The Jester Challenge 2025 solo single handed sailing event continues.. Part 1, if you haven't seen it, is here: https://youtu.be/Yxqw-UhJ2A8 This part covers the Monday and Tuesday of the challenge; as we arrive towards the coast of Ireland, the wind dictates that we take a long tack around the traffic separation scheme... finally the wind eases and all is peace... but not going anywhere! 00:00 Monday morning report, a misty start to the day 02:12 Afternoon, beating into the wind 03:19 Review of the course so far and the effect of tides on the chart plotter, 07:12 Bumpy with wind over tide 09:16 Course planning for the TSS 11:01 Tuesday morning, the water leak scare! 13:34 The wind strength is reducing at last 15:36 Irish coast in sight! 16:40 Tacking the boat single handed using the wind vane steering 18:45 Becalmed at night Different ways to support this channel: 1. Like the video! (free) 2. Subscribe (free) and click the bell (free) so you know when there's a new video 3. Become a member (cheap as chips)(actually cheaper than chips) and get personal access, plus early views of new uploads, and my eternal gratitude for your support ? : https://www.youtube.com/channel/UClCzx7NtTAcr9s2C3CJiv7w/join Jester '25 playlist is here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLZCvVhEwq-ebINsWIXC8RV92KwNZ4EBP0 Thank you! Sailing a 1970 Contessa 26

At last I arrive at the start of the Jester Challenge 2025 from the Pwllheli start point. In this first part we cover the start, trying to keep up with the other boats, and working through the first night. 00:00 Leaving the fuel dock 03:24 The pre start 04:28 Crossing the start line 07:14 Everybody else sails faster... why? 10:26 Chart analysis of the situation 11:23 Problem with the log 14:36 Moonrise at night 15:28 Watching the other Jesters on AIS 16:40 Trimming the sails at night This is just the first part of several covering this year's Jester Challenge, look out for the rest of the series coming up soon an this playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLZCvVhEwq-ebINsWIXC8RV92KwNZ4EBP0 Bread making video is here: https://youtu.be/2dak6P3dTo4 I hope you enjoy this video enough to like it and subscribe to my channel so you keep up to date with the Ancient Mariner! If you really like it, please become a channel member and support my sailing project: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UClCzx7NtTAcr9s2C3CJiv7w/join Thanks to @miceinamatchbox for the intro/outro music Sailing a 1970 Contessa 26

The Jester Challenge for solo sailors in small boats 2025 My second attempt to get to the start after being foiled by bad weather. Now there is only time and suitable conditions to get to the alternate start point at Pwllheli, North Wales. This video goes into more detail of navigation and dealing with the unexpected things that will always crop up on a passage, I hope you enjoy it! Do let me knwo in the comments what you think.. 00:00 Intro 02:41 Leaving Cardiff Barrage 05:14 Troubleshooting a furling gear jamming problem 09:25 Poling out the Genoa 12:26 Signs of bad weather to come 14:42 Engine off and sailing at last! 15:38 Reefing at night as the weather deteriorates 19:50 Riding the tide through Ramsey Sound 22:30 Grey Welsh weather 24:35 The wind arrives again 25:46 Another way to pole out the Genoa 27:09 Report on the arrival Do like and subscribe! Its free to do and it makes a huge difference to me, thanks ? https://www.youtube.com/channel/UClCzx7NtTAcr9s2C3CJiv7w/join Thanks to @miceinamatchbox for the intro/outro music Sailing a 1970 Contessa 26

In this episode I leave Cardiff Bay. Time is running short and I have to take this chance to get to Plymouth for the start of the event. Never sail to a timetable is the 101 of sailing. That's exactly what I'm doing here; does it work out? Well, the thumbnail gives the clue! 00:00 Intro and Weather 02:36 Through the Cardiff Barrage 03:57 Raising the sails 04:39 Sailing in the mist 07:05 The mist lifts and the wind picks up 08:11 The wind gets strong 09:55 The decision to return 10:43 The return and night sail into Cardiff 15:52 Analysis of the track sailed To see what happens next why not subscribe and allow notifications so you don't miss out? If you join this channel it gives me a massive help in producing these videos and bringing them to you https://www.youtube.com/channel/UClCzx7NtTAcr9s2C3CJiv7w/join Sailing a 1970 Contessa 26

Leaving a trot mooring without using the engine, then sailing back and returning to it, again without engine assistance Sometimes, the conditions are just right for not using the engine at all when leaving or returning to a mooring, in this video we do just that, so uch quiter and more natural without the engine banging away! I hope you like this video, please share it with anyone you think might be amused.. Do also like it, if you do, and subscribe to my channel. These things really help small creators like me and cost you nothing! Join this channel to support my work here, its a bargain: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UClCzx7NtTAcr9s2C3CJiv7w/join Big thanks to @miceinamatchbox for the intro and outro music ? Sailing a 1970 Contessa 26

I pick up a mooring in Cardiff Bay single handed and once again include a classic error in the planning stage which leads to an embarrassing moment - happily saved by other sailors nearby Lots more how to recover from a mistake videos coming up, especially for solo sailors! I hope you like this video, please share with anyone you think might be amused.. Join this channel to get access to perks: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UClCzx7NtTAcr9s2C3CJiv7w/join Big thanks to @miceinamatchbox for the intro and outro music ? Sailing a 1970 Contessa 26

How to leave the dock as a single handed sailor, complete with a classic mistake and what to do next. And a bonus bit as I try out a brand new Genoa for the first time Lots more how to recover from a mistake videos coming up, especially for solo sailors! Join this channel to get access to perks: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UClCzx7NtTAcr9s2C3CJiv7w/join Or like and share, as they all ask you to, it's free and really helps! Big thanks to @miceinamatchbox for the intro and outro music ? Sailing a 1970 Contessa 26

Finally the winter projects in the boat yard are complete, and today is the day to get Green Tambourine put back in the water. The process was not as simple as it might have been! Join this channel to get access to perks: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UClCzx7NtTAcr9s2C3CJiv7w/join Sailing a 1970 Contessa 26

Getting a 1970 Contessa 26 sailing boat ready for launch after the winter layover. Lots of things to look at today: *Checking the hull and discussing osmosis *My thoughts on winterising your engine *Seacock checking and servicing Join this channel to get access to perks: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UClCzx7NtTAcr9s2C3CJiv7w/join Many thanks to @miceinamatchbox for the continued use of their music Sailing a 1970 Contessa 26

The winter jobs are drawing to their close and its time to get the copper coat antifoul sorted out for the coming season.. Some patches had come loose and basically fallen off, but there were a number of pinholes too which were a bit more worrying as stuff was weeping out form them... so there must have bee water getting in too which no doubt accounts for the slight blistering seen on the underside... might have to consider epoxying the whole hull... not this year though, it's nearly time to go sailing! Thos old tufnol winches are still working well, but could do with some new (better?) ratchet pawls, so if you know of any do let me know! Sailing a 1970 Contessa 26

Fixing leaking windows on a Contessa 26. Endless wet boat interior forced me to tackle the problem. In this second and final part we clean off the windows before sending them off to the excellent Eagle Boat Windows (https://www.eagleboatwindows.co.uk) for refurbishment and then tackle the job of getting it all back together. The sealing tape used is a double sided butyl tape: https://www.arbo.co.uk/products/preformed-mastic-strips/arboseal-gz-tape Part 1, removal, is covered here: https://youtu.be/L-0A9d9Omg0?si=55DyZ9MexNBjhcdn If you enjoy this video, please consider supporting these videos by joining my channel here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UClCzx7NtTAcr9s2C3CJiv7w/join And Check out lots more mainly solo sailing adventures in the Contessa 26 here: https://www.youtube.com/@contessa26-jim/videos Sailing a 1970 Contessa 26

Leaky windows on a Contessa 26. A short series on my task of sorting out leaking boat windows, which have been making life uncomfortable and sometimes dangerous at sea. In this first part I am removing the windows from the boat before sending them away to be refurbished. This can be a job which varies from pretty easy to virtually impossible. When I started I had no idea how hard it was going to be, check out the video here to see how it went! Join this channel to get access to perks: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UClCzx7NtTAcr9s2C3CJiv7w/join Sailing a 1970 Contessa 26

Building a new navigation system on a tight budget. Here I put together a cheap Chinese rugged waterproof tablet with a cheap Austrailain(?) wifi adapter to create a tough and waterproof solution. Does it work? Look and see! None of the stuff in this video is free or sponsored, I paid for it all myself, perhps that's why I took the cheapest option. Is it a mistake to go cheap? Time will tell.. The tablet is a Doogee R10 Rugged Tablet NMEA0183 to Wi-Fi single port converter by YAKBITZ I have a set of CM93 charts loaded, a friend gave them to me, a little out of date but good as long as one bears this in mind. Other charts I've used are o-charts https://o-charts.org/?lng=en , some free, others inexpensive and very good! Please consider supporting my stuff with a like and subscribe, or even better become a member and get all sorts of extras like early videos, personal access via Discord, that'll help me upgrade my gear and the poor old boat! https://www.youtube.com/channel/UClCzx7NtTAcr9s2C3CJiv7w/join Thanks to @miceinamatchbox for the music Sailing a 1970 Contessa 26

Sailing a 1970 Contessa 26. This video shows the replacement and repair process to a breakage which occurred in the 2024 Jester Challenge; Fitting a stainless steel vang mounting in place of the flimsy plastic version.. The breakage and quick fix at sea can be seen here: https://youtu.be/Z5aDLXDg_EA?si=allNVMndX_Loj5ql You can follow the whole 2024 Jester Challenge with this playlist: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLZCvVhEwq-eZluQHhMFWvmKpoP0lGI40f&si=nfZo2_S0b_49IEdT And of course there's lots more Contessa 26 sailing on the channel! Thanks as ever to @miceinamatchbox for the excelent music

Sailing a 1970 Contessa 26 in the final stage in the epic journey to the Azores and then home again. In this last episode of the trip we plod on bravely through seemingly endless calms and super light winds, many ups and downs in the conditions and mood as I keep my Contessa 26, Green Tambourine, pointing as close to north west as possible, heading towards our home port, in Cardiff, the capital of Wales. In this video you'll see my delicious breakfast ready to eat, check out more cooking at sea videos here: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLZCvVhEwq-eah63JOpDimuvptAd8C2O5j&si=ZRMXCN483USco-fQ You'll also see me discuss weather faxes which I get free anywhere, a full video about how to do that here: https://youtu.be/rOBq4IWOTVg?si=J2r_tkebLbwpuStj A big thanks to Mice in a Matchbox for the start and end music! @miceinamatchbox If you like this sort of content, please join the channel, its cheap and it might help me replace my tatty spray hood (dodger)! https://www.youtube.com/channel/UClCzx7NtTAcr9s2C3CJiv7w/join

Sailing home from Horta to the UK after the 2024 Jester Challenge, an important part of the boom hardware unexpectedly broke. At first I thought I would have to manage without a vang, but then had (for me!) a brilliant idea! Self reliance is a key to successful offshore sailing and I managed to figure out how to do a great repair. Plenty of frustration with too little wind, well, it makes a change from wondering if the boat will fall apart in the rough seas.. Lots more on the 2024 jester challenge here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLZCvVhEwq-eZluQHhMFWvmKpoP0lGI40f And the 2023 Jester challenge here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLZCvVhEwq-eal-N4GoEF0SDzZW0R1L7w9 I'd love you to join the channel, you'll get early access to videos and live chat on my discord server, and coming soon, exclusive members only content! https://www.youtube.com/channel/UClCzx7NtTAcr9s2C3CJiv7w/join Big thanks to @miceinamatchbox for the music

Contessa 26 sails from Horta to the UK on return from the Jester Challenge 2024 My 2nd attempt to make the crossing back to Cardiff from the Azores, will I succeed this time? In this episode I have an unexpected engine problem when an alarm suddenly sounds! At sea you have to fix everything yourself with whatever you have with you.. Please become a member of this channel tand get early access to videos, access to my discord server, and much more: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UClCzx7NtTAcr9s2C3CJiv7w/join Big thanks to @miceinamatchbox once again for the music

Contessa 26 sailing home encounters a storm in the Atlantic.. what to do next? Green Tambourine, on her way home to Cardiff from the Jester Azores Challenge 24 , encounters a storm in the ocean. What's the best and safest thing to do? As we sail north from Terceira I notice the early signs of bad weather, the situation slowly deteriorates until a decision has to be made 200 miles out.. What would you have done? Let me know below.. Join this channel to get access to perks: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UClCzx7NtTAcr9s2C3CJiv7w/join Next in this Jester Challenge series: https://youtu.be/RxxphsfT5Zk Follow the whole of the Jester challenge here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLZCvVhEwq-eZluQHhMFWvmKpoP0lGI40f If you like my content, please consider becoming a member, - click the Join button above, its not expensive and you'll get early access to videos and lots more, and you'll be helping me replace that terribly tatty Spray hood (Dodger in US!)

Receiving Weatherfax (Wefax) at sea. The cheapest and simplest way of getting marine weather information. There are no subscriptions or annual fees; grab free weatherfaxes using a cheap short wave radio and a tablet with an inexpensive app. I've been using Wefax for over 10 years and its always available, always up to date, and you'll never be caught out by unexpected weather ever again. Many people have asked me for the details of my weatherfax setup, so here it is! I don't have any sponsorship or marketing deal so any recommendations here are my own and I'm not getting paid for them. You'll need the world wide schedule of Wefax transmissions which is a free PDF you can download here: https://www.weather.gov/media/marine/rfax.pdf In the video you'll notice I don't recommend the D808 radio as it doesn't come time well and the fine tuning wheel on mine broke in the first few days. However, a friend got one of these https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0BW9G7FCK?ref=cm_sw_r_cso_wa_apin_dp_QE0HX0FG0PK99820TVTE&ref_=cm_sw_r_cso_wa_apin_dp_QE0HX0FG0PK99820TVTE&social_share=cm_sw_r_cso_wa_apin_dp_QE0HX0FG0PK99820TVTE&starsLeft=1&skipTwisterOG=1 I helped him set it up and it was pulling in wefax in Cardiff city, so might well be worth a look for very little money.. Join this channel to get access to perks: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UClCzx7NtTAcr9s2C3CJiv7w/join Many thanks to Mice in a Matchbox ( @miceinamatchbox ) for the music Follow my solo ocean adventures on the Atlantic here: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLZCvVhEwq-eZluQHhMFWvmKpoP0lGI40f&si=eLPZs2MkbXsa4jLK Of course you'll want to subscribe if you havent already, and do please 'like' and comment, it really helps!

Cooking at sea, making flat bread on a single Origo spirit stove ring. This is very fast, you can have bread in 10 minutes, so much quicker than waiting for a yeasted bread to rise, so perfect when you need something quick! This is a fully detailed instruction of the process; once you've seen this video you'll be able to make your own fantastic chapatis too! Imagine coming down below after a challenging time in the cockpit to mouth watering warm fresh bread. My Contessa 26 only has a small 2 ring spirit stove but its perfect for simple cooking like this. You'll see how fast and economical it is, and how good the results are in this video! Do subscribe to get notified when new content is ready, and if you like this, please hit that like button too! :) Join this channel to get access to perks: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UClCzx7NtTAcr9s2C3CJiv7w/join Many thanks to @miceinamatchbox for the musical content. More cooking at sea here: https://youtu.be/BLTW6gXoM1E Contessa 26 sailing the 2024 Jester Challenge here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLZCvVhEwq-eZluQHhMFWvmKpoP0lGI40f