Key West and Beyond

[@RoversAdventure]

Just got a dump of almost 2 feet of snow here in Prince Edward Island. The roads were closed and I couldn't get to the boat shed to work on the Wave Rover 650. Meanwhile you are enjoying one of those great sailing days with a beautiful sunset. Great video Kevin!

[@howtosailoceans1423]

Thanks Alan. We if it's any consolation, we have to deal with the northers down here from those big snowstorms up north.

[@junk_rig_sailor1698]

Time to crack on Alan

[@huntsail3727]

Fair winds, I'll tip back a pint of Guinness tonight in your honor mate. Living the life!

[@jdubya1517]

It was 19F this morning. You win.

[@ajax1137]

Beautiful water down there. Iguanas were falling out of trees so even you may have had a few cool days. You are a rolling stone that gathers no moss. You really don't stay anywhere for very long. :)

[@thecapn_uk8034]

Great video. It's month 4 of our usual 8 month winter here in the UK. Good to see some blue skies and fair winds.

[@nicktchoudov8785]

Well done Captain... 👍

[@diver0129]

I've gotten behind on your videos this winter. The great thumbnail got my attention though. I need to do some catching up!

[@romandecaesar4782]

So, a fender lashed to a mooring means it is taken, even though the boat is no where near or in sight? That doesn't sound too neighborly to say the least.

[@MrMichaelcurran]

I watch on this channel all kinds of boats and boat building some have enormous fan clubs. But damn, I just enjoy you and your 31er, gaff rigged, a true sailors sail boat. The only thing missing is a sun shot at high noon with a fine o’l sextant. Wind to your back from the NW, USA.

[@Stevecollinsclear]

Sailing off a mooring? WOW - in my past, I have always ‘backed’ the foresail by hand AT_the_§ame_as dropping the mooring. Can be down. Your way? simply walk that mooring bouy down to the stern? SO MUCH simpler & easier. Much respect

[@JimLongCO]

It's always fun to watch your videos👍

[@livingsimplytosimplylive6817]

What beautiful weather, that’s sunset is stunning.

[@allanhester1391]

Very enjoyable video Kevin. You are a master sailor and live an incredible lifestyle. Thank you for sharing :) AL Vancouver, Canada.

[@louisross9691]

I love your videos. Land dweller here but scuba in the Caribbean …it’s great when you give sailing explainations and tips…love it!

[@SoItGoesCAL34]

Thanks for sharing. Very nice to watch while having dinner :)

[@tonywrobleski5185]

Thanks for the great video

[@rontaylor4235]

Good one. Cheers

[@davidmoore5021]

Thanks for sharing

[@robertnixon3816]

Key west is so busy that it looks sort of stressful! Interesting way of sailing off that mooring ball. Learn something new every day! Great video again Kevin!

[@howtosailoceans1423]

Yes it is stressful sailing in and out, with all of the crazy traffic.

[@Onemoreguygettingold]

Thanks for another great and informative video.

[@xfoxtrotwiskeykilo995]

CHEERS !

[@TheRickpfarr]

Nothing better in winter watching Ruth Avery racing with the J70 fleet into the downtown key west harbor inJanuary. She belongs on the race course.

[@howtosailoceans1423]

Lol!

[@Early8Q]

I am hoping the philosopher might show himself in the Dry Tortugas, given that you sound like you aren’t headed to the Bahamas, where I was last aware he was seen. Keep the adventures coming with your own soundtrack, I love it! Fair winds and following seas!

[@chuckgollmar4882]

Ready about=== HARD A LEE You got your exercise on this run. Good Sailing

[@MrJackwork]

Thanks, as always.

[@hughtravels929]

Great video!

[@DowneastThunderCreations]

👍👍👍

[@colinboniface194]

It must have been chilly on the mooring. I noticed the lovely heat plume from the chimney... Those diesel heaters belt out the heat don't they...

[@howtosailoceans1423]

It can get surprisingly chilly down here when those fronts go through.

[@tanguygouillou2859]

Thanks Kevin for this fabulous video as usual. Simple life and sailing is the best way to go for and you inspired me to do so too. Fair winds ⛵️

[@UUBrahman]

Good.

[@ratusbagus]

So a fender on a mooring in the USA is like a German towel on a sunbed in the med?

[@secretsquirrel6308]

They are placeholders. As you provide example of the Getman towel, across the world there are different signs which all signify the same; This I have claimed, will be back soon. However they are only effective when others remain polite. Kevin did fine, and so did the other vessel. I'm talking of the less civil such as is evident elsewhere in these comments.

[@ratusbagus]

@@secretsquirrel6308 Agreed on your last point but I'd be pretty irked at not being able to stop because someone is hogging a mooring or a kerbside car space. It's not something I'd do to others. I either want to sail or moor......not both.

[@TerrydeAlaska]

I wonder if that someone had paid for a month rent on the mooring and was only out for an afternoon sail and came back to our dear Kevin on the mooring ....I guess they worked it out in the end....

[@ratusbagus]

@@TerrydeAlaska Then he'd find out when booking it or when the tenant returned. My mooring was clearly marked and obviously not in the visitor area. Of course the yanks may be different.

[@TerrydeAlaska]

@@ratusbagus Yea, a phone call could have solved it, but I think in some cases you are advised (maybe this case) to pick up any free ball and then dingy in and pay for your stay. Sounds like the system could be improved on somewhat, I mean, why wold someone leave a fender if they hadn't already paid and were not coming back? Glad I wasn't there...

[@robertcalifornia4821]

LOVE your Videos!! Thanks for the show & info!!

[@howtosailoceans1423]

Thanks for watching!

[@JR-fd8eq]

I love the content and look forward every time to see the next. You take care and please keep them coming. James

[@howtosailoceans1423]

Thanks for watching, James.

[@pipsqueak631]

Ah, my favorite so far since I have been in those Lower Keys water often. And thanks for the dingy beach. I can see myself using that in a few years. Once near Boca Grande, I was wind stranded for 5 days. The larger boats at the Dry Tortuga's were also stranded but many without freshwater or food so they hired a seaplane to deliver. My problem was time wasted on a two week vacation so read books to the point where I didn't read for a year. Lol.

[@howtosailoceans1423]

Interesting! I've seen those seaplanes, sometimes flying so low I thought they were going to land. Hiring a seaplane for groceries? That must have involved an up-charge.

[@harrycash8713]

Great video Kevin how much is a overnight morning there and I love your dingy what's her make

[@howtosailoceans1423]

$21/night, a little less if you go monthly.

[@MiQBohlin]

Hope you’re having a good time, m8!

[@howtosailoceans1423]

Oh yes, although the weather this past week has been challenging.

[@tomwaite4594]

Thanks Kevin for the motivational post this week...would it be possible to convey what it's like to sail in shorts and tee shirts to those of us left up North? Great footage as always...keeping it real!

[@howtosailoceans1423]

Lol! It's kinda like sailing on the Bay in June, not too hot, not too cold ...

[@tomwaite4594]

@@howtosailoceans1423 Oh! Now I remember...yes it's all coming back to me now

[@TerrydeAlaska]

Kevin, glad you finally tried the dinghy parking spot close to shopping at the store and save walking dragging your cart so far this time...cheers

[@howtosailoceans1423]

Hi Terry, yes, and you are responsible! I remembered from the last time we met.

[@TerrydeAlaska]

@@howtosailoceans1423 We didn't make it to KW this year and are north of Orlando in a small park. I do miss KW everyday though. I owe you dinner next time we meet...

[@howtosailoceans1423]

@@TerrydeAlaska Deal!

[@StemtoSternSailing]

I can understand why people who are commenting on my videos are amazed by the fact that I'm all alone sailing im ny local waters. Key west looked... stressful to me. Well handled as always Kevin. Best regards from Jarle

[@twistedrace6885]

Kevin , Good to see you back in Key West for a short stay It is always a fun town . I would sure like to know where that little short cut is for that win Dixie . For me I was off North Star for a week only to return to the boat with the bilge pump running none stop 24 hours a day...Ahhhh Yes , a boat surrounded by water that is trying 24 hours a day to find a way in to the boat. Fair Winds and Safe Sea's Robert North Star

[@howtosailoceans1423]

Hi Robert, you pass under the little bridge for Roosevelt Blvd, approx. 24 33.9N, 81 46.4W. It is quite shallow (about 1-2ft), so if you have a longshaft outboard, proceed slowly.

[@twistedrace6885]

Kevin , thanks for the info , I will go slow

[@DaveCollierCamping]

Cold nasty and wet here in Hampton Va.

[@howtosailoceans1423]

From what I hear the northeast is having quite the winter this year ...

[@DaveCollierCamping]

@@howtosailoceans1423 yes- Hampton has had 2 good snows so far.

[@legend343]

Flew in from Sweden to Florida a couple of days ago. Where’s your up to date position? If you don’t mind sharing🍺 Warren ⛵️⚓️🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿🇬🇧🇸🇪

[@howtosailoceans1423]

Presently in Newfound Harbor, Big Pine Key.

[@misterrick9734]

It’s currently 9 degrees where I am. :(

[@debdoyle119]

Trying to figure out where Boca Grande key is.

[@nitetrekker]

It's about 10 miles or so west of Key West.

[@ImnotChuck.]

Ahoy Kevin. Was your stop at Key West as brief as it seemed? Just a provisioning stop? Oh, well, better places call, I guess.

[@howtosailoceans1423]

Oh stay tuned, I'm actually back in Key West now, gearing up for attempt #2 at Dry Tortugas.

[@msf60khz]

Good video Kevin, very enjoyable. I was wondering why you have the Y of your topping lift quite close to the boom. I am fixing up a boat at the moment and was going to do the same system but have a much higher Y junction, so it controls more canvas and gives me greater top up. Also, do you use a low friction ring at the junction, or a thimble? Many thanks. david

[@howtosailoceans1423]

Yes my topping lifts are fixed spans, so I adjust it using tackle on the boom. There's no block there, just passes through an SS thimble. Probably I could shorten the spans some to allow me to top the boom up a bit further.

[@msf60khz]

@@howtosailoceans1423 Thank you Kevin.

[@cometjockeydave4041]

Have you ever considered taking on some crew, or is the whole point to go it alone?

[@howtosailoceans1423]

I prefer to sail solo.

[@pontoonrob7948]

Do you ever get to use the top'sl?

[@howtosailoceans1423]

I don't take the trouble to rig it anymore. She does quite well just under working canvas, even in the light stuff.

[@sailingsegundo4644]

Do you normally leave your boom to float up and down on a run? I also do not have a boomvang on my boat I keep a line on the boom to a block On the genoa track back to cockpit to hold it down and forward and it also works as a Jibe preventer . My thinking is when the boom rides up your spilling air And wearing out your gooseneck .

[@ratusbagus]

Think of the weight of the boom being pressure. I don't look at it as spilling wind, more a shock absorber protecting the mainsail. Kevin has the weight of a solid boom with mainsheet, no need for a vang.

[@howtosailoceans1423]

Depends on the conditions. In light and gentle conditions I usually don't bother, but when it's kicked up and she's rolling I'll rig a preventer, especially with the windvane engaged.

[@eyeofchorus6313]

Like folks think they can reserve moorings by leaving a fender? Why can't folks just live with their decisions instead of inconveniencing others and creating an issue?

[@secretsquirrel6308]

Its nor like that at all. Rethink your presupposition.

[@eyeofchorus6313]

@@secretsquirrel6308 Great. Please tell me, what is it like? Are they not trying to reserve the mooring? Really, I don't know; that's why I used question marks. Is it a rule of the/some marina/s that folks can reserve a mooring this way?

[@theoldsailmaker6408]

@@eyeofchorus6313 may be they already payed for it,got fuel or what ever🤔,if I payed for it I can still come and go,or?

[@eyeofchorus6313]

@@theoldsailmaker6408 Exactly, that's what I'm wondering about. Kevin didn't seem to mind taking it so what is one to think.

[@dannydonnelly8345]

The boat that came after you and claimed your mooring spot because there was a bumper tied to it, what is that all about? It sounds akin to someone putting an orange cone in an empty parking spot reserving it for themselves for whenever they need a parking space. Which of course is totally illegal and you can't do that. Were these people renting that particular mooring spot? If not what made them think they had any right to it?

[@hellkell8693]

I was wondering the same.

[@mhub3576]

Same here. But he did say that paying for the mooring gets you the dinghy dock, shower, and H2O spigot, so these people probably had paid for the mooring and therefore had dibs on it I speculate.

[@hellkell8693]

@@mhub3576 makes sense.

[@brienw8800]

crazy people think they can reserve a ball by leaving a crappy fender on it