After months of unforgettable sailing, it’s time to put Mirage to rest for the summer. In this episode, I take you through the full my "patented" :) 47-step process of preparing our Amel 50 for long-term storage on land in Grenada. From flushing the watermaker and defrosting the fridges, to removing the Starlink and lifting the boat onto concrete blocks—this is the ultimate sailboat shutdown checklist. Whether you're a cruiser yourself, planning your first haul-out, or just curious what goes into mothballing a yacht, this video pulls back the curtain on the real work behind the dream. ⚓ Some of the key tasks include: ✔️ Adding diesel stabilizer & filling the tank ✔️ Washing & polishing everything ✔️ Servicing winches ✔️ Protecting against mold & humidity ✔️ Locking up every hatch, locker, and compartment And of course, it ends the way all big boat days should - with a well-earned glass of wine. Or two :) Thanks for watching, and goodbye (for now) from beautiful Grenada! 🌴 📍 Boat: Amel 50 "Mirage" 🧭 Location: Grenada 🍷 Mood: Tired but satisfied #SailingMirage #SailboatLife #BoatMaintenance #CruisingLife #Amel50 #GrenadaSailing #LiveaboardLife #YachtPrep #HaulOut #SailingGrenada #SailingCaribbean #BluewaterSailing #OffGridLiving #BoatWork #OceanLife #StarlinkAtSea #SailingCouple #FullTimeCruising #SailingAdventure #BoatChecklist

After a few minor but important fixes aboard Mirage, it was time for a proper test sail! I set off from Port St. Louis in Grenada, sailed up to beautiful Tyrell Bay on the island of Carriacou, and returned to Prickly Bay - covering about 90 nautical miles in total. ✅ Fixes & Upgrades: Repaired the anemometer Replaced the ripped flag Cleaned and oiled all the teck Fixed the windlass counter Changed the water intake filter, fuel filter, and all freshwater filters And added a new innovation: a soft cover over the rear hatches—no more noisy rails at night! The weather couldn't have been better - fair winds and the ever-stunning Caribbean Sea made this final sail of the season a true pleasure. Now it's time to put Mirage into land storage until our next adventure. ⛵ Subscribe for more sailing stories, upgrades, and voyages aboard Mirage. 🔔 Don’t forget to like, comment, and hit the bell to join us on our next chapter at sea! #SailingMirage #GrenadaSailing #CaribbeanCruising #SailboatMaintenance #Amel50 #SailingLife

After two incredible years sailing aboard my Amel 50 "Mirage", I’ve grown to absolutely love the "push-button" sailing experience that Amel is known for. In this video, I share my thoughts on how this already amazing yacht could be made even better - whether in a future Amel 50 update or the next-generation Amel 60. My wishes for the Next Amel: 1. Electric/Hydraulic Mainsheet Traveler Car – Just like on the Amel 60, this would make trimming the mainsail even smoother. 2. Hydraulic Boom Vang – Removing the vang line would simplify the cockpit and free up the winch currently used for the mainsheet. 3. Dedicated Capstan Winch for the Mainsheet – This would eliminate the need for the 5th winch and clear up valuable cockpit space. 4. Harken "Rewind" Primary Winches – These would allow full sheeting and easing control from the helm, making true single-handed sailing a breeze. 5. Integrated Downwind Sail Furler – A built-in furler in the bowsprit would eliminate the hassle of manually attaching a heavy electric furler (like the NEX 5) every time you want to go downwind. ✨ The saloon? Perfect. Don't touch it. 🛠️ And maybe we could rethink the companionway door - imagine a smooth, sliding design like on super yachts, now that we've freed up space! Or weather-tight like on the Garcia 45 and 52. Bottom line: The Amel 50 is a brilliant, capable, and luxurious sailing machine — but even perfection can be refined. If you're an Amel fan, sailor, or just curious about bluewater cruising gear and upgrades, this one's for you! 👍 Don’t forget to Like, Comment, and Subscribe for more sailing adventures aboard Mirage! 🎥 Watch the Atlantic crossing and more at: https://www.youtube.com/@1RURO #SailingMirage #Amel50 #AmelYachts #SailingLife #BluewaterCruising #SailingUpgrades #SailingYouTube #LiveaboardLife #CruisingCouple

Join me, Constantin, and Maria as we take on a 4-day offshore sail from St. John to St. George's, Grenada — a 430 nautical mile journey, mostly upwind in steady 15–25 knot trade winds. This was Constantin and Maria’s very first offshore passage, and they handled it like champs! In this video, you’ll experience: 🌅 Stunning Caribbean sunrises and sunsets 🌊 Mesmerizing open-ocean views ⛵ Life underway aboard Mirage, our Amel 50 🎙️ A casual Q&A session with me, where I answer your questions about: 1. Cats vs. monohulls 2. Why I chose an Amel 3. About boat insurance 4. Favorite sailing YouTube channels 5. What we actually do during long passages Whether you're dreaming of your own bluewater adventures or just love the rhythm of life at sea, this one’s for you. Thanks for sailing with us — don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe if you haven’t already! And here are the links: Sailing with Thomas: https://www.youtube.com/@SailingwithThomas Eric Aandaara: https://www.youtube.com/@erikaanderaa Adventures of an old seadog: https://www.youtube.com/@AdventuresofanoldSeadog Sam Holmes Sailing: https://www.youtube.com/@samholmessailing Sailing Triteia: James, https://www.youtube.com/@SailorJames #SailingMirage #Amel50 #OffshoreSailing #CaribbeanSailing #LiveaboardLife

In this episode, we set sail from Safe Harbour, Puerto Del Rey, Puerto Rico to the west end of St. John — our night stop before the longer leg south to Grenada. 🌊 The Weather? A bit rough. With 30-35 knot headwinds and big waves, conditions weren’t ideal. But with no more space in the marina, we had to leave. Just 2-3 miles offshore, we raised the sails and Mirage came alive — slicing upwind with grace. ⛵ One Tack, 50 Nautical Miles. It was a single-tack sail all the way to St. John — a smooth and powerful upwind leg, made surprisingly comfortable with the automatic inner staysail doing its job beautifully. 👥 Meet the New Crew! Joining me on this journey: Maria and Constantin, a sailing couple from Canada. Both are PhD scientists — and Maria? She has two PhDs! Brilliant minds, and now, great company aboard Mirage. 🍽️ Evening Delight. After a solid day of sailing, Maria treated us to a delicious dinner on board. A perfect way to wrap up the day. Next up: a three-day non-stop sail to Grenada. I’ll try to capture some magical sunrises and sunsets — and answer your questions along the way. Subscribe and stay tuned! #sailingmirage #sailinglife #upwindsailing #amel50 #puertorico #stjohn #sailingcrew #liveaboardlife #bluewatercruising

While we’re taking a short break from sailing, nature brought us an unexpected and heartwarming visit - one mama rabbit and four tiny baby bunnies right in our garden! Watch these little cuties explore, nibble, and hop around - it’s pure joy. More sailing content is coming next week as we set course from Puerto Rico to beautiful St. John! ⛵️🌴 Don’t miss it! 👉 Subscribe to follow our adventures at sea and occasional moments like this on land. #SailingLife #Bunnies #GardenVisitors #SailingMirage #NatureBreak

Join Ella and me on a great sail from Culebra to Puerto Del Rey Marina in Puerto Rico! We had an epic downwind run with full sails flying in 20-25 knots of wind, with occasional gusts pushing us forward like a dream. The wind was perfectly from the east, giving us a beautiful 150–160° true wind angle - practically sailing all the way to Vieques… or at least until we jibed our way straight into the marina! 😄 Despite some sporty 2–3 meter waves, Ella caught some sun up on deck like a true sea queen 👑☀️, and I shared a few thoughts on the rich history of Puerto Rico, including the story of Juan Ponce de León. Clear skies, deep blue waters, and a safe arrival at Safe Harbor Puerto Del Rey wrapped up this fun and memorable sail. Come along for the ride - and don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe if you enjoy our ocean adventures! 📍 Route: Culebra ➝ Puerto Del Rey Marina, Puerto Rico 🎥 Filmed aboard Mirage, our Amel 50 🌊 Conditions: 2–3m waves, 15–25 knots downwind breeze #SailingMirage #DownwindSailing #PuertoRico #Amel50 #SailingLife #BlueWaterSailing #SailingCouple

Join me on an another great sail from St. Thomas to Culebra, Puerto Rico – a 37-nautical-mile journey through turquoise waters, island breezes, and pure joy. Before setting off, I made a special stop at Lindbergh Bay, near Cyril E. King Airport to pick up my old sailing buddy – and from there, the adventure began. We sailed to the beautiful island of Culebrita, then dropped anchor in some of the most secluded and stunning spots around Culebra, including Bahia De Almodovar and the peaceful Cayo de Luis Peña. Swimming, exploring, laughing, and reconnecting – this trip was all about good times and great company. Come aboard and sail with us through one of the Caribbean's hidden gems! 📍 Route: St. Thomas ➡ Culebrita ➡ Culebra ⚓ Anchorages: Cyril E. King area, Bahia De Almodovar, Cayo de Luis Peña 🎥 Watch for: Scenic sails, crystal-clear waters, and island vibes Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more sailing adventures! #SailingMirage #Culebra #SailingLife #CaribbeanAdventure #SailboatLife #Amel50

Join me on an awesome solo sail from Nanny Cay Marina, Tortola (BVI) to Christmas Cove, St. Thomas (USVI)! 🌊☀️ The conditions were perfect—fast, rock-steady sailing on a downwind course with a beautiful beam reach straight to the USVI. The deep blue sea, sunny skies, and scenic coastline of St. John made for a breathtaking journey. My ultimate destination? Pizza Pi, a legendary floating pizzeria among cruisers! 🍕🚤 I couldn’t resist ordering the MELE KALIKIMAKA—a Hawaiian dream with tomato basil sauce, mozzarella, ham, bacon, and pineapple. And let me tell you, it was absolutely delicious! 😋 📍 Route: Tortola (BVI) ➝ Christmas Cove (USVI) 💨 Wind: Perfect for a beam reach & downwind sailing 🌊 Conditions: Some waves, but smooth and steady 🏝️ Scenery: Stunning coastline of St. John Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more sailing adventures! ⚓✨ 📌 Check out Pizza Pi: https://pizza-pi.com 📺 Subscribe for more: https://www.youtube.com/@1RURO #Sailing #SailingLife #Liveaboard #BVI #USVI #PizzaPi #SailingMirage

Welcome aboard Mirage, my floating home and partner in adventure. I'm mostly a solo sailor exploring the stunning British Virgin Islands - one beautiful anchorage, one epic sunset, and one unforgettable moment at a time. In just 8 amazing days, I sailed through island gems like Great Dog, West Dog, Scrub Island, Beef Island, Guana Island, Monkey Point and many more. Each spot had its own magic. The highlight? A dreamy lobster dinner on Jost Van Dyke - pure paradise. I moored overnight at the peaceful West End of Tortola, soaked in the calm of Peter Island, then headed to Nanny Cay Marina on Tortola for fuel, groceries, and some well-earned downtime. This channel is about real solo sailing, wild places, freedom, and the joy of life at sea. Subscribe and sail with me - the BVIs were just the beginning. ⚓️ Sailing Mirage – One soul, one sail, endless horizons.

🌊 Now exploring the Virgin Islands! One of my first stops in the British Virgin Islands was a place I’ve dreamed of visiting for years: The Baths on Virgin Gorda. Just 2 miles from Spanish Town, The Baths are world-famous for their massive, otherworldly granite boulders that form hidden sea pools and winding cave-like paths. ⛵ Solo sailing and single-handed techniques Getting there isn’t as simple as dropping anchor -this is a mooring ball-only spot. After some trial and error, I finally perfected my technique for grabbing a mooring ball single-handed. Then, it was time to jump in the dinghy, motor close, and swim the final 100 meters to reach this natural wonder. 🏝️ Was it worth it? Absolutely. Exploring The Baths was like stepping into another world. The giant boulders, some stacked like ancient ruins, create narrow tunnels, natural pools, and breathtaking photo ops. It’s a place that truly has to be seen to be believed - and I brought the camera along for you. Subscribe to follow the journey as I sail through the Caribbean, visit bucket-list destinations, share sailing tips, and tell stories from life aboard Mirage. Whether you're a sailor, a dreamer, or someone who just loves the sea, welcome aboard. ⚓ One man. One boat. Endless horizons.

Set sail with me on an exhilarating passage from Saint Martin to Virgin Gorda, BVI! I left at 6 AM, greeted by perfect conditions to fly my big gennaker sail. With a true wind angle of 130-140° and wind speeds ranging from 16-25 knots, Mirage was absolutely flying downwind across the stunning Caribbean waters. Along the way, I captured an incredible moment - a whale surfacing nearby! 🐋 Plus, I had some fun overtaking a couple of other sailboats - proof that the gennaker is really fast when handled right. But it wasn’t all smooth sailing! Mirage broached three times under the powerful sail, but I found the perfect way to recover - without furling the gennaker. Watch as I navigate through these thrilling moments and finally drop anchor in the beautiful St. Thomas Bay, Virgin Gorda, BVI. ⚓ Like, comment, and subscribe for more real-life offshore sailing experiences! ⚓ #Sailing #SoloSailing #Amel50 #CaribbeanSailing #Gennaker #VirginGorda #BVI #SailingMirage

Join me on this beautiful solo sail from Anguilla to Saint Martin aboard my Amel 50, Mirage. It was a perfect day on the water - sunny skies, a light breeze, and just one squall bringing a brief splash of rain before clearing up again. After rounding Little Anguilla, I set course straight across the Anguilla Channel, enjoying the open water before making my way into Marina Fort St. Louis. The sailboat effortlessly glided through the waves, with nothing but the sound of the wind and sea surrounding me. Watch as I navigate the journey, soak in the stunning Caribbean views, and experience the pure joy of solo sailing. If you love the ocean, sailing adventures, and the freedom of the open sea, this one’s for you! ⚓ Don't forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more sailing adventures! #Sailing #SoloSailing #Amel50 #CaribbeanSailing #SaintMartin #Anguilla #SailingMirage

Join me as I sail to the remote and breathtaking islands of Anguilla - Prickly Pear, Dog Island, and Sandy Island! 🌴☀️ These untouched gems offer crystal-clear waters, stunning landscapes, and incredible marine life. Unfortunately, strong winds and waves made it impossible to land on Sandy Island, but I still captured the beauty of these pristine locations. I also spent a few nights anchored in Crocus Bay, where I caught a gorgeous sunset - truly a sight to remember! 🔹 Pristine waters & untouched nature 🔹 Remote islands with stunning sea life 🔹 A peaceful sunset at Crocus Bay Hit LIKE if you love sailing and subscribe for more adventures aboard Mirage! 🏝️⚓ #SailingLife #Anguilla #PricklyPear #DogIsland #SandyIsland #CaribbeanSailing #YachtLife

Join me on this solo sailing adventure from Sint Maarten to Anguilla aboard Mirage! After waiting at anchor for the bridge to open, I set sail, cruising past the stunning coastline of Sint Maarten before crossing the Anguilla Channel. The day started with light winds - perfect for capturing the beauty of the Caribbean waters. But once past the island, the wind picked up, and Mirage flew across the channel at 8-9 knots. Passing Little Anguilla, I sailed close-hauled up to my destination, enjoying the sun, the sea, and the freedom of the open water. No rain clear skies, and a golden sunset to end the day - just me, the ocean, and a well-earned glass of wine. 🍷✨ ⚓ Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more sailing adventures! #SailingMirage #SoloSailing #SintMaarten #Anguilla #CaribbeanSailing #SailingLife

I finally made the switch from ePropulsion EVO electric motor to a Nissan Marine 5HP 2-stroke gas outboard for my dinghy. In this quick 3-minute video, I lower the dinghy using my electric davits, fire up the new engine, and take it for a spin at wide open throttle - and let me tell you, it moves! 🚤💨 How does the 5HP Nissan Marine perform? Is it a better choice than electric? I share my thoughts after the test. Let me know what you think in the comments! Here is my ePropulsion EVO review: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DYpceJicBK4 #SailingMirage #DinghyMotorReview #OutboardTest #NissanMarine5HP

An unforgettable passage from St. Barts to Sint Maarten in wild, squally weather! 🌧️💨 With steady 30+ knot winds and big waves, Mirage pushed hard, even almost broaching at one point. Surfing down the waves at over 10 knots, this was one of those rare, electrifying sails that remind me why I love the ocean. Straight past Île Fourchue and into Simpson Bay - what a ride! Hope you enjoy the footage - let me know what you think! 📍 Route: St. Barts → Sint Maarten (Simpson Bay) 🎥 Watch more: https://www.youtube.com/1RURO #Sailing #SailingMirage #HeavyWeatherSailing #Amel50 #SintMaarten #OceanAdventure

A short but beautiful 3-mile sail from Île Fourchue to Anse du Colombier. A few waves, a peaceful anchorage, and a quiet day ashore. Not much happening in this video, just soaking in the beauty of the Caribbean before heading off on my next adventure to Sint Maarten! 🌊⛵ Sometimes, it's the simple moments that make sailing so special. Stay tuned for the next journey! 📍 Location: Île Fourchue → Anse du Colombier 🎥 Watch more: https://www.youtube.com/1RURO #Sailing #SailingMirage #CaribbeanLife #Amel50 #BoatLife

Join me aboard Mirage, my Amel 50, as I sail from St. Barts’ Port Gustavia to the stunning Île Fourchue – a small but breathtaking island just 10 miles away. Crystal-clear waters, incredible snorkeling, and a perfect day of sun, sea, and relaxation. I explore the shore, swim in paradise, and, of course, enjoy some well-earned ice cream! 🌊☀️⛵ Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more sailing adventures! 🌎⚓ 📍 Location: St. Barts → Île Fourchue 🎥 Watch more: https://www.youtube.com/1RURO #Sailing #SailingMirage #Amel50 #CaribbeanAdventure #BoatLife

Join me on Mirage (Amel 50) as we set sail from the stunning island of St. Kitts to the chic and charming St. Barts. The conditions were absolutely perfect - 18-20 knots of steady breeze, a broad reach, and smooth yet lively waves carrying us swiftly across the Caribbean. What’s in this video: ✅ Departing from St. Kitts – a few thoughts on this beautiful island ✅ Deep blue ocean, clear skies, and a dream sail ⛵ ✅ Feeling the power of the wind as Mirage flies effortlessly along her course ✅ The beauty of open water – waves, wind, and the rhythm of the sea 🌊 ✅ Arriving in St. Barts – a sailor’s paradise ✅ Anchored in Port Gustavia, soaking in the stunning surroundings ✅ Indulging in French island delights – fine cheeses, wines, crispy baguettes, and a taste of paradise 🥖🍷 This was a fast, smooth, and sweet ride, a reminder of why we chase the horizon. If you love sailing, adventure, and the Caribbean, this one’s for you! 🎥 Watch now and sail along with me! Let me know your favorite part in the comments! #SailingLife #Amel50 #SailingCaribbean #StKittsToStBarts #PortGustavia #OceanAdventure #FrenchIslandVibes #SailFastLiveFree