Sailing Bahamas, Sailing Exuma, Rudder Cay & Lee Stocking - HR54 Cloudy Bay - Feb'20. S20 Ep10

[@NiclasMardfelt]

Your videos are like medicine. Having spent lots of time yachting and crossing oceans in small boats (and rowing boat) one starts missing your kind of exploring. Your videos are extra valuable in Corona times.

[@SailCloudyBay]

NiclasMardfelt we are very happy to hear that. Thanks for the comment.

[@M-Swede]

We live fairly close to the Northern Bahamas (Palm Beach County). The use of the maps in your videos is very helpful for our future trips to the out islands. Thanks!

[@SailCloudyBay]

M Swede glad to hear our videos will be useful. We thought adding the maps and explanation will also help us remember where we went in a few decades time when we view the videos from our rocking chairs. We spent a week anchored in Lake Worth in December. (We have a video on that too). Loved that area.

[@cookingwithcuyandotherfuns6238]

We are totally hooked on your channel! Awesome videos---you two are a great team. We visited Long Island in February (by air) and plan to go to Georgetown/Elizabeth Harbor next February. Love snorkeling down there. Your strip and wax/views of the bow are excellent. What a beautiful job you did---it glistens!! Michael and Carrie Cuy, Ohio (60 and loving it)

[@SailCloudyBay]

Thanks for such a nice comment guys ....

[@barneyrubel8703]

Always informative, visually stunning, and people being themselves. Whats not to like! Thank you!

[@SailCloudyBay]

Thank you kindly!

[@mosca3289]

I know ‘best beach’ is a highly contested category but you guys have definitely found a few contenders. Thanks again for the beautiful film.

[@SailCloudyBay]

Our pleasure! Yes, there are several contenders in Bahamas for sure. After Bahamas we went to Jamaica, where is felt like we had been previously thoroughly spoiled!

[@billcookson2919]

love the way cb eats up the sea swell with ease , thanks super film.

[@SailCloudyBay]

Glad you enjoyed it. We'll soon be eating up the miles on the way to Jamaica .... couple more videos to go.

[@michaeldobson8859]

Yes Glen, really. Forgot Valentine’s Day? Yes the dress is very nice. Wow, I can’t believe they just up and left that center like that. Doors open not locked nothing stored just like they left for lunch.

[@SailCloudyBay]

Michael Dobson apparently, when it was first abandoned absolutely everything was left there, a fully kitted our workshop, dive gear boats etc. etc. all gradually gone to the locals.

[@potterkelly487]

Beautiful scenery with calming beaches, thank you!

[@SailCloudyBay]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@ps4peace]

Perfect! You two are a delight, and how fun to share the adventure with friends (& us)! Thank you for another glorious video!

[@SailCloudyBay]

Our pleasure!

[@rasheedmasthan6779]

Very Nice

[@SailCloudyBay]

Thanks

[@ChrisThorpe4508]

Glen, does everyone get, Bob the Builder ("Can we fix it? Yes we can!"). I liked your other jokes as well (LOL). The highlight for me is seeing you both having fun together (....and the dress of course) Also keep the music to you drone footage. Firstly its ideal and I love it, but also for me, its become your Theme Tune.

[@SailCloudyBay]

Chris, you are correct - not everyone will get Bob The Builder .... nor likely many of my very British jokes! But as this channel is for our friends and relatives (and us), we dont try to cater for the greater international audience. If they like it, good, and if they dont ...... np. Yes, we do have alot of fun, most times.

[@franciscodorey6026]

Fantastic. Really enjoy watching all your posts. Very well edited too. A ton of work I imagine! What I really enjoy watching also are your maintenance videos (boys love mucking about in boats). Happy sailing to you both

[@SailCloudyBay]

Thank you very much! Yes, the editing is alot of work - pretty much all done by Oana.

[@rayrussell2735]

those drone shots are a whole new level discovery. I see lots of ledges to go look for lobsters..

[@SailCloudyBay]

Yes Ray, I should really use it for more things like that. But usually once its in the air, I'm just flying it. Flight plan is the commodore's :)

[@rayrussell2735]

@@SailCloudyBay can they be uploaded to active captain?

[@SailCloudyBay]

Hmm good question. Active Captain seems to have taken a bit of a dive since Garmin bought it :(

[@lorettawolfe2997]

My husband and I worked on Lee Stocking Island in the late 1970’s. At that time, it was Perry Oceanographics of Riviera Beach Florida owned by John Perry Jr. Last we heard, the family still owns the island. There was an airplane and we flew back and forth from Florida to do work, thus the airstrip. It later became the Caribbean Marine Research Center and scientists came to do their research. We were there early in the scientific process when the buildings on the east side of the island were first constructed. The buildings on the west side were built first and were Mr Perry’s house, the “Lizard Lounge”, and the island manager’s house. We got the decompression chamber (built at Perry as the company also built subs) and had a small underwater habitat just offshore. There were no other buildings in the middle of the island except the generator. We did research on alternative energy (wind, solar, hydrogen) and spiny lobster mariculture which is what the pond (originally multiple ponds) was built for. I think later the pond was used for growing tilapia. It was heartbreaking to us to see what’s happened to it in your video. We cruised there on our sailboat in 2004 and the buildings were still intact and it was being used for scientists, although the blades from the windmill were laying in the weeds behind the generator.

[@SailCloudyBay]

Loretta, WOW! that’s so very interesting to hear. Wish you could have walked around with us. I found the whole place fascinating.

[@lorettawolfe2997]

Sail Cloudy Bay We were able to go ashore with the island manager in 2004 and saw how much had been built since our time - and we were able to tell them what some of the things were that they always wondered about 😎 We enjoy your videos - hope you can cruise again soon!

[@jwrappuhn71]

Excellent vid ya'll, beautiful drone shots Glen, could ya'll think about making a Cloudy Bay Facebook channel? Thanks guys.

[@SailCloudyBay]

thanks for another positive comment. We do have a facebook page: Sail Cloudy Bay. But the videos are posted on You Tube. however, they are all referenced on our FB page.

[@jwrappuhn71]

@@SailCloudyBay ok, I didn't know you had one, just for pics and to let us know what's going on with ya, thanks again.

[@SailCloudyBay]

If you take a look at our webpage (sailcloudybay.com) we have a blog with photos posted each and every day.

[@royharris3483]

I am so lucky, you have brought another stunning vlog into my lockdown in the UK. The caves and the "mushrooms" are fascinating . Look forward to seeing some more sailing by captain Greg soon. At least we have witnessed you tinkering the ivories at the bottom of the ocean ... thats one for a pub quiz Im sure lol.

[@SailCloudyBay]

Will be releasing a new vid each Friday. But I truely hope your lockdown will end soon. Thanks for the nice comment

[@yeelinli1]

A beautiful video, love it you are one of the very best Sailing Channels , keep it going , love you both , Fair winds and stay Safe

[@SailCloudyBay]

Thank you for the nice compliment! Will do!

[@dreadnoughtb3364]

👍like the actual sailing and destinations and great drone footage. Maybe a little more underwater. Good story telling.

[@SailCloudyBay]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@ProjectManaia]

What an area to be in, absolutely stunning! Makes me wanna head back home to our boat even more!!!

[@SailCloudyBay]

You should! .... if you can at this time

[@stevensaxon8888]

@@SailCloudyBay is it ok if I share your channel on my facebook page?

[@SailCloudyBay]

steven saxon certainly, pls do spread the word. More the merrier.

[@ProjectManaia]

@@SailCloudyBay Likewise :D Maybe we can swap a bit of a shoutout for each other :)

[@ProjectManaia]

@@SailCloudyBay Soon the time will come (I hope)

[@tip00former1]

Best travel channel :D

[@SailCloudyBay]

thanks for that compliment

[@rootedexpeditions]

wow what a great video i love it !!

[@SailCloudyBay]

Thank you so much!

[@rootedexpeditions]

Sail Cloudy Bay no problem

[@Anmeteor9663]

Yet another great video showing me the places to go and see and how. Thank you both. Hoping all's well in Caymens. 🙏

[@SailCloudyBay]

Nick Meteor all good here thanks. Just now thinking about maki g the 12 day passage up to Annapolis, out of the hurricane zone

[@traceh23]

Awesome!

[@SailCloudyBay]

Thanks!

[@kentwood2914]

Glen, Cheers...do you read your electronic charts in feet, meters, or fathoms? Are the settings adjustable to your preference?

[@SailCloudyBay]

Kent, I have it set up to read depth in metres and speed in knts. You can pretty much set it up to whatever you want.

[@mattharte7334]

Brilliant vlog and really well edited, the Bahamas look stunning and it's great how you're always willing to have a go at getting to the best anchorages despite the shallow water. I don't know the Caribbean, but wonder if you could not head south to Trinidad and Tobago, or the ABC Islands for the hurricane season and keep Cloudy Bay in commission during this time?

[@SailCloudyBay]

We did consider going to Trinidad but its still in the hurricane zone. Our insurance wont cover for hurricane damage - none will these days. So we need to head north out of the zone.

[@rubenmolina8849]

It's nice to see you back. It's been a long time since I last saw you. ❤️😷

[@SailCloudyBay]

Welcome back! We have been posting a new video each Friday for several months now.

[@dilligafwoftam985]

Once again a great episode. I really liked the drone view down the chain of islands ( mini-archipelago?). Was that also taken with the back up drone? The 4k GoPro 7 makes such a difference. The pictures and colour are fabulous and the stability 'almost' flattened the swell. Stay safe 😷

[@SailCloudyBay]

dilligaf woftam thanks for the comment. Yes, that chain of islands is the Exuma island chain of the Bahamas. Bahama bank one side and Atlantic Ocean the other. Yes this is using the backup drone.

[@robertw.1499]

You‘ve been sailing this HR for some time now. What are your thoughts regarding quality of build, salability including stability in rough waters, as well as the practicality of the deck and below deck layout. Rassy‘s enjoy a good reputation but few actually talk about why. Thanks and stay safe 👍👍👍

[@SailCloudyBay]

Wow, that is quite a question to answer! I've sailed all my life but this is the only real Ocean yacht I've owned, so my answer maybe a bit biased. Bottom line: I absolutely love pretty much everything about the design, layout and sailability - maybe even more than the latest HR designs. I NEVER have boat envy. Like EVER! First, layout: The aft cabin is fabulous. Only downside is the lapping on the stern, but that is the same for all aft cabin yachts. Aft heads very roomy and separate shower WITH A SEAT! Galley very practical and good at sea. Saloon comfy chairs are wonderful. Navstation is everything you could ever wish for with regards space and layout and document stowage. I love that the other double cabin is midships and they have removed any that usual corridor feel up forward. Its like a big ensuite up there, complete with childrens bedroom up forward. The bow cabin can sleep 2 but for us is perfect for stowage of fenders, spinnaker etc. The engine room is likely the best in class. Well laid out, walk-in and huge. Unfortunately HR are gradually reducing their engine room size in later designs. The whole interior is on one level, no steps anywhere- another marque of HR. this also means big deep bilges for extra stowage. In general the stowage throughout is marvelous. Both generous and also all lined with wood. Nothing ever touches the hull sides and there is very little "other gear" in the stowage. Oyster were terrible on this point - every locker we opened was partially occupied with other mechanical or electrical things. Outside: Cockpit is a bit small by modern standards but just fine for 2 or 4. And it feels super safe at sea and very cozy when the tent is up. I love only having 1 wheel. Really don't like all this twin wheel fad. That said, its not an easy cockpit to get in and out of. Not a aging person's yacht. Twin wheel and walk-out to the stern would have the advantage here. Sailability: I can truly sail this yacht by myself. The hydraulic furling and the way everything is set up perfectly for short handed. The rig is a bit big for a cruising yacht, but being a racing type guy I love it. She will do hull speed in just 10knt of wind. Downwind she rolls a lot, but what fin-keeled yachts doesn't? Upwind she doesn't slam at all and yet gives a pretty dry ride even in big seas. The cutter is great for upwind in strong winds - powerful and yet tender. Love the 10 tons of lead in the bulb. Well designed keel. Not so happy with my blade rudder - a bit vunerable compared to the older skeg hung balanced rudders - but still significantly safer than twin rudders which have zero (keel) protection from debris in the ocean waters. On stability in rough seas. She is excellent. I can tell you this: every boat I've been on before, the ground was still moving for a while when I got ashore. Same for Oana. With Cloudy Bay neither of us, nor anyone else who has sailed on her, has this effect. Even after 17 days rolling across the Atlantic! It must say something about her Rolls-Royce type motion at sea. Quality: Everything on the boat that is HR is top quality and superbly fitted. Each and every wire, cable, hose etc is labeled and there are wiring and layout diagrams for absolutely everything in the well documented manuals (6 volumes!!). And HR always er on the side of caution, making everything much stronger than needed. That said, there is a lot of gear on the boat that HR just fit (e.g Lewmar hatches, winches, Selden rig, watermaker etc) which you also find on most other yachts. These are the items I find fail most and nothing to do with the fault of HR's installation - which is generally faultless. We looked at countless other apparently quality yachts and very few compared well with HR. Malo was up there with HR, but their largest at 46ft was too small for us. Amel also excellent. But we didn't like their older designs and could not afford the newer models. Oyster - quite simply not good quality. Discover, OK but still not like the Scandinavian yachts. Hope that helps.

[@robertw.1499]

@@SailCloudyBay Well, first of all, thank you for an excellent and thorough reply. At last getting some feedback from a user and not a brochure or sales guy at the yacht show. I'm English but have been living in Germany since 1992. I went to the Düsseldort Boat Show this year, the worlds biggest indoor show. I checked out the new HR 57, the Amel 60 as well as an Oyster and a couple of others. The HR is absolutely solid and now has the twin helm configuration. The Amel is really a dream, both inside and out, and that engine room... well, every mans dream 👍 Only downside is that laminated deck (no teak), but maintenance free. I absolutely agree with the quality of Oyster. On the surface, beautiful looking yachts with stylish salons and cabins. look closely however and the build quality is miles away from HR and Amel. Thanks once again for your reply. Sail safe and enjoy your lives. Looking forward to many videos to come 👍👍😊

[@michaeldobson8859]

They definitely did not practice the Boy Scout motto, no trace left behind!

[@steenkigerrider5340]

Well, it probably proves that marine researchers (and leftist environmentalists in general) like to harangue others, but in the end don't give a damn when push comes to shove.

[@arnteriksen5773]

Yet another good filmed video from Cloudy Bay. Best cruising channel on youtube. How many weeks behind is your videos? Have a nice stay in the Caymans.....

[@SailCloudyBay]

Arnt, the date is always on the title of our videos. First few minutes. There are 6 videos between this one and where we are today.

[@svredrocks1173]

Commodore O & Captain G 🖖🏽...enjoyed another great video & commentary. Looking forward to your next Travelogue. 😱Shocking that Glen forgot Valentines Day🙀....Careful Glen; because, at the next "Commodore's Mast", the Commodore might restrict😡 "privileges" and send you 👎🏻to the Dog 🤬House [Dinghy]...! Q - Could the caves with holes in their ceiling have been "Blow-Holes"...?

[@SailCloudyBay]

Glad you enjoyed it. Yes, those holes could have been blow holes at one time. Or just the roof of the cave wearing through by erosion.

[@steenkigerrider5340]

Does your new aluminum dinghy sound noisier (as being in a resonance box) then the old glass fiber one?

[@SailCloudyBay]

No, I dont think so.

[@HARRRYVID]

The piano should be great for Hayden's Water Music.

[@SailCloudyBay]

haha!

[@ChrisThorpe4508]

@@SailCloudyBay Handel of course - when King George l, wanted a concert on the river Thames (sorry!!)

[@darrylmcleman6456]

It seems that folk who sail are usually having a "swell " time!!!

[@SailCloudyBay]

I can tell you we are having a REAL swell time in Cayman right now ..... rocking and rolling all over the place!

[@darrylmcleman6456]

@@SailCloudyBay We are all jealous!!!! Enjoy the good times!!!

[@cardinhamkilligrew9712]

why did you go into the open ocean to go the short distance? is it too shallow?

[@SailCloudyBay]

Cardinham, good question. With our 8ft draft (2.5m) we were always challenged to go along the Exumas Islands on the back-reef side, there are only a few places where we could just about brush along the bottom (one video shows us stuck aground for 4 hours!). Plus, out in the deep water we enjoyed the fishing as we went along the drop-off.

[@SailingGoonies]

"research center" with an air strip... Sounds legit ;)

[@SailCloudyBay]

Project: Zip Tied pretty much every island in Bahamas has an airstrip. I think it was a genuine marine research center. But I understand finding abruptly stopped and it was quickly abandoned.

[@ArcolaBridge]

How can I afford to buy a sailboat like this?

[@SailCloudyBay]

ArcolaBridge work you balls off for 32 years in a tough industry, then retire. That’s one way. Rob a bank? Another. Sell you house and possessions ( like we did ) .... another.

[@ArcolaBridge]

@@SailCloudyBay I'm a utility locator and I'm middle income... I can only work 65 to 80 hours a week for eight or nine months before I need a 3-month break. Thinking about going back to school... Hmmm I would hate to sell my house... Hmmm! HMMM!!!

[@ArcolaBridge]

@@SailCloudyBay I also live in Minnesota, the great lakes and the lakes we have here are nice and all but not enough. I would have to relocate, I've lived here all 34 years of my life so I don't hate the idea of a move. Hmmmm

[@SailCloudyBay]

So what are you waiting for? :) I can tell you this. We have met and/or head of soooo many people who wanted to do what we do, but left it too late and their health stopped them just as they took the plunge. For us, selling up, stopping work etc was a big thing. But there has been no looking back. Just wished I'd started even earlier.

[@ChrisThorpe4508]

@@SailCloudyBay to me this is a profound incite rarely expressed in regard to sailing. Its one of those hidden Life Truths that bites you when you least expect it.

[@whyistherumgonewrightstory8384]

Wish I was on the blue

[@pierreaubrey2671]

Trespassing onto Private property?

[@SailCloudyBay]

Ummmmm yes, possibly. But its not like it was inhabited and we did no harm.

[@luciano76464]

Ma ci sono le vele in questa barca?😂😂

[@SailCloudyBay]

Guarda i nostri altri video e vedrai che ci sono le vele e le usiamo!

[@arturrerich500]

👍

[@juancarlosbugallo2614]

because they do not update their situation with the virus. please

[@SailCloudyBay]

Juan Carlos Bugallo. We are always about 6 weeks behind on videos. Right now we are in Grand Cayman. If you would like to know what we do on a daily basis, we have a daily blog on SailCloudyBay.com

[@juancarlosbugallo2614]

@@SailCloudyBay Thank you

[@harrymurphey2634]

.... Cloudy Bay likes to ... romp !!! ... under sail ... or motor ... she has ... "spirit" !!!

[@SailCloudyBay]

She sure does Harry

[@nawiwan3112]

Baunty baunty baaj wery jůůů wau ..

[@SailCloudyBay]

Sorry, I dont know what language this is?

[@nawiwan3112]

@@SailCloudyBay I am sorry . It was an attempt to prank a Czech customer who does not speak English but loves your canal .. Written by Gugl translator..Greetings N.W.

[@Hotbulldozer]

Could you sail for a week without using the engine, would it be possible? I'm thinking of buying a engineless boat...

[@SailCloudyBay]

MrHotbulldozer anything is possible. People have sailed around the world without an engine. But once near to shore an engine is a vital piece of safety equipment. And many places and docks you simply couldn’t go to without one. It’s possible, but very difficult. Prior to Cloudy Bay we sailed and raced a 1925 wooden classic with no engine. We sailed on and off our mooring. And once I even did a 3 day cruise. But I did have a dinghy in tow with an engine for safety.

[@pierreaubrey2671]

I do understand your point, (even if their is private property signs all over) but how would you feel if technically while you are trespassing somewhere it will be okay for strangers just to go hang out on your boat..... Since technically at that point it is uninhabited..... And Im sure nobody will do harm.

[@SailCloudyBay]

Pierre, OK you made your point thank you very much. I was bought up to use my brain and not take every direction given to me without questioning. Life is too short to obey all rules.

[@arekkaniewski4442]

Well said. That sign is there so if you get hurt, the owner would not be liable. I would go explore as well. I rationally question things I see as well. Great video