sailing SOLO again.. but its ROUGH [ep 116]
16 May 2024 · 19 min · 92K views · Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas
What this video covers
After spending nearly two months in the Virgin Islands, the solo sailor prepares for a 130-mile passage to St. Kitts.3:03 The planned 19-to-24-hour transit requires a beam reach with winds shifting from the northeast.3:03 Pre-departure preparations include charging a Garmin inReach and VHF radio, securing the dinghy, installing the Hydrovane, and readying a ditch bag.7:52 The sailor also harnesses the dog, Mako, for safety during the solo watch.8:15
Once underway, the boat maintains speeds of 8 to 9 knots with a heavily reefed jib.11:51 As the passage progresses, the wind angle shifts closer to the wind than anticipated, forcing the boat onto a close-hauled point of sail.13:49 The journey includes navigating through rain squalls and avoiding numerous fish pots near the destination.17:52 Upon arrival in St. Kitts, the sailor anchors, deploys the dinghy, and completes the customs clearance process in a quiet port.19:26 Proper preparation of safety gear and reefing the head sail early helps manage changing wind conditions during solo passages.
Boats in this video
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