Tom, your ripping yarns are keeping me sane in these times. I must have re-watched every one of your videos during Covid. I am a Japanese marine biologist working in Scotland as whale and dolphin researcher. I am usually out on 52ft gaff ketch built in the early 1980s in Seattle. So I know what you mean regards the chart tables. Sadly due to current restrictions, research sailings haven't happened this year. Thank you so much for keeping my spirits up with your fantastic and informative videos and ripping yarns. Akiko
The inspiring Lord Hamilton quotation quickens the engaging tone, Tom, as does the Fathers' Day Card! May fair winds and safe voyages accompany you both.
Thanks Tom, An interesting and essential juxtaposition of the chart and the plotter. When I take newbies out I take the fuse out of the plotter. All to often these young 'uns treat yachting like a video game. I've had them staring at the plotter rather than use the mark one eyeball. Only the chart gives the "Big Picture". I gradually allow them to use the GPS to plot positions. After a while they go and sail with someone else ...... Tight Lines, Birmingham Navy, Solihull-on-Sea.
You are one very decent and fine man Tom. There is nobody better on the internet at telling a story or educating listeners. I could listen to you for hours. I would have loved an uncle like you.
An informative ... yet very touching video. As someone who sails a M44, it's always a treat when I see how you set up and maintain Constance. She truly sets the standard as the finest example of the boat. Thank you.
Thanks Bud for your kind words about Constance. The Masons are exceptional boats and the owners in a class of themselves. I'm always delighted by their expert opinions. Tom
You know that is exactly what I thought when I got to the end of the video. There was a great programme. I think Tom is rather more jolly than Kack was but still the same love for his pastime and surroundings. Andy UK
“It isn’t always the man who is good in the judgement of this world who excites the loyalties of his fellows.” Wise words indeed and words that should be engraved in all our hearts. Those that don’t will suffer bitterness in life and probably a lifetime subscription to the Daily Mail, too. Thanks Tom!
What a great piece, and I'm totally w you on the charts, as a pilot all my adult life, I've always carried paper charts w me in the cockpit, for the exact same reasons you mentioned. And I too think that modern electronics, smart as they may be, have no soul. They don't listen when you talk to them, they have a mind of their own that messes with you just when you don't need it, and you can't hold them lovingly in your hands and think of all the wonderful places they've taken you to & through. So I think you're spot on w all you said here Mr Cunliffe, cheers 👍🏼😄
Very enjoyable video as usual Tom. I have had a portrait of Nelson for years too, but below mine it has my favourite Nelson quote "Always mistrust anyone who speaks ill of your King and hate a Frenchman as you hate the devil' Regards, Buster.
Tom: Your videos are just fantastic! As an American, I find them a highly therapeutic way to deal with worsening "Trump stress". (Cognac helps also, just so you'll know...)
Tom..Another Great Videoclip of Your Sea Adventure..Life ! ( Would Pay some Hard Cash, Gold Dust, or Sausage Gravy & Biscuits..to Hear you Read from Edgar Allen Poe, Dickens, Or ‘Ryme of the Ancient Mariner..Cole wasn’t it ? ) ..BTW..Sailed from Maui/ HI. to Tonga to many other Remote Destinations,on a 48’ft. Colin Archer ,Double Hull Gaff rigged Tan Bark in the mid 80’s ..5 years ..Best Voyage of my Earlier Years Did it with a Best Friend..Memories...( Seen ‘ Green Flash’ 4 x ) about to Order a Solid Fuel Stove from your mates at Frakes ..Great Advice..Thanks ! Michael < 🇺🇸
Hi Michael. You won't need any sausages or the like. If you search diligently you'll find several poems that I read, right down at the bottom of my RU-vid vids. They were what I started with, but didn't seem very popular. Not the Ancient Mariner, but some grand sea poems nonetheless. Tom
I spritz IV saline solution in my face with a strong fan when I listen to you. "second star to the right, and straight on till morning." Sail on to NeverLand.
Slocum bought his chronometer for a dollar from a junk shop and had to boil it in oil to get it working and then sailed all the way around the world all alone... even after chased by pirates offa Gibraltar and even after a goat ate his straw hat. Oh how I marvel how stories are told by those who've been upon the seas... and none better than our friend Tom... so fortunate are we
Hi Tom many thanks for this video, I really like your videos and totally agree, with the paper card works, I always use them for planning the route and also plot a corse line, it gives much better overview especially regarding the dangers on the way...Please allow me the compliment, you are not only a very sympatic man, but most of all extremely experienced, there are so many things I could learn from you, have a good time and look after yourself best regards from Austria, Alex
Ah love this. Great to hear from you Tom. Lovely to introduce us to all the sailing *and* personal items at your "office" and how you go about planning.
Hi Tom! Graham Cox here. I share your passion for proper chart tables and paper charts. Is it a generational thing? Maybe, but as you explain so lucidly here, it is also eminently practical, even in the age of electronic navigation. Well done! However, I was waiting with interest to hear where you store your charts, but you didn't mention. Fess up! I like a hinged lid, or drawers beneath the table, like Eric Hiscock had on Wanderer III, where I can store 50-100 charts, but couldn't see that on Constance. You should have room for 400 charts!
Great stuff. When I was a kid learning to sail in San Francisco bay, my chart table was my parent's kitchen table. Spent hours studying all the lovely detail on the chart, as there was barely room in the small day sailers used for training for 2 or 3 crew, much less a chart table! These days I sail a 1968 vintage O'Day DS1 on Fern Ridge lake and wish I could find a chart for study ashore.
Fun video.....your log and mine are similar....i often turn to the aft 10 or so pages to look at and reminisce over those that have signed, written goofy verses...attached images. Awesome! Baro, yes....but I am now on the hunt for a hanging of sorts to cover my old, funky distribution panel. Great idea! Thanks Mr Tom, Andrew
Love your videos Tom. Hubby and I are hoping to start the next chapter of our lives when we find our dream. Boat.I love how informative your videos are and u say it how it is and easy to listen too. Definitely have learnt a lot watching you
The modern quartz movements "tic" but they don't "talk". One of my passions, both on the hard and aboard, are mechanical clocks. Thank you, Tom, for making being an old fart such an art form. Oh yes, I have my favorite oil anchor lamp.
My house is full of clocks David. From the Grandfather passed to Ros by her grandfather to a small carriage clock on the mantelpiece. Love them all and enjoying winding them up. Tom
Excellent as ever, Tom! I really enjoy your outlook and philosophy on life! Looking at paper charts is great for planning and recording information, and like the barometer, clock and compass, doesn't need batteries or depend on that power panel! I would add a handheld GPS to the VHF just in case... Thank you!
Great minds think alike! I love my paper too and use the plotter to verify. I also like a getaway kit... Water proof tube for local chart, waterproof container for log and navigation hand instruments. Another Brilliant Video 🤠
US Navy vessels are austere and devoid of most personal touches except in the bunks of the sailors. Out of sheer habit, I have kept my own boat that way, without really thinking about it. This video has encouraged me to personalize my cabin a bit.
Fantastic Tom, I love the hanging over the switch panel - total genius :) Although I must admit I'm somewhat jealous of the size of your chart table, mine is big enough for leisure folios but I have to kick the kids off the salon table for the admiralty charts!
