The future for the KTL films now the boat has been sold

 

 

I am now resigned to the fact that sailing in Scotland in 2017 has gone down the toilet with the sale of my last ever Centaur.

It was the first time in a life time of boat owning that I have sold a boat I really wanted to keep. The plan was to use it for the outer Hebrides, St Kilda, Colonsay, Islay, Jura and around the outside of Ireland.I knew I needed a boat with a completely reliable engine - Lily M was the boat for that job.

Last year I sailed through the winter at Mylor and then took the boat with two friends to Skye where I based myself in Plockton and ranged around the North West for the summer. and most of the winter. It was a pricey year afloat.

Last year the taps brought in £5K - I spent £6.6 K on diesel for boat and car, car servicing and moorings and pontoons. I spent three months on a mooring to save money.

Actually lads that was bloody dangerous - being on a mooring where no-one was about and arriving and departing at stupid hours either before or after a 14 hour drive was pretty damn dangerous. I had two near misses when no-one would be about to save me. I had a life jacket on but one was bloody frightening. Old sailors die in dinghies not at sea.

this was the dinghy laden

and this was the mooring during one of the frequent storms.

bloody dangerous. KTL  is great - but not worth dying for

Scotland is both the roughest and  coldest place to sail in Britain and also the most beautiful.  You and the boat need to be well prepared and in good condition if you are to get the best out of these amazing year round sailing grounds.

Those winter skies are just unbelievable. The half winter I had up there was glorious.

 

I am desperate to get back to scotland while I am still fit and can hold a camera steady- who knows what will happen to my health.

So far so good and no worries. I pass my tests - but you start to count the years. The fit years.

I am hoping to film these beautiful wild places while I am still fit and not a danger to myself or those around me.

You guys know I love to sail in new places - that is what does it for me. I sailed on an inland lake for a few years - drove me bloody bonkers. Sailing Katie L up and down the deben will be fine but I will be bored to death by mid may.

I have enough material in the can for 10 more films  about the journey down the West Coast of Scotland. They will be a fairly cohesive narrative down the left  hand side of this wonderfully crinkly country. In my terms nothing more than a snapshot of a place - hardly any islands for starters.

I have missed much much more than I ever saw.

I want to go back, I want to make those films, I want to ride those tides, I want to film those beaches.I want to tell you blokes what it is like.

To do a good job of telling you what it is like to go out sailing there in every month of the year but I cannot make films on thin air and the good will of freeloaders who have devoted many, many hours of their precious time to watching and enjoying the films - but without, as yet,  chipping in.

My films are the best shot, most thoughtful, informative, witty sailing films anywhere on the web. If KTL falls by the wayside the only well produced sailing series will be the bikini shows featuring pulchitudinous  girls sailing expensive multi bathroomed plastic yachts around hot places  waving their delectable tushes in the general direction of their semi-tumescent go pro wielding boyfriends

To watch the bikini babes is just too embarrasing for words when wives are in the room. My films are suitable for family viewing.

We pay for other digital things - box sets,  netflix, maybe even for cable or skye - itunes or spotify.  You pay for the entertainment not for the costs involved in the top gear blokes smashing up perfectly good cars or for the furs worn in game of thrones series 4.

Please gentlemen, I ask you not to pay me money because you think it will help some jowly old Englishman to take a future boat to a future place - or for the modest achievement of an old bloke sailing a well found boat in a tough place .

 

As you watch what may well be the last ever films from KTL make the decision  how much to pay on a film by film basis purely for the entertainment value to you and an intelligent thoughtful sailor

Forget the costs involved of making the films.  They are of as little importance as the price of Sir Micks bus ticket to a Rolling Stones concert at the Albert hall or the value of the paint applied by Picasso to a piece of canvas. The value to the viewer is what counts.

If you watched a film and then thought about it the next morning then maybe tap me some cash in appreciation for the fun you had watching it.

If, on the other hand,  you thought it was an utter waste of time and "why the heck did I sit through that drivel"  then pay nothing.

Send me an email saying why it was a worthless piece of crud.

 

if however,  it filled half an hour for you and you now feel more relaxed about more important things such as what the heck  were the Americans thinking when they elected Donald Trump, then that might be worth a couple of bucks and comment via paypal.

If,  on the other hand,  it was bloody brilliant – well  tap me a bit more. – not for the future boat but for the experience you have just shared with me via the lens of my camera on my boat . If you went for a sail with a friend for a day you would not turn up empty handed – you would bring some beer, or a mars bar each.

Since I sold the Centaur the taps have suddenly gone up to a level where if they hold through the next ten films I can re-boot with a Fisher 25 next year. I know it is blocky little  motorsailer but it will keep me warm, dry and safe while sailing in a cold, wet and rough place.

At first I could not make out why the taps had picked up. Whenever anyone sends me money I always send a hand crafted email in return.

One bloke from the States, a builkder of wooden boats by trade sent me $200. I sent an email back asking why.

This is what he said.

“Over the years I have been downloading all your films and I watch them in the morning with my coffee because the news is so horrible. I was mortified when I discovered that you had sold your boat. I thought you would be there forever. I assumed that you did not need any money.

I think that I had rationalised not tapping you anything because, in my head, you were some sort of eccentric English millionaire philanthropist genius amateur film maker who thought that sailing a crap boat to interesting places was cooler than sailing a good one. I realise this was a way of me justifying not giving any money to a friend I had been sailing with for many miles  and over  several years.  When  I heard you had sold the boat I realised that it was partly my fault so I sent the money for the eight DVD sets sitting on my hard drive.”

So the past three Scottish films were on target for 2K each - the last two east coast films hit half that.

If the last ten films (as yet unmade) can also hit £2K each then I can buy a boat and start making sailing films again.

If they don't hit target then it will be just you and the bikini girls.

Thanks Gents

Onwards and Upwards

 

This is about Dylan Winter's Blog, Sailing around Britain.

205 Responses to “The future for the KTL films now the boat has been sold”

  1. 27 February, 2017 at 5:28 pmdylan winter says:

    I will come back to the smaller yacht.

    I promise.

    She is about to be brought back up to spec.

    D

  2. 27 February, 2017 at 6:45 pmNiall says:

    It’s more so we don’t loose the old blogs – rather than remove from YouTube, shift ’em to KTL2. Also a good home for wee snippets of film that maybe don’t make it to a proper episode….You had some great mini clips of drifting up the forth (or maybe it was the earn).

  3. 28 February, 2017 at 10:14 amLucas Sluimer says:

    I enjoyed every piece of film. Hope to see more and hope you will finish your voyage around Britain.

  4. 28 February, 2017 at 12:54 pmdylan winter says:

    thanks L

    That is what I am working towards – editing KTL season 8 film 16 at the moment.

    D

  5. 28 February, 2017 at 10:12 pmGavan Black says:

    Dylan, I’m surprised that a TV network hasn’t asked to condense some of your films into a series by now. If they think we’ll watch some old bird poke around in some dusty ruins for 6 or 8 weeks, why not some old bloke poking around in the hidden tourist spots of Great Britain. You’re every bit as entertaining as Griff Reese Jones Thanks to you, seeing the Three Rivers Race is on my bucket list. How’s that for a sales pitch?

  6. 28 February, 2017 at 11:04 pmdylan winter says:

    thanks G,

    I am not sure I am quite their cup of tea – too old, too ugly, too fat, too difficult to control

    the tv companies would turn KTL into some invented race against time – will he get to lowestoft before the banana goes black – and then they would make me dress up as a pirat.

    I like it the way that it is – although they could have the rushes if they wanted.

    The journey and the feedback from you blokes has been great –

    as for the three rivers race …. quick, quick, but an old wayfarer and you could enter this year’s event.

    they would kick your back en but what a great wheeze

    D

  7. 1 March, 2017 at 3:19 amGillian Hollis says:

    Dylan

    I discovered your content only recently and am loving it – both the old and the more recent stuff… I am NOT a sailor, and.. not a bloke (incase my name didn’t twig you on that) – you do seem to assume a male viewership, which is probably the case in the majority, but you over-emphasize it a little which has sort of discouraged me from contributing until now – I’ve had a lovely day plugging against the tides with you today with some of your earlier stuff to catch up and will send a few quid your way – you totally deserve it for the super content.

    I do hope you get sufficient funds to continue – but if that doesn’t happen I owe you for the stuff you already have out there.

    G

  8. 1 March, 2017 at 7:16 amdylan winter says:

    G

    what a marvelous person you are. Sorry about the stereo-typing. That is sommething I shall address as the films move away from the fettling to the travelling. At the moment youtube tells me that 97 per cent of the people who watch the films re men – dunnno how it does that or even if that is still true.

    There are lots of erlier films for you to sample. I hope you are amanging too get the films oonto a decently sized screen.

    I am optimistioc that things will get under way by the autumn. I have even, very cautiously, started looking for a suitable boat. However, my daughter, has told me to focus on the last 12 films and making them as good as I can. Scotland is such an amazing place to sail that it deserves a decent job.

    I take it that you are a sailor so some sort – you certainly live in a wonderful place with warm clear water.

    Thanks G

    D

  9. 1 March, 2017 at 1:08 pmGillian Hollis says:

    D

    97 percent male is probably close to the mark, happy to represent the remaining 3% ;-)

    I am definitely looking forward to the West Coast footage – although I live somewhere warm it’s true you miss what you don’t have, the scenery in Bermuda is ‘chocolate box’ pretty…as I’m from Scotland I miss the mountains and even a decent hill.

    I have done a little sailing but wouldn’t call myself a sailor – there are plans to do more and I find your bits about tides etc.. fascinating – no real tide where I live.

    All the best for the future, fingers crossed enough contribute a wee bit to the kitty.

    G

  10. 1 March, 2017 at 1:13 pmPete March says:

    Hi Dylan,
    having only recently found you, soaked up hours of your videos, taken up your time and listened to your VERY sound advice, I am now looking forward to my first season back on the water after far too long.
    I bought a Skipper 17 Mk 2. She’s in pretty good nick, just a few bits of rigging to sort and fit her out inside for proper cruising.
    I so hope that we get to see the West Coast this year before I get up there next year and I really hope that you get to cover Skye which is also on my bucket list.
    Having just found you, I don’t want to loose you as it will feel like a tragic Man Overboard. I so hope you get to complete your dream and keep us old blokes inspired.

  11. 1 March, 2017 at 1:28 pmdylan winter says:

    Thanks Pete, it was a close run thing but if I can persuade a tiny percentage of regular viewers to chip in a few dollars per film then I will be back in scotland this time next year. I am hopeful. D

  12. 1 March, 2017 at 8:30 pmNeil Fletcher says:

    Dylan: I only recently found you but I think your films are wonderful. I’m a pretty avid consumer of YouTube sailing videos and it’s amazing how much cash some of them get via the Patreon website. You may have considered adding that to your site. I’m going to share your site with a few sailing pals who hopefully will add something to your coffers. Please keep sailing.

    Neil
    Southern California (Islander 26, designed by William Crealock)
    and Sweden (Allied Seabreeze 36. http://www.sailingarcturus.com)

  13. 1 March, 2017 at 9:14 pmdylan winter says:

    Patreon really only works if you churn out a film a week, I can only make eight a year. This way seems nicer all round because not all films are equal. I want people to watch a film – even an old one – and pay me for the pleasure it gave them. I hope that makes sense.

    besides – tits have always been better generators of instant hits than intelligence

  14. 2 March, 2017 at 8:39 amTed Timberlake says:

    Neil, Thank you for the great views of sailing in Sweden. Lovely location but sadly a short season. Interesting details of laying up for the winter. Hopefully you will be taking in the Aland Islands and then maybe along the southern coast of Finland. Good luck.

  15. 2 March, 2017 at 9:07 amdylan winter says:

    it does look like a lovely place to sail

    god bless google earth

  16. 2 March, 2017 at 6:51 pmRob says:

    Hi Dylan

    Ever though of writing a book about your travels . .? My wife and I are really enjoying your book about walking along offa’s dyke. You have an easy , entertaining writing style that really captures the atmosphere of what you were doing. I have a feeling that my wife’s’ s book group may even choose it as a book of the month.

    I would certainly buy a couple of copies of you ever got round to it. There are lots of books about sailing around the Uk but most are quite dull and uneventful

    Thanks. Rob

  17. 2 March, 2017 at 6:55 pmdylan winter says:

    Thanks for liking the book

    those two books sold 10,000 copies each.

    I wrote each one in three months – 100 days … 100,000 words. It is just not cost effective in todays market of digital downloads. A more sellable subject would be the digital journey and the story of a decade of dancing with google algorithms.

    now that is what I call entertaining and drama packed

    d

  18. 4 March, 2017 at 3:58 pmBrian says:

    Hi Dylan
    I found your site whilst going through divorce and unemployment, all is good now. I very much enjoyed your clips and I will continue my support. I’m not yet an old bloke but I’m closing in on it.
    I haven’t been able to make your subscription work yet but I will.
    Keep on keeping on,

  19. 4 March, 2017 at 4:24 pmdylan winter says:

    thanks B,

    Very good of you to say so

    I hope to keep going – what I need is more Brians

    Dylan

  20. 5 March, 2017 at 3:06 amdavid almeida says:

    Hello i love you films have you thought aboy making a 1 hour film and selling it on ktl website as a download with just a trailer on youtube to direct people to your site then if people want to see it they would have to pay even if it is just 1 pound
    i am now going to tap your button for a few wuid

  21. 5 March, 2017 at 3:10 amdavid almeida says:

    giving you money felt oddly very good i urge others to do so to

  22. 5 March, 2017 at 6:38 amdylan winter says:

    thanks D

  23. 5 March, 2017 at 6:40 amdylan winter says:

    I tried with the films behind a pay wall for a while – then as the number of sailing films onnthe web grew that fell by the wayside. people soon lern that the only new KTL films are just trailers and go back to clicking on the tits which are free at the point of delivery.

    Then came DVdDs – they did okay in the run up to christmas – lots of old blokes who could not think of anything better for christmas got their wives to buy them. Then they died.

    Now it is the buskers cup.

    Will that work?

    Dunno. It did not work at all last year when I had a boat for Scotland.

    This year, when I don’t have a boat, then it is sort of working. But then I think it came as a bit of a shock when sailing long term KTL viewers but non tappers realised that as a keen sailor I was so strapped that I sold the boat I clearly wanted to keep and which they had been rather looking forward to sailing (virtually) around the Outer Hebrides.

    Most sailors take the idea of a keen sailor selling his boat as a sign of real financial problems. Until then I think many just thought I was greedy asking for support when I clearly had a boat – maybe the shittet in the anchorage …but still I had a safe boat and the money to run it.

    But getting people to tap for the pleasure of watching the films now rather than some future boat and some guaranteed future supply of films will be a challenge. Eleanor says it is unlikely to work and that it is astonishing thay it has worked as well as it has. So far I guess it shows that sailors are not as other see them.

    There are days when I am full of hope – but there are days when I realise that all I can do is to give the last 11 films my best shot and see what happens.

    It has been ten years since I started so it would be surprising if the same model had lasted for all that time given the way the web is shifting econmies at the sped of light.

    By employing the buskers cup I am now in the last chance saloon – after that the only thing left is the bikini, the tits, the go pro and the £200,000 foredeck while emoting at dolphins – and I am sure there are not many who would wish to witness such a thing

    D

  24. 5 March, 2017 at 4:16 pmAndrew Short says:

    Hi Dylan, Sorry you are struggling a little at the moment. I have visited the West Coast often, doing work for the Navy. In my opinion it is very dangerous in the winter. I remarked as such to the DCA. We often worked at Applecross or the inner sound, where we could see storm squalls falling over Skye and Rassay, knowing that in 15 to 20 minutes the foul weather would reach Applecross. I have been aboard a Fleet Tender which has taken solid water over the wheelhouse. I can’t imagine being at sea in a small sailing boat in those conditions, it would be near suicidal. ‘Old sailors and bold sailors’ methinks.

  25. 5 March, 2017 at 5:12 pmdylan winter says:

    I have been sailing up there for three summers and two winters now

    I will be fine

    I am old already so I have beaten one of your maxims

    and I also think I am fairly bold compared to other blokes my age

    I love a bit of adrenalin

    I am more worried about dinghies than I am about squalls

    althgough you are dead right – scotland is a serious place to sail winter or summer

    as you will see in the next film when I cocked up pentland firth

    D

  26. 7 March, 2017 at 12:29 amdennis says:

    keep at it, i don’t normally donate. but i want to keep your dream alive.

    Best

  27. 7 March, 2017 at 12:19 pmdylan winter says:

    Thanks Dennis, very good of you.

    THE BOSS would say that, given there is no guarantee that I will ever buy a fisher and return to scotland that you should try not to think of it as a donation but more as a reward for the joy the films have brought to your TV screen.

    Some have started tappiing on the old films on the basis that an hour in front of the telly with KTL is an hour less netlix

    having said that of course – now that I have no overheads every penny goes into a fisher account rather than be squandered on sailing

    written that way it sounds like a bad thing because I would rather be sailing than saving. It runs against the whole ethos of KTL

    Dylan

  28. 8 March, 2017 at 6:54 amJames says:

    Something confuses me.

    When you set off on your adventure it was because it was something you wanted to do?

    Fair enough – along the way you have produced some great content which has allowed you to subsidise your costs.

    If you raised £5k last year and your costs were £6.6k – that means you paid £1.6k yourself = 25% of the costs. So you have a 75% subsidy. Given that you’re actually getting to do what you want (the sailing) – that doesn’t seem too bad to me.given the costs that other people have to run their own boats or go on a sailing holiday.

    Or have I missed the point?

  29. 8 March, 2017 at 1:57 pmpeter c says:

    Interesting point James, Eleanor has a different perspective. Her business model of earning funds from content is valid but does not include the intangible of Dads dream. That might reqire funding in part from the Bank of Dad, which after all helped fund the kids dreams.
    D, really miss the blogs, would have happliy tapped for a few, i.e. meadway pollution, MD1 fun in Wells etc.
    Pulling those was a shame for many of us, again all a matter of perspective. Pity, .as we say over on this side of the pond.

  30. 8 March, 2017 at 2:33 pmdylan winter says:

    Thanks Peter,

    I agree.

    the dream of an old bloke sailing around the UK is not important in the scale of things – and I have closed the loop when I sailed up the Irish Sea last spring. So the achievement, the dream element if you like has little meaning – just one more old bloke in a small boat sailing around this amazing island. Each year around 40 old blokes do it.

    But this one takes thousands of people with him via his video camera and his voice. . Some of the films are quite ropey – some are not that bad, a few are pretty good.

    So it is the films that count. While the taps were going towards the costs of running the boat with my speciously hypothecated paypal buttons the income went down to an unsustainable level. The project went bust and the boat ended up being sold.

    Now I am still making films but not spending any money on sailing. The taps are for the entertainment value of the films – so we are sort of back to DVD days.

    I am assuming that few people bought a four hour DVD for £15 because they thought they would never watch it and the purchase was just to support the venture.

    I am assuming that most people who are now tapping on the films are tapping in appreciation – for the enjoyment. Like the old DVD days.

    The money cannot be for a boat because I don’t have one and I might never buy one suitable for scotland. It is a big investment _ feck a decent fisher is the thick end of £25K – I am doubtful that I can raise that sort of money when films have no value – other than a chance to wave the buskers cup.

    I hear what you say about the blogs – but people don’t tap on blogs.

    But some do tap on films. An increasing number are tapping on the recent films of Shetland. A new style and a new audience. How many get the tapping habit remains to be seen.

    Incidentally, the films you are missing have been re-posted to youtube in the right order and in the way that google has asked me to do it.

    here they all are

    https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL-leOGnyCr2Qj292ad1nDWBLRLSPcKs33

  31. 8 March, 2017 at 4:01 pmClive says:

    I think James has a perfectly reasonable point and I also think that it’s all very well saying we must only tap for the entertainment, of course we should, the alternative would be we’re tapping to fund your sailing which I guess wouldn’t be particularly attractive to many of us, I’m reminded of the chap who responded “good luck with that” when you first announced the need to buy a Fisher 25 and how you hoped it was to be funded, as initially I felt much the same. However the reality is for me when tapping I do actually have the sense that I’m making a contribution to the project as a whole with all the other MOB’s and not just the next film and I suspect I will not be in a minority on that.

    My point is that I’m not sure separating the various funding requirements is beneficial to KTL’s income stream, particularly when one continues to hear your suggestion to download while you can which personally I find somewhat off-putting. It seems to me that the more you focus on the value of the entertainment provided and it’s potentially limited lifespan, the closer to having to quantify that valuation one gets, for example if I had a mind to I could say that I can get all Sky’s sport and cinema output in multiple rooms in HD for say £3 per day, whereas I might tap a tenner for each of your 45 minute films, once a month?

    Of course for me and I expect all of us tappers the comparison is bizzarre as it doesn’t take into account (my sense of) the communal nature of the project but I do think it may be worthwhile to review how and why different people enagage with KTL, I do not think it is just to hire a film.

    Good luck as always

  32. 8 March, 2017 at 5:28 pmdylan winter says:

    thanks Clive,

    I think that you should not really think that by tapping on the last 11 films you are contributing towards the costs of buying a suitable boat to take to the outer hebrides and the cash to keep it there for two seasons and one winter.

    That is a £30K hump and I am not sure even I believe that the last 11 films can do that amount of heavy lifting. I hope they can.

    That would be amazing.

    However, the only way I can do that is to widen the demographic and the last few Orkney and Shetland films seem to have hit the spot with a different sort of sailor. You can see by their boats that there are more 50 footers than polytarp sails.

    You make a good point about sky – but another sailor mentioned Netflix for which he pays $8 a month. He reckons he watches about 4 hours a month of netflix – so if he watches an hour of KTL in that month then to him that is worth $2 an hour or so. Actually he watches more so he sends me more. So the issue is not how much you can get for your £3 the issue is how much do you watch for your £3

    I don’t think those netflix blokes want anything more than the films – I am sure none of them would read 40 posts into a comments section.

    As for hoarding the films – nothing is forever on the web. I had them hosted at Blip – they just dissapeared in the click of a mouse when their servers were cleared down when they went into receivership. . The same could happen to vimeo or youtube. Imagine you tube coming under financial pressure – whose videos are they going to take down to clear space – mine or La Vag.

    Streaming is great – but that depends on some-one hosting the stream – for that there has to be enough profit in it for them – not for me.

    So, if you like the films enough then download them. Will youtube be here in ten years time? Will Vimeo?

    I do hope that I can get back to scotland in the right boat. The films are my best shot at getting there.

    all I can say is that as a business model it really sucks

    Dylan

  33. 8 March, 2017 at 6:07 pmhenrik scheel says:

    Interesting discussion on the right model to fund this project. There are different models. The recurring payment model is far the most used by networks and streaming services whereas the pay per view model is not used as much anymore. The model on KTL is the pay per view model. Since the content is not behind any payment wall anyway, it is up to the good will of the customer to pay or not. In that respect there is no right or wrong motivation to pay, just as long as you pay.

    I think you could be succesful in setting this up as a crowd funding venture, with a recurring monthly fee like Patreon, or by donation on a crowd funding portal like https://www.startnext.com/. A German, Guido Dwersteg, have collected +6.000 Euros to circumvent Scandinavia by Bavaria 32 in a few weeks.

  34. 8 March, 2017 at 8:18 pmdylan winter says:

    Thanks H,

    I agree, if people want to pay for whatever reason that is great and those payments will end up in the project one way or another – wether to finish the last 11 films or to re-boot with a more suitable boat. I think that crowd funding is targetted on a single achievement – the bloke sailing around sweden is a classic target orientated fund.

    KTL is a flow of films – a flow of films that around 12,000 people want to watch. That is all it is.

    So far this plan is working – the other plans worked for a while and then stopped working. I have no idea how long this one will work for

    it has the advantage that at the moment I have no overheads – no costs. So the budget is in positive cash. Of course I am not sailing – just editing. So that is not good.

    I dunno chaps – I am as confused as the next man

    D

  35. 8 March, 2017 at 9:30 pmPaul Mullings says:

    Dear Confused, I am the next man and you’re correct!

  36. 8 March, 2017 at 10:58 pmClive says:

    So, it’s KBO for KTL! – thank you Mr Churchill and thank you Dylan

  37. 9 March, 2017 at 3:42 pmDavid says:

    Is it a Fisher 25 or nothing Dylan? Lots of Colvic Watson’s out there and cheaper than the Fisher.

  38. 9 March, 2017 at 4:18 pmdylan winter says:

    easy to buy easy to sell

    popular boats – aspirational

    same as a centaur

    I also know that I can make a Fisher look cute on camera – colvic watsons are much harder to film

    Dylan

  39. 10 March, 2017 at 4:04 pmNiall says:

    Nice southerly 28 on eBay at the mo…

  40. 11 March, 2017 at 6:03 amNeil Fletcher says:

    Ted, thanks for the kind words. Äaland and Finland on my itinerary for next year…

  41. 12 March, 2017 at 6:36 pmAlan says:

    Apologies if I am repeating myself, somewhere else on this blog, but I thought I had pointed you in the direct of some Fishers – comments about rich old men etc??
    Here’s one of the original Freewards, which certainly sail well and are bombproof with a one inch layup (so light they are not). Note the new engine too! 40HP!!! The Coryvechan will hold no fears And for less than £20k which is what has been spent.
    .
    http://www.fisherowners.org/classifieds-ads/item/fisher-freeward-25-sagina.html

    There more on the classified including one for £5995 which need works (probably needs a rich old bloke)
    Alan

  42. 12 March, 2017 at 7:03 pmdylan winter says:

    109.155.56.122In reply to Alan.

    The Freewards are probably no better than a Centaur for what I need. Centaurs are excellent sea boats and I think could handle anything almost anything that a Freeward would handle.

    The Centaur accommodation is second to none. They can take a lot of terrible weather – especially under engine when that prop is running is completely clear water between the keels. They turn on a sixpence.

    the advantages of a Freeward are marginal in my opinion because with a freeward you are still out in the scottish rain when under way. Ultimately, as an old bloke the rain and the cold are my enemies. I know that if I am inside I can sail longer and further.

    I also think that with enough sails up – say a well cut ghoster you could get her moving . I am sure I would find myself messing with staysails and spinnakers just for fun.

    So, an honest answer – your top speed through the water under sail – beam reach lots of wind – flat water.

  43. 12 March, 2017 at 8:02 pmTyro Sailor says:

    I’ve just been reading through this thread with interest, having already watched a lot of the films (just on my lapdog) but not yet contributed. How do I do this (I’m a bit of a tyro at e-commerce too!)?

    I was sorry to read that you’d sold your boat. A big step, and a diffucult one, in moire ways than one I should think. Two years ago (almost to the day) I bought a Centaur, hoping it would be ready to sail. It wasn’t. Two years, a new engine and several thousand pounds later, I’m hoping to get the mast up this week and then go sailing.

    If you’re missing it, Dylan, as one old buffer to another, I’d be happy to have you as crew so at least you can get on the water. Only Solent-pottering to start with, but I have a slight ambition to sail round Britain too. Get in touch through the WOA website – same name. :-)

  44. 12 March, 2017 at 8:09 pmdylan winter says:

    thanks for that. it was the first time I have sold a boat I really wanted to keep.

    However, so be it. Water under the bridge. Thanks for the offer of the sail. I am a terrible person as a crew. I want to be in charge and given the helm I sail too close to the edge. There is a paypal page here http://www.keepturningleft.co.uk/mob-funding/

  45. 12 March, 2017 at 8:20 pmTyro Sailor says:

    Sailing close to the edge is good, provided it’s the edge of the wind you’re close to, not the rocks!

    We could try for a day if you like and then pack it in if we hate each other by the end of it!

  46. 12 March, 2017 at 8:23 pmTyro Sailor says:

    Grrr. Can’t get into Paypal atm cos I can’t remember the password and my diary is in the car which is in a locked garage 100 yards away….

  47. 12 March, 2017 at 9:00 pmdylan winter says:

    no worries – the roof will not cave in

    Dylan

  48. 15 March, 2017 at 7:49 amDavid Tyler says:

    Morning Dylan.
    I am determined to find you a “suitable” boat.
    What about this one? It’s even in the right country!
    http://www.boatsandoutboards.co.uk/Sailboats/fisher-boats-fisher-25-freeward/165969
    Just an a diesel stove and you are sorted!
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vuLvL_tXR9w
    David

  49. 15 March, 2017 at 8:11 amdylan winter says:

    the freeward looks great – but….. no inside steering.

    For sotland…. that is what I need. So a freeward does not offer anything the centaur does not. The centaurs are fantastic sea boats – under power or sail. Under power that prop is running in clean water – so it works wonderfully. They can turn on a sixpence in a marina. The accommodation is second to none for a small boat. There is nothing that can touch it. They are cheaper than a Freeward.

    It is the inside steering and a hot air heater that I need.

  50. 15 March, 2017 at 2:38 pmAquaplane says:

    I bet you don’t drive from inside, even when you can. A Centaur with a good spray hood and an autopilot with remote so you can keep watch from the shelter of the companionway would work. Add a warm air heater and Robert is your dad’s brother. I had just that setup, except the remote for the tiller pilot last year. But I sail in the “summer” if you can call it that in Scotland.

  51. 15 March, 2017 at 3:03 pmdylan winter says:

    I would expect to fit a tiller extension and sit along the lee or windward rail where you can see the sails – on the lee side you can see the slot pretty well. There have been lots of days in scotland when it was fit for sailing but too wet to be out in it. I am hoping, maybe naively, that I can sail from inside when the wind come along accompanied by driving rain. Sailing a centaur from inside out of the rain is possible but a challenge.

    I spent many hours this summer standing under the companionway hatch while the plastic clad tiller pilot was in charge of the course and the engine in charge of the propulsion.

    A motorsailer is unknown territory to me.

  52. 17 March, 2017 at 11:28 pmKeith Walker says:

    Mr Winter, I friend came around my house the other day and pointed me in the direction of your videos. I have to say I was very impressed and have made a donation.
    Short notice indeed, but starting next week (20/3/17) i am leaving Rhu (just norht of Kip) to visit and cruise the western Iles, you are very welcome to join me and bring all your camera gear.
    Regards,
    Keith Walker.

  53. 18 March, 2017 at 7:05 pmrichard says:

    Dylan,
    I have seen this Centaur

    http://www.boatshed.com/westerly_centaur-boat-224666.html

    It’s up for auction with a start of £2500 and it has a newish Beta 20HP
    It is on the main boatshed site for £4950 so they are keen to sell before the marina fees are due.
    With a low bid and a Propex heater kit on ebay £465 could that get you back in the game?
    Richard
    PS I have been looking at heaters, the other good option seems to be the Hampshire Charcoal heater for £730

  54. 18 March, 2017 at 7:07 pmrichard says:

    Perhaps we could crowd fund the bid too?

  55. 18 March, 2017 at 7:40 pmdylan winter says:

    R,

    I have to focus getting the cash flow back in proper balance before I can consider my next move

    having said that, it does look like a goodun

    D

  56. 19 March, 2017 at 9:49 pmJonathan Sharman says:

    I have found the ideal job for you ;o)
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m2bHx65CjV8

  57. 19 March, 2017 at 9:55 pmdylan winter says:

    I would burn like a crisp in all that sunshine – mind you, whoever does it will be spending a lot of time sitting below in a hot hull slaving over a hot laptop. Editing on a laptop is a real challenge.

  58. 19 March, 2017 at 11:22 pmAquaplane says:

    I had a propex heater once, stick to the ubiquitous diesel fueled ones, there must be a reason folk do it. Especially an Origo stove convert, it’s good to be gas free. My Wallas is Paraffin fueled but that’s like diesel.

    Bob.

  59. 20 March, 2017 at 8:02 amdylan winter says:

    I agree – gas makes me nervous, does not work that well when it is cold and is expensive. It is fast for cooking though – but maybe that is not a massive advantage on a boat

  60. 25 March, 2017 at 11:44 pmMatthew says:

    You are an inspiration to us all. THATS why I donate. If you ever in canada, Belleville ontario to be exact, hit me up ill take you out on a lovely sail around our beautiful bay of quinty

  61. 26 March, 2017 at 8:31 amdylan winter says:

    thanks M

    I do get the odd angry email though – so I guess I inspire a few to anger as well

    I have been on the receiving end of some vituperation for naming the scottish toffs as being responsible for the clearances

    that did not go down well

    Amazingly there is one bloke who diligently goes through all the youtube films and gives me a thumbs down

    genius

    D

  62. 26 March, 2017 at 5:55 pmLen McEwen says:

    I have tapped again as I definitely want to see the journey continue complete with the great videos and stories. I hope that this continues to help you.
    Len

  63. 26 March, 2017 at 6:35 pmdylan winter says:

    Len,

    at the moment, provided the income holds through the last 10 films, I am on schedule to buy something smaller, tougher and in end of season condition come Decewmber/January. It can be anywhere in the UK because I can always sail it to the outer hebrides. I need a tatty fisher with a good engine

    Len, you have been an excellent regular. Either you are an insanely successful councilor or you are an ice bound Canadian sailor slowly going mad while watching for signs of a thaw

    Dylan

  64. 27 March, 2017 at 12:48 pmpeter c says:

    Well done D, you are no 1.
    A post this morning on youtube, second chance sailing by good looking pete, confirms it.
    His take on the top ten sites is not bad, top three are my choice as well. Likely mirror a lot of the guys.
    His comments on you nail it.

  65. 27 March, 2017 at 12:52 pmpeter c says:

    Thx D , nice to hear another Quinte sailor watches your stuff, only a few miles from me, so sail past Matthew’s place all the time when the ice is gone. Thats why l haunt the Chesapeake, tad warmer.

  66. 17 April, 2017 at 10:17 pmLuke says:

    Iya Dylan! I’d just finished watching one or two scotland videos, which were brilliant, and then had to go and do actual life stuff again, rather than worship the laptop. Next time I look on and your westerly has sold :( I too was under the impression you were a well sorted bloke from the south ( north of the boarder, just south of sheffield) who would be sailing for some time. I start new job tomorrow and will be tapping up soon. I loved your humber videos, riding upto tetney harbour, then up the humber to the ouse york way, then riding down and up the trent all the way to torksey lock keeper neils lock, then onto the witham and out past boston. I did the same journey with old BW ( CRT to those who weren’t on the waterways boating in days gone by) painting all the rise and fall posts and waterside furniture from lincoln to boston. Loved it. the work narrowboat had a cd player and lincoln got its education from zz top, kate bush, prince etc. I hope to get on the water in a boat of my own on day, for now it will be the kayak that was pulled out of stamp end lock. I found this on ebay. No idea of your current budget, but its slightly less than the 25k you mentioned above.

    http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/40ft-steel-ketch-Motor-Sailer-Sailing-Yacht-Liveaboard-/152498899921?hash=item2381a48bd1:g:6mEAAOSw~CFY5POV

  67. 18 April, 2017 at 8:10 amStephen Mundane says:

    Or for around a tenth of the price of the big steel beast above, how about this 1980s Scandanavian style, Centaur-sized, motor sailer?

    http://www.cheapboats.org.uk/sailing-boats/arransen-780-yacht/

    Hot water, warm air heating, clean-looking engine, sheltered wheel steering position behind a wind shield which could be made even more sheltered with a sprayhood, plus a tiller, bilge keels (I’m guessing here) etc. Just needs some fettling — easier to say than do, I know.

  68. 18 April, 2017 at 9:18 amdylan winter says:

    that looks like a really good buy – not far from here either

  69. 18 April, 2017 at 9:19 amdylan winter says:

    that is a monster of a yacht. I would never have the metal hammer and paint pot out of my hand. whatever I buy it will have to be plastic and small

  70. 18 April, 2017 at 8:14 pmLuke says:

    Yeah and I can understand why, Tbf you’d probably need an 18ton lorry to move it by road but I thought you should know about it. I want to see more of your films up. You’ve done more for promoting sailing and inland waterways than the nations industry put together as far as i am concerned. Hope you’re proud of it. You’ve got me put off the canal cruisers and looking for a sail boat holiday, possibly a sail boat.

  71. 18 April, 2017 at 9:56 pmAllison says:

    Hi I am part of the 3% not a male grumpy auld bugger.
    Have you tried crowd funding not sure how it works but every bugger is doing it, for just about any old thing.
    Will send you a wee donation, why not, you actually very entertaining, informative and beautiful scenery make it worth while.

  72. 18 April, 2017 at 10:27 pmDavid says:

    http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Fisher-25-Motor-Sailer-/162478614667?hash=item25d47ae88b:g:nFIAAOSwSypY9Px5
    Not bad eh, and ideally situated to start exploring n wales, the Irish Sea and up to lovely scotland

  73. 18 April, 2017 at 11:30 pmdylan winter says:

    cool- it has bilge keels – but even worse accommodation than an ordinary fisher. I shall watch with interest.

  74. 18 April, 2017 at 11:30 pmdylan winter says:

    woo hoo – not all old blokes are grumpy though. I love my life.

  75. 20 April, 2017 at 9:39 pmdylan winter says:

    I have spotted that one – it has bilge keels too which would be nice

    however, the accommodation is really weird – so Jill has already vetoed it.

  76. 22 April, 2017 at 3:11 pmJack says:

    And a tap from me too… A US tenner here is about the equivalent of a Tightarse Tuesday cinema ticket, and you’re better that what’s on at the flicks.

  77. 24 April, 2017 at 12:01 amsimon leslie ellis says:

    Sorry, had to look up ‘Pulchritudinous’ Dylan

    (Pulchritudinous. The definition of pulchritudinous is a way to describe great physical beauty. A person who is very beautiful would be described as pulchritudinous.)

    I just invested in a 1980s Mirage 2700. Feels considerably roomier and than the Centaur with a deck that feels remarkably like the EBoat. Similar condition/engine/price at Lilly M. Just a thought?

    For me, a step up after sailing a Sailfish 18 for the last thirteen years.

    Simon

  78. 24 April, 2017 at 10:18 amdylan winter says:

    They look like very nice boats

    http://bills-log.blogspot.co.uk/2015/01/mirage-2700.html

    and there are lots around that can do the job I am sure….. it was not really a shortage of affordable floating real estate that stopped the project….. it was the cash flow

    that seems to be getting back on stream now though.

    D

  79. 26 April, 2017 at 11:48 pmPeter says:

    Hi Dylan,
    I’m amazed at some of the single handed older ladies that sail around the Southampton and Portsmouth waters, so less of the “you lads”, if you please.
    Love your your videos – and yes, I have donated some spondulies.
    Keep on sailing.
    Peter

  80. 27 April, 2017 at 7:56 amdylan winter says:

    I have yet to see any single handed women sailors at first hand

    I have heard that they exist and have seen them in the magazines and on the telly but have never seen one in the flesh around the pontoons, on a mooring or actually sailing

    I have been sailing for five decades now

    youtube tells me that 97 per cent of the people who watch the films are blokes

    what can I say other than Gillian is an exceptional woman

    D

  81. 27 April, 2017 at 11:46 amRob Gray says:

    Hi Dylan,

    Glad the tide has now turned after the slack. My Mum loved your CD vids that you sent. She lived on her father’s yacht part of WW2 whilst he was away on payback for the three brothers who went off to WW1 and never returned. He did well – DSC etc. I still have his D Day chart where he and others went in June 5/6th to minesweep the approach channel to the beaches. Liked your bit on the Shetland Bus. Said maternal grandfather was posted from HMS Glorious a few weeks before she was sunk on return from Norway by Scharnhorst and Gneisenau. He nicked an ashtray on leaving which stayed in the family for years until a chance conversation with a friend of mine whose uncle, it turned out, had gone down with Glorious. Their family now has the ashtray. His father was a tail gunner in Lancs (imagine).

    The problem that you have occasioned with your vids, however, is that at 89 Mum now demands to be taken back out on the water in a few weeks time …………….thanks! Just sent a payment via PayPal. If you need ‘stuff’ for your new boat I have a barn load of all sorts from 40 years of boat projects. You have a great set of followers out there. Keep going. Best wishes, Rob

  82. 28 April, 2017 at 2:20 amChris says:

    Hi Dylan,
    I recently came across your video’s and I have enjoyed them tremendously (Scotland). I haven’t got to the others, but I can only imagine they are done just as well. I will be honest, I’m finding your argument of making films and the lack of support (monetary) rather head scratching. I didn’t know the idea of putting out video’s on youtube was strictly a business. I alway’s thought youtube was a way to post your/posters experiences and share them with the rest of the world (a choice). I understand some make money and some don’t. Is that the point, to make money and have your dreams and aspirations financed by youtube? There are ways to make films and generate money if that’s what you want to do. Heck, I’d wish everyone would chip in and finance my dreams and ambitions as well. I noticed you talk about ‘freeloaders” not contributing to your video’s and financing your adventures. Do you contribute to all the subscriptions that you belong to? I noticed a few bikini sailing websites that you seem to condone, you have a subscription to. Hey, your entitled to subscribe to anything you wish, I’m not here to tell you otherwise. I was just thinking what if you deleted a majority of those sites and put that cash back into your pocket (assuming you donate to their content as well) you might have a little more to put back into your budget. I know it sounds like I’m coming down on you but i’m not. You can make your own decisions on what you want to do with your site, and say anything you wish.You are more than entitled to do that (that is your right and you have the freedoms to do that). I’m just trying to understand your rational. I don’t have a youtube account. But, if I did, I’d make video’s because I wanted to, not because I expected anything in return from them. Maybe that’s what separates me from you and the many of youtubers that are money motivated for financial gain. If you aren’t making $$ doing this than don’t put any more resources into it. I take it you enjoy doing what you do (it shows), you seem to be just disappointed by the lack of $$ heading your way. Heck, isn’t sailing enough and experiencing your own adventures satisfying? Don’t make video’s because you have to, make them because you want to. Seems like you are generating a little bit of money for the cause while doing what you love. Can’t be all that bad. But, if you are losing more money than you are putting into it, or are not making enough profit to meet your “obligations”, maybe your in the wrong business. I wish you all the best. I hope you find your next boat, and I hope you continue to grow your audience and website. I think you’re a pretty lucky man.

  83. 28 April, 2017 at 3:04 pmClive says:

    or has Chris actually missed the point?

  84. 29 April, 2017 at 10:44 pmJonathan Sharman says:

    I see that your new logo already includes the Fisher. Any closer to a purchase?

  85. 29 April, 2017 at 10:53 pmdylan winter says:

    almost a third of the way there – which is marvelous

  86. 1 May, 2017 at 9:38 amPerry says:

    Hello Dylan,

    It’s a privilege to pay £10 for access to your site.

    I stayed (camped) on Orpheus, a Freeman 22 Mk 2 from end of June until first week in October in 2015 on the Thames. My home port was the Bounty in Bourne End, because the owners offered an overnight mooring to those who ate & drank there. I loved it. http://thebountypub.com/

    We trailered the boat to the house in the belief we’d repaint etc over that winter, but we Dylaned & Dallied & there it sat. 2016 came & went, because other matters took priority, Sanding has now been completed. We’ll see if we can return Orpheus to the water, some time in June. However, I would like to draw your attention to Louis Sauzedde of Wickford, Rhode Island, who built the most beguiling Lumber Yard Skiff over 37 episodes. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C22Crc7XHoI

    He sold the skiff on Ebay last week for $21,100 & the reason I mention this is that he is 67 & he built the skiff from lumber he already had.

    However, Walter Baron, not too far away in Welfleet, uses plywood to build skiffs.. http://www.oldwharf.com/walter-baron-boat-builder/

    I bought a set of his plans for his LYS for $60 delivered & I am determined to have one. Scroll down to #14 to see how nice they can be. http://forum.woodenboat.com/showthread.php?138899-lumber-yard-skiff&highlight=jclays

    OTOH, Sam Devlin in the Pacific North West designs & builds stitch & glue boats. Here is a link to his sailboats. https://www.devlinboat.com/sailboats/

    Perhaps constructing the boat of your dreams is something to consider?

    All the best,

    Perry

  87. 3 May, 2017 at 12:11 pmBill Brannan, Tollesbury says:

    “Blocky shit of a motor sailor” I say old chap, steady on, Tutak has looked after me for many years and doesn’t want to hear language like that. She might take offence and kill me!

    All this cuffuffle has lead me to ponder on why I like your films. The are what I do. I don’t re watch them but they remind me of where I’ve been and what I’ve done. What you give me is history and more on land. Me legs don’t allow too much shore side time.

    I will put something in the pot for the “Let’s get Dylan an F25” fund!

    Bill.

  88. 3 May, 2017 at 3:50 pmdylan winter says:

    I do hope you are not upset by the prose – I aim to prove some people wrong about Fisher 25s. Currently more or less on target for some sort of re-boot in the middle of next winter in an end of season condition Fisher. They tend to be the last boat old blokes own…. so there are a few once loved but now neglected examples around. I would even be willing to fit a replacement engine if I can make the maths ad up. re-engining a Fisher 25 has to be a better financial proposition that re-engining a Centaur. A top spec Centaur with a new engine is £10K. A top spec Fisher with a good engine goes for £25K so a £6K engine transplant can make sense

    I am also assuming that with a big ghoster they can be made to go. I have walked around one and I think with a tiller extension you can sit on the windward or leeward rail and pretend you are sailing a proper yacht.

    If you decide to give up on yours Bill……

  89. 4 May, 2017 at 3:19 pmWarren says:

    Re Patreon……..sorry old subject
    But the gone with the wynns posted a q&a video
    And answer about the decision to go with Patreoncan’t there experience with it etc.
    https://youtu.be/Asfa52x7BmA Q is at about 5:30

    They had some of your conserns, its worth a couple of minutes to hear what these very experiences posters say.
    Cheers warren

  90. 4 May, 2017 at 5:23 pmdylan winter says:

    they seem very nice people and have the same concerns as I do

    however, there the comparisons end

    the wynns – beautiful people….. 21 million hits https://www.youtube.com/user/gonewiththewynns/about

    400 patrons earning $2,200 per film/month not sure which – and they are knocking out 4 films a month

    KTL …. jowly old bloke …..1.6 million hits https://www.youtube.com/user/KeepTurningLeft/about

    creating 8 films a year……

    I doubt that the I would get 100 patrons

    and with the current chip in when you feel like it allowed the last four KTL films hit the £2K target.

    I am not writing Patreon off….. but while this plan is working I am going to stick with it.

  91. 5 May, 2017 at 1:02 pmWarren says:

    Dylan, You may not have picked up that they(Wynns) got their huge following from their previous 6 years of R Ving all over the USA. I have watch some of those videos and they are just as good not like some of the old folks and red neck type RV stuff out there…… They also don’t make as much as Pateron suggests either.
    I also think you under estimate your worth. I think you would get 300 patreons but even at 100 at say an average of $10 there is $1000 plus the added pay as you go format & you have the 2K. If you had 200 patreons ……

    I am very close to becoming a Patreon ( while I’m still working) on a few channels as I watch them a lot , mainly since your troubles as I started looking arround ……right now my list is probably
    Follow the boat, gone with the Wynns,sailing emerald steel, MJsailing,Drake paragon,Salt & Tar,
    All really hard working folks and I think deserve recognition for their hard work. I spend over $80 a month for some fairly basic TV so another $20 for the entertainment I actually watch should be a no brainier. And I’m a really anti- subscription type of guy! ( they have all received one time contributions already).
    Dunno, you are one of the early pioneers of the sailing channels and should benefit from the genre you helped create.
    Thanks for letting me post my long winded thoughts on your site.
    Cheers Warren.
    Ps if anybody wants to see my list of favorite YT channels they can check out my channel subscription list at ‘warp21drive’….. Mainly sailing related.

  92. 5 May, 2017 at 10:04 pmMike Griffiths says:

    Dylan
    Inspired to buy a Boat with a friend thanks to your Blog & films. Guess what a Lovely Centaur and i was inspired by your east coast Trip to Scotland so will be sailing the Firth of Forth this year & who knows next year.
    Looking forward to following you down the West coast!

  93. 6 May, 2017 at 10:33 amdylan winter says:

    Goodonya Mike

    nothing like an adventure or two

    I hope the partnership goes well and that the engine is good to you

    the centaur will not let you down

    D

  94. 9 May, 2017 at 5:29 amTom Keevil says:

    Dylan, I’ve tried to tap you a few US$, but the paypal link is not working. Get the message: “Things don’t appear to be working at the moment. Please try again later.” It’s been that way for several days.

  95. 17 May, 2017 at 11:12 amAnthony Chadwick says:

    I haven’t been on your blog for a while, and have looked through this posting about your Centaur and deciding to downscale. A friend of mine called Roger Barnes had a yacht at one time, a hefty wooden vessel, a Hillyard or something similar. He was up against the enormous costs of mooring and maintenance. He bought an Ilur, which is a 16ft open lug rig dinghy designed by François Vivier to a traditional fishing boat design. He goes on cruises as a “hard bastard”. He has a bit more comfort than I on my 12ft Zef with the Mirror rig. A boat with a lid is more pleasant for sleeping at night and keeping your stuff dry. Whether you go for an open boat or a small transportable yacht you can launch and recover yourself on a slipway, I think you will be happier. I am often tempted to buy a Hurley 22, but am always brought back to this sobering reality of cost. Good luck. Anthony

  96. 17 May, 2017 at 12:08 pmdylan winter says:

    A,

    I agree small boats are cheapere and easier to manage and sail… in the right place. So I am sailing the small boat up my gentle East Coast rivers.

    but

    an open boat in scotland with camera gear costing £2000 is a non starter – 3.5m of rain a year……I could do it for three summer months but filming and re-charging 20 camera batteries would be impossible.

    Filming in the spring, autumn and winter would be really tough

    D

  97. 19 May, 2017 at 10:20 pmLuke says:

    Iya. payday came yesterday. I’ll be tapping your this weekend. I was looking on ebay for the now vanished Nomad 22 I’ve been watching for some time. Sad to see what might have become my first boat if it’d stayed for sale for long enough. Oh well. Yeah, whilst i was on ebay patrol I saw this. http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Colvic-32-Motor-Sailer-Priced-to-Sell-/152549486435?hash=item2384a86f63:g:rnsAAOSwIQdZGcyG Looks well priced to me, A dint more than beloved centaur. Dunno how you’d feed the ropes into the cabin on this one, though

  98. 19 May, 2017 at 10:23 pmLuke says:

    Something more affordable for me over that nomad would be a sadler seawych. Have you ever had one, if so how would you rate it?

  99. 19 May, 2017 at 11:21 pmdylan winter says:

    smaller cockpit – and those deep keels would make it hard to trail and sail and you would need a dinghy

  100. 19 May, 2017 at 11:30 pmdylan winter says:

    it does look good – too big though Luke. With a smaller boat you can get cheaper places to park

  101. 20 May, 2017 at 10:28 amLuke says:

    The keels on the seawych look to be shallower than those on your centaur, not bad for creek crawling. What was your other boat lily m?

  102. 24 May, 2017 at 12:55 pmMara McSweeny says:

    Hello Dylan – I’m hoping you can get in touch with me, as I am with a television production that is hoping to license some footage of murmurations. I found some glorious content on youtube which I believe you shot – can you send me an email to get in touch? I’m located in Toronto, Canada – and the project is an HBO remake of Fahrenheit 451. Looking forward to hearing from you. And I’m from a sailing family, so instead of ‘cheers’, I’ll end with Fair winds and following seas and long may your big jib draw…… Mara

  103. 10 June, 2017 at 10:53 amLuke says:

    Seen this, thought of your boat wishes http://www.boatsandoutboards.co.uk/Motor-sailers-for-sale/tilney-i-p-24-motor-sailer/169865. Mebe less room than the centaur, but more warmth

  104. 10 June, 2017 at 4:38 pmdylan winter says:

    shallow draft which is good

    the stern would be hard to put an outboard on – an essential back up

    no details about that engine – how old is the yanmar

    and the steering position is not actually heated

    still aiming for a fisher 25

    D

  105. 19 June, 2017 at 10:38 pmdylan winter says:

    thanks N

    the problem is that I need the inside steering and warmth that the fisher 25 offers

    the freeward is the same hull

    but different superstructure

    the freeward is a nice looking yacht – but is no better than the centaur – plus it falls over when the tide goes out

    as does the Fisher 25 of course

    D

  106. 6 July, 2017 at 4:06 amRick says:

    Dylan… I have off and on much enjoyed your videos. I think I have even been a one time donor. But since you have decided to turn your work into additional political commentary on a very controversial subject I have stayed away. Tonight I decided to check in to see how you have been going. I would love to come back and even be a part of getting you the Fisher 25. It is just what you need. But I would have to see in writing a new commitment to cease the political criticism that frankly strikes me as none of your business…

  107. 7 July, 2017 at 4:45 pmColin says:

    Dylan, I have left a small contribution as I remember when, due to family reasons, I had to hive up my boat,I simply couldn’t afford to keep it and a young family.
    Please do your best to keep the films coming.
    I still sail but only a Mirror dinghy on a large lake. At 74 getting under the boom can be challenging.
    I like your style of presenting, I’m sick of programs that present a glossy veneer on everything in case they offend some section or other.
    Colin

  108. 17 July, 2017 at 8:49 amDavid says:

    Warts and all!

    Part of what makes KTL a great watch is the views of the author. He tells it like it is, even us brits get a hammering if you drive a stinkpot(powerboat) or anything other than a bilge keel, mine is one that falls over if you get it wrong.

    Rick the US president is a concern as it’s such a powerful job. Have a beer with Dylan and discuss it. It’s only his pint of view.

    David

  109. 18 July, 2017 at 10:38 pmScott Hinckley says:

    Dylan, I do hope you will continue KTL. Do you have a “Patreon” site for KTL?
    I support a number of sailing channel “creators”. I would certainly become a supporter for your channel. Best of luck,

  110. 2 August, 2017 at 6:26 ampaul robb says:

    have recently bought a small yacht and also discovered your films. Hope you get back on the water soon. Am sure hollywood will soon come knocking to make a feature on you and if Brad Pitts is unavailable I am.
    All the best

  111. 6 August, 2017 at 8:45 pmRon says:

    Dylan….
    25k for a Fisher is… well… huge.
    After a horrendous 18 months, during which my wife passed away, I have now bought a Contessa 26 for just 7k.
    safe as houses.
    Safer actually (you should see my house).
    Take it easy mate.

  112. 6 August, 2017 at 9:35 pmdylan winter says:

    sincerest sympathies for your loss…….
    I have no idea how I would ever cope.
    .
    .

    as for boats

    I am not after safety – centaurs offer that by the spadeful – it is dryness and shelter from the elements while under way and in harbour that I need.

    120 inches of rain is a lot

    D

  113. 7 August, 2017 at 6:59 amRon says:

    Yeah, I know what you mean.
    And I have looked at Fishers myself, but the price puts me off.
    Not sure how well they sail either.
    Ron

  114. 7 August, 2017 at 7:14 amdylan winter says:

    well Ron, I sailed the slug for five years – boats don’t come much worse than her

  115. 7 August, 2017 at 7:25 amRon says:

    Ha, ha, yes you have a point there.
    As a slight aside….
    Have you thought about making YouTube videos on how to make videos?
    You are the expert after all.

  116. 8 August, 2017 at 8:31 amRon says:

    Ha, like that phrase, “…pretend you are sailing a proper yacht”

  117. 12 August, 2017 at 6:10 pmJames says:

    During some unfortunate time off work I watched a few of your youtube videos and quite enjoyed them.

    I’d love to do the trips but when I couldn’t work I didn’t have the money and now I don’t have the time and come to think of it still don’t have the money.

    Might not be the right demographic but did you think about doing a kick starter campaign?

    Main benefit being you’d know the amount of money before buying a boat and starting a trip.

    Added to that there’s always patreon though I wouldn’t post any political on youtube as you’re almost sure to rub the wrong way 50% of folk.

  118. 13 August, 2017 at 10:07 pmjulian fisk says:

    You say that but what about Tomothy Spall’s voyage. Im not passing comment on anyone’s physical appearance, but ……you get the idea

  119. 4 December, 2017 at 7:37 pmWouter van Wijngaarden says:

    With an outboard!

  120. 4 December, 2017 at 7:53 pmdylan winter says:

    it would not fall over

    ideal…

    he is obviously keen to sell….

    D

  121. 5 December, 2017 at 8:44 pmJoe says:

    I always had Dylan down as a catamaran type of sailor
    More wife friendly and inside steering it would appear
    http://yachts.apolloduck.co.uk/image.phtml?id=518401&image=3
    They say once you go catamaran you never go back

  122. 5 December, 2017 at 8:53 pmdylan winter says:

    Just the costs of parking the thing would slay me

  123. 5 December, 2017 at 10:20 pmEuan Mckenzie says:

    two engines – you hate engines!

  124. 6 December, 2017 at 7:52 pmDave says:

    Well … I’m lookin’ forward to the rest of the Scotland films to be released :-)

  125. 6 December, 2017 at 8:00 pmIan Clarke says:

    Dylan, I’m not sure whether your article has been recently (ie last few weeks) been altered, but I’m reading this as saying the last three films (ie incl the two Backwaters ones) have brought in more income. If so (& perhaps I’m completely misunderstanding) I really enjoy the East Coast stuff, and was really bored by the Orkneys/Shetland films to the point I unsubscribed. But I just wonder, why not do more EC films, get more money in, and then be able to get the Fischer 25 & do the Scottish stuff you want to do, ie the East Coast can subsidise the Scots films.

  126. 6 December, 2017 at 8:12 pmdylan winter says:

    the copy is pretty old – I will have a look at it. The last two or three scottish films hit target once people realised I had run out of budget and sold the boat. These last two east coast films about the walton backwaters have not done well so far …. the first one did around £1,000 the second one about half that – but I am hoping for a polar thrust in the mid west. I have no real idea where this is heading other than making me take to the shed with a varnish brush rather than hitting the editing suite I guess.

    D

  127. 7 December, 2017 at 4:50 pmmark the skint sailor says:

    Dylan, find yourself a loud opinionated sailor and a small enthusiastic chap more inclined to powerboats and then take the three of you off to Amazon.

    If Clarkson, May and Hammond can sting ’em for several million per episode, surely there’s a worldwide audience for watching three blokes mess about in boats all over the world? Especially if you don’t ask for too much money.

    Maybe not Grand Tour, more “Bon Voyage”. Actually I’m copyrighting that right now… er, forget I said anything. As you were…

  128. 7 December, 2017 at 5:04 pmMartin G says:

    Yes, I am also looking forward to the remaining Scottish episodes – I have even imagined that the first one might be entitled “Escape from Loch ‘Orrible” – I was up there twenty years ago on a survey ship and it wasn’t a popular location with the lads – mind you their priorities were different from most of us old
    timers!

  129. 8 December, 2017 at 8:15 amdylan winter says:

    It was lovely to us…. although I assume in the winter time it can be a bit robust

  130. 9 December, 2017 at 2:14 pmPerry Simonne and Bertie in yacht BLOTO says:

    Hi Dylan just popped a bit on paypal for you. and ran out of space in comment line.
    As I was saying, You insired us to try sailing round GB. We departed East Cowes April 13th 2017. Your wise advice proved right. We had long stops waiting for ‘our’ weather in several places, memorable was Dover, Lowestroft, Grimsby [2 weeeks], Peterhead. we had poor weather through the Caledonian and Crinan [rain obscured the views plus all up-wind]. We finally got stuck in Stranraer, we needed a good forecast for Irish sea legs. In June after 10 days of rough weather sleepless nights rolling about on the marina pontoons, we gave up, and put Bloto on a lorry that had just delivered a boat from Plymouth. We got mast down in F6 and lift out in F6-7. Next day in Plymouth lifted in, mast up, sun shinning. We enjoyed the Tamar, the Yealm Newton Ferrers, and a leasurely trip back home by end July.
    We met a lot of interesting people the only down side is realising how much we missed; after getting home it was such a huge anti-climax, and we are still unsure what to do next for adventure?
    Thanks for your advice, we only sailed in weather/forecasts we could be comfortable in and therefore we are still pleased to be married [45 yrs last Sept.].
    We tried to video the trip for our drooling days in a home, only to realise how difficult that is, you made yours soo good it looked easy the way you do it.
    So thanks Dylan we owe you

  131. 10 December, 2017 at 11:37 amdylan winter says:

    thanks for this – proud to have been part of the journey. I must apologise for my films. I generally only have the camera out when it is sunny and warm. When the weather is crap I am usually below eating bad food and drinking cheap alcohol while reading some really good books. This activity can go on for days on end while the elements hammer on the boat and bash her against the pontoon for hour after hour.

    Goodonya both for grabbing that adventure. I find it all rather addictive.

  132. 10 December, 2017 at 4:14 pmPhilip Day MV Kingfisher says:

    Hi Dylan, sent you a bit through paypal (hope your email address was correct)
    Its my thanks for the enjoyment i have had from watching you achieve what im yet to do, albeit i have an old wooden motor boat not a sail boat.
    Hopefully come spring you find yourself back on track and we can all get back to watching you getting wet somewhere around scotland, although i love your east coast videos

  133. 23 December, 2017 at 8:06 pmJim Everiss says:

    Hi Dylan. I thought that the two films, Cape Wrath and Caledonia were the best yet. Stunning photography, great music and some good sailing to boot. Hurry up and get that new boat.

  134. 30 December, 2017 at 10:15 amIan Bilton says:

    Hi Dylan, just enjoyed the “Cape Wrath” film & chipped in as I realised what a miserly amount I had contributed so far! I met you briefly at Dunstaffnage Marina when you popped aboard my old Southerly 28, Southern Swan. In my 2 years of constant visits I too have only scratched the surface of the West Coast and at the age of 73 hope to visit many more islands so don’t let age put you off! Looking forward to watching (and paying for!) any future films.

  135. 31 December, 2017 at 8:13 amPerry Simonne and Bertie in yacht BLOTO says:

    Hi,
    Well who had the bright idea to name storm after our favourite inspirational sailor ? “Dylan”.
    We are still struggling with where to sail in 2018; we missed so much on our trip this year: currently between the Thames estuary rivers, or the Brixhan to Penzance area.
    We wish you fair winds in 2018 have good sailing year Dylan, sincerely hope you can film it.
    Perry Simonne and Bertie

  136. 31 December, 2017 at 6:23 pmdylan winter says:

    I spent a winter down in Mylor so I sailed those rivers in the winter – wonderful places. Clear water, brilliant bays, amazing countryside…. rains a bit more than East Anglia though.

  137. 10 January, 2018 at 2:59 pmMartijn van Engeland says:

    Hi Dylan,

    Did you make any progress with the purchase of your new boat?
    I chipped in a couple of days after Christmas, but realized there might be more I that can do.
    Please send me a personal email so we can discuss some options.

  138. 13 January, 2018 at 12:09 pmChris Rowe says:

    Hi Dylan
    My friend Phil(fellow MOB) introduced me to KTL a couple of years ago, and I have chipped a little to you in the past. Not enough obviously.
    I’ll do a bit more today as a thank you for the hours of joy I have had the pleasure of sharing with you and your lovely family at times. It will be a tragedy to lose all you bring into our lives, and to lose the opportunity to experience places we only dream of. Some of us MOB’s do care, and back it up with a little cash. I really hope we can, between us, get the show back on the road. Good luck mate, and sincere thanks, from a Cornishman MOB. Paypal here we come.

  139. 15 January, 2018 at 9:10 pmRoger Lloyd says:

    Hi Dylan
    I have contacted before but not on this email. I am coming to Shortley Marina tomorrow (16th Jan) to look at a boat. I am coming from Hereford and returning same day. I would love to meet up for a quick coffee. You got me into this boating and I would like to meet my hero, any chance ? (my hands free contact no 07786851051 , please don’t publish that).
    Roger

  140. 18 January, 2018 at 10:47 amKeith Houghton says:

    Hi Dylan, I hope I’ve misunderstood the situation here. Are you going to have to wait for the income from the next 10 films before you buy your Fisher?
    I was just catching up and wondered from where you might be starting the next leg of the journey. As far as I know we haven’t seen your red jib pass our window here in Beaumaris on Anglesey.
    If you are this way please let our club the North West Venturers know and I’m sure you would be made very welcome here on the Menai Strait.
    Good luck.

  141. 18 January, 2018 at 11:01 amdylan says:

    I am afraid that is correct – the project hit the buffers finally in January last year when I quickly sold the second Centaur in Glasgow. I needed the bills to stop. January is not a great time to sell a boat. I still have the 22 footer on the estuary close to the house in Suffolk. I have nine more films to make from the material I have already filmed in Scotland. After that I shall see where I stand. I had planned to spend a couple of years around the Irish sea and then a summer around the west coast of Ireland. Riding the tide down the Menai a few times is one of the experiences I want to film. I have stood on the bridge and watched that tide rip through there. Inspiring stuff.

    Thanks for the invite.

    If I fail to raise enough for a boat with inside steering then I will carry on sailing on the east coast in the trailer sailer until the pension kicks in when I am 67. Then I will go back to sail the west coast of scotland – probably just with a stills camera and a pen.

  142. 20 January, 2018 at 6:35 pmSimon says:

    Dylan. I’ve done the Menai a number of times in my Marcon Tomahawk 25. I now have one to many boats – just bought a Moody 33. Throwing money away restoring her. If you would like a long term loan to potter around Wales shout up. Fin, tiller and outboard, so not exactly what you are looking for – but.

    Love the films. Would love to see what you make of our eck of the woods.

  143. 20 January, 2018 at 6:37 pmSimon says:

    eck is of course Welsh for neck!

  144. 31 January, 2018 at 10:06 amTrevor55 says:

    2018 still available down to £12500 or best offer

  145. 31 January, 2018 at 10:09 amdylan says:

    Jill would veto the loo

    not falling over would be wonderful though

  146. 3 February, 2018 at 9:10 amdylan winter says:

    Jill would reject the bog

  147. 5 February, 2018 at 5:58 amCaptain Hal says:

    Cheers Mate! I sent you $50 on PayPal. I am one of those who silently enjoyed your films over the last 3 and 1/2 years. I use Netflix to keep the winter at bay here in Portland, Oregon USA. So it makes sense to send you 5 months worth of their subscription, too. I too, am tired of the tits and click bait. I like your films and your narration. When I was a kid, I spent two years in Yorkshire, compliments of the US Army. Scarborough was a favorite get away spot. Your films bring back fond memories of my stay in your country. I sail a Sparkman and Stephens designed, Dolphin 24 on the Willamette and Columbia rivers.

    Captain Hal

  148. 23 February, 2018 at 11:37 amAnthony M says:

    Hi Dylan!
    Where are you and what are you up to?

  149. 25 February, 2018 at 7:36 amdylan winter says:

    at home on the Deben with the Minstrel on a mooring and thinking about ways of getting back to scotland in a watrerproof boat – but not filmed any more in scotland since January of last year when I sold Lily M

    – and highly unlikely to film any more this year either – although I am looking at small caravans and comfy slippers on ebay

  150. 27 February, 2018 at 10:56 pmrichard says:

    Dylan I have seen a boat with inside steering, it’s on boatshed, a colvic 23 for £6995. It’s not petty, has a junk rig (like Ming Ming) but it has a new engine, bilge plates to take the ground and standing headroom. Not a Fisher but maybe affordable? Richard

  151. 28 February, 2018 at 6:40 amdylan says:

    thanks R,

    I have looked at those…. I really like a boat that does not fall over when the tide goes out…. but the Colvic watson does not have a door. I am afraid that in scotland I need a door so that I can sail with the heater on. I love winter sailing down here in suffolk and the same in scotland. Down here I can sail for a day and then plug in or go home…. up there I need to stay warm and keep the gear dry.

    D

  152. 28 February, 2018 at 2:07 pmNathan S/V Anigh Fall says:

    Hi Dylan
    just tapped you for a drink on me. I do not mind what drink as long as it warms the soul
    if you remember last year i was in Essex fixing up my new boat. well end of summer we got her semi finished and couldn’t remain where we were, so with the wrong sails of we went with 4 on board. by the time we got to Brighton the engine and snuffed it so the remainder of our journey was with sails and by god we got here in October it was a nightmare but now at my home port i can finish fixing the old girl and go on around the UK. YOU was a major inspiration for my plans after watching every video you have ever posted some two or four times!!!!. I Really hope we meet sailing around at some point in the future.
    Have a good one mate! Nathan S.V Anigh Fall

  153. 6 March, 2018 at 11:35 amRichard Chambers says:

    Down to £10,500 and open to offers now! https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/232685504366?ul_noapp=true

    Surely you can sort out the bog with some of the savings? Only just found your videos but enjoying them so far and will definitely be sending some money to the boat fund when payday comes around.

  154. 7 March, 2018 at 7:03 amdylan winter says:

    I would love a fisher with the extra bilge keels – that would be ideal for this east coast as well as the west. However, it looks as though some-one has pretty much trashed the inside – so how many hours to put it back together do you think?

    200, 300, 400 –

    and still I would have to fit heating to the boat

    D

  155. 11 March, 2018 at 9:34 pmGeoff says:

    Hello Dylan
    I’m probably going to bore you by going over old ground with regards to tapping and how the money is used or invested for whatever? The first film I found quite by accident was one in which you drifted down the River Ouse from Nayburn Lock, a section of river I know quite well and found very interesting and entertaining. I simply enjoyed that one video and shut down not realising that it was one of a series. don’t know how I missed that but there you go. Weeks later I wanted to watch the same film again put in a search and came across the KTL blog and randomly picked another adventure to devour, unfortunately it began with you complaining about freeloaders. My first thought was that here is a guy who wants to enjoy himself and for others to pay for it, I just shut down and didn’t watch anymore..
    Some time later I was out sailing and my crew asked if I was aware of the KTL site and that he followed your progress religiously and that he had subscribed to your blog. this prompted me to have another look. I absolutely buried myself within KTL 5 The Wash to The Humber an excellent piece of work with lots of personal interest to me. I made a donation, the point of my ramblings is this.. I don,t give two hoots what the money is used for it is just a small gesture from me to say thank you for giving me the opportunity to share your adventure. Incidentally I have not taken interest in viewers comments previously, I did tonight and just felt the need to offer my thoughts.

    All The Best Dylan

    Geoff

  156. 12 March, 2018 at 6:57 amdylan winter says:

    thanks Geoff,

    It will be interesting to see what the stats say about the change in format. The journey ones are quicker to make – simpler – but leave out the historical bits and local context. We did just motor past some lovely and interesting places – which was a waste of good territory. I will return one way or another – even if it is by bike and dinghy.

    I have to say how to ask for the taps is the toughest thing of the whole shebang. It is not something I am at all used to doing and makes me uncomfortable. The films are better without the buskers cup that is for sure and I am always on the look out for another way of achieving the same end.

    I know which film you mean – it is the one with Dannie on the bow – done as an experiemnts and that is one of the highest hitting films. Such is the way of the web.

    Dylan

  157. 14 March, 2018 at 11:03 amPhil says:

    Hello Dylan

    Thank you for putting these films and accounts together, these have certainly given me an urge to get me and the boat up to sail around beautiful Scotland. I really hope that you get the chance to do some more sailing and filming in the near future. We have all got so used to all this ‘free’ content on the web that I can see why many of us find it hard to cough up, but I think that you’ve done a good job of explaining and nudging/prompting. I don’t give a moment’s thought as to whether I’m rewarding for the older works or contributing towards possible future films, in fact selfishly, I’m rather hoping it could be the latter. Best wishes
    Phil.

  158. 14 March, 2018 at 11:22 amdylan winter says:

    your wish for the destination of the tap will come true… at the moment my sailing overheads are zero as I am not sailing or filming, burning petrol on the road, killing cameras, paying for moorings or marinas so any paypal cash is going to the boat pot which is slowly accumulating – but I cannot guarantee that cash will go towards a fisher because I might never get there – I can guarantee it will go on another boat. However, that is what I am working towards – the snag is that the sun keeps on shining here in east anglia so I keep on playing with dinghies rather than editing.

    D

  159. 14 March, 2018 at 3:23 pmPeter T says:

    “I can guarantee that it will go on another boat ” Really Dylan….. this is “edge of the seat stuff”. Keep tantalizing the MOBs it keeps us all on board and awake. P.

  160. 14 March, 2018 at 3:28 pmTed Timberlake says:

    Hi Dylan.

    Lots of exchanges going on in this thread. I note that the first response was just over a year ago, and while I understand that little or nothing can be done without funding in one form or another, I am just not clear on where this is really all leading. It is a chicken and egg, and cockerel situation, which comes first, the money, the boat, whatever, to actually make a reality of it all. There are still 7 or 8 films in the can to be put out there. There is still the question of to Fisher or not to Fisher. There are vague thoughts about sailing and filming the Irish Sea, and maybe later around the west coast of Ireland. No doubt given your expertise and the results to date, the films of such voyages would be stunning. So what is to happen next, and is it actually going to be 2019 rather than this year? Best wishes. Ted

  161. 15 March, 2018 at 8:34 pmEuan Mckenzie says:

    Can I conclude in amongst the chatter that…. You’ve squared the book and are now building a boat fund, You are still making films which will hopefully raise more, It may not achieve Fisher levels who know? you may crack at some point and buy a boat. Timings still uncertain but going in the right direction. Keep editing is all I can say! Euan

  162. 15 March, 2018 at 8:39 pmdylan winter says:

    Perfect summary E,

    I will not be getting back your way this summer – not in a boat anyway. But now that my boat costs are almost none existent – well £140 a year – I can build up a bit of a fund.

    Although I may crack….. I can feel that biological clock ticking.

    I have been looking at cheapo caravans on ebay – tow it to scotland with the dingy on top of the car and the ebike inside the caravan, park it in one of those touring parks that overlook those Sutherland lochs and get out on the water that way. I still regret sailing past Loch Laxford.

    D

  163. 25 March, 2018 at 12:42 pmHans Valk says:

    Dylan,

    Forgive me if I sound impertinent, but is the cold in the west of Scotland your only problem?
    You’ve sailed the English and Scottish east coasts in boats with no inside steering. You still have Katie L., which, I understand, you can take anywhere on het trailer.

    Why not leave the west coast of Scotland for the time being and continue below te Mersey, following the coast of Wales/Ireland to the West Country?
    Maybe Katie L is not the boat for crossing the Irish Sea, but hopping along the coast of Wales, you would be sailing again in new waters. And we would see new horizons as well..
    Or is it a must to do the circumnavigation of the British Isles in the correct order, without a lapse? Even if that lapse could be filled in later?


    greetings from the Netherlands, where spring is slow in arriving..
    Hans Valk

  164. 25 March, 2018 at 1:01 pmFreeloading winge bag says:

    Love your films Dylan. Watched them for years. For free! Sorry.
    Sorry again that you don’t get the financial support you need or deserve to carry on. You’re dead right that the bikini girls and the chiselled torsoed boys are more than a little vacuous to guys and girls of our generation, but that’s life. Their audience is their audience and yours is yours.
    You are a good artisan short film making. Hope you find a way to continue and if not thanks for the films. However like all addicts I suspect you will find a way to fund your habit!
    And one final sorry. No you can’t have any of my cash as I need it for my own project. But I encourage everyone else to give you theirs as I would rather miss your films.
    Yours
    Freeloading winge bag. 😀

  165. 27 March, 2018 at 8:15 amdylan winter says:

    you are not alone – there are about 6,700 like minded sailors…..

    It is a bit like people who come sailing with you, drink your beer, eat your food and never bring anything to the table then step ashore at the end of the day and walk away….

    the good news is that there will be an endless supply of bikini based sailing films for your delectation – brainless but fun.

  166. 27 March, 2018 at 8:33 amdylan winter says:

    it is the wet that gets both me and the gear…. 120 inches of rain a year is one heck of a lot. I spent a summer and a winter in the trailer sailer – films coming up…. it was very tough. Tougher than I thought it would be. I spwent a lot of time sitting below and not sailing…. killed a camera just because of the damp.

    I really want to get back to scotland with the right boat while I am fit enough to face the challenges – so I am focused of not spending cash.

  167. 6 April, 2018 at 2:01 amJeff says:

    I don’t know what a Fisher 25 goes for, but here’s an idea. Are there enough MOBs to allow each to donate to the purchase of your next boat? People like to be part of something larger than themselves and being a, sort of, plankholder of your boat would probably appeal to a number of them. Two hundred MOBs, each contributing $100 would make $20,000 available for your purchase. Come up with a snappy name for the bunch and it might work.

  168. 6 April, 2018 at 7:25 amdylan winter says:

    Thanks Jeff,

    it is an interesting suggestion – but what really stopped the filming was cash flow. It was costing me round £6K a year to keep and actively sail the big boats in scotland – so it is the running costs not being covered by the income. So even if a fisher dropped out of the sky I would still have a problem. As my daughter says, I have to get people to pay for the entertainment not the achievement or the gear.

    Basically – did I enjoy that film enough to chip in? rather than “I want to see this bloke finish”. Two different mind sets. I am not sure where all this will end. All I know is that this sunnmer I will be taking a car topper dinghy up to some of the lochs I missed. I will be shore based in a tent or caravan and day sail with just the odd overnight. It will be marvelous fun and I will be superfit. In the meantime I will continue posting the films I already have in the can and take it from there once they are all up and I have clsed the gap between the films and reality.

    We shall see – as Mr Trump is keen on saying.

    Dylan

  169. 6 April, 2018 at 12:42 pmJeff says:

    OK, so how ‘bout the plankholder plan to purchase the boat, followed by a return to ongoing funding by subscriptions. Surely you could get the cheap bastards, that includes me, to chip in $5 or $10 a month – a bargain for the education, enjoyment, and escape your videos provide.

  170. 8 April, 2018 at 6:34 pmcharles dowding says:

    Hi Dylan,
    I love your videos and it’s not just because you, like I, grew up on the Orwell. 25 years living by the Pacific brings me a little yearning for mud. Fingers crossed you find a video distributor or your followers make the donkey fatter. You don’t know what you’ve got till…

  171. 4 May, 2018 at 2:34 pmTez says:

    Hi Dylan. Just completed KTL yr 8 Scotland Ep.12 having started at the start. Taken me several weeks of several hours per evening. Totally inspirational effort, and gutted you had to sell the centaur. Tapped in to your sailing fund this evening. Hope you get the new boat you need, and back out there. Best wishes from Melbourne Australia.

  172. 23 June, 2018 at 12:35 pmrobin marshall says:

    Have just discovered your films and looking forward to your continuation of the west coast Scotland trips. Sailed ktl as my millenium cruise in 2000 but chickened out at Inverness inSeptember and took the caledonian way home ( home is Oban area). However sank my yacht in June 2004 so been landbound since! It was a 30ft Hartley Custom Sister but had far to much sail ^00 sq ft for the same weight as the Centaur.

    Would like to contribute thru Paypal but I can only find a dollar sign at the amount. Please advise.

  173. 23 June, 2018 at 1:12 pmrobin marshall says:

    Correction 600 sq ft should reread before posting!

  174. 23 June, 2018 at 5:54 pmdylan says:

    £s or dollars… it makes no odds to paypal – it all grinds thrugh the sme system

    but there shoud be some strerling links top right on the please pay page

    D

  175. 31 July, 2018 at 7:57 ampeter says:

    Hi Dylan loved all the videos i have watched upto now thinking of getting a small sailing boat myself must say i have watched the bikini crews too but never donated to them.I hope you get back in your boat soon and probably will donate not sure how much it will help but best wishes to you .
    ps what is the sprung binded book you used for reference on the Humber to Forth little clue where i am from if you passed me and said hello it would have been alright mate

  176. 4 August, 2018 at 3:53 pm[email protected] says:

    Hi Dylan, I contributed for a fair while in the early days of ‘The Slug’ and we even chatted about an unrelated matter (Annoying aircraft operating nearby – how did that go?).

    Just logged on for the first time since those days and sad to see you have ‘stalled’ on the West Coast of Scotland. What an adventure! We’ve moved to North Cornwall now and I was hoping to buy you a pint or three in Port Isaac or Boscastle (nothing as posh as Padstow for you surely?). Hope you get under weigh again :-)

    Nigel

  177. 1 October, 2018 at 2:15 pmHans Valk says:

    Hello Dylan, I’m a bit lost on what is still happening on your blog and site.
    Just looked at the ‘Brothers in Arms’-video that is now at the end of this blog. Is this the latest addition.
    Has anything changed as far as a new boat and going to Scotland again is concerned.
    What’s the state of affairs?

    Hans from Holland

  178. 1 October, 2018 at 2:47 pmdylan winter says:

    The gap between reality and the films is closing fast – by the time we get to easter I will have run out of material. To come are film series about the Tay and the Moray firth. Then the year with the short lived second centaur – starting in Cornwall where I bought her – I overwintered down there. Then I sailed her up the irish sea, spent a sumnmer and a winter in scotland – then ran out of cash again and sold her. There might be another four series in those.

    So I have not filmed anything about the journey for two summers –

    So I have been saving hard for the motor-sailer for another go at scotland.

    I was offered a sobering piece of advice from an even older bloke I met in scotland

    he was still sailing at 74

    he said

    “there is only one thing more dangerous on a boat than an old man – and that is a cold old man”

    So the film about the Forth was filmed in 2015. I think that I do a better job of making films if I make them slowly – much like my sailing I guess

    D

  179. 2 October, 2018 at 4:34 pmHans Valk says:

    Dylan, just to be sure; are the films under KTL8, page 1 (ending with the second Centaur going up the Clyde to be sold) the last films you put on your site?

    I must admit that I completely missed the fact that there was a second Centaur plus the fact that you sailed her up the Irish Sea. Was there a film made about that journey?

    As far as your tempo of publishing films is concerned; take your time!


    Hans from Holland

  180. 19 February, 2019 at 1:09 pmRobin says:

    I have not been on this Blog, or your your You Tube Channel for a good while. I have been going through some changes of direction and contemplation about my own You Tube Channel ‘The Captain’s Blog’ which has been left to settle for a good while too.

    I was saddened to go to your channel today and find it devoid of content. I then popped on over here and read a few posts and am trying to figure out things.

    We all have our reasons to change course in life, and should not feel obliged to ‘social media’ to keep going at something we may not feel in our heart is still what we may wish, despite a clamouring following keen for the next update. I wanted to leave this here simply to say over the years you inspired me, gave me a deeper understanding of what boating is really about and how solitude on the water is one of the best medicines in life.

    I loved the sailing videos, but equally the far more simple ‘KTL Industries’ and talking about projects, ideas and even food and books added real charm. As long as you’re doing fine is the main thing. Keep Turning Left and you will go mad in a circle, perhaps it is time for a right hander to keep things fresh.

  181. 19 February, 2019 at 4:48 pmdylan winter says:

    thanks for your concern – however, I am fine but the project is currently insolvent and I have not had the money to do any filming in scotland for two summers. The income from the films is down to around £250 each – I have enough film for ten more episodes which I will run next winter – after that Scotland and the warm boat will have to wait until I retire properly.Then pension money will start and I will have the cash to return to scotland to sail – but by then I will have enough of a pension cash flow to not need to make films…

    I obviously want to go back to scotland this year or next but it seems highly unlikely that the remai9ning tend films will earn enough cash to get me back there – so the next new film might have to wait until 2022 – in the meantime there are lots of thi9ng son youtube for us to enjoy. I understand there is a film of a lady in a bikini feeding pigs which sounds most interesting.

    Moving the films off youtube has had a massive impact on the number of hits on my website and a marginally beneficial impact on the income which has now started slowly rising again. I am not sure what to make of it – however, it proves that youtube views are like empty calories for any project

    D

  182. 18 April, 2019 at 10:40 pmLate to the Party says:

    Hi,

    Sorry, but I am late to the Party and just got here. Read some, but not the lot of the above, to an idea of what is going on.

    Two suggestions;

    a) Do a specially funded project to video some girls on boats in Scotland. Given the weather up North, there’d be an awful lot of hard nipple and it would have nothing to do with tumescent camera handlers (Jeez, you must have an eye for detail. Do they really have videos of that on Youtube?). You’ll make a fortune but, yes, it would be creepy-weird having an old guy do it. However, there are niche markets for everything these days.

    b) Try a Kingfisher 20.

    Blondie Haslar, not a man to shy from more adventurous sailing, spent much time navigating tight corners of Scotland in a junk rigged one.

    Both I and my knees could see the appeal of a Fisher 25, especially one with an fully enclosed doghouse for West Coast weather. However, smaller boats are exponentially cheaper. You could even trailer it.

    If that does not wet your whistle, and you’re after a full keeler this time round, keep an eye on some of the Scandinavian boats or motor-sailers. There’s a whole other world over there to film too.

    https://www.blocket.se/hela_sverige/batar?ca=11&cg=1060&c=1062

  183. 19 April, 2019 at 8:53 amdylan winter says:

    Dear Bogus
    suggestion 1 is a good one
    suggestion 2 is a good one too
    but I have no money – plenty of viewers – not enough tappers
    the good new is that La VAg has had a baby and are earning $10,000 a film so you can watch their films instead

    Dylan

  184. 29 April, 2019 at 9:14 amBraggster says:

    Dylan,
    Just done a Guiness and Bacon tour of the ring of Kerry. It’s your world all those estuaries to explore. Look forward to seeing some footage one day!
    Pete

  185. 7 May, 2019 at 3:00 pmkevin says:

    Just checking in and hoping you are sailing and filming and enjoying the spring in your muddy river.

    –Kevin

  186. 7 May, 2019 at 4:19 pmdylan winter says:

    just on the estuary this morning – dreaming about scotland while scraping the plate across Suffolk mud. Slowly saving up for a warm old man’s boat to be used for filming in cold places…slow business though. Hopefully I will gt there somewhere round 2023.

  187. 26 May, 2019 at 10:01 amMaria says:

    Dylan –
    Erik Aanderaa gets over $600 per film on Patreon and only produces one every few months.
    CountryHouseGent (not young and hunky, no bikinis) also has Patreon and now releases his films on Amazon Prime – he has only been going a couple of years. He used to have pay per video on Vimeo and started off on Youtube – now he relies on a mix of income streams as far as I can see. All of these people also promote their material on Facebook – not difficult.
    Your content is easily classy enough to be on Amazon.
    In my opinion, you should have left your stuff on Youtube with ad revenue (you had a lot of subscribers) and added a Patreon option. I do not have Paypal and cannot get it – I cannot donate to your channel. Lots of people cannot or will not use Paypal for various reasons.
    PS There is a Fisher 25 for £7k at Seedhouse – I assumet you would have seen it and there are issues with it?
    Good luck!
    (not an old bloke, but a middle-aged woman who took up sailing because of you)

  188. 26 May, 2019 at 10:33 amdylan winter says:

    thanks for not being an old bloke and for rating my films. You make some excellent points. When I sold the last Centaur in Glasgow in Feb of 2018 I was driving up and down to Glasgow in the snow thinking it through…. none of the ideas I came up with would generate enough to pay for keeping a boat in scotland… let alone the cost of a warm one. The most viable plan at the moment is to wait until 2023 when I retire and get a payout big enough for half a warm boat.

    the fisher in andy’s is a freeward – same hull – no warm steering position – they are always a third of the price as one with inside steering. No warmer than a centaur and do nbot take the gound.

    Adsense – got thrown out of that five years ago http://www.duckworksmagazine.com/11/columns/guest/winter/index.htm – at 12,000 views a week that would only be an income of about $25

    Face-book – tried that and twitter – generally the blokes who chip in do not use it – old blokes… small boats

    Patreon…. my films get about 10,000 views when free…… the average take up of patreon for sailors is about 0.4 per cent. That might net me 40 patreons at $5 a pop – so that is just shy of $250 per film. At 10 films a year that is $2,500. Running a boat in scotland was costing me £6,000 a year.

    I also do not like the way that patreon encourages people to put films up even when they have little to say. One of the sailors put a weekly off season film up about cutting 18 inches off their boom and did not even film the cutting – but they still earned their $2,500 per film.

    Maria, just out of interest, do you support any other producers via patreon? I am not sure what people get out of it… patreon gets 14 per cent.

    Paypal, and cheques/cash(all currencies accepted) in the post, are the only medium that works for me at the moment

    so my plan is to make the films pay per view…. $1 via paypal for a web page where the films are available to stream in 4K or download. The only films on you tube will be low res 144 x 260 which look pretty soupy on anything apart from a bad phone.

    take a look at this film it explains why youtube will never work for me. Youtube algorithms promote films that have an excellent click through rate to other, better earning youtube films. My films are always a dead end and subscriptions mean very little now.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fHsa9DqmId8

    It will be a wonderful experiment to see how many people are prepared to pay $1 per film

  189. 29 May, 2019 at 11:19 pmGeorgina Clough says:

    Oh Dylan, just when you were getting to the west coast of Britain as well. I am sorry that things haven’t worked out. I miss your films. Very much, have tapped. As well,

    G

  190. 30 May, 2019 at 7:50 amdylan winter says:

    thanks G,

    I am still hoping to buy a warm dry boat for the cold west west…. I aam going to re-vamp the website this summer to make most of it pay per view and see if that will change things a little. I have to go through and remove all the music… which will take quite a long time but an experiment worth doing.

    At the moment between 6 and 12,000 films a week are being watched… if half of one per cent chip in then I will be ahead of where I am now.

    If that fails then the new bioat will have to wait until 2023

    I was looking forward to exploring the Irish Sea… and hope that I will yet see wales and ireland from the sea

    Dylan
    Dylan

  191. 15 June, 2019 at 11:53 pmMaria says:

    Dylan – I guess you don’t have Facebook and I don’t know what your budget is, but a beautiful boat has just come up for sale on there very cheap. It’s £10k – A steel 36ft Roamer, bilge keel (triple) motorsailer ketch. Spacious accommodation – needs wood rubbing down and varnishing, new macerator for the loo and a solenoid for the starter. An absolute bargain. It’s in Grimsby I think. I don’t think it’s advertised elsewhere.

  192. 16 June, 2019 at 7:02 amdylan winter says:

    thanks Maria,

    I have had a look at the details – the boat is way too big. Everything would cost more – moorings, crane outs, maintenance, winter storage, marina berths. I also need a boat small enough to be powered by the 6hp long shaft Tohatsu for when I get a rope around the prop. Small is good.

    Dylan

  193. 16 July, 2019 at 3:11 pmWill Maby says:

    Hi Dylan,
    Not quite sure where you are regarding boat ownership right now. If you’re still looking, would you like to borrow a Varne 27 for a year or two? We’re having time-out in Australia and the friends who have been boat sitting have outgrown her. The only trouble is that she’s in Exeter!
    http://www.ybw.com/forums/showthread.php?370618-Varne-27
    Will

  194. 16 July, 2019 at 6:05 pmdylan winter says:

    Will

    that is very handsome of you great boat too

    however, I am not a fit person to loan a boat to – I scrape them against scottish harbour walls, I smack them into marina pontoons, I hit rocks and the bottom

    the boat would be better standing in a yard where I cannot do it any harm

    that is very good of you though

    D

  195. 5 November, 2019 at 8:36 pmHillary Corney says:

    Hi Dylan, I have a cunning plan… There is a Centaur in Plymouth for sale for a tiny amount. Add a Diesel fuelled hot air heater from Planar (Nice chap Paul Stephens he invited me on his boat) you could buy it now fit the heater before christmas and be toasty warm while filming in January.

  196. 7 November, 2019 at 10:24 amdylan winter says:

    could I live with being the man who owned three centaurs?

    I am currently sailing an unheated one on the east coast

    did six days and three nights in october

    waiting for rain to stop in november

    D

  197. 10 December, 2019 at 12:19 pmPeter Rogers says:

    Hi Dylan. Do you still have dvds for sale? I would very much like to buy a copy of Season 4.
    I bought a copy of Season 2 some time ago and it has given us much pleasure – we have a mooring at Ramsholt (Gimbler) and it is our home territory.
    Many years ago (40 – 50) we sailed dinghy at Blakeney, Morston, Wells etc and love that area. The downloads work ok on computer and tablet but not on the old tv.
    So hope you can oblige – tell me what to send.
    Very best wishes to you, Peter

  198. 10 December, 2019 at 1:08 pmdylan winter says:

    P,

    I am afraid thatt dvds have all gone and it is not worth making anymore

    you might be able to bribe a smart kid to download the films you want and put them onto a dvd – but the dvds look pretty soupy now

    if you hsve a smart TV you csn download a vimeo app like the youtube app but with no adverts slammed at you

    D

  199. 4 January, 2020 at 11:31 pmAnne Burns says:

    Just started watching. And paying in hopes I’ve not missed the boat here. What is going on for you and your saga

  200. 4 January, 2020 at 11:38 pmdylan winter says:

    temporary hold on the filming and scottish sailing while I save up for a warm boat for a cold place….

    not sure when that will happen at the moment

    might take a couple more years before I can start again

    making films about sailing no longer cuts the mustard

    d

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