Sailing Miragevideo
Four Days, 430NM Upwind: Offshore Passage from St. John to Port St. Louis, Grenada, Plus Some Q&A
July 9, 2025 · 24 min · 4K views · Lesser Antilles
What this video covers
The 430-nautical-mile passage from St. John to St. George’s, Grenada, takes four days aboard the Mirage, a 50-foot Amel.0:30 The crew maintains an average speed of 7 to 8 knots while sailing upwind against prevailing currents.0:30 A 30-degree course adjustment mid-passage improves boat speed to 8.8 knots on a beam reach, significantly reducing motion and increasing comfort for the crew.11:55 The owner, Vlad, manages the vessel solo, noting that the Amel’s design allows for easier single-handed operation compared to other large yachts.18:08
The passage serves as a first offshore experience for the two crew members, who previously only sailed on charters.5:41 Vlad highlights the difficulty of securing "blue water" insurance that permits unrestricted global navigation, noting that most policies exclude mainland U.S. waters or impose strict distance-from-shore limits.10:41 The vessel arrives at Port St. Louis in St. George’s, Grenada, after the four-day transit.22:45 Proper boat design and technical support from the manufacturer remain the primary criteria for selecting a long-distance cruising yacht.
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