How I shipped my Beneteau 323 to the Sun

The full story of shipping your boat permanently to the Caribbean

[@muddyman00]

I am stunned of all the experience you got from sailing around. I´m wery pleased that you are sharing this with the rest of us. Sailing to the carabien is on my bucket list. Fair winds.

[@SailingGently]

Boats really have made my life so interesting and pleasurable and I really enjoy making the video so I suppose I am a very lucky person. Thank you for watching and I hope you get to the Caribbean!

[@Henry-fi9wp]

If you will make these excellent sailing tutorials, you can't complain when more people are buying boats!! Another great video,could hear the excitement in your voice.

[@SailingGently]

Your right Henry - sharing the fun of sailing is the way to go! So pleased you liked the video

[@stephendooley857]

Congratulations! I hope you have a great time over in the Caribbean. Thanks for all your Mediterranean knowledge.

[@SailingGently]

Thank you Stephen...

[@stephenburnage7687]

Your encounter with the submarine reminded me of a friend of mine, who collided with a British Navy submarine conning tower in a main channel of the Solent. The incident became the first prosecution by the Navy of a civilian vessel in over one hundred years. He reasonably argued that the submarine was submerged, so he was blaimless but the Navy response was that it does not make mistakes at sea. 😊. . His boats just had a scratch but was billed a few hundred thousand pounds in damages, by the Navy, which his insurer settled. Yet one more reason why insurance is increasingly hard to procure.

[@SailingGently]

I do wonder about our navy sometimes Stephen.. A frigate bashed into a german freighter in the channel, another hit coral (whilst anchored) in the great barrier reef, I was in Alderney when a fast patrol boat hit the harbor wall at speed .... and one managed to drift into tower bridge trying to turn round... All not very Hornblower or Nelson or Aubry???

[@stephenburnage7687]

@SailingGently When you sail down the Pacific Notth American coast (from Vancouver to Mexico), you encounter US Warships frequently, engaged in various training exercises. On C16 they will hail you, requesting you keep clear of them.. The impression I got was that the radio operators were barely older than 17 and the officers not much older 😀. So, the Royal Navy is not unique.

[@christopherhankins9792]

Absolutely brilliant video. Thank you for documenting your experience and sharing it with us. As painful as it might be for you To come face-to-face with an accounting of the exact full cost, I'd love to see the entire price breakdown of your one we shipping adventure. Marina stays well waiting to get loaded. Extra cost associated with flights and hotel rooms for your nephew to join. In the end I have no doubt it was worth every cent no matter the cost. Enjoy your winter in the Caribbean!

[@SailingGently]

Thank you so much Christopher! In order not to be upset, I never made a calculation of the total cost! However back in Europe for this summer I realise it was an excellent decision and if I calculate the time spent aboard and sailing the exercise was well worth while! I am getting up to 9 months use of the boat....

[@lts1888]

how exciting! great footage. thanks! ⛵😃

[@SailingGently]

Glad you enjoyed it - thank you for watching

[@astrayalien]

What an interesting start to a grand adventure. I am very jealous.

[@SailingGently]

Well I consider myself very fortunate to have the chance to do this!

[@yanassi]

Thank you, this was wonderful. Interesting also to see the motorboat also being shipped. I will follow this journey you are doing. Perhaps one day i may do an atlantic crossing if ever i buy a under 35’ boat. And i agree, age has some benefits but given the option i know we would love to not age after a chosen younger year.

[@yanassi]

As you are in your 60’s, i was wondering about the maintenance of a sailboat and the need to bring the mast down and up occasionally. I love the idea of “free” nautical miles and the beauty of sailing. But as an “older” guy without any boating experience (except an online educational course) the reality of a cabin cruiser seems much more convenient although more expensive per nautical mile for fuel. Would you sail or motor if you began your boating journey in your late 60’s? Enjoy the Caribbean, like you said you only live once.

[@SailingGently]

These days I pay people to fix things rather than doing it myself. The cost of running a motor boat is horrendous and to be safe you need 2 engines. Sailboats costs are generally far less. I would only go for a mobo on rivers or lakes. 60 is young to take up sailing... why not do a short course with a sailing school and see how it goes...

[@vajindertaak3158]

Just stumbled across this video which was very interesting, looking forward to more from the Caribbean.

[@SailingGently]

More to come! Now looking at Guadeloupe as a base

[@maesy6730]

that was absolutely fascinating. I admire your perseverance and energy. Have a wonderful time in your new paradise.

[@SailingGently]

Thank you Maesy Actually I need a 'mission' and so far this one has worked out OK. Going to look at Guadeloupe as an alternative

[@Captain-Paul]

Sounds a great idea - enjoy the sunshine. Very informative video thanks

[@SailingGently]

Glad you enjoyed it Capt Paul and found it useful

[@barbarianlife]

Enjoying your videos. Thanks.

[@SailingGently]

Glad you like them! Thank you for watching

[@Chardifications]

Enjoying your videos greatly. Very interesting and informative.

[@SailingGently]

Glad you like them! Thank you for watching

[@selmatrudellisailing]

Yes, i'm also enjoying. But it's friday afternoon and boat work awaits :-) Just viewed 20minutes. I'll have to watch the rest of the video later.... Thanks a lot!

[@SailingGently]

Thank you for watching so far! (I used to have an Elizabethan 31 - wonderful boat!) Enjoy your boat work...

[@talesofcanterbury42]

Hope all is OK Michael with the hurricane.

[@SailingGently]

Yes its fine - thank you. Other than heavy rain Martinique was not badly affected. Boat seems to be fine and I'm back in France!

[@tmog1000]

Thanks for this. I have been looking at shipping my yacht across for some time now, but I had no idea of the cost. So it might have to remain a pipe dream. Fair Winds.

[@SailingGently]

Tony the prices change all the time.. keep asking for quotes from all 3 main shippers. I think 12k is a possible price..

[@bennyhill3676]

I certainly understand your desire to escape the overcrowding here in Europe....

[@SailingGently]

To be fair Benny, the marinas are crowded and the more popular anchorages but there is always space and so many places... It's still easy to find idyllic spots

[@philmcmaster2770]

Well. They do say “ you’re only young once “ happy days.

[@SailingGently]

I'm told this is not a rehearsal!

[@RichieKeane]

Great video, best of luck with trip, if you don’t mind me asking ball park per meter how much was the shipping? Thanks in advance

[@SailingGently]

Richie hi, it was £18,000 but it varies enormously depending on world freight rates

[@RichieKeane]

@@SailingGently suppose that’s a 40ft container with all the handling. I assume it’s 10k in labour alone to have it delivered on keel so not bad if all works out. Was going to say you probably need more solar and lithium but if you have a permanent berth no need. Have an awesome time. Gives one confidence time is not a constant

[@wdahlstrom]

Yes how much did it cost to ship your 323?

[@SailingGently]

@@wdahlstrom it was £18,000 but it varies enormously depending on world freight rates

[@SailingGently]

Not quite like that... The shipping companies select a route and if enough boats are interested they charter a ship... The price per boat seems to depend on that charter price which depends on world trade shipping prices at that time.. Prices when I started were 12,000 but then came covid and the hike in oil and shipping costs

[@JJ-sq9sy]

Thank you for such a detailed presentation. We have learnt so much. We assume that you hold a French Passport. As British Nationals we assume that we would be limited to a 3-month stay in Martinique. Is that the case?

[@SailingGently]

My 'home' Boulogne sur mer and I have French residency with a British Passport. Martinique is outside Schengen so I'm not sure 90 days applies although 18o certainly does like everywhere else. The visa restrictions are pretty relaxed here but you would need to look on (English language) French government website. St Lucia is 25 miles south and ex UK colony with a good marina and yard at similar prices.

[@stephenburnage7687]

Insurance is becoming a big issue for cruisers. My Canadian insurer would not cover me for the US, and my US insurer wouldn't cover me for Mexico. Was able to buy third-party cover (only) in Mexico for Mexican waters only, and since then, i haven't had any cover. Moreover, i have not met any other long-distance cruiser in the last year who has any cover, either. That's a big issue for people with significant sums invested in their vessels but those of us with older boats are more relaxed about it.

[@SailingGently]

It is a problem... I toss up between dodgy insurers offering full cover at the same price as established insurers.. and just 3rd party.. All mine exclude US Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico

[@bennyhill3676]

I’d be interested to know what the atmosphere in the marina you’re moored up in is like? Is it friendly? Are there many living on their boats? Do the Brits tend to stick together? Are there many Americans there? Are there many French there? What type of people do you encounter whilst living in the marina?

[@SailingGently]

Great mix of friendly people although its 80% French. All the trades people and staff speak English. Lots of Canadian and American boats and always a few Brits... Not many permanent UK people but a flow of visiting boats... Some private french boat owners speak english but that's the exception! In St Lucia 25 miles south everyone speaks or is english and the same with Antigua 150 miles north

[@stephenburnage7687]

Funny that you mention that the English Channel ports are too crowded and that you are seeking the relative quiet of Martinique. Here in the (very quiet) Pacific side of Panama, cruisers grumble about the Caribbean being too crowded 🤔.

[@SailingGently]

Actually it is crowded here but there a thousands of anchorages and you can normally find a place to drop the pick! I think GPS and plotters has made boating easier and now all you need is dosh! But it is a wonderful pastime... I loved the Pacific and envy you!

[@stephenburnage7687]

@SailingGently I would agree with you but have also witnessed a lot of cruisers give up the lifestyle, as they hadn't figured on the amount of maintenance boats require (particularly in the warmer climates). Not everyone has the necessary appetite or skills and money only gets you so far.

[@SailingGently]

Ultimately its boring as well... I think that's why there are so many KZbinrs and if its not boring its frightening! Running costs are so high I agree... I have just replaced my furler as it jammed 2 days ago in 30 knots with all the genny out. That was challenging and the cost frightening!

[@stephenburnage7687]

@SailingGently The deal I have with my wife is that she joins me for the passages but I do the maintenance (which she finds boring) on my own. So far it is about 50:50 (maintenance : cruisjng).

[@stephenburnage7687]

Never understood why marinas do not offer opional (or even compulsory) 3rd party cover by the day (or duration of ones visit). That is standard for storage lockers (unless you can prove you have existing cover) so why dont marinas offer the same?

[@SailingGently]

Probably too late when you've bashed into something on the way in before checking n at the capitainary!

[@MrJoelkamins]

I am in Le Marin right now on my Lagoon 420... Its nice here, although I like Guadeloupe better.... Been watching your channel for a few years. Maybe I will bump into you at the dinghy dock sometime... FYI - Dominican Republic is a nice place to sail. Security is heavy coming into the ports. Wife and I felt safe there....

[@SailingGently]

That's interesting Joel.. I'm off to Guadeloupe in a day or two... partly to recce it and see if I would prefer to base the boat there. Yes I enjoyed the DR when I was here decades ago - spent a lot of time in Luperon.

[@MrJoelkamins]

@@SailingGently We are heading to Marie-Galante in a few days. It is the large island to the SE of Guadeloupe. It’s a quiet spot with nice beaches…. Safe winds….

[@SailingGently]

I hope to be sailing past you to bas du fort on tuesday! Fair winds

[@MrJoelkamins]

@@SailingGently I am currently 1/4 mile in front of you sailing into St Pierre…. haha…. We did cross paths…. I will look for you at the dock….

[@SailingGently]

How strange... I'm off back to Martinique but later in the low season will try Marie Galant. Looks great on the chart. Thank you for telling me about it... What's the name of your boat?

[@ratusbagus]

I enjoyed this vid just as much as I did last year, even though i knew who got the girl in ghe end. Why dont you let out your place in France and just live aboard?

[@SailingGently]

I have to get off the boat sometimes... Yes it was a compilation of 3 or 4 episodes edited down... Thanks for sticking with it!

[@hollieboptv2996]

did you ever consider the third company ( name i cannot remember ) but they allowed a crew member to stay onboard for the atlantic crossing , their vessel submerged and you just sailed in , anyone know the name ??

[@SailingGently]

There is a 3rd company Called Bas Bos Logistics whose web site is American but are actually a Dutch owned shipping company. DYT are also a subsidiary of a huge Dutch shipping company and like Peters and May offer deck cargo for boats but also have 2 semi-submersibles where I think the boats skipper can sleep on the ship during the cerossin if, if cabin space is available and at an extra charge...

[@747crab]

Just skimmed through this video but will properly digest later. Do you mention the price at all? If not, what were the costs please? Thanks.

[@SailingGently]

I talk about the marina prices but the shipping varies all the time depending on world freight prices... It cost me £18,000

[@theyshouldhavenevergivenme5439]

@@SailingGently Steep. Would it not have been far cheaper (and probably faster as well) to have someone sail her for you to Antigua?

[@SailingGently]

Absolutely not. I've sailed around the world and could have sailed her there myself. It was a judgement call. I've crossed the Pacific and Atlantic so I was not looking for an achievement simply the most cost/time efficient way of getting her there

[@allanedwards7756]

Super Michael, as always. Thanks

[@SailingGently]

@@allanedwards7756 Glad you liked it Allan!

[@hectorrios5402]

👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽💪🏾👍🍾🥂👌🏽🥳🥳🥳

[@SailingGently]

Thanks Hector 🍍

[@stephendooley857]

Congratulations! I hope you have a great time over in the Caribbean. Thanks for all your Mediterranean knowledge.

[@SailingGently]

Thank you Stephen... Glad you liked the video