S6E12 How I Plan and Execute a Sailing Voyage From the US East Coast to the Virgin Islands
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 5 ก.พ. 2025
- In this video I share how I planed and executed three sailing voyages (one double handed and two singlehanded) in a 36' sailboat from the US East Coast to the Virgin Islands. Some of the topics covered are route selection, Wx consideration, voyage timing, safety, provisioning, boat set up, safety, navigation, comms, and decision-making.
This video is not intended to serve as a tutorial on how others should plan and execute this voyage. This video shares my choices, base on my experience and my boat. Offshore sailing can be dangerous. Sail offshore at your own risk.
The photo of the flotilla of sailboats on the ICW is credited to the Sail to the Sun Face Book Group and is used without permission under the Fair Use Act. It is for educational and illustrative purposes only. There is no context other than to show a group of sailboat on the ICW.
The photo of a cabin cruiser and a sailboat going through a draw bridge is used with the permission of the website owner at www.sailingfortuitous.com
Season 6 episodes include building varnished cockpit coamings and teak winch bases, sharing varnishing techniques, demonstrating how the Cape Horn Windvane works, a four part series on refitting an aluminum mast, and now a two part series on how to build a reinforced boom.
The Far Reach is highly modified Cape Dory 36 I built from a gutted hull and deck over a six year period in a shed in our backyard in North Carolina. This was a complete rebuild retaining only the hull, deck, portlights, hatches, and a few cleats. Click here for a video summarizing the rebuild:
• S4 E1//From Gutted Hul...
In Season 5 I singlehanded the Far reach from North Carolina to the Virgin Islands in December 2021. It was my third voyage in the Far Reach to the Virgin Islands. In May of 2022 I single-handed the Far Reach back home to NC via the offshore route, a non stop voyage of about 1,440 Nautical miles.
In the previous Season 4 episodes I shared what it took to rebuild our 36' sailboat from a complete gutted hull and deck into my ideal voyaging boat, installed a small inboard Diesel engine with a folding propeller, and made some additional improvements to the Far Reach. Click here for a video on a from scratch installation of an inboard diesel engine including shaft long and folding two blades propeller: • S4EP2//Installing an I...
Previous episodes recap:
Season 1, Episode 1, contains a short synopsis of a six year total rebuild of the Far Reach from a gutted bare hull. I also double hand the Far Reach offshore with my sister from NC to the BVI.
In Season 2, I single-hand the Far Reach from Sint Maarten back to NC.
In Season 3, I share my Single-handed voyage from NC to the BVI as well as from the VI back to NC.
In Season 4, I detailed the original rebuild of the Far Reach then the planning and installation of a small diesel engine with a folding propeller. I concluding by sharing some additional modifications and upgrades as well as trouble shooting the Cape Horn windvane.
To learn more about the rebuilding of the Far Reach: www.farreachvoy...
To read about this voyage, and many others, including additional modifications and updates to the Far Reach since her launch in 2015: www.farreachvo...
For more information on the Stimson Bow Roof Shed visit bow-roof-shed.com
If you have questions or stories to share about your own voyages feel free to post them in the comment section. Happy sailing.
I’d much rather watch a true sailor like you than the typical “sailing” TH-camrs who insert completely unnecessary drama. Subscribed.
Aww shucks. LOL. Seriously, I am glad you enjoyed it. I really appreciate such a nice comment. Very nice. Thanks.
I agree, subscribed
@@claussvensson8670 One of the best sailing channels on YT, hands down.
Once in a blue moon on youtube you find a video that's actually informative. Thank you .
@@sailingsegundo4644 Very cool. Thanks for the comment. I’m delighted you found the video informative. That was the primary objective.
I know of no finer step-by-step voyaging guide on here. This is remarkable. Bookmark this. Many thanks.
I am delighted you think so. I really appreciate the comment. Take care and good luck to you on your journey.
The most informative TH-cam video I've found on Ocean Sailing single or doublehanded. I will say that in the Navy, I always kept a small bottle of isopropyl Alcohol and a washcloth for a " crack and crevice wipe down" at sea when we got restricted on water usage. It's a little fiery but keeps the bacteria count down.
@@SailingAround Thanks. Glad you enjoyed the video and found it useful. Happy sailing.
Excellent sailing tutorial video. You gave so many gold nuggets it took me 2 hours to get through the video because I kept pausing to look up the books, devices and websites. Thank you so much for taking time to document all these things.
I am happy to hear you found it useful. That was the goal. Share something sailors can actually use.
"I don't have a chart plotter, radar, electric autopilot, water maker, refrigerator, wind generator, electric windlass or lithium battery pack." I love it. Most people wouldn't leave the dock if just one of those wasn't functioning.
@@harbourdogNL 🤣 Thanks. Glad you liked the video Harbourdog. Happy sailing.
This is by far the best, most informative sailing channel I’ve come across. No bikini girls, no nonesense straight to the point valuable tips. I really appreciate you putting in the effort to pass down your personal experience. I don’t know if you’d ever have the time or the curiosity, but I’m sure we’d love to see you circumnavigate the globe. You definitely have the skills 90% of TH-camrs lack. Greetings from Portugal
@@skippywinters Thanks for the vote of confidence. I am happy to hear you find the video and channel useful. Lot's of sailing still to come. Let's see what develops.
Best sailing TH-cam Ive ever watched. Simply Brilliant. Thanks!
Wow, thanks!
Exactly what I wasn't looking for...simply because I did not think that such a video existed, nor could exist, on TH-cam. There are many fine sailing channels, but I honestly believe none are so well done as yours! Your videography and narration is what I hoped I would one day find; my wife and I watched and both agreed, "How the hell have we not seen this before?!" A huge thank you for all the priceless information and the time you took to produce and edit what we needed to watch; it certainly help to reduce our anxiety as we prepare our Ingrid for offshore sailing.
I'm not sure what to say. That's a very generous comment. I am delighted you have found the info in the video useful to you. I enjoyed putting the video together and happier still to share with sailors what I have learned about off-shore voyaging. Thanks for commenting. Good luck to you both as you prepare your Ingrid--a gorgeous, tough, highly capable boat.
Semper fi brother. I just purchased a 1981 cape dory 36 your channel has helped in my decision. Your channel is going to be a great to reference when setting the boat up and refitting.
Uraahhh Leatherneck! Thanks for the comment and engaging. Good luck with your boat. Are you a member of the CDSOA? Are you in a fleet? It's a great boat. It will take you anywhere you want to go.
This is easily the very best offshore video I have watched. Absolutely no nonsense, on point and straight to the bare bone facts. Liked, subscribed and notifications turned on, you didn’t even have to ask!
@@amitchakraborty1757 That's great. Very helpful comment. Glad you found it useful. Thanks for subscribing and enabling notifications. Much appreciated. Happy sailing.
I enjoy your thoughtful , practical presentations. Thanks!
I will be making your identical offshore passage in one month. Your detailed account which covered every important aspect of passage making, has been invaluable. I will be watching this again and taking notes. I admire your seamanship skills and purist “less is more” attitude. Deeply grateful for you taking the time to share your knowledge and experience.
Excellent. Thanks for the feedback. Very glad to hear it is useful to you. That was the goal. Best of luck to you. Happy safe voyaging.
The timing on this video couldn’t be better. Your practical advice, reference material and real world examples are helpful as I prepare for my November trip from Norfolk, Va to Antigua. Your video is refreshing as it lacks all the showiness and high drama of the other entertainment sailing videos. You are a sailor informing other sailors. So glad I found you.
@@jrmil1454 That's excellent to hear. Happy to hear you found it useful. That's the real reward for me. Are you sailing there on your own boat? I'm glad you found the channel too! 😆
@@FarReachVoyages I’ll be sailing with friends. We’ll be a crew of 4. Sailing as part of Salty Dawg Rally.
I just discovered this channel today and subscribed right away. It’s about time the TH-cam algorithm got it right! No matter what you’re trying to learn, there’s nothing better than clear, common sense advice from someone who has actually done it. I look forward to watching your other videos. Also thanks for the reading list!
@@SailThePaleBlueDot Thanks for the feedback. I appreciate the comment. I'm glad to hear you found the video useful. Thanks also for subscribing.
Hi John! What an excellent video. Immensely informative as always. Favourite channel on TH-cam. Thank you for keeping going.
@@jasonellis-bouchard5799 Thanks Jason. Glad to hear you find value in the video and the channel.
Great step-by-step explainer for practical planning and execution of an ocean passage anywhere in the world. Thanks for the effort of producing and posting it.
@@ThomasGolden-l8n You are very welcome. I enjoyed putting it together. Happy to hear you found it useful. Thanks for commenting. Happy sailing.
This is outstanding!
Man, this was so enjoyable. I'm 45... 5 years till retirement from a 25 year career in the fire service. My dream is sailing away on a Hans Christian 33 or 38 with my wife and enjoying a well planned adventure. Fantastic video sir. Thanks for sharing.
@@joshuaperry2528 Well that's just awesome. Makes my day. I am delighted you enjoyed the video and equally happy you find it useful as you pursue your own goals. Keep your eye on the prize. It's well worth it. Thanks for commenting and for sharing your dream.
Wonderful video. Added some books to my list. I think yours is my favorite boat out there.
Awesome, thank you!
Thank you for the most useful sailing Vedic I have seen. The content is superb.
@@DavidHarvey-q3r That's a very nice comment. I appreciate it. Thanks for engaging.
Thank you John! A concise and objective discussion that answers a lot of questions of countless sailors.
One thing that might be helpful for a future episode is some detail about the weather windows you look for before taking your departure (i.e. highs, lows, fronts, etc.) and what that may mean for the next several days in the voyage. That first step (the Gulf Stream crossing) is often what gives sailors a lot of trepidation. You mention some basics (i.e. no wind with a northerly component) but the macro picture might be interesting as well. Perhaps even a joint video with Chris Parker?
Thank you for one of the most effective You Tube videos I've ever watched! Now if we can just get you into a bikini then you'll really boost your ratings.
Cheers,
Mike
@@MichaelCilenti 😂 Glad you found it useful. Re the wx, I might be able to do a little more on it. It's never going to be perfect wx. You want to get across the GS safely and in generally benign conditions. Then, you want a good feel for the upper wind limits forecasted for the next few days after getting across the stream and a good probability they won't exceed what you are prepared to deal with. You have to be prepared to get some contrary winds at some point but which allow you to go either south or east while generally trending for more easterly sailing. You are going to start to see more strong low pressure systems developing in Nov/Dec. there is no way around it. The good thing is as they pass north of you there will be westerly winds. On my second voyage I went right on the tail end of a cold front low and had some great downwind sailing for 4 days including my first gale. If you make the parameters for departure to narrow and restrictive you'll never go. Get across the stream comfortably with as much opportunity for sailing E to ESE as possible. And if forced to sail south you don't want it to last too long before you can sail more east.
Thanks for commenting and providing feedback. You have a great boat. Don't let it get too complicated. Focus on strength and good sailing skills and you'll be fine.
@@FarReachVoyages Thanks John. Have you ever given thought to stopping in Bermuda? A little out of the way, but requires a shorter weather window, you could catch up on sleep, plus you get to hang out in Bermuda!
@@MichaelCilenti Not on the way to the Virgins. You'd have to sail right through the area of Nov/Dec gales. Maybe on the way back. An interesting plan would be to sail there from the Virgins in late May/early June. Then in mid to late June sail north to 41°N then catch the westerlies over the top of the High and on to the Azores. Something I have been thinking about for awhile....
@@FarReachVoyages Now that does sound like an interesting idea!
I have watched numerous sailing channels on TH-cam and this video is the most educational I have ever encountered. This is up to documentary film standards. Bravo! Hail from SCOW, the sailing club of Washington DC, and PRSA, the Potomac River Sailing Association.
Very nice. I really appreciate that. I am happy to hear you enjoyed the video. With the leaves starting to turn I bet it's beautiful along the Patomac about now. Thanks for commenting.
Fantastic no nonsense SUMMARY of all the essentials required for a safe voyage. It should be watched by all those wanting to head offshore.
Would love to hear more about knowing when your boat is ready and when 'you' are ready for the first major trip.
Thanks! (just discovered you)
That's a very nice comment. Glad you enjoyed it and found it useful. Let me think about your question. It might be worth its own video...what do you think?
@@FarReachVoyages that would be great as a stand alone video. While most of us have sailed many many years, most haven't gone offshore like you, and we sometimes don't know what we should know (like inspecting the masthead standing rigging periodically. Heck all parts of the standing rigging.)
I crewed on a boat once who's captain/owner got all work performed by a professional yard; but never new how any of the systems worked and thus couldn't fix them. That trip didn't end well).
Here in central Florida, there's another route we use. Basically it 300 miles east and then turn right, quite offshore from the Bahamas, and in the NE trades for a glorious ride south.
I sold my Alber 30, a boat very similar in design to yours, at the beginning of April in 1983 to a couple who added a bit of gear for safety's sake, like lifelines and stanchions (!) and a single sideband radio. They left at the end of April and called me from St. Thomas 11 days later to let me know that they had made it.
I have friends who have used this route and have been happy to avoid all the traffic along the south Florida coast, or, even worse, the plethora of time restricted bridges in the ICW that seem always to close minutes before you get to them
So they ended up in the Virgins at the beginning of hurricane season? That's the opposite of what we are trying to do in this video. Maybe they lived there? Certainly people summer there but it can be risky during the hurricane season. I have friends who live there with sailboat but it is nerve wracking I think. And marine insurance these days would be astronomical....
We are going to have to agree to disagree on that being a good route. It's true some strange things happen with the wind sometimes. But, I have sailed the route the opposite direction your friends sailed at almost the same time of year twice. Check out S5E9-10. Historically, very little wind. The Bermuda High is sitting out there killing the wind north of the Puerto Rico, the Virgins and northeast of the Bahamas until it moves north in July. And the wind rotates clockwise around the high so all the wind I have experience there in May is from the SE. There is also a north west setting current slowing you down if you are headed to the Virgins from FL offshore.
I'm not saying it can't be done but you could wait a long time to get 12 days of good wind for that voyage. Maybe you could sail part of it and motor most of it in the extensive calms. And here is the thing--In three seasons of sailing in the Virgins and St Martin area I have seen very little of the NE trades in the winter and spring. What I have seen is a lot of east and ESE trades and it is booming.
The A30 is. great boat. Would love to have one if I didn't have the boat I have. Thanks for watching and for taking the time to comment.
@@FarReachVoyages Well, it was a rather interesting period after they left. Evidently, the story that the wife was dying of cancer and wanted to live life to the fullest for the time they had left was a bit of a stretch. About 6 months later the FBI came in to get the particulars of the purchase. It turns out that this couple was in the witness protection program and had fled to avoid testifying in some sort of pretty dangerous, to them, trial.
I did have confirmation that they indeed did make it in 11 days. A friend of mine who was a mechanic had moved to where they pulled in, and he recognized my boat and called me. He called about a year later and told me that the boat had been abandoned and was low in the water. That was the last I heard of it.
Life is uncertain, eh?!
I consider your video of passage making to the Caribbean to the very best technical summary of all aspects you would encounter. Chris Parker is an excellent weather router and well worth every penny for his service. I admire your attention to detail and experience you share with your viewers. I lived a board for 10 years and sailed from New England to the Caribbean several times but always had my wife and maybe another couple? I agree that there is not a better feeling than making that first landfall in tropical waters!
Best regards,
The "Quartermaster"
You must have had some great adventures of your own. Well done. Nothing like a tropical landfall. Thanks very much for commenting.
As a sailor i love the care u have and how u word things very clearly.
Appropriated man. Best wishes
I'm glad you think so. Thanks for commenting.
FANTASTIC VIDEO. I'm by no means even a beginner sailor, it's still only a dream for me, but this video seems to me like it should be required viewing for any nautical novice. Perfect "high view" summary of preparation, voyage, and arrival. Thank you so much for sharing this!
Glad you enjoyed it. I appreciate the feedback too. Thanks for commenting.
I spent a year at sea in the pacific; Los Angeles to Marquesas via Hawaii and then onto Tahiti. I relived my sail vividly as I listened to your thoughts and practices at sea. I especially enjoyed your comments about being becalmed.
@@RonHuff-dg5ru Glad you enjoyed the video and delighted it resonated with you. Thanks for the comment. Happy sailing.
This is hands down the Best sailing/voyaging video I've ever seen. Very well done .
Wow! That is. very nice thing to say. Much appreciated. Thanks for commenting and for watching the video.
Your route planning information was excellent!
Great. Glad you enjoyed it. Thanks for commenting.
most useful sailing video I have seen in 4 years. Superb
Thank you. I am glad you find it useful. That was the goal.
I rarely subscribe. And even more rarely comment.
Your communication style alone was enough for me to take notice..... Efficient, confident, informative.
Add to that some great content, and I'm happy with my decision.
Subscribed.
That's a nice comment and means a lot. Glad you found the info helpful. Thanks for commenting and subscribing.
Almost passed up the video because there wasn't a bikini on the cover shot... just kidding
I just subscribed, bookmarked the video and I'm a fan. Love the simplicity and the fact that you don't need all the expensive gadgets to get out in the open and go (some gadgets, but no unnecessary ones).
Real information and no non-sense.
Chimo! (Canadian Military Engineer greeting - Inuit word)
@@frankmaloney3717 Awesome. Chimo!Glad you liked it. Bikini--yeah. Tough to compete with that. Hopefully this is more useful even if less entertaining. Good friend was a machine gunner in Princess Patricia's infantry Regiment. Thanks for commenting and subscribing. Happy sailing.
Best sailing videos on the internet. Well done Skip!
That's a very nice thing to say. Glad you think so. Thanks for watching.
Absolutely a fantastic video and a realistic, down to earth take on the challenges and options that make for a truly amazing experience! I will highly recommend this video to all sailors planning for a the ultimate experience! Congratulations for this amazing achievement!
The “Quartermaster”
Thanks for the very nice comment. I am happy to hear you found the video useful. Thanks for sharing the video with others.
Great video and even after 5 years and 45,000nm at sea we're always looking for things we may not have experienced or thought of in our own prep. Just preparing for a shart two day run with the ditchnag out for a check and this is the perfect timing. Thanks, count us a new subscriber.
Kevin and Carla
@@SailingGargoyle That's very cool. Y'all have tons of experience, but glad you found the video useful. Thanks for commenting and subscribing. Best of luck to you. Happy sailing.
This was a great video! So much simple practical info, just what us moderate experienced sailors to work with . Thanx! from the CO and crew of Betsy Ross, 1967 Cal 36.
Very cool. Thanks for engaging and commenting. Cal 36--a classic.
Grateful for the video and the algorithm that brought it to me! All my channel surfing finally paid off - big time! Really Super Job! Can't wait to see them all and fill my pages with notes & project plans. I always prefer informative YT Videos and I really like your style. Thanks so much - really appreciate the validity of your information. You sound a bit similar to a John Kretschmer type sailor - much appreciated. I have 1965 Pearson Vanguard and I plan to make something of a similar journey in another year or two (when retiring). I would like to relocate to the SC coast (Charleston-ish), I currently lake sail in the Upstate of SC. My vessel is super simple - full keel, water tank above the keel, depth, wind indicator on the mast, tell tails, solar battery chargers, Yanmar refit (16 hp diesel), cockpit reefing system, hand pull anchors, no dodger, no bimini, 135 genoa, spinnakers (light & heavier), good storage, etc. I have a few things to add obviously. I have a helm & electric auto-pilot from the previous owner - but I am intrigued by sheet to tiller type steering - do you have any experience with this type steering? Love the idea of being offshore with nobody around to bump into. I will go back to see all of your videos. I have some stanchion leaks but I am planning to haul out and seal & re-paint the deck, check the rudder (original), and make everything bullet-proof. Do you have a standard protocol for squalls / storms - hove to, running with wind, fore-reaching, storm sails (got that - good, I plan to purchase as well). Again, thanks so much. All the best to you and keep on making videos - we will be watching & learning.
@@mjanulis3603 That's really great. Glad you found the video useful. Sheet to tiller is good to know and can help you in a pinch (you break your windvane) but it's not something you can rely on. It does not work equally well on all points of sail. I recommend a self steering windvane which will work very well on your boat. All the rest of your questions are answered in the various videos on the channel. The modifications playlist might be useful to you. Thanks for your comment and for subscribing. Happy sailing.
@@FarReachVoyages Much appreciated! I will definitely enjoy the Modifications playlist - thanks again and I will come back to you with more questions I am sure! Stay safe!
This is the best video I’ve seen in several years of how you do it, and excellent reasoning for why you do it the way you do! Keep it up, I hope to see you out there someday!
Thanks. Glad you found it useful. Thanks for commenting.
@@FarReachVoyages I’m an Army veteran and in 5 years my wife and I are going cruising through the Caribbean and the Gulf of Mexico… and we will see what happens after we finish this journey, neither of us know how to sail yet, we’re going to get training at St. Simons Island next summer. Watching you doing it the old school way is impressive! Something I am reading up about. I enjoy watching many of the sailing channels on TH-cam, and do get sick of the extra drama! Stumbling on to your channel was a breath of fresh air!
@@averagejoe1943 That's great. I think sailing is especially beneficial for vets. No doubt about that. Wonderful healing powers. Like a salve for a wounded soul. It's really important to have a good reading list that can guide you along. While there is a lot to learn if you stick to the basics it will pay off. If I made a few videos about the books I have read over my sailing life would it be of interest to you?
@@FarReachVoyages most definitely! I love reading especially about sailing!
@@averagejoe1943 OK. I've been thinking about it for awhile but have not figured out how to present it. I'll put some more thought into it.
This is a great video. I'm planning a trip from the Chesapeake to the Bahamas this November. I'm sending this to my crew. Much of this information is similar enough to easily justify 40 minutes of video.
That's awesome. Glad you found it useful. That was the goal of the video--to be useful.
Good luck on your voyage.
Thank you for sharing. This is a great video, I have sailed for 30 years and plan to go to the BVI and find myself humbled.
@@ejdd3442 Thanks. Much appreciated. Do you plan to sail your own boat to the BVI or charter a boat there? We all get humbled occasionally. It's good for us.
@@FarReachVoyages Plan on sailing my own boat to Bermuda for a spell of time then down to tortola. In January 2025 I booked a charter for my wife and I; we plan to check out the life style. Never been..
Congratulations. It's not only very good content but also very well edited.
@@Mar-vu9nx Thanks. Appreciated the comment. Glad you found it useful. Happy sailing.
Very fine job mate. Echo what everybody else said and more. Love your old school approach. When I try to talk navigation old school to people here in Fl Keys they look dumb struck. I will point these new guys to your awesome vid. Thx!!!
@@JoeySmithphoto Those are some very nice comments. Thanks much. Especially glad you think the video useful. Happy sailing.
Excellent video again and particularly for an East Coast sailor. You probably know that we recently lost Don Street. I am jealous of your "leakless" boat, I continue to chase them down. After 40 years as my boat is many of the sealers and caulks have lost their effectiveness. I have also sailed in some pretty severe conditions and when your deck is raked by waves green water finds a way in. Your advice about squall preparedness is important, I was knocked down twice in the ITCZ when hit, 16 kn to 40kn in a heartbeat! While my boat is much smaller than yours I don't hold back on comforts and electronics, etc. My solar easily handles the refer and electronic loads but I have more permanently mounted panels than you do and of course a battery bank. I never run my engine to charge batteries. I to enjoy calms, 700 miles N. of Tahiti for 2 days was bliss! I love what you do and your boat, please keep it up. Thanks Ben S/V DAWN ps: if you decide to put in a refer let me know.
Ben, thanks for taking the time to comment. Much appreciated. Lots of insights there. Water is always trying to find a way in on boats. I think the big culprits on most boats are port lights and hatches and toerails and deck joints. Fortunately we have not seen a drop of water since the rebuild. We have gotten along without a fridge for a long time. This is just an experiment to see if we find it's valuable, if our small battery bank can manage it, and how it changes the nature of our simple boat. I don't want to add a lot more complexity to the boat (more solar/more batteries) in a quest for cold food. I find, for me, keeping the boat simple and uncomplicated provides me a degree of mental security and confident reassurance. Anyway, we are all on our own personal quest to find what works for us and helps us pursue a quiet relaxed outlook on life...or something like that.😂
This is great. I'm glad to hear you have finished the boat and are out on the water. When I heard that some guy was modifying a CD36 for extended offshore work, I paused to listen.
Anyway, very informative - clean, lean, and succinct, good job. (BTW, you may have been the guy who bought the boat cover off my CD36)
@@jameshubbard4002 Hi James. The rebuild took a while but it was worth it. Yep I probably bought your cover. The boat is under it now. It was a great purchase. Will be taking it off next week as we prep for Oct launch. Thanks for the comment. K
My wife and I left early November outta Wrightsville Beach a few years ago to the USVI, took us about 13 days in a Dufour 4800. Great video.
@@larrytubbs-zt4lf Awesome. Really appreciate the comment from a fellow voyager who has made the same passage. Happy sailing.
@FarReachVoyages we're still down here on the boat so maybe I'll see you around in French town when you get here ✌️
@ 👍
This was a great video! Semper Fi Marine. Former 0331 here as well. I just got into sailing about a year ago and it’s incredible. I’m hooked.
Also, subscribed
UUURRAHHH Leatherneck. Water is our element. Glad you enjoyed it. Sailing is a great sport. Good luck to you. Semper Fi.
Thanks very much.
Well done and much respect for your sailing offshore vs. motoring on the ICW!
Beautiful sailboat ⛵ Thanks for sharing your journey . 🙂
@@DLBard-bv2nd Glad you enjoyed it. Thanks for taking the time to comment.
Thanks for one of the most informative videos I’ve watched in quite some time. I found you online years ago prior to TH-cam and just like then you have remained a valuable resource.
That's pretty cool. Thanks. Glad you found the video useful. Thanks for taking the time to comment.
Outstanding my fellow Marine, your video is very informative and inspiring. I’m in the front end of a refit with the expectation of long offshore passages. SEMPER FI!
Uuuuraahhh Leatherneck! Thanks for the comment. Good luck on your refit. SF
On of the most amount of great information I've seen yet. Thanks
Glad you found it useful. Thanks for commenting.
Truly a magnificent explanation of voyage planning and implementation. Best video for training.
Wow, thank you!
Thanks for the video. Provided good insight. I’m in Texas with a Baba 30 and have aspirations of long voyages. Just did our first sail in the gulf last month from north of Galveston to Port Aransas, a nice 200nm trip with perfect winds and weather, no AIS or radar, just navionics on an android tablet and a basic VHF. We did not have self steering or a working stove so that was difficult.
@@Monkeywrenchmotorcycles Excellent. Sounds like some good experience under your belt. You can build off of it. Good luck. Be safe out there. Glad to hear you found the video useful. Happy sailing.
@ thanks! Always looking to learn and improve! My next project is to build a small tender so I can anchor out
Well done. Immensely informative. Thank you for taking the time to share your knowledge in such an organized and practical way. After our trip to Newfoundland this summer, the crew is looking forward to heading south next November-December. Your advice is timely and tremendously appreciated!
That's awesome Daniel Culpper. Thanks much for engaging. I'd like to sail to Newfoundland at some point. I have a friend who sailed there in his Ingrid 38 this summer. He had nothing but great things to say about it. Good luck with your next voyage.
Excellent video, informative & factual. Thank you John.
@@Fista666 I appreciate that. Thanks for taking the time to comment.
Thank you for your vlog on sailing south. Informative and well presented.
@@bowlinggreenoil Thanks for taking the time to comment. Glad you found the video useful. Happy sailing.
Thank you. Well organized, concise, and very informative.
@@tchri1976 Glad you enjoyed it and found it useful. Thanks for commenting. Happy sailing.
Looking good Far Reaches. I love your videos.
And I love the quote “ Hope is not a course of Action”
……We are planning to hop us the east coast of the USA next summer-2025 .
Our IP35 is in Freeport Bahamas right now so we have six months to cruise the USA…
Fair Winds …
Thanks. Appreciate the comment. IP35 is a nice boat. I hope you have a great time cruising in the US.
Excellent, really enjoyed your thoroughly meticulous explanations! Oohrah, former HM1
Awesome. Back at ya. Glad you enjoyed it. Thanks for commenting. Anchor Aweigh my friend! USMC-Navy team all the way!
Just found your utube site, excellent video, what a pleasant narrative, very informative, I look forward to more of your videos. I’m just a coastal sailor that spends most of my time fixing an old sailboat.
@@davidgarces4925 David you're in good company. If you own a boat--any boat--you spend time fixing it. 🤣 And when my offshore days are over I'll be dinghy camping. So much fun and enjoyment being a coastal sailor too. Plenty of challenges there to last a life time. Good luck to you and be safe out there. And thanks for engaging
Well done - I enjoyed this video, lots of good advice & information. Well explained
@@chrislobel9700 Happy to hear you enjoyed the video and found it useful. Thanks for taking the time to watch and comment. Happy sailing.
Thank you for sharing this. Excellent video, informative and to the point. Much love
@@Frank-E Glad to hear you found the video useful. Thanks for commenting. Happy sailing.
Wow, what a fantastic video. Thank you,John. Very informative and useful content that is well delivered.
Thanks for the comment. I am glad to you found it useful and informative. That was the goal...something sailors can actually use themselves.
Thank you. I'm just starting to be interested in sailing. While I'm fortunate to live in the Seattle area, watching videos of different passages is always educational and entertainging. I'm sure you were trying to keep the video short while informative, yet being a newbie, I found it was fast and required a lot of pause / replay. Still, lots to reference and research!
You are on a great adventure my friend. I am really glad you enjoyed the video. You live in a great area for sailing. I'll make one recommendation if I may. Reading is a far better way to learn about it then watching TH-cam. Maybe you are doing both. Some authors: The Smeetons, John Guzwell (from your area), the Pardeys, Hiscocks, Harry Pidgeon, Moitessier, Knox-Johnson, Hal Roth. I could name dozens more. You'll learn a lot more about sailing from those folks than from anyone on TH-cam.
Good luck to you and your journey. There is a great prize out there waiting....
Your amount of knowledge and ability to convey it is excellent. Ty. I hope someday to make similar passages, possibly as a crew member... then, after a few years, who knows?
Thanks. Much appreciated. Best of luck as you pursue your own path. Happy Sailing.
Outstanding. Never thought of Beaufort to USVI offshore. Will give it serious consideration.
I'm on a Bristol 29.9 and really appreciate the KISS approach here. New subsciber.
Oooh Rah! You are truly living my dream. Gotta get hours on the water before making the trip.
Excellent. Make a plan and ruthlessly execute it. If you keep your eye on the prize you can get there. Good luck to you! Thanks for watching and commenting.
You have a very cozy boat. Super!
Thanks BorisNazin. I agreee. 😂
Great video. Super informative and educational. Learned new in the 4 routes portions. Thank you. Liked & subscribed.
Safe sailing!
That's outstanding. Glad you felt like you learned some new things. Appreciate end comment and for subscribing.
Amazing wealth of knowledge and wisdom. Thanks. And semper fidelis!
@@jamespisano1164 Happy to hear you found it useful. Thanks for the comment. Semper Fi.
@FarReachVoyages I have to admit my ears perked up when you said you had been a Reconnaissance Marine. I love that they refused to join JSOC for so long! LoL. Your long sailing voyages by yourself became instantly understandable after you said that. : )
@ I don't disagree. Thanks for watching and commenting. Semper Fi.
Wow, thank you for the information. Extremely informative 👏.
Glad you found it useful. Thanks for commenting,
You’re the real deal! The boat is immaculate and your planning is exemplary. Fair winds and following seas!
Aw shucks. Thanks for the comment. Much appreciated.
Will do and please keep making videos they are very helpful compared to other "sailing* videos that have a sailboat, but have no idea about repairs or sailing but make a how-to video.
@@MartinPedersen-xp2ru 👍
1Love this. Are were becalmed 3 days in the Coral Sea from Fiji to Australia. it was beautiful
Sounds great.
Thank you for the very informative narration,planning steps,ooh rah.
@@raymondhayes6155 Thanks for the comment Raymond. Glad you found the video helpful. Semper Fi.
What a GREAT video - on so many levels. Thank you - subscribed!
Glad to hear you found it useful. Thanks for commenting and subscribing.
Great video indeed. Plan to do this in the future, but from FL to the Bahamas, taking my time, no rush. Could easily spend a month or two in the Bahamas. Fair winds.
@@javacup912 Sounds like a great plan. Thanks for commenting. Happy sailing.
Wonderful … great job skipper!
@@SkipperSiCoates Thanks. Appreciate the comment.
A wealth of knowledge and very inspiring. Thank you.
You're welcome. Happy to hear you enjoyed it. Thanks for commenting.
Thanks! Very helpful. Hope to share an anchorage with you some day.
Awesome. I look forward to it! See you out there. Thanks for commenting.
Thanks for all the information I will save this one and reference it off and I’m sure
Glad it was helpful!
This was great ! Thank you so much
Valkyrie III Pearson 35
Glad you enjoyed it. Pearson 35 is a nice boat. Happy sailing
@@FarReachVoyages From Florida or the Bahamas, could you not sail North East for a few hundred miles, and then turn South East, better than taking the thorny path?
Cheers
There is no one way or only those exact four routes discussed. If you ride the GS NE then you are essentially working your way towards Route III. Sort of a modified Route III. You might also experience NE winds at that time of year and you don't want to be in the GS then. Do you see where I am going with this? Doesn't mean it won't work. You going to have to do your own homework and perform your own risk assessment. Talk with a WX router like Parker. See what he says though he does not have a crystal ball. It's kinda the law of averages. But, it's the skipper's decision and responsibility. You could work your way north in early October (maybe still get some good southerly winds) on the west wall of the GS and if the winds go N then sail out of the GS and keep working your way up the coast. Ugly wx you can put into a series of safe ports until the wx passes. Keep working north and wait to you have a good statistically reliable wind angle and a favorable forecast. Probably up near Beaufort. But you might get lucky and get a good forecast and some good wind shifts on the east side of the GS and you're off to the races. But, I would not want to enter the trade wind belt before I have my easting or there will be the devil to pay sailing upwind in the trades.
The Thorny Path is not a bad route--especially if you are already in FL. It's just a more difficult route if your goal is to get to the eastern Caribbean as quick and painless as possible. Until they have done it, most sailors do not appreciate the misery of sailing upwind in a small boat in the reinforced trades of Dec-March. It can be hard on the crew and the boat. But plenty of determine people have done it but most by waiting and waiting and waiting for more settled wx. Pick your poison.
Very well done and i wish my sextant and paper navigation skills were half as good as yours.
Thanks. For me the real challenge is to reduce the problem quicker. Even though I am doing it by hand it should not take as long as it does. More practice....
That’s certainly the fastest way to get down south.
They should have something like the Schengen Agreement for the Caribbean, so you only need to check in once.
Amen.
Outstanding.
Thank you very much Maestro !
Great video thanks and it looks like your boat lives up a creek near the runway at Cherry Point! Spent a lot of time over there sailing from New Bern to Oriental.
Glad you liked the video. New Bern is a great area. Usually keep the boat at the MCAS when we are not out voyaging. Right now the Far Reach is on the hard while I finish up some small projects and get her ready for relaunch. Thanks for commenting.
Thank you Fer yir service. And also the list of books I need .
@@PatriotCanadian Very cool. I have a good friend who served in the Princess Patricia's Light infantry Regiment. A machine gunner. A terrific guy and world class furniture builder, shipwright and sailor. Canada has some great sailors. Good luck to you. Glad the info was useful.
Wonderful video, congratulations. Greetings from Spain.
Hola! Juan. Thank you very much. I am glad you enjoyed it.
Enjoy your Video. I would love to Sail south your way in November. Unfortunatly, I l lack experience. ICW, it is. hopefully someday. Keep up the good work!!
@@GillesRocheleau-vb7wq No one is ready until they are. Includes me. You'll know when you are too. There's a lot of fun to be no matter how you go. Thanks for commenting.
It’s awesome what you do I would love to do something like that. I’m new to sailing, but I’m learning pretty quick. I haven’t gone off shore too much but I would love to make a ocean passage one day but just not sure if my boat big enough I have a 19 8422 foot hunter. Some people say doesn’t matter the size of your boat as long as you do it certain times and you got your right gear and some people tell me I need a bigger boat not sure, I know I’m just really comfortable with the size I have but it would be awesome to do a crossing like that really wanting to go to the bend me Bahamas I just think it’s great what you do but the way you did your video it doesn’t get no planer than the way you did it. You did it perfectly great video.
Roger, I am glad you found the video useful and also why you found it useful. So thanks for the feed back.
It's not so much the size of the boat. John Guzzwell built and sailed a 22' Laurent Giles designed boat around the world in the 1950s. It's a great book by the way called "Trekka Around the World." I highly recommend it. Many others have made similar voyages.
There are several concerns here. The first is the boat has to be strong enough to take the stress of the voyage--think quality of the lamination, rigging, chainplates, rudder attachment, keel attachment, hull deck joint, strength of the hardware and fasteners, cockpit foot well design, etc. The boat can tear itself apart when the wind and seas getter bigger in just moderate conditions if not built with adequate strength. The second concern is the motion. A smaller boat is going to have a lot more motion. Significantly more. For some people that is not a problem. But for us normal people it can be a problem. Another great book about this is Roger Taylor's Ming-Ming series of books. Amazing voyages in small simple boats into the hight latitudes.
I don't know much about your boat. But a voyage across the GS off south FL in settled weather and a few weeks in the Bahamas is probably reasonable if your boat is in good condition.
Simplicity afloat is the surest guarantee of happiness ... L. Francis Herreshoff
@@John-h7t6g Absolutely agree. I have used that quote many times.
Amazing job and great info! Subscribed!
@@SeaState Thanks seastate. I appreciate your comment and thanks for subscribing. Glad you found the video useful. Happy sailing.
Amazing! ⚓️💙
@@markph0204 Thanks. glad you liked it. Appreciate the comment.
Good morning, we just subscribed to your channel. Looking forward to going through your videos. Ben
@@whenworkisplay Very cool. Thanks.
I like to watch a few specific channels about sailing who don't put up too much fluff and drama, I like your channel and am adding to my list I live in Massachusetts, recently got a Catalina 25 and am starting to day dream about some day sails and possible overnights(not a full on trip yet). But I also like to read maps and charts and so THANKS! I purchase some of these.
Excellent. I’m glad you liked it and found it useful. You can do a lot on a Catalina 25 and you’ll learn a ton at the same time. Good luck to you.
Very informative. Thank you!
Glad you found it useful. Thanks for commenting.
Subscribed and liked. Glad i found this chanel. Thank you for your content
@@9999boghammer Excellent. Delighted you found the info useful. Thanks for commenting and subscribing. Happy sailing.