the images show. Take care and stay safe. Greetings from Jesper

Thanks much. 70.

Well, it is clearly excellent equipment, as the vast majority of long distance racers use it. I note now that more and more 'cruisers' are using it as well. My own experience is that it maintains course in weather MUCH, MUCH better than RayMarine. The sensors and computer software are fantastic in anticipating movement and applying the corrections in a timely manner. On the 'less great' side of the ledger is that the installation process is not super user friendly. It is anything but 'plug and play'. I did mine completely by myself, and struggled, but once it was all set up, I loved it. I have since changed boats, and my new boat has Ray Marine. What a difference.... :-( -- but it's OK for cruising I guess, and much less expensive than NKE. Fair winds.

Have a great passage to Madeira -- and here's hoping you remain clear of those orcas! Fair winds.

Many thanks for the kind remarks. I'm still in mourning over Gordon's passing.

@@patricklaine6958 Yes. A sad loss.

I have. Doesn't seem to make much difference. :-(

@@patricklaine6958 Super weird. Well that's all I had. Nice video all the same.

Sounds like you have found a formula that works for you. That is all that matters.

Someone else suggested that also. I may well do this rather than trying to change it early.....

Many thanks for the kind feedback. Safe sailing down under!

Many thanks. Have safe passage.

@@johnsmall9729 YOTC, a masterpiece. :-)

I have a brother who lives near Phoenix. Far too hot for me! Get to the ocean!

;-)

Many thanks. I too am North of 70 now! I take inspiration from a previous Golden Globe race where the winner was also in his 70s!

The boat is fine. My only regret is that I should have bought an RM model with a couple of extra meters in length for the long distance, blue water adventures I do. My current boat is perfect for day sailing and coastal passages -- no regrets for that. But I do feel every wave that passes on my longer passages in this boat. :-)

Thanks,

Sounds like a solid sail strategy for your area. Fair winds.

My first boat was relatively tame -- even in rough weather. The last two boats -- much lighter, flatter and faster --- can pitch and roll quite violently in a blow. You only need to scare yourself once to learn the lesson to tether in!

@@patricklaine6958 I'm a believer. 😄 👍

Yeah, ideally one would be tethered in at all times, but it just isn't practical. I do it whenever it is rough and the boat is bouncing around in the waves, and when I have to go forward on the deck (most of the time, but not always). Nothing is risk-free......

@@patricklaine6958 I hear that, so true. I just think about how I would feel, tripping over a scrub brush and off the side, watching my boat whisking off in the sunset. Years ago I was determined to design a lanyard clasp that would roll on the side rail and not release until it locked on to the next segment of railing, then of course have a manual breakaway feature. But I see that it would not work for most sail boats, as there doesn't seem to be continuous perimeter railings. I hope someone will though come up with a remote that sailors could carry and to have some kind of emergency sail drop, or a steering / rudder that would snap to full right or left lock, offering that Last Chance means of getting back on board as it circles around continuously. ...I realize and agree there are no guaranteed stop gaps for survival, just things I think about. Great sailing my friend, you have some great adventures that very few get to experience.

@@bikersoncall My previous boat had an autopilot control that I wore around my neck. it had a feature that was supposed to put the boat in the hove to position if contact was lost between the control and the master. Others have a system where you can push a button to do the same thing from the water. I don't know if any of these systems have ever been tested in the real world. It all seems a bit fragile to me..... Best to remain aboard!

I'll check them out. Thanks.

Someone else mentioned using Denso Tape. I'll have to check it out. Thanks.

Me too. Tides Marine in the off-season. My reef clew is fine -- I just get sloppy/lazy at times and don't winch it down as tight as I should.

Yeah, I'm not too strong on following 'rules'. If it works on your boat, go for it!

Oh, and to Mr. Skynyrd too.

I have always thought Steve is a genius --- and far too underrated.