Thank you Roger (unbeknownst)! To me, your achievements are world-class . I admire and learn from your "ambitious, yet secure" approach to sailing and everything around it. The humility and persistence that you demonstrate are more than inspiring. Thank you for sharing and I would love to see/hear/read "more" about your adventures, past and present!
Roger I have to dispute your claim to poor quality videos.. Technically unsophiscated maybe.. but they are remarkable for their honesty and dedication to seamanship. I for one will sorely miss them. Thank you sir.
Roger, it's been a pure pleasure watching all of your voyages as well as reading all of your books. You've carved a niche in the sailing world that nobody else has. Ming Ming 2, tied up to the dock, looks as if she's just been launched, a testament to your shipright and seamanship skills. Well done.
So much of this planet of ours has been colonised and, to a greater or lesser degree, spoiled. It's easy to get into the frame of mind whereby one thinks there is no adventure to be had any more. Nowhere truly wild. Nowhere you can go that can make you feel like a true pioneering spirit, like the old days. Your voyages, books and videos go a long way to dispel that, and for that, many, many thanks.
Thank you Roger, for the final (?) video - much appreciated. Ming Ming II looks pristine and mighty pleased with herself, as I'm sure you are (pleased with yourself). Perhaps, it's better to finish on a high? Only you will know.
Roger Many thanks for sharing your adventures, insights, wisdom, ideas, etc. It’s unfortunate that others such as Pete H. do not see fit to record their thoughts, experiences, and wisdom first hand as a legacy left to the benefit of those who follow, as you have. That is the true measure of a man. You have been an inspiration to me, and have helped me chart a course into the future.....
This voyage to me felt like a (the??) culmination of your lifetime's experience and I'm now struggling to convey the emotion I feel watching this after following you for many years. You are, and always will be, a total inspiration both your seamanship and your quest for adventure (and for me especially the importance that that continues and is passed on to future generations). Your videos are absolutely not poor quality, they are just the very best! Whatever the future brings I wish you all the best, there is no way I can thank you adequately for what you have given.
Thank you Sir Roger for another brilliant voyage. I have read a few of your books starting with Voyages of a Simple Sailor and your tall ship disaster is one of the most fantastic firsthand sea tales I've yet to read. With that as a backdrop, following the evolution of not only your philosophy but then your extremely disciplined adherence to that philosophy in the creation of your boats and planning and execution of your voyages has been remarkable to watch. To any who have not yet indulged in your books, I most highly recommend them. I love the eloquence of your words and the economy of your sailing. Thank you for sharing your gifts and inspiration and taking us with you to the furthest reaches of solo sailing! I send you love.
Well I am a Johnny come lately. I discovered you when I went looking for info on junk rigged sails. there you were giving a talk on Ming Ming and now you have completed, possibly, (nah ), your last 3,000 mile journey on Ming Ming 2. Despite what you say, I soaked up your recount with great interest. I googled 81* North, Franz Joseph land and Queen Victoria Sea to check it out. My meager sailing experience is with a Sabot on Swan Bay back in the early 60’s and crewing on a gaff rigged couta boat on Port Philip bay early 2000’s I’ll check out some of your other videos.
Thank you, Mr Taylor. Thank you for documenting your experiences, for the benefit of many. I've read your opus with such pleasure that I physically smiled; including your forward to Tilman's "Mostly Mischief," and have nothing but grateful admiration for your work and voyages. You are an antidote to the moral-shabbiness of our time: a man who quietly goes about your ambitious voyages -and their documentation - simply, skilfully and modestly. From my own little junk, which I bought having read your "Mingming" trilogy - now more than a trilogy, in fact -I raise my cap to you.
Thank you Roger for the time you take to document your journeys and for the great pleasure it is to watch your videos. Your achievements are absolutely outstanding. Thank you!
An excellent closing short film to the voyage, you have demonstrated that a sailor does not need the latest gadget or the most grand of vessels to sail across an ocean they just need a seaworthy sailing boat fit for purpose, and a sailor that truly knows what they are doing without doubt. What a true adventurer well done Rodger thank you for sharing.
Well done. Interestingly, it is true that your videography leaves something to be desired. However, there is a magic in what you do. Authentic, genuine, honest, insightful, transparent, humble, informative, are all adjectives that come to mind as to not only your work but also you as a person. It is who you are, what you are doing, and how you share that makes your series so enjoyable. There are a number of truly good sailing channels and those channels too are more about life and quests than fun and achievement. My hope for you is that you will continue to sail and share. Perhaps the era of the 60 day voyages has come to an end. I know what I would do. I'd hang a small outboard on Mingming II and sail the British Isles going into harbors frequently, meeting people, sharing history, and breathing deeply of the world around. I don't think Mingming would be offended by a temporary and easily removed motor and a few cans of gas. I'd go with you. :)
Kept seeing references to you & pics of your boat online & find your channel a refreshingly "real" treat. Appreciate your insights. Thanks for sharing your exploits/knowkedge.
You make everything look so easy, like a piece of cake. Your detailed thought processes and procedures are spot on. Thank you for bringing us all along !
Roger, Thank you for your voyages and documenting the Ming Ming builds. They're wonderful examples of what can be done by a solo sailor. Even if there are no more long voyages I hope you'll continue updating us on the smaller adventures you take with Ming Ming. I can only hope the rig I'm planning for my C&C 25 is as sound as the one you've put together. Thank you! And thank you Ming Ming!
thank you, Roger - thank you Ming Ming.....I have learned so much from your channel, mostly about the modern Junk rig, but about seamanship and voyaging as well....thanks.
Congratulations Roger. You have been an inspiration to many. And your attention to detail and disciplined approach should be used as a textbook example for anyone attempting a challenging project. All the best to you and your family.
Thanks, and congratulations. The pan of all the "larger" boats, ending with your lovely "little" Ming Ming II was neat. To think she accomplished so much so far is a real credit to you. And, she looks as though she's about ready and wanting more. Hoping this isn't the last we hear form you two, but if it is thanks again. It's all been great!
I just found your channel when I was searching for junk sails. I love MingMing II. Great boat! Thank you for making your videos. I plan to check your books out. Best wishes!
Well done, Roger. I have learned so much from your sailing philosophy and techniques (not to mention copying your use of plumbing pipe for the spray hood!). It is always sad to leave the boat - "Leave her Johnny, leave her", as the shanty goes. But just like Tilman, you will discover new challenges pouring over the charts during the Winter.
Thanks Rodger for one thing. For giving inspiration to myself and I am sure thousands of other would be Mariners and explorers. I look at boats, now that I am retired , and I dream. Maybe I could do that. Even in a small way to start. So I am determined to start sailing lessons this summer. So I will see where that leads me. I would be proud to do just a fraction of what you have done in Ming Ming and Ming Ming 2. God bless. Hope you don't stay "sales out" for too long. Jon H
Decades ago I sailed solo around the world on a Catalina 27 (Jaguar 27). Although my present boat is 40', I have an affinity for people sailing long distances on small boats. Blondie Hasler would be impressed with your choice of sail rig. 56 day passage on such a small boat....phew...well done. You beat my personal record 3 days. Any ocean crosser needs a sailing break after that. Right now my wife and I are in Tanzania on the east coast of Africa. In a couple years we, or I alone, as she does not like cold, will be in Uruguay, lining up for the Straits of Magellan. Come on down. I don't normally buddy boat but that would be a fun scenario.
Happy you made it back safe, sad that I will not be sailing along through your journey but happy that I got to follow your travels. There should be some kind of reward/trophy for what you and Mingming have accomplished during these three voyages? But that reward must be in your heart for you dreamed about it and then you did it. My hats off to you and many many thanks for sharing.
I too hope there are more voyages left for you. Being selfish I hope there is another book. Truly looking forward to that. Congratulations and thanks again for a peek at your life.
What a beautiful boat ! Thanks for making these videos . I one day hope to have my own boat and sailing the ocean ! Your videos are inspiring and instructive aswell ! Thank you again .
Really enjoyed your books and videos. It is really nice to hear your contentment. Well done on many different fronts. Looking forward to the next book.
Roger, congratulations on another successful epic voyage. One for the record books I would say! Cant tell you how much I have enjoyed your videos over the years, and how they have inspired me. Sad to hear this might be your last, hoping the call of distant seas has you casting off again in the future. You are in a league of one Roger, and I for one will miss your adventures. Fair winds...
She needs a good comfortable mounted Car seat, complete with seatbelt for unsavory seas, and for comfortable seating while lounging. I love that whole thing you're doing though, thanks for sharing. Keeps safe and keep sharing.
Great job Roger. I have always watched your videos for inspiration on creating my own junk Rig.voyager. Your videos are very informative. Thank you for everything!
Great adventure and great documentation. Although I doubt we will ever meet, (we are going to sail the Pacific), if you are ever over this direction we will treat you to a gin and tonic. Other than that, it would be nice to see you sail the Northwest Passage, as another sub here said, Lotohagi .
Thanks for all you do! You are an extraordinary Writer, very inspirational... I really hope you write more books. I think I'll harden up my little boat and head out a bit further from land. I've never been out of sight of land, but thanks to you, I think I'll try it.
In 370 BC Seneca wrote the following: "Beyond All Things Is The Sea" I believe he wrote this with you on mind! Thank You for the your videos and your books
A fantastic achievement Roger,, and thanks for sharing it with all of us. I almost can’t imagine RU-vid without the prospect of another one of your videos, but if this is the last voyage, by God it was a good one! All the best.
Im so glad you have focused your talk about this voyage slowly looking over ming ming2 as it allows me to see all the deck gear and layout of the boat and the rig furled. Also your unique design changes to the Archmilles! I wonder what you used for your sail battens on mingming 2 im sure you probably have said in your books or video. Looks like carbon fibre tubes but i cd well be totally wrong
Thank you Roger for giving us an insight into these amazing voyages, I´ve been following you for a long time and your adventures are an inspiration and a breath of fresh air in their honest, practical and down to earth manner in which they are conceived and undertaken. I hope you find a new idea for a voyage, that can`t be the last ever Ming Ming film?! Good luck for the future and thank you again for sharing your experiences.
Very well done ! An achievement to savour and a great encouragement to others. A lot of water has passed under your keel (s!) since I left that book onboard for you at Coles. I’m very pleased for you and must admit I’ll miss your voyaging vlogs !
Congratulations Roger and MingMing 2. Another incredible and successful voyage. I for one hope that you are not "sailed out". I look forward to your video blogs and particularly admire your meticulous planning and attention to detail. I await your fifth book with interest. No pressure!
Hi there Rodger, i have been following your adventures for a couple of years now, and was going through some of your old uploads, witch then led me to watching a few other uploads by other capable sailors (like yourself) and i came across one by 'Drake Paragon' in witch he interviews a guy named 'Mads Bo Falk' on his sailboat 'Mathilde' Mads shares a bit of his knowledge on how to equip & prepare a small sailboat for big adventures (just as you have done in your vids) now Mads goes on to tell us who has inspired him the most (in terms of sailing in small boats) and lists you as his number1 inspiration, i just thought i would let you know. Its always nice to hear that ones actions/advice/knowledge has had a positive impact on others. Hopefully you are still sailing & writing as we do enjoy following along. Fair winds Rodger..
Thank you for all the great inspirational videos! I am thinking that a tour of how you set up your Windwane, for steering from inside of the boat in detail, would be a great contribution to the world of single handed sailers. Could you please do a video at some point, if not already done? Have bought a Coromandel, where the previous owner was much inspired by you, had an Windpilot installed, and sailed from the north of England to Trondheim. I am also very much inspired by your build of MingMing II and would love to see an guide to laying up the lines for steering from inside of the boat!
CONGRATS Roger! such an amazing sailor and personality you are. So cool. Your accomplishment deserves big attention. But yet, you are doing things quiet opposed from other sailing channels that are sailing the easy lattidutes, making amazing well edited videos attracting thousands of subscribers. Your youtube channel might only have 4000 subscribers but you are much much bigger than that. Maybe you could make another video with a summarise of the whole journey? Certainly we would be happy to watch it!
I'd love to see her in a maritime museum (Only when you are ready to say goodbye to her Roger!). Visited the Fram and Kontiki musea in Oslo and kept thinking how well Mingming II would fit in with those incredible stories.
