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

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