The adventure is the reason. It is full. AND it's just beginning! Enjoy the rest at home with your daughter and felines. Then get on with the conversion.
Absolutely, "the adventure is the reason", 100%. My mom used to say, "they can't reposes your memories". It might have been a bit crass, but it's absolutely true. Memories will be with you for your life. Things will never bring you as much pleasure as a damn good adventure. ^_^
It'll be a while before the next trip, but I share my progress and real time updates with patrons. I know that's not really viable for most, but it's one of the perks. :)
Maddie made it - as we all knew she would!! I keep telling you you are an inspiration to everyone, and you ARE! Let's face it, nothing is ever "plain sailing", at least nothing worth doing that is. Keep thesee videos coming I am itching to see the Mermaid running on electrickery x
Thanks! As I came it to dock at St. Catherines, I took a minute to think about how nervous I was to do even basic manoeuvres at the start of the trip, and how much more comfortable I was at the end of it. In just the four weeks of that trip, I feel like I got to know my boat and how she moved so much better. It was an amazing experience, and one I hope so many others get to have, too.
A (mostly) good trip with good company. About the worst thing I have to say is the boat itself, which was not designed for people like me who are above average height, I lost count of how many times I banged my head against the cabin roof. Before Madison left Maryland I did make a kind-of, sort-of volunteer offer to help crew the boat, as I did a similar trip on a somewhat smaller boat (well shorter in length, but more cabin height) I bought in the USA in 2018 and was greatly helped by two friends through the Erie Canal, you know pay it forward type thing. I was sort of relieved when Madison turned me down, noting she had two other people lined up. Still, when Madison posted a note from Catskill, New York noting she need crew ASAP, I figured I needed to act as best I could and which I did. When I went down I was aware of her boat's design defects (low cabin ceiling being by far the biggest issue, but not the only one), and knew that would be a problem for me. I did my best not to complain about any issues I knew about before I went down to Catskill (besides nobody likes dealing with people who complain all the time). I had hoped I would only have to stay with the boat as far as Oswego, New York at which point Madison might be able to handle the boat on her own, but for reasons noted in a previous video Madison decided to go to Buffalo, New York (to my mind the best on a list of lousy options given the information then available, still a lousy option), so I stayed with the boat until it was at it's new home. The price I charged Madison was that she promise to pay it forward, namely she help some other escape from the asylum who has done something insane like buy a boat in the USA and wants to bring it up to the Toronto area via the Erie Canal system (ie; do what others have done for me, and what I did for her). Looking to the future, if Madison is ever truly desperate for crew, and/or is going to someplace I consider REALLY interesting I'll see what I can do, but her boat will never be a true favourite of mine.
I know it was a few months ago now but welcome back to Canada! Really enjoyed the phase 2 series from you, and really looking forward to phases 3 and 4 - the retrofit and the re-christening!
It was really really fun having so many folks track the progress! I never expected to show so much of the trip in videos, but ya, I think it was worth it. Put to perspective in a sense. :)
Congrats on this accomplishment! I can’t wait to see the clean, white bilgekote in the empty engine bay! When I did mine in 2014, I just sat and stared at it for over an hour, smiling :-)
DUDE! I am so looking forward to that too! It'll all get a nice white coat of paint, and plenty of light strips. I want to make sure I never struggle to see it tight spaces ever again. haha.
Welcome home sailor! Look at you kedging off the bottom like it's no big thing :) I am very much enjoying your adventures, and looking forward to the next phase.
Can't help but think of that mad bugger Andy everytime I see Dan Lebowitz on the song notification up the top of your video. That "wishful thinking" must be Dan's most well known piece across YT. Side note: never expected you to need a full blown beekeepers outfit to aid in navigation/helm duties! Nice work on not loosing your marbles :)
Haha! Dan's got a LOT of tracks on the youtube audio library. I came across one that was the one Brupeg uses in their opener, it was weird hearing it there.
Congratulations on making it home Madison. It must be such a relief after such a long journey. Those sure are some big freighters that run through the canal. Wondering what the total elevation change is through the canal. My official sailing journey will begin in the spring as I just hauled my new to me Catalina 22 yesterday. It will make a great boat for me to learn on and then I can move on to something larger. Thank you for the inspiration to get started on my own sailing journey. Watching videos like yours has made me realize the potential and possibilities for us common folk to enjoy all of the water on this planet of ours. Cheers until the next video!
Lake Ontario is quoted as having an elevation of 75m, Whilst Lake Erie is quoted from the same source as being 174.3m, a rise/fall of 99.3m over 42km over 8 locks - hope that answers the question.
Tying up in St. Catherines was bitter sweet. The stress was over, but I also knew I was going to miss it, and certainly enough, I did. Well, that energy is getting turned into motivation to get the conversion done now! Congrats on your 22!! That's going to be a fantastic platform to learn on, and whenever you do decide to go bigger, you're going to be so much wiser for it. You can learn in one day on a smaller boat what it would take a week or more to learn on a big boat. That I helped inspire you is honestly the very best compliment I can ever get. ^_^
That's awesome to know! I should sit down and add up the elevation change for all the locks. Maybe I'll do a live stream soon to talk about the trip home and what's next, and I can share that elevation change then. :D
Hey Maddy looks like you had a great trip home. Some problems but you handled them well. Always great to go to new places by boat, what an experience. Looking forward to see what you do to the boat.
I didn't catch much of the experience as I wished I could have, but holy crap... I had heard before the trip that the Welland was "Not Fun", but I was shocked at how flat out rude they were. That four hour delay alone was met with absolute silence. I know I may need to transit it again, and if I do, I'll be sure to have a couple friends with me so we can trade off if it takes this long again.
I'm going to be using an arduino to make the controls for the motor controller, so it should be good and proper nerdery for the third phase of the project. It's going to be a lot of fun integrating the batteries, power systems and motors.
Hahaha! Ya, I noticed it in editing but didn't think much of it. In hind sight, I should probably have mentioned what it was. Well, it got crushed when the mast was lifted off the boat, so it'll be replaced with a new one before long.
If no-one else has said anything, that curious bridge is the type that pivots from one side to open. There's a similar one in Smiths Falls, although it is out of service.
Well done Madi. Congratulations!I’ve never ever made such a long trip, over sea (ocean) and so many locks. We do have many locks in The Netherlands, but the large fall/rise is about 6m, and ships never stay just floating, they’re always tied or held by lines. I can’t wait to see the next move to electrify that sailboat
Congrats on getting home safe and sound, what an adventure. Another very interesting video, incredible seeing the size of those locks and the ships on the canal. Many years ago we visited Niagra Falls, staying for couple of days, the Canadian people were fantastic, we wished we'd stayed longer, and spent less time in New York.
nice one! thanks for bringing us along on the adventure, i imagine editing videos isn't the most fun thing to do, so it's great that you kept it up through thick and thin. i'm not a watery person so i'll never do anything like this myself, but it was very nice to experience it vicariously through your videos :) looking forward to seeing what you get up to next (after you've had a rest..)
The video editing isn't why I started the channel, but knowing a lot of folks are enjoying them makes it not so hard. I'm really glad to know folks like you enjoy it. ^_^
Just outstanding Madi... genuine RU-vid classic! What an outrageously authentic 'warts n'all'... belter of a journey! Personal achievements just popping off on a daily basis! These experiences will continue to scaffold your confidence, progression and future unique achievements and dreams! Thanks for sharing... really enjoyed it! To know that this is just the beginning of your ambitious 'electric dream' is even more unbelievable... whatever next? Glad you have now realised just how valuable that engine is... whoever now snaps that old thumper up will get exactly what they pay for... an exceptionally reliable engine with a publicly available reconditioning and maintenance history! I can't see you having any problems selling it quickly... recouping some of those mounting costs would be ideal! Crack on Madi... reespect from Thailand!
Awe! Thanks ^_^ - If things go well, this trip will look modest and tame by comparison... I can't wait to get through the conversion and start planning for some proper long distance cruising! I was shocked when I looked at what these engines sell for used, but after this trip, I'm also not really surprised. I'm hoping I can sell it for about the same as the new prop and prop shaft will cost me. I think it'd be an appropriate trade. :D
I just call those Gnats. I live along L.Ontario, cycling the bike paths along the lake it's sometimes like someone is taking handfuls of them and throwing them at you. And then since your clothes are covered in them you drag them into your house too. I've eaten a few.
I used to run into "no-see-ums" (no idea what they're really called), little clouds of bugs, and there was no avoiding adding a little protein to your diet on those days. It was so gross, haha!
Welcome home! Nice video. I like seeing all the details of the Welland Canal locks. They do look massive, and I'm sure even more so in person. Fascinating. I gotta say, once again, that you accidentally inspired me to look forward to diesel engine maintenance. It all looks doable. But who knows how I'll feel after you get the electric motor going, I'm sure I'll find that fascinating too. Can't wait for the next chapter...
The locks in person were unreal... Seeing the freighter come in beside us, then rise up was ... wow. The camera, as always, does not do it justice. It felt like floating around giants. Diesel maintenance is not too hard to figure out, with some time (and a few youtube videos), just just have to be OK getting dirty and twisting yourself into weird positions. I'm glad I learned it, and really glad I'll be swapping over to electric soon!
HOWdy T-D-M, ... Lazy Sunday - cold Cold COLD RAIN ... Monday not much different ... a GREAT Day to watch YOUR You-Tube VIDEO ... Thanks ... COOP ... the WiSeNhEiMeR from Richmond, INDIANA ... PS: my Canadian Beauty ( KELLY ) is visiting her sister on the CARIBBEAN Island = ROATAN ...
It may be expensive. But the memories. And the experience is absolutely priceless. The ups and the downs. When you watch other people go through this in the future all those thoughts and feelings come back as fresh and clearly as the day you lived them. All fond memories.
I was so happy to finally tie up at the marina, but a small part of me was kinda sad, too. It's weird having something you focused on for so long come to an end. Well, onward! :D
I'm sorry you found it a bit over the top. I'm always open to suggestions though. I try to walk the line between not being over the top (hence an interest in your feedback) while also showing the reality of buying and sailing an older boat as a new sailor. I've always tried my best to show the adventure, warts and all, so anyone else who wants to try something like this has a fair idea of what they're in for.
Almost there I love to see you rebuilding here to electric power I am making my own 10 m kruiser with a vetus eline 100 with 2 15kw lifepo4 battery's I build my battery's with the help of your end andys video's
@@nielsdelrue7242 That looks like a nice and professional setup! I'll be very interested to hear how you find the regen. Can I ask what boat you have? That's a slightly larger motor than mine, so curious how close our LWL and displacements are. :)
That motor setup don't do regen. At least that is what they told me when I talked to a Vetus representative this summer. Other then that there is a lot to like about the setup. Really good to see you home after that adventure..
Looking at the specs I found, it seems like they should? I've found a few ads saying some setups do regen, but then don't actually (I'm looking at you, Fischer Panda...)
Congrats on finally making it home! Thank you for taking us along for the ride. After this "adventure", I wonder if in some future video you could compare how your target future boat configuration (electric motors, batteries, et al) would likely have performed on this passage? How much would you have had to rely on generators vs the the possible solar contribution while en-route, etc. For some, the biggest struggle with considering an electric boat is range, and this passage, with its significant use of no-sailing canals and no shore power, could make for a worst-case test. What would you have had to do differently?
I think I'll do a live stream soon, to talk about exactly this. Basically a; "Lessons learned, future plans" type Q&A. Maybe I'll try to do this Friday. In short though; I think I could have done it, yes, but it would have played out differently. One of the top goals for me in my design of the electrics has been to be able to do canal and river runs, and I _THINK_ I've got a plan to do this. Key thing is being able to charge faster than I can drain, so if I'm right and I can cruise at 4kts at 2450w, and if I can recharge from shore power at 4kw, then I can stop and recharge every other night and run indefinitely without needing a generator. Solar would be bonus / house loads.
@@TheDigitalMermaid Looking forward to your live stream! The reason I brought up solar as possibly being more than just a bonus is the analysis that the channel "Slight Adrift" did in their episode 38 (Electric Boat Conversion - Part 3). They found that 800 watts can push their 36ft sailboat along at about 3 knots, so with their 800 watts of full-sun solar capacity, that theoretically means much of a day's motoring won't touch the battery at all. Reality would be a bit less, of course, but my take-away was that the solar contribution could be significant. As long as you can keep the speed down, that is. Darn fluid dynamics vs the Locks schedule.
@@tubeuser2350 Low speed / solar level power efficiency is something I've been putting a lot of thought into, actually. There's another project, @SVBombadil, that have an Ericson 39 (iirc) and they installed a 10kw motor as well. They're a bit under a tonne heavier than me, and have a ~20cm longer LWL and beam, and a bit more wetted surface with their rudder and keel. Still though, within spitting distance of my boat. They reported 3 knots at 1050w input power, but I don't have the efficiency curve for their motor. Using my 10kw motor's curve though, that's less than 30% efficient, or about 300w output power. So now I'm thinking of adding a second 5kw motor to be able to switch to it for low-speed trawling. It would have an efficiency of over 70% at 900w input power (closest measurement they have), and at 900w, it would output 630w of pushing power. Even at higher speeds, aiming for the 4 knots, the 2450w input Bombadil needed to hit 4kts as a base, the 10kw motor is about 81% efficient, so 2524w input is 2050w output. The 5kw motor is 2220w input for 2026w output! When we get to 5kts, the difference is nominal, and anything higher, only the 10kw can really do. If I manage to get all six batteries onboard, at 4kts, the difference in runtime (assuming no other loads and no charging) is 34h with the 10kw or 39h with the 4kw. Below that, the range bonus of the 5kw goes up dramatically. So the current plan will be to have both motors, 10kw for power, 5kw for low speed efficiency, and _MAYBE_ I can sync their RPMs and get 15kw for times I need extra boost. Having the two motors will let me do comparison videos on regen efficiency, also. Phase 3 will be getting the motors and controls sorted out and installed on the boat. Phase 4 is going to be a lot of on-the-water testing and experimenting. I soooo can't wait!
Huh, I've probably driven through it or past it several times then... I used to drive from NB to ON a lot, usually taking the 20 but sometimes the 40. Always loved that long drive along the St. Lawrence...
@@TheDigitalMermaid North shore not south shore! It's across the St Lawrence from Rimouski. (Did you ever tour the old diesel sub in Rimouski? It's cool!) Baie-Comeau is also the city where you can head north on 389 to Labrador City
Aaaah, I just looked it up on maps, and no I've not been that far. I'd always turn down on the 85 off 20. Maybe if/when I finally sail out of the St. Lawrence, I can make a stop at the diesel sub.
Congrats, just have to electrify it now ( the next adventure) ! How long did the total trip take you, and was that the expected time for completion, I'm guessing not as you had to deal with a couple of issues
I planned for about three weeks, give or take, and it ended up being a touch under 4 weeks. So given all that happened, I am pretty pleased with that. Particularly as it was the first time I had tried to plan such a trip, and there was a lot I didn't know at the start. Everything I need for the propulsion side of things is now here for building and testing on the bench. That's going to be the next big series, as I've decided to design and build my own throttle, controls, etc. It's going to be a fun way to use the time between now and spring!
Sorry Madi but i couldn't help but laugh.. Here in Australia we have the same problem with flies and yes as Colin did i have had a few in my mouth and ears.. Maybe swallowed a couple too lol
Hahaha! Holy shit dude, I didn't have video for most of the bullshit from that canal. The people working there were ... I don't know. It's like they were bitter that we were there and they wanted us to know it.
