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My Solo Sailing SCREW UP!!! What NOT to do, in Bad Weather.
June 13, 2025 · 17 min · 19K views
What this video covers
Paulo, a novice sailor, recounts a solo sailing incident aboard his 32-foot sailboat, Starry Night, where he encountered a squall shortly after departing a river. Lacking experience, he attempted to drop full canvas—mizzen, mainsail, and genoa—by forcing the boat into the wind. This maneuver caused the vessel to backwind and heel severely, burying the windows in the water. He failed to check for lines in the water before starting the engine and neglected to wear a personal flotation device (PFD) or clip into a safety tether until the situation escalated. He eventually realized that he could furl the genoa without pointing directly into the wind and increased engine RPM to regain control. After the squall passed, he decided to abandon the passage and return to the safety of the river. The experience highlights the dangers of ignoring environmental warning signs, such as unusual current and fetch in a river, and the importance of reefing early and maintaining situational awareness.
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