Sailing SV Cordelia · video

What this video covers

Steve and Annette aboard Cordelia, a Venus 46 Ketch, motor-sail six hours south from Placencia to South Water Cay in the Belize Barrier Reef, departing over an hour late after buddy-boat Aladdin delayed the group by washing decks after a water fill.0:46 Wind shifts on departure force a full motor passage with no sail raised.3:24 South Water Cay is a 15-acre coral island sitting directly on the barrier reef within the Southwater Cay Marine Reserve, one of seven protected areas forming the Belize Barrier Reef; depths drop to 2.2 meters under the keel in places, with coral reefs visible in the water color changes.3:53 The crew spends three to four days snorkeling, spotting spotted eagle rays, southern stingrays, and tropical fish.5:57 An overnight blow requires anchor watch with reefs close on all sides — the anchor holds well in the area's holding ground.11:02 The return to Placencia is wind-assisted at 6.5 knots, the first sail of the season.12:49 The stop triggers a visa renewal, marking one full month in Belize; Steve and Annette pay for a second month and plan onward to Glover's Reef before eventually returning to Río Dulce and Monkey Bay Marina for the second phase of Cordelia's refit.11:31

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