fazit's recent activity
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Comment on I want to talk about sailing! in ~hobbies
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Comment on Cold-weather vegan recipes in ~food
fazit LinkSo I just cooked Ottolenghis Baked Rice with Tomato Confit and my kitchen still smells amazing. It was super delicious! And pretty simple. You only need an oven. I ate it as a main dish but I can...So I just cooked Ottolenghis Baked Rice with Tomato Confit and my kitchen still smells amazing. It was super delicious! And pretty simple. You only need an oven.
I ate it as a main dish but I can see it served with something like a roasted eggplant?
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Comment on I want to talk about sailing! in ~hobbies
fazit Link ParentYeah, cats are more stable, but apparently they don't perform well in storms. A monohull is hard to tip over because of the leverage of the ballast, and next to impossible to tip over. I've never...Yeah, cats are more stable, but apparently they don't perform well in storms. A monohull is hard to tip over because of the leverage of the ballast, and next to impossible to tip over.
I've never sailed a cat, but it is up there on my list. For living aboard, I think I would still prefer the monohull, because of the extra safety.
Did they blog about it somewhere? I love to read up on stories like these. :)
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Comment on I want to talk about sailing! in ~hobbies
fazit Link ParentAh yeah, that's right, you guys also get the holidays during summer. :D As an european, that was so bizarre to experience. Jingle Bells in 25°C and Santas Hats everywhere, Snow nowhere to be seen....Ah yeah, that's right, you guys also get the holidays during summer. :D As an european, that was so bizarre to experience. Jingle Bells in 25°C and Santas Hats everywhere, Snow nowhere to be seen.
So you Scubadive? Or what other activities do you do on the water?
I had a pretty scary experience on my last dive, so I'm probably not doing that for the forseeable future. :/
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Comment on I want to talk about sailing! in ~hobbies
fazit Link ParentMy partner and I plan a sabbatical in five years, that we want to spend on a cat or a sailing boat in the mediterrean. Did you parents already own the cat? Or did they buy it for this purpose?My partner and I plan a sabbatical in five years, that we want to spend on a cat or a sailing boat in the mediterrean. Did you parents already own the cat? Or did they buy it for this purpose?
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Comment on What's your favorite action scene? in ~talk
fazit Link ParentI was also looking for the Matrix in this thread. I think I watched the lobby fight scene at least 20 times as a teenager. The soundtrack is also top notch!I was also looking for the Matrix in this thread. I think I watched the lobby fight scene at least 20 times as a teenager. The soundtrack is also top notch!
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Comment on I want to talk about sailing! in ~hobbies
fazit Link ParentThat's the funny thing: We also saw some boats for rent straight from the pier, and they also cost something like 1.200 € for a day. I guess that is the price for flexibility/spontaneity. I tried...That's the funny thing: We also saw some boats for rent straight from the pier, and they also cost something like 1.200 € for a day. I guess that is the price for flexibility/spontaneity.
I tried speaking spanish, but most of the times the Malloquins would just switch to English or German :D which was abit sad, I really wanted to practice more. I think you will not have any problems with English, at least for most practical stuff.
I booked our boat via Sarres, I just wrote them an email what I had planned and they suggested me three different boats in different price ranges. They then answered all my questions about various aspects of the boat (does it have an autopilot/windvane, which brand and software version etc.) and were very accomodating. I think you can book boats with them in most of Europe. All you need is a license for steering a motor boat and for using a shortwave radio, as far as I know.
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Comment on I want to talk about sailing! in ~hobbies
fazit Link ParentSounds really exciting. I want to be able to do stuff like that - approaching a mooring ball under sails and sticking the landing. It makes sense to be able to do stuff like that, because like you...Sounds really exciting. I want to be able to do stuff like that - approaching a mooring ball under sails and sticking the landing. It makes sense to be able to do stuff like that, because like you saw, there's always the possibility of a motor crapping out. I think it sounds like a fun challenge.
The friend that was with us on this trip learned sailing on the Thor Heyerdahl, a 50m long boat with three masts. She invited us to join a trip there and see how things work with a very big crew and a very big boat. Maybe I will take her up on that offer, just so see how one does dock it.
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Comment on I want to talk about sailing! in ~hobbies
fazit Link ParentThere is a movie of three women that sailed a self-built catamaran across the atlantic: Women & the Wind, so maybe that's not too unrealistic?There is a movie of three women that sailed a self-built catamaran across the atlantic: Women & the Wind, so maybe that's not too unrealistic?
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Comment on I want to talk about sailing! in ~hobbies
fazit (edited )Link ParentI haven't ever watched any professional sport, ever, but I can see myself watching a regatta. Maybe I have to look that event up on youtube! :) My first time sailing ever was as a kid on a hobie...I haven't ever watched any professional sport, ever, but I can see myself watching a regatta. Maybe I have to look that event up on youtube! :)
My first time sailing ever was as a kid on a hobie cat. I nearly crashed in a anchored yacht, so that kept me on land for quite a while. I still have no idea how you can give a 14 year old a cat after like 1 hour of introduction and just say "well, have fun!"
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Comment on I want to talk about sailing! in ~hobbies
fazit Link Parentoooh, we saw so many of those out in the bay of Palma. My partner was continuously concerned for those kids. "They look so little! OH NO ITS GOING TO FLIP!!!! AAaAah oh they are right back at it!"...oooh, we saw so many of those out in the bay of Palma. My partner was continuously concerned for those kids. "They look so little! OH NO ITS GOING TO FLIP!!!! AAaAah oh they are right back at it!" :D
I've never ridden an optimist, but a bigger version of it, a laser. They already have a foresail. The last time I rented one, I ended up smacking the beam against my head three times while jibing - I couldn't get the balancing act of switching the side while steering right. Because I felt dizzy afterwards, I went to the hospital, only to be greeted by the doctor with a very sarcastic: "So where is our sailing prodigy?!" :D
I wrote a trip report here: https://tildes.net/~hobbies/1wtx/i_want_to_talk_about_sailing#comment-iuly
But if you have any more questions, just ask away :)
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Comment on I want to talk about sailing! in ~hobbies
fazit (edited )LinkAI USE DISCLOSURE: I wrote all of this myself, but in German. I used Claude to translate it and then edited some parts to sound more like I would've written them. I hope that's okay. It just felt...AI USE DISCLOSURE: I wrote all of this myself, but in German. I used Claude to translate it and then edited some parts to sound more like I would've written them. I hope that's okay. It just felt a bit daunting to write all of this again in my second language. I wanted to clarify that, because I hate nothing more than reading 2.000 words of AI output while wondering if it is AI output or not.
My Trip report
This trip was my first proper, self-organised trip as skipper. I was pretty nervous beforehand and gave a lot of thought to the boat, the route, the weather and the crew. Even looking back, I wouldn’t say it was too much thinking – I was happy with how I chose the boat and glad that we were able to organise the crew the way we did.
All in all, it was only my fifth time on a boat; in total I had spent just 35 days on a sailing boat. When I told people from my sailing club about my plan, that I’d like to see whether I could manage a boat alone with my partner, some of them looked a bit taken aback and voiced concerns. In the weeks leading up to the departure, I also felt those concerns rising, but I chartered a boat, so let's fkn do this!About the crew:
- Me: about 1,200 nautical miles before the trip, SKS, radio licence, never skippered before, but completed a skipper training
- S, my partner: started SKS training, SBF See, two trips
- O, a friend: same level as S
- L, O’s eleven-year-old son
- P, a friend: did 500nm on huge tall wooden ships ten years ago, no other experience otherwise
The plan was this: S and I would be on the boat for the full two weeks. O & L would join for the first five days, then we’d drop them off in the north of the island at the port of Alcudia. Then S and I would be alone for four days until P arrived, and we’d finish the loop with her. The logic was that we’d have support at the beginning and at the end – if during those four days we noticed that we couldn’t manage as a pair, we could simply hang out in Alcudia for four days and go hiking until P arrived and we sailed back with her.
Palma to Sa Rapita – baptism by fire
The first day. The start in Palma went great. We’d talked through the manoeuvre in detail beforehand and had one person up front at the bow on lookout for mooring lines and moving boats. By the time we were ready, most of the neighbouring boats had already left and it was easier anyway - but we felt super prepared :D
Right away we eased the starboard line to angle the boat a bit, to get round faster in the narrow lane – that probably wasn’t even necessary, but it’s still cool when I got to try out stuff I saw in videos and it actually works.After heading out, sails straight up in about 2 Beaufort with wind and waves from the back. I was a bit nervous, but also euphoric: Wow – we’re sailing! And we didn't crash the boat during launch! And now we get to do this for two whole weeks!
The euphoria ceased about an hour later. Both S and I got really seasick as the waves from astern got higher. Ginger tablets, ginger tea, looking at the horizon, steering – none of it helped. For me it eventually got so bad that I threw up several times and spent most of the passage below deck. We had to furl the sails and motor towards Sa Rapita.
I still remember standing on deck and panicking inwards - what if it’s like this for 14 days? Why didn’t we bring any medication?? Why am I suddenly getting seasick, that’s never happened to me before? I looked at the land and wanted nothing more than to be there - solid ground under my feet! The feeling is really hard to explain. Anyway, I could understand why allegedly people have jumped into the water from seasickness – anything is better than this nausea, the dizziness, the headache. I was so thankful that O and L didn’t suffer from it and that O steered the boat confidently towards our destination. It took a huge amount of effort just to talk through the docking manoeuvre and prepare lines and fenders.
Before the harbour entrance I quickly had Claude write me the radio call, because I myself no longer remembered how to do it. I called Sa Rapita, said that we were short-handed and beginners, and that we’d like an easy berth. Then I threw up again, quickly rinsed my mouth and took the helm over from O - I didn’t want to leave that burden to someone who had only docked a sailing boat three or four times before.
In the harbour, two young marineros were waiting for us right at the waiting pier. In the calmer harbour water my seasickness disappeared immediately, and S felt better straight away too. I stopped the boat, turned it towards the pier and docked pretty decently. There was a bit of offshore wind and we were too slow with the mooring, so we drifted off, straight towards a catamaran moored alongside, which of course had no fender at its bow. What I found a bit irritating was that the catamaran’s skipper stood on his deck and watched the whole thing rather calmly, instead of grabbing a fender to hold in between. Maybe it didn’t look as dramatic as it felt to me. A marinero in some kind of ram boat then pushed us into our spot and we were able to secure the mooring.
Despite all the difficulties, I was optimistic at the end of the day: Everything worked out without damage, we handled things okay. And: You’re allowed to just ask for help. The marineros were very friendly and have no problem helping you dock. In every harbour during the first week I announced us as newbies and always got competent help, and learned a thing or two along the way. You just have to get over yourself and admit you have no idea what you are doing. What are they gonna do - take away your boat?
The trip to Cala Ratjada then went without any problems.
From Cala Ratjada to Porto Colom – just the two of us!
In Cala Ratjada, L and O left us with encouraging words: “You’ll manage just fine on your own, the two of you!”
After a so-so night, we got to do our first casting-off manoeuvre as a pair in an almost empty harbour basin with little wind – perfect. And it all went without any problems!Out at sea we had about 10kn of wind from behind. We hoisted the sails and trimmed the headsail for a broad reach. We kept the mainsheet tight – S was worried about an accidental jibe, since the wind was veering aft and as a pair we didn’t want to always have the sheet in hand. We still made good speed and enjoyed the time on the water, just the two of us! Jibing worked without problems – the helmsperson stood by the leeward sheet and cast it off when the stern came round. The other person hauled the jib sheet over. After a few tries it went better and better and was pretty fun.
The first time docking as a pair was then in Porto Cristo – we already knew the harbour well and I knew I had enough room to manoeuvre. We had a bit of crosswind, but the marinero judged it well and put us next to a boat that I could nicely let my boat rest against. The division of labour when docking was pretty unequal – I only had to steer, which essentially means: line the boat up, slowly drive into the gap, stop, put it in gear, wait. My partner had quite a bit more to do: hand over the windward line and in return take the lazy line. Work her way forward, pull the mooring up from the bottom. Haul the mooring tight and make it fast. Then come back, take the stern line back on slip and make it fast. Then hand over the leeward line, take it back, make it fast.
Then power into the mooring, take the slack out of the stern line, make fast again.
“Ah damn, too close to the pier. Let’s ease the stern line again and pull the mooring tighter!” Then the whole thing all over again :D but we both had fun with it – I think that’s exactly what’s fascinating about sailing: When both know what to do, and you function and optimise as a team!The next day, our first real faux pas:
We wanted to get out of the bay of Porto Cristo quickly, to catch some wind for the trip to Porto Colom. So out of the harbour, autopilot on, bring the fenders in, coil the mooring lines, clear the lines.
We were both on the foredeck busy with the last fenders when the boat suddenly made a sharp turn. I looked up for the first time in about 30 seconds and see that we’re heading towards the cliffs at the harbour exit. So I quickly ran into the cockpit, stopped the boat and turned us around.
It turned out that in a fit of routine blindness I had pressed the “STANDBY” button instead of the “AUTO” button, so the autopilot was never active. I hadn’t really checked, but had just gone forward to help my partner with the fenders. Meanwhile the boat drifted towards the cliffs.
If the rudder hadn’t turned so hard at the end, and we’d just kept drifting, we might only have noticed when we crashed into the rocks.
Oopsie.
Sobered by this, I got into the habit of waiting for the first jolt of the autopilot at the wheel before turning to other things.Porto Colom to Palma - finally, a vacation!
In Porto Colom we then met up with our friend P. First we practised a few fender knots and cleating a line in the harbour. Then we talked through the docking and launching manoeuvres. While doing this we were watched by the neighbouring boats. At first I found that a bit intrusive. But when we then cast off, a skipper called out to us from the pontoon: “Hey, perfect, right out of the textbook!” - that made me, at least, pretty proud after all.
Anyway, I have to say this, as it is probably the reason for this whole thread: This whole sailing and docking thing is a real dopamine dispenser for me. It all still feels pretty unfamiliar, so I’m continuously challenged, but luckily so far never overwhelmed. Planning and carrying out manoeuvres together with good friends as crew is incredibly satisfying. I never had to shout commands loudly, everyone knew what they had to do and the steps seemed logical to all of us (in the end). There’s something really elegant about it when lines get passed over at the right moment, made fast, and this (relatively) big boat goes from moving to standing still. It’s always a bit of a thrill too, this being “under way”.
I don’t know if you can convey that to someone who’s never been on a boat and doesn’t know the feeling of being unable to manoeuvre or stop on the spot. That moment when the wind grabs you, but the rudder doesn’t have any steering yet, you notice that you’re drifting and at the mercy of the movement of the water and the wind. Then the relief when the boat slowly turns in the intended direction and you’ve planned enough room. Or even better: When you’ve judged the wind correctly and it helps with the boat’s movement.
After all, there are always several €100,000 floating in the water around you that you don’t want to scrape against.After a week of sailing, S and I were ready for some more relaxation, too. The wind had died down quite a bit anyway, so we spent our days mostly hanging out in coves, anchoring unsuccessfully and splashing around. Next time “nudist-friendly” will also be a factor in choosing the crew – it’s really nice when you can go overboard naked in a deserted cove and stretch out on the boat. I hate wet swimming trunks. And I hate sand on my feet. Nothing better than swimming ind getting right back on a boat.
Editors Note
So, that's the gist of it. If there are some things unclear, I cut like 3000 more words about our boat and the harbours, we also had a weird night out in "Ballermann 6", the German party destination, feel free to ask anything and everything. :)
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Comment on I want to talk about sailing! in ~hobbies
fazit (edited )Link ParentHey ylph, I did charter this one: https://ws.nausys.com/CBMS-external/rest/yacht/7972068/html 38 foot, so on the small side when it comes to sailing yachts. At least judging by the rest of the...Hey ylph, I did charter this one: https://ws.nausys.com/CBMS-external/rest/yacht/7972068/html
38 foot, so on the small side when it comes to sailing yachts. At least judging by the rest of the boats in the harbour. 60 foot ist a whole other thing!I was the skipper myself, and it was the first time taking on the full responsibility for the boat. It was a bit scary, I have to admit.
I wrote more about the trip here: https://tildes.net/~hobbies/1wtx/i_want_to_talk_about_sailing#comment-iuly
The vacation sounds fantastic. I loved sleeping on the deck during my last holiday in a boat in the balearics, but this time around it was sadly too cold already.
I never tried mooring a yacht just with sails, only a small laser, and I already think it is quite tricky if you can't take up speed whenever you like.
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Comment on I want to talk about sailing! in ~hobbies
fazit Link ParentI visited the sounds on my gap year after school - what a magical place! Taking a little Hobie Cat or something like a Laser for a ride there sounds like a blast. I have to look up some YouTube...I visited the sounds on my gap year after school - what a magical place! Taking a little Hobie Cat or something like a Laser for a ride there sounds like a blast. I have to look up some YouTube videos of that. NZ is generally a superb place for a outdoor activities, no?
I also vividly remember the sand flies :D
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Comment on I want to talk about sailing! in ~hobbies
fazit (edited )Link ParentOh wow, I didn't even know simulator sailing is a thing! I have to check that out! Growing up on a coast sounds so nice. I'm stuck deep in europe, every coast trip is like a 7 hours drive :/ Edit:...Oh wow, I didn't even know simulator sailing is a thing! I have to check that out!
Growing up on a coast sounds so nice. I'm stuck deep in europe, every coast trip is like a 7 hours drive :/
Edit: I just found this one: https://docking.academy/ it works in your browser and it's good fun!
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Comment on I want to talk about sailing! in ~hobbies
fazit Link ParentWe met an older couple that lives on a sailing cruiser and just travels the mediterrean sea the whole year. I think this kind of off-the-grid living really is feasible. I also watch a fascinating...We met an older couple that lives on a sailing cruiser and just travels the mediterrean sea the whole year.
I think this kind of off-the-grid living really is feasible. I also watch a fascinating YouTube channel of a german guy that sails the world on his own.
The only question is, how you get your diesel, provisions etc.?
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Comment on I want to talk about sailing! in ~hobbies
fazit Link ParentI think that highly depends on what you want to do. I have to say though, that it is far cheaper than I imagined at first, and I deeply regret not starting this hobby any sooner - you can sail...I think that highly depends on what you want to do. I have to say though, that it is far cheaper than I imagined at first, and I deeply regret not starting this hobby any sooner - you can sail very cheap and very far, if you have lots of time on your hands! But alas, this is something that was unbeknownst to me in my twenties.
For an initial sailing experience, you can charter a bed on a boat ("Kojencharter") with an agency. Depending on the level on comfort and the destination, this sets you back something like 500€ for the charter and 150€ for boat related expenses (food, drinks, diesel, the "Bordkasse"). Add the travel to and from the boat, and you get something like 750€ for a full week holiday. This is more expensive tham camping in a nature reserve, but less expensive than hitting the slops skiing, at least where I live.
A license to charter a ship will amount to something like 2.000€ in Germany, for all the training, fees etc.
After that, you can charter a boat.This was my first charter. I paid ~ 3.300€ for the boat, 300€ for insurance, 400€ for cleaning, sheets, towels etc. for two weeks, 200€ for groceries.
A night in a marina cost anywhere between 24€ and 86€. Anchoring in the wild is free.
Diesel cost us 70€ in the end (for 35 liters...)
Because we went out for dinner most of the times, the expenses added up there, too, but I wouldn't include that. You have a complete kitchen, so you can also cook and keep the cost low.In the end, this adds up to something like 4.700€ for 14 days of being on a boat that could - theoretically - fit 7 people, more realistically 5 to 6. So less than 1.000€ per Person for 14 days of vacation - that's not too bad, I think?
Owning a boat is a whole different story, though.
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I want to talk about sailing!
I am sitting on my flight back from Palma de Mallorca right now, looking back on two weeks of sailing (almost) around the island. It was my first time chartering a sailing yacht, and my fifth time...
I am sitting on my flight back from Palma de Mallorca right now, looking back on two weeks of sailing (almost) around the island.
It was my first time chartering a sailing yacht, and my fifth time sailing ever. It was exhilarating, challenging, beautiful, boring and serene, and it all started with me puking my guts out on the first day.
I'll write up more about the trip after landing, if there is any interest. In the meantime - who here is also into sailing or spending time on a vessel on the water? :)
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Comment on Real-life 'Truman Show' pulled from TV as it's branded 'psychological torture' in ~tv
fazit Link ParentThere is also a short documentary in YouTube by Atrocity Guide.There is also a short documentary in YouTube by Atrocity Guide.
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Comment on iPhone Duo sells out immediately, now backordered until next year in ~tech
fazit Link ParentWow! That looks like something straight out of a cyber punk movie! Nice to see, that Yolo even recognized this weird chair ;D What happens, if you have it annotate everything it can recognize? Or...Wow! That looks like something straight out of a cyber punk movie!
Nice to see, that Yolo even recognized this weird chair ;DWhat happens, if you have it annotate everything it can recognize? Or put coloured masks on it? Could you find your mouse faster in the clutter? I can see some applications for this.
It also reminds me of PROXIMATE - could you black out everything except for what you are directly looking at?
So many intriguing ideas!
Wow! Thanks for that link! There's lots to explore. I am always amazed by people living a truly radical life like this. I signed up for their newsletter.