The Night of the Knockdown 

Thanks!

WOW! I did not think that a WS 32 could ever be subjected to a knock-down. YIKES!

Westsail made some damn fine boats. :)

Why did I discover this channel only now???

geez Louise bro! you dont seem phased at all

I would have just have a storm jib up in those conditions . God speed

I am 76 years old . Been on the water most of my adult life. Have been in 70 knot winds with my wife and at the time my 6 year old daughter. I built a deep draft marina catering to sail boats. Everybody thought I was crazy for my business and sailing venturies . HOWEVER, you Sir are CRAZY!! Ha ha! I have watched your videos from day one I’ve always thought you were a true sailer, not like the glossed over sailing RU-vidrs that use click/chick bait to keep their channel going. I didn’t say you were perfect, but you are “real”. My hats off to you sir. Hope are paths cross some day out there Oh, by the way. My boat is a Westsail 32

Wauw, serious business 😮 what kind of boat are You sailing in?

Dude very intense! 😮 I just made it through the storm my life and know how you feel right at these moments! I hit 15’ seas and gale force winds in my 24 1/2 ft sailboat in the Philippines. When I reached the marina I learned that 20 other people did not make it! I am 59 and a new sailor who wishes never to go through that again!

great, I mean really great video

After taking in your incredible account of a knock down. I was very curious as to how you had your stern bridge secured. It looks like you put screws through your cap-rails into the gunwhales. I hate to be a Monday morning quarterback, but I'm not surprised that the bridge ripped away. Next time run bolts either through the deck or the hull. (I saw some folks mount their bridge on the hull since they lacked deck space similar to your boat.) I've seen similar happen to another captain who had those economy solar panels that mount on the rails. (The panels seem to be commonly stored in the vertical.) That Captain got side swiped by a wave as well. The solar panel caught the force of the wave and that part of the rail was demolished.

Only had one knockdown and that was daylight which was bad enough but at night must be an absolute nightmare. Glad your OK mate 👍

what would you do different ? Would you change your sail configuration? thanks, great video

Reminds me why we need to stow everything before passages and why i always immagine my boat upside down before i go to sea. . Looks like a pretty hard knock. Good thing youre boat is a brick house.

I’ve been in those exact same seas in a 28ft on my very first sail, solo, with zero experience. Very very very scary. I could sense your fear.

Very glad I watched this video. As an "armchair" sailor dreaming of a pretty tough solo (NW Europe to Patagonia and back), I fully realise I've got to accept that this type of near-fatal accident is part of the overall risk. Rogue waves eh.. bummer. Glad you weren't washed overboard!

Whats being knocked down like??? If you had to describe it

Just what I needed to try talk some sense into my plazztik fantasstik-sailing friends here in the Med who snigger at me and my long-held dream to buy a WS 32. Thank you for the amazing content, Jerome!

The Cheese on the shelf... Cna't make that shit up !! lol That caused me to sub! Dude i bet you got smacked in thear by the can of bacon... I bet you build that thing now with , " I wonder what will happen with this if i turn the boat upside down again, Hmm better find a better place for that" ... Great Video Bro ! glad Your OK, wow. Ill be around...

Amazing. I owned W32 for a season. Was a bit stout for local sailing in LI Sound but needed a boat and it was available a a good price. Sold her and I now have a Beneteau 34 coastal cruiser that wouldn’t survive what you went through, and as I near the horizon of going further offshore I’m thinking I may want be back in the W32 or something similar to an M1A1 tank. I also realize mental preparation from experience is what kept you going. I see I have a ton to learn and I’ve been coastal sailing for almost 30 years. Some racing and a lot solo. Glad you made it back in one piece and able to share this video. Funny I was watching your live track and was wondering wtf is he doing. Now I get it.

I am looking at buying a boat in the next couple years so im watching and learning all I can man that ocean is no joke and pretty unforgiving. Thanks for sharing your journey and adventure. Glad you made it ok be safe out there.

Good looking out, my brother. It's always out there and you can never be too careful. Wear your lifeline.

THE WOLDS GREATEST SAILOR MY GREAT FRIEND JARON RAND LEGENDARY

Dude! Keeping the attitude positive. Good on you mate.

Hi, Under such conditions, I run with the foresail alone. Under main sail, your boat is more prone to come up and sideways to the swell, and to be rolled if a big wave comes at the same time. I know lowering the main sail while runing downwind in big seas isn't always easy, but you have a full batten main so you may be able to do it even without changing course. Fair winds

I lived aboard a 165 ft. gaff rigged schooner called TeVega that is now called DEVA. We hit the tail end of the perfect storm in 1985. It was pitch black for 3 1/2 days. During the height of the storm, I was at the helm on the chariot when a wave hit. Our keel came out of the water and the boat laid over and the mast hit the water but no damage. One of the guys went overboard when that happened but was thrown back aboard and survived. He was inside the deck house and flew across the room, hit the port side door that opened because he busted the door lock and said that he felt the bottom of the keel. One other guy and myself were the only two aboard that didn't get sea sick and were taking turns at the help all night.

You handled that like the pro you are. Merry Christmas

Wow what a video. I cannot even imagine the terrifyingness of this situation. And the fact that you had the presence of mind to film during this is nothing short of incredible. Thank you so much for sharing and so glad you are back home and safe ole J-rome

Bruh .. your a legend. The way you handled all that was inspiring to say the least

I used to skipper lovely Westsail 32 in South Africa many years called "aries". I was only doing very easy sailing taking timesharers out in Port Owen St. Helena Bay. I would love to go sailing again but I think only on a Westsail. They are so safe! Best wishes from london

At last a channel which shows it what its really like great footage glad your safe and well it always amazes me how these vessels make it through these kind of conditions..would be cool if they could design them so when the doors are shut it makes the living area water tight..

Great spirit an addittude you have ,

your amazing mate ..if that were me there would be a brown slick noticeable by the International Space station ! Great work

OMG! I am so glad you are ok. That was some ugly seas. I just happened across your video. Man what a ride. You kept your great attitude & made it through till Dawn. I'll subscribe to your channel & watch more of your videos. I would sew you a new dodger if I was there. Keep smiling & sailing on. May you have fair winds & following seas.

Thanks Mighty Sparrow. Amazing footage and incredible courage and attitude. Good on ya. It is great to see that the damage was more or less `superficial', you were able to continue unassisted and especially that you were not hurt. Those waves looked huge in the video so they must have been humongous in real life! Thanks for sharing.

Wow. What an experience! Just came up on my feed. You have a new subscriber.

Dude I just stumbled upon your channel definitely got a new subscriber man! Thank you for the upload. Awesome channel! 🤙

Great video, I've done a lot of coastal sailing but to cross oceans signal handed you are truly a man among men.haha

Nice man! Great footage of grey beards creeping up behind you!

Amazing video and so glad you're ok!! It happened to us at almost the exact same time except the mast step collapsed and then the mast broke in 2 places. The next few days were interesting your spirit is what makes times like this the most amazing memories and the strength to carry on. Really glad you and your yacht are ok!!

When I sailed knocked e few times, 10 years ago ,thanks for sharing.

Love your spirit brother!! Thanks for keeping it real for us newbies.

You are a brave man. That was a bad one. I sailed the North Atlantic but that ocean was kind to the boat, a USC Union Polaris 36. We didn't suffer a broach. Fair winds.

Glad you Sparrow made it through! Great video thanks for sharing!

Great craic. well done on surviving this terror!

Great footage, total respect 👍

Merry Christmas Jerome! So glad you shared your experience- its really nice to follow along- keep safe and hope to see you in Rockland next year! Leif

Amazing video, Jerome…. And Mongo just kept on trucking….!,

mighty familiar... i'm landlocked deep in western north carolina these days. it's tough to keep a positive outlook when you're by yourself and been through a knockdown. glad it worked out!

Maann. If waves look big on video, that means they were REALY big. Thais is when you know you have a real boat. You showed a great spirit. I hope I'll never be in your shoes. Great video.

Excellent! Thanks for sharing! Merry Christmas!

Now that my friend is the sign of a true sailor. Calm as a cucumber, in the midst of a tragic situation, at night mind you. What an experience you shared. Thanks for the details and glad you made it back to sell us your book, sir. Can't wait to meet up again in a few months on lake Michigan! Fair winds!

Thats some serious sea state captain

Wow! Crazy sea! Thanks a lot for taking us along!🙏🏻

Whoa man. Ride ‘m Jerome. Stay safe out there. Peter

Bro , that was wild not even being there, Westsail and those full keels, it's like " Weebles wobble but they don't ,,,, well ,,,, stay upside down" Epic to see the post view of the mess , not many would share that look. I'll bet you have a new love for your vessel now knowing how she can take care of you in almost anything. Those swells were 20ft backs from what it looked like in you video, can't imagine what some of the faces were. And knock downs at night man, WHY ??!!?? Why does Neptune always put us there at night. It just makes the mental recovery so much more difficult. Well glad you handled it with grace and you have a new subscriber now. Peace !

Rad

After seeing this, I'll take slow and steady all day, every day. Lots of other boats (and captains) wouldn't have persevered as well as you did...

Mighty waves there! No wonder they flipped you over. Maybe next time use storm jib instead of mainsail? Anyhow, great footage 👍👍

It’s sailing like this that keep me on terra firma.

Holy shit this is terrifying my friend

your lee board was most likely particle board good for cabinets doors but don't hold 200lbs impact very well, great video

Lol re cheese 😆. No laughing matter though lad, fuuuuckinell....

An old sailor taught me Always be prepared for a knock down. That means nothing left lose inside. Radios, electronics should be in water proof boxes. Get rid of the companion way and add water tight door. Amongst other precautions. In others words, race ready for southern oceans even if you never go near them. Your life is worth it.

my knock down happened running bare poled in a following sea up the English channel in a force 11 at night on a Nicholson 55 ft boat the helm went light as we fell of the wave scary couple of minutes

By far the best video

Good to see you and Sparrow make it through a knock-down and still be able to make it back. Ever thought about signing up for the 2026 GGR? You already have more offshore experience than many of the current skippers.

Just popped onto your channel after some time away, damn that was some ride. Praise the Lord you made it through the night relatively unscathed. That Westsail sure has heart. Glad you are safe and the boat in one piece. Love your videos, they gritty and real. great job.

Nice way to wake up in the morning 👍😂

Well....how interesting. Good to be alive and kicking, huh? Sail on!

I love sailing. To me sailboats are a thing of beauty. But I'm really new to the learning part of sailing. Usually I'm just a lucky passenger but I'm now trying to learn to sail properly. A really good friend has a 32' sloop and I have the luxury of getting to go sailing with him. He was my late brothers best friend and now little sister gets to take his place on the boat. Our last trip was for three days which isn't long but it was fun. But I could never sail in the conditions you do. I'm too much of a wimp lol I've lived on the ocean my whole life but I'm never 100% comfortable on the water. Maybe the more I learn the more comfortable I'll feel. I took this picture of the boat from the skiff one evening. We had the most beautiful sunsets on that trip. I did nothing to the photo as I didn't have to, it really was just this beautiful outside. This was taken just off Vancouver Island in amongst the smaller islands. Cheers and may you have fair winds and following seas ⚓️ It won't let me post the picture here so I'm going to try and post it in a separate comment. If I still can't I'll try sending it via Messenger. It's a beautiful picture and I think worth seeing.

Late in the year, North Atlantic, small boat, single hander, RU-vid sensationalist = this.

Just cooking my eggs on the stove now when I watch you skrape your eggs off from your hullinside. Very good you made it. You have a good sence of humour that helps when the going gets though. I did roll my 20” foot double ender 360 dgrs outside Lisbon Portugal and hade stuff and provisions every place they shouldn’t be. Note to self. Moore looks on everything before high seas. The accident we had was in an area outside Lisbon river entrence and we hit the mast in a sandbar. Huge waves went over the mast top 8 meters up. I was sitting steering the boat we were sailing nicely and then got into this shallow area with breakers. We had two to three wave coming over the boat and I could see and feel that on the third wave we were going to roll completely. And then we did. My friend was inside the boat and me on the outside. I was thrown overboardand had to swim back and get onboard again. We were ok both of us no injuries of big concern. But the boat was a total mess. But the hull was like a tank, no damages at all. So that incident changed the plans a bit. I heard some of your talks with Matt R on his channel. Keep up the spirits. I’ll keep following. Just waiting out the winter here in Sweden. Then off fore some longer trip in may. Stay safe! And better pack the eggs safer place. Might happen again😮.

Do you think having your main up rather than the jib was a part of this? Do you think you rounded up a little before the knockdown?

Proper boat, competent captain, sorry wrong way round. Captains and boats of calibre are becoming rare now.

Didn't know they made 32' foot boats that could hold the weight of your balls and still sail anywhere.

I don't know anything about sailing. But I do know cast iron balls when I see and listen to them. Holy god .wow.

Wow! Sir, you are the real deal.

I'm so glad you were in a W32 when the rogue wave hit. In a lesser boat, you probably would have been dismasted. People forget how brutal the sea can be when choosing a vessel to take on long high seas passages. Rogue waves have been known to rip the bows off of large ships. In these situations, an "overbuilt" boat suddenly becomes "just good enough". Glad you made it through and kept up that amazing, inspiring spirit you are known for. Thanks Jerome for taking us along on these incredible adventures!

Huh funny I got knocked down 3 yrs ago and end up losing the mast ,,,

Bro. Glad you and sparrow are ok. Bought some shirts and sending love.

Much more luck than sense to survive the night in this weather with the mainsail than with a storm jib, which would certainly have been the right decision here.

Scary. Good old W32.

Not many sailors left that have true Bluewater boats anymore. I see a lot of people going to catamarans for the mansion house feel but don't realize they wouldn't survive in a knock down like that! True, with technology you can weather route around storms mostly but still I think you need a good boat also.

You know, I’ve been watching sailing videos for a few years now. I am not a sailor, but I find it intriguing and have considered seriously jumping in with both feet. would love to do it. Out of all the videos I’ve seen I have never known of anyone to download the not so pleasant reality of sailing. I Only see the nice sunny days, hundred pound tuna as getting caught, sandy beaches, etc. Anyone with half a brain must realize that this type of situation must occur more often than depicted on videos. I for one would like to see more of this. Glad to see you’re OK. Thanks for the video.

Good that you had your hatches closed, you could easily have sunk had the hatch been open!

Awesome stuff

Very inexperienced they should have spliced the main brace and weigh the anchor to make sure it was heavy enough

OK ... this is the best solo sailing content I think I've seen in any RU-vid channel ... for years. I'm glad you and Sparrow are OK. Thank you for sharing this candid report, without the usual hyperbole! Definitely NOT second-guessing your seamanship ... just trying to learn ... how would your boat behave in those same conditions with just a reefed jib (pulling you along), instead of having the mail up too?

Dang good footage. Great video. Remind me to NOT show it to my wifey.

That was intense, just looking can't even imagine. But was awesome!! none the less. You wrote you would never want to sail the Southern Ocean again and might be sounding naive but bro, I can see you in GGR 2026..Eliot Smith's ( Second Wind) Manager signed up. You and Sparrow got what it takes

Wow, thanks for documenting this! Real weather!!

Uuuuuuuugghhhhhhhhh

For my own learning, it may not have stopped a knock down. But when I’m in strong following winds I tend to run behind a staysail/storm sail. My understanding is that puts the centre of drag behind centre of effort. And makes crash/Chinese gybes less of an issue.

Nice job buddy🤙 that gulf stream tho

You are one brave dude 😂

You dont want to go with a storm sail forard= saves the boom & possibly the rig in another knockdown , main filling with water ? .

thank you for getting this footage...it's rare Is there a lesson to take away from this?

Wow! Great video! Thanks for sharing it sailing into Oblivion! Quick question for anyone who can help me understand something. Firstly, total newbee to sailing, I know only the bare basics. Would it have been wise to go into a heave to at any point but certainly after possibly bending the boom?

Ouch!