Leaving the Bahamas and crossing the Gulf Stream back to Florida — destination: Fort Pierce. This passage turned into an 85-mile sailing day that took almost 14 hours. Light wind, ocean swell, the Gulf Stream current, a little motor-sailing on the final miles, and a sunset arrival at Fort Pierce Inlet. In this episode: — early morning departure from the Bahamas; — why crossing the Gulf Stream is always exciting; — how current affects heading and course over ground; — why the Bahamas are still one of the best sailing destinations; — what to know about food, stores, and prices in the Bahamas; — passing the 55-meter sailing yacht Apsara; — entering Fort Pierce Inlet at high water; — anchoring at sunset and returning to civilization. Mirage did great once again. Mission accomplished: Bahamas behind us, Florida ahead. #SailingMirage #Sailing #GulfStream #Bahamas #Florida #FortPierce #SailingLife #BluewaterSailing #YachtLife

At dawn, I raise anchor and set sail aboard Mirage for a 40+ mile solo passage to West End, Bahamas - the northernmost inhabited point of the Bahamian islands and my last stop before crossing the Gulf Stream. The day starts calm and beautiful, with light wind, flat water, and those perfect Bahamas colors all around me. As the wind shifts aft, I try different sail setups: mainsail only, staysail, and eventually wing-on-wing. Mirage comes alive — 6, 7, then 8.5–10 knots as I make excellent time toward Old Bahama Bay. In West End, I clear Customs and Immigration, check out of the Bahamas, and prepare for an early start across the Gulf Stream the next morning. A perfect sailing day, a fast solo passage, and a bittersweet goodbye to the Bahamas… for now. ⛵ Sailing Mirage - solo sailing, ocean passages, and life aboard my Amel 50. #SailingMirage #SoloSailing #Bahamas #WestEndBahamas #OldBahamaBay #GulfStream #Sailing #Amel50 #SailingLife #CruisingLife #Liveaboard #OceanSailing

After several rough ocean-side passages in the Bahamas, this day shows what Bahamian yachting is really like: calm protected water, warm sunshine, steady following wind, and beautiful blue horizons. In this episode of Sailing Mirage, I leave the northern Abacos from Allan Cay / Pensacola Cay area and sail across the Little Bahama Bank toward Great Sale Cay, then continue another 20 miles to anchor at Mangrove Cay. With all sails up, 19 knots of wind, almost no waves, and 6.5–7 knots of boat speed, it becomes one of the most peaceful and enjoyable sailing days I’ve had in the Bahamas. Along the way: quiet downwind sailing, shallow-water navigation, beautiful Bahamian banks, dolphins near the boat, and a sunset anchorage behind Mangrove Cay before continuing toward West End. Welcome aboard Mirage! #SailingMirage #BahamasSailing #LittleBahamaBank #Abacos #MangroveCay #SailingLife #Amel50 #YachtLife #DownwindSailing #SailingBahamas

After spending a week anchored at beautiful Lanyard Cay in the Bahamas, I finally got a short weather window to sail north toward Green Turtle Cay in the Abacos - solo aboard Mirage. The highlight of this episode is definitely the Lanyard Cay cut. With a strong easterly wind and some breaking waves at the entrance, I had one very honest question in my mind: Am I doing something really f@(#!ng stupid? :) Solo sailing makes every decision feel bigger. There’s no crew to double-check the plan, no one else at the helm, and no one to blame if things go wrong. But Mirage handled it beautifully, pushed through the cut, and once outside we had a fantastic sail in 25–28 knots of wind across the stunning blue waters of the Bahamas. Later, I passed the famous - and sometimes very dangerous - Whale Cut, but this time it was unbelievably gentle. No waves, no drama, just smooth water. I ended the day anchored near Green Turtle Cay, where Mirage finally got a chance for a much-needed bottom cleaning. Beautiful sailing, strong wind, blue water, a little fear, and a lot of respect for the sea. Welcome aboard Sailing Mirage. #sailingmirage #SoloSailing #BahamasSailing #Abacos #GreenTurtleCay #LanyardCay #WhaleCut #SailingBahamas #BlueWaterSailing #Amel50 #SailingLife #CruisingLife #LiveaboardSailing #SailboatLife #OceanSailing #Mirage

Join me aboard Mirage for a beautiful solo sailing passage from Eleuthera to Lynyard Cay in the Abacos, Bahamas. With the Code 0 flying all the way and Mirage mostly on a close reach, this turned into a fast and exciting adventure across the crystal-clear waters of the Bahamas. Even after more than six months in the water, with the hull carrying a thick layer of marine growth, Mirage still sailed strong and fast. The weather was sunny, the sea was gorgeous, and the passage reminded me why solo sailing can be so rewarding. In this video, I also share my sailing experience around Eleuthera - the anchorages, the conditions, and what it felt like exploring one of the most beautiful islands in the Bahamas. Solo sailing at its best. Welcome aboard Mirage.

Join me for a beautiful, calm day aboard Mirage, anchored near Spanish Wells, Eleuthera Island, Bahamas. The water was crystal clear, the sea was flat, and the sun made it a perfect day to enjoy life on a boat. In this episode, I show what a normal day looks like while living aboard: an early morning swim, exercise, water quality tests, breakfast, office work, boat maintenance, a visit to Spanish Wells, cooking dinner, sunset, an audiobook, a little TV, stargazing, and finally - goodnight from Mirage. Life on a sailboat is not always about big passages and storms. Sometimes it is about peaceful mornings, simple routines, clear water, and quiet evenings under the stars. Thanks for watching and welcome aboard Sailing Mirage! Chapters 0:00 Good morning! 0:42 Early swim 1:29 Exercise 2:00 Water quality tests 3:49 Breakfast 6:40 Office work 8:57 Portable Geiger counter 9:20 Batteries in temperature sensors 11:18 Cleaning the cockpit 12:50 Full-size AC fan 13:25 Going to Spanish Wells 15:00 Cooking dinner 18:40 Waiting for the sunset 21:40 Listening to audiobook 22:55 Watching TV — One Piece Season 2 23:27 Stargazing 23:45 Goodnight! #SailingMirage #BoatLife #SpanishWells #Eleuthera #Bahamas #SailingLife #LifeAboard #LiveaboardSailing #CrystalClearWater #SailingBahamas

In this episode, I sail from Great Guana Cay in the Exumas to Cape Eleuthera on Eleuthera Island. The trip started with a bit of excitement: I overslept the slack tide and had to fight the incoming tide at the inlet. You’ll see what 5 knots of current really looks like - not something you want to meet at the wrong time! After that, the passage turned into beautiful fast sailing, with steady 20–25 knot winds pushing Mirage all the way to Eleuthera. Along the way, I also share my new hobby: making music with AI. Our final destination is Cape Eleuthera Marina, a beautiful and comfortable place to spend a few days before the next journey. Join us aboard Mirage for strong current, fast sailing, AI music, and another step through the Bahamas. Fair winds, Vlad #sailingmirage #SailingBahamas #Exumas #Eleuthera #CapeEleuthera #GreatGuanaCay #SailingLife #Liveaboard #Amel50 #BluewaterSailing #AIMusic

It’s time to leave amazing Georgetown, Exuma, and begin the next leg of my solo sailing journey toward Cape Eleuthera. In this first part, I sail 55 nautical miles solo from Georgetown to Great Guana Cay, Exumas, catching the back edge of a big wind system. That means strong winds of 25–30 knots, powerful residual swell, and an exciting ride across some of the most beautiful waters in the Bahamas. This episode is all about the mighty ocean, the challenge of solo sailing, and the incredible beauty of the Bahamian waters, islands, and cays. This is Part 1 of the journey. Part 2 continues from Great Guana Cay to Cape Eleuthera. Sit back, relax, and enjoy the adventure. #sailing #SoloSailing #Bahamas #Exumas #CapeEleuthera #GeorgetownExuma #GreatGuanaCay #SailingAdventure #BlueWaterSailing #BoatLife

Join us as we share highlights from our happy times in the Exumas, Bahamas. In this video, you’ll see what it’s really like to live as a full-time cruising couple while exploring the incredible places this beautiful destination has to offer. Chapters Coconut Club – an awesome beach and bar Exploring the Exumas by ATV Fishing – there is always a bigger fish! Delicious wahoo for dinner We watched the 6th Platoon parade that night Peace and Plenty Beach Club Sailing to Rat Cay and an amazing sunset

Happy to share my very, very hard work - lyrics, music and artwork. Please enjoy! "Spiral Escape", "The Wine of a Thousand Years" and "Milky Way Home" are my favorites. Let me know in the comments, which one you like. Cheers!!! "What drives this fleeting life in you? A spark no darkness can undo…" (c) Vlad L. Track List: 0:00 Fire Beyond the Shore 6:48 Spiral Escape 11:16 Recipe for Spaceflight 16:15 Crew of a New Formation 20:24 The Wine of a Thousand Years 27:35 Milky Way Home P.S. Inspired by the science fiction novel by Vladimir Michanovsy - "Steps into infinity”

Sailing from Cat Island back to Georgetown, Exumas — but when two nearly identical sailboats share the same course… it turns into a race. With 25–30 knots of wind and a fast reach across 50 miles of open water, this passage delivered both speed and adrenaline. But this video is more than just a sail. I share my journey to becoming a solo sailor — from 20 years of windsurfing… to Annapolis Sailing School, the Keelboat Club, and my first sailboat, a Beneteau 41.1. Along the way, I reflect on some of my biggest sailing adventures, how I chose the Amel 50, and even the path that brought me here — from leaving Russia in 1997 to building my own company. All set against the stunning backdrop of Cat Island and Exuma Sound. This one is personal. And fast. Don’t miss it. 0:00 About Cat Island 2:45 Sails are set 5:05 Windsurfing - the begining 6:15 Rainbow 24 sailboat 8:30 Beneteau 41.1 "Melody" 11:38 Choosing Amel 50 13:20 Why I left Russia in 1997... 16:03 The race - fast sailing here! 17:46 Wind data explained 23:41 Eximas - the race is over 24:13 Conclusions

In this episode of Sailing Mirage, I continue exploring the incredible islands of the Bahamas. This time I make a 70 nautical mile solo passage from Rum Cay to Cat Island. As usual, I’m sailing alone aboard Mirage, so the day starts early to catch the tide and strong morning breeze. Midway through the voyage, after clearing Conception Island, the ocean changes character. Long rolling Atlantic swells begin to build — tall enough that at one point a massive cruise ship completely disappears behind the waves, which was pretty funny to watch. Aside from the big ocean swell, the passage turns into a fast and smooth sail. Another beautiful day on the water, surrounded by the deep blues and turquoise waters that make the Bahamas so special. Join me aboard Mirage for another day of solo sailing, open ocean, and island exploration. ⛵ Boat: Amel 50 – Mirage 🌊 Passage: Rum Cay → Cat Island (70 NM) 👤 Crew: Solo If you enjoy sailing, ocean passages, and the beauty of the Bahamas, you’re in the right place. #sailing #bahamas #solosailing #sailinglife #catisland #amel50 #sailingmirage

"Whoever sees the sea as only water Will never notice mountains on the land." (c) Vladimir Vysotsky This video is something a little different. It’s not really a video - it’s my first musical album :) You know, the sea is such a great inspiration. Being solo and being in such beautiful places sparked a bit of creativity in me. Happy to share my work - I've put a lot of time, energy, and love into it!! Some tracks were inspired by an old (and sometimes not so old) Russian songs. I translated the lyrics into English, reworked them to rhyme in English and tried my best to preserve the spirit and emotions of the originals. That's the trick! :) Some of these songs are powerful and emotional. A few are a bit funny. This project took a lot of time and experimentation to bring together, and I’m really happy to finally share it. Let me know in the comments, which one is your favorite! If you recognize which Russian song inspired any of these tracks - let me know in the comments. I’d love to see who can guess them. Enjoy the music! Track List: 00:00 1. Road To Portland 02:57 2. It’s Not Over Yet 06:46 3. Danish King’s Drops 09:11 4. In the Port of Cape Town 13:22 5. Farewell, You Mountains 16:00 6. Night Has Fallen 19:30 7. Yet It Still Happens

Leaving Georgetown in the Exumas, I continue my solo sailing journey aboard Mirage, heading southeast toward three historic islands first visited during Christopher Columbus’ first voyage — San Salvador, Rum Cay, and Conception Island. It was a perfect sailing day - sunshine, steady trade winds blowing 20–25+ knots, and a beautiful downwind course at about 120° true wind. My original plan was to reach Rum Cay first, but offshore sailing often means adapting to the wind. After passing the southern tip of Long Island it became clear that the wind would not cooperate, so I followed the breeze and changed course toward Conception Island instead. That decision turned out to be incredible! Conception Island is completely uninhabited, with crystal-clear water and untouched beaches - one of the most peaceful anchorages I've ever visited. In the evening I shared some stories about Columbus' voyage while sitting on the transom at sunset. The next morning brought a true ocean passage: A straight downwind sail to Rum Cay, with bigger waves now that Mirage was no longer protected by the upwind islands. It was an awesome sail and incredible solitude - just the boat, the ocean, and the wind. Solo sailing at its best! 0:00 Sail Plan 1:23 Sails are up 5:00 Beautifull Ocean Views Start Here 7:22 Change of Plans 8:38 History of three islands and more 13:32 Approach to Conception Island 14:58 More Columbis History (the highlight!) 18:36 Departure to Rum Cay 19:56 More Columbis History 21:40 Some Jazz and more Beautifull Ocean Views 25:24 Approach to Rum Cay 26:29 Magical Sunset Route: Georgetown (Exumas) → Conception Island → Rum Cay Boat: Amel 50 "Mirage" Sailing Solo in the Bahamas If you enjoy real offshore sailing adventures, consider subscribing. 🌊 Sailing Mirage - Life Under Sail

In this video, I’m finally sharing something I’ve been working on for a while now — the official “Mirage Martini” recipe — prepared at sunset, at anchor, aboard Mirage. Smooth, refreshing, and with just a touch of mystery — just like the ocean itself. Give it a try and let me know in the comments :) After a long day chasing the horizon, there’s nothing better than dropping anchor in a quiet, beautiful bay… watching the sun melt into the sea… and mixing the perfect drink. If you’ve been following Sailing Mirage, you know this cocktail has been a long time coming. Tonight, we make it properly. Oh, and I hope you'll enjoy the song and the lyrics I've made for that special little video!! :) 🍸 Mirage Martini 📌 Ingredients: 2.5 oz (75 ml) London Dry Gin 0.5 oz (15 ml) Dry Vermouth 0.25 oz (7 ml) Blue Curaçao 1 dash Orange Bitters (10 drops) Lemon twist (for garnish) Ice 📌 Instructions: Pour the gin, dry vermouth, Blue Curaçao, and orange bitters into a cocktail shaker. Add 4–5 cubes of ice. Shake well - about 10 seconds. Strain into a chilled martini glass. Garnish with a lemon twist (express the oils over the drink) or an olive. Give it a try, for that perfect “Mirage” effect - smooth, refreshing, and with a touch of mystery, just like the sea. 🌊🍸

I woke up at 4:00 AM in Calabash Bay, Long Island, Bahamas — shaken awake by a strong ocean swell rolling in from the open sea. Overnight, the wind had shifted… and everything pointed to a serious weather increase during the day. By first light, several sailboats were preparing to leave the bay. Some chose the safety of a more protected anchorage along Long Island. A few of us committed to the crossing — bound for the Exumas. The day started with a steady 20 knots of wind, quickly building to 25–30 knots, and the sea state followed. Bigger waves, more motion, more energy — sailing was about to get interesting. With a True Wind Angle around 130°, at least it was a following sea — a proper downwind run. And Mirage absolutely flew. We held no less than 8 knots, with long stretches at 9 knots, and occasionally pushed past 10 knots SOG. A fast, powerful ride. Midway through the passage, the wind cranked up even more. Gusts exceeded 35 knots, forcing multiple reefs. This was one of the most intense and exciting parts of the sail. As the Exumas came into view, I realized the final challenge was still ahead. The island cuts were rough, with a big swell running straight through them. Entering the cut under sail, in 35+ knots of wind, waves exploding on nearby reefs — absolutely priceless sailing moments. About a mile before the anchorage, I rolled the sails, pushed through heavy rain and limited visibility, and finally dropped anchor safely near Sand Dollar Beach, Exumas. This place means something special to me. I was here five years ago, aboard my previous boat — a Beneteau 41.1 “Melody.” Different boat. Same sailor. Same sea. Some dots just connect themselves :) ⚓🌊

A peaceful but powerful sail along Long Island, Bahamas. In this episode, I leave Clarence Town and sail north along the entire length of Long Island to Calabash Bay — about 45 nautical miles of changing winds, currents, and open water. With steady following winds reaching 25–27 knots, the boat settles into her rhythm. Autopilot locked on waypoints, sails trimmed, generator running, water being made — sometimes it’s best to just let the boat work and enjoy the journey. The weather is shifting. Cooler air from the north, darker skies, and a stronger system coming in a couple of days. Choosing the right anchorage becomes important — protection matters out here. Along the way, I reflect on: Route planning and navigation Wind and sail decisions Life aboard during longer passages Upcoming plans for the Exumas and George Town No rush. No drama. Just honest sailing in the Bahamas. If you enjoy real sailing, thoughtful navigation, and life at sea — you’re in the right place. 🌊⛵

In this episode of Sailing Mirage, I sail solo from Acklins Island to Long Island, anchoring safely in Clarence Town after a 60 nautical mile passage. Once again, the Bahamas delivered - a powerful downwind sail with winds reaching 25 knots. Mirage truly came alive, lifting and flying effortlessly over the deep blue Bahamian waters. These are the moments when everything feels perfectly aligned - boat, wind, sea, and mind. During the sail, I got a bit sentimental and shared stories about friends and fellow sailors I’ve met over the years. Long passages have a way of bringing memories back - people, conversations, shared anchorages, and brief crossings of paths that somehow leave a lasting mark. Sailing alone gives space for reflection. With the wind pushing hard from behind and miles of open water ahead, thoughts drift naturally to those who’ve been part of the journey - even if only for a short time. The day ended with a safe and peaceful anchorage in Clarence Town, a perfect place to slow down, breathe, and appreciate just how lucky this life at sea really is. If you enjoy real sailing, strong wind, and the human stories behind long voyages - welcome aboard. ⚓ Fair winds, Vlad Sailing Mirage

A truly special overnight sail 🌌⛵ In this episode of Sailing Mirage, I sail solo from Matthew Town, Great Inagua to Acklins Island, Bahamas - a 96 nautical mile passage. I departed around 4pm, timing the sail for a full overnight run. The conditions couldn’t have been better: steady downwind sailing, winds around 15–20 knots, warm air, and a calm sea. To slow the boat and arrive safely at first light, I reefed both the main and genoa, keeping the speed around 6 knots for a planned 7am arrival. Night sailing always feels different - quieter, deeper, more personal. Under a sky full of stars, I talk about Orion and Betelgeuse, a massive red supergiant that may one day become a supernova. With a neutrino burst already detected, the thought that we might actually witness Betelgeuse explode in our lifetime is simply incredible. Near Castle Island, about 7 nautical miles from Acklins, I dropped anchor for a quick 3-hour rest, then continued on under engine - making water, charging batteries, and watching the morning light return. There’s something truly unforgettable about being alone on a small sailboat at night, surrounded by the wide open ocean and the universe above. I tried to capture that feeling - the calm, the focus, and the quiet joy of it all. If you love real passages, night sailing, and the spirit of life at sea - welcome aboard. ⚓ Fair winds, Vlad Sailing Mirage

Solo sailing deep into the southern Bahamas 🇧🇸 In this episode of Sailing Mirage, I sail alone from Little Inagua Island to Great Inagua Island, arriving in Matthew Town - the most remote settlement in the entire Bahamas island chain. It was a beautiful, steady downwind passage with deep blue water, sunshine, and great spirits - just how I like it. 🌊☀️ What I didn’t expect was the arrival… In Matthew Town, every yacht arrival is an event. Locals quickly gathered around, full of curiosity and warmth, asking questions about sailing, my boat, my passages, and - most of all - how solo sailing is even possible. :) As a bonus, I hired a local guide to explore this unique island: 🧂 Morton’s Salt - one of the largest salt production facilities in the world 🦩 Flamingos feeding on saltwater pink shrimp 🗼 The historic lighthouse built by the British in 1870 🐚 And a rare local conch cookout, ending the day with an incredible fresh conch salad This is sailing at the edge of civilization - simple, human, welcoming, and unforgettable. If you enjoy real ocean passages, remote places, and the human side of sailing, you’re in the right place. ⚓ Fair winds, Vlad Sailing Mirage