s/v Field Trip

We thought it would be fun to take our readers on a short 24 Hour trip from Dominica to Grenada. It’s our last overnight passage of the sailing season. To document this last trip, we fired up both video cameras, and created a short documentary. It's not as exciting as the TV series 24, but it was a lot of fun! One item I’ve been asked about, but never discussed on this blog is ‘how’ we create our videos. It’s safe to say they’ve evolved over the past 18 months. We’ve created over 23 videos. Some good, some average. It’s fun, but a lot of hard work. Generally, we use two video cameras (GoPro 3 & Canon HF G10 with boom mic) and a M-Audio Producer mic for voice-over work. Video is 50% visual and 50% audio. It’s CRITICAL to have better than average audio components. If you have average audio, your final video will be average – no matter how good your visual composure. For editing I use Final Cut Pro X (FCPX). There is nothing better in my opinion. I’ve used ...

“Where’s the best place to anchor in Grenada, boys?” I remember Chris deferring to his two active young boys to answer my question as we talked about hurricane season plans around the picnic table at Time Out Boat Yard in St. Martin. “OOoo, OOoo, you HAVE to go to Hog Island!” Finn answered in his adorable South African accent. And then he proceeded to rattle off the best place for chicken and chips on Thursday nights and pizza on Mondays! It was obvious that their three years anchored at Hog Island were some of their best. I quickly got out my phone and started typing notes, and my anticipation grew. When we first arrived in Grenada, we opted to anchor in Prickly Bay first, because it had easy access to local businesses and a whole slew of cruisers to meet. Like many anchorages that attract cruisers, Prickly Bay operates an informational and social “net” in the mornings on VHF channel 66. These radio nets are a fantastic way to get connected and gather information about...

As we walked along the streets of the small town of Portsmouth, everyone made us feel so welcomed.  Warm smiles and friendly greetings allowed us to feel right at home.  In other places, the cultures are more reserved and private, leaving us to feel like intruders when we step ashore.  I have learned to tread lightly and always begin any question with a simple, "Good Afternoon, how are you?" In some shops in the Bahamas, for example, I was ignored completely until I used this proper greeting.  But here in Dominica, the folks were happy to see us, no matter what we said or didn't say. 'Alexis' - our social director in Dominica 'Michael' bringing passion fruit! Even when we pulled into the bay, a 'boat boy' radioed us a welcome and introduced himself as our guide while here in Dominica.  The 'boat boy' is common in many Windward Islands, and we hadn't seen them since our time in these islands last year.  They earn a living he...