Offshore to the Caribbean: Misadventures, Meanderings, no Trade Winds

[@svgenie3295]

The best sailing channel......didn’t have to watch any videos about how he cleaned out his apartment and decided to sail around the world bla bla bla.........great videos from an actual sailor..........keep up the awesome videos 👍🏻

[@howtosailoceans1423]

Thanks for that, fair winds mate...

[@wesrichards6168]

Totally agree, just sailing. check out Patrick Laine's vids, very good too.

[@spymaine89]

drones very good shots your boat is wonderful,

[@peternairn4474]

Great navigation to drone, 👏thanks again Some great shots of the boat there

[@dougsmith7580]

I like that from as high as you fly the drone there is nothing in any direction but water. What a beautiful view !

[@arekkaniewski4442]

Great video, especially the graceful drone shots. We sail a Tayana and I partial to the double ender. What a great functional boat you have. Love the gaff rig.

[@kevinkinsella7815]

Thank you

[@seandenny2412]

The drone footage is so cool it shows the real swell of the ocean that you can’t see unless you’re on it even when you’re taking pictures from the boat it’s not the same as a different or a higher point of you

[@benthrelkeld4929]

Enjoyed the drone footage!

[@tomwaite4594]

Your best footage to date showing what a real passage is like! The closing shot reminds me of my favorite quote based on 40 years as a professional sailor ( sailboat) "Beyond All Things Is The Sea" Seneca Merry Christmas

[@howtosailoceans1423]

Great quote, had me straining with my high school Latin to try and construct the original ... thanks for tuning in Tom, and Merry Christmas!

[@legend343]

Fantastic video thanks for sharing. I love your way of showing us what’s life is like for you at sea.,,! No music drowning out the sound of the sea Warren s/y Legend MERRY CHRISTMAS TO YOU

[@massoud999]

Cool old school sailing

[@richardbohlingsr3490]

Nice perspective from the drone. She looks real pretty from above. Looks like your past the heavy weather and the sun is shining and the seas are calm. Happy sailing.

[@hanfordcreek5309]

Thanks Kevin, I really like your vlog, an actual sailing vlog that's all "sailing" !

[@pdutube]

Wow, that was great footage, the water looked absolutely blue and the sails cut really nice sharp lines. The old gaffer is in her element for sure!

[@donaldl.blandjr.6442]

Ahoy Kev, I am thrilled to see someone else in today's ( precarious ) electronic world who still knows how to "navigate" & practices those arts ! Kudos kiddo !

[@howtosailoceans1423]

I try to take a few sights now and then to stay in practice. It is very easy to get lazy with GPS.

[@zippy1911]

It would be cool if you could show a screen shot of your location on a map when you give your Coordinates so we can see your progress along the way.

[@MrRourk]

Like Rodger on Minging II :)

[@howtosailoceans1423]

Indeed, have to figure out how to film that effectively ..

[@toecutter3591]

when he calls out his coordinates I go to the map and try to find it as practice for when I go sailing

[@jamieminton172]

@@toecutter3591, I don't have charts but I do have a large globe that I do the same thing with. I can get down to the minutes, but the seconds are a bit of guess work. It is a fun exercise and keeps the old mark one computer working. ;)

[@flybird141]

@@howtosailoceans1423 If you have any kind of a tablet or phone navigation app (zoom in or out) and then you just take a screen shot:)

[@RH-lz3om]

Well done. These are great videos. You demonstrate proper seamanship. Thanks! Amazed the drone still works well after a dunking.

[@Strippz]

Nice..really liked the drone footage. Glad all worked out and you didn't have to wander about looking for the MIA drone. Fair winds.

[@crismoore6811]

I admire you. With days of high wind and big waves you stay so positive. Best channel / excellent sailor.

[@Maddie-Girl]

Ahoy from canada kevin I have to say your yacht has the most beautiful lines I have seen in a long time it’s to bad they wouldn’t make new boats look like yours she s a fine piece of art stay safe my friend

[@howtosailoceans1423]

She's blushing ... thanks for tuning in, and Merry Christmas!

[@jerrywilliams986]

Wow Kevin, you must have a lot of irish ancestry. What luck to find that small drone! The aerial video was tops, well worth the aggravation you had. Ruth Avery looked really smart. By now you're in USVI and enjoying 'restoration' mode after a tough passage. Merry Christmas and more videos in the New Year!

[@howtosailoceans1423]

Yes, I got some decent video, but I just purchased a new camera for the drone since the gimbal failed on the old one (it's all one piece). Hopefully will get more footage, but aggravation is a good word for my experience with it so far. On a more cheerful note, Merry Christmas! And smooth sailing for 2019

[@Zeb70]

greetings from the great white north. love your videos, very informative and gives me hope for myself next year. hope your having a great xmas!

[@seickhorn]

Nice look at the boat there at the end !!

[@dallasdelay3468]

You make it look easy

[@sailingdevonscoast]

Hi Kevin, I've just managed to catch up to your latest video after finding your channel 4 days ago. Just want to say you are an inspiration to people like me (only just started learning to sail this season). Love your mixture of content, and watching your videos always puts a smile on my face, especially with your closing footage on this one.

[@howtosailoceans1423]

Merry Christmas and fair winds for 2019!

[@rodgrainger9487]

Once again, another awesome video. Thank you! My favourite sailing channel.

[@howtosailoceans1423]

Merry Christmas Rod, and thanks for tuning in..

[@reloadncharge9907]

Enjoyed the video! Nice drone imagery.....with the lack of wind you had plenty of practice time! Andrew

[@tomkellum6754]

Nice aerial of Ruth Avery. Sailing ship at sea no greater sight to be at least for me. Merry Christmas, take care,

[@howtosailoceans1423]

Merry Christmas, Tom, and glad you enjoyed the sailing footage ..

[@newfsareus]

Safe travels.

[@georgecanakis1075]

Beautiful footage with the drone it really shows the beauty of your boat. She sails proud. I really enjoyed it thank you cheers and enjoy.

[@howtosailoceans1423]

Thanks and Merry Christmas George..

[@paulmorris7603]

Love the drone shots of the boat sailing. Seems like a challenging passage. Looking forward to the next episode.

[@DeeCeeTheGreat]

10:54 That look you give when you just gave a mind blowing tip but wonder if they really "Got" what you were saying. While the entire time thinking, to your self, they will find out for themselfs soon enough... :) ALSO,... I would like to see this, 10:34 drone video footage you spoke of... edited of course, :)

[@howtosailoceans1423]

The edited footage is at the end. I shall have more to say about this drone in time ..

[@Mike-zs4id]

The drone footage is spectacular! Hope you enjoyed the view of Ruth Avery too. Stay safe and merry Christmas!

[@49otterhound]

Nice drone recovery and the footage is excellent. Love those double ended cutters!

[@howtosailoceans1423]

So glad to hear everyone is enjoying the drone footage, 'cause it was a white-knuckled flight ... Merry Christmas and fair winds

[@PaulusPHM]

You gave me the best Xmas present with your upload... thank for a great other report of the travels... Happy Xmas... Great cinematography...

[@howtosailoceans1423]

Merry Christmas mate! And thanks for watching ..

[@PaulusPHM]

Love it what you are about, in fact your travels make me change my mind to go back to old style sailing. Currently sailing OVNI 445, but .... i guess I will make the step into the future back to nature..

[@pfeif1312]

Great drone footage, boat looks great!

[@garytherrien1675]

love the drone shots, good job

[@StemtoSternSailing]

Thanks for your reply..... I've never used a sculling oar so I was just a bit curious. I think it is very impressive that you are sailing without an engine, that requires more skill than I hope to obtain. Best of luck on your voyages.

[@stottcarleton1624]

Hi Kevin.....great video as usual.....awesome drone footage.....I sure appreciate your work.....thanks....Stott

[@jerrystott7780]

That's odd, your first name is my last name.

[@kitschuetze5692]

I enjoy your updates.😀

[@DavidDavid-pc1fu]

Really nice drone footage for that first shot ! Well done :D

[@jimmyhvy2277]

Ahoy Kevin , the view from the Drone really shows the action of the Ocean , a lot better than on the Boat Filming does . i have always been disappointed with how calm the Ocean looks when Ive Filmed on the boats . Good work :)

[@mrc1539]

I’m amazed that you found your drone . I remember practicing man overboard drills years ago on a 33 ft Pearson , with two of us and it’s really hard to do . Needless to say we quit using life jackets as targets and found things that were disposable and would sink after awhile. Your drone shots looked great , and really like the way the boat looks under sail. Stay Safe and Fairwinds ! 😉 !

[@howtosailoceans1423]

Yeah, amazing how easily things get lost on a wide ocean, even if they are painted orange, another reason to stay on the boat. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

[@joebowker1998]

I’ve recently posted a link of your Chanel to the southern cross owners association Facebook page. Love your videos! I would like more detailed info on the self steering setup. I own SC 31 Carra Barbra hull #134

[@howtosailoceans1423]

For more information on the self steer, go to my website: www.boothbyboats.com, click on Boat Projects, then Build your own self-steering windvane.

[@zerofox7347]

It's nice to see you 're smile back haha! Hey I was wondering if you have ever considered a Dodger thy seem to be very useful on smaller vessels in bad weather even at anchor when checking around?

[@howtosailoceans1423]

Yes, I have, but the placement of the boom gallows makes it a rather tricky installation.

[@emilybh6255]

I'd say those overhead shots of your pretty boat under full sail and you in the cockpit are worth what you paid for the drone - at least.

[@MiQBohlin]

Loved to see that handclap for synching purpose 🎬

[@howtosailoceans1423]

I now do that out of habit, even when I'm using the camera mic so not necessary... sometimes it doesn't quite get cut it out in the edit

[@sprintphoto]

Merry Christmas

[@dallasdelay3468]

Roll with it

[@richard21995]

Hi Kevin, just wondered what is the furthest latitude South you would be able to sail with Ruth Avery ?

[@howtosailoceans1423]

Had to look it up .. the furthest south I've been with Ruth Avery is Auckland, NZ (36 S).

[@914va]

Great vid....Merry Christmas!

[@deborahdoyle6743]

Is that a southern cross with a gaf rig?

[@howtosailoceans1423]

This is indeed, the only one so far as I know..

[@deborahdoyle6743]

How to Sail Oceans I think your right about that. Looks like she sails really well. Fellow SC31 owner

[@hughhardwick816]

Did your calculator nav program come from I have a Cassio and would like the nav program to go in it . I love in the UK. Great drone vidios

[@howtosailoceans1423]

If I recall the calculator is a Tandy small computer (a thing of the past) which was pre-programmed by Celesticomp with a perpetual almanac. I think they still make the Merlin, which is basically the same thing.

[@SomeGuyInSandy]

Merry Christmas, Ahoy!

[@seanmulligan1339]

Philips planisphere is very handy my mars turned out to be a light on a tall mast but i was in sweden☘do you block the cockpit drains to make the bath vou can on the albin vega

[@howtosailoceans1423]

Ha! Indeed, a bright light far away looks no different than a dim light on your neighbor's mast ... perhaps, but I use the Sunshower on deck, just hang it from the shrouds, but I need a fairly calm day for that.

[@seanmulligan1339]

Orions belt can be useful its cocked in the east but looks flat in the west i need to go further

[@lienboats1147]

Great stuff Kevin! The drone handling worked really well whether by design or not. The image anything but static as it seemed to respond to the swell of it's own accord (the best way I can describe it). Actually some of the best open ocean drone footage I have seen on any of these channels. I appreciate your simple, unvarnished, on camera presence; whether happy and excited to be "taking departure" a bit frustrated with the calms, hot, and weary of the salt. Enjoyed the star/planet shot and calculation sequence even while I was hatin' ya for it! Damn skills! Would I could do better than a huge thanks for sharing your skills and experience but I am busy draining my accounts for my own big enginless adventure come April.Have a wonderful Christmas and exciting New Years!Chris aboard Tachi IIPC 25 #16

[@howtosailoceans1423]

Thanks Chris! Yes, I bought the Splash Drone because it can take off and land from the water, and I didn't want to test my piloting skills launching and landing a drone on a sailboat underway. So in this way it has been brilliant--but a lot of headaches too. The camera gimbal has malfunctioned forcing me to buy a new camera for it, and the drone is not yet five months old. Hopefully the new camera will last longer so I can develop my photography (and flying) skills with it. Engineless adventure come April? Well may you have fair winds, and Merry Christmas!

[@lienboats1147]

I hope to be able to be ready for a crossing to Hawaii come April, a small window given my list. I do have a less ambitious Plan B if I am not satisfied with the prep. Spent this last season working on my solo, no engine skills and assessing my fitness for it. Found it suits me. Really, it is just another of sailing's challenges isn't it and in the right hands (such as yours) it looks like art to me.Fair winds yourself and thanks again!

[@howtosailoceans1423]

@@lienboats1147 Sounds great! Fair winds back

[@jcliffelam]

Props for thinking that an ocean is the place to learn to fly a drone - you are a mans’s man! You may want to turn down the video compression on the drone camera as you are getting a lot of artifacts.

[@howtosailoceans1423]

Yes, it was a bit of a steep learning curve ... not sure what video compression is, but that camera died so I had to purchase a new one. At least the new camera appears much improved over the old one, we'll see if it lasts a little longer ...

[@jcliffelam]

Ah, video compression is how much storage space the video takes up on the memory chip. If you are recording (for example) 30 minutes of video on a 1G chip, then your compression is X. If you record 60 minutes then your compression is 2X and so forth. The higher the compression, the lower the quality of the video. Low quality video often has big "flat" spots where the blue sky or green water has no texture. If you have a good DSLR you may have seen "RAW" files. They are the uncompressed photo's. You will find that RAW pictures are 3x-4x the size of a high quality JPEG.

[@calvary1808farm]

Great video! So do you do any cleaning while underway or just wait for the storms to pass? Seems like a good way to pass the time when you’re drifting along.

[@howtosailoceans1423]

Generally any cleaning that requires fresh water will be kept to a minimum since I do not have a desalinator. Otherwise, in light conditions I will take some time to tidy up a bit, especially after a spell of rough weather when the cabin is typically a mess. Also do any urgent repairs then.

[@santamulligan676]

Can you get a wrist sensor then the drone follows the boat, I have an ancient two prong boat hook probably owned by long john silver a life saver.not difficult to fall in love with this lady

[@howtosailoceans1423]

I think the Splash Drone does have a follow me function but you have to use your cell phone ... it is not the most user friendly drone, hopefully technology will improve. Merry Christmas to you..

[@santamulligan676]

Right so it has its own little network comes up as q8 or something some fixed cameras would be good guessing the colour of the next t shirt is fun we were joking that you resemble jfk. I hope you have something to open! Happy Xmas, and don’t get droneded

[@howtosailoceans1423]

@@santamulligan676 Merry Christmas to you! Actually, cleaning out the chart table today I found a mini-bottle of Cruzan rum that was a gift from another cruiser __last_ Christmas, so I put it in my coffee and it definitely gave it some zip ...

[@santamulligan676]

We watched the admiral ,a film of m de Ruyter Dutch admiral if he hadn’t contracted fever in his ships he was going to take New York back from the British ,that’s fortunate as your vids would need subtitles if he had won, a phenomenon of a sailor

[@howtosailoceans1423]

@@santamulligan676 Subtitles, lol ...

[@riverrat4631]

Hello Kevin, Who is this Chris Parker you keep talking about?? Another great video from the best sailing channel. Merry Christmas Buddy.

[@howtosailoceans1423]

Merry Christmas Joe! Chris Parker is a meteorologist and weather router for cruising sailors ... mwxc.com/

[@DarlnDar]

Ahoy Capitan.... if you ever see me out there on a dock ***HITCH-HIKING*** please ***PICK ME UP!*** ;) I must say this is the ***VERY BEST*** Sailing channel on KZbin m'friend!! You are a ***TRUE SAILOR/CAPTAIN!*** When watching your video's I can actually almost feel those waves as they hit your boat!! Thank you for sharing your life's adventures!! Cheer'z & keep up the gr8 sailing! Fair Winds!!

[@deborahdoyle6743]

Just curious what kind of sleep schedule did you keep for a 16 day passage?

[@richardhalstead8317]

Nice drone recovery, Kevin. How do you like the Splash Drone? Worth the $1,600 sticker price? Any more problems with losing contact and having it take off to its point of origin? Thanks in advance if you care to respond.

[@howtosailoceans1423]

Hi Richard, I may do a video on this. Presently it is a 2.3K price tag, as I just had to buy a new camera for it--the old one got water in it and died, Swell Pro refused to replace it so I had to buy a new one. I have not had any more problems with flying, but then I haven't flown in a while since it had no camera. The new camera does look significantly improved over the old one, I can say. I bought this drone specifically to get sailing footage, as taking off and landing from a sailboat seemed rather tricky, better to do it from the water, away from the boat. And Swell Pro is the only game in town, so ...

[@richardhalstead8317]

Thanks for the review!! I have been reading reviews and it seems that the gimbal does not like salt water. Since every other drone will sink if it hits the water - the Splash 3 holds some appeal. Thoroughly enjoying your vlogs and looking forward to future posts. Cheers.

[@TheCorsair]

Where are you now? St Thomas?

[@howtosailoceans1423]

Yes, StT ... Merry Christmas

[@TheCorsair]

Merry Christmas to you as well. We are on a mooring in St John.

[@StemtoSternSailing]

How long will it take you to turn your boat around to recover the drone in such calm conditions... Can you manage with the sculling oar? Great videos.... Thank you for sharing

[@howtosailoceans1423]

Since the drone was only airborne for about fifteen minutes, it was only about half a mile away, so I turned the boat around on a reciprocal course and sailed approx. fifteen minutes before I spotted it. The sculling oar is generally of little use on the wide ocean because of the swell-- enough to rip the oar right out of your hands at times-- and if there is any wind sailing is almost always faster and easier.

[@macmcatee611]

Kevin, In the previous issue you mentioned heaving too one night. When you do that, do you just drop and secure the sails and drift? Or do you toss out a sea anchor or drogue?

[@howtosailoceans1423]

Looks like I'm gonna do a vid on that sometime ... I heave-to with just the mainsail, usually triple-reefed in gale conditions, and the tiller just slightly down. She will fore-reach at about 2 knots, approx. 70 degrees from the wind.

[@flightplan1000]

Kevin, who is Chris Parker?

[@howtosailoceans1423]

A weather router/sailing advisor ... mwxc.com/

[@sparrow082]

When you're next at anchor, I want you to do some flight drills. Completely ignore the video system, cover the screen you don't need the distraction. All of these drills are line of sight LOS. Start with a very large Circle concentrate on going forward and not behind yourself. Clockwise or counterclockwise it doesn't matter. Do that for 3 or 4 full battery packs then start making the circle smaller, then figure eights.

[@howtosailoceans1423]

Hey thanks! I take it you are a drone pilot? I've done some practicing at anchor, but I need more. The most confusing thing is which way the drone is pointing--it is symmetrical--so you have to just watch which way it moves when you move the joystick. OK, I will try circles--figure eights is definitely advanced.

[@sparrow082]

@@howtosailoceans1423 I'm a mad-Scientist, I think🙃. I like to build and fly all kinds of things, drones, racing kwds, nitro and electric airplanes, and I like to put FPV on a lot of stuff. I joined an r.c. airplane club a couple years and man I'm glad I did. Orientation it's really hard to maintain from LOS especially multirotors. Practice and focus on flight forward a lot, that will help. I'm happy to be of any help.

[@howtosailoceans1423]

@@sparrow082 Adam, you're my man, the world needs as many Ben Franklin types as it can get IMO. Once the winds ease up I shall try some practice flights, thanks for being a resource.

[@alapikomamalolonui6424]

Yeehaw..!! It'd be interesting to see the "OMG Footage" when you (nominally) lost control of the drone. Sail safe and nā makani ʻoluʻolu to ya'! (fair winds) Aloha nui īa ʻoe. :) 🤙

[@jamesford8315]

Yes, let us see the expression on your face.

[@howtosailoceans1423]

@@jamesford8315 You would have see me mouthing the words "Ah s*** ..."

[@jamesford8315]

I'm sure. Glad you retrieved the drone, that in itself is quite the feat.

[@tobiashommerich4581]

The only question a real man has, watching these vids: How do I finance this lifestyle and when can I start it?!

[@howtosailoceans1423]

There's lots of ways to do it. I outlined my approach in a vid called "What it cost to sail for one year"

[@MrRourk]

Drone overboard! :)

[@MrRourk]

Amazing display of skill to get back to the spot without a motor!

[@MiQBohlin]

Aye m8! With all that crusty salt maybe a Margarita would do? 🍸

[@howtosailoceans1423]

Ha! Hadn't thought of that ... Merry Christmas MiQ

[@trygvethomassen6393]

way not put up an devender ,so your sail dont stay like this ,then at list qiet whayl you speek

[@jmac9494]

I can't even watch the other sailing videos with hearing them talk all about their engine problems or they brag about trusting the great engine, so they only use the sails when it's easy. Full on.......training wheels........then seeing the auto pilot set up with GPS tracking. Where are the airplane tickets? Watch a sailing movie. Virtual reality sailboat glasses. Just sit in a chair and ask Alexa if she thinks your fat? Or drop Alexa into the goldfish tank and ask her to explain what happened to the gold....?go fish. Mental prime for a man is 60. Time to fish still exists if we can get away from the still. Engines on boats came around about the 1920s. Then they used to get on way offshore wrecks that clam draggers hung up their nets on and knew the coordinates. And those coordinates were very secret information. Wrecks that had never been fished before, exotic species all around. Flounder as big as a throw rug called door mats before ww2. 2x3 feet common. Seining was legal. You could walk a seining net into the surf and pull it up and fill 3, 5 gallon buckets with small fish and eels.

[@Josef_R]

You're still going to get sprayed with salt even if you manage to clean up with fresh water. I don't understand the logic. Where is the crash and rescue footage? You know that's what everyone wanted to see.

[@howtosailoceans1423]

Well, you're still going to get sweaty again even if you take a shower, but people still do it for some reason ...

[@Josef_R]

But you won't smell like ass any more, that doesn't answer the question.