This was emotional to watch! Seeing the beauty before the hurricane - but no doubt slowly but surely we are all recovering and it’s still a beautiful place to be!
Just binged this entire trip in 2 days, what an absolutely amazing travel documentary with a lot of invaluable information alone with stunning views, my favorite being the drone at the swamp, gloves next time Tom
Stunning view- the smooth water in your neighborhood 👍😀. Regardless of how nice a trip….there’s no place like your home. Funny take-away….. regarding your popcorn shrimp noise,,,how many old men, “boat experts” have sat around with other old men experts-explaining their knowledge of the noise . Cables, contraction, blah, blah blah. You Investigated and “solved” it.😂🤣😂. Quite interesting phenomenon.
Thanks for great trip...we're driving from Iowa to Cape Coral 1/17/23 and stay at Holiday Inn Express for 5 weeks...it's our 5th year there....Really appreciated your knowledge on boating...Thanks so much for great video !!!
Did that trip one time with my grandfater, my day had to dive several times to clean the props. I was about 7 but will away rememder the good time we had
Awesome journey Captain I enjoyed your trip from stop to finish. I was always on the edge of my sit waiting for the next episode! Great to see you and Admiral Bridgett make it home safe! Thanks for sharing your journey!💪🏽💪🏽
This has been the best “series” to watch on TH-cam. Thanks so much for posting. I’ll be sure to watch more of your videos. My son will going off to college this August in St. Petersburg. It will be nice to get down to FL a few times a year.
I have really enjoyed your channel and "Adventures..." I can emphasize with the emotions involved, but it helped having watched some of the recent (in time) of your recovery.
you got me hooked watching this entire trip. Being from the Jersey shore it was fun to see my old stomping grounds. And now I find I have family just a few blocks away from you in Cape Coral. Very nice. keep up the good work.
Hello Brigitt and Tom, I always enjoy watching your videos. Thank you very much and greetings from Germany. We hope that we can also go to the ICW with our Prestige 440 Fly "Divina"in the next few years. We'll be on the lookout for you two. All the best to you and stay healthy!
Very good video of the trip I really liked it. I saw more of the ICW in your lens and great narration as well. I do hope every resource of the government helped and assisted you during Ian. I experienced Ian as well from Daytona Beach, my home.👍
The government did nothing to help other than pick up the mounds of house debris in the front yard. Thankfully we have insurance to assist in rebuilding.
watched the whole trip. Funny that you needed to "learn" the names of the canals upon which you live. Yeah I wouldn't say the names either. Funny because you found amazing and incredible routes clear from 1800 mile ago. Loved getting to see the horizons I'll likely never see. I've long been wanting to be a looper and was thinking I'd make a little living fixing boats along the way. Your journey showed me that wouldn't work with the incredible amounts of places to get one repaired all along the ICW. Also proved my other theory correct. Fuel would be a no way. Wind also is a no way for me not that I don't like sailboats but to be completely reliable and self sufficient multiple propulsion source is the only true way. Thanks for filming and sharing every inch.
Diesel trawlers are very economical. Often getting 7 mpg. There is so much work out there for someone with mechanical experience- any experience quite frankly. We can’t find workers to fix our boats down here!
Brigitt, I can certainly understand the emotion you must be feeling. What connected me to the Adventures of Happy Ours channel was a search for Hurricane Ian's damage in your area. We have friends in the area. After I watched the first video, I recognized the channel's typical yellow highlights and have now watched I believe every one you and Tom have done. So I started by seeing your boat on your neighbor's lawn and just now watched today's video of you coming home for the first time. I had no idea it was just that beautiful pre Ian! So sorry for the damage, but it will be re-built and even more beautiful!! Keep the adventures coming so we can all watch them after shoveling snow here in the Northeast-hahaha!
Nice video. Sad to think of what's to come, but knowing the eventual outcome, it's all good. You made it, the boat is good, the new boat is good. You didn't get hurt during the storm. Looking forward to more/new adventures!
Thank you for sharing your adventure and congratulation on settling in to your new home. Very relieved that you and Happy Ours survived Ian intact. You'll be missed on the Hudson but the Croton Point 4th of July video lives on :-). Best wishes to you and the Admiral!
I just binged watched your trip vlogs all the way home and was wondering about Ian, then when you mentioned it, I was so sad to see that after over 1700+ NM of safe navigation, what Ian did to your gorgeous Merdian! I pray you recover quickly! I grew up in Charlotte County and now live in Tampa, this is the second time two powerful hurricanes were supposed to hit Tampa but turned into SW Florida, Charlie and Ian are tough lessons learned for waterfront and non-waterfront communities in Florida. Thanks for sharing all that great informational content! Capt. Dave
Your trip was a great look into the ICW. I never knew there was a cross Florida canals and would like to see more about that leg of your trip. History, POI and significant touring places. Either way thanks for taking me along with you your wife and your puppy.
Super inspiring series. You're part of what inspired me to drastically change my business. Shrank from 24 employees to 6, focused on cashflow properties vs. The hamster wheel of flipping 200 houses/yr. -- you showed that lifestyle is where it's at! Thanks a ton!!
I've rented houses in that area 7 or 8 years ago. Once off Country Club and once on 57th street that I saw on your map. Really nice area. My favorite place to eat was at Duffy's. I'm still trying to catch up on your other video's.
Tom just found the series. Thanks for the time and effort to bring us along. Helps pass the long winter on LI NY till launch. Hoping the repairs go smooth and easy. Silly question how did u handle laundry underway? Best wishes
That was a weird sound on your hull indeed. My home marina is right above the Waterford flight, A series of five locks going down to the Hudson and Champlain canal . It’s always a drudge when we want to take a short trip down the Hudson. So glad you’re boat survived the hurricane in fair shape. good luck on future adventures
We know the flight well. We were at Schenectady yacht club for a year. We have a video series on the flight of locks th-cam.com/video/2jHOqPIiUvM/w-d-xo.html
I enjoyed all of your videos during your trip down the ICW. I live in the area of the Great Dismal Swamp so it was nice to see that area of water from a boat perspective. I hope that both of you are bouncing back from all of the hurricane damage. Bless you both, and may this New Year be good to both of you.👍😊
Loved the series, calm soothing voice made binge watching very easy. I myself live in upstate NY as well and often wondered about taking our 32 ft Doral on the same trip. Any idea on the amount spent on fuel???
This was sad to watch knowing what tremendous damage was done by Ian so soon after you recorded this. So much damage to that beautiful piece of paradise! God willing it never happens again.
Glad you made it down safely and had only minor damage from Ian. Your videos were great and really informative! It could have been a lot worse. I'm shocked that your boat had so little damage actually. My question is, what would you do differently now that you saw what happened? I thought about tying lines across the canal to secure the boat away from the seawalls but with all the debris and other boats being washed by, it would be worse. No good way to tie just on one side. I want to eventually move down to Florida and actually live aboard my boat but it really worries me to go thru these hurricanes.
You bring up a good point about the lines across the canal. That may have made things worse as other boats washed through. ( At least 2 boats washed through and who knows how much other debris). What I would do different for next time would be to have my boat at my own dock. I had to keep my boat at my neighbors dock ad my dock had not been finished dock by the time the storm came. My neighbors dock pilings are smaller, shorter and without cleats. My dock pilings are stronger, twice the height and all have cleats to keep lines from slipping off in high water. I’m confident my boat would have stayed at my dock had it been completed before the storm. So next time, I’m doing the same thing, but safely at my own dock!
Great series. I'm planning a trip from Annapolis to NC taking your route. Curious about over all gas use and marina fees . Sorry about the storm. I'm in coastal NC and we get them every couple years. 😢
Ok here is a few question for the video, How many hours on water was the trip traveling? Not stopped. How much fuel? How many pump outs (i forget if you have a watermaker)
Excellent, I've followed your travel segments from your departure and now your arrival. There was a sailboat adjacent to you in Glover Bight. It was there a year ago and is visible in Google Maps. I was wondering if it survived the hurricane. None of the post hurricane video's panned over there. Lots of excitement to looking forward to. I'm watching the snow fall now.
One of our post Ian videos filmed that area. I need to go back and look at it. I don’t recall seeing any floating boats there immediately after Ian. You get a glimpse in the sea trial vid here-> th-cam.com/video/Katq18WZKwY/w-d-xo.html and towards the end of the canal tour vid here. th-cam.com/video/BxGevP9FDrg/w-d-xo.html
Awesome ! I always learn something my boat mechanic was in Kingston . You taught me something about the Zinc plates and how you use a different type in brackish water . You guys are a great watch !
I have a little one bedroom condo in hunter. I do like going to the dmv in catskill in greene county you could be in and out in 15 mins . Im glad you have have experienced all kinds of boating environments . I primarily use my boat at the jersey shore every October i run it on lake george to flush my engine out well
how many hours on the engines for the whole trip? That's my question and my family is from Jamestown NY ,still have lots of relatives there.....what city you from I heard you say you worked NY city
I was born in Staten Island. Brigitt was born in Utica. I worked in NYC most of my career but slowly moved upstate towards the Albany/Saratoga area where Brigitt lived where we got married.
Long story, electronics engineering in college, 32 years telecom utility career and a lifetime gearhead and boater. You pick up a few things. The biggest being have the balls to just do it.
I noticed over the last few videos you haven't included your spreadsheet. I asked once for a copy and provided my email. Please can you forward a copy. Look forward to your further adventures
Hey brother just want to say I have thoroughly enjoyed your series of taking your boat from New York to Florida as I have previously told you all thru the 90s that is what me and my brother did for a living moving and delivering boats all up and down the east coast for peaple moving that didn't want to have to deal with what you did seriously wish TH-cam was around then also you've opened my eyes to looking at Meridians have a 98 38ft Carver that I'm looking to replace hope all your house repairs are going well after the storm finally have the permits to finish my dock that was destroyed looking forward to seeing more videos God bless you and Brigitte and welcome to Florida I'm sure you will see me comment again.
This was emotional to watch! Seeing the beauty before the hurricane - but no doubt slowly but surely we are all recovering and it’s still a beautiful place to be!
Just binged this entire trip in 2 days, what an absolutely amazing travel documentary with a lot of invaluable information alone with stunning views, my favorite being the drone at the swamp, gloves next time Tom
lol thanks! Gloves for sure when catching drones mid flight. Lol
What, no bloopers, no funny out takes, I watched the whole series and... regardless, great job on all of it
Our last leg to Cape Coral was funny enough. Lol. I had to edit heavily
Congrats Capt and admiral! I’ll be on the look out for Happy Ours in SWFL!
Thank you for the journey. Not many channels grab my attention as much as yours did. Looking forward to future adventures!
Thanks for having me along for the whole trip. It was amazing, educational, and fun. Enjoyed. Thanks for sharing.
Makes me happy make me smile
Great video series! Looking forward to watching your next journey.
Thank you for showing your trip on your boat I totally enjoyed your video and your comments I'm glad y'all had a safe journey.❤
This was a good series. I thoroughly enjoyed all of it.
Stunning view- the smooth water in your neighborhood 👍😀.
Regardless of how nice a trip….there’s no place like your home.
Funny take-away….. regarding your popcorn shrimp noise,,,how many old men, “boat experts” have sat around with other old men experts-explaining their knowledge of the noise . Cables, contraction, blah, blah blah. You Investigated and “solved” it.😂🤣😂. Quite interesting phenomenon.
So glad I found out about pistol shrimp on the internet before tearing my boat apart. Lol
lost everything in Ian....your vlog has lifted my spirits..
cheers from Englewood Florida
Thanks and good luck! We will rebuild.
My friend shared here the scenery is so beautiful I love the video you wish you every success
Thank you for sharing. God bless
Thank you for sharing these videos of your trip from NY to Florida. You did a fantastic job. There were beautiful sights to see. Welcome home.
Thanks for great trip...we're driving from Iowa to Cape Coral 1/17/23 and stay at Holiday Inn Express for 5 weeks...it's our 5th year there....Really appreciated your knowledge on boating...Thanks so much for great video !!!
Love the vid's Brigitt an Tom..keep m coming..damn it's beautiful down there..injoy matey's!
Just finished watching all the videos , Tom thank you for the videos , can’t wait for more videos
Did that trip one time with my grandfater, my day had to dive several times to clean the props. I was about 7 but will away rememder the good time we had
Awesome journey Captain I enjoyed your trip from stop to finish. I was always on the edge of my sit waiting for the next episode! Great to see you and Admiral Bridgett make it home safe! Thanks for sharing your journey!💪🏽💪🏽
This has been the best “series” to watch on TH-cam. Thanks so much for posting. I’ll be sure to watch more of your videos. My son will going off to college this August in St. Petersburg. It will be nice to get down to FL a few times a year.
Thank you
Thanks for the series. Very informative and entertaining. Sorry to hear about your hurricane damage. Good luck with everything.
Great trip.
What a great trip, congratulations to both of you.👍🙏
I have really enjoyed your channel and "Adventures..."
I can emphasize with the emotions involved, but it helped having watched some of the recent (in time) of your recovery.
Very nice job and such a great series of videos!!
Thank you very much!
you got me hooked watching this entire trip. Being from the Jersey shore it was fun to see my old stomping grounds. And now I find I have family just a few blocks away from you in Cape Coral. Very nice. keep up the good work.
Hello Brigitt and Tom, I always enjoy watching your videos. Thank you very much and greetings from Germany. We hope that we can also go to the ICW with our Prestige 440 Fly "Divina"in the next few years. We'll be on the lookout for you two. All the best to you and stay healthy!
Thanks and good luck to you too!
Awesome Journey ! I watched the whole thing .. Great Job
Very good video of the trip I really liked it. I saw more of the ICW in your lens and great narration as well. I do hope every resource of the government helped and assisted you during Ian. I experienced Ian as well from Daytona Beach, my home.👍
The government did nothing to help other than pick up the mounds of house debris in the front yard. Thankfully we have insurance to assist in rebuilding.
watched the whole trip. Funny that you needed to "learn" the names of the canals upon which you live. Yeah I wouldn't say the names either. Funny because you found amazing and incredible routes clear from 1800 mile ago. Loved getting to see the horizons I'll likely never see. I've long been wanting to be a looper and was thinking I'd make a little living fixing boats along the way. Your journey showed me that wouldn't work with the incredible amounts of places to get one repaired all along the ICW. Also proved my other theory correct. Fuel would be a no way. Wind also is a no way for me not that I don't like sailboats but to be completely reliable and self sufficient multiple propulsion source is the only true way. Thanks for filming and sharing every inch.
Diesel trawlers are very economical. Often getting 7 mpg. There is so much work out there for someone with mechanical experience- any experience quite frankly. We can’t find workers to fix our boats down here!
Welcome to Cape Coral! We love it here. Watch out for all the debris still in the canals.
Canals pretty good now. At least around us. A couple sunken docks you need to watch out for off to sides.
Lovely to see the end of your journey... such a shame what was to come with Ian for the whole area
Great series, excellent documentation. Glad you made it safely and survived Ian.
Awesome trip !!! I'm also a former Staten Islander !!
That was an epic journey. I enjoyed every video. Looking forward to your next adventure.
Brigitt, I can certainly understand the emotion you must be feeling. What connected me to the Adventures of Happy Ours channel was a search for Hurricane Ian's damage in your area. We have friends in the area. After I watched the first video, I recognized the channel's typical yellow highlights and have now watched I believe every one you and Tom have done. So I started by seeing your boat on your neighbor's lawn and just now watched today's video of you coming home for the first time. I had no idea it was just that beautiful pre Ian! So sorry for the damage, but it will be re-built and even more beautiful!! Keep the adventures coming so we can all watch them after shoveling snow here in the Northeast-hahaha!
Nice video. Sad to think of what's to come, but knowing the eventual outcome, it's all good. You made it, the boat is good, the new boat is good. You didn't get hurt during the storm. Looking forward to more/new adventures!
Thank you for sharing your adventure and congratulation on settling in to your new home. Very relieved that you and Happy Ours survived Ian intact. You'll be missed on the Hudson but the Croton Point 4th of July video lives on :-). Best wishes to you and the Admiral!
We will miss Croton also! Maybe one day we will return!
I just binged watched your trip vlogs all the way home and was wondering about Ian, then when you mentioned it, I was so sad to see that after over 1700+ NM of safe navigation, what Ian did to your gorgeous Merdian! I pray you recover quickly! I grew up in Charlotte County and now live in Tampa, this is the second time two powerful hurricanes were supposed to hit Tampa but turned into SW Florida, Charlie and Ian are tough lessons learned for waterfront and non-waterfront communities in Florida. Thanks for sharing all that great informational content! Capt. Dave
nice job filming what a great trip it must have been
What an adventure! Going to be hard to top it. I'm looking forward to future vids.
Funny... I was thinking it sounded just like something crawling, i was almost right 😜
Your trip was a great look into the ICW. I never knew there was a cross Florida canals and would like to see more about that leg of your trip. History, POI and significant touring places.
Either way thanks for taking me along with you your wife and your puppy.
After a long trip Tom right before Hurricane Ian I have something for you.
Hurricane clean up, or shovel snow. Looks like you guys are making the right choice.
Good series, hope you got through IAN ok
Working though it. Thanks.
Super inspiring series. You're part of what inspired me to drastically change my business. Shrank from 24 employees to 6, focused on cashflow properties vs. The hamster wheel of flipping 200 houses/yr. -- you showed that lifestyle is where it's at! Thanks a ton!!
Great series! Looking for more new ones!
Enjoyed the ride, best to you and Bridget in the future.
Welcome home!
I just finished watching this series and it has me dreaming about doing the same - though I'm in NC and would only have half the trip.
that's okay. That's double what someone else would have.
I've rented houses in that area 7 or 8 years ago. Once off Country Club and once on 57th street that I saw on your map. Really nice area. My favorite place to eat was at Duffy's. I'm still trying to catch up on your other video's.
Tom just found the series. Thanks for the time and effort to bring us along. Helps pass the long winter on LI NY till launch. Hoping the repairs go smooth and easy. Silly question how did u handle laundry underway?
Best wishes
When we stopped at marinas we did a load of laundry. Every week or so.
That was a weird sound on your hull indeed. My home marina is right above the Waterford flight, A series of five locks going down to the Hudson and Champlain canal . It’s always a drudge when we want to take a short trip down the Hudson. So glad you’re boat survived the hurricane in fair shape. good luck on future adventures
We know the flight well. We were at Schenectady yacht club for a year. We have a video series on the flight of locks th-cam.com/video/2jHOqPIiUvM/w-d-xo.html
I enjoyed all of your videos during your trip down the ICW. I live in the area of the Great Dismal Swamp so it was nice to see that area of water from a boat perspective. I hope that both of you are bouncing back from all of the hurricane damage. Bless you both, and may this New Year be good to both of you.👍😊
Yes , the sound is shrimp ! In the water , you can hear it as well when spear fishing or under water ! 😎🍺
Welcome to Florida cap. Sorry about the Hurricane 🌀
Loved the series, calm soothing voice made binge watching very easy. I myself live in upstate NY as well and often wondered about taking our 32 ft Doral on the same trip. Any idea on the amount spent on fuel???
About $10k.
This was sad to watch knowing what tremendous damage was done by Ian so soon after you recorded this. So much damage to that beautiful piece of paradise! God willing it never happens again.
Other shrimp such as mantis shrimp.
Glad you made it down safely and had only minor damage from Ian. Your videos were great and really informative! It could have been a lot worse. I'm shocked that your boat had so little damage actually. My question is, what would you do differently now that you saw what happened? I thought about tying lines across the canal to secure the boat away from the seawalls but with all the debris and other boats being washed by, it would be worse. No good way to tie just on one side. I want to eventually move down to Florida and actually live aboard my boat but it really worries me to go thru these hurricanes.
You bring up a good point about the lines across the canal. That may have made things worse as other boats washed through. ( At least 2 boats washed through and who knows how much other debris). What I would do different for next time would be to have my boat at my own dock. I had to keep my boat at my neighbors dock ad my dock had not been finished dock by the time the storm came. My neighbors dock pilings are smaller, shorter and without cleats. My dock pilings are stronger, twice the height and all have cleats to keep lines from slipping off in high water. I’m confident my boat would have stayed at my dock had it been completed before the storm. So next time, I’m doing the same thing, but safely at my own dock!
Great series. I'm planning a trip from Annapolis to NC taking your route. Curious about over all gas use and marina fees . Sorry about the storm. I'm in coastal NC and we get them every couple years. 😢
Our recap video will go over all the costs.
It will come back Tom just will take time
Loved the video. Question how much in total did the journey cost
Fuel costs were about $10k. For a complete cost breakdown check out this video: th-cam.com/video/yKMhOo-WDqo/w-d-xo.html
Ok here is a few question for the video, How many hours on water was the trip traveling? Not stopped. How much fuel? How many pump outs (i forget if you have a watermaker)
was the popcorn sour shrimp? sometime shrimp make a loud crackling sound.
Pistol Shrimp.
Excellent, I've followed your travel segments from your departure and now your arrival. There was a sailboat adjacent to you in Glover Bight. It was there a year ago and is visible in Google Maps. I was wondering if it survived the hurricane. None of the post hurricane video's panned over there. Lots of excitement to looking forward to. I'm watching the snow fall now.
One of our post Ian videos filmed that area. I need to go back and look at it. I don’t recall seeing any floating boats there immediately after Ian. You get a glimpse in the sea trial vid here-> th-cam.com/video/Katq18WZKwY/w-d-xo.html and towards the end of the canal tour vid here. th-cam.com/video/BxGevP9FDrg/w-d-xo.html
I watched both of those vids when you first posted them, watched them again. We'll be down next week, I'll see for myself. Keep up the vids!
Just heard that the Tarpon Point marina restaurant docks are partially repaired so dock and dine is available for the Mermaid, Pinchers and Marker 32.
Love the story and watching your adventures Did you guys meet at hunter mountain ? How did u end up state ?
We met at work. Brigitt lived upstate and I moved up when we got married.
Awesome ! I always learn something my boat mechanic was in Kingston . You taught me something about the Zinc plates and how you use a different type in brackish water . You guys are a great watch !
I have a little one bedroom condo in hunter. I do like going to the dmv in catskill in greene county you could be in and out in 15 mins . Im glad you have have experienced all kinds of boating environments . I primarily use my boat at the jersey shore every October i run it on lake george to flush my engine out well
how many hours on the engines for the whole trip? That's my question and my family is from Jamestown NY ,still have lots of relatives there.....what city you from I heard you say you worked NY city
I was born in Staten Island. Brigitt was born in Utica. I worked in NYC most of my career but slowly moved upstate towards the Albany/Saratoga area where Brigitt lived where we got married.
What is your background Captain? You seem very handy! I'm guessing mechanical engineering..
Long story, electronics engineering in college, 32 years telecom utility career and a lifetime gearhead and boater. You pick up a few things. The biggest being have the balls to just do it.
Will you move your boat to a hurricane safe harbor area next year?
Nope. Now that I’m have my dock completed I can secure it better.
Just curious, does anyone in your neighborhood rent out dock space? I have a 41’ Sea Ray.
Not that I know of. Dock space is hard to come by especially after the storm.
I noticed over the last few videos you haven't included your spreadsheet. I asked once for a copy and provided my email. Please can you forward a copy. Look forward to your further adventures
Please resend your email. I don’t recall seeing it. I’m putting together a recap video that will review the spreadsheet and analyze the trip in depth.
Why do you always add 2 feet to the depth charts?
The depth sounder is about 2’ below water on the bottom of the boat.
Are there alligators 🐊 in the canal ?
Haven’t seen any!
Hey brother just want to say I have thoroughly enjoyed your series of taking your boat from New York to Florida as I have previously told you all thru the 90s that is what me and my brother did for a living moving and delivering boats all up and down the east coast for peaple moving that didn't want to have to deal with what you did seriously wish TH-cam was around then also you've opened my eyes to looking at Meridians have a 98 38ft Carver that I'm looking to replace hope all your house repairs are going well after the storm finally have the permits to finish my dock that was destroyed looking forward to seeing more videos God bless you and Brigitte and welcome to Florida I'm sure you will see me comment again.
Thanks Chuck!