truth about diving in the Caribbean [ep 120]

[@laurenlanders]

Hi!! I do know the windlass is having issues ☺️🙏🏼 thank you all for the concern!! I will be giving you the update next episode ❤️

[@msakallioglu]

I'm trying to learn everything I can about sailing and keep hearing this windlass being a pain in the neck. Can you explain why a lot of people have issues with it? Is it rust or how the gears function? It's purpose is to control how anchor gets dropped and reeled back and stuff right? What are the preventative things you can do to avoid this windlass going haywire? Thanks in advance... P.S. I have the same blender as you :)

[@KASPERSKY707]

You are amazing Lauren!

[@RyanRafferty-lc8uc]

You definitely are an amazing woman Laurenlanders, I would love to do what you do everyday! I'm from Virginia Beach, but now live in Hershey PA. area and I hate it up here. I wish I was on the beach again. Have tons of fun.❤

[@outsidethelinessailing]

Funny all the sailors had the same response seeing the vibration on that windlass 😂

[@kellyyoung5153]

might want to edit @2:08 ish

[@ewjorgy]

Hi Lauren, Please check the backing plate and mounting bolts on your windlass. I checked mine last week because it seemed like it was acting funny and discovered that 2 of the 4 mounting bolts had no nuts and the other 2 were halfway backed off! After a fishing expedition to recover the nuts from the bilge I put a bit of locktite on them, cranked them back down and now the windlass is behaving as good as new. Windlasses are notorious for vibrating their mounting hardware off. I suspect it will fix your problem completely and should only take a few minutes. Fair winds, following seas and all the best from California! 🧡

[@25SriLanka]

I'm sure it has been suggested before but I love the idea of a children's book about Mako, the Sailor Cat and his adventures :-) Go for it!!

[@davidperham897]

Love all the positive comments you are getting Your windlass looks to be getting lose on it’s mounts allowing slack on the chain, could be dangerous to get so close with your legs in that compartment.. Definitely needs immediate attention,stay safe Love to follow you Cdn. Dave

[@patraic5241]

Seriously check those mounting bolts on the windlass.

[@burneysbeach]

My thoughts exactly

[@matthewbaynham6286]

I disagree, I have zero expertise and to me it looks like the chain is slipping and the movement on the mounting bolts is just a symptom of the problem of the chain jumping.

[@User-ur6vp]

Oh dang yea, I am no expert but that windless needs to be bolted down. It's all wobbly oof!

[@Lucianrider]

@@User-ur6vp The plywood core is probably rotten....

[@paulcollins9197]

I know I am very impressed with lauren, very much respect her. She is smart self sufficient

[@Adam-nr4qq]

Don't forget to take a look at the bottom the boat and clean barnacles

[@Luniverspin]

I just discovered your channel and subscribed right away. I appreciate your honest comments about the coral. I am a diver myself. I have seen the water get warmer over the last 15 years + and I am now thorned between freaking out and being tremendously sad. Keep on telling things as they are. Your cat is the sweetest thing...

[@doughaynes1048]

Beautiful Lauren ,such grace under water , great work and video .Looking forward to your next one ,have a great day ❤️😀🤗

[@niwa1945]

Thanks! Blue sky and Marine blue inside your vlog emerge like staying there really. Everything makes me feel healing well.

[@laurenlanders]

Aww love this🩵 and thank you

[@WilliamFiler]

This young lady knows freedom like many will never.

[@artprintjedi1821]

So true.

[@paulwackerla6330]

Lauren, I never get tired of seeing your underwater videos. They are so beautiful and peaceful. Thanks for sharing your incredible life with us.

[@laurenlanders]

Thank you 🩵

[@GrantGrove]

The reefs around the Saints has never been remarkable even back in the 90's it was very much the same as in your video. Lovely, very French flavored, island. We liked the smaller island set south of the big island.

[@VanceParker]

Lauren, you have taken your underwater videography to another level, stunning. I also love your calm relaxing voice.

[@gmchristie123]

I like that your videos are so clear the underwater scenes look great and I love your cat.

[@Seadog..11]

I have been at sea so much, I walk like Jack Sparrow when I hit the beach 😊.. I love your channel and I think it's great that you are living the life you want. This KZbin thing is new to me, glad I found your channel because I thought you tube was just about people bickering. Your podcast is not only educational and stimulating for people, we can feel the fulfillment you have in doing it. I thank you, now I have something to watch in my Twilight. ( Now I know what you meant by roll up the ⚓ ) ❤

[@concherover]

never get tired of seeing your underwater videos

[@wykedmoose7642]

Awesome you're actually talking about what i've been seeing on so many sailing channels, that dive. The Reefs are suffering...Mako is the most awesome kitty

[@PeterKNoone]

That kitty is so cute and I'm sure a great companion for you. Thank you for the videos!

[@JesusSaves473]

Neat fish. Like how the cat loves going boating with you. Thanks for sharing content

[@rainfinger]

Great cameos with Mako, enjoying your adventures, sailing in Brazil.

[@rski1036]

TWO things on that antiquated looking windless. 1. As others wrote there's obviously a problem with the bolts. They should be stainless with large washers and locking nuts. 2. The wildcat (not Maco) may be worn causing the chain to not be grabbed. They do come in different sizes for various size chain. I recently increased my anchor chain to 3/8 and had to replace the wildcat for correct size.

[@adambgunn]

The fireworms are the scavengers of the reef… your channel got thrown into my feed probably because of all the reef footage I watch.. incredible journey you are taking.. takes hutzpah!! I’m super jelly.. and with your kitty!! So so so magical. Wonderful stuff. Subbed and following. LOL the jump onto the boat was so great. So cat!

[@markdufault7365]

Hey Lauren. Service windless like yesterday! Don't like giving bad news but that thing is about to rip out. If you find yourself in the northeast I would be glad to offer assistance. Love your life, My best, Mark

[@john41857]

We enjoy every new drop.. wish they were longer : )

[@JeffreyWilstone]

Lauren you are an amazing smart strong courageous young lady! Love all the ports of call and the diving you do! Mako is also awesome 😎 and brave! I bet he makes a great companion while on your journeys! Good luck on future adventures 😊

[@MackMoore-q2n]

Hey Lauren boy that winch is lose as a goose better be careful that it doesn’t pull out wires and all. That being said the reefs are so sad everywhere I was in the Keys in May and it made me so sad to see the conditions there when I was a kid growing up there and diving 3 or 4 times a week the colors and the life was so beautiful people just don’t know what they’re missing. Pet the wild cat for me and you stay safe God Bless you from SC.

[@worldofrajni]

Your video featuring Lauren is absolutely stunning. The grace and strength she displays underwater is truly impressive. I can only imagine the hard work and dedication that went into creating such a beautiful piece. I eagerly await your next video. Creating such a wonderful tribute to a single woman is no small feat, and I applaud your efforts. Well done, and take care

[@allenclark1914]

Another excellent week, It is sad about the reefs all over the world for sure.I really love your underwater videos and also your interaction with Mako.. Thank you for sharing, Please take care and be careful of that windless until you get that fixed. Take care and always, ❤ much love to you and Mako.

[@soilgrasswaterair]

9:33 The perfect little security guard❤

[@sonny5069]

Lauren!!! Had to check up on you ... happy to see mako....so 😊 I am...you're such a busy 🐝 you look well ... This has been an amazing amazing... journey 😌 thank you.

[@AgegnehuTadesse-pi5tw]

Hi, Please take safty precautions. The windlass needs to be maintained. It seems the Bolts are loose or broken. You should not put your feets in the anchor compartment under no circumstances while it is being operated. And in this case if it got loose completely, you wouldn't know what would have went wrong. With shackles of chain pulling the windlass over 10m/s2×with the load of the number of shackles from the bow to the seabed pulling it down. NB. The Bolts needs to be maintained and replaced every 5-7 years. And they are wear and rust resistant Bolts, not ordinary Bolts. I hope this will help to add safety on your journey. Fair winds!

[@plsadventures961]

I’m a new follower and i enjoy your content. Totally admire you doing this lifestyle alone. Oh and your absolutely beautiful

[@leonard7736]

Thanks for sharing Lauren, stay safe out there...

[@Vivaldi777]

Such a wonderful girl and all alone, this world is incredibly cruel. If I were 10 years younger, I would drop everything and find you wherever you are! Hugged you!

[@bethwolberd3878]

I really would love to come and learn from you. I feel like it’s endless what you could teach another woman about sailing. You are very inspiring. Thank you!!!

[@malcolm120]

Thanks Laura, all the other cruiser vids fluff around the coral bleaching and rising sea levels that are so evident to the casual observer. You are the first to state the obvious many thanks 💚💚💚

[@johnphantom]

I got my PADI certification when the limit was 12 and I turned that in 1981 on St. Thomas. First dive without an instructor was the Rhone (I'm positive you know what that is!) and my dad took along my then 8 almost 9 year old brother, who had really no instruction. Dad was a bit of numbskull when it came to danger. Remember sailing in Drakes Channel on the way to Virgin Gorda late one Friday night sometime around 1983 in a tropical storm, had to double reef the main and working jib. Tore the jib. No lifejackets.

[@jacksultan8146]

Beautiful Great to see you out there enjoying what you love the ocean is such an alluring place❤

[@janniemulder8868]

Hi Lauren, enjoy your trip and be save. Cant wait to get my boat one day and do what you do and travel and see the world.😊

[@Brazosbranch1]

Enjoyed this one. Hope you get that anchor windlass problem taken care of while you’re gone. So glad Mako is back.

[@CharleyGeorge]

that windless is going to bust straight out of there one day. It is ripe and ready to jump out. The mount look seriously weak

[@Sugarsail1]

Windless = when there's no wind and you must motor. Windlass = The thing that pulls your anchor up.

[@CharleyGeorge]

@@Sugarsail1 BAHAHAHAHAHA DOPE thanks much appreciated A word I have not spelled in years lol

[@garygolfer3243]

Ironically, the windlass needs to be anchored better…. 🤣👍

[@kurtcraig3421]

great content captain Landers. i thought to myself has she lost a flipper, then i remembered the door slamming shut ya foot story and thats why you only had one on. lots of mako in this one. love to see it.

[@chuckluscomb5824]

Hi Lauren, The windlass is clearly loose on its mounting. It also appears that the chain is jumping out of the gypsy. Not actually slipping as in a clutch problem. That is usually caused by a mismatch in the chain size and the windlass gypsy. So inside the gypsy should be a mark that indicates what size chain it will handle. The chain itself should be "metered" chain so either G4 or BBB should work. Looks like 3/8ths chain? Good luck.

[@gavinflower587]

Hi Lauren, I hope your foot gets better soon. With regards to the windlass, it's hard to tell in the video but it looks like the whole unit is moving, causing the anchor chain to jump. This could be one of two issues, either loose bolts or the fiberglass around the bolts has worn and needs reinforcing and the holes re drilled. It probably needs looking at sooner than later as any limb in that hatch if it lets go and let's out all the chain at speed could get very badly injured. Safe travels Lauren. Another great and informative video and yes it's a shame and sad the corals are dying. Hugs to Mako.

[@blarneystone1965]

Your diving footage is awesome thanks for bringing us there.

[@erickelley3569]

You look like a young Bo Derek! You are so brave to travel alone, keep it up. We enjoy your content.

[@boombringer4078]

I LOVE this channel, you are AWESOME!!😁

[@stevecrombie5357]

Thanks Lauren. You are closing in on 200k I see. You have done the work, you deserve the recognition. I see someone suggested the windless bolts might be loose. I'm sure you have checked things like that. You've literally rebuilt so many things on your boat. Stay safe. ❤🙏

[@MrJalyles]

I truly admire your boldness Lauren. I love to watch your videos. Your a special woman!! 🙏✝️💯🤠

[@DanFerrantelli]

Ouch, I hope your toe recovered quickly! Beautiful videography Lauren. I love the underwater stuff but really just great to see you thriving in your element…and Mako too!

[@stevejones7593]

Damn girl, you made me nervous watching your foot pulling anchor. Stay safe, you and first mate. Love your channel, thank you for sharing your adventures. One of your most beautiful dives, you show us things most will never enjoy. God bless, love your necklace.

[@WilliamTrautsch-ff9he]

Beautiful location. Thanks for sharing Lauren

[@wthaid]

Another great episode. You are my No.1 inspiration. Thank you. I needed inspiration. 🙏

[@coldwarveteran4239]

When you repair the windless add a roller a bit in front of it to hold the chain down a bit. That will give you a better bite on the gypsy and reduce smoke on the installation.

[@DanielTiffany-o8i]

Be Great Full you got to see it at all. Good vibes 😎

[@joe10is]

Thanks Lauren! I grew up at the north end of the Florida Keys (OK, Key Biscayne, so hard to call it the Keys, but geologically it is, if not culturally) and dove reefs from Pennycamp, across the banks to, well, every Bahamian island there is... to the Caymans (with Peter Benchly and Teddy Tucker no less), over to Palancar and the rest of Cozumel, down through the Virgins and, well, where you are now - to see those reefs I remember as fields, literally FIELDS of stag horn and fan coral, just otherworldly dreams of color reduced to broken, dead reefs is just heartbreaking. I really appreciate your showing the truth... it almost makes me wonder if I want to buy a boat and cruise again... though, I probably do :-) Keep it up! - you're sharing important messages!

[@margaritabuddy]

That's saddening to see about the coral. I haven't been to the Bahamas in over 20 years and we saw some beautiful coral there along with large schools of fish! Also scuba'd in Grand Cayman which was really beautiful. Aruba not so much, but the people were friendly! Absolutely love your drone videos specifically and all your videos in general. Impressed that you're sailing the seas alone! You're definitely a good sailor!! Stay safe and hope you get the windlass repaired soon!

[@motoryachtloon]

Nice one Lauren! Looking forward to our next raft up 🛥⛵🥂

[@laurenlanders]

Hopefully sooner rather than later ☺️🙌🏼

[@erictakakjian6021]

The mounting bolts for your windlass are loose, which is probably causing the chain to jump on the wildcat. Most of those mounting bolts are sections of threaded rod that go up into the underside of the windlass frame, with nuts and fender washers on the underside of the deck or whatever it's bolted to. The nuts probably loosened over time from vibration. If you tighten the nuts from the underside and put some locktite on the threads it may very well solve your problems. Mako seems like a great companion!

[@SDwuwei]

It seems I write a comment every week but I can’t help it your underwater footage is so sharp and clear just amazing! Please keep talking about what is happening to Mother Earth. You don’t preach you just tell it like it is.

[@johnbergquist8510]

Lauren i think you are very brave and such a strong and beautiful ladie ,please don't put your feet near your winch ,Idon't want to see you get hurt, keep sailing ,i would love to help you but you seem to be doing an awesome job ,Ilove your videos

[@KauaiBeeDoug]

loved seeing you work out with Mako

[@prestigesailing3532]

I had the same with the Archor. I replaced the gipsy and everything was fine.

[@TonyAnkele]

Hi Lauren. My name is Tony. I've been watching you for some time. Now. You are impressive person with natural sailing skills and great inner personal strengths. I'd like to see you write a book as well. I think it would be a best seller ..your story up to present time. From schooling , traing , mom and dad outings. All you done. I believe it would be a great read and a benefit to the sailing community. Thank you for sharing all your vids. Your an awesome young lady and I really admire you. ..stay cool. 😅❤

[@sergioraulramos]

Lauren, a veces duplico los comentarios pero este lo voy a aprovechar para agregar cosas. Es bueno que muestres el lado doloroso de tu sueño, se que a veces has tenido golpes y heridas y no las confesaste a nosotros y te digo que no esta mal que las muestres porque te muestran como el ser humano que sos y que valoramos. Es triste ver a los corales sin sus colores y la vida que dan a los arrecifes, esa relacion que mencionabas estaria bueno si podes confirmarla para saber que otra causa provoca su desparicion. Me encantan las vistas del pueblo en la isla y conocer un poquito de la isla de tu mano. Las picaduras y moretones en tus piernas me animan mas a brindar todo mi apoyo a tu sueño, cuidate mucho y renova tu energia junto a tu familia para cuando vuelvas. Gracias Lauren, por compartir tu sueño 😘😘😘💓💓💙💙🙏

[@BrianSutherland-id1qr]

tighten the mounting bolts for sure and try and tighten the gypsy as well.. that will tighten the hold on the chain

[@grahamnielsen4797]

Check that windless Lauren looks loose or damaged support! Thank you for showing us the real state of our seas where you go.

[@pauljanakconley6465]

Hi Lauren, I am a retired Military Veteran and look foward to watching the videos you provide. Thank you so much. This may have been answered before but, Are you not afraid of Great White Sharks when you go diving or do they not come into the area where you end up. I really dont know. Thank you

[@Pete_R63]

Looks like a sweet little goldentail eel at 4:42. Got to love eels!

[@TammyBillings-qt1ve]

Amazing video, so sad about the reefs.

[@jacksultan8146]

Ammonia works great on the jellyfish bites

[@2blackcatz426]

Best part of sailing and living aboard...the beautiful dives and sealife....worst part..all of the constant repairs meow

[@CalvinDegroot]

You mentioned mooring buoys. Only use them for a short stay. I saw some that the chain was worn very thin. You cannot guarantee a secure anchorage on other peoples equipment.

[@vilanakis]

I would be very happy to see you doing the same work in my special homeland in Crete - Greece.......we have a wonderful habitat

[@1contemporary]

The windless is comming loose from the base. Can you tighten the bolts? I am ever amazed at your diligence and always curious why such a beautiful and inspiring woman is alone? I'm still bathing in the ocean after first meeting you @KZbin. You are a huge inspiration for this old sailor.

[@benjaminwadda]

Wow, your super quick at doing exercises, impressive 🤭😂. Great vid . 👍

[@Mike-bb1li]

So Sweet, hi Mako!

[@СергейЮрко-ю9г]

Fair seas and following winds! Hellow from Russia🇷🇺 Vladivostok❤❤❤❤

[@ambassadorlight3146]

Thanks for the honest and sad report on the coral in that area.😢 I bought a black fan coral from Hawaii when I vacationed there. They said it grows below 300'. I kept it house to house moves over the years until it was crushed in a move. I think the first video of yours I watched, you were rewiring something a few years ago. You are very skilled at diagnosing, troubleshooting, and mechanical/electrical repair/replace. I'm sure you'll have a good fix or replace for your winch. Have you tried using a wireless remote mic with a fuzzy wind dampener? I've seen them on other channels. 💖🌞👑✝️😃

[@thomasthornton5737]

😀😀👍👍❤❤ Well miss "one fin" you and Mako have made another fun to watch video! You looked awesome in the red suit but sorry about the stings. Bye for now from Seattle, WA. (Northwest USA)

[@SteveGay-sk3py]

Hi love your channel.your cat jumping from tender to boat Awesome ❤😂❤

[@Thereminator101]

Hopefully some of the reef can adapt and recover...I wonder if colder waters that are warming will gain some reefs? Your windlass looks like its moving around too much...that could cause misalignment, check the mounts.

[@icaris78]

Spotted some corals i have in my aquarium 🪸. So sick ❤️

[@igabrielf]

Really good video, Lauren! I'll take all the underwater footage anytime! 💙 And I really like that you're also sharing the sad reality of the reefs and how it's changing right beneath our noses. How is it in comparison between the Bahamas and the areas you visited this year?

[@timpanda3780]

Early on in this vlog we were watching you bring up the anchor, (apologies for my poor terminology…) but there was something rattling/vibrating away like billy-oh and your feet were in amongst it all and that’s where I got worried…..but….tis a good thing you understand a whole lot better than me what you’re doing. 😊 …..Sad though that so much coral is dying out.

[@JohnnyBeegood1]

What gave you those bites while diving? Love your reef dives. It's another world down there.😄🥰❤

[@RichardSwinton]

Lauren feel free to to sail up to the beautiful coast of British Columbia. Would blow your mind. I have seen the water so clear I could see the bottom in 40 ft of water. (cold water but that is what wet suites are for)

[@anthonyrstrawbridge]

I've seen a brain coral swell up like a colorful beach ball the size of a pilates ball several times for several hours over many months. I assume it was enjoying itself but I'm not certain. It would just shrink back to it's normal size for a few weeks then repeat. 😊

[@IEnigIMa]

You have the best bikini collection of all the sailing channels. 😊. I remember when you did a bikini shoot with La Vagabond’s Elaina’s charity bikini line ❤. They talked about this amazing female solo sailer… no disappointments here. They were correct.

[@tombaker3081]

Hi Lauren, what version of Starlink is that? I'm on a boat and am going to order one and am curious if you and others are using the Residential version. If that works, I'll pull the trigger on that instead of the roaming version as I believe it's faster. Thank you and as Always, enjoyed the videos!

[@edenrr390]

Thanks for posting Lauren Please keep those lovely toes attached to the rest of your loveliness.... resist putting your feet next to the moving windlass. Cheers SV Good Karma as Grins.

[@Pete_R63]

Talking about the reefs changing year after year- it doesn't take long now. Last year, just the difference in the reef from May to October was gigantic. I have been spending the months of May and October in Key West and diving and in that 5 month period the bleaching was awful. And what is even worse, I was in Bonaire last July and it was beautiful even though they are dealing with a thing called SCTLD, they pronounce it 'Skittle - D' but it stands for Stony Coral Tissue Loss Disease. All the area around the island is designated as a marine park so it is well protected and the corals are wonderful. The difference in just under 4 months from late July to mid November was startling and very frightening. They experienced so much coral bleaching- I didn't know where I was- it was so extreme. One dive buddy described it best when he said, "It looked like snow." If you are from a place that gets a blanket of snow in the winter you know what that means and what the coral looked like. I'll be back in Bonaire in a couple of weeks and I really wonder what I will find. I'm curious to see if the coral bounced back much and I'll be back again in November and I wonder if it will be a scary repeat of last year. Apologies for the long screed. Cheers

[@markmason5706]

Got to agree with others, would pay you to check the mounting bolts on the windless as it they are loose and fail and you have your legs are in the compartment it could do you a lot of harm. Hopefully due to the delay in post you have got it checked

[@Corkedit]

Fine anchor chain handling. I am sure most men here never noticed the chain or the anchor, I had to watch it quiet a few times 😛

[@MC-ih2dn]

I’ve always dreamed of having a life on the water and I’ve always been interested in learning to sail. It is heartbreaking to see the coral dying and the reefs in the shape they are in. 😢 I am curious to what was biting you under water that left her with those welts. Love the content.

[@Luke_Stone_321]

Yeah, it looks like you need to check how tight the bolts are on your anchor windless. It appears they are loose.

[@johnrathbun2943]

I am curious, are you ever gonna travel around the world or will you just stay around the Caribbean Islands? Myself I would love to see the world.

[@Thomas-ts2gl]

Looks like the windless needs to be raised up.. the angle of the chain coming in is too high.. not enough of the chain is being held by the windless... since the windless is loose.. it might a good time to block it up and tighten everything down... hopefully there is room to raise it and still close the hatch.

[@thadcalvert7466]

Great video on the reef!

[@Jannolo711]

Really enjoy your videos for the simplicity and just honesty. If I were allowed to wish for one thing it would be a better mic for the "talk" scenes

[@noneomarxistactor2863]

I remember many years ago reefs were dying at an accelerated rate ! Which Sailboat to you have ?