Solo sailing from Yarmouth, Nova Scotia, to Portland, Maine—approximately 190 nautical miles across the Gulf of Maine. I departed Yarmouth in the cold and fog, planning a relatively peaceful overnight passage. Mirage initially sailed comfortably at around six knots, but as the wind increased, she accelerated to eight and sometimes nine knots. The fog came and went throughout the passage, and during the night, the wind briefly eased enough for me to bring out the Code 0. By morning, everything had changed. Thick fog returned, the wind climbed above 30 knots, and a series of powerful squalls swept across the Gulf of Maine. With a reefed mainsail and staysail, Mirage continued sailing beautifully at nearly nine knots—even as the wind reached 35 knots and waves washed over the bow. Cold, wet, foggy, windy—and absolutely magnificent sailing! After approximately 190 nautical miles, I reached the rocky shores near Portland and anchored in sheltered Hussey Sound. From there, I moved to one of the nicest marinas I’ve ever visited, explored Portland, and celebrated the passage at a fantastic raw seafood bar. There was also one unwelcome surprise: Mirage’s bow-thruster motor seized and had to be replaced. Fortunately, a new motor was quickly found—and soon everything was working again. What an adventure. Portland, Maine, was the perfect ending to an unforgettable passage! Chapters: 00:00 Leaving Yarmouth, Nova Scotia 01:39 180 miles to Maine 02:03 Sailing through fog 03:47 The wind begins to build 06:01 Dinner aboard Mirage 07:55 Code 0 sailing at night 08:47 Five in the morning 09:25 Fog and approaching squalls 10:03 Reefed sails and 30-knot winds 10:46 Crossing the Gulf of Maine 12:52 Waves over the bow 13:32 Nearly nine knots 16:26 Wind reaches 35 knots 17:04 Halfway Rock lighthouse 18:14 Arriving near Portland 18:36 Passage completed—190 nautical miles 19:56 Bow-thruster failure 20:21 A beautiful Portland marina 21:34 The replacement bow thruster arrives #SoloSailing #Sailing #NovaScotia #PortlandMaine #GulfOfMaine #Amel50 #SailingMirage

This was a very special voyage: my solo sail aboard Mirage from Cape Cod, Massachusetts, to Yarmouth, Nova Scotia - about 240 nautical miles across the Gulf of Maine. I left Cape Cod at 10 a.m. and raised the Code 0 in light wind. But the conditions changed quickly. As the wind built, Mirage accelerated toward Canada at nearly 9 knots! Later, with the wind continuing to strengthen, I took down the Code 0 and continued under the Genoa. By morning, everything had disappeared into thick fog. The wind shifted to approximately 75 degrees apparent, while Nova Scotia’s powerful tidal currents created waves and challenging sailing conditions. Around here, the tides influence everything—including the fog. Perhaps it becomes a little calmer at slack tide, but with wind against the current, the sea quickly comes alive. After approximately 240 nautical miles, I reached Yarmouth at around 7 p.m. A fast passage and a very satisfying result! The second half of the video takes us ashore to explore Nova Scotia. My local guide, Anthony, kindly spent the entire day showing me some of the region’s most fascinating places: Cape Forchu Lighthouse, beautiful beaches with incredible tides, Balancing Rock, Boar’s Head Lighthouse, the local market, and Digby - the scallop capital. After a delicious lunch at a local restaurant, we continued to Annapolis Royal and historic Port-Royal, the site of one of the earliest French settlements in North America. Fast solo sailing, whales, heavy fog, enormous tides, lighthouses, wonderful local food, and the history of Nova Scotia—this voyage had everything. Thank you for sailing with me aboard Mirage! Please like the video, leave a comment, and subscribe to Sailing Mirage for more offshore passages and adventures. CHAPTERS 0:00 Sailing from Cape Cod to Nova Scotia 2:35 A Huge Whale Near Cape Cod 3:05 Into the Open Atlantic Ocean 3:50 Midnight Mirage - Tuned To You 6:14 The Wind Starts Building 8:14 Sailing Alone Through the Night 8:47 Dense Fog and Radar Navigation 11:53 First Sight of Nova Scotia 13:12 Arrival in Yarmouth 13:27 Nova Scotia Lobster and Scallops 13:55 The Incredible Tides of Yarmouth 14:46 Cape Forchu Lighthouse 16:14 The Smallest Working Drawbridge 18:04 Exploring Nova Scotia 19:13 Ferry to Balancing Rock 20:35 The 200-Million-Year-Old Rock 21:03 Boar’s Head Lighthouse 21:54 Digby—the Scallop Capital 25:35 Historic Port-Royal 28:19 Back Aboard Mirage #SailingMirage #SoloSailing #NovaScotia #CapeCod #Yarmouth #OffshoreSailing #SailingAdventure #Amel50

Join us aboard *Mirage* for an unforgettable 200-nautical-mile passage from New York City to Cape Cod, Massachusetts! We departed New York around 5:00 PM after waiting for a powerful—and completely unforecasted—squall to pass. From there, we sailed overnight through Long Island Sound toward the eastern end of Long Island. As the wind picked up, *Mirage* came alive! We enjoyed a fast and exhilarating run toward the Cape Cod Canal, consistently reaching boat speeds of 9–10 knots. What a sail! Enjoy the journey - and the beautiful background music by Midnight Mirage: “Alone in the Dark.” ⛵ Chapters: 0:00 Ready for departure and the sailing plan 0:46 Waiting out the big squall 1:11 Night sailing through Long Island Sound 1:28 Plum Island 2:10 Michael - my longtime sailing friend 3:08 Midnight Mirage - “Alone in the Dark” 5:35 Entering Buzzards Bay 6:47 Approaching the Cape Cod Canal 7:17 Sailing through the Cape Cod Canal 7:45 Anchored at Cape Cod, Massachusetts If you enjoyed the passage, please like the video, leave a comment, and subscribe to *Sailing Mirage* for more offshore adventures! #SailingMirage #CapeCod #NewYorkToCapeCod #OffshoreSailing #NightSailing #Amel50 #SailingAdventure #CapeCodCanal #BuzzardsBay

Ella and I set sail from Chelsea Piers Marina in the heart of Manhattan, heading up the East River toward Long Island Sound. This short 20-mile passage took us beneath New York City’s iconic bridges, past the Manhattan skyline, and through the legendary Hell Gate - where the East River currents and tides converge. Careful timing was essential, but with the current calculated just right, Mirage carried us through without a problem. Beautiful New York views, a little sailing adventure, and the perfect old-school hip-hop soundtrack: “Ghetto Jiggy” by Lost Boyz. Welcome aboard Mirage! ⛵ Subscribe for more sailing adventures: https://www.youtube.com/@1RURO #SailingMirage #NewYorkCity #EastRiver #Manhattan #HellGate #LongIslandSound #Sailing #Amel50 #NYC

I’m sailing solo aboard Mirage from historic Annapolis, Maryland, all the way to Manhattan, New York. The voyage takes me through the Chesapeake & Delaware Canal, down Delaware Bay, around Cape May, and into the Atlantic. After waiting for the right weather, I hoist the gennaker and head north past Atlantic City - until a forecast of 30-knot winds, thunderstorms, and lightning forces a quick change of plans. After a peaceful stop near Atlantic Highlands, it’s time for the final approach beneath the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge and into New York Harbor. Seeing Manhattan from the water—and sailing past the Statue of Liberty for the first time—is an unforgettable finish to this solo adventure. CHAPTERS: 0:00 Leaving Annapolis 1:42 The route to New York 3:33 Entering the Chesapeake & Delaware Canal 5:49 Refueling at Schaefer’s Canal House 7:12 Fighting wind, waves, and current 8:17 Anchoring in Delaware Bay 9:45 Cape May and the Atlantic Ocean 10:20 Preparing the gennaker 11:14 Sailing north toward New York 12:19 Passing Atlantic City 12:52 Thunderstorm warning—gennaker down! 13:16 Arriving near New York at 3 a.m. 14:25 Refueling at Atlantic Highlands 14:45 Final approach to New York Harbor 15:20 Manhattan and the Statue of Liberty Welcome aboard Mirage! If you enjoy sailing adventures, ocean passages, and life aboard an Amel 50, please like the video, subscribe, and join me for the next leg toward Long Island, Martha’s Vineyard, Nantucket, Cape Cod, Boston, and beyond. #SoloSailing #SailingToNewYork #NewYorkHarbor #Annapolis #Amel50 #SailingMirage #SailingAdventure

Before setting off on the next big adventure, Mirage needed some attention - and quite a few new spare parts! In this episode, I tackle a long list of repairs and upgrades: replacing broken fittings and sensors, repairing the dinghy, restoring the teak, improving the anchor bridle, servicing the engine, fixing the chain counter, and upgrading several electrical and sailing components. With everything finally back together, I take Mirage across the Chesapeake Bay to Hooper Island for a five-hour test sail. And since summer on the Chesapeake can be brutally hot, I also test one more surprisingly useful upgrade - a small portable air conditioner for the cabin. The good news: everything works, the boat looks better, and Mirage is ready for the next journey! Welcome aboard Sailing Mirage.

“What do we know about Zen Buddhism? Nothing. And even that - not completely.” (c) Unknown This one is about me and Sailing Mirage - includes the "Mirage Martini" that you all liked so much. Enjoy the music! Track List: 00:00 1. Home in Annapolis 03:59 2. Port Tack To Little Harbour 07:09 3. Bahamas Are Waiting 09:21 4. Midnight Run To Acklins 14:33 5. Mirage Martini 19:11 6. Night of the Mirage 24:22 7. Chasing Mirage 30:54 8. Sailing Yacht Mirage

After sailing all the way from La Rochelle, France, the final leg of my journey takes me from Norfolk into the Chesapeake Bay. I waited two days for a favorable wind, then set off on an overnight sail toward my new home near Annapolis. With 18–20 knots from behind, cold nighttime temperatures, a broken depth sensor, and the diesel heater working overtime, Mirage made excellent speed through the darkness. By sunrise, the last 0.9 miles were behind me - and the long voyage was complete. In this episode, I also explore the Chesapeake Bay on the chart, talk about its tides, shallow waters, historic settlements, and the places I hope to visit in future videos. From La Rochelle to Maryland - made it! ⛵️

I sailed overnight from Morehead City, North Carolina, to Norfolk, Virginia - rounding Cape Hatteras from the ocean side for the first time. The forecast promised strong southerly winds, and Mirage was flying at 8–9 knots even with both sails reefed. I rounded Cape Hatteras in darkness, passed Diamond Shoals, encountered waves as high as four meters, and continued north toward Chesapeake Bay. After an incredible downwind sail, the wind finally disappeared just 30 miles from the entrance, forcing me to start the engine. The journey ended with a midnight arrival in busy Norfolk Harbor - and frost covering the windshield! :) Rounding Cape Hatteras, the legendary “Graveyard of the Atlantic,” was a long-held dream. This was one of the fastest and most memorable overnight passages of my voyage north. Welcome aboard **Mirage**, my Amel 50! #Sailing #CapeHatteras #Amel50 #OvernightSailing #SailingMirage #ChesapeakeBay #NorfolkVirginia #SoloSailing

This passage from Fort Pierce, Florida, to Morehead City, North Carolina was about 450 nautical miles — and it definitely did not go as smoothly as planned. In the middle of the night, while sailing in the Gulf Stream, the shackle holding the mainsail outhaul snapped in half. It was a very strong, specialized shackle rated to 3,500 lb, and not exactly something you can easily replace offshore. For a while, I was seriously considering a detour to Charleston just to find spare parts. After a night of sleep, I came up with an idea: make a soft shackle with a Dyneema loop. It worked beautifully… for about five hours. Then the line started to chafe against the hard plastic edge of the outhaul car. Hopeless? Not yet. Then came the real epiphany: I realized the shackle on the mainsail traveler car was identical. Since the traveler was much easier to secure temporarily, I moved that shackle to the outhaul. The improvisation worked, and I made it safely to Morehead City. At Morehead City Marina, the very kind marina team let me use their workshop to prepare the replacement part I had ordered online. Thank God for internet at sea! The wind was all over the place during this passage - sometimes strong, sometimes disappearing completely. But the real lesson of this trip was simple: Never give up. Improvise. Be creative. Think outside the box. It worked for me. :)

Join me aboard Mirage for a beautiful overnight sail along the Florida coast, from Fort Pierce to Ponce de Leon Inlet. Under the light of the full moon, I finally got a chance to set up the spinnaker pole and enjoy a smooth downwind passage. With boat speeds around 7–7.5 knots, calm coastal waters, and a midnight turn around Cape Canaveral, this was a short but memorable offshore sail. There is something magical about sailing at night - the moonlight on the water, the steady motion of the boat, and the quiet beauty of the Florida coastline. Thanks for watching, and welcome aboard Sailing Mirage. #SailingMirage #Amel50 #FloridaSailing #OvernightSailing #FullMoonSail #DownwindSailing #CapeCanaveral #SailingLife #BluewaterSailing

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