Philosophy of Sailing

[Peregrine1983]

I’m about 50 pages in to a new book called Philosophy of Sailing by a fellow named Christian Williams. The title sounds as if it might be a tad pretentious, but I assure you it’s not.

Christian did two YouTube videos covering his single handed sails to Hawaii from California... a quick google will find those. I think they’re great, especially his first.

His style is light and pleasantly detached while also bringing you right into the moment when it counts - similar to Moitessier, but Williams holds my attention much better, and I find his philosophical musings enlightening and very entertaining.

I’m not affiliated with the book. Just figured I’d pass on a good sailing read.

[gamayun]

Love his videos! Will have to check out his book too

[Paul Elliott]

It's sold out on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Philosophy-Sa...dp/0997253118/

I enjoyed his videos, and look forward to eventually getting the book.

[Peregrine1983]

Originally Posted by Paul Elliott

It's sold out on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Philosophy-Sa...dp/0997253118/

I enjoyed his videos, and look forward to eventually getting the book.

Wow... good for Christian. I’m rooting for him.

[Oceano]

It's back. Sorry about that.

Kindle edition in a few days, audiobook in mid-September.

Here's a video introduction to the book:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mwCbQ01HTRA

[Steadman Uhlich]

TO: OCEANO (Christian)

I enjoyed the videos, with your wit and practical tips and observations.

I will add your book to my list.

[Peregrine1983]

Originally Posted by Oceano

It's back. Sorry about that.

Kindle edition in a few days, audiobook in mid-September.

Here's a video introduction to the book:

Congrats on writing a great book. I look forward to the next one .

[rognvald]

What a surprise to encounter a sailor that is a sentient being. I wonder if he plays beach volleyball in Georgetown, Exumas? Rognvald . . . in absentia.

[odonnellryan]

I've been reading the book as well, I enjoy it very much!

[Cdreamin]

I just watched one of the videos. I think it was #7 in a series but honestly didn't focus on that. He was prepping for a single handed sail to Hawaii.


A couple of thing caught my attention. And keep in mind I am not trying to be critical, I'm asking questions trying to understand ( learn).


1) He was loading a drogue series and had a sea anchor. I have read threads on the subject so I know there is debate on there use. With the limited space available my question is why both?


2) The cockpit has cloth instead of netting over the lifelines between stations. Why cloth vs. netting? Wouldn't cloth cause a lot more windage?

[Oceano]

Thanks for the comments. Also for reader reviews on Amazon. They propel books (voodoo algorithms).

Re the Jordan Series drogue: it fills (only) a duffle bag. The survival issue for singlehanders is a long gale with large breaking seas. Skilled crews can steer a boat downwind under bare poles for days, avoiding being pitchpoled or rolled by attention and endurance. Singlehanders, or most mortal crews, can't. So you stream the specialized drone and nobody steers; the drogue keeps the stern to the breaking waves, prevents broaching, and in success the skipper just hunkers down to wait out the storm. The JSD is insurance, psychological at least, for a hurricane. At least it provides something to do when things get far out of hand. Which they shouldn't, since big weather is usually avoidable with modern forecasting.

A 12-foot parachute sea anchor is a small bag that fits anywhere. They are very useful for emergency repairs--stops the boat bow to the waves in a seaway so you can patch the hull or rig an emergency rudder.

The weather cloths in the cockpit prevent some waves and spray coming aboard on some tacks. Something to hide behind. I don't like dodgers. Weather cloths let me sit near the wheel or tiller with wind and spray protection. Occasionally you read that they may trap breaking seas coming aboard, and rip out the stanchions. I kept my eye on that during one two-day gale. The first wave in the cockpit carried away the grommets and left the weather cloths flapping harmlessly. Windage? That's a bimini or a dodger. Weather clothes are low and make very little.

[Cdreamin]

Thanks for the explanations Christian. I'm still a novice and am always trying to learn.



Fair winds and following seas, Greg

[Tayana42]

I just finished reading Philosophy Of Sailing and I highly recommend it. In fact I have recommended it to mostly everyone I know who sails or is interested in knowing why we sail.

It seems that everyone who has sailed away from home has written a book about their experiences. I’ve read a lot of them, even some that were an effort to get through. This book is delightfully well written and thoroughly thought provoking.

[TLFortner]

After 30 years of putting off the idea of sailing and cruising, at 62 I thought that I was too old for it. I still may be but after watching Christian's video I decided to take the plunge. I take possession of my boat in a week or so. I'm now 63 and super excited! Christian I hope you see this. I'd love for you to know how you influenced me!

[SVTatia]

Originally Posted by TLFortner

After 30 years of putting off the idea of sailing and cruising, at 62 I thought that I was too old for it. I still may be but after watching Christian's video I decided to take the plunge. I take possession of my boat in a week or so. I'm now 63 and super excited! Christian I hope you see this. I'd love for you to know how you influenced me!

63 too old? How about 87, 90... we can sail for quite a bit longer or as long as the "internal machine" is functioning well... Check this book as well - a must read.
Oh, and best of luck with your new boat!

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...api_tkin_p1_i0