Episode #106 The Corsair Sails to Cuba!
April 18, 2017 · 11 min · 12K views
What this video covers
A couple sailing a 1984 Sea Sprite 30 completed a 140-nautical-mile passage from Marathon, Florida, to Marina Hemingway in Havana, Cuba. During the crossing, they maintained speeds of six to seven knots under a double-reefed main in following seas. Upon arrival, they navigated a channel marked by three-to-six-foot breakers after using Facebook to contact a marina employee when VHF radio calls to the dockmaster went unanswered. The crew also completed a 448-nautical-mile passage to the Bahamas, emphasizing the necessity of structured watch rotations and pre-established safety protocols, including tethering requirements and the use of Spinlock PFDs. They utilized an InReach satellite communicator and carried a comprehensive ditch bag. While the vessel performed well, the lack of refrigeration and limited interior space prompted the crew to consider a larger boat for future offshore trips. A critical lesson learned involved carrying a toilet rebuild kit, as the lack of spare parts for their Jabsco head in the Bahamas nearly forced them to rely on a bucket.
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