Anyone bored enough to want to read me bragging?

Tradewinds said:
I guess I am one of the lucky ones. On long passages I would sit in the cockpit looking at/observing the ever changing sea and sky as the Hydrovane did its job. Bored - never, I loved it.
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I completely agree. And there’s actually lots to occupy you on an ocean crossing. Bread to bake, meals to prepare, the boat to walk round and check and sail changes and sleeping and chatting to others or reading. (I read lots on ocean passages.) etc etc.

It’s never boring.
 
We were definitely lucky not to have any problems when we were 1000 nm from land. That would have made a very different journey.
A very experienced female skipper lost a D1 shroud about 1/3 way across and had to pray the rest of the way, and with her young kids onboard.
She got a dinghy procession welcome from the fleet on arrival, and j expect a large glass of something.
Of course things can go wrong, but I think the vast majority get a proper adventure from the crossing.
It’s also something I imagine I’ll never forget - the sense of achievement and also banishing a sense of ‘I only sail locally, I can’t be a proper sailor.’
Now, I can stick to the Deben and say ‘I know what’s out there, and I’m still happiest here.’
 
jezjez said:
It’s also something I imagine I’ll never forget - the sense of achievement and also banishing a sense of ‘I only sail locally, I can’t be a proper sailor.’
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Totally agree. An Atlantic crossing wasn’t on my list of priorities, but when the opportunity presented itself to do it on a well found yacht I jumped and I am more than glad I did as it was a great experience.
Chances are I won’t do another crossing but the experience is there and will remain with me
 
Although I am somewaht jealous of those who have oceaned, I think that, in spite of Helen Tew's example, there is little likelihood of my doing a major crossing, unless perhaps by jet. Much of the reason for my failure stems from commitments at work as well as my balking at the logistics and expense involved, not to mentioned a certain apprehension on my part and probably my wife's. However, the offshore cruising that we have done for many years will itself have been beyond many people's ambitions and I think it is important for there not to be a hierarchy of yachting merit. I know those who have been entirely satisfied with inshore or inland dinghy sailing, and even some who have enjoyed narrowboats, and even some for whom any venture on the water is a step too far. Looking back, I am quite pleased with what we did manage to do, and the funny thing is that although it is familiar ground to anyone here, it is something that is scarcely worth mentioning to those family and friends outside the sailing world.
 
johnalison said:
Although I am somewaht jealous of those who have oceaned, I think that, in spite of Helen Tew's example, there is little likelihood of my doing a major crossing, unless perhaps by jet. Much of the reason for my failure stems from commitments at work as well as my balking at the logistics and expense involved, not to mentioned a certain apprehension on my part and probably my wife's. However, the offshore cruising that we have done for many years will itself have been beyond many people's ambitions and I think it is important for there not to be a hierarchy of yachting merit. I know those who have been entirely satisfied with inshore or inland dinghy sailing, and even some who have enjoyed narrowboats, and even some for whom any venture on the water is a step too far. Looking back, I am quite pleased with what we did manage to do, and the funny thing is that although it is familiar ground to anyone here, it is something that is scarcely worth mentioning to those family and friends outside the sailing world.
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Indeed it has nothing to do with yachting merit. Whether it is inshore daysailing, racing round the cans, longer journeys along coasts or across the North Sea or the Channel or ocean passages, they all contribute in their own way to the experience of skippering or crewing a yacht. And we all continue to learn...
 
Totally agree. If you love sailing, it can be in many different forms. For me, the river wins every time especially on boat that can provide a cup of tea (and biscuit)
 
jezjez said:
We were definitely lucky not to have any problems when we were 1000 nm from land. That would have made a very different journey... Of course things can go wrong, but I think the vast majority get a proper adventure from the crossing.
It’s also something I imagine I’ll never forget - the sense of achievement and also banishing a sense of ‘I only sail locally, I can’t be a proper sailor.’
Now, I can stick to the Deben and say ‘I know what’s out there, and I’m still happiest here.’
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Firstly... Congratulations.
And this very much hits the nail on the head: Unless/until something goes awry, ocean sailing isn't very difficult, certainly not in the same league as sailing in the Deben or indeed anywhere else 'local'. The challenge of ocean sailing is a psychological one: Knowing that something may go wrong when you're a thousand miles/a week beyond any sort of assistance and still having the confidence to say 'I'll deal with it' and setting sail.
 
Speaking of bragging…

We have a friend (a very good friend who Mrs M met on their first day at school aged 4!) who came out to sail with us in the Caribbean. Let’s call her ‘J’. She lectures in law at a certain university and on her return another friend who is a colleague of hers was sitting in on a lecture/tutorial J was giving. He reported back to us that J only mentioned or dropped into her lecture that she’d just come back from sailing in the Caribbean 16 times…
 
BobnLesley said:
Firstly... Congratulations.
And this very much hits the nail on the head: Unless/until something goes awry, ocean sailing isn't very difficult, certainly not in the same league as sailing in the Deben or indeed anywhere else 'local'. The challenge of ocean sailing is a psychological one: Knowing that something may go wrong when you're a thousand miles/a week beyond any sort of assistance and still having the confidence to say 'I'll deal with it'
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