Dinghy Cruising: Four Days on a Wayfarer in the Upper Indian River, Florida

[@kristianjensen753]

Thank you for taking us along on your trip. It was inspiring.

[@jonathanshemwell2458]

Thank you, Kristian.

[@kennethkuhl1188]

Very nice trip. Thank you for sharing

[@jonathanshemwell2458]

Thank you for watching!

[@hearsejr]

Kewl video. I did a similar trip way back when I hot dumped right out of high school except I used a beat up old sunfish, sailed the Pamlico river. It was not the smartest thing I ever did. But I lived through it. That was in 1986, and no sailing experience, no cell phones, and 8 days living on beanie weenies, potted meat, crackers, nabs, and coca cola is probably a bad example of planing but it worked out for me.I want to do a better more planned out and longer trip. This time with a camera, vhf, charts, a compass, and a destination in mind. Lol. How good did the tent set up work? I'm trying to plan a similar cruise on a small 13.5 ft dinghy very similar to your wayfarer. I'm hopeful that I can have the boat ready by next spring, and either do a very early summer cruise or a late summer cruise when it's not so hot out that you spontaneously burst into flames. Lol. I was thinking of trying to get a custom tent made so it hung from the boom, but has ends to help keep rain and spray out at night. Also I started building solar powered running and anchor lights, and solar lights for lighting the boat when you Atmore in the Anchorage and setting up for the night. I would live to hear any advice on stuff like VHF radios, gps trackers for folks that want to keep tabs on you when there is no cell service, and water storage tips.

[@jonathanshemwell2458]

I am glad the video inspired thoughts of further trips, and you should go for it! Tent works VERY well, the key to success being a line or strap all around the boat just below the gunwale that you can tie the tent to. See Dan Roeder's video "Making a Boat Tent" for much more information.

[@hearsejr]

@@jonathanshemwell2458 awesome thanks. I will look for that video later today. I appreciate it.

[@rodneyjordan6745]

Thanks for such a wonderful video.

[@jonathanshemwell2458]

Thanks and fair winds.

[@tjluke6903]

Great video. Awesome sunsets! And it was very cool seeing the cars go above you while you sailed under that bridge.

[@jonathanshemwell2458]

Thanks for commenting. We were lucky with the weather. And when are you coming here to sail with us?

[@AnnetteVideos]

Looks like fun!

[@jonathanshemwell2458]

Thanks for commenting, Annette.

[@krzysztofkozarzewski4087]

What a great video! I enjoyed it so much. Thank you for sharing

[@jonathanshemwell2458]

Thank you Krysztof. I myself enjoy watching these types of videos, so it is gratifying to know you enjoyed it. Hopefully others will as well.

[@karenncharlieshemwell8847]

Great video, Jon. I like that you included the satellite view map. Looks so serene and beautiful.

[@jonathanshemwell2458]

Many thanks for this. It really was.

[@bwbpeterson]

Loved watching this! Such an adventure! Do you encounter any alligators sleeping along the coast?!

[@jonathanshemwell2458]

It is all salt water, so few alligators, but I have encountered some in Mosquito Lagoon. Lots of Dolphins and many birds.

[@solitudeandsailing]

Pretty cool adventure you went on.

[@jonathanshemwell2458]

Thanks. Lucky to do it with my son. And fortunate with the weather.

[@geoffadams5004]

Enjoyed watching this very nice video. Do you base in Florida? I am in Panama City area. Would it be possible to meet and see your boat up close. Planning to build small dinghy and sail some of Florida myself. Have never seen a wayfarer in person, perhaps glean some ideas on setting up to cruise from yours? Geoff

[@jonathanshemwell2458]

Sorry for the delay, and I would be glad to meet you Geoff. Over the last two years my family and I have spent Thanksgiving in PCB at the state park and sailed from there. If we do it again this year, let’s plan on meeting up there and taking the boat for a spin. In the meantime I hope you have joined the West Coast Trailer Sailor group on Facebook, where you will learn much (as I have).

[@lawsonst3v3]

Did you get your reef points installed by a local Florida sail maker?