Cruising the Caribbean 27 Things we Didn't Know! | Sailing Balachandra E067

In this video, Cruising the Caribbean 27 Things we Didn't Know!, We get down to business once again as we cover the most outstanding do-overs or if we could do it again, what would we do differently! We cover a variety of things from the Dinghy to provisioning, Mistakes, Tips, and Secrets we learned from the HARD WAY and now you can befit from our mistakes and be better prepared than we were for your Caribbean Sailing. #doovers #DIY #caribbeansailing #liveaboard #sailingchannel
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In August of 2017 we sold everything and moved aboard Balachandra, a 1986 C&C44 sailboat, then sailed it over 300 nautical miles to Halifax Nova Scotia to spend a cold Canadian winter in the frozen waters of the North Atlantic. Sailing Balachandra is our KZbin sailing vlog inspired by other great channels such as Delos and La Vagabonde, which documents the sailing adventures of myself and my partner Nawal as we navigate the globe. We also dive into lots of DIY boat projects both above and below decks, and share with you all of the pros and cons of living aboard full time. Sailing Balachandra is published weekly so please subscribe so you don't miss out on future videos!
This video was shot with equipment from Optrix by Body Glove, Nikon, Apple, GoPro, and Polaroid
Opening Theme Music:
License Info: Beautiful Story / Taketones.com
Used with a Paid Licence / Permission PURCHASED MUSIC: LINK: taketones.com/track/beautiful... LICENSE N: TTEXTENDED157339559892860327 EXTENDED
Special Thanks to our Cuban friends Group Nucay for giving us permision to use to use their album "Tropicalissimo" throughout our KZbin series.
Other Music: the KZbin Music Library
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Instagram: / sailing_balachandra

[@KandiSueTheBlue]

A watermaker is a MUST. Tainted water is a big problem for long term cruising. Fresh water just makes everything about cruising better, no going to a dodgy dock, safe drinking water, clean clothes, wash salt off puppy etc. Also instal the biggest anchor (Ultra) you can fit.

[@andypag1071]

Tie stuff on to your wrist when you dive on your hull. It will save you losing scrapers and forceps etc.

[@philiporourke7896]

Its a good to wash the glue off those cans, the roaches love that stuff.

[@stevenwatsham5973]

They are called fins!.. Flipper was a Dolphin.. Greetings from Blighty..

[@Beekeeping_Bro]

If I can add some emergency tips : Two-part epoxy for patching For above or below the waterline use and can be applied underwater, thru hull Emergency Bungs/Plugs, rigging emergency rudder plan, heavy duty bolt cutters if rigging fail, heavy duty water pump X 2 .....

[@tedmroyer]

Very helpful. Thank you.

[@larrysperry1200]

Excellent video with a lot of good info. Fair winds and thanks so much.

[@t147han]

You need a magnetic pen.It looks like a pen,extends like a aerial.has a strong magnet on end.I have had one of these for 30 years.

[@stephenthompson401]

Great info, thanks. A suggestion for the weightbelt - Get one with pockets that you fit pouches filled with lead shot into - easier to adjust the weight on the belt, and the shot pouches don't chip the gelcoat when you put them down.

[@mathewdavis-adventuresandd6643]

Thank you. Always a good idea to listen to people that have been there and done that.

[@schonique]

I moved back to the Mainland for about a year now. Thank you for showing the Blue Hotel 🏨 in Frederiksted. 😊

[@michaelfoster6]

Thank you. So nice to find useful information. Be well! Safe travels!

[@lobotomyboy666]

I've watched this video several times and have stocked up my Amazon shopping cart based on this information. Excellent work!

[@steveangell4426]

Lots of good info. Thanks for sharing. Fair winds..

[@zenaarchibald5257]

Lots of great info, it’s a huge learning curve so much to consider

[@sailingavocet]

Great video you guys! :) You live and you learn!

[@ketchingmy2ndwindonsvchops459]

Terrific video and extremely helpful. Keep them coming and thanks for sharing your adventures!!!⛵😎

[@lets_go_see_]

Thanks loads. Very good advice.we can all learn from one another.

[@dennybe]

Heck yeah, guitar strings!

[@clayfarnet970]

Great info. Thanks!

[@allanrheaume5549]

Your best video yet!

[@steveonderko3275]

very useful thank you

[@japc4326]

All great ideas..and suggestions..

[@fissh29]

Thanks guys...added 2 more things to my knowledge bank...favorable winds!

[@derrickclemons2862]

Great info for future cruisers. Thanks so much...

[@Intothemystic2025]

Great video guys! Really good information ....

[@donnykincaid8133]

Good information 👍

[@thefreshprinceofbuckingham6096]

Try 'Elixer' guitar strings, they have a nanoweb coating which basically makes them rust proof. Fantastic strings. Will save you money in the long run.

[@SailingBalachandra]

I’ve seen them but never purchased- I’ll probably have to order some online. Thanks so much!

[@saethreehondas]

Awesome to see some Novi's on a big adventure. Looks like a C&C too?! Great stuff and keep it coming!

Very nice video, super useful.

[@tartansailor]

I took good notes of your recommendations as I am planning my own trip for next year. Cheers, Richard

[@sailingavocet]

stay safe out there ~

[@israelistone2828]

Just found the channel Love It!

[@paulabeattie8565]

Great information, thank you. We are packing for a Monday deadline to ship a 4 cubic foot crate to the 44' boat we purchased currently in Grenada. We are due to leave in October so it should arrive before we do.

[@TowBoatSam]

I love y'alls videos

[@philandlyra3365]

Sounds good to me, I’m subscribed now

[@andersmorberg2591]

Great tips

[@tvonzweck]

Great video, screw the you are "too skinny" comments. Your metabolism is yours metabolism. Good suggestions. I just upgraded the dinghy but had not thought about adding to chain to the anchor. A hooka set up with a full size tank is nice thing have to aboard for below waterline problems, changing zincs, bottom cleaning etc... And really are not that expensive.

[@SailingBalachandra]

Agreed- friends here have a hooka and it's very very useful. I'm looking to borrow it to grease our folding prop

[@GeoffreyMH]

Also very handy in the Caribbean are a washing dolly (or "posser") and a windscoop

[@dapooramericanhomesteadfar7192]

I know nothing about sailing. Never been on a boat, but I would not spend anything in my budget until I secured a water maker.

[@SailingBalachandra]

Yes, we want one too

[@frankschannel2642]

Those surgical instruments are properly called Kelly clamps, and may explain why you seemed to have trouble sourcing them.

[@shandur5660]

Nice

[@thomasjarvill5157]

! 1. water maker 2. more powerful engine in your dingy. 3. a lot of sunglasses. 4. translator app on your phone.

[@KiteSurfPuntaCanaSchool]

Hey my DR flag is pretty beat up LOL!!! great video...thanks for sharing all these good tips!! Cheers!!

[@svapaulag9104]

Hope all is well

[@pumpupthevolume4775]

Text list in the description would be nice.

[@jerrybarrett6376]

Live life large, sail until you can’t!🐻

[@sailingavocet]

YES!

[@richardfulmer5279]

Lots of good info. The background music was irritating

[@Vis4vinny]

❤

[@cathywhite9240]

Very informative and enjoyed my Blue Nose friends. Very brave too, considering the piracy that's happening in the Caribbean. Anything you want to add to that. For the most part, any deterrents like travelling w other boaters? This Torontonian, have subscribed.

[@SailingBalachandra]

Good question- for the most part we haven't heard of any recent pirate attacks on cruising boats here in the Eastern Caribbean since the beginning of Covid, however there have been a couple local fishing vessels that were harassed at gunpoint by Vennezulian pirates. They were far off shore at the time. They say that if you travel from Grenada to Trinidad fhat you should travel as a group or get a navy escort. Trinidad is still closed due to covid so no one is going there now. People we know have sailed from Grenada to Curacau recently without any problems. Also from Curacau to Columbia.

[@cathywhite9240]

@@SailingBalachandra IF FURTHER INFO ON GETTING A NAVAL ESCORT IS TOO DETAILED, ANY CHANCE YOU COULD POINT ONE IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION? THANK YOU

[@symphonyfarm2009]

Elixer guitar strings.....they are covered in gore tex!!!

[@cargillgrouphypnosis]

So, we are selling the houses, and buying a boat, going to retire, etc, etc. you mentioned curtesy flags??? could you explain what, why and when?

[@SailingBalachandra]

When you enter a country by sea it is customary and sometimes manditory to fly that country's flag, typically in the rigging, to show customs that you have been cleared

[@cargillgrouphypnosis]

@@SailingBalachandra Thank you for the quick reply.

[@macgyver5276]

Bro does this guy eat? I know cruising sometimes requires a tight budget but you gotta eat!

[@jerrybarrett6376]

When are you two returning to Halifax? Sea 🌊 Smoke is open now. Order my books on Amazon “The Chosen Ones Oglala Warriors”. You will like the adventure, and Native Indian Culture. 🐻

[@SailingBalachandra]

We’ll probably make our way back once hurricane season is over but we’ll be touring all of the windward and leewards first, then Puerto Rico and possibly Cuba on the return trip!

[@jerrybarrett6376]

Sailing Balachandra Be safe, watch out for bad weather and each other, live the dream! Buy my books and take another adventure with the Lakota Indians. They do some rafting Book 2 and 3. God Bless and smooth sailing ⛵️

[@stinkintoad]

Get at least a 15 hp dinghy outboard!

[@billhanna8838]

No mention of rum ????

[@skiyalater626]

*****DIP CANS IN WAX, you can even leave the labels on.. they will not rust for a very long time, if ever

[@SailingBalachandra]

That is Brilliant, thanks!!

[@GUNNER67akaKelt]

And I would think that would keep the cockroaches from hiding in the labels.

[@Rooboy-619]

Omg, feed that guy. If I were able to breath in his direction he would fly away.

[@edm9704]

Please do not use drums or music as a background sound track. I want to only hear your voices and the ambient sounds.

[@slickwillie3376]

A boat is a hole in the water that you shovel money into.

[@SailingBalachandra]

Lol yeah....

[@davidcutter1030]

Perhaps one of the things you shouldn't have done is add a "click track" to your video. I had enough after 53 seconds.

[@ppapdddar6159]

Your videos really pack a lot of useful information. I hope you don't find this comment disrespectful, and I apologize upfront if you do. But Daniel, you are WAAAAAY too thin buddy, it seems borderline anorexic even. Who cares about the looks, but just make sure you are getting all the nutrients and vitamins that your body needs to stay healthy.

[@SailingBalachandra]

Thanks. My mother is telling me this every day :)

[@jwsdias]

Speak slowly bro, tks

[@antoinepageaud4316]

Incredibly usefull, many thanks