EP#302 Departing Florida and the Gameplan for the Trip
16 January 2025 · 20 min · 322 views · Fort Pierce, Florida
What this video covers
Jerome Rand and crew member James Hodge are preparing to depart Fort Pierce, Florida, aboard the Westsail 32, *Sparrow*, for an offshore passage toward the Virgin Islands.0:08 The crew plans to leverage a favorable weather window featuring northwesterly winds, which will allow for a broad reach rather than a beat against trade winds.10:55 They intend to navigate north of the Little Bahama Bank while monitoring Gulf Stream currents, though Rand expresses skepticism toward current grid files and forecasts.7:26
To improve reefing efficiency, Rand modified the mast track by cutting away a section of the track and removing an unused trysail track.13:36 This modification allows sail slugs to slide lower toward the gooseneck, eliminating the need to manually remove slugs from the track during reefing.14:32 Additionally, the crew resolved a solar charging issue by bypassing a restrictive circuit breaker that was preventing full battery replenishment.17:11 The vessel is fully provisioned with updated safety equipment, including a new flare kit.15:56
Boats in this video
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