Sailing Zataravideo
We left our boat for 6 MONTHS, but now WE'RE BACK! (Ep 345)
11 December 2025 · 21 min · 196K views
Zulara heeling hard under morning sun on open sea
What this video covers
After six months ashore building a barn in Montana, Renee, Keith, and Jack Whitaker return to their Lagoon catamaran and depart for Fort Lauderdale on a two-night coastal passage.▶ 4:00 The engines, generator, and all systems start without issue after sitting untouched for six months — the only problems are bird droppings on deck, minor growth on the fenders, and sprouting onions left in the bar fridge.▶ 3:49 The three-person crew departs at high tide to clear a shallow marina exit, then sails south along the Florida coast with an easterly beam wind.▶ 5:46 Night-one conditions are cold — 17°C water, 9 knots of true wind — with engines running to supplement light air at 7 knots.▶ 10:36 By morning, wind builds to 21 knots, engines off, averaging 8 knots through rough seas.▶ 12:41 Watch rotation runs four-hour shifts: Renee 10 p.m.–2 a.m., Jack 2–6 a.m., Keith from 6 a.m. CTM heating units keep the cabin warm in 50°F air.▶ 9:20 PredictWind forecasts are checked before departure.▶ 7:10 In Fort Lauderdale, the crew removes old solar panels in preparation for a new installation.▶ 18:10 The episode also previews a Blue Water Summit event at Hawks Key, Florida Keys, in January.▶ 20:05
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