The Wreck of sv Ellipsis at Elbow Cay (MJ Sailing - EP 45)

GIVEAWAY WITH ABACO POLARIZED SUNGLASSES!! Details below.
We leave Marsh Harbor for the picturesque settlement of Hope Town, and have a whirlwind adventure while we're there. Heading into town one night to play trivia with friends, we find there is a shipwreck on the north end of the island, and stroll up the beach to take a look.
Lodged in the sand is a Westsail 32 named Ellipsis that had ended up there the night before after encountering some heavy weather between Puerto Rico and St. Augustine. We only had a few details at the time, but knew it was two men and two dogs on board, and although the boat was now meant to be salvaged, everyone on board was ok.
The next day the two of us do a little more wandering around town and take a look at the world famous Elbow Reef Lighthouse; the last kerosene burning lighthouse in the world. We also walk through the grounds of Harbour Lodge resort to take in stunning views from their Atlantic coast beach.
Strolling back out to the beach, we found the owner there removing personal belongings and were able to talk to him to get the full story of what happened.
-- Abaco Polarized sunglasses giveaway --
Drawing will be done on Wednesday February 14th at 9 am EST.
Winner will be notified by personal message
Use code MJSailing for 20% off your next order! abacopolarized...
Cheers from the Bahamas!
Thank you SO MUCH to our Patrons. These amazing supporters help keep us on the boat, our camera equipment up to date, and the videos coming. Without our patrons, these videos would not be possible.
To join the Patreon ranks, please visit / mjsailing
Thank you!,
Matt & Jessica
--
Online shop: mj-sailing.mys...
Our Boat: 1983 Trisalu 37 (custom aluminum, built in Quebec)
Where We've Been: 2.5 year refit in Indiantown, Florida - Bahamas
Where we're going in 2018: Bahamas - St. Martin - Azores - Ireland - UK
Our Previous Boat: 1989 Sabre 34 Targa (Serendipity)
Where We Sailed Her: U.S. - Bahamas - Jamaica - Cuba - Cayman Islands - Honduras - Guatemala - Belize - Mexico - Bermuda - Azores - Madeira - Canary Islands - Sint Maarten - BVI's - USVI's
Music:
00:18 - I Met You in the Summer - Loving Caliber (ES)
00:59 - Breathe - Johan Borjesson (ES)
04:47 - Dreamers Escape 2 - Magnus Ringblom (ES)
07:34 - Head Under Water - Lvly (ES)
11:31 - Chain of Events 3 - John Ahlin (ES)
Camera equipment used:
- Panasonic Lumix G85 - amzn.to/2iv2g4G
Editing software:
Windows Movie Maker & Adobe Premier
Website:
www.mjsailing.com
Facebook:
/ mattandjessicasailing
Instagram:
/ mattandjessicasailing

[@johnk3606]

Beautiful place and you two deserve every minute of it. In 40 years around boats I have never seen anyone as young as you two be so unafraid of hard work. You were willing to learn and take on any task that needed doing, and were able to see the reward down the road for two years! Documenting your rebuild so honestly will inspire some to finish and hopefully ward off others who will save tons of money by not even starting, which will be a great kindness to both groups. Again enjoy it all, you really earned it.

[@MJSailing]

Thank you so much for the kind comment John!

[@texwires]

Retired USN here and re-living the life through your videos. You both have infectious smiles and personalities!

[@scenefromabove]

Another great video! Wow, the full story on the shipwreck was really sad.. those guys worked their tails off to save the yacht, only to eventually be beaten by an accumulation of factors.

[@MJSailing]

It is an incredibly sad story, but the good thing is they were able to walk away from it uninjured.

[@mspeachy3226]

SO hard to wait another week for the next video. I really enjoy seeing them each week because I always feel like I’m right there with you on your adventures. Thank you for all your hard work in bringing them to us.

[@jameswilliams2415]

Jessica those shades makes the Caribbean look great on you!

[@MJSailing]

Awww, thank you so much James!

[@Josef_R]

I was actually thinking how great your regular glasses looked. I can never get a pair that look good on me...

[@premiumcraft]

Enjoyed the view from the lighthouse and the gorgeous water colours. The sense of rocking to sleep each night with the wave left me in awe.

[@LindsayRichards]

So glad y'all are finally saling again.

[@JB-dm3nc]

Very sad about the Westsail. Glad you were able to shed some light on the owner's story. Make it great days!!

[@ronruethain5521]

Always enjoy your videos. I still can't believe you gave up sailing to build Elements. Happy that you're back afloat.

[@Dvseire]

Its great to watch you both sailing and enjoying living aboard after following your rebuild, where at times it seemed like you might never actually leave the boat yard! The fact that you have is an inspiration to anyone currently working on their own project boat, that if they stay the course, then they too can enjoy the rewards!

[@jefferymate8445]

I really dig your sunnies mate, great vid to guys.

[@MJSailing]

Thank you so much!

[@phygital1]

Great video. Really nice the owner of Ellipsis got to tell his story and that you published it.

[@topgun8683]

That was a good narration and beautiful views, keep up the good work !

[@MJSailing]

Thank you so much!

[@bentjensen1850]

Thomas Evers o

[@08cad]

Have followed your channel for quite some time, really enjoy your “down to earth” presentation of sail boat living! Watching this episode picks my spirits up, takes away the reality of the cold and snow here in Flushing, Mi!😬. Enjoy the sun on your face and the wind at your back!

[@bretrb]

Great video, can't wait to get 'out there' as well!

[@MJSailing]

Thank you Bret!

[@leighharris5825]

Well done on your sensitive coverage of the owner's loss of his yacht and his dream. Most channels would simply plunder the casualty, you guys are a class act.

[@MJSailing]

Thank you so much Leigh, that really means a lot!

[@wakeguy25]

Your videos are so bright, I need some new shades for watching them. :)

[@MJSailing]

Haha. ;)

[@geoffgelow4241]

Every episode gets better and better. Keep doing what you are doing.

[@kenleachman5476]

sad to see such a beautiful sailboat gone that easily

[@davecameron7002]

I appreciated watching as you refit Elements, but definitely am enjoying seeing you two out sailing again. Well done.

[@tchiwam]

Interesting business model before the light house. Salvage as an income.

[@MJSailing]

I guess a business like that kind of falls into your lap out there, and then you learn to perfect it. (At that time)

[@manfredschmalbach9023]

Sending erratic signals by influencing the lighthouse or setting up plain wrong lights at places leading to a beaching and subsequent "salvage" was a recurrent practice shoredwellers used throughout the history of seafaring. When I started singlehanding in the late seventies lads in the Kornat (then still Tito-ruled Yougoslavia) pranked each other this way on a regular basis on their way home from soundfishing nights.

[@chicagoblair]

Thanks for sharing your journey! I’m happy you’re finally where you want to be an not stuck in a boatyard any longer! Fair winds!

[@Josef_R]

Just a different form of piracy.

[@manfredschmalbach9023]

Josef Roesler still a vast difference. Pirates enter up Your vessel and hold You at gunpoint, on the other hand not finding Your way when lacking proper seamanship to cope with an erratic or unclear/problematic lights situation is not at all comparable with that, is it?

[@allenshepherd8705]

It was great to see that you got to talk to the owner of the wreck and hear the true story! Keep up the great videos!

[@arottie4097]

Another Awesome episode! I'm curious, how was the boats owner holding up? Did I understand correctly. You spoke with him the day after they where beached? I would have still balling like the baby !! ; )

[@MJSailing]

Glad you enjoyed the epidsode!! I think the day we actually talked to the owner was about 3 days after it happened. He was holding up surprising well and had nothing but great things to say about all the locals helping him out.

[@TheCDANet]

Great video, as always, Matt and Jessica. Good on you to let the captain of Ellypsis tell his story about what happened to their boat. I also enjoyed the history of the light house. Thanks!

[@Crazyreseller]

Leaving a boat for salvage is the equivalent to throwing your garbage on the ground. Owners need to make sure they clean up their mess and pay for the boat to be removed. I hope they didn't just walk away. Do the right thing.

[@MrRourk]

Rob Bowman I'm sure someone will charge them for it. Was watching a video of a catamaran that wrecked on a reef. The owners did not realize they would be charged for the cost of removing it from the reef and sinking it.

[@Crazyreseller]

That's what gets me. Especially after the hurricanes...boats get wrecked...owner vanishes, leaves the mess for others to remove. It's disgusting. I was on the ICW in FL recently and they are everywhere. You can tell they have been there awhile too.

[@MrRourk]

Rob Bowman Florida just did a big cleanup a few years ago. You have to understand the State of Florida is partly to blame. The laws for salvage in that state prevent anyone but the state from cleaning up the mess.

[@Turaelin]

Man just lost his 32' sailboat... possibly his only home. I wonder at the cost of such a 'clean up'... not many I know could afford it. Doubt you could.

[@Crazyreseller]

JD Blackwell, I feel for his situation but, that doesn’t mean he can just walk away. I saw in a later post that he worked with the local government to rectify the situation which is the proper thing to do and one I give him credit for. There are many abandoned vessels left for dead all over to which the owner never returns. Whether I have the means to clean up such a mess is irrelevant because I didn’t beach my boat but, in the event I did I certainly wouldn’t walk away.

[@AliasJimWirth]

Really nice history lesson on the lighthouse. I like that kind of content. Thanks for including it.

[@MJSailing]

Glad you liked it! 😀

[@rickleavitt5791]

Great video and story. Seeing how easy it is to end up on a beach when you don't want to. The shades look really nice and Jessica you do a nice job commenting.. Thank you for sharing.

[@MJSailing]

Thank you so much Rick!

[@robertorzech2466]

There's nothing that can beat polarized glasses for looking through the surface of the water. I like them especially when I'm fishing !

[@codykirby1775]

You all are fantastic! nothing better then watching you both in such beautiful locations while I'm sitting out 15 degree weather and snow here in southern Ohio! Keep it up!

[@carlcollins-tester3126]

So sad to see a beautiful craft come to a tragic end. However glad all on board was ok. Hope town looks absolutely stunning! Thank you for all the Vlogs you do giving us all a chance to see these amazing locations you are visiting.!

[@gcormier04401]

Hello from Maine! Thanks for keeping our family warm with your videos this (particularly brutal) winter as we watch and dream until we can splash our 42' C&C Landfall again in spring. Safe travels!

[@wTomD]

Nicely done Jessica on your clear & concise voice-over narrations. it really helps to explain what's happening in the video ... added bonus is when Matt adds in his two cents. :-)

[@generaldisorder9767]

Fantastic to see it all working out for you both after spending so much effort in the yard. Love your videos, look forward to watching more of your adventures.

[@RickConley]

I love the blues of the water. You've done a good job of capturing the beauty of the beaches!

[@alexism1127]

As a fellow Michigander, I can't express how jealous I am of all that sunshine. It has been a BRUTAL winter up here. Enjoy that sun y'all.

[@Rational_Party]

Watching these vids makes me want to sell all my stuff and go sailing... Thanks for sharing, I know it's a LOT of work!

[@MJSailing]

Thank you so much for following!

[@traceymarshall5111]

Love watching your Vlogs and have been watching for the whole refit. Your cat has the best life a cat or human could wish for. Fair winds and following seas until your next installment....

[@broke4583]

Great video! The lighthouse was beautiful and I am so glad the owners & their 2 dogs made it safely off of the wrecked boat. I hope the best for them and the two of you in your adventures!

[@PilotOlms]

Stunning scenery and great video and extra nice to actually hear from the owner of the shipwreck

[@AfricanFlightStar]

I took my wife and two kids (9 & 12 at the time) to Marsh Harbor in 2003 for a week. We rented an 18' boston whaler for a few days and ran around all those islands, incl Hope Town and going up the lighthouse. It was an wonderful & unforgettable vacation. Glad you got to see it too ☺️

[@MJSailing]

An 18' Boston Whaler would be the perfect way to see those island groups! Lucky you, you were probably able to see more than we did. 😉

[@characterboat22]

Sitting here in Ontario with two feet of fresh snow and the boat under a tarp. Was planning our summer cruise and topped it off with your video. It's great to live vicariously through you guys this time of year. It helps that you two are so approachable. One of the few youtube sailors I could see myself enjoying the company of. Keep up the good work and keep showing folks like us that sailing is not just for retirement!

[@stuartfoster3067]

Another great episode from one of my top five sail vlogs. Your work and stamina rebuilding Elements has been inspirational. The Westsail 32 is a loss but so much better on the beach than the reef or well off shore!

[@tmhall9]

Thanks for all the effort you put into these videos. We all get to enjoy your travels too. Thanks for sharing.

[@steelcitytbirds]

After weeks of binge-watching, I'm finally current! Great job, you two!

[@MJSailing]

Thank you so much John! New episode coming tomorrow for you. 😉

[@jasonpate984]

Hey guys I love watching your videos. It's really awesome you guys are able to make your dreams a reality. Fair winds and smooth sailing and can't wait till your next video.

[@lyfandeth]

Nice shades. You both look so much happier, so much less stress, to be under way again. Congrats!

[@williambremner9022]

Good on you guys to set the record straight for the owner of Ellipsis! Great video too! Cheers, from Singapore.

[@bigwooly8014]

Glad y'all got to run into the owner and get the full story on that boat very interesting keep the videos coming

[@000001willy]

The views of the beaches surrounding Hope Town are spectacular. The remind me a little of west-end Grand Bahama Island with its white sand beaches.

[@TowerHand]

Thanks again for bringing us along for the ride and the background info is greatly appreciated, fair winds and good bottoms for the hook.

[@calvinh.8882]

Sad to see someone lose their boat like that, but glad nobody was hurt.. I hope you two are having a great week.. Peace!

[@gilesadams2389]

Great videos, good combination our tour guides and practical life on a boat. Thanks.

[@danielleschlegel9645]

Awesome video and awesome shades! Can’t imagine leaving a beloved boat behind for salvage, but what an incredible story!

[@kathleengreenen2813]

It is always sad to hear about someone losing there boat, they were fortunate they could step off there boat to safety. Great video, it is nice to see areas I have not sailed or been to.

[@wickedwestfalia]

I enjoy watching all your videos! It simply relieves my stress. Thank you!!

[@Parsonshill2]

Great video. It’s good to see you finally on the water. Keep them coming.

[@MJSailing]

Glad you enjoyed it, lots more to come!

[@jameswieser483]

Great video! Loved your coverage about the history of the lighthouse and the views from it. I felt a bit depressed after hearing that beautiful sail boats sailing day are now over. Once again, great video. Can’t wait for the next one.

[@debrapenney4281]

Such a beautiful view from the Oceanside Bar/pool area. As I deal with a snow storm last evening here- I am loving the greens/blue , & teal color's of the ocean water- a girl can dream!

[@airwolf61970]

A westsail 32....thats sad. Such a fine blue water boat. Glad to see you two cruising again. I watched your rebuild videos and all the hard work you did. 😊

[@RobertNetzer]

Thanks for sharing. Seems like too many stories of sunken or abandoned boats. Good to see you guys studying and learning the skills necessary to be safe.

[@vxnova1]

You guys do a fantastic job of putting the video together, thoroughly enjoy watching them,

[@jasonhauck7011]

Good episode. Love the boat. You guys should be proud of all the work you have put into it. Sitting in the snow up north longing for the salt air!

[@phlbald]

have seen others at Hope Town but this was the best video there yet. Thank you.

[@billcornell4980]

Thanks for the episode and hooking up with Abacos promoting their sunglasses. I recently attended to Toronto boat show and a seminar by Yves Gélinas the inventor of the Cape Horn self steering gear. I’m sure he would interested if the reasons for the gear failure was related to design or manufacturing deficiencies or just extreme weather and lines caught in props and rudder. He was a charismatic presenter and proud of his steering gear, logging thousands of miles using his with no issues in some of the most extreme conditions.

[@mattjohnson6716]

Hey Bill, Since we have a Cape Horn windvane hanging off our transom, we were interested in why/how it failed. Unfortunately, the owner didn't know; just saying that it 'failed internally'. He was too busy and I felt uncomfortable asking if I could tear it apart to find out what went wrong. The windvane was never removed when the boat finally washed back into the sea, so we will never know what failed. Matt

[@MJSailing]

Hi Bill! I tried to find a way to message you through your YT homepage, but couldn't find a way to. But.....YOU WON THE ABACO SUNGLASSES! Shoot us an email or message and we'll get your personalized code to you for your free pair. Congratulations!!!

[@billcornell4980]

Hi Matt and/or Jessica. I received you surprise news. Thanks!! I have also responded to your email address listed on your webpage www.mjsailing.com

[@codybaker1091]

Another good installment, we enjoyed the history on the lighthouse.

[@adamttreat123]

Again, so friggin awesome to see you guys finally “doin it”! I know I mentioned before about every sailing channel covering the Bahamas but it’s actually really nice to be able to see after the hurricane. Thank you again He man and She woman for sure

[@MJSailing]

Thank you so much for following along! Hopefully we can keep the Bahamas interesting enough. 😀

[@ryfish5]

Good to see you guys not sweating away in Florida, but enjoying that boat!

[@TarGuard387]

Have had a good time following you two. Trying to convince the wife to sail away when I retire in a year.

[@MJSailing]

I needed convincing too, until I read Bumfuzzle and Slapdash, and then I was ready to go! 😃

[@corybrown994]

like the story on the light house, and I'm glad you got the real story on the they ended up on the beach a very sad ending . thanks for that you guys always put out good info in your videos.

[@bxcvf2038]

Loved he views! So rewarding after all that work at Indian River!!!!!

[@MJSailing]

Thank you! Yes, just a little bit better than the views from our boat yard, right? ;)

[@HunterTDaniel]

Enjoying the videos, and it is good seeing ya'll reaping the rewards of all the hard work you put in.

[@marcusblack9171]

I watch a lot of sailing channels and you guys are one of the best.

[@MJSailing]

Thank you so much Marcus, that means a lot!

[@bobbymundell2559]

Great work as always. I’d agree that a bad day on the boat is better than being anywhere else. Cheers!

[@Brinybreezer1]

I came by Peanut Island in my boat and said hello to you before you left for the Bahamas. I was with family members so it was difficult for me to engage you with more conversation. I have followed your progress from when you bought the Elements and started renovation. Always enjoy how to videos.

[@tarmacdrifter8125]

It so good to see you enjoying the fruits of your labor. Safe travels

[@edrosenberger6947]

This was a very interesting episode. Had I been close to that wreck, I would check to see how badly it was water damaged.....the cracked hull can be fixed but sea water screws everything up. So glad you two are enjoying that great ship....

[@edrobertson5217]

Beautiful views. Tough to have all that rain in such a beautiful place!

[@sandrarenwick1225]

Loved seeing you back in your Elements of Life, it looks like you got your MOJO back again!

[@MJSailing]

Thanks Sandra! It feels sooooo good to be back out on the water again! 😍

[@dougvarvil6435]

It is sad to see a boat at the end of it’s life. But it has been enjoyable watching you bring Elements back to life.

[@davidprince1923]

So good to see you guys on the water again. Living vicariously through your journey

[@philmoen1446]

I like your style. You two make a great team! My compliments!

[@JamaicaLive2010]

Great to follow you two. We'll be right behind you .... way, way back, but behind you non the less!

[@billconn1805]

I found your channel last year in the middle of your journey to get elements back in the water. You guys are inspiring. Looking forward to seeing the adventures to come. Bill from Washington state.

[@ian3940]

That’s great to hear that you met the guy with that sailboat and got the story about it. Still sad to see it go to wast .i love your channel keep up the great work

[@michael308]

Enjoyed the video. A friend at church was telling us about her nephew running aground. That was his boat. I will forward the VLOG to her so she can see her nephew. My wife and I are in the process of selling everything to cruise full time. Love the glasses.

[@davidkaehele8910]

It is nice to finally see you two sailing!

[@brianwood8207]

It great to see you guys finally sailing

[@MJSailing]

Thank you! It feels great after these past few years back on land.

[@richardellishk]

Great you guys are living your dream (very JEALOUS!!!) and keep the videos coming for the rest of us stuck in our routines!!

[@MJSailing]

Thank you Richard! It was nice having had a few years of cruising in our past already to know what we were working toward with Elements. 😉

[@chris3m98]

Your views where outstanding & the panning (sp) of the views where nice & slow. Best video yet, Thank you from Mi. -10o. The water colors where great!

[@StefiesMama]

Always heartbreaking to see a boat wreck, 😢 the Tanda Malaika story a few months back and now Ellipsis, just so sad.. Beautiful video as always though, awesome view from the light house. Stay safe and keep sailing ⛵️

[@villeniemi9965]

Awesome episode, allthough its -15C here, some good shades would be needed with all the snow. Can't wait for next summer&sailing with the family

[@MJSailing]

Good shades are always needed, especially in the blinding snow! :)

[@mikegreer5336]

I have watched the two of you guys through the rebuilding of elements very dedicated couple and a great job done.happy to see you guys sailing.Ive been to the Bahamas before and truly enjoyed my time there.sure could use a new pair of sunglasses Peace.

[@timohan100]

A Westsail 32 that couldn't claw its way to weather? Imagine that. Those full keels point worse than an old sailor with no fingers. Glad the guys and their dogs lived to tell their story, but a sad ending to a classic boat. Thanks for another great episode. Fun to watch you play in the Bahamas while I sit in -7 degree temps. Cheers!

[@mattjohnson6716]

Tim, The pointing of the Westsail was our first thought too, but it also seems that a beam reach would have sent him out of harms way North or South too. Who knows? Matt

[@denniscarmichael5891]

Another great video. Looking forward to seeing more of the islands. Fair winds and smooth seas!

[@chuckborghoff8443]

Those are the coolest sunglasses I have seen in a long time

[@jeffreydavis920]

Its amazing the response for a pair of sunglasses - but I guess boaters have similar appetites for goodies - love the videos - been watching for a long time.

[@MJSailing]

Thank you for being a long time follower Jeffrey!

[@seanbrown3795]

Another Great video! It is nice to finally see you guys on the water after all the hard work (twice)

[@rickhayes4090]

Those glasses make you look soooooo Hollywood!!! I love the look of That pair you dabued...!!

[@lanestreet1431]

The Abacos look great, hopefully you are seeing better weather now. Thanks for sharing and fair winds.

[@whit101]

MJ vids are always a pleasure to watch. I hope the business model is in the black.