Just finished Rarotonga and enjoyed it immensely. At first I thought I was in a Sterling Hayden novel until I read on, and realized you have a unique style of your own. Well done.
The videos are rare, but are always a treat for the eyes and the ears. So glad Mr. Williams continues to grace us with his narrative on life and sailing. Long may he sail.
I come from a French background. I struggled to learn English, and for thirty years in that process, I have never heard someone speak English with such eloquence & elegance. Just your way of speaking is a refreshing treat.
Christian, I am just in awe of how you communicate and express your experiences. Your story telling is simply immersive. Thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts.
When I was in the Navy, I used to sit out on the weather deck in the middle of the night while at sea. I've never seen so many stars. I miss those nights.
I freaking love you Christian. You're a truly rare and special guy. A true old salt. Thank you for putting out videos. And please please PLEASE never stop putting out videos. I mean that. They never fail to inspire.
My favorite time to sail begins at dusk and goes into the night. Truly magical. You have a way of bringing back the joys of sailing, what a gift you have!
Absolutely marvelous! It's more important than ever to tune out the constant bombardment of media of all sorts, the drone of traffic, and listen to Mother Nature's call. There are many ways, simple and complex, to do it, but unless we find a way to truly appreciate and reconnect with her, we will have destroyed all our opportunities! The way you tell it, Christian, I can see the spectacular track of the Milky Way, feel the night breeze in my face, and hear the serenade from the rigging to the waves! With much appreciation for your philosophy and your poetry!
Just letting you know you have a new fan out here. Your videos are like poetry and are appreciated as such. I’m also an old jazz fan, sailing enthusiast, and LA native. But now I’m living in landlocked North Idaho with fresh water lakes and plans to get a trailerable trimaran for day sailing. Your videos are nostalgic and comforting. Comforting because I love sailing, even the virtual kind. Nostalgic because I have fond memories of Marina del Rey and Newport Beach from the 60s and 70s. So long my sailing friend. Looking forward to more virtual sailing with you.
Ah, one of those perfect marriages of living vicariously through Mr. Williams after having played hookie all day from work (ssshhhhh - we are compatriots here, right?) while whittling away at my old CoVID justified purchase - Catalina 22…a lesson learned “fixer - upper.” Thank you, sir. Today I was working a little out of my element trying to remove a keel…by myself and….was a little disheartened. The perfect remedy afterwards - A quiet evening alone…a steak dinner and of course some Christian Williams sailing jazz. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.
Hello Mr Williams, I live in the UK and I’m 61 years old and I just discovered your videos. Absolutely love them. How are you trying to simplify things while sailing keep up the good work
Asleep at my mooring in Monterey Harbor, I woke to that swishing flowing sound from my hull.. The boat underway!!! But how? It was a huge school of mackerel swimming by.. Poseidon the Joker again...
Another great video, bringing back memories of my sailing days. But you do it, between your video, music, and narrative, as Poetry of the Sea. Well done, as always. Thanks for sharing.
Christian - thanks for another great video! That snippet of Steel Pulse in there reminded me of my great friend and sailor Richard Gigele. I sure miss him.
I've only sailed at night twice. Both on the Columbia River but obe doesn't count because I motored. So, the one time I actually sailed at night was nothing short of magical. There was just enough breeze to keep me moving, and I made my way to an anchorage near St Helens, OR. Even dropping the hook was a calming experience. Wanna get high? Sail at night.
Very interesting hearing of your interpretation of not seeing. I have hated night passages because I can't see. But thinking of it as the way a blind person lives, and other senses are enhanced is a great approach.
First I thought you were a blistering lunatic… 2 videos in (the Hawaii crossing on repeat) I realize it will take me another 20 years to build up your genius skilled life experience and knowledge. I’m deeply a fan, thank you for your videos. Hope our paths will cross in the future, may the sailing gods be with you, best Rasmus
Great!!!!!!!!! Thank you for that, including the music. A small masterpiece , an synopsis of all sensual perceptions that sailing is all about!! This belongs to a much bigger audience. Just missing the deapest sensual perception a human has and cannot be provided in a video: Smelling and tasting ( the sea) - for that to complete your" feeling the ocean-beeing": there is only one way: Go out sailing , be at sea yourself.
I can totally relate. I sailed a 4 night passage across the Caribbean last year. I wrote my story but…. your descriptions are far better than my fumbling story telling.
Nautical nights beautifully described Christian. My strongest night sailing memory is running downwind in 48kn of breeze, on a pitch black night, in very heavy rain, with spume from the bow spiralling up behind the headsail, lit up only by the running lights, as we touched 15+knots of boatspeed down the faces of waves, in a boat which seldom exceeds 8kn. All with 3 reefs and a deeply furled headsail. The sights and sounds are indelible now. Great memories.
Ok christian! my boat has splashed at last.....when the summer gives way to autumn and the leave change, and or floating vessel of transfiguration is again on the hard; I will go to Amazon...and order your books. Spending the winter with word reminding me why we were out on the water. I may just put on a some Monk....or Davis.....and let the deep night set in until we sail again.
Amazing how many sailors won’t venture out at night. I prefer it in many ways and do it every chance I get. The same is true for canoeing and mountain biking. It tightens your focus. It removes the crowds. Thank you for this video.
I agree, night sailing is a different world from daytime sailing, and all sailors should partake. I spent six years in the USN, a little over four of them riding a Sprucan and doing a lot of counter drug ops in the Caribbean. I loved laying out on the flight deck on a clear night, the only lights from the stars and the moon since we were at darken ship. The panoply of celestial bodies, so clear in the sky, were breathtakingly beautiful. Gazing up at the vast infinity I could not help but wonder about the mystery of it all and conclude that we simply cannot be alone in the Universe.
I really enjoy your channel. Having watched many and some more than once and shared amongst friends. As a young man, I lived on a sailboat with friends who were doing the same on the Nansemond River, in the South West corner of the Chesapeake bay. Careers, marriage, etc. pulled me to land and the occasional power boat. But now just turning 55, the lure of it is starting to call to me, like a siren I guess. But dreams of early retirement and returning to the Sea is growing louder and louder. Thanks for your videos which allow for a nice break from the noise.
I feel like this one portrayed part of your soul my friend. Your videos always generate copious amounts of smiles here, but this one was generous in that regard. Well done sir.
Always creative, poetic and quite captivating. All as I continue building my wooden Sailboat Pocketship from kit..and yes it has a small cabin and yes, I will sail it at night.
