Recent content by Patrick Laine

Fair comment. On the other hand, the fact that I have to contract with P's office in Monaco does not inspire confidence that I am getting value for money. My well-known insurer gave me full coverage last year to go to/from Iceland for just over €1000. P quoted me more than €6K to go to...

They got me too -- for €1150 paid in March. I tried to use my usual (serious) insurance company, but they would not cover the Transat I was planning. I tried others, but they would either not cover single-handed sailing, the zone I wanted to go to (Newfoundland), or were very, very...

Many thanks to all for the kind thoughts. This YouTube thing turned out to be quite a bit of fun, so I am indebted to my daughter for persuading me to give it a try. (I only deleted 4 comments in all of this time for extreme vulgarity/rudeness. That was a huge surprise to me. The vast...

Thanks for the kind request KAL. I'm planning to sail to and around Iceland in the Spring/Summer of 2019. I'll bring my camera along, but am not currently planning to film the 'day-by-day' aspects of that passage. If there is something of interest/unusual, I'll film it and post, otherwise...

Thanks Just Saying. Oh, I'm far too old to be offended by critics (who often have at least an element of right on their side -- even if they express it unfairly.) They are often quite amusing. I was seemingly held responsible for a lack of wind in the Hebrides by one rather rude gent...

Gents, you can all relax now. After a brief flirt with Penzance/Newlyn, I caught the afternoon tide yesterday and left England's Green and Pleasant Land and am now safely in France (L'Aber Wrac'h). So, you can remove those extra fenders, and let out your wives and daughters again. Thanks...

Well thank you Angus. I did not invent this technique. Solo sailors with longish boats, short fingers, and unfavorable cross-wind have been doing it for decades. You sound like someone who fully understands the multiple demands of single-handing (lines, radio, engine, helm, wind, current...

The winds were favorable, and I beat the tide into Brighton. And, I did as you suggested Dom and sailed through the wind farm. You're right. No big deal. Cheers

Thanks for the tip Dom. I was going to sail around the farm. Brighton is certainly Plan A. I used to live in Horsham, and kept my private plane at Shoreham, so know the area well (by air). Hoping to beat low tide to the port, but in sailing...... ;-)

Well spotted. The second after I hit send, I realised I meant to say 'NewHaven' not Hastings. :-) There is a bit more water there at neap tide than at Brighton (apparently due to silting).

Thanks Sandy. I had hoped to do Cherbourg Dover direct, but the winds won't have it. Am leaving tonight for Brighton, with a possible divert to Hastings if I can't make the tide at Brighton. Best wishes on your trip to France.

What an adventure Joker. Losing the autopilot is one of my recurring nightmares, but has not yet happened. I have a Plan B and a Plan C, but hope I never have to use them. Great story.

Well, I have just sailed 450 miles up the French coast and am currently in Cherbourg. As soon as I catch my breath, I'm across the channel, so put out lots of extra fenders, and lock up your wives and daughters. :-)