Crossing the Gulf Stream to the Bahamas on a Tartan 37 Sailboat Marathon to Morgan's Bluff S1Ep12

[@dannyb6968]

Great job doing this video. It is very helpful for a Wanna be, some day sailor. Thank you for sharing.

[@Funonholiday]

You're welcome!

[@brentm8161]

Thanks for the videos. I am learning a lot!

[@kimtanner26]

Enjoying your adventures. We have a 37 Tartan also!! sv Stella Maris.

[@Funonholiday]

Glad you like the videos! Where do you all sail Stella Maris?

[@svragnarok7665]

So glad to hear the autopilot did it's job! Enjoy the Bahamas!

[@justincutts9529]

Love the safety segments. What keeps the hatch and slats in place if a knock down occurs? Life raft or dingy if sinking?

[@Funonholiday]

Thanks! Barrel bolts are what we would use if out in knock down type conditions. Tartan 37 has a very low entry to the companion way, so we definitely add slats as seas and/or winds rise. Currently the dingy is our "sinking" option. I would get a life raft if we started "voyaging" outside of accurate forecast windows (passages greater than a couple days). We are very picky about our weather windows.

[@tamesoud]

Great video. Thanks for sharing this. I'm thinking about an autopilot, still happy with the autopilot? Until now I only looked at Raymarine, but this seems a better option.

[@Funonholiday]

Yep, CPT is still doing great. It's definitely what I had hoped it would be.

[@tamesoud]

Sounds good. Now I have to figure out how to mount it on my boat. Happy sailing!

[@Funonholiday]

Give CPT a call. They walked me through taking the measurements and figuring out what spacers I needed, mounting position, etc.

[@tamesoud]

I sent them an email already. I like the simplicity of this thing, hope I can make it work.

[@ronniejones981]

How did you make out for the hurricanes? That old 70's era evinrude seems to push you along well, you must have alight dingy.

[@Funonholiday]

All good. We are currently hauled out for a bottom job in the Tampa Bay area. Hoping to be back out cruising within the month. The Evinrude did great until it broke down at Highbourne Cay (a couple more episodes after this one). We ended up getting a new Yamaha 8hp out of Nassau. But yeah, the 6hp is plenty for a Portabote.

[@ronniejones981]

I have a 4-stroke 6 horsepower but was wanting to get a 9.9 horsepower. Any recommendations on 2-stroke vs. 4-stroke

[@Funonholiday]

Ours have both been 2 stroke due to their lighter weight. We are on the borderline of what the Portabote can handle. A 4 stroke of similar hp would be too heavy. If weight weren't an issue, we'd just as likely have a 4 stroke.

[@levijohnson460]

what software program are you using for AIS?

[@Funonholiday]

We use OpenCPN

[@levijohnson460]

@@Funonholiday thanks. Do you need Wi-Fi for it to work?

[@Funonholiday]

No, it's a free open source software chart plotting program that a lot of cruisers use. All charts are downloaded so they can be used offline. The AIS and gps are connected to the laptop by USB in our system.

[@levijohnson460]

@@Funonholiday I am looking at the tartan 37 to buy. I want Bluewater boat. I am not fond of the layout though. I like the center cockpit with the captains quarters in back so I am researching an affordable Bluewater boat with that layout

[@Funonholiday]

Totally understand on the center cockpit with the aft cabin. Nice features. Good luck with your search.

[@mksdad]

I like your hair.

[@Funonholiday]

Thanks!

[@levijohnson460]

Do you ever have a problem keeping your tablet charged with gps on at sea? I imagine you used a gps device to connect to laptop

[@Funonholiday]

The 12v charger keeps it at 100% with GPS going and the screen at the brightest setting. Never any problems. GPS puck connects to laptop via USB. It receives signal through the cabin ceiling.

[@levijohnson460]

@@Funonholiday and your solar power panels keeps the battery bank charged completely.

[@Funonholiday]

Yes, our power system is very balanced. 300 watts solar, an mppt charger, and 240 amp hour battery bank. Main power draw is the refrigerator. Batteries stay above 50% almost always.

[@levijohnson460]

@@Funonholiday wouldn't it be better to have a secondary way to charge such as a wind generator? To ensure batteries are always charged even on cloudy days? Sorry for stupid questions.

[@Funonholiday]

Sure, it would be better but wind gen is pretty expensive, install a little complex, and a little noisy. We've never needed one so haven't taken that plunge yet. The most inconvenience we might have is not to charge our laptop if we've had 3 completely cloudy days in a row (that's happened like 5 times in 3 years). We keep things as simple as possible on Holiday as a general rule.

[@Darkwell0071]

Yet you go forward without clipping onto the jack line. That’s like not wearing your seat belt.

[@annafraley5388]

Wondering, if & when you hail a Cargo Ship 🚢 , are they as diligent to Retur your call as the Passenger Ships 🛳 are.?? 🤷🏻‍♂️ Asking for a friend 🤣😂 No, really, my husband flew night freight, and at least in the last millennium, freighters really didn’t care... Pax plane, atc, what’s the ride like in front of us? ATC, I’ll ask the freighter 30 miles ahead of you... Boxhauler this is atc, how is your ride?? Boxhauler, our coffee cups aren’t spilling.!! 😎👍✅

[@Funonholiday]

They aren't as likely to answer, but if you have their name and stay at it, they will eventually.

[@annafraley5388]

@@Funonholiday ... That figures, for sure. In aviation you Have to answer back wether tramp freighter, good freighter or airlines. And English is the standard language, although THAT and five dollars will get you a cup of coffee.!! Hey, are you guys going to be Ok with Elsa.??? 🤷🏻‍♂️

[@Funonholiday]

Yes, all looks good. It's a good ways north of Holiday plus the north side of this one is the worse side. Don't think southern Grenada will have much wind at all.

[@annafraley5388]

@@Funonholiday ... Good to know, that is just how we see it on radar to at this time, Now in a few days (at This point) they show it coming right up through us..😱🤔