How_to_Sail_Oceans

An approaching strong cold front obliges me to depart Marathon in search of a more sheltered spot, which turns out to be Newfound Harbor. The front does not disappoint. Under more clement conditions I attempt to land my dinghy in the mangroves and walk to the Winn Dixie supermarket for some fresh provisions. HOW TO SAIL OCEANS TEE SHIRT: https://maritimetees.net/search?q=how+to+sail+oceans WEBSITE: https://www.kevinboothbysailing.com DONATE: https://www.paypal.me/KevinBoothby MUSIC: Catspaws -- Kevin Boothby VIDEO SOUNDTRACKS: https://soundcloud.com/user-177118317 CAMERAS: Canon EOS 60D with EF 24-105mm L IS zoom lens Olympus TG-3 Go Pro Hero 7 Black DRONE: DJI Phantom 3 Professional THE BOAT: Design: Gilmer 31; LOD 31', LWL 25', Beam 9.5', Draft 4.5', Displ. 13,600lbs.

I wanted to get an early start for the 80-mile trip from Miami to Marathon, but was awakened much earlier than desired by a drifting sailboat which happened to drift down on top of me around 0400. Then much time was spent tacking out of the Old Florida Channel before I could finally get on course down the Hawk Channel. Then I had a frontal passage to negotiate. But once past all of that, Marathon was pleasant! HOW TO SAIL OCEANS TEE SHIRT: https://maritimetees.net/search?q=how+to+sail+oceans WEBSITE: https://www.kevinboothbysailing.com DONATE: https://www.paypal.me/KevinBoothby MUSIC: Better Days--Kevin Boothby Catspaws -- Kevin Boothby VIDEO SOUNDTRACKS: https://soundcloud.com/user-177118317 CAMERAS: Canon EOS 60D with EF 24-105mm L IS zoom lens Olympus TG-3 Go Pro Hero 7 Black DRONE: DJI Phantom 3 Professional THE BOAT: Design: Gilmer 31; LOD 31', LWL 25', Beam 9.5', Draft 4.5', Displ. 13,600lbs.

After weathering the passage of a cold front, I take a short sail across Biscayne Bay to get to a water tap. Then it's back to Key Biscayne to tackle a repair job on Baby Ruth, my 8' Fatty Knees dinghy. HOW TO SAIL OCEANS TEE SHIRT: https://maritimetees.net/search?q=how+to+sail+oceans WEBSITE: https://www.kevinboothbysailing.com DONATE: https://www.paypal.me/KevinBoothby MUSIC: August Rain--Kevin Boothby Funky Fingers/Baroque'n/Take the Win -- Kevin Boothby VIDEO SOUNDTRACKS: https://soundcloud.com/user-177118317 CAMERAS: Canon EOS 60D with EF 24-105mm L IS zoom lens Olympus TG-3 Go Pro Hero 7 Black DRONE: DJI Phantom 3 Professional THE BOAT: Design: Gilmer 31; LOD 31', LWL 25', Beam 9.5', Draft 4.5', Displ. 13,600lbs.

Well no one else is posting content over the holidays, so you may as well tune in here ... the passage over the Bahama Bank and then back across the Gulf Stream offers much variety to offset the tedium of a typical ocean passage. On the other hand, and especially for a solo sailor, it means little sleep and a good deal of stress. HOW TO SAIL OCEANS TEE SHIRT: https://maritimetees.net/search?q=how+to+sail+oceans WEBSITE: https://www.kevinboothbysailing.com DONATE: https://www.paypal.me/KevinBoothby MUSIC: Funky Fingers/Baroque'n/Take the Win -- Kevin Boothby VIDEO SOUNDTRACKS: https://soundcloud.com/user-177118317 CAMERAS: Canon EOS 60D with EF 24-105mm L IS zoom lens Olympus TG-3 Go Pro Hero 7 Black DRONE: DJI Phantom 3 Professional THE BOAT: Design: Gilmer 31; LOD 31', LWL 25', Beam 9.5', Draft 4.5', Displ. 13,600lbs.

Breathing a sigh of relief to be southeast of the Gulf Stream and in warmer waters, the hard part of the passage should be over. But the sea gods never seem to like sailors living lives of ease, so they throw in things like cloud-to-sea lightning strikes to scare the living daylights out of us, persistent headwinds to frustrate us, and calms to instill worry that we may never reach port again. HOW TO SAIL OCEANS TEE SHIRT: https://maritimetees.net/search?q=how+to+sail+oceans WEBSITE: https://www.kevinboothbysailing.com DONATE: https://www.paypal.me/KevinBoothby MUSIC: Tears in the Rain--Joe Satriani (cover by Kevin Boothby). CAMERAS: Canon EOS 60D with EF 24-105mm L IS zoom lens Olympus TG-3 Go Pro Hero 7 Black DRONE: DJI Phantom 3 Professional THE BOAT: Design: Gilmer 31; LOD 31', LWL 25', Beam 9.5', Draft 4.5', Displ. 13,600lbs.

Nighttime temperatures are falling below freezing here on the Chesapeake Bay, making life uncomfortable for a small boat sailor. Even with a diesel heater. But then we live on ocean sailing craft precisely because we can migrate to warmer waters ... HOW TO SAIL OCEANS TEE SHIRT: https://maritimetees.net/search?q=how+to+sail+oceans WEBSITE: https://www.kevinboothbysailing.com TIP JAR: https://www.paypal.me/KevinBoothby MUSIC: The Bonnie Ship the Diamond--Traditional (Ian Giles) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UBYThAP_C5A CAMERAS: Canon EOS 60D with EF 24-105mm L IS zoom lens Olympus TG-3 Go Pro Hero 7 Black DRONE: DJI Phantom 3 Professional THE BOAT: Design: Gilmer 31; LOD 31', LWL 25', Beam 9.5', Draft 4.5', Displ. 13,600lbs.

While strong winds and cold temperatures descend upon the Chesapeake Bay, I am still testing out my new Dynice Dux rigging. This involves a sail up to Cartegena Creek on the Potomac river and then back to Deltaville, a trip of approximately 90 miles. In preparation for the offshore hop south, I get my satellite subscription started with Predict Wind, and put the new Iridium GO unit through its paces. Finally I have a look at the current weather map and assess possible departure dates for the offshore run south to Florida, via the Bahamas. HOW TO SAIL OCEANS TEE SHIRT: https://maritimetees.net/search?q=how+to+sail+oceans WEBSITE: https://www.kevinboothbysailing.com TIP JAR: https://www.paypal.me/KevinBoothby MUSIC: Tears in the Rain--Joe Satriani (cover by Kevin Boothby). VIDEO SOUNDTRACKS: https://soundcloud.com/user-177118317 CAMERAS: Canon EOS 60D with EF 24-105mm L IS zoom lens Olympus TG-3 Go Pro Hero 7 Black DRONE: DJI Phantom 3 Professional THE BOAT: Design: Gilmer 31; LOD 31', LWL 25', Beam 9.5', Draft 4.5', Displ. 13,600lbs.

I decide to replace my lower shrouds with Dynice Dux before heading south, not wishing to push my luck with the 30+ year-old wire shrouds. Of course it's never so simple. Progress is hampered by inclement weather, and the fact that the Colligo thimbles for 7mm Dux and a 1/2" pin will not fit inside the jaws of my rigging toggles. So nearly two weeks is spent grinding the aluminum thimbles to size ... and of course I do not wish to head direct offshore with brand new rigging, so a short cruise on the Bay is in order. HOW TO SAIL OCEANS TEE SHIRT: https://maritimetees.net/search?q=how+to+sail+oceans WEBSITE: https://www.kevinboothbysailing.com TIP JAR: https://www.paypal.me/KevinBoothby MUSIC: August Rain--Kevin Boothby VIDEO SOUNDTRACKS: https://soundcloud.com/user-177118317 CAMERAS: Canon EOS 60D with EF 24-105mm L IS zoom lens Olympus TG-3 Go Pro Hero 7 Black DRONE: DJI Phantom 3 Professional THE BOAT: Design: Gilmer 31; LOD 31', LWL 25', Beam 9.5', Draft 4.5', Displ. 13,600lbs.

Yeow! The cold front passes over me and is rather more ferocious than it looked on the weather maps. As the wind backs more westerly I am obliged to set some mainsail, otherwise I cannot steer close enough to the wind to keep to the rhumb line. So a long day--and night--which finally ends in Poquoson, in the wee hours of the morning, once again. HOW TO SAIL OCEANS TEE SHIRT: https://maritimetees.net/search?q=how+to+sail+oceans WEBSITE: https://www.kevinboothbysailing.com TIP JAR: https://www.paypal.me/KevinBoothby MUSIC: Catspaws--Kevin Boothby Funky Fingers--Kevin Boothby VIDEO SOUNDTRACKS: https://soundcloud.com/user-177118317 CAMERAS: Canon EOS 60D with EF 24-105mm L IS zoom lens Olympus TG-3 Go Pro Hero 7 Black DRONE: DJI Phantom 3 Professional THE BOAT: Design: Gilmer 31; LOD 31', LWL 25', Beam 9.5', Draft 4.5', Displ. 13,600lbs.

Very variable conditions persist for my passage south from Padanaram, MA to the Chesapeake Bay. HOW TO SAIL OCEANS TEE SHIRT: https://maritimetees.net/search?q=how+to+sail+oceans WEBSITE: https://www.kevinboothbysailing.com TIP JAR: https://www.paypal.me/KevinBoothby MUSIC: August Rain--Kevin Boothby VIDEO SOUNDTRACKS: https://soundcloud.com/user-177118317 CAMERAS: Canon EOS 60D with EF 24-105mm L IS zoom lens Olympus TG-3 Go Pro Hero 7 Black DRONE: DJI Phantom 3 Professional THE BOAT: Design: Gilmer 31; LOD 31', LWL 25', Beam 9.5', Draft 4.5', Displ. 13,600lbs.

Not wanting to miss the wonderful Hadleys Harbor (MA), I pass up a weather window to head south to the Chesapeake Bay. This also affords another Ruth Avery vs. Charis race across Buzzards Bay on a near perfect sailing day. Another weather window arrives on October 12, and I head out early morning from Padanaram, where I promptly run out of wind ... HOW TO SAIL OCEANS TEE SHIRT: https://maritimetees.net/search?q=how+to+sail+oceans WEBSITE: https://www.kevinboothbysailing.com TIP JAR: https://www.paypal.me/KevinBoothby MUSIC: Catspaws--Kevin Boothby VIDEO SOUNDTRACKS: https://soundcloud.com/user-177118317 CAMERAS: Canon EOS 60D Olympus TG-3 Go Pro Hero 7 Black DRONE: DJI Phantom 3 Professional THE BOAT: Design: Gilmer 31; LOD 31', LWL 25', Beam 9.5', Draft 4.5', Displ. 13,600lbs.

Race day! Ruth Avery of Brunswick and Charis of Boston weigh anchor from Tarpaulin Cove, and their skippers make sail for the 15-mile run to Padanaram, South Dartmouth. The race begins with a fierce 4-mile beat to windward, followed by a reach across Buzzards Bay. I won't give away the results, other than to say that it was a hell of a lot of fun! Then we turn to reconditioning ethanol ravaged carburetors ... HOW TO SAIL OCEANS TEE SHIRT: https://maritimetees.net/search?q=how+to+sail+oceans WEBSITE: https://www.kevinboothbysailing.com TIP JAR: https://www.paypal.me/KevinBoothby MUSIC: Catspaws--Kevin Boothby Tropic Moon--Kevin Boothby VIDEO SOUNDTRACKS: https://soundcloud.com/user-177118317 CAMERAS: Canon EOS 60D Olympus TG-3 Go Pro Hero 7 Black DRONE: DJI Phantom 3 Professional THE BOAT: Design: Gilmer 31; LOD 31', LWL 25', Beam 9.5', Draft 4.5', Displ. 13,600lbs.

An autumnal chill descending upon Maine prompts me to complete the installation of the diesel heater I began back in May. And then it is time to turn her snout south before the onset of winter ... HOW TO SAIL OCEANS TEE SHIRT: https://maritimetees.net/search?q=how+to+sail+oceans WEBSITE: https://www.kevinboothbysailing.com TIP JAR: https://www.paypal.me/KevinBoothby MUSIC: Eliza Lee (traditional)--The Longest Johns VIDEO SOUNDTRACKS: https://soundcloud.com/user-177118317 CAMERAS: Canon EOS 60D Olympus TG-3 Go Pro Hero 7 Black DRONE: DJI Phantom 3 Professional THE BOAT: Design: Gilmer 31; LOD 31', LWL 25', Beam 9.5', Draft 4.5', Displ. 13,600lbs.

Could a computer become conscious? Could a future Dr. Frankenstein unleash a technologically created living being upon the world? Or do living things have some particular essence of which man-made machines are necessarily bereft? For a full transcript visit https://kevinboothbysailing.com/2021/09/26/frankensteins-secret/ HOW TO SAIL OCEANS TEE SHIRT: https://maritimetees.net/search?q=how+to+sail+oceans WEBSITE: https://www.kevinboothbysailing.com TIP JAR: https://www.paypal.me/KevinBoothby THE BOAT: Design: Gilmer 31; LOD 31', LWL 25', Beam 9.5', Draft 4.5', Displ. 13,600lbs.

The remains of Hurricane Ida bring some wind and rain, but fair weather returns the following day. I row ashore and take a hike into Boothbay and a bit beyond to Hannaford's supermarket. Then it's back around Cape Small to the Basin ( a new favorite anchorage) and on to Quahog Bay. As usual, the ever changing conditions on the coast of Maine present challenges for the engineless sailor. HOW TO SAIL OCEANS TEE SHIRT: https://maritimetees.net/search?q=how+to+sail+oceans WEBSITE: https://www.kevinboothbysailing.com TIP JAR: https://www.paypal.me/KevinBoothby MUSIC: August Rain--Kevin Boothby Christian Island (Georgian Bay)--Gordon Lightfoot (cover by Kevin Boothby). VIDEO SOUNDTRACKS: https://soundcloud.com/user-177118317 CAMERAS: Canon EOS 60D Olympus TG-3 Go Pro Hero 7 Black DRONE: DJI Phantom 3 Professional THE BOAT: Design: Gilmer 31; LOD 31', LWL 25', Beam 9.5', Draft 4.5', Displ. 13,600lbs.

It is nearly September and the hard dodger is complete, so it's time to cast off the mooring hawser and head out on a short cruise up the Maine coast. Even with the help of my 3.5hp outboard, Maine presents many challenges to the engineless or under powered sailor. Tidal currents are a factor. Add to that a lot of fickle winds and a coastline strewn with reefs and ledges. Yikes! Luckily I was spared the fourth factor: dense fog. On the other hand, Maine is a gunkholers' delight, offering some of the finest anchorages anywhere. HOW TO SAIL OCEANS TEE SHIRT: https://maritimetees.net/search?q=how+to+sail+oceans WEBSITE: https://www.kevinboothbysailing.com TIP JAR: https://www.paypal.me/KevinBoothby MUSIC: August Rain--Kevin Boothby VIDEO SOUNDTRACKS: https://soundcloud.com/user-177118317 CAMERAS: Canon EOS 60D Olympus TG-3 Go Pro Hero 7 Black DRONE: DJI Phantom 3 Professional

I pick up where I left off in Part 1, which is attaching the roof. Following that a complete coating with epoxy is on order, before I apply primer and paint. Then it's time to fasten the dodger to the boat, and--most important of all!--figure out where to install the ship's bell. HOW TO SAIL OCEANS TEE SHIRT: https://maritimetees.net/search?q=how+to+sail+oceans WEBSITE: https://www.kevinboothbysailing.com TIP JAR: https://www.paypal.me/KevinBoothby MUSIC: Etude 19 in Am--Dionisio Aguado (performed by Kevin Boothby). Loose Ends--Kevin Boothby VIDEO SOUNDTRACKS: https://soundcloud.com/user-177118317 CAMERAS: Canon EOS 60D Olympus TG-3 Go Pro Hero 7 Black DRONE: DJI Phantom 3 Professional

While visiting my parents here in Maine I also carry on with my project list. The truth is that I did not complete all of my projects during my last haulout--shocking, I know. The next big project is to construct a hard dodger to shelter the companionway hatch, both from the sun and the sea. HOW TO SAIL OCEANS TEE SHIRT: https://maritimetees.net/search?q=how+to+sail+oceans WEBSITE: https://www.kevinboothbysailing.com TIP JAR: https://www.paypal.me/KevinBoothby MUSIC: Etude 19 in Am--Dionisio Aguado( performed by Kevin Boothby). Tropic Moon--Kevin Boothby VIDEO SOUNDTRACKS: https://soundcloud.com/user-177118317 CAMERAS: Canon EOS 60D Olympus TG-3 Go Pro Hero 7 Black DRONE: DJI Phantom 3 Professional

A pleasant crossing of the Gulf of Maine is punctuated by a surprise thunderstorm which has me scrambling to take in sail. Then it's a return to light and baffling winds, swift tidal currents and--as we are now in Maine--numerous rocks and ledges to keep in mind. Challenging stuff! HOW TO SAIL OCEANS TEE SHIRT: https://maritimetees.net/search?q=how+to+sail+oceans WEBSITE: https://www.kevinboothbysailing.com TIP JAR: https://www.paypal.me/KevinBoothby MUSIC: Catspaws--Kevin Boothby Don't Touch that Groove--Kevin Boothby VIDEO SOUNDTRACKS: https://soundcloud.com/user-177118317 CAMERAS: Canon EOS 60D Olympus TG-3 Go Pro Hero 7 Black DRONE: DJI Phantom 3 Professional

Tropical Storm Elsa has passed and pleasant summer weather returns. As do the weekend boaters, making for some challenges sailing out of the confined waters of Hadley Harbor on a Sunday afternoon. Then it's back around to Vineyard Sound through Quick's Hole, to Tarpaulin Cove to await a good weather forecast to head offshore. July 14 promises light to moderate southerlies, so I weigh anchor. Despite forecasts, however, I am dogged by light and variable winds all the way through the Great Round Shoal Channel. HOW TO SAIL OCEANS TEE SHIRT: https://maritimetees.net/search?q=how+to+sail+oceans WEBSITE: https://www.kevinboothbysailing.com TIP JAR: https://www.paypal.me/KevinBoothby MUSIC: Loose Ends--Kevin Boothby VIDEO SOUNDTRACKS: https://soundcloud.com/user-177118317 CAMERAS: Canon EOS 60D Olympus TG-3 Go Pro Hero 7 Black

Following unplanned water landing of my Phantom drone, I get a wild, current-swept ride around West Chop into Vineyard Haven. The row ashore doesn't disappoint, however, in a harbor where schooners and wooden boats abound. I also meet up with my friend Chris, just before departing on the remaining leg to Maine ... except the weather models have Tropical Storm Elsa coming right up the coast, fast on my heels. How fast can I sail to Maine? Or should I run for shelter here in the Vineyard? HOW TO SAIL OCEANS TEE SHIRT: https://maritimetees.net/search?q=how+to+sail+oceans WEBSITE: https://www.kevinboothbysailing.com TIP JAR: https://www.paypal.me/KevinBoothby MUSIC: Better Days--Kevin Boothby VIDEO SOUNDTRACKS: https://soundcloud.com/user-177118317 CAMERAS: Canon EOS 60D Olympus TG-3 Go Pro Hero 7 Black

From Virginia to Maine, offshore, is run of just under 600 miles. So about a week I told myself. Not unrealistic either, as the prevailing southwesterlies during the summer months would make for reaching and running the entire way. And it started off like that, but then a low pressure formed, prompting me to put into Point Judith, Rhode Island. On the way I changed my mind and made for Tarpaulin cove, opposite Martha's Vineyard, only to have the wind thwart me 20 miles out, so it was back to Point Judith ... HOW TO SAIL OCEANS TEE SHIRT: https://maritimetees.net/search?q=how+to+sail+oceans WEBSITE: https://www.kevinboothbysailing.com TIP JAR: https://www.paypal.me/KevinBoothby MUSIC: Catspaws--Kevin Boothby Don't Touch that Groove--Kevin Boothby VIDEO SOUNDTRACKS: https://soundcloud.com/user-177118317 CAMERAS: Canon EOS 60D Olympus TG-3 Go Pro Hero 7 Black DRONE: Gone to the sea!

I put my outboard motor arrangement to the test with getting me out of the narrow, winding channel to Jackson Creek. Then comes the next test, which is removing both the outboard motor and bracket in preparation for heading offshore. Fair southwesterly winds are forecast, so I push off for Maine on June 27. Those winds are not fair, however, until I complete a 40-mile beat down the Chesapeake Bay first ... HOW TO SAIL OCEANS TEE SHIRT: https://maritimetees.net/search?q=how+to+sail+oceans WEBSITE: https://www.kevinboothbysailing.com TIP JAR: https://www.paypal.me/KevinBoothby MUSIC: Catspaws--Kevin Boothby VIDEO SOUNDTRACKS: https://soundcloud.com/user-177118317 CAMERAS: Canon EOS 60D Olympus TG-3 Go Pro Hero 7 Black DRONE: DJI Phantom 3 Standard

I add a pair of lifeline stanchions forward to increase foredeck security, and learn how to create cargo netting for beneath the bowsprit. Then it's on to an engineering problem as I attempt to mount the 3.5hp dinghy motor so that it can push the boat as well ... HOW TO SAIL OCEANS TEE SHIRT: https://maritimetees.net/search?q=how+to+sail+oceans WEBSITE: https://www.kevinboothbysailing.com TIP JAR: https://www.paypal.me/KevinBoothby MUSIC: Loose Ends--Kevin Boothby VIDEO SOUNDTRACKS: https://soundcloud.com/user-177118317 CAMERAS: Canon EOS 60D Olympus TG-3 Go Pro Hero 7 Black DRONE: DJI Phantom 3 Standard

Work, work, work. I replace my Force 10 two-burner propane stove, make some repairs to the boom, and install a SIG 100 (Dickinson) diesel heater. Except that I still haven't worked out how to get diesel to it, but I have until October to figure that out ... HOW TO SAIL OCEANS TEE SHIRT: https://maritimetees.net/search?q=how+to+sail+oceans WEBSITE: https://www.kevinboothbysailing.com TIP JAR: https://www.paypal.me/KevinBoothby MUSIC: Loose Ends--Kevin Boothby VIDEO SOUNDTRACKS: https://soundcloud.com/user-177118317 CAMERAS: Canon EOS 60D Olympus TG-3 Go Pro Hero 7 Black DRONE: DJI Phantom 3 Standard