Very Nearly About Sailing

Just About Sailing November 2016 – Sea Feather Self-steering Windvane, Installation and sea trial

A key part of my long distance cruising plan was to install a Self-Steering Wind Vane. I decided to buy a new one from Sea Feather - a UK company. This video covers the installation and the very first sea trial. There was a frustrating gap between installing and getting out to sea - all things out...

Nov 27, 2016
Language: EN
Play Time: 00:12:57

Very Nearly About Sailing

Just About Sailing October 2016 – At last, my voyaging plans for 2017 and beyond

So, what's the grey-haired old bloke got in mind then? Well, I thought it was about time to start setting a few timescales and make a bit of a commitment regarding future voyaging plans. Of course, as we all know, the best laid plans of mice and men etc...But of course now it's on YouTub...

Oct 11, 2016
Language: EN
Play Time: 00:10:36

Very Nearly About Sailing

Just About Sailing September 2016 – crawlng around the engine and having a whale of a time

A guided tour around my engine. Have you noticed how proud I am of how accessible it is? Just-in-time replacement of the sacrificial anode. Plus, I couldn't stand the plastic taste of the water any more - so I fitted a filter, and a new tank, and replaced the leaking water foot pump.

Sep 27, 2016
Language: EN
Play Time: 00:13:31

Very Nearly About Sailing

Just About Sailing August (plus one) 2016 – Family sailing, genoa trim and harbour fun

My sister came down to visit and joined me and my daughter for a lovely sail. Not quite Swallows and Amazons - but not too far off. Finally got the genoa trimmed properly - thanks for all your helpful comments from July. Plus, of course, Watchet continues to provide organised chaos.

Aug 27, 2016
Language: EN
Play Time: 00:13:11

Very Nearly About Sailing

Just About Sailing August 2016 – Vee Berth mods, daughter visits and Carnival time

Some tips on how not to do boat modifications. Plus, the dreary start to August finally turned into good weather and my daughter visited and managed to get a sail - how seriously she took the whole thing I am not so sure. Plus, small town Carnival fun. Flaming June at last. Lots of sun, but no wi...

Aug 17, 2016
Language: EN
Play Time: 00:10:47

Very Nearly About Sailing

Just About Sailing July 2016 – Single handed Tiller Pilot test plus whoops, Port or Starboard?

Finally some decent sailing weather to test out my newly fitted Lazyjacks. And why not try out my recently repaired Tiller Pilot at the same time. All in all a really nice day out. But there's always room for a few mistakes...

Jul 11, 2016
Language: EN
Play Time: 00:12:32

Very Nearly About Sailing

Just About Sailing June 2016 – Totally stoked with my awsome lazy jacks

Flaming June at last. Lots of sun, but no wind. Lazy Jacks fitted - a bad workman blames his tools they say. A Summer motor on a calm day round the buoy and back. One wheel better? Just About Sailing. A light-hearted video diary of a sailboat liveaboard.

Jun 09, 2016
Language: EN
Play Time: 00:12:34

Very Nearly About Sailing

Just About Sailing May (plus one) 2016 – Liveaboard costs with actual numbers

A liveaboard cost breakdown in pounds and dollars (US). Buying the boat, marina fees and UK regulation costs etc. Plus, friends visit for a sail. And looking forward to a lovely Summer - hopefully. Just About Sailing. A light-hearted video diary of a sailboat liveaboard.

May 17, 2016
Language: EN
Play Time: 00:13:13

Very Nearly About Sailing

Just About Sailing May 2016 – Proper sailing with actual wind where nothing breaks

Replacing the log paddlewheel while Serenity is still in the water. Is that even possible without sinking? Scary. Plus a lovely sail where everything works! Just About Sailing. A light-hearted video diary of a sailboat liveaboard.

Apr 25, 2016
Language: EN
Play Time: 00:12:05

Very Nearly About Sailing

Just About Sailing April (plus one) 2016 – Actual sailing footage, curtains and a duck

Well, here is another extra video. Real sailing footage. It wasn't much, but it is so lovely to actually move along under sail power alone with the engine switched off. Oh, I also fitted some curtains and spoke to a duck. Just About Sailing. A light-hearted video diary of a sailboat liveaboar...

Apr 10, 2016
Language: EN
Play Time: 00:10:04

Very Nearly About Sailing

Just About Sailing April 2016 – Sails, storm damage and financing my liveaboard dream.

Well Spring is with us and the 'sailing season' starts - or does it? Easter sailing plans with my daughter are spoilt by what (storm) Katie did. But there might be some light at the end of the tunnel - can I actually get out sailing this time? Just About Sailing. A light-hearted video d...

Apr 03, 2016
Language: EN
Play Time: 00:12:11

Very Nearly About Sailing

Just About Sailing March (plus one) 2016 – Beta 20 engine sea trial, quadcopter drone experiments

I have dropped in an extra video for March as I was so excited to actually get out of the harbour. The weather, tides and daylight all lined up and the engine sea-trial sign-off has happened. Without this, I would have voided the warranty had I used the engine. Engine is brilliant. Just a few stup...

Mar 13, 2016
Language: EN
Play Time: 00:09:43

Very Nearly About Sailing

Just About Sailing March 2016 – Liveaboard plans and a Steam Train

Wow March already. A brief summary of my future plans plus some initial thoughts on having become a 'liveaboard'. A walk around the harbour entrance at low tide and some basic maintenance. Oh, and a controversial video camera test - I'm not sure that the more expensive one is better....

Mar 02, 2016
Language: EN
Play Time: 00:11:53

Very Nearly About Sailing

Just About Sailing the Bristol Channel in a Mirage 28

Just About Sailing. A video diary of me living aboard my Mirage 28 and honing my sailing skills planning to voyage to warmer places in 2017. This is mainly a log for me, but you are very welcome to tag along and comment. Who knows where we might end up. Just About Sailing. A light-hearted video d...

Feb 29, 2016
Language: EN
Play Time: 00:01:17

Very Nearly About Sailing

#10 After the rescue Part 2 – feeling foolish and embarassed

Second part of my reflections after the events of a couple of nights before. No-one wants to get into a position of helplessness where they need to be rescued out of danger. Big thanks to the RNLI and thoughts on humility. Just About Sailing. A light-hearted video diary of a sailboat liveaboard.

Feb 24, 2016
Language: EN
Play Time: 00:04:44

Very Nearly About Sailing

#9 After the rescue part 1 – equipment faliures RNLI tow

Well, things did not end well. The first part after leaving Tenby was fine. Good weather and fair winds. However, I couldn't hoist the main as the topping lift broke and I made it worse trying to fix it. I gradually slipped behind schedule and then the engine failed about 1 hour short of my de...

Feb 24, 2016
Language: EN
Play Time: 00:05:04

Very Nearly About Sailing

#8 Moored at Tenby – reflections on a bumpy passage

Well, I had completely underestimated the fact that the sea would still be in an awful state despite the wind dropping. Basically, waves come straight across the Atlantic and into the Bristol Channel. I nearly turned back to Neyland once I got out of Milford Sound. However, Tenby was about the sam...

Feb 24, 2016
Language: EN
Play Time: 00:05:25

Very Nearly About Sailing

#7 The big voyage passage plan – we have a weather window

After a week of brilliant weather, there was the threat of a front coming in on the Sunday. It came through the night before leaving two clear days to get to Swansea. One long sail or two short ones? Just About Sailing. A light-hearted video diary of a sailboat liveaboard.

Feb 24, 2016
Language: EN
Play Time: 00:04:43

Very Nearly About Sailing

#6 Reflections on maiden ‘voyage’ – first engine issues

Well, 20 minutes is not exactly an Atlantic crossing. However, first time with a tiller in 20 years, and first time with a very quirky engine. Just About Sailing. A light-hearted video diary of a sailboat liveaboard.

Feb 24, 2016
Language: EN
Play Time: 00:04:05

Very Nearly About Sailing

#5 Launch day – final thoughts prior to first short ‘voyage’

OK. So the big day has actually arrived. Sun is shining. Everything sorted. Boat is to be lifted into the water for a short motor over to the nearest marina (Neyland, Pembrokeshire, Wales). Just About Sailing. A light-hearted video diary of a sailboat liveaboard.

Feb 24, 2016
Language: EN
Play Time: 00:01:36

Very Nearly About Sailing

#4 The day before launch – grand tour of the boat

After six days of lazing around the day was finally getting nearer where I would find out if she would actually float. Plus I had actually tidied up - so time for a tour of the interior. Just About Sailing. A light-hearted video diary of a sailboat liveaboard.

Feb 23, 2016
Language: EN
Play Time: 00:06:59

Very Nearly About Sailing

#3 Wearing a spacesuit – running out of antifoul

Relaxing into my two week boat commissioning holiday. Things seems to be going more or less to plan so far. Just About Sailing. A light-hearted video diary of a sailboat liveaboard.

Feb 23, 2016
Language: EN
Play Time: 00:02:10

Very Nearly About Sailing

#2 Prioritising – first cup of tea on sailboat as liveaboard

Second video diary entry. The key question as to whether I could successfully make a cup of tea aboard was met with a resounding "maybe". Just About Sailing. A light-hearted video diary of a sailboat liveaboard.

Feb 23, 2016
Language: EN
Play Time: 00:01:13

Very Nearly About Sailing

#1 Move onto boat – Finally a liveaboard, optimistic plans for fortnight

Brief series of 'talking head' videos. I took two weeks holiday starting in late April 2015. Boat was more or less ready to go in the water. Plan was to take a gentle cruise from Pembrokeshire, Wales to Watchet, England. The fortnight started well, but ended in a rescue. This is simply ...

Feb 23, 2016
Language: EN
Play Time: 00:04:21

Very Nearly About Sailing – Page 7

Watch Very Nearly About Sailing's Latest Videos

Just About Sailing November 2016 – Sea Feather Self-steering Windvane, Installation and sea trial

Just About Sailing October 2016 – At last, my voyaging plans for 2017 and beyond

Just About Sailing September 2016 – crawlng around the engine and having a whale of a time

Just About Sailing August (plus one) 2016 – Family sailing, genoa trim and harbour fun

Just About Sailing August 2016 – Vee Berth mods, daughter visits and Carnival time

Just About Sailing July 2016 – Single handed Tiller Pilot test plus whoops, Port or Starboard?

Just About Sailing June 2016 – Totally stoked with my awsome lazy jacks

Just About Sailing May (plus one) 2016 – Liveaboard costs with actual numbers

Just About Sailing May 2016 – Proper sailing with actual wind where nothing breaks

Just About Sailing April (plus one) 2016 – Actual sailing footage, curtains and a duck

Just About Sailing April 2016 – Sails, storm damage and financing my liveaboard dream.

Just About Sailing March (plus one) 2016 – Beta 20 engine sea trial, quadcopter drone experiments

Just About Sailing March 2016 – Liveaboard plans and a Steam Train

Just About Sailing the Bristol Channel in a Mirage 28

#10 After the rescue Part 2 – feeling foolish and embarassed

#9 After the rescue part 1 – equipment faliures RNLI tow

#8 Moored at Tenby – reflections on a bumpy passage

#7 The big voyage passage plan – we have a weather window

#6 Reflections on maiden ‘voyage’ – first engine issues

#5 Launch day – final thoughts prior to first short ‘voyage’

#4 The day before launch – grand tour of the boat

#3 Wearing a spacesuit – running out of antifoul

#2 Prioritising – first cup of tea on sailboat as liveaboard

#1 Move onto boat – Finally a liveaboard, optimistic plans for fortnight

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