Solo Sailing: I Am Slowly Building Up Trust - UNTIE THE LINES #45

Living the dream...? Kinda have the feeling that I found what I was looking for, I have my own boat, and I wake up in the morning with nothing more on my mind than "should I stay or should I go?". Life is being good to me and I am bathing in a sea of happiness,
Find out more about my life with KARL on whitespotpirates. If you enjoy watching my documentary and therefore want to contribute a little bit for internet costs / video equipment, then you can do so here: / whitespotpirates . Thank you for your support!

[@sashadryden2768]

My father, who also loves sailing his boat here in BC, found your videos and we binge watched them all. I must tell you how impressed I am with your determination and resilience and the way you have handled all the challenges with getting Karl seaworthy. The technical skills you taught yourself and time spent moving one step at a time towards your dream when circumstances seemed so challenging are impressive. And you just seem to remain pretty composed throughout which is impressive. I think I might have had a meltdown or two if faced with some of things you have overcome. But you keeping learning and that's a great attitude! I also want to let you know how I appreciate watching your filmmaking skills develop. From updates mostly talking to us about the events of the previous week to now capturing and editing glimpses into the actions and events in your days. Increasingly dynamic storytelling. Really great. As someone else commented, I too enjoy the details of daily life as you travel and work and start to spend more time cruising in paradise. My father and I live in Vancouver so if you do get here on your journey we would love to meet you and Karl. For now I continue to enjoy following along with your story.

[@Heritageboatworks2014]

Beautiful week, beautiful boat, beautiful islands, and one very beautiful girl. Love the videos! Fair winds!!

[@mbv_1]

Nice to see you so confident with Karl! Not the girl arriving Panama to buy an old boat anymore. And I say this in the best sense! Love to see the daily task aboard. the laundry, the fresh water, the anchoring... Is like to watch a dream being realized for some one, with all the pros and cons (that isn't cons at all if done with fun)! Thank's for this another video! Waiting for the "next week"!

[@montwolfman]

Great video. I particularly enjoy seeing the local environment from wherever you are. I had a flashback moment of the video when you had just found the holes in Karl's hull. Now you are reaping the rewards of your labors back then. You are, after all, the master of your destiny.

[@deweyhenry6543]

your doing IT!you have untied the lines and are going which ever way you and the winds decide to.your dingy line wrapped in the prop is normal.i've learned to shorten up the painter line.so I don't get it caught again.the joy in your face makes all the hard work you have put into karl worth it..fair winds and following seas lass.

[@huffster6344]

So this is where you met Maria. You both have had many fun adventures since then!

[@WhiteSpotPirates]

yes, exactly, this was the day we first met, thx to James who introduced me to Cathy and Maria. And very true, Maria and I have been through some fun sailing and boat work projects since then ;). I don't know where I would be today without her.

[@jackcribbs8181]

Thank you for your kind words Nike. MiMi is now shrinkwrapped and I have built a deck and set of stairs up to the zippered opening. I'm almost done with the interior restoration and now that she's covered I can install the new grab rails that I built as well as re-sealing all the deck hardware. I loved watching your little Island cook out, reminded me of times spent with my father and cousin on Islands off the coast of Florida where we did some stone crabbing as well as smoked Mullett and camped for weekends. I'm researching radar as well as internet options, how do you connect or do you just wait till you can get wifi? Cant wait to see what you're up to next week, I'm glad you got Karl sailing faster, Someone asked me "how do you know when two sailboats are racing", and he said "when both boats are under sail" Till next time. Jack.

[@Richard44W]

Good to hear you got Karls engine sorted out. Be safe and enjoy the fruits of your labors.

[@toddossman201]

45 great videos. Your trip and voyage are inspirational and a great adventure. I think that we all feel that we are there on watch with you. Take care and fair winds to you and Karl!

[@0HARE]

All your previous hard work fixing up Karl is really paying off now. It's good to see you enjoying life. Smooth Sailing to you.

[@somadevo]

Great adventure you have happening. I put a small float or two on the dinghy painter to keep it away from the prop. Infinite Blessings

[@SVSecondChance]

nice to see all is good with you Nick. be safe and as all ways far winds and call sees..

[@alacumba]

You are a delightful woman and I enjoy your videos very much. You seem to be having a wonderful time being free, but working well within the structure and requirements of living on a cruising sailboat.

[@DAVEEMAN1]

Just stumbled on your channel. Great vid, very relaxing to watch. Glad to hear about the mishaps at the end, we all have them.

[@WhiteSpotPirates]

Welcome to Untie The Lines then! I hope you enjoy the journey 😃

[@islmis]

Magnificent. Take your time with the videos and just enjoy the pleasures of the sea. Good luck and fair winds

[@gunterford7014]

great to see the new video.. actually worried a bit since it has been 3 weeks. ... but of course internet is not always as easy to get.. so understandable. and you gave us 12 minutes+ instead of the usual 5.. so thanks.. Nice to see Karl is behaving himself and showing some speed.. always nice to get there..lol ....fair winds

[@WhiteSpotPirates]

Gunter Ford yeah, some people were asking for longer videos and as I have been exploring and sailing a bit lately, I thought I would give you some extra minutes :)

[@gunterford7014]

WhiteSpotPirates Don;t forget I am here to help down the road with the film and book deal..I can see outline is in the making..sail sail sail...

[@LouCipsLife]

I like the shoe organizer on the bulkhead. great idea

[@williamberger2178]

Glad to see you are enjoying your cruise. I know you have had a lot of challenges up to this point, but the knowledge you have acquired to get to this point will serve you well in the future. Heck, you've almost rebuilt Karl from stem to stern. There is no satisfaction without some work. Enjoy!

[@nzflyboy1974]

Glad things are going so well for you now. You're a remarkable woman! Good luck and thanks for the videos

[@LouCipsLife]

Great experience. glad Karl is working out for you now. You are so beautiful

[@gschnog]

Wonderful experiences.

[@JCFNor]

Very happy for you, and a little jealous. :) Looked at video #1, just a few minutes ago. It has been quite a journey (so far!) Good luck on your further adventures. May the winds be favourable! Best regards, J

[@WhiteSpotPirates]

JCFNor oh yes, it has indeed. Maybe not, if you measure in miles, but in experience, yes, quite a journey :). Thanks for watching! Ahoy, Nike & Karl

[@JCFNor]

The miles will come. It's been a pleasure to be able to share in your adventure! Best of luck!

[@DougKutner]

I have great admiration for you. You have tackled so many different problems on Karl, solved really frustrating ones. Plus you speak three languages fluently; English with no German accent!

[@vagabondphil49]

Niki, I am so happy for you. You deserve everything good that you are finding. You continue to inspire me. My Vagabond is almost ready, I can't wait to join you out there. I will be shoving off this January or early spring. All the best VP

[@keessturm2804]

I just found your channel, and I am catching up fast, some 10 episodes a day :) This episode is great! because after all the trouble you finaly got the reward and living your dream, you look so happy in these images!

[@paulorientetheluffaranch]

Enjoyed you video! Cool to see you living your dream of cruising.

[@GeneRossano]

Nike, their is nothing on Carl that you cannot do "very" competently, alone. I would, in my sailing years, have loved to have you aboard as a member of our crew. You are a supremely competent Captain, Nike.

[@dalegraham4058]

How interesting. Celebrity from what comes naturally to you. Your narrative is so engaging. Pleasant journey

[@UweBehrendt]

always look forward to your post . From a long time sailor ,you are kicking ass ,well done. .

[@outdoorenthusiasts1739]

You are absolutely wonderful! I just came across your site and love it!

[@rollincoomer1250]

Love your video's. Keep them coming. Fair winds......

[@Chainsaw_18.]

Thanks for posting your videos (Picking up good tips from you) ! Almost to the point of making the Big-Jump of selling the house and trying the sea !

[@closepowner]

The shot of you and karl filmed from another boat looked very cool ^^

[@WhiteSpotPirates]

eli methorst thx, I love them as well. It's so great to see him sailing along so nicely. Maybe I need to get one of those little quadcopters or sth like that to be able to film more shots from "outside". If the crowdfunding goes well, maybe I can stock up on that, would be cool!

[@EggnogonthebogProductions]

Amazing story. Looked lots of fun.

[@kkrass1]

I follow you for a long time and you are an inspiration. I have bought my boat last year and I am planning to do the same. Travel the world with no timetable. I have no much of ties to my home town Athens and I kinda working on my will on doing something like that. To be honest I am not much afraid of sailing as i sail for 15 years but i am worrying of the "solo" part of the journey. Do you find people on the way? How do you cope with that? If there are many people doing this and you can meet them on the way that's very comforting.... Keep the dream alive. Sending the best luck to your journey!!!

[@larrywills5690]

Great to see your video, I watch your adventure unfold and head back to the shop and carry on with more epoxy, paint, cabinets on and on and on...lol. Hopefully this spring, I can slip her in the water...I named her Lily Too. I love her name, she is taking on her own personality, sound a little odd but true. Maybe to much epoxy? ...lol.

[@onlyychevys]

After all that hard work now you can enjoy life! Fair winds S/V N2deep

[@33eyeman]

Thank you for your videos.

[@martyjackson4806]

Your doing it. Enjoy! Forget about the little things like almost hitting other boats or uncontrolled jibes. It's all about learning.

[@ebbtide9258]

thanks for sharing

[@Rottingboards]

It looks like you found some of your enter yin and yang. You look very rested and at peace with yourself.

[@Skipperskraa]

Thanks, sounds great. Im leaving Denmark in 2016, so im curies about almost evrything out there. Fair winds

[@beek014]

glad to see you're having fun. keep it up!

[@Aolen75]

Living the dream! I'm so happy for you.You have worked hard for this enjoy it!!!!!!!!

[@alien7919]

Great update!! if you ever sail to Cartagena let us know, we are living nearby and would love to help with anything you may need!

[@AmfIII]

Truly enjoy your video log & your English, is excellent! Have you ever attended school Stateside?

[@earlashton1342]

Congratulations : You"re doing it.

[@sebastianeriksson8507]

What the general prices? Food and eating at a "restaurant" for an example. What medicine do they want most. Thinking of sailing and maybe stock up to help out some people. Nice videos! Keep em coming!

[@WhiteSpotPirates]

Sebastian Eriksson in San Blas? Stuff from the sea is very cheap. an octopus is up to 2$, a lobster maybe 4$. Stuff in the "shops" are expensive...a toilet paper roll cost 1,45$ e.g. Beer is a dollar :). fish and rice in a "restaurant is around 4$, lobster and rice between 7 and 15, a beer around 1,50$ a chicken leg and some patacones cost 1,50. Just to give you a brief overview :). There are quite a lot of albino Kunas. The call them "moon children". They often have very heavy skin problems due to the sun. The often ask for a cream to treat it. And of course, it would be good if they had something to prevent it in the first place...That was so far the only thing I have been asked for, but more than once.

[@bodiezafa1]

You go girl! I'll be you secant mate any time. Love your travels, but you need to do some diving. The world under the boat is so amazing. I am an avid diver and you should think about that.

[@WhiteSpotPirates]

Oh yeaaaah, that would be awesome. But if you don't have your own gear, it is pretty expensive unfortunately...

[@garygardens]

Life is pretty good, huh? All the work is paying off... Regards, Gary

[@pavelavietor1]

hello congratulation glad you having a nice time

[@lifeislikesailing]

Really enjoyed the longer video this time and it sounds like you are becoming much more efficient on the helm by leaving the other boats behind ;)

[@Skipperskraa]

Looks so good and fantastic. Wonder how it is with horricane and other storms, in Panama. Do they have a seson, as in Caribien. Fair winds to you

[@WhiteSpotPirates]

Nick Steffensen Panama lies outside the hurricane area actually. That's why you can sail all year round. Only annoyance are the squalls which happen pretty frequently...and thunderstorms with lots of lightning, especially in the rainy season...

[@ChristopherYoung5977]

It is really interesting to see how people live in Panama. No paved roads but everyone has a satellite dish! We would consider them "poor" but everyone is happy and healthy.

[@WhiteSpotPirates]

Christopher Young there are a lot of satelite dishes down here, that's true, a bit less in Kuna Yala. And some of the islands in Kuna Yala also have solar panels throughout the whole village for electricity. Most islands have no running water though and they sometimes have to get it all the way from the mainland with their kanus. And it seems that health care is an issue. A lot of time, they ask cruisers for some medicine.

[@mhansl]

Any skipper who tells you they haven't made the same mistakes is full of it. Good for you.

[@SuburbanDelinquent]

Haha I share the same dingy line fouling the prop story while setting the anchor. Glad to know I'm not the only one. Great video as usual!

[@paulcounsell2556]

I like how you proudly stated on 2 occasions that Karl was the fastest on the sail from one island to another. You know it's you that is making that happen? Yes? You are becoming more confident, each day learning what Karl can do & how to best sail him. I really enjoy your videos. Thanks for posting them. I am Australian & would like to say one day you need to explore our east coast & see our Great Barrier Reef. Our summer in the Southern Hemisphere is November thru February. The sky is blue, the sea aquamarine & life is free & easy.

[@troynorthrip8913]

Awww.....I missed you. Started to wonder if you were ok. So glade you are having a wonderful time and not getting to worried or nervous about taking off, I know I do when knowing your about to lift Ancor. I look forward to your next adventure sharing with us. Safe voyage for you and Carl. ;)

[@samantha9662]

living the dream!!

[@carlmic7]

Great video! Do you have to go home? or just another country? Stay safe!

[@pekattila60]

NICE& BRAVE

[@janklaassen4214]

i enjoy all your videos,i love tropical seas,diving..what happend with the engine?the overheating?you get a solution for this problem?

[@WhiteSpotPirates]

Jan Klaassen That's fixed (looks like it at least). I tried to explain what was wrong here facebook.com/whitespotpirates/photos/a.422762214487161.1073741825.200870730009645/705615602868486/?type=1&theater

[@fiddler2u]

I can't get to the how you fixed the motor link. How did you fix the overheating?

[@WhiteSpotPirates]

facebook.com/whitespotpirates/photos/pb.200870730009645.-2207520000.1421151630./705615602868486/?type=3&theater Try this one, it should work. Ahoy and thanks for watching, Nike

[@RodneyTronic]

So happy you asked this question and Nike answered here, I can't get the link to work either and it was bugging me not to know how it was fixed. Thanks!

[@petercooke1096]

Love your videos....hope you don't mind if I send them out on twitter......great work........really enjoy your videos......sail far and live slow.

[@WhiteSpotPirates]

Peter Cooke not at all, would be great! Thanks for watching and keep on sharing those videos :).

[@uscgalpha91]

Thanks for making great videos. I know someone probably asked this but what is the make and length of your boat ??

[@WhiteSpotPirates]

My Karl is a Reinke Super 10 with 11,2m LOA. Thanks for watching :)

[@DEATHTRAPHOTRODS]

Heck yeah SAIL!!

[@MrTeneric]

As usual, an inspiration. I'll try to throw some bucks your way. I do want you to succeed! You seem to be meeting lots of people on the way. I have thought that sailing in groups could be a good idea. Small flotillas of boats traveling the world. Believe it or not, I'd like to see the more mundane parts of your travel too. The clothes washing and the passport and visa stuff is great. In the mean time, Fair Winds eric

[@WhiteSpotPirates]

MrTeneric Hey Eric, thank you so much for your support. Even just watching and commenting helps a lot :). It's been a lot of fun to sail around with other boats. It gives you the comfort of someone being close by in case of emergency but you also have the possibility to sail solo at the same time. And you can share the fish you catch underway with your friends once you get to the anchorage. I think I will defenitely buddy boat when I go on my first longer solo passage. Happy you liked the stuff about washing and visa issues. Things like looking for food and water take up quite some time here in the islands, so I thought it would be interesting to show that life here is much different than at home, where a supermarket is always close by and the washingmaschine is available in your flat. Ahoy and best wishes to you, Nike & Karl

[@MrTeneric]

Thanks for the reply. I feel privileged when you take time out to do so. So many others write comments too. I will continue to watch and support. Take care and continue finding your joy in both the ups and downs of your voyage. eric

[@kunstmol]

You know.. it's not a race. kidding of course, it's always a race when you get sailboats together. Good job.

[@WhiteSpotPirates]

it's not? ;) well, I did not really race anyhow, it was just pure cirumstances that led to Karl's victory :). He had more sail area than the one boat and the other boat was so big and heavy that they need much stronger winds to sail fast...and they would have overtaken Karl easily if the wind had been stronger. But still, it did feel like a small victory, hehehe :)

[@kunstmol]

You can be proud of Karl. you built him from the ground up pretty much. I always say it's not important to have a fast boat but as soon as i'm going the same direction as any other sailboat I start trimming the sails and tweaking everything. It's impossible not to.

[@Jimmy47904]

Can't help but smile for you...good for you! p.s.... and you can learn me all you want ;) oh yeah, and feel free to post a little more often if the mood strikes you.

[@KingDeramo]

You speak German, English & Spanish. Very nice! Any others?

[@WhiteSpotPirates]

Working on my French currently :). I can have a slow, basic conversation, but still a lot of work to do to become fluent...

[@WhiteSpotPirates]

Oui, une petit peu pour le vocabulair en general, mais aussi est tres diffficile quelle que fois parcque c'est tres proche ;).

[@WhiteSpotPirates]

Bonne idee, merci :)

[@martinrouen]

je ecouterais volontiers en francais lentement/doucement (sorry for my French)

[@bkudla]

Your German accent is fading to a Spanish accent. LOL. Keep up the good posts.

[@chikken_soup]

What, exactly, are your sailing plans(routes)?

[@WhiteSpotPirates]

Chicken Soup I am actually not planning too much right now...Heading east towards colombia is the next move, but slowly, visiting some more remote places in San Blas. And then we'll see where the wind takes us,,,

[@xpeditionb]

WhiteSpotPirates You are so nice, take care in colombia. It is great step for you. :) good video.

[@Reddsmorris1]

if you have a visa for Panama does that help with not paying the entry fees? every time you go there

[@WhiteSpotPirates]

You mean every time you go to Guna Yala? It's a different fee. They are independent from Panama and the Congreso of Guna Yala charges their own fees. And sometimes some islands charge something on top of that as well. It does not have anything to do with the visa for Panama. Is that what you meant? Ahoy, Nike & Karl

[@Reddsmorris1]

+WhiteSpotPirates I guess that's close enough. So in this episode your island hopping on your way back to shelter are you paying a fee at each place you stop and drop anchor for the day?

[@WhiteSpotPirates]

I did not go back to Shelter Bay, maybe you mean Panamarina? In the islands of Guna Yala you pay 20 $ per person and 20 $ for the boat for a month in general when you enter the area. And then there are a couple of islands that sometimes randomly charge people an extra fee. Nargana e.g. sometimes charges 15$ per months as well and it does not matter if you stay only a day...if you come on the day they are collecting the fee...you gotta pay for the month. Same with that island Ustupu. Some islands have a fee for using their beach, it's usually a dollar or so. Those are the more touristy islands like the eastern Hollandes, aka the BBQ island. I got charged in Nargana once, but it is rare that they come round to charge people from what I have heard. Apart from that I did not pay anywhere else. But things round there change quite frequently as well ;). If you stay in the less touristy areas, you usually don't get charged anything extra. Ahoy, Nike & Karl

[@Reddsmorris1]

+WhiteSpotPirates As always thanks for the info. hard to keep up with all the fees in different places. it's hard to understand some of the countries on the list. Safe sailing.

[@WhiteSpotPirates]

It is a bit tricky sometimes, true. But usually, Noonsite gives a good overview.

[@jonathanz2456]

If you are making some pennies from youtube I suggest invest it back in vid/image quality which will in turn pay itself back indirecly in a multitude of ways. Image quality counts sooo much. I here the new Canon G7X point and shoot has amazing vid quality ...recommended by Casey Neistat. Smash it!

[@w4447]

That's it! I'm Jealous.

[@TheVinthers]

HI Nice to a new video from you again. Specialy now that its getting colder and darker here in north europa.

[@barnclebill6333]

It looked like you used US currency to make your food purchase. It that currency of the local area? I love your videos, it a gift to be able to make friends easily. Looking foward to you next adventure. Bill

[@WhiteSpotPirates]

Barncle Bill Hey Bill, yes, you saw that correclty, Panama is using the US dollar as a currency. They have some "own" coins like one or a quater Balboa, but all the bills are dollars.

[@alsadler4013]

OMG! 12 whole minutes. You are slowly making your way to that 30 min segment. Next your videos will be on travel channels ;-)

[@seanrhone5306]

sweet water?

[@WhiteSpotPirates]

Sean Rhone ehem, fresh water...sorry, it's a literal translation from the German "Süß - wasser" (sweet water) in comparison to "Salz - wasser" (salt water). Thanks for the hint, will try to remember that :)

[@MrTeneric]

Sweet water is appropriate in English as well. Fresh too.

[@TheTvguy1100]

Why did the dog have duct tape on his paw?

[@Mushaschi]

weiter so...... lebe deinen Traum

[@tiborsedlak4008]

why did you name your boat KARL?

[@WhiteSpotPirates]

Hi +Tibor Sedlak, you can find the answer on my website whitespotpirates.com/faq/ :) Ahoy, Nike & Karl

[@miknapper2143]

FYI, you and your great videos have been listed on the liveaboard site WeFloatThroughLife.org - it'll probably bring you some more subscribers! You can post a photo, article, or link there for more visibility, too. I've sent links to your videos to several someday-cruisers I know, for both inspiration to solidify their cruising plans and as examples of good videos (yours are above all else relate-able!)

[@CaptainJohnmaddux]

I think your fast because of the new paint job on the bottom of Carl??? I love your video; May ask one thing will you make them longer?? PLEASE! :) John The Limo Driver in Kansas city USA

[@davidhutchinson6377]

What kind of boat is Karl?

[@WhiteSpotPirates]

he is a Reinke Super 10, made from Aluminium. LOA is11.20m, built in 1992.

[@alphasxsignal]

Polotics can be a pain and hope you leave there soon to better places.

[@christiancowboy100]

God's creation is beautiful.

[@Bombora143]

cool bananas

[@acsmith70325]

Wie gehts es ihnen??

[@WhiteSpotPirates]

Crazie German Sehr gut, danke der Nachfrage :) Und selbst?

[@acsmith70325]

Sehr gut! Sie sind sehr nett!! Tchuss!!

[@islmis]

Just a comment on your English - "learnings" is not a word. A better phrase would be "lessons", or "some things I've learned". Other than that, your English is impeccable.

[@islmis]

Constructive criticism =/= picking on someone. "Learned" is more common in American English, while "learnt" is more common in British English, but both are correct.

[@davred123]

I disagree, learnings is a word. Refer dictionary.reference.com/browse/learnings?s=t

[@mikehinderliter7914]

:)

[@jasonyoung8509]

Is that a wedding band on your finger?

[@barnclebill6333]

Maybe it was quazey ours ever sence we wrestled it from Venezuela all those years ago to build the canal. But that is to political for this site. But thanks I didn't know that US currency is use outside of the USA. Bill

[@00708046]

It looks like the gods have taken a liking to you ! From hell to heaven ...

[@kipk7175]

i peek german and u

[@fiddler2u]

OK, Enough newbies in paradise. Maybe some spice, action, anything other than this "uhm, uhm, like, uhm" narration of nothing. You probably don't read your comments anyway. Glad your motor is fixed... maybe? I hope. Good luck. What is your name anyway?

[@simoncaselton9436]

very ugly boat and very courageuse skipper.