Sailing Mirage · video

What this video covers

Vlad departs Fort Pierce, Florida, aboard an Amel 50, beginning a 1,000-mile coastal passage toward Annapolis and the Chesapeake Bay.0:31 The initial leg targets St. Augustine, approximately 180 miles north, to await favorable winds before rounding Cape Hatteras.0:46 Navigating the Florida coast, the vessel encounters 3-to-4-knot tidal currents at the Fort Pierce inlet, requiring precise timing for departure.0:16 Under 170-degree downwind conditions, the crew deploys a spinnaker pole, though concerns regarding its structural integrity—following a previous failure in the Atlantic—lead to cautious handling and eventual adjustment of the downhaul.2:49 To manage potential wind shifts during the night, the crew rigs a preventer on the boom and eventually douses the mainsail, maintaining a speed of 6 to 7.5 knots under a full moon.4:34 The route passes near Cape Canaveral, where navigation zones were previously restricted due to a SpaceX launch.5:26 The passage concludes at Ponce de Leon Inlet, where the main channel is well-marked and navigable.8:31

Boats in this video

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