Nice video with a nice pace to it Michael. The sound is getting better too. Well done. "The secret to happiness is freedom. The secret to freedom is courage".
Many thanks! Yes it was a 'mood' piece... I find the audio dub facility with PD difficult and whilst remote cameras record until the battery goes flat the pesky mike is harder to control! Going bravely where others have been before....
I learn a lot from watching your videos as I prepare to do it myself. Thanks for making these, and always take the opportunity to share mundane experiences, and bits of advice, as well as the lovely cost information you share!
Nice shake down cruise Micheal and also good to change countries then back -altogether job done in one hit ! Safe winds thanks for the video Malc uk 🇬🇧
I have a similar arrangement here in NZ. I live in Wellington and jet off to Auckland to get on my yacht which is moored on Waiheke Island. Instead of divers I take her ashore - she’s a twin keel with a skeg so sits in the shallows. There is 3 metres of tide so it dries out and gives me 6 hours to get her clean. I go up every 6 weeks it’s a good change of scene and the sailing and food around the island are fantastic. So the boat in the sun is a great concept. Keep the videos coming Michael they are a great watch
That sounds like a good solution Tom... well system. There is maybe a metre of tide here so Christopher diver is the only solution and with an 8 hour flight plus several hours at the home end I am spending pretty big lumps of time on board - and away!
Another great episode in your masterclass on part time sailing in the Caribbean. Plenty of pearls of wisdom on your channel for the aspiring Caribbean sailor. We are loving it here and look forward to visiting Martinique on our way south this summer.
Actually I found it really difficult to get info when I was planning on keeping the boat here but found apart from insurance it is all pretty easy... I'm on Pontoon 6
Curious whether the Carribean uses the US or the International VHF frequencies? I ask as, when I came down the Pacific Coast, Mexico uses the US frequencies whereas Central America use International frequencies.
Lovely trip. Thanks for sharing your experience/knowledge. The contrast between facial expressions ( wine sipping v docking -both single handed) very entertaining 👍👍👍
Hi Michael. I am happy to see that you enjoy life, lying down on the couch, with a glass of fantastic french wine and relaxing evening. Pure happiness. 🍷
Can't tell you how many times i have radioed ahead to ask whether a marina has space and to ask for directions, when it became obvious that the marina operator never actually approaches their marina from the water. Ask them a question like "i am next to xxx and should i leave the xx (that i can see ahead), to port or starboard?" and they often cannot say.
Your right Stephen. I also frequently just guess at what they are asking... What I didn't show - cos the camera batteries were all going flat - was I had to hail someone on a pontoon to find out where C19 was after the VHF call!
Another great vid with lots of useful information. I don’t like sailing with a tender hanging off the back nor being towed behind. That 3D Tender folds up nice and small and I intend to buy one for my sailboat. Interested to know what size it is….230? 250?
I intended getting a 2.30 but all they had was a 2.50 at a discount.. So I got that and I'm pleased as I now think the 2.30 would have been a tad small. My 2.50 has an inflatable keel...
I am a Canadian currently in West Coast Panama. I would love to spend some seasons in the Mediterranean but the Schengen 90 day rule really is a deterrent. Consequently, the Carribean would seem to be the more viable medium / long-term goal.
@stephenburnage7687 don't worry about that but you have to stay at anchor which is fine around Spain italy greece. Plenty of coves, anchorages. Make sure you have a good dinghy and spares for your outboard.
@@stephenburnage7687 I just wouldn't check in anywhere. You can sail past Gibraltar and sail along. When you want to leave you can park your boat in Turkey on the hard. It's outside schengen and you fly home from Turkey. Southern Europe is not so stringent. Croatia I don't know.
@tomhermens7698 When I have been in Greece, the local ports want to check you just for a simple movement between towns. And if you check another well known sailing website today, he got boarded by Italian police while at anchor.
I really enjoy your videos. I'm planning to buy a boat in the Caribbean this year and to sail there each season. May I ask where and how you keep your boat safe during hurricane season? Thanks again for sharing all your knowledge. Fair winds.
95% of boats based out here just keep their boats afloat in marinas or moored up. I lay mine up afloat in her 3000 euro PA - Martinique marina berth and pay a concierge company Loco yachts to look after her - check the mooring lines and open her up once a week. 50 euros a month.. They send me photos each week. I double up mooring lines - move her a bit further from the pontoon. Secure the sails properly. Not every island gets a direct hurricane hit every year!
@SailingGently I am paying $350 per month in Panama for a simple mooring ball (with no services and a 20% hike imminent) and from my research, that is the cheapest available here. E3,000 per year for a full service marina in the Caribbean sounds pretty reasonable (although i think you would pay less in Rio Dulce). .
I have a friend in the Rio Dulce and it's a nice area but not much to visit in the boat and pretty hectic in winter... floods... There are mooring buoys here as well for (I think) half the marina fees... The Med is interesting and I've enjoyed and got bored with it - lots of motoring... Here there is almost always a fair wind to sail by Sorry I was talking about Rio Dulce in the Algarve!
@@SailingGently Yes, I was talking about Rio Dulce, Guatemala, where a lot of Caribbean cruisers stay during the hurricane season. There are (something like) five marinas within a short distance of each other, so rates stay competitive.
Well partly, but also with the wind on the beam and being lazy, it seems daft to hoist the main for only .5 of a knot... Lots of boats out here just use headsails unless their charterers or in a real hurry..
I use OpenCPN on Cmap 93 charts. I then transfer to my Raymarine plotter at the helm. Both are free. OpenCpn is open source and cmap93 you can find for free download on the net
Hi brilliant channel currently in uk looking to go in eu with boat how does it work with vat on boat as i dont i have vat paid who do you pay and what countrys any help appreciated thank you
You are not liable for VAT on any boat if you are just visiting a EU country. You may keep a UK (foreign) registered boat in the EU for up to 18 months without being liable for VAT. Then you must take her out of EU waters for 24 hours and then the 18 month clock starts again... If you are a british passport holder then you are only allowed to stay in the EU for 90 days then you must leave for 90 days before you can re-enter.. Was that what you wanted?
Apologies, but especially for someone in the film industry, your videography seems to be less than other sailing TH-cam channels I’ve seen. Is it your equipment, or upload resolution, or something else? I stick with you because of the content. Thanks much.
Your right Bobbie. I simply don't spend much on equipment. I was never a techie, rather a director and had more talented people than myself to light, shoot and do the audio, so all this DIY is an effort. Single handing and shooting I feel it's lucky to get anything in frame rather than well framed. Telling the story is what I enjoy doing. For me this is a fun hobby that turns a tiny profit.
@@SailingGently I think a newer iPhone, a newer GoPro, and a lavalier mic would real step things up. Have some mounts already attached to sites on your boat. Thanks for your time.
@@BobbieGWhiz Thank you Bobbie for caring. That's nice. The mounts I already have in several forms but have to take them of between trips or the sea air rusts them... As for gopros I think they are wildly overpriced compared to the 60 euro knock offs I use and don't care if I damage... I use a lavalier mike but the issue is the wind muff. I will however try to do better with audio visual quality although I believe you should never judge a book by it's cover... That's why IMAX never took off... Amazing quality but crap content
Golden Haze is 10 metres LOA so I pay Christopher here in Martinique 100 euros for the bottom clean... That was the 3rd time since I arrived 18 months ago... Its the going rate around here Tom.
Proper sailing channel. Makes you feel you are there.
So pleased... I wasn't sure if it would be interesting... Thank you for watching
Nice video with a nice pace to it Michael. The sound is getting better too. Well done. "The secret to happiness is freedom. The secret to freedom is courage".
Many thanks! Yes it was a 'mood' piece... I find the audio dub facility with PD difficult and whilst remote cameras record until the battery goes flat the pesky mike is harder to control! Going bravely where others have been before....
Great content as always Michael...so pleased you are back out there sailing. Fair winds my friend.
Thank you kindly for that... It was fun going 'foreign' again..
Good to see you again. Thanks for the video.
Thanks for watching! Nice to be back
Thanks for sharing. I hope to do this one day. For the moment I can only dream. Enjoy!
You can do it! I if you dream hard enough anything is possible - I believe
Safe winds! Thanks for the video
Thank you for watching
Thanks Michael. That blissful to watch.
I'm glad it had a feelgood factor... That was the intention
I learn a lot from watching your videos as I prepare to do it myself. Thanks for making these, and always take the opportunity to share mundane experiences, and bits of advice, as well as the lovely cost information you share!
So pleased you find them useful... It is the cost of everything that is the problem which is why maybe a smaller, simpler boat helps...
@@SailingGently in all your experience and all you’ve seen, what is your own opinion on the best size range for Caribbean cruising?
Single handed 36ft... couple 40-45... There is always a fair amount of wind so a heavier construction is good
@@SailingGently Thank you, I’ll adjust my search criteria accordingly! Looking forward to your next video!
Looks wonderful, a great way to pass the time
Yes it is. Thank you for watching
Great to see you out on your boat - this year has gone quick - you will soon be preparing for hurricane season again !
Thank you Grant. Yes I can hardly believe the rainy season is starting again! It now rains briefly every afternoon!
Great to see you back sailing and showing us your wonderful filming Michael.
Many thanks James. So glad you enjoyed it
Thank you Michael. Very best wishes from Plymouth. James
James, it's my pleasure. Thank you for watching
Superb micheal a lovely trip so glad your getting to enjoy the carribean hope your well sir xx
Doing fine out here.. I really enjoyed the trip
Great video enjoyable and informative keep them coming looking forward to the next one
Thank you, Ian. So pleased you like them
Excellent video michael! Keep them coming :)
Thank you Ian. Pleased you like the videos
Nice shake down cruise Micheal and also good to change countries then back -altogether job done in one hit ! Safe winds thanks for the video Malc uk 🇬🇧
Thank you Malc. I enjoyed myself!
I have a similar arrangement here in NZ. I live in Wellington and jet off to Auckland to get on my yacht which is moored on Waiheke Island. Instead of divers I take her ashore - she’s a twin keel with a skeg so sits in the shallows. There is 3 metres of tide so it dries out and gives me 6 hours to get her clean. I go up every 6 weeks it’s a good change of scene and the sailing and food around the island are fantastic. So the boat in the sun is a great concept. Keep the videos coming Michael they are a great watch
That sounds like a good solution Tom... well system. There is maybe a metre of tide here so Christopher diver is the only solution and with an 8 hour flight plus several hours at the home end I am spending pretty big lumps of time on board - and away!
I think I forgot to add - I wish I could avoid that chore altogether lol. The diving service is an excellent service - one I’d definitely take up
Another great episode in your masterclass on part time sailing in the Caribbean. Plenty of pearls of wisdom on your channel for the aspiring Caribbean sailor. We are loving it here and look forward to visiting Martinique on our way south this summer.
Actually I found it really difficult to get info when I was planning on keeping the boat here but found apart from insurance it is all pretty easy... I'm on Pontoon 6
Curious whether the Carribean uses the US or the International VHF frequencies? I ask as, when I came down the Pacific Coast, Mexico uses the US frequencies whereas Central America use International frequencies.
As far as I can see Stephen most islands do not use USA - VHF frequencies but that may not be true of the US Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico
Lovely trip. Thanks for sharing your experience/knowledge. The contrast between facial expressions ( wine sipping v docking -both single handed) very entertaining 👍👍👍
Yes Patrick - I too am always surprised how bad I am at parking whilst sipping wine seems to come naturally!
You may be curious to learn that I've just enjoyed every minute. Hood to see a fellow youngster singly sail with a smile.
Always trying to do it the easy way Richard. When it's going well you can't help but smile!
Hi Michael.
I am happy to see that you enjoy life, lying down on the couch, with a glass of fantastic french wine and relaxing evening. Pure happiness. 🍷
Thank you so much. Really pleased you liked the video and the lifestyle!
this is an awesome video
Thank you. I am so pleased you liked it
Gon Hiding next?
Hope all goes well. Enjoy viewing all of it over the many years.
Thanks Rob. It was indeed a compilation of 3 episodes with some edits. Thank you
Can't tell you how many times i have radioed ahead to ask whether a marina has space and to ask for directions, when it became obvious that the marina operator never actually approaches their marina from the water. Ask them a question like "i am next to xxx and should i leave the xx (that i can see ahead), to port or starboard?" and they often cannot say.
Your right Stephen. I also frequently just guess at what they are asking... What I didn't show - cos the camera batteries were all going flat - was I had to hail someone on a pontoon to find out where C19 was after the VHF call!
Another great vid with lots of useful information. I don’t like sailing with a tender hanging off the back nor being towed behind. That 3D Tender folds up nice and small and I intend to buy one for my sailboat. Interested to know what size it is….230? 250?
I intended getting a 2.30 but all they had was a 2.50 at a discount.. So I got that and I'm pleased as I now think the 2.30 would have been a tad small. My 2.50 has an inflatable keel...
I am a Canadian currently in West Coast Panama. I would love to spend some seasons in the Mediterranean but the Schengen 90 day rule really is a deterrent. Consequently, the Carribean would seem to be the more viable medium / long-term goal.
There are always lots of Canadian boats out here in Martinique... The Med is complicated and less easy going IMO
@stephenburnage7687 don't worry about that but you have to stay at anchor which is fine around Spain italy greece. Plenty of coves, anchorages. Make sure you have a good dinghy and spares for your outboard.
@tomhermens7698 You mean don't check in? Or check in as a boat with crew (with the same exception as airline personnel)?
@@stephenburnage7687 I just wouldn't check in anywhere. You can sail past Gibraltar and sail along. When you want to leave you can park your boat in Turkey on the hard. It's outside schengen and you fly home from Turkey. Southern Europe is not so stringent. Croatia I don't know.
@tomhermens7698 When I have been in Greece, the local ports want to check you just for a simple movement between towns. And if you check another well known sailing website today, he got boarded by Italian police while at anchor.
I really enjoy your videos. I'm planning to buy a boat in the Caribbean this year and to sail there each season. May I ask where and how you keep your boat safe during hurricane season? Thanks again for sharing all your knowledge. Fair winds.
Depends where you are in the Carribean but my goal (when I get there) is Rio Dulce in Guatemala.
95% of boats based out here just keep their boats afloat in marinas or moored up. I lay mine up afloat in her 3000 euro PA - Martinique marina berth and pay a concierge company Loco yachts to look after her - check the mooring lines and open her up once a week. 50 euros a month.. They send me photos each week. I double up mooring lines - move her a bit further from the pontoon. Secure the sails properly. Not every island gets a direct hurricane hit every year!
@SailingGently I am paying $350 per month in Panama for a simple mooring ball (with no services and a 20% hike imminent) and from my research, that is the cheapest available here. E3,000 per year for a full service marina in the Caribbean sounds pretty reasonable (although i think you would pay less in Rio Dulce). .
I have a friend in the Rio Dulce and it's a nice area but not much to visit in the boat and pretty hectic in winter... floods... There are mooring buoys here as well for (I think) half the marina fees... The Med is interesting and I've enjoyed and got bored with it - lots of motoring... Here there is almost always a fair wind to sail by
Sorry I was talking about Rio Dulce in the Algarve!
@@SailingGently Yes, I was talking about Rio Dulce, Guatemala, where a lot of Caribbean cruisers stay during the hurricane season. There are (something like) five marinas within a short distance of each other, so rates stay competitive.
Warm water growth is truly horrendous. Imagine if you had to contend with a wooden hull!
Ugh! But I Think most wood boats out here are copper sheathed...
Hard life. Wish I was there...
Yea. Tough at the top Kev...
Great content thank you. I notice you sail a lot on headsails only. Is that because you are single handed and it makes for less effort?
Well partly, but also with the wind on the beam and being lazy, it seems daft to hoist the main for only .5 of a knot... Lots of boats out here just use headsails unless their charterers or in a real hurry..
What passage planning software are you using?
I use OpenCPN on Cmap 93 charts. I then transfer to my Raymarine plotter at the helm. Both are free. OpenCpn is open source and cmap93 you can find for free download on the net
I want a 32 bene. You make those look good brother.
I am so pleased with mine Eric!.. Sails like witch with incredible accommodation
Hi brilliant channel currently in uk looking to go in eu with boat how does it work with vat on boat as i dont i have vat paid who do you pay and what countrys any help appreciated thank you
You are not liable for VAT on any boat if you are just visiting a EU country. You may keep a UK (foreign) registered boat in the EU for up to 18 months without being liable for VAT. Then you must take her out of EU waters for 24 hours and then the 18 month clock starts again... If you are a british passport holder then you are only allowed to stay in the EU for 90 days then you must leave for 90 days before you can re-enter.. Was that what you wanted?
Electricity in Europe is 230 volt AC nowadays
You could be right! My local French store describes it as 220 and I think UK is 240 but it's all near enough for jazz - hopefully!
Apologies, but especially for someone in the film industry, your videography seems to be less than other sailing TH-cam channels I’ve seen. Is it your equipment, or upload resolution, or something else? I stick with you because of the content. Thanks much.
Your right Bobbie. I simply don't spend much on equipment. I was never a techie, rather a director and had more talented people than myself to light, shoot and do the audio, so all this DIY is an effort. Single handing and shooting I feel it's lucky to get anything in frame rather than well framed. Telling the story is what I enjoy doing. For me this is a fun hobby that turns a tiny profit.
@@SailingGently I think a newer iPhone, a newer GoPro, and a lavalier mic would real step things up. Have some mounts already attached to sites on your boat. Thanks for your time.
@@BobbieGWhiz Thank you Bobbie for caring. That's nice. The mounts I already have in several forms but have to take them of between trips or the sea air rusts them... As for gopros I think they are wildly overpriced compared to the 60 euro knock offs I use and don't care if I damage... I use a lavalier mike but the issue is the wind muff. I will however try to do better with audio visual quality although I believe you should never judge a book by it's cover... That's why IMAX never took off... Amazing quality but crap content
10 euro a meter thus a 40 footer is 120 euro?? Cant be true! Where? Martinique?
Golden Haze is 10 metres LOA so I pay Christopher here in Martinique 100 euros for the bottom clean... That was the 3rd time since I arrived 18 months ago... Its the going rate around here Tom.
❤❤
Glad you liked it Robert
How old are you?
82 - how old are you?
@@SailingGently You move pretty good for 82. I'm 66.
@@grandmajosephine383 A mere child... Moving in tropical climes is easier than colder places... Have problems with the dinghy! What do you sail?