kaboothby

The entrance to Fernandina Beach is wide, and the anchorage is spacious. But the skipper of a sailboat sans auxiliary must me mindful of the strong tidal currents that run through there. HOW TO SAIL OCEANS TEE SHIRT: https://maritimetees.net/search?q=how+to+sail+oceans WEBSITE: https://www.kevinboothbysailing.com DONATE: https://www.paypal.me/KevinBoothby MUSIC: Doodles -- Kevin Boothby VIDEO SOUNDTRACKS: https://soundcloud.com/user-177118317 CAMERAS: Canon EOS 60D with EF 24-105mm L IS zoom lens Go Pro Hero 7 Black DRONE: DJI Phantom 3 Professional THE BOAT: Design: Gilmer 31; LOD 31', LWL 25', Beam 9.5', Draft 4.5', Displ. 13,600lbs.

There was no dodging the thunderstorms and squalls this time around, which preceded the passage of a cold front. Behind the front was moderate northerlies and crisp, cool conditions. Apart from the headwinds, it was pleasant sailing. Then the winds fell light, and finally flat calm, leaving me adrift with 60 miles left to run to Fernandina Beach, Florida. During which I was visited up by some unusually talkative dolphins. HOW TO SAIL OCEANS TEE SHIRT: https://maritimetees.net/search?q=how+to+sail+oceans WEBSITE: https://www.kevinboothbysailing.com DONATE: https://www.paypal.me/KevinBoothby VIDEO SOUNDTRACKS: https://soundcloud.com/user-177118317 CAMERAS: Canon EOS 60D with EF 24-105mm L IS zoom lens Go Pro Hero 7 Black DRONE: DJI Phantom 3 Professional THE BOAT: Design: Gilmer 31; LOD 31', LWL 25', Beam 9.5', Draft 4.5', Displ. 13,600lbs.

A so-so weather window to begin my trek north from Miami, but after two weeks of waiting I decide it's a go. Once out in the Gulf Stream we are just bombing along with over 3 knots of favorable current and near perfect sailing conditions. Those near perfect conditions quickly deteriorate however with the onset of thunderstorms. HOW TO SAIL OCEANS TEE SHIRT: https://maritimetees.net/search?q=how+to+sail+oceans WEBSITE: https://www.kevinboothbysailing.com DONATE: https://www.paypal.me/KevinBoothby MUSIC: Take the Win -- Kevin Boothby VIDEO SOUNDTRACKS: https://soundcloud.com/user-177118317 CAMERAS: Canon EOS 60D with EF 24-105mm L IS zoom lens Go Pro Hero 7 Black DRONE: DJI Phantom 3 Professional THE BOAT: Design: Gilmer 31; LOD 31', LWL 25', Beam 9.5', Draft 4.5', Displ. 13,600lbs.

Up at first light to begin the 45-mile sail to Key Biscayne from Key Largo, and I am rewarded with near perfect sailing conditions. One would never guess that a strong cold front is less than 24 hours away, putting me under some pressure to locate a decent anchoring spot. And the front does not disappoint in its ferocity. HOW TO SAIL OCEANS TEE SHIRT: https://maritimetees.net/search?q=how+to+sail+oceans WEBSITE: https://www.kevinboothbysailing.com DONATE: https://www.paypal.me/KevinBoothby MUSIC: Doodles -- Kevin Boothby VIDEO SOUNDTRACKS: https://soundcloud.com/user-177118317 CAMERAS: Canon EOS 60D with EF 24-105mm L IS zoom lens Go Pro Hero 7 Black DRONE: DJI Phantom 3 Professional THE BOAT: Design: Gilmer 31; LOD 31', LWL 25', Beam 9.5', Draft 4.5', Displ. 13,600lbs.

Moderate to fresh easterlies persist while my next destinations all lay to the east and north. So my anchor remains buried in the mud of Newfound Harbor for over a week. But the patience pays off and I am rewarded with a pleasant sail to Marathon, FL, and then on to Rodriguez Key. HOW TO SAIL OCEANS TEE SHIRT: https://maritimetees.net/search?q=how+to+sail+oceans WEBSITE: https://www.kevinboothbysailing.com DONATE: https://www.paypal.me/KevinBoothby MUSIC: Doodles -- Kevin Boothby VIDEO SOUNDTRACKS: https://soundcloud.com/user-177118317 CAMERAS: Canon EOS 60D with EF 24-105mm L IS zoom lens Go Pro Hero 7 Black DRONE: DJI Phantom 3 Professional THE BOAT: Design: Gilmer 31; LOD 31', LWL 25', Beam 9.5', Draft 4.5', Displ. 13,600lbs.

Five miles from the entrance to Newfound Harbor and I am hit with a ferocious squall. I decide to temporarily drop anchor to ride it out, but that turns out to be a mistake and I nearly lose my ground tackle. Some days later when the winds subside I return to Key West. HOW TO SAIL OCEANS TEE SHIRT: https://maritimetees.net/search?q=how+to+sail+oceans WEBSITE: https://www.kevinboothbysailing.com DONATE: https://www.paypal.me/KevinBoothby MUSIC: Tears in the Rain -- Joe Satriani (cover by Kevin Boothby). VIDEO SOUNDTRACKS: https://soundcloud.com/user-177118317 CAMERAS: Canon EOS 60D with EF 24-105mm L IS zoom lens Go Pro Hero 7 Black DRONE: DJI Phantom 3 Professional THE BOAT: Design: Gilmer 31; LOD 31', LWL 25', Beam 9.5', Draft 4.5', Displ. 13,600lbs.

Would have liked to spend another day or two in the Dry Tortugas, but alas the weather gods do abide sailors' wishes. As it was I had about 24 hours to return to civilization before the next cold front. While the cold front was not forecast to be particularly severe, it was to usher in nearly a week of fresh to strong easterlies, which would make a return to the much more sheltered Newfound Harbor far more difficult, as it lay nearly 80 miles east of the Dry Tortugas. HOW TO SAIL OCEANS TEE SHIRT: https://maritimetees.net/search?q=how+to+sail+oceans WEBSITE: https://www.kevinboothbysailing.com DONATE: https://www.paypal.me/KevinBoothby MUSIC: August Rain -- Kevin Boothby VIDEO SOUNDTRACKS: https://soundcloud.com/user-177118317 CAMERAS: Canon EOS 60D with EF 24-105mm L IS zoom lens Go Pro Hero 7 Black DRONE: DJI Phantom 3 Professional THE BOAT: Design: Gilmer 31; LOD 31', LWL 25', Beam 9.5', Draft 4.5', Displ. 13,600lbs.

I return to Key West for provisions and fresh water. Following the passage of another cold front, I finally set off for the Dry Tortugas during the late afternoon, planning to do the 60-mile run overnight. As the Dry Tortugas do not offer much shelter for small craft, and the fact that any other decent anchorage is at least 10 hours sailing away, the trip must be planned with special attention to the weather, especially during the winter months when powerful cold fronts come blasting through. Once there, however, the sailor is rewarded with an anchorage of exceptional beauty. HOW TO SAIL OCEANS TEE SHIRT: https://maritimetees.net/search?q=how+to+sail+oceans WEBSITE: https://www.kevinboothbysailing.com DONATE: https://www.paypal.me/KevinBoothby MUSIC: Take the Win -- Kevin Boothby VIDEO SOUNDTRACKS: https://soundcloud.com/user-177118317 CAMERAS: Canon EOS 60D with EF 24-105mm L IS zoom lens Go Pro Hero 7 Black DRONE: DJI Phantom 3 Professional THE BOAT: Design: Gilmer 31; LOD 31', LWL 25', Beam 9.5', Draft 4.5', Displ. 13,600lbs.

Off to the Dry Tortugas! However, an imminent strong cold front obliges me to stop in Boca Grande Key, where I set out two anchors and hang on. The trailing winds behind the front have me waylaid there for several days, as it turns out, so I decide to return to Key West to re-provision--and regroup for the next attempt. HOW TO SAIL OCEANS TEE SHIRT: https://maritimetees.net/search?q=how+to+sail+oceans WEBSITE: https://www.kevinboothbysailing.com DONATE: https://www.paypal.me/KevinBoothby MUSIC: Etude 19 in A minor -- Dionisio Aguado (performance by Kevin Boothby) VIDEO SOUNDTRACKS: https://soundcloud.com/user-177118317 CAMERAS: Canon EOS 60D with EF 24-105mm L IS zoom lens Olympus TG-3 Go Pro Hero 7 Black DRONE: DJI Phantom 3 Professional THE BOAT: Design: Gilmer 31; LOD 31', LWL 25', Beam 9.5', Draft 4.5', Displ. 13,600lbs.

I finally return to civilization upon reaching Key West, Florida. This will be the staging place for my trip out to the Dry Tortugas. However, on the weather maps is (yet another) very strong cold front, which I decide to weather in Boca Grande Key. From there I intend to carry on to the Dry Tortugas. HOW TO SAIL OCEANS TEE SHIRT: https://maritimetees.net/search?q=how+to+sail+oceans WEBSITE: https://www.kevinboothbysailing.com DONATE: https://www.paypal.me/KevinBoothby MUSIC: August Rain -- Kevin Boothby VIDEO SOUNDTRACKS: https://soundcloud.com/user-177118317 CAMERAS: Canon EOS 60D with EF 24-105mm L IS zoom lens Olympus TG-3 Go Pro Hero 7 Black DRONE: DJI Phantom 3 Professional THE BOAT: Design: Gilmer 31; LOD 31', LWL 25', Beam 9.5', Draft 4.5', Displ. 13,600lbs.

An approaching strong cold front obliges me to depart Marathon in search of a more sheltered spot, which turns out to be Newfound Harbor. The front does not disappoint. Under more clement conditions I attempt to land my dinghy in the mangroves and walk to the Winn Dixie supermarket for some fresh provisions. HOW TO SAIL OCEANS TEE SHIRT: https://maritimetees.net/search?q=how+to+sail+oceans WEBSITE: https://www.kevinboothbysailing.com DONATE: https://www.paypal.me/KevinBoothby MUSIC: Catspaws -- Kevin Boothby VIDEO SOUNDTRACKS: https://soundcloud.com/user-177118317 CAMERAS: Canon EOS 60D with EF 24-105mm L IS zoom lens Olympus TG-3 Go Pro Hero 7 Black DRONE: DJI Phantom 3 Professional THE BOAT: Design: Gilmer 31; LOD 31', LWL 25', Beam 9.5', Draft 4.5', Displ. 13,600lbs.

I wanted to get an early start for the 80-mile trip from Miami to Marathon, but was awakened much earlier than desired by a drifting sailboat which happened to drift down on top of me around 0400. Then much time was spent tacking out of the Old Florida Channel before I could finally get on course down the Hawk Channel. Then I had a frontal passage to negotiate. But once past all of that, Marathon was pleasant! HOW TO SAIL OCEANS TEE SHIRT: https://maritimetees.net/search?q=how+to+sail+oceans WEBSITE: https://www.kevinboothbysailing.com DONATE: https://www.paypal.me/KevinBoothby MUSIC: Better Days--Kevin Boothby Catspaws -- Kevin Boothby VIDEO SOUNDTRACKS: https://soundcloud.com/user-177118317 CAMERAS: Canon EOS 60D with EF 24-105mm L IS zoom lens Olympus TG-3 Go Pro Hero 7 Black DRONE: DJI Phantom 3 Professional THE BOAT: Design: Gilmer 31; LOD 31', LWL 25', Beam 9.5', Draft 4.5', Displ. 13,600lbs.

After weathering the passage of a cold front, I take a short sail across Biscayne Bay to get to a water tap. Then it's back to Key Biscayne to tackle a repair job on Baby Ruth, my 8' Fatty Knees dinghy. HOW TO SAIL OCEANS TEE SHIRT: https://maritimetees.net/search?q=how+to+sail+oceans WEBSITE: https://www.kevinboothbysailing.com DONATE: https://www.paypal.me/KevinBoothby MUSIC: August Rain--Kevin Boothby Funky Fingers/Baroque'n/Take the Win -- Kevin Boothby VIDEO SOUNDTRACKS: https://soundcloud.com/user-177118317 CAMERAS: Canon EOS 60D with EF 24-105mm L IS zoom lens Olympus TG-3 Go Pro Hero 7 Black DRONE: DJI Phantom 3 Professional THE BOAT: Design: Gilmer 31; LOD 31', LWL 25', Beam 9.5', Draft 4.5', Displ. 13,600lbs.

Well no one else is posting content over the holidays, so you may as well tune in here ... the passage over the Bahama Bank and then back across the Gulf Stream offers much variety to offset the tedium of a typical ocean passage. On the other hand, and especially for a solo sailor, it means little sleep and a good deal of stress. HOW TO SAIL OCEANS TEE SHIRT: https://maritimetees.net/search?q=how+to+sail+oceans WEBSITE: https://www.kevinboothbysailing.com DONATE: https://www.paypal.me/KevinBoothby MUSIC: Funky Fingers/Baroque'n/Take the Win -- Kevin Boothby VIDEO SOUNDTRACKS: https://soundcloud.com/user-177118317 CAMERAS: Canon EOS 60D with EF 24-105mm L IS zoom lens Olympus TG-3 Go Pro Hero 7 Black DRONE: DJI Phantom 3 Professional THE BOAT: Design: Gilmer 31; LOD 31', LWL 25', Beam 9.5', Draft 4.5', Displ. 13,600lbs.

Breathing a sigh of relief to be southeast of the Gulf Stream and in warmer waters, the hard part of the passage should be over. But the sea gods never seem to like sailors living lives of ease, so they throw in things like cloud-to-sea lightning strikes to scare the living daylights out of us, persistent headwinds to frustrate us, and calms to instill worry that we may never reach port again. HOW TO SAIL OCEANS TEE SHIRT: https://maritimetees.net/search?q=how+to+sail+oceans WEBSITE: https://www.kevinboothbysailing.com DONATE: https://www.paypal.me/KevinBoothby MUSIC: Tears in the Rain--Joe Satriani (cover by Kevin Boothby). CAMERAS: Canon EOS 60D with EF 24-105mm L IS zoom lens Olympus TG-3 Go Pro Hero 7 Black DRONE: DJI Phantom 3 Professional THE BOAT: Design: Gilmer 31; LOD 31', LWL 25', Beam 9.5', Draft 4.5', Displ. 13,600lbs.

Nighttime temperatures are falling below freezing here on the Chesapeake Bay, making life uncomfortable for a small boat sailor. Even with a diesel heater. But then we live on ocean sailing craft precisely because we can migrate to warmer waters ... HOW TO SAIL OCEANS TEE SHIRT: https://maritimetees.net/search?q=how+to+sail+oceans WEBSITE: https://www.kevinboothbysailing.com TIP JAR: https://www.paypal.me/KevinBoothby MUSIC: The Bonnie Ship the Diamond--Traditional (Ian Giles) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UBYThAP_C5A CAMERAS: Canon EOS 60D with EF 24-105mm L IS zoom lens Olympus TG-3 Go Pro Hero 7 Black DRONE: DJI Phantom 3 Professional THE BOAT: Design: Gilmer 31; LOD 31', LWL 25', Beam 9.5', Draft 4.5', Displ. 13,600lbs.

While strong winds and cold temperatures descend upon the Chesapeake Bay, I am still testing out my new Dynice Dux rigging. This involves a sail up to Cartegena Creek on the Potomac river and then back to Deltaville, a trip of approximately 90 miles. In preparation for the offshore hop south, I get my satellite subscription started with Predict Wind, and put the new Iridium GO unit through its paces. Finally I have a look at the current weather map and assess possible departure dates for the offshore run south to Florida, via the Bahamas. HOW TO SAIL OCEANS TEE SHIRT: https://maritimetees.net/search?q=how+to+sail+oceans WEBSITE: https://www.kevinboothbysailing.com TIP JAR: https://www.paypal.me/KevinBoothby MUSIC: Tears in the Rain--Joe Satriani (cover by Kevin Boothby). VIDEO SOUNDTRACKS: https://soundcloud.com/user-177118317 CAMERAS: Canon EOS 60D with EF 24-105mm L IS zoom lens Olympus TG-3 Go Pro Hero 7 Black DRONE: DJI Phantom 3 Professional THE BOAT: Design: Gilmer 31; LOD 31', LWL 25', Beam 9.5', Draft 4.5', Displ. 13,600lbs.

I decide to replace my lower shrouds with Dynice Dux before heading south, not wishing to push my luck with the 30+ year-old wire shrouds. Of course it's never so simple. Progress is hampered by inclement weather, and the fact that the Colligo thimbles for 7mm Dux and a 1/2" pin will not fit inside the jaws of my rigging toggles. So nearly two weeks is spent grinding the aluminum thimbles to size ... and of course I do not wish to head direct offshore with brand new rigging, so a short cruise on the Bay is in order. HOW TO SAIL OCEANS TEE SHIRT: https://maritimetees.net/search?q=how+to+sail+oceans WEBSITE: https://www.kevinboothbysailing.com TIP JAR: https://www.paypal.me/KevinBoothby MUSIC: August Rain--Kevin Boothby VIDEO SOUNDTRACKS: https://soundcloud.com/user-177118317 CAMERAS: Canon EOS 60D with EF 24-105mm L IS zoom lens Olympus TG-3 Go Pro Hero 7 Black DRONE: DJI Phantom 3 Professional THE BOAT: Design: Gilmer 31; LOD 31', LWL 25', Beam 9.5', Draft 4.5', Displ. 13,600lbs.

Yeow! The cold front passes over me and is rather more ferocious than it looked on the weather maps. As the wind backs more westerly I am obliged to set some mainsail, otherwise I cannot steer close enough to the wind to keep to the rhumb line. So a long day--and night--which finally ends in Poquoson, in the wee hours of the morning, once again. HOW TO SAIL OCEANS TEE SHIRT: https://maritimetees.net/search?q=how+to+sail+oceans WEBSITE: https://www.kevinboothbysailing.com TIP JAR: https://www.paypal.me/KevinBoothby MUSIC: Catspaws--Kevin Boothby Funky Fingers--Kevin Boothby VIDEO SOUNDTRACKS: https://soundcloud.com/user-177118317 CAMERAS: Canon EOS 60D with EF 24-105mm L IS zoom lens Olympus TG-3 Go Pro Hero 7 Black DRONE: DJI Phantom 3 Professional THE BOAT: Design: Gilmer 31; LOD 31', LWL 25', Beam 9.5', Draft 4.5', Displ. 13,600lbs.

Very variable conditions persist for my passage south from Padanaram, MA to the Chesapeake Bay. HOW TO SAIL OCEANS TEE SHIRT: https://maritimetees.net/search?q=how+to+sail+oceans WEBSITE: https://www.kevinboothbysailing.com TIP JAR: https://www.paypal.me/KevinBoothby MUSIC: August Rain--Kevin Boothby VIDEO SOUNDTRACKS: https://soundcloud.com/user-177118317 CAMERAS: Canon EOS 60D with EF 24-105mm L IS zoom lens Olympus TG-3 Go Pro Hero 7 Black DRONE: DJI Phantom 3 Professional THE BOAT: Design: Gilmer 31; LOD 31', LWL 25', Beam 9.5', Draft 4.5', Displ. 13,600lbs.

Not wanting to miss the wonderful Hadleys Harbor (MA), I pass up a weather window to head south to the Chesapeake Bay. This also affords another Ruth Avery vs. Charis race across Buzzards Bay on a near perfect sailing day. Another weather window arrives on October 12, and I head out early morning from Padanaram, where I promptly run out of wind ... HOW TO SAIL OCEANS TEE SHIRT: https://maritimetees.net/search?q=how+to+sail+oceans WEBSITE: https://www.kevinboothbysailing.com TIP JAR: https://www.paypal.me/KevinBoothby MUSIC: Catspaws--Kevin Boothby VIDEO SOUNDTRACKS: https://soundcloud.com/user-177118317 CAMERAS: Canon EOS 60D Olympus TG-3 Go Pro Hero 7 Black DRONE: DJI Phantom 3 Professional THE BOAT: Design: Gilmer 31; LOD 31', LWL 25', Beam 9.5', Draft 4.5', Displ. 13,600lbs.

Race day! Ruth Avery of Brunswick and Charis of Boston weigh anchor from Tarpaulin Cove, and their skippers make sail for the 15-mile run to Padanaram, South Dartmouth. The race begins with a fierce 4-mile beat to windward, followed by a reach across Buzzards Bay. I won't give away the results, other than to say that it was a hell of a lot of fun! Then we turn to reconditioning ethanol ravaged carburetors ... HOW TO SAIL OCEANS TEE SHIRT: https://maritimetees.net/search?q=how+to+sail+oceans WEBSITE: https://www.kevinboothbysailing.com TIP JAR: https://www.paypal.me/KevinBoothby MUSIC: Catspaws--Kevin Boothby Tropic Moon--Kevin Boothby VIDEO SOUNDTRACKS: https://soundcloud.com/user-177118317 CAMERAS: Canon EOS 60D Olympus TG-3 Go Pro Hero 7 Black DRONE: DJI Phantom 3 Professional THE BOAT: Design: Gilmer 31; LOD 31', LWL 25', Beam 9.5', Draft 4.5', Displ. 13,600lbs.

An autumnal chill descending upon Maine prompts me to complete the installation of the diesel heater I began back in May. And then it is time to turn her snout south before the onset of winter ... HOW TO SAIL OCEANS TEE SHIRT: https://maritimetees.net/search?q=how+to+sail+oceans WEBSITE: https://www.kevinboothbysailing.com TIP JAR: https://www.paypal.me/KevinBoothby MUSIC: Eliza Lee (traditional)--The Longest Johns VIDEO SOUNDTRACKS: https://soundcloud.com/user-177118317 CAMERAS: Canon EOS 60D Olympus TG-3 Go Pro Hero 7 Black DRONE: DJI Phantom 3 Professional THE BOAT: Design: Gilmer 31; LOD 31', LWL 25', Beam 9.5', Draft 4.5', Displ. 13,600lbs.

Could a computer become conscious? Could a future Dr. Frankenstein unleash a technologically created living being upon the world? Or do living things have some particular essence of which man-made machines are necessarily bereft? For a full transcript visit https://kevinboothbysailing.com/2021/09/26/frankensteins-secret/ HOW TO SAIL OCEANS TEE SHIRT: https://maritimetees.net/search?q=how+to+sail+oceans WEBSITE: https://www.kevinboothbysailing.com TIP JAR: https://www.paypal.me/KevinBoothby THE BOAT: Design: Gilmer 31; LOD 31', LWL 25', Beam 9.5', Draft 4.5', Displ. 13,600lbs.

The remains of Hurricane Ida bring some wind and rain, but fair weather returns the following day. I row ashore and take a hike into Boothbay and a bit beyond to Hannaford's supermarket. Then it's back around Cape Small to the Basin ( a new favorite anchorage) and on to Quahog Bay. As usual, the ever changing conditions on the coast of Maine present challenges for the engineless sailor. HOW TO SAIL OCEANS TEE SHIRT: https://maritimetees.net/search?q=how+to+sail+oceans WEBSITE: https://www.kevinboothbysailing.com TIP JAR: https://www.paypal.me/KevinBoothby MUSIC: August Rain--Kevin Boothby Christian Island (Georgian Bay)--Gordon Lightfoot (cover by Kevin Boothby). VIDEO SOUNDTRACKS: https://soundcloud.com/user-177118317 CAMERAS: Canon EOS 60D Olympus TG-3 Go Pro Hero 7 Black DRONE: DJI Phantom 3 Professional THE BOAT: Design: Gilmer 31; LOD 31', LWL 25', Beam 9.5', Draft 4.5', Displ. 13,600lbs.