EQUIPMENT SAFETY CHECKS

 EQUIPMENT SAFETY CHECKS

Just a quick look at expiry dates on lifejackets and flares. It’s so important keeping life saving kit up to date.

WHERE IT ALL BEGAN - LOUGH NEAGH - UPPER BANN - NEWRY CANAL @ POINT OF WHITECOAT PART 1

 WHERE IT ALL BEGAN - LOUGH NEAGH - UPPER BANN - NEWRY CANAL @ POINT OF WHITECOAT

This is a different one from me here I show you were my love of water and boats came from. I take you through part of lough Neagh in Northern Ireland up the upper river bann to my home town of portadown. Were we finish of is about as far as you can go in a boat as the river has become a mess a river with such history. This is a quick look at a little bit of my life.........

Think of us as a less Posh version of Prunella Scales and Timothy West  - but Hey we're just as Good !!!!!!

ROUTINE MAINTAINANCE & TLC LIFTING THE BOAT

 ROUTINE MAINTAINANCE & TLC LIFTING THE BOAT

So when you give a boat a good old thrashing now and then you got to look after her. But all work and no play makes skipper and crew not so happy so we squeezed in a days fun.

After journeying  over from Ballycastle , up the River Bann , to Coleraine , we run through a bit of Maintainance on the " Just Because " Craning the Boat out of the water and Power washing the Hull , and giving it various treatments before anti-fouling it , Varnish the Hand Rails and Tiller Hull Treatment  and Yes goes without saying A Bit of Fun  

FISHGUARD TO NEWQUAY NORTH WALE TO SOUTH WALES

 FISHGUARD TO NEWQUAY

Crossing cardigan bay to new quay.....was meant to head to Fishguard but wind and sea beat us in here.

THE WORK BEGINS - MAKING READY & PREPARTIONS

 THE WORK BEGINS - MAKING READY & PREPARATIONS

So engine serviced, old halyard off and ready to replace plus a quick spin down to Tony’s marine to get cord. Just listen to that wee Volvo penta purr 👌 Lots going on over the next few weeks. So stay tuned.

CAUSEWAY COAST ON A COLD DAY - BALLINTOY

 CAUSEWAY COAST ON A COLD DAY - BALLINTOY

So as it was my birthday on Sunday we had almost a week of fun around the coast as we couldn’t get sailing due to bad weather..but when you love the coast you will always find something to do that beats sitting onboard are going to the pub. Just get out there guys.

Ballintoy

Larrybane Bay

Portrush East Strand

Larry Bane Quarry

Chalk quarry which contains chert nodules, fossils and calcite crystals. Calcite crystals occur along joints in the chalk. They are often found weathered.  Was filmed for the Game of Thrones Series

Larry Bane Quarry

BALLYCASTLE TO GREENCASTLE SCENIC COAST OF NORTHERN IRELAND

  BALLYCASTLE  TO  GREENCASTLE

Why do people put there boats away for winter when it’s plain to see there is some awesome sailing to be had. So here we head to greencastle a place we havnt been to. Must say it’s a beautiful wee fishing port. We had lots of strong southerly winds but the Northern Irish coast kept the sea calm for us. Roll on the better weather so we can start clocking up big miles this trip. Since we have came back in October we have 400nm up...240 of those miles has been from January... not bad going in the North Atlantic for winter sailing. We can be kind of restricted because of were our port is...it’s surrounded by some very bad water.

HOW TO HEAVE TO

HOW TO HEAVE TO 

Today we had some nice sailing and high wind so we had the perfect opportunity to show you guys how we heave to....it will safe your life. Remember when your heaving to for a real situation the sails are already mega small and ready to handle the storm. This is a storm tactic so remember make sure the sails are small so you don’t shred them. Please get out there and practice it’s a life saver we used once.

Thanks top Skipper Noval and YW for these Tips

CAMPLETOWN TO BALLYCSTLE VIA SANDOY SOUND THE VOYAGE HOME

 CAMPLETOWN TO BALLYCSTLE VIA SANDOY SOUND THE VOYAGE HOME - OVERFALLS

Well that’s the 6 month voyage over without any real problems. Here we go from campbeltown Scotland to Ballycastle Northern Ireland . During the 6 months We crossed some serious waters from the English Channel,bay of biscay ,coast of death were some of the biggest waves in the world are surfed..not just once but twice. Planning well in advance and boat prep is key, don’t be put of by these guys with all the courses that hardly sail...COURSES DONT MAKE SAILORS TIME AT SEA DOES. Thank you to all yous people that’s supported the voyages and left kind comments here and on the fb page James Harrison also on instagram skipper_jamess_33 .you can also help on the go fund me page. If you ever feel you want to take on such adventure ...find some guys that sail all the time 24/7 ask there advice NOT the guy with all the course who’s boat never leaves the dock these guys will lead you down a bad path. There are some very jealous people n this game that will try and blacken your name the further you take things. So guys sailing is for everyone regardless of your back ground it’s not as bad are hard as all these guys let on just build it up slowly and get going. “Go small go now”. Lots more to come from “just because” so keep subscribing and sharing⛵️

 A Brief Link To Overfalls

ARRAN ISLANDS - MOUNTAINS AND WATERFALLS GOAT FELL

 ARRAN ISLANDS - MOUNTAINS AND WATERFALLS GOAT FELL

So here we climb goat fell on the Isle of Arran then take a quick sail round to get ready to go see the waterfall ...beautiful spot ...but sad times as the trip is almost over.........