No Women Allowed on this Pacific Island WHSE135 

Don't ever believe that none of us matter. You are giving thousands inspiration with your adventure!

This is the best sailing blog out there. Congratulations girl.

One of the things I've always loved about you Captain is how you're so respectful of the people and cultures where you visit. You are truly an ambassador of good will.

Holly, I’m an almost 62 year old live aboard sailor and you are my hero! Thanks! Judi

" hello darkness my old friend" 😅😊❤ I love love love how you explained the chase for that feeling of smallness but oneness with everything and just kinda "bumping around trying to do the best we can". ❤

Holly I want to thank you for finding words to express the gut feeling of solo sailing . What you said when heading out into a sketchy day , and how the feeling of insignificance looms . Also the responsibility of preparedness when solo …. not to mention the wonder at the reality of the natural world . Sharing it with others is alright , but for the whole experience it needs to be done alone . That’s why we love it - and you found the words to share this special place in life with folks who will never be able to feel it for themselves. Respect

Years ago I attached my tiller pilot from the stern rail to a stubby wind vane I made for the Monitor. This way when the puny tiller pilot is connected to the stubby wind vane it just has to tip it a little bit to cause the water paddle to rotate and provide much more steering power than the tiller pilot can provide by itself. (Not an original idea. Can’t remember where I read it.). Love your channel.

Also, you’re relaying the BEST info for the sailing community to know!

Thanks for making notation on navionics, and thanks for your adventures

Conquering Solitude is a challenge 😢😢😢But Once conquered its Peace ✌️ ✌️ 😊

I have so much respect for you. Your practical seamanship coupled with your outlook on life makes you indomitable.

You are most welcome Holly! Glad we could help. The drone footage is Amazing!❤ well worth breaking into your boat haha 😂

I wish Robin Lee Graham had videos back then in the 60s...I am so lucky to have read his book at 16 and now I'm 64 and seeing you sail the islands live. Amazing bravery you have. Girl power lol

Love your adventures. Courage. Skill. Scale. I take you with me as inspiration out in my little Cape Dory 27. Almost always solo. If you can so can I. I say to my self.

A quote from the (late) Dr. Carl Sagan: "The universe is a pretty big place. If it's just us, seems like an awful waste of space. We can judge our progress by the courage of our questions and the depth of our answers, our willingness to embrace what is true rather than what feels good." I was thinking of your statement, being out on the ocean and at times, find that human contact would be good right about now.

You are quite amazing,and this 92 year old ex-live aboard certainly admires you. FYI, in DC circuits the red is usually positive and black negative. Assuming the negative is grounded, it is safer to switch the positive. Connect your switch to the red wire.

Holly, you are a Rockstar. oh how you inspire.. SV Kota

i do sailing charters by myself, no mate, and have done that run up and back and forth a few times. It looks like with a stick and few lines you could rig up a tiller on your deck that you could steer with your feet while messing around up there. Just tie the stern end of a stick tightly between the grab rails and run some line from the tiller through 2 pulleys per side or better yet no pulleys to create more resistance, to the bow part of the stick and it might give you a few extra seconds of control over the boat. Very impressive what you are doing and you do a great job telling the story.

I sooo look forward to watching your videos weekly. I am a 60 year old woman who has been suffering some depression for 2 years now. Your videos bring me so much joy and peace. I wish I could do what your are doing. So beautiful and so wonderful. You are a brave soul, and you create a certain braveness within me. Thank you for sharing part of your life with us. I would love to know a little bit more about you. Like, "Do your parents sail also?" "How old are you?" You look 15-20. "How did you learn to sail?" "Have you always been this brave?" and anything else you would like to share that you are comfortable with. Are you going to write a book about your adventures? Big hugs from Illinois. The land of cornfields. I live in a tiny town.

Wow I just realized you have almost 90k subs!!! Way to go Holly! Been watching from the start when you had maybe 1K so seeing this makes me so happy for you!!!! Sail on girl, sail on! 🥳😎👏🙌🏆

Every boat has a balance the sailor decides

Happy little blips of life 💖 A lot of ppl will be grateful for your ambassador work

Lots of sailing/motoring in this one. I like that you think and plan ahead which makes your life a little easier. My only worry is that you somehow get knocked overboard. When I was single handing, I always used a safety line when going forward. I have two separate tethers, one long and one short which give me ample access to halyards or anchor and will keep me with the boat.

One trick I do solo sailing is I will get the boat close hauled with the genoa and steering with the vane, and then i will go to the mast to raise the main with the boom down. As if I were taking a reef

Thank you. Just what I needed today. You're a Rock Star!! On the ocean and off, I have felt what you were feeling.

You rock Holly! Writing from Freeport, ME

Thankyou , good bit of sea life , all aspects.. politics, well-being and sailing action ..

Amazing vid Holly, one of the best yet! You are an inspiration for a lot of people. I agree, we're all insignificant, but you're less insignificant than most! Super stoked for your happiness with Dan, Im sure he's aware of what a lucky guy he is. Fair winds and cant wait for the next installment your continuing adventure. Awesome.

U did great job redoing engine it works good.

I know you're often deprived and surviving but some of us are suffering with you to admire and aspire Yer a better mate than my grandpa

You are very good at describing your feelings. I have looked up the pass that you frequently refer to but all I find is rules of passing other boats.

Been watching since about Panama. This vid really is a great one, i especially appreciate the cultural tidbits as well as the shiny little philosophies you shared. Well done and blessings from Indiana ✌️

I am a 72yr old female. It is 2.30 am. I can't sleep but I CAN follow you Holly, which is almost as good. Stay safe and heroic. You are amazing

Thanks!

I am in awe of your skills, just keep doing what you are doing.

"Jumper cables" - alligator clips/clamps with well soldered wires (a couple of varied lengths) are a time tested handy man tool for temporary trial runs ;-) Speaking from decades ago experience... Not that yo9u were not long ago, but you are / have become so resourceful and self dependent Holly. What a pleasure it has been to watch you come into your own "... go wrong and then go horribly wrong" I laughed and cried at that! I am not bragging, I am admitting a fault, but during the many years I sailed my fathers 24' Columbia I can not recall ever motoring off, or on, to the mooring. Now, later in years, I realize this is wishful memories, because I remember my father motoring very often - selective memory loss ;-) Fair to say I tried to avoid it, and hated shipping and unshipping the outboard in the lazarette. Ignore my demented, inebriated, meanderings. Oh, and also, all or this was leaving or entering the Coconut Grove Yacht Club in Biscayne Bay - never a reef to leeward to be seen, not in the harbor anyway.

Surprised the wind vane doesn’t work under motor, as long as you have sufficient speed. Also surprised you haven’t run the main sheet back to the cockpit. Even if you then secure it at the mast.

I love when you self analyze all the emotions you are going through in these situations. Sailing is one of the best ways to get in touch with who you really are and what you are made of. Personally I never wanted to be a solo sailor but my situation is such that it is what I have become. Still anticipating bigger adventures than just the local sails. Continued good luck to you. Cheers.

Philosophical Holly 😁❤

What!!! You've been to Australia but no video??? This Aussie loves watching your inspirational videos :)

Thanx for this episode. Now the long wait for the next episode starts.

So good to see your smiling face! I'm wearing my Wind Hippie t-shirt right now! 🙂

Holly, your channel, Sam Holmes and the Two Brothers are my favourites. All three of you actually get on with the sailing rather than constantly fiddle with your boats and add loads of electronics whilst idling in a marina. You however are the best to listen to, you have a great way of explaining what and why you’re doing something. Sam is good but so laid back that it doesn’t seem true ! Luke and Adam ( the brothers) seem to be in a continuous state of apprehension despite their great achievement in getting half way round the world in their Rival 34, not a bad thing to always expect the worst when sailing a small boat but it must take its toll Erik Aanderaa is unreal !You strike a happy medium . I do enjoy watching the refurbishment videos as well, Leo and the fantastic work his team of real characters are probably the ultimate achievers with the work they are doing on Tally Ho whereas one can’t help but be impressed by Aladino’s incredible skills and attention to detail and Maya’s soothing tones and musical ability as they get Magic Carpet 2 ready for the water.

Wow Holly, im looking forward to the book! You capture what it is to be a solo sailor so beautifully. Thank you.

The hello darkness my old friend got me, I’ve never attempted what you have but that feeling resonated with me and my life.. love your tenacity and courage, your videos make me realize how safe my life actually is… stay safe..

All my love and admiration , blessings from the Mexican Caribe , Cozumel !!!🩷🇲🇽👍🏼

Really love the respect you show the villagers. Unfortunately on one bad cruiser can ruin it for all.

Sure wish you wore a PFD!!! I guess wishing for a safety line would be out of the question.

You are very brave and competent. You’ve got this.

PLEASE COVER THOSE TERMINALS. You have an open circuit. Anything that touches those terminals will close the circuit and conduct electricity. Like that shirt hanging right there about to touch it. I hope other people will mention this so you see it

Oh yes. I remember what I was going to say. Rig a steering line from the tiller, loop round in front of the mast and back the other side to the tiller. I used this on my old gaffer (no electricity so no tiller pilot) for working by the mast/foredeck when single handed. Still had to drop everything and get back on course but at least I didn't have to gallop back and forth to the cockpit.

Instead of redoing the canopy when the sun moves, just bring the anchor line aft, so boat turns a bit : )

Yep, I know that feeling. It's normal 😂

I definitely agree about chasing that feeling of being a tiny part of it all, even though I only have done little ~30nm coastal hops singlehanded. There is something really different about being out on the water alone vs. being alone in the city or on the road or even hiking. It can be stressful to me, but in the good way that a workout can be; I love it. The work you do to share these experiences is so appreciated! What you see and how you take it and express it is inspiring and motivating. As always, thank you for making the time for us.

Absolutely love your respect for the people you come across and their traditions and cultures. Well done, if only some world leaders would see and understand your attitude. Love your videos.

Can you imagine this area during WWII??..and... cannibalism.. hmm...I wonder what the Japanese would have done to the locals that rolled up on them...and... in modern times.. what would happen if a Chinese fishing vessel showed up..hmm..and maybe this is the wave of the future..back to tribalism rule and possibly cannibalism...yikes!!.. Isn't there a story about a sailor being cannibalized a few years back..?..I am thinking the Soloman culture is not a happy one.

I enjoy watching you

Awesome video as always! Were your fingers burned in the video clip explaining the motoring/steering bit? Those blisters looked gnarly!

G'day Crew, Hey Holly, Cool vid , So big of you to try help establish the line of respectful communications between the islanders and visiting sailors, it really matters in a big way . Stay safe . Respect....!

21:10 simply put, human abilities are insignificant compared to the power of the ..nature ;)

20:30 And next 2 minutes of deep, deeep, deeeep philosophy,That is what strong dark rum is for, lots of it.

Interesting, but, I remember you telling us about the "switch" that you were hooking up , same "switch" and the reason I remember it because that first "switch", the black one, is actually a cool small low current breaker. Usually they are made for DC, and they are a little rare. I've been able to do low current tasks with them that I can't do with a typical breaker. 2 amps, 4 amps, around there. You might find the actual current marked under the colorful stuff that it has been covered with ? Its a very valuable, useful breaker for a boat because you can protect yourself or your equipment with a lot more closer tolerances.

How about a better tiller pilot if it would make a difference? So says someone who has absolutely no idea what he is talking about. 20:50 is why I am here.

Judiiii big hug from Tulum Mexico ! Come visit Soon !

You are an amazing women, I love your videos, I named my van wind hippie. how could I send you a photo of the van?

Your positive outlook on a difficult situation inspires me. Thanks so much. You are a precious resource for me.

I wouldn't be hanging anywhere near that island after been persona non grata.

Holly, a relatively small bow foil, or rudder would keep you stable pointing whatever direction to the wind you are motoring or sailing. You can make one that pivots up on one bolt, from flat sided stub just about the waterline. Just a decent plank or piece of ply fiberglassed over, so a couple of feet of foil carved shaped plank that can be lowered when you want to with a rope and or bungee, just like a rear dingy or small cat rudder. I did this with an Alan Wright 40ft hull without a keel, in the early 1990s, and it was impossible to keep from blowing it's nose straight downwind, but perfectly balanced, did 6 knots on 6hp Mariner outboard with a four ft long 6 inch wide kauri plank shaped into a foil. She had no rig at that point, but 3 ton of kauri stripplank hull and deck could be all but the rear 8 ft hanging 20ft out of the water, blowing sideways, and drop, then the plank caught her and all good! 😊

Couldn't you install a small pulley on each side of the cockpit and run lines from the tiller forward to steer while at the mast?

Well done

Great video. Also don't forget to add your freeboard to your equation. 1.2m keel plus 1m freeboard is 10 m of extra rode alone.

Noise cancelling earphones...... you youngens have so much good stuff us oldies never had. Keep going.

I have done that think the weather down wind in is no concern then have it run me over.

Thank you for sharing your adventures and thoughts with us. I wonder what those WW2 guys like my dad would have thought of you? I've got to think they would smile!

I would move the stuff from around the back of the switch

I love watching, but was wondering if in the near future, do you plan on getting a bigger boat.

So much wisdom from someone so young. You're an inspiration, Holly. Thanks for sharing.

Takes me back to my time, solo sailing days, can feel your awareness, wonderful to know young people are are still out there seafaring competently ,well done 🤙👋👏

Thanks, again, for the great lessons! I love your perspective, knowledge, and explanations! I would love to sail with you - have you considered taking passengers for education? :)

You’re an amazing Captain 🧑‍✈️! Did you burn your hand?

Well done for slogging it out. I would have given in and returned to the anchorage and waited for better weather.

you look like your on two different sailboats when you are talking?

So you are saying they will run you off even though you didn't go ashore? BTW, that isn't a switch, ots a circuit breaker, but it will work in a pinch.

Thank for sharing your adventures with us Holly in such an honest way! You rock! 😊

Wow. That was some classic Shatner delivery there during the reflective part…not that you are wrong- I thank you!

I feel so stupid. I wrote the previous comment before I had watched all of the video. At the end you mention that if someone becomes a patreon they can watch about how you started etc. I'm joining!

Could you raise your jib first. Then use the jib to heave to while raising the main?

Just a quick question from someone who has never sailed so forgive my ignorance. When running back and forth on your boat in mixed winds and currents, or at any time really, what happens if you fall off your boat? Thanks.

Love the “embrace the chaos” attitude. Might as well, like you said either that or be crabby 😂. Have you ever thought of adding water bottles to the geck merch?

Little blips in the universe 🌴⛵️ 😌. Wonderful insignificant and beautiful very 💙

Very mature words = Enjoy

Rig your main halyard to raise from the cockpit

Philosophy as well now, Holly? If it is any comfort, my boat swings off course in about 3 seconds. Raising the Main is fun!

On some small boats you can raise the main when on a beam or close reach. Have you tried raising the jib first, getting on one of those points of sail with either the tiller pilot or the vane and then raising your main?

If I were you I’d just check your engine mounts it sounds like there’s a vibration every so often that would cause some concern. It might be nothing or it could be something that needs addressing and it probably has nothing to do with the operation of the engine itself but the problem could be in the drive system itself prop, shaft, transmission, then engine. There is a cupeler between the transmission and the shaft that can wear and hopefully it does because it’s a lot cheaper to repair than the components it connects also engine mounts have rubber that can also crack and or wear. So it could be just me but I’d rather be safe than sorry.

Something I've seen and don't know if it'll work in your situation... again I have not tried this but rigging arm of the tiller autopilot to operate the monitor wind vane. From what I've seen others years ago, it appeared delicate enough to keep the pressure off of the Armature.... lots of variables just throwing it out there if you had seen it before or tried it in the past.

I know from experience how difficult it is to get your mainsail up when you’re under way and you can’t keep her head to wind. I may have missed it but why didn’t you hoist the main when you were at anchor ?

not too lucky are ya? nice weather, islands, seaworthy vessel, good to go... I can think of a lot worse places to hang out and soak up the sun . . fair winds and following seas!

Hello Holly, Is it possible for you to take a picture of the starry sky on a clear night and post it. I have never been on a boat out of sight of land and total darkness and seen the sky at night. Your videos are fantastic. Thanks, George. Ciao

Holly, The Solomone's look amazing. I really love your journey. TY