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...

Our lonely dinghy on the deserted beach at Ile Fourchue Ever get the feeling that you are the last one on the dance floor?  Lost in your own groove, you suddenly realize that the music has stopped and the party is over?  As we travel south to avoid the hurricane zone, each port resembles a deserted party.  All the bars are still there, but everyone has gone home.  The beach is vacant.  The docks aren't lined with dinghies anymore.  Happy Hour seems to be over.  On the radio nets in the mornings, more and more sailboats are calling in from places to the south of us…St. Lucia, Grenada.  But we are still here, going south, mind you, but waiting for weather windows and having many beaches all to ourselves. From St. Martin, we enjoyed a stop at Ile Fourchue, near St. Barts.  This was a beautiful, secluded anchorage that quickly became a favorite.  We hiked along the rounded, arid hills and were greeted with views of ...

One of the best experiences this season was Time Out Boat Yard - TOBY. Not because of luxury – but because of our new sailing friends. The experience humbled me. Until then, most of our friends have been full-time sailors – living frugally and living life. We’ve all shared similar backgrounds – entrepreneurs, executives, the love for adventure – and most no longer needing to work – i.e. retirees. At TOBY it was different. Everyone we met, from single sailors, to families – all loved and shared the same passions we do – but with one major exception – they still had to work to make their dreams come true. They’d sail as long as they had resources - and then, find a place to work -- work hard -- and make enough money for the next segment of their journey. Frenchman's Yacht lost in hurricane - he still lives aboard - can't afford new boat I felt humbled. I’ve always had a tremendous amount of respect for working hard. That’s what I’ve done my entire life. I’ve alw...