Sampson Boat Co

We've had a wild few weeks, and it's been a challenge to keep things up-to-date!
But, as I start to work on the next video, which documents Tally Ho sailing under the Golden Gate Bridge and then working on the mast in the SF Bay area, I want to give a quick update as to where we are right now.

Here's a photo of us entering San Diego harbour a couple of nights ago, under a beautiful sunset! We've been very well looked after here, and plan to continue South shortly. I'll be posting a lot more updates and bits of recent media over the next week.

We don't currently have any plans for a public meetup in San Diego, but I'll let everyone know if we find time and space to organise something before we head out. Thank you all!

6 hours ago | [YT] | 1,240

Sampson Boat Co

Running under headsails alone near the end of our passage from Canada to San Francisco.
After several days of sailing we discovered some serious chafe-damage on the mast, and dropped the mainsail for the remainder of the journey. More info in tomorrow's video!

1 week ago | [YT] | 2,891

Sampson Boat Co

Night watch...
There's no way to describe the feeling of being alone on night-watch while your crew-mates sleep soundly below deck. The weather is fair; the moon is shining through the clouds and onto the sails, and the navigation lights cast a faint glow onto the white tips of the waves that overtake you. The sails are reefed, reducing their size and therefore your speed slightly, but also reducing the chance of needing to wake crew up for a sail-change. The rigging creaks and groans quietly, and the sea is constantly sloshing and splashing against the hull - but despite the noise, the overwhelming feeling is one of calmness.
Every now and then you go below for a few minutes, into the red glow of the night-lights; you check the navigational chart and perhaps the radar. Maybe you have time to put the kettle on and grab a snack, or maybe you put on another layer to keep the night air at bay. On deck you could see the rolling swell coming in the moonlight, but down here you can't predict the movement of the boat so well - you have to be careful to hold onto whatever you can as you move around.


Back on deck, as the end of your watch approaches, you see some movement from down below - the next watch-keeper is up already, so you don't have to wake them. A few long minutes pass (these are the coldest minutes of the night) before a bundled head appears in the companionway hatch, and then climbs into the cockpit to join you. You exchange a few words about the conditions, the sails, and the wildlife, and then - when you are sure they are alert and awake - you climb down the ladder and begin the process of removing your many layers of clothing. Finally you crawl into a warm bunk and get comfortable. You have to wedge yourself against the inside of the frames to stop your body from rolling around, but you are grateful for the comfort and warmth, and soon fall into a deep sleep.

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1 week ago | [YT] | 3,817

Sampson Boat Co

SF MEETUP - TAKE 2!

I am SO pleased to be able to invite you to Richmond Yacht Club, in the East Bay, tomorrow (Fri 29th Aug), from 6pm until 9pm.

Tally Ho will be on the dock next to the clubhouse from 6pm, and the crew and I will be there to meet people and chat.

At around 7.30pm I'll be doing an informal talk / Q&A in the clubhouse. There will be a staffed bar and "galley" for food and drinks.

Please carpool if possible, as the parking lot may fill up. I'm really looking forward to meeting everyone who is able to make it, and huge thanks to @richmondyachtclub for hosting us so kindly.

2 weeks ago | [YT] | 3,048

Sampson Boat Co

Since we announced our arrival in San Francisco, I've been overwhelmed with kind messages, photos, opportunities, and inquiries. I love hearing from people, and I'm incredibly grateful for so much enthusiasm and kindness!

... AND I just want to explain to anyone who has sent me a message (on any platform, recently or ever) that it can be a bit of a struggle to keep up - I try to get back to as many people as I can, but it sometimes take weeks or even months, and I often find I can't reply to everyone.

So, thank you all - for your support, your messages, your photos, and your patience and understanding! And my sincere apologies to anyone who writes to me and doesn't get the response they hoped for.

Leo

3 weeks ago | [YT] | 3,737

Sampson Boat Co

SF MEETUP UPDATE;
I'm really sorry but due to circumstances out of my control we have had to CANCEL the meet-up event today.

Unfortunately I have to ask that people do not come to see us in our current location - there is no public access or view of Tally Ho. Thank you for understanding.

Again, I'm so sorry to those people who were planning to visit. We would really love to meet you all and I am working on an alternative plan to make that possible at a different time and place in the bay area.

In the meantime, here's a view of Tally Ho approaching the Golden Gate Bridge - it was such an amazing feeling to sail into the bay with topsails up, and we were so lucky to have perfect sailing conditions!

3 weeks ago (edited) | [YT] | 2,243

Sampson Boat Co

Under the bridge!

What an amazing end to this first passage of our big trip South!
Sailing under the Golden Gate Bridge was spectacular, and thank you so much to all the people who escorted us in and took photos and videos (if you've sent me a message recently I'm afraid it's going to take me some time to get back to you)!

This awesome photo was taken by Sergey Morozov - check out his work @morozgrafix

3 weeks ago (edited) | [YT] | 5,031

Sampson Boat Co

Landfall!

After our first big ocean passage, we made landfall yesterday at Drake's Bay, around 25 nm NW of San Francisco - we decided it would be good to get a full nights sleep before sailing into San Francisco Bay.

Now we are motoring South through fog, and are hoping to sail under the Golden Gate Bridge today at around 2.30 - 3pm this afternoon . Any photographers / film-makers in the area - I would love to get some high quality footage of Tally Ho sailing under the bridge!

3 weeks ago (edited) | [YT] | 3,083

Sampson Boat Co

Finally, we are on our way South!
Obviously there's a slight production-delay between reality and the videos that I release on youtube - but we actually left Canada a couple of nights ago and we are making good progress towards California. It feels utterly incredible to be at sea and to have finally begun this journey that has been so long in the making!
I'll be releasing more photos and video of the last preparations and of the trip itself soon, but just wanted to let you all know where we are right now.

1 month ago | [YT] | 4,732

Sampson Boat Co

Moored with Argonaut II in Victoria just a few days ago! So great to see our friend Nic and this beautiful boat again before we head offshore.
‪@MV_Argonaut‬

1 month ago | [YT] | 2,688