Passage to Ibiza | Sailing Dream vs Reality on SV GTFO | GTFOplan Ep. 127 Ever dreamed of sailing to Ibiza? In this episode of GTFOplan (Ep. 127), we take you on an unforgettable journey aboard SV GTFO — where the sailing dream meets the raw reality! What’s inside this adventure: ✅ Real-life sailing challenges and highlights on the passage to Ibiza ✅ Behind the scenes of life on a sailboat ✅ Unexpected moments and lessons learned at sea ✅ Stunning ocean views and a true sailor’s perspective Whether you’re an aspiring sailor, liveaboard enthusiast, or simply love the sea, this episode shows the truth behind the sailing lifestyle — from breathtaking sunsets to unexpected storms! Join us as we sail, explore, and reveal what it’s really like to chase the dream! Kisses, Ann & Dennis Twitter: @GTFOplan Facebook: https://facebook.com/anndennis.snellikin.3 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gtfoplan/ YouTube: www.youtube.com/c/gtfoplan Email: gtfoplan@gmail.com #SailingIbiza #LiveaboardLife #SailingAdventure #GTFOplan #SVGTFO

Join a solo female captain as she takes the helm alone, navigating life, leadership, and the challenges of sailing on a performance catamaran. In this episode of GTFOplan Ep. 126, experience the empowering journey of stepping up, letting go of ego, and building trust at sea. 🚤 What you'll learn: ✅ How solo sailing builds confidence, resilience, and leadership ✅ The power of letting go and staying grounded under pressure ✅ Real-life experiences of a performance catamaran captain and crew ✨ Whether you're passionate about sailing, personal growth, or leadership, this story inspires you to take control of your life and lead with presence. 🔗 Follow the journey: Find a Cre Kisses, Ann & Dennis Twitter: @GTFOplan Facebook: https://facebook.com/anndennis.snellikin.3 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gtfoplan/ YouTube: www.youtube.com/c/gtfoplan Email: gtfoplan@gmail.com Timestamps: 00:00 — Heartfelt separation & reflection 00:38 — Boat tradition & personal growth 01:21 — Ego, leadership & stepping back 01:45 — Pulling anchor solo & new confidence 02:06 — Crew introduction: Julian’s journey 02:33 — Todd’s sailing & European adventures 03:40 — Coffee, boat life, and smooth sailing 04:22 — Solo captain challenges & priorities 04:43 — Safety, fenders, and lessons from the sea 05:14 — Growth, trust, and staying grounded at the helm #SoloSailing #FemaleCaptain #LeadershipAtSea #GTFOplan #CatamaranLife #WomenWhoSail #LifeLessons #Empowerment

IN THIS VIDEO: Anchor Bridle Fails and what does GTFO mean? 💥 Anchor Bridle FAIL Explained | What GTFO Really Means at Sea (GTFOplan ep. 125) Ever had an anchor bridle snap while on the water? In this real-life sailing moment, we break down exactly what happened during an anchor bridle failure and why knowing when to GTFO (Get The Float Out) can mean the difference between a close call and a major crisis at sea. With firsthand footage, practical explanations, and lessons learned, this video is a must-watch for sailors, cruisers, and liveaboard adventurers looking to stay safe and smart on the water. In this video, you'll learn: ✅ What causes an anchor bridle to fail ✅The warning signs you should NEVER ignore ✅ How we responded in real time ✅ What “GTFO” really means in a critical moment ✅ Tips to avoid anchor drama on your next voyage 🌊 Whether you're prepping for long-term cruising or weekend sailing — this is real talk from real experience. 👇 Comment: Have you ever had gear fail unexpectedly at sea? 🔔 Subscribe for more sailing lessons, boat life realities, and nautical know-how. Connect ––– Social media ––– Kisses, Ann & Dennis Twitter: @GTFOplan Facebook: https://facebook.com/anndennis.snellikin.3 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gtfoplan/ YouTube: www.youtube.com/c/gtfoplan Email: gtfoplan@gmail.com ––– Timestamps & Chapters ––– 00:02 – Anchor Bridle Fail: The Costly Mistake 00:58 – Astra’s Story: From Morocco to Gibraltar 01:53 – A View of Three Kingdoms at Once 02:17 – Monkey Mayhem & Moroccan Adventures 03:50 – Unexpected Boat Encounter: No Photos Allowed 05:09 – Visa Math & Staying Legal in Europe 05:54 – GTFO Beads Tradition: Meaningful Memories 07:13 – GTFO Redefined: “Get The Fart Out” Moment 07:45 – 18,000 Nautical Miles Crossed: A Milestone 08:17 – Learning Sailing Hands-On: Fun with the Crew 09:56 – Fishing Hazards & Friendly Radio Calls 10:45 – Beating Into the Wind & Seasick Realities 11:58 – Entering the Eastern Hemisphere: Cheers & Reflection 13:27 – Anchoring at Aiza: Beautiful but Rolly 14:55 – Courteous Sailors & Close Encounters 16:00 – GTFO Sticker Challenge in Paradise 16:42 – Creative Dog Bowl & Scraping Barnacles 18:00 – Black Footprints: The Battle with the Deck 18:26 – Big Clean-Up: The Crew’s Hard Work Pays Off 19:19 – Fixing the Autopilot Squeak: Team Win #AnchorBridleFail #SailingMistakes #GTFOatSea #LiveaboardLife #SailingSafetyTips #BoatLife2025 #SailingLessonsLearned #CruisingFails #SailboatGearFailure #OceanLifeRealities

#HealingAtSea #RealRelationships #SailingCouples ✍️ This isn’t about one fight. It’s about a cycle. 💥 Dennis explodes when he feels wrong. ⚔️ I get mean when I feel like I’m not enough. Our egos mea

We thought we were ready. We had the watch shifts, safety drills, and even orca prep plans dialed in. But then everything went sideways— From tangled reefing lines to a failed electric winch to massive, mile-long fishing traps with barely visible cardinal marks 😳 This is the kind of sailing chaos they don’t teach you in captain’s school. Don’t miss the wild ride aboard GoTFO⛵️—subscribe for more real-deal sailing, screwups, and lessons learned. ➤ Next time: A bent shackle and a humbling mistake. Stay tuned. CREDITS: Echoes of Time v2 by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ Bent and Broken by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ CURRENT LOCATION: https://forecast.predictwind.com/tracking/display/SV-GTFO/ ABOUT OUR CATAMARAN: We love our new Balance 482 - it's a perfect size for a cruising couple to handle and is a great "balance" of performance and comfort. One of our favorite features is the excellent ventilation since we mostly live as "hookers" (aka at anchor) where the boat automatically turns into the wind so we stay cool and we don't need to battle mold. We also have starlink for easy off-grid life. Our 2400 watt solar panel array also means we rarely need to run an engine to charge our batteries. ABOUT US: We saved for a our future boat, sold everything that we owned, and shipped the rest in a container to Cape Town, South Africa. We then flew there and explored South Africa by way of a safari and touring Cape Town before moving aboard our boat. We then sailed to Saint Helena, Ascension Island, Fernando de Naronha (Brazil), Martinique, Sint Maarten (Dutch and French side), the US Virgin Islands (Saint Croix, Saint John, and Saint Thomas), the British Virgin Islands (Anegada, Norman Island, Jost van Dyke, and Anegada), The Bahamas (Inagua, Crooked Island, Long Island, George Town, Staniel Cay, the Exumas, and Eleuthera). We then sailed back to the United States, making landfall in Cape Canaveral, Florida. From there our destinations are endless! Both Dennis and Ann grew up military brats with Army fathers. Dennis (the Colonel) served 30 years in the US Army and his retirement pension helped us retire in our 50s. Ann (the ship's Captain) wrote Test Automation in Python and Java. Dennis and Ann met on Match.com where Ann had in her profile "Do you want to sail the world with me?" Ann easily brought Dennis into sailing, and he loved the GTFOplan of retiring early and sailing the world. After many years of saving, living on one income but earning two, and cutting back on everything possible, they saved enough to buy a Balance 482. Follow them as they get real about boat life and all the hassles of buying a new boat because we all know N.E.W. means Not Everything Works. Kisses, Ann & Dennis Twitter: @GTFOplan Facebook: https://facebook.com/anndennis.snellikin.3 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gtfoplan/ YouTube: www.youtube.com/c/gtfoplan Email: gtfoplan@gmail.com

IN THIS VIDEO: We’ve officially completed our second ocean crossing and made landfall in Cádiz, Spain — but not without one final bit of drama. Originally headed for Gibraltar, we diverted to Cádiz, drawn in by its ancient charm and maritime history. But before we could relax, Karl finally caught something… just not a fish. Another mylar balloon — one of several we've pulled from the ocean this year. They're pretty, sure, but they always end up as trash. A small reminder: please think twice before buying these. During a routine bilge check, Dennis finds salt water and diesel in the port head bilge. Thankfully, it’s a minor cleanup, but the mystery of the saltwater source lingers — possibly linked to a repaired thru-hull from last year. Things really get interesting on the midnight shift when our Garmin suddenly loses satellite connection, leaving Ann without navigation data. Dennis jumps in to troubleshoot, and while the signal returns quickly, the issue keeps popping up. We’re still chasing gremlins in the system. And just when we thought we were home free, we arrive in Cádiz and… bam. A crosswind, a language barrier, and a tight marina slip combine for a rough docking attempt that leaves some fresh scuffs on the boat. Fortunately, no major damage — just one final reminder that sailing rarely goes exactly as planned. Now that we’re officially in Europe, it’s time to explore the Mediterranean. Let the next chapter begin! CURRENT LOCATION: https://forecast.predictwind.com/tracking/display/SV-GTFO/ ABOUT OUR CATAMARAN: We love our new Balance 482 - it's a perfect size for a cruising couple to handle and is a great "balance" of performance and comfort. One of our favorite features is the excellent ventilation since we mostly live as "hookers" (aka at anchor) where the boat automatically turns into the wind so we stay cool and we don't need to battle mold. We also have starlink for easy off-grid life. Our 2400 watt solar panel array also means we rarely need to run an engine to charge our batteries. ABOUT US: We saved for a our future boat, sold everything that we owned, and shipped the rest in a container to Cape Town, South Africa. We then flew there and explored South Africa by way of a safari and touring Cape Town before moving aboard our boat. We then sailed to Saint Helena, Ascension Island, Fernando de Naronha (Brazil), Martinique, Sint Maarten (Dutch and French side), the US Virgin Islands (Saint Croix, Saint John, and Saint Thomas), the British Virgin Islands (Anegada, Norman Island, Jost van Dyke, and Anegada), The Bahamas (Inagua, Crooked Island, Long Island, George Town, Staniel Cay, the Exumas, and Eleuthera). We then sailed back to the United States, making landfall in Cape Canaveral, Florida. From there our destinations are endless! Both Dennis and Ann grew up military brats with Army fathers. Dennis (the Colonel) served 30 years in the US Army and his retirement pension helped us retire in our 50s. Ann (the ship's Captain) wrote Test Automation in Python and Java. Dennis and Ann met on Match.com where Ann had in her profile "Do you want to sail the world with me?" Ann easily brought Dennis into sailing, and he loved the GTFOplan of retiring early and sailing the world. After many years of saving, living on one income but earning two, and cutting back on everything possible, they saved enough to buy a Balance 482. Follow them as they get real about boat life and all the hassles of buying a new boat because we all know N.E.W. means Not Everything Works. Kisses, Ann & Dennis Twitter: @GTFOplan Facebook: https://facebook.com/anndennis.snellikin.3 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gtfoplan/ YouTube: www.youtube.com/c/gtfoplan Email: gtfoplan@gmail.com

IN THIS VIDEO: As Horta fades into the distance, we motor directly into two days of relentless headwind. A quick dolphin visit cheers us up, and we finally remember to add our Portugal sticker to the boat. Once the wind returns, we finally raise sails—only to have the soft shackle on the mainsail clew chafe through during Ann's watch. With the boom flailing, we scramble to furl the jib and drop the main just enough for Karl and Dennis to climb in and rig a replacement in rolly seas. And it doesn’t stop there—soon after, the jib tack shackle fails, tearing the foot of the jib. Dennis suits up and heads to the bow, getting fully soaked while patching a temporary fix. That tear also triggers a loud, eerie hum that reverberates through Karl’s cabin under just the right angle and wind. A bungee cord saves the day (and his sanity). Meanwhile, our Garmin autopilot is swinging 50 degrees off course with no real support from Garmin techs. We've tried everything—tightening cables, switching to the backup pilot, and calibrating—but it’s still a guessing game. Garmin, if you're watching: help us out here! On the lighter side, we have two feathered visitors—a parakeet who made himself at home in the dog bed, and a barn swallow who took a quick break before flying off. Ocean hitchhikers, apparently. Dinner drama? Karl’s caught “beating his meat” (yes, it’s what you think—he’s cooking schnitzel), and it turns out delicious. Just when we think the chaos is done, Dennis discovers a small leak in the forward hatch. It’s patched for now… but what will go next? Oh, and Karl’s still on a mission to catch a fish. Will he finally reel one in before landfall? CURRENT LOCATION: https://forecast.predictwind.com/tracking/display/SV-GTFO/ ABOUT OUR CATAMARAN: We love our new Balance 482 - it's a perfect size for a cruising couple to handle and is a great "balance" of performance and comfort. One of our favorite features is the excellent ventilation since we mostly live as "hookers" (aka at anchor) where the boat automatically turns into the wind so we stay cool and we don't need to battle mold. We also have starlink for easy off-grid life. Our 2400 watt solar panel array also means we rarely need to run an engine to charge our batteries. ABOUT US: We saved for a our future boat, sold everything that we owned, and shipped the rest in a container to Cape Town, South Africa. We then flew there and explored South Africa by way of a safari and touring Cape Town before moving aboard our boat. We then sailed to Saint Helena, Ascension Island, Fernando de Naronha (Brazil), Martinique, Sint Maarten (Dutch and French side), the US Virgin Islands (Saint Croix, Saint John, and Saint Thomas), the British Virgin Islands (Anegada, Norman Island, Jost van Dyke, and Anegada), The Bahamas (Inagua, Crooked Island, Long Island, George Town, Staniel Cay, the Exumas, and Eleuthera). We then sailed back to the United States, making landfall in Cape Canaveral, Florida. From there our destinations are endless! Both Dennis and Ann grew up military brats with Army fathers. Dennis (the Colonel) served 30 years in the US Army and his retirement pension helped us retire in our 50s. Ann (the ship's Captain) wrote Test Automation in Python and Java. Dennis and Ann met on Match.com where Ann had in her profile "Do you want to sail the world with me?" Ann easily brought Dennis into sailing, and he loved the GTFOplan of retiring early and sailing the world. After many years of saving, living on one income but earning two, and cutting back on everything possible, they saved enough to buy a Balance 482. Follow them as they get real about boat life and all the hassles of buying a new boat because we all know N.E.W. means Not Everything Works. Kisses, Ann & Dennis Twitter: @GTFOplan Facebook: https://facebook.com/anndennis.snellikin.3 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gtfoplan/ YouTube: www.youtube.com/c/gtfoplan Email: gtfoplan@gmail.com

IN THIS VIDEO: We finally made it to Horta in the Azores! 🌋⛵️ Captain Ann checks into a new country solo—and nerves are high thanks to her questionable sense of direction. 😅 Docking against a cement wall? Cue the ominous music. But thanks to teamwork (and Karl’s epic leap onto another boat—👏👏), we dock without damage. Even Schatzi is belly-up relaxed to finally be on a still boat! We raise the Portuguese and Azores flags after taking down the yellow Q, then head straight to the FAB (First Available Bar), aka the legendary Peter’s Café Sport. Dennis explains the tradition, we find Rob’s SV Ventana sticker, and proudly place our GoTFO⛵️ one nearby. Robin adds another for good measure! Big shoutout to Karl for discovering the coolest volcanic beach—we all explore, laugh, and Ann even knocks on a random door… only to be greeted by Karl like a local landlord. 😂 We find Rob’s painting, add our sticker, and paint our own (with Schatzi’s paw print, of course 🐾🤞). Karl hilariously uses a paint roller on his shirt to hide a stain—unfortunately, not even close to the same shade of white. 🤣 We spot a cigarette vending machine that blows Dennis’s mind, and we’re thrilled to find Kimmy and Phil’s painting for SV Cielo. Miss you guys❣️ We hit the town market, line shelves, try to fix leaks, and Karl and Robin pack sandbags to thwart orca attacks (just in case). But leaving the dock? Not so smooth. A missing cleat on our Balance catamaran means our fender slips out—not once but twice—bumping hard against the cement wall. 😬 Poor communication between Dennis and Ann strikes again. Sailing the world together… can their marriage stay afloat? CURRENT LOCATION: https://forecast.predictwind.com/tracking/display/SV-GTFO/ CREDITS: Hitman by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ Echoes of Time v2 by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ @petercafesport #petercafesport ABOUT OUR CATAMARAN: We love our new Balance 482 - it's a perfect size for a cruising couple to handle and is a great "balance" of performance and comfort. One of our favorite features is the excellent ventilation since we mostly live as "hookers" (aka at anchor) where the boat automatically turns into the wind so we stay cool and we don't need to battle mold. We also have starlink for easy off-grid life. Our 2400 watt solar panel array also means we rarely need to run an engine to charge our batteries. ABOUT US: We saved for a our future boat, sold everything that we owned, and shipped the rest in a container to Cape Town, South Africa. We then flew there and explored South Africa by way of a safari and touring Cape Town before moving aboard our boat. We then sailed to Saint Helena, Ascension Island, Fernando de Naronha (Brazil), Martinique, Sint Maarten (Dutch and French side), the US Virgin Islands (Saint Croix, Saint John, and Saint Thomas), the British Virgin Islands (Anegada, Norman Island, Jost van Dyke, and Anegada), The Bahamas (Inagua, Crooked Island, Long Island, George Town, Staniel Cay, the Exumas, and Eleuthera). We then sailed back to the United States, making landfall in Cape Canaveral, Florida. From there our destinations are endless! Both Dennis and Ann grew up military brats with Army fathers. Dennis (the Colonel) served 30 years in the US Army and his retirement pension helped us retire in our 50s. Ann (the ship's Captain) wrote Test Automation in Python and Java. Dennis and Ann met on Match.com where Ann had in her profile "Do you want to sail the world with me?" Ann easily brought Dennis into sailing, and he loved the GTFOplan of retiring early and sailing the world. After many years of saving, living on one income but earning two, and cutting back on everything possible, they saved enough to buy a Balance 482. Follow them as they get real about boat life and all the hassles of buying a new boat because we all know N.E.W. means Not Everything Works. Kisses, Ann & Dennis Twitter: @GTFOplan Facebook: https://facebook.com/anndennis.snellikin.3 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gtfoplan/ YouTube: www.youtube.com/c/gtfoplan Email: gtfoplan@gmail.com

CURRENT LOCATION: https://forecast.predictwind.com/tracking/display/SV-GTFO/ IN THIS VIDEO: This passage had a bit of everything. We started with flat, windless seas that had us motoring through stillness. But as the miles ticked by, light winds returned—just enough for us to hoist “Big Purple,” our trusty spinnaker. Every time we fly her, we learn something new, and this leg of the journey gave us the perfect opportunity to fine-tune our downwind skills. Our biggest 'oh crap' moment came when the soft shackle that holds the jib sheet buckle to the jib clew came apart. A quick and easy repair was done due to Ann's skill at making spare soft shackles. Upon further inspection though, Dennis discovered that the buckle was starting to come apart from all the banging it had endured against the jib clew. A quick kludgy fix bought us enough time to wait for calmer seas when a proper repair with a spare buckle was accomplished. One of the unexpected joys of this passage? Dolphins! As always, they showed up right when we transitioned from engine to sail, dancing along our bows like they knew we’d missed them. There’s nothing quite like the feeling of being joined mid-ocean by these playful companions. But they weren’t the only visitors. We had two stowaways—migratory birds that found our boat mid-ocean and stayed for a much-needed rest. One of them landed in the dead of night, with over 650 nautical miles to go to Horta. Their resilience is nothing short of miraculous. We also marked a big milestone during the journey: Robin’s 21st birthday at sea! While she wished for strawberries (which we were out of), Dennis saved the day with one of his go-to comfort creations—a fresh batch of brownies. After 14 days and 21 hours and 2350 nautical miles, we made landfall in Horta, Azores. It was our longest continuous passage with crew onboard, and the fatigue was definitely real. But thanks to the steady hands and good spirits of everyone aboard, we made it through stronger and more connected. And through it all, Schatzi the boat dog stayed chill as ever—except during the night shifts, when the energy shifts and the humans get loud. She’s not above demanding cuddles… or the occasional dose of CBD to help her ride out the chaos. Whether you’re dreaming of offshore sailing, curious about long passages, or just love a good sea story with dolphins, birds, and brownies — this video has something for you. Come aboard for our most epic crossing yet. #sailing #azores #passagelife #bluewatercruising #boatlife #offshoreadventure #dogsonboats #oceanpassage ABOUT OUR CATAMARAN: We love our new Balance 482 - it's a perfect size for a cruising couple to handle and is a great "balance" of performance and comfort. One of our favorite features is the excellent ventilation since we mostly live as "hookers" (aka at anchor) where the boat automatically turns into the wind so we stay cool and we don't need to battle mold. We also have starlink for easy off-grid life. Our 2400 watt solar panel array also means we rarely need to run an engine to charge our batteries. ABOUT US: We saved for a our future boat, sold everything that we owned, and shipped the rest in a container to Cape Town, South Africa. We then flew there and explored South Africa by way of a safari and touring Cape Town before moving aboard our boat. We then sailed to Saint Helena, Ascension Island, Fernando de Naronha (Brazil), Martinique, Sint Maarten (Dutch and French side), the US Virgin Islands (Saint Croix, Saint John, and Saint Thomas), the British Virgin Islands (Anegada, Norman Island, Jost van Dyke, and Anegada), The Bahamas (Inagua, Crooked Island, Long Island, George Town, Staniel Cay, the Exumas, and Eleuthera). We then sailed back to the United States, making landfall in Cape Canaveral, Florida. From there our destinations are endless! Both Dennis and Ann grew up military brats with Army fathers. Dennis (the Colonel) served 30 years in the US Army and his retirement pension helped us retire in our 50s. Ann (the ship's Captain) wrote Test Automation in Python and Java. Dennis and Ann met on Match.com where Ann had in her profile "Do you want to sail the world with me?" Ann easily brought Dennis into sailing, and he loved the GTFOplan of retiring early and sailing the world. After many years of saving, living on one income but earning two, and cutting back on everything possible, they saved enough to buy a Balance 482. Follow them as they get real about boat life and all the hassles of buying a new boat because we all know N.E.W. means Not Everything Works. Kisses, Ann & Dennis Twitter: @GTFOplan Facebook: https://facebook.com/anndennis.snellikin.3 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gtfoplan/ YouTube: www.youtube.com/c/gtfoplan Email: gtfoplan@gmail.com

CURRENT LOCATION: https://forecast.predictwind.com/tracking/display/SV-GTFO/ IN THIS VIDEO: We’re finally off! With final weather checks done, boat inspections complete, and provisioning locked in, we officially set sail for Horta in the Azores. Spirits are high as we hit our stride — and celebrate Dennis’s 21st birthday on Day 2 with homemade brownies (courtesy of Captain Ann ) and a full-crew serenade. But celebration quickly gives way to the rhythm of passage life. Karl rigs up the hand reels with his eternal optimism (Mahi Mahi, tuna, anything!), but after a full week, the fish are winning this round. A dramatic shift in weather just after our live stream (watch here) has us racing to douse our big purple spinnaker moments before squalls slam us. Quick thinking keeps gear intact — and nerves steady. Rain, wind, calms — this passage has been a roller coaster of conditions. Sometimes we fly. Sometimes we motor. Sometimes the silver lining is a salt-free deck and a good night’s rest. Dennis gives a quick radar tutorial (“red blobs = bad”), and we talk about how we use weather forecasts to make fast and safe decisions. Life aboard settles into a rhythm: laundry, soft shackle making, editing, reading, and when needed — fast action to keep everyone and the boat safe. Schatzi holds down her new throne (a fully converted saloon-bed!) like the queen she is. Her sea legs are growing stronger, even if the nights get a little tough. Hit play for this leg of our Atlantic crossing — with all its highs, lows, birthdays, breakdowns, and the beauty of bluewater life. #sailing #azores #passagelife #bluewatercruising #boatlife #offshoreadventure #dogsonboats #oceanpassage ABOUT OUR CATAMARAN: We love our new Balance 482 - it's a perfect size for a cruising couple to handle and is a great "balance" of performance and comfort. One of our favorite features is the excellent ventilation since we mostly live as "hookers" (aka at anchor) where the boat automatically turns into the wind so we stay cool and we don't need to battle mold. We also have starlink for easy off-grid life. Our 2400 watt solar panel array also means we rarely need to run an engine to charge our batteries. ABOUT US: We saved for a our future boat, sold everything that we owned, and shipped the rest in a container to Cape Town, South Africa. We then flew there and explored South Africa by way of a safari and touring Cape Town before moving aboard our boat. We then sailed to Saint Helena, Ascension Island, Fernando de Naronha (Brazil), Martinique, Sint Maarten (Dutch and French side), the US Virgin Islands (Saint Croix, Saint John, and Saint Thomas), the British Virgin Islands (Anegada, Norman Island, Jost van Dyke, and Anegada), The Bahamas (Inagua, Crooked Island, Long Island, George Town, Staniel Cay, the Exumas, and Eleuthera). We then sailed back to the United States, making landfall in Cape Canaveral, Florida. From there our destinations are endless! Both Dennis and Ann grew up military brats with Army fathers. Dennis (the Colonel) served 30 years in the US Army and his retirement pension helped us retire in our 50s. Ann (the ship's Captain) wrote Test Automation in Python and Java. Dennis and Ann met on Match.com where Ann had in her profile "Do you want to sail the world with me?" Ann easily brought Dennis into sailing, and he loved the GTFOplan of retiring early and sailing the world. After many years of saving, living on one income but earning two, and cutting back on everything possible, they saved enough to buy a Balance 482. Follow them as they get real about boat life and all the hassles of buying a new boat because we all know N.E.W. means Not Everything Works. Kisses, Ann & Dennis Twitter: @GTFOplan Facebook: https://facebook.com/anndennis.snellikin.3 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gtfoplan/ YouTube: www.youtube.com/c/gtfoplan Email: gtfoplan@gmail.com

CURRENT LOCATION: https://forecast.predictwind.com/tracking/display/SV-GTFO/ IN THIS VIDEO: We nervously #dock GoTFO⛵ at FKG, haunted by past mishaps — but Dennis pulls off a flawless landing (and departure)! We load our repaired 80 lb Code Zero, install a bow pad eye, silence the anchor bridle, and welcome our new crew: Karl and Robin. With the boat prepped for the Azores, we sneak in a #sundowner swim and finally fly our new symmetrical sail — Big Purple — with phenomenal #downwind #performance. Plus: Schatzi gets her breath fixed. Rob, you're the best. 💜 #codezerosailing #ocean #crew ProTips in this episode: 🛠️ Why a pad eye on the bow matters 🔇 How to silence an #anchor #bridle 🔒 Add a second latch to stop cabinet chaos 🎒 Cinch strap technique 🪢 Secure sail every meter when hoisting 🪁 #Symmetrical vs. #asymmetrical #spinnaker 🎨 Color code lines 💨 Freshen your boat Thanks for watching! Comment to boost the vid — it really helps 💬👇 ABOUT OUR CATAMARAN: We love our new Balance 482 - it's a perfect size for a #cruisinglife couple to handle and is a great "balance" of performance and comfort. One of our favorite features is the excellent ventilation since we mostly live as "hookers" (aka at anchor) where the boat automatically turns into the wind so we stay cool and we don't need to battle mold. We also have starlink for easy off-grid life. Our 2400 watt solar panel array also means we rarely need to run an engine to charge our batteries. ABOUT US: We saved for a our future #boat, sold everything that we owned, and shipped the rest in a container to Cape Town, South Africa. We then flew there and explored South Africa by way of a safari and touring Cape Town before moving aboard our boat. We then sailed to Saint Helena, Ascension Island, Fernando de Naronha (Brazil), Martinique, Sint Maarten (Dutch and French side), the US Virgin Islands (Saint Croix, Saint John, and Saint Thomas), the British Virgin Islands (Anegada, Norman Island, Jost van Dyke, and Anegada), The Bahamas (Inagua, Crooked Island, Long Island, George Town, Staniel Cay, the Exumas, and Eleuthera). We then sailed back to the United States, making landfall in Cape Canaveral, Florida. From there our destinations are endless! Both Dennis and Ann grew up military brats with Army fathers. Dennis (the Colonel) served 30 years in the US Army and his retirement pension helped us retire in our 50s. Ann (the ship's Captain) wrote Test Automation in Python and Java. Dennis and Ann met on Match.com where Ann had in her profile "Do you want to sail the world with me?" Ann easily brought Dennis into sailing, and he loved the GTFOplan of retiring early and sailing the world. After many years of saving, living on one income but earning two, and cutting back on everything possible, they saved enough to buy a Balance 482. Follow them as they get real about boat life and all the hassles of buying a new boat because we all know N.E.W. means Not Everything Works. Kisses, Ann & Dennis Twitter: @GTFOplan Facebook: https://facebook.com/anndennis.snellikin.3 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gtfoplan/ YouTube: www.youtube.com/c/gtfoplan Email: gtfoplan@gmail.com

IN THIS VIDEO: #SailRepair and #GTFOplan As Dennis and Ann sail overnight from Guadeloupe to Sint Maarten to pick up crew for their North Atlantic passage to the Med, disaster strikes. During Ann’s night watch, a loud rip and flapping sail break the silence—yep, the Code Zero has torn dramatically... in the dark... mid-passage. She blasts the horn to wake Dennis, and together they recover the sail. Dennis is convinced it’s a total loss. Before leaving Guadeloupe, Ann checks them out and takes Schatzi on her final island walk 🐾, while Dennis tops up GoTFO⛵️’s diesel tanks and jerry cans (fuel's only getting pricier in Europe). Ann scores a case of Carib and Nutella, because priorities. At sea, the sail looks calm by day, but ominous music hints at what’s coming. Ann wakes in a panic, thinking Schatzi is missing—only to remember she’s up top with Dennis, avoiding the cabin in rough seas. Schatzi pulls an all-nighter, then crashes next to the cabbage and watermelon. 🤣 Dennis recounts being jolted awake by Ann’s long horn blast—an "all hands on deck" signal. After switching to the jib, he’s sure the Code Zero is beyond repair. Ann couldn’t care less about the rolly Sint Maarten anchorage—she just wants off the boat. The damage? A brutal rip from tack nearly all the way up the luff. Not a Zoom Sails issue—GoTFO⛵️ was well under the 25 TWS limit. After checking into Sint Maarten, they drop the sail at Tropical Sail Loft and head straight for a drink at Lagoonies. 🍻 Back onboard, Dennis gets cheeky with innuendos (and Ann’s butt) while removing dinghy wheels. He also tackles winch corrosion caused by a poorly installed flap from Balance. Turns out the patch Ann added using a Sailrite video had weakened the sail—thankfully, Tropical Sail Loft can repair it at a reasonable price. 🙌 Oh—and they show off an awesome gift from their best friend, Rob. Total legend. Tropical Sail Loft - great prices and fast service! Mattie was so helpful❣️ WhatsApp +1 721-553-2759 Zoom Sails zoomsails.com Sailrite suggested repair was in our 94th video: https://youtu.be/EWt0JSk7A78 CREDITS: Hitman by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ CURRENT LOCATION: https://forecast.predictwind.com/tracking/display/SV-GTFO/ ABOUT OUR CATAMARAN: We love our new Balance 482 - it's a perfect size for a cruising couple to handle and is a great "balance" of performance and comfort. One of our favorite features is the excellent ventilation since we mostly live as "hookers" (aka at anchor) where the boat automatically turns into the wind so we stay cool and we don't need to battle mold. We also have starlink for easy off-grid life. Our 2400 watt solar panel array also means we rarely need to run an engine to charge our batteries. ABOUT US: We saved for a our future boat, sold everything that we owned, and shipped the rest in a container to Cape Town, South Africa. We then flew there and explored South Africa by way of a safari and touring Cape Town before moving aboard our boat. We then sailed to Saint Helena, Ascension Island, Fernando de Naronha (Brazil), Martinique, Sint Maarten (Dutch and French side), the US Virgin Islands (Saint Croix, Saint John, and Saint Thomas), the British Virgin Islands (Anegada, Norman Island, Jost van Dyke, and Anegada), The Bahamas (Inagua, Crooked Island, Long Island, George Town, Staniel Cay, the Exumas, and Eleuthera). We then sailed back to the United States, making landfall in Cape Canaveral, Florida. From there our destinations are endless! Both Dennis and Ann grew up military brats with Army fathers. Dennis (the Colonel) served 30 years in the US Army and his retirement pension helped us retire in our 50s. Ann (the ship's Captain) wrote Test Automation in Python and Java. Dennis and Ann met on Match.com where Ann had in her profile "Do you want to sail the world with me?" Ann easily brought Dennis into sailing, and he loved the GTFOplan of retiring early and sailing the world. After many years of saving, living on one income but earning two, and cutting back on everything possible, they saved enough to buy a Balance 482. Follow them as they get real about boat life and all the hassles of buying a new boat because we all know N.E.W. means Not Everything Works. Kisses, Ann & Dennis Twitter: @GTFOplan Facebook: https://facebook.com/anndennis.snellikin.3 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gtfoplan/ YouTube: www.youtube.com/c/gtfoplan Email: gtfoplan@gmail.com

#Sailing isn’t always sunsets. In this episode, we say goodbye to family, prep for a major passage, and have a tense docking moment that leaves another scar on GoTFO⛵️. IN THIS VIDEO: After a memorable stay in Les Saintes, we set sail back to Pointe-à-Pitre for what turns out to be a surprisingly decent sail. Our final evening at anchor, right in front of the striking ACTe Museum, offers a scenic and meaningful close to our time with family aboard. As the sun rises, Ann takes them ashore for their shuttle to the airport, while Dennis dives into the never-ending list of small boat projects that always seem to pile up. With the boat suddenly quieter, we shift gears into reset mode—laundry, provisioning, and a deep clean to prepare for our next passage. The calm after the goodbye brings a different kind of momentum: one of preparation and anticipation. Once we weigh anchor, our last task is to swing by the fuel dock before pointing the bow toward Sint Maarten. That’s where our friends and crew, Robin and Karl, will join us for the longer #bluewater legs—Bermuda, the Azores, and eventually Europe. But of course, nothing ever goes entirely to plan. A miscommunication between us while leaving the fuel dock, combined with a brisk wind, ends in a tense moment—and yet more cosmetic #damage to the side of our floating home. It's a gut punch when the damage is self-inflicted, and a reminder that this life afloat comes with its fair share of humbling lessons. CURRENT LOCATION: https://forecast.predictwind.com/tracking/display/SV-GTFO/ ABOUT OUR CATAMARAN: We love our new #Balance 482 - it's a perfect size for a cruising couple to handle and is a great "balance" of performance and comfort. One of our favorite features is the excellent ventilation since we mostly live as "hookers" (aka at anchor) where the boat automatically turns into the wind so we stay cool and we don't need to battle mold. We also have starlink for easy off-grid life. Our 2400 watt solar panel array also means we rarely need to run an engine to charge our batteries. ABOUT US: We saved for a our future boat, sold everything that we owned, and shipped the rest in a container to Cape Town, South Africa. We then flew there and explored South Africa by way of a safari and touring Cape Town before moving aboard our boat. We then sailed to Saint Helena, Ascension Island, Fernando de Naronha (Brazil), Martinique, Sint Maarten (Dutch and French side), the US Virgin Islands (Saint Croix, Saint John, and Saint Thomas), the British Virgin Islands (Anegada, Norman Island, Jost van Dyke, and Anegada), The Bahamas (Inagua, Crooked Island, Long Island, George Town, Staniel Cay, the Exumas, and Eleuthera). We then sailed back to the United States, making landfall in Cape Canaveral, Florida. From there our destinations are endless! Both Dennis and Ann grew up military brats with Army fathers. Dennis (the Colonel) served 30 years in the US Army and his retirement pension helped us retire in our 50s. Ann (the ship's Captain) wrote Test Automation in Python and Java. Dennis and Ann met on Match.com where Ann had in her profile "Do you want to sail the world with me?" Ann easily brought Dennis into sailing, and he loved the GTFOplan of retiring early and sailing the world. After many years of saving, living on one income but earning two, and cutting back on everything possible, they saved enough to buy a Balance 482. Follow them as they get real about boat life and all the hassles of buying a new boat because we all know N.E.W. means Not Everything Works. Kisses, Ann & Dennis Twitter: @GTFOplan Facebook: https://facebook.com/anndennis.snellikin.3 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gtfoplan/ YouTube: www.youtube.com/c/gtfoplan Email: gtfoplan@gmail.com High Tension by Audionautix is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

IN THIS VIDEO: In this episode, we prep the boat for a special weeklong visit from Ann’s family—her mom, sister, and two kids fly in from Atlanta to join us in beautiful Guadeloupe. We kick things off in Pointe-à-Pitre, diving into local culture with fresh-caught fish from the market and a powerful visit to the Memorial ACTe museum, which tells the story of Guadeloupe’s complex and resilient history. From there, we set sail for Les Saintes, braving a “sporty” passage that left most of the crew a little green. But the reward? Crystal-clear waters off Îlet Cabrit, perfect for snorkeling adventures with the kids. After exploring the reef, we shift over to Terre-de-Haut, mooring near Pain de Sucre for more underwater fun and a bite of the local favorite—bokits (you have to try these!). Then it's back to Les Saintes for an on-foot island exploration, climbing to the ruins of Fort Josephine and capping the day with a lively beach BBQ—complete with burgers, hermit crabs, and a few curious island cats. We wrap up the trip with a final dinghy ride to Fort Napoleon, where history and sweeping views collide, before heading back to Pointe-à-Pitre to say our bittersweet goodbyes. A week full of family, fun, sailing, and connection—we’re grateful for every salty second.  CURRENT LOCATION: https://forecast.predictwind.com/tracking/display/SV-GTFO/ ABOUT OUR CATAMARAN: We love our new Balance 482 - it's a perfect size for a cruising couple to handle and is a great "balance" of performance and comfort. One of our favorite features is the excellent ventilation since we mostly live as "hookers" (aka at anchor) where the boat automatically turns into the wind so we stay cool and we don't need to battle mold. We also have starlink for easy off-grid life. Our 2400 watt solar panel array also means we rarely need to run an engine to charge our batteries. ABOUT US: We saved for a our future boat, sold everything that we owned, and shipped the rest in a container to Cape Town, South Africa. We then flew there and explored South Africa by way of a safari and touring Cape Town before moving aboard our boat. We then sailed to Saint Helena, Ascension Island, Fernando de Naronha (Brazil), Martinique, Sint Maarten (Dutch and French side), the US Virgin Islands (Saint Croix, Saint John, and Saint Thomas), the British Virgin Islands (Anegada, Norman Island, Jost van Dyke, and Anegada), The Bahamas (Inagua, Crooked Island, Long Island, George Town, Staniel Cay, the Exumas, and Eleuthera). We then sailed back to the United States, making landfall in Cape Canaveral, Florida. From there our destinations are endless! Both Dennis and Ann grew up military brats with Army fathers. Dennis (the Colonel) served 30 years in the US Army and his retirement pension helped us retire in our 50s. Ann (the ship's Captain) wrote Test Automation in Python and Java. Dennis and Ann met on Match.com where Ann had in her profile "Do you want to sail the world with me?" Ann easily brought Dennis into sailing, and he loved the GTFOplan of retiring early and sailing the world. After many years of saving, living on one income but earning two, and cutting back on everything possible, they saved enough to buy a Balance 482. Follow them as they get real about boat life and all the hassles of buying a new boat because we all know N.E.W. means Not Everything Works. Kisses, Ann & Dennis Twitter: @GTFOplan Facebook: https://facebook.com/anndennis.snellikin.3 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gtfoplan/ YouTube: www.youtube.com/c/gtfoplan Email: gtfoplan@gmail.com

IN THIS VIDEO: Join us aboard our #Balance #catamaran GoTFO⛵️ as we sail to Dominica and overtake other boats with style 😎. In this episode, we explain how to use #daggerboards for optimal performance—raise the daggerboard to the sky with the blue line, and send it to hell with the red line! 🌬️ As we pass Dominica’s mountainous terrain, we go from 20+ knots of wind to a total wind shadow—classic island effect! We show how to adjust daggerboards in these shifting conditions to maintain speed and control. ⚓ We grab a mooring ball in Roseau, and Ann navigates solo by dinghy to check us into Dominica customs—with a little help from a local legend named Ken. Meanwhile, Dennis and Schatzi explore ashore and meet fellow YouTubers: 🎥 Green Room Pythons🎥 Dāv Kaufman Eats the World 🏝️ Then we tour Dominica with THE Rick James—no, not that Rick James (but yes, that riff of “Super Freak” makes an appearance 😄). Our incredible highlights: • Real vanilla extract from a roadside stand • Dominica’s upcoming aerial tramway • Twin Trafalgar Waterfalls 💦 • Sulfur springs & hot springs • Freshwater Lake and hydroelectric pipes • Hummingbirds, bamboo homes, sausage trees & a parrot sanctuary • Titou Gorge – where Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest was filmed 🏴‍☠️ • And much more… 🎉 After releasing our mooring, we sail 20 miles north to Portsmouth, #Dominica, reefing along the way—Ann explains our easy zip tie reefing system. Once there, we enjoy:🥩 Lobster at Waterfront Reggae Spot (call ahead!)🥩 Steak dinner (compliments of the Captain!)🎶 Party on the bow under the stars Next stop: #Guadeloupe! CURRENT LOCATION: https://forecast.predictwind.com/tracking/display/SV-GTFO/ CREDITS: Marcus Mooring Buoys, Portsmouth, Dominica VHF Channel 16 or 1 767 285 3793 Position 15 17N, 61 22W Best Tour Guide Rick James WhatsApp - Justin +17672850695 Green Room Pythons https://www.youtube.com/@GreenRoomPythons Dāv Kaufman Eats the World https://www.youtube.com/@davkaufmaneatstheworld Easy Guitar Riffs - Super Freak (TAB) - Rick James https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pu2vIBvUss8&ab_channel=OnlineGuitarLessonsUK ABOUT OUR CATAMARAN: We love our new Balance 482 - it's a perfect size for a cruising couple to handle and is a great "balance" of performance and comfort. One of our favorite features is the excellent ventilation since we mostly live as "hookers" (aka at anchor) where the boat automatically turns into the wind so we stay cool and we don't need to battle mold. We also have starlink for easy off-grid life. Our 2400 watt solar panel array also means we rarely need to run an engine to charge our batteries. ABOUT US: We saved for a our future boat, sold everything that we owned, and shipped the rest in a container to Cape Town, South Africa. We then flew there and explored South Africa by way of a safari and touring Cape Town before moving aboard our boat. We then sailed to Saint Helena, Ascension Island, Fernando de Naronha (Brazil), Martinique, Sint Maarten (Dutch and French side), the US Virgin Islands (Saint Croix, Saint John, and Saint Thomas), the British Virgin Islands (Anegada, Norman Island, Jost van Dyke, and Anegada), The Bahamas (Inagua, Crooked Island, Long Island, George Town, Staniel Cay, the Exumas, and Eleuthera). We then sailed back to the United States, making landfall in Cape Canaveral, Florida. From there our destinations are endless! Both Dennis and Ann grew up military brats with Army fathers. Dennis (the Colonel) served 30 years in the US Army and his retirement pension helped us retire in our 50s. Ann (the ship's Captain) wrote Test Automation in Python and Java. Dennis and Ann met on Match.com where Ann had in her profile "Do you want to sail the world with me?" Ann easily brought Dennis into sailing, and he loved the GTFOplan of retiring early and sailing the world. After many years of saving, living on one income but earning two, and cutting back on everything possible, they saved enough to buy a Balance 482. Follow them as they get real about boat life and all the hassles of buying a new boat because we all know N.E.W. means Not Everything Works. Kisses, Ann & Dennis Twitter: @GTFOplan Facebook: https://facebook.com/anndennis.snellikin.3 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gtfoplan/ YouTube: www.youtube.com/c/gtfoplan Email: gtfoplan@gmail.com

IN THIS VIDEO: ticking to our preference for short daytime hops, a five-hour sail from Saint Lucia brought us back to the lush shores of Martinique. First stop: Anse Dufour, a quiet anchorage known for calm waters and decent snorkeling. It was a brief visit, and after one night, we continued north to Saint Pierre. Once Martinique’s capital, Saint Pierre was destroyed in 1902 when Mount Pelée erupted. Walking its rebuilt streets was a powerful reminder of resilience. Life aboard continued: Ann skillfully patched a torn cushion, and Dennis knocked out small maintenance tasks as we headed toward Guadeloupe to meet family, then on to Sint Maarten for repairs before our Atlantic crossing. Technically, our CopperCoat hull coating is holding up well—it keeps marine growth at bay, helps us maintain speed, and can last up to ten years with proper care. This time, cleaning it was easy: just a scraper and green scrubbie. Not all news was good, though. We discovered damage to our port daggerboard, likely from a fishing trap near Ilet Pigeon. A frustrating find, but part of the reality of life at sea. ✅ A walk through the resilient town of Saint Pierre, Martinique ✅ Snorkeling with marine life in the calm, turquoise Anse Dufour ✅ A behind-the-scenes look at our boat damage and how we handled it ✅ Honest moments of problem-solving, reflection, and gratitude ✅ The ups and downs of real-world sailing life ✅ This isn’t just a travel vlog — it’s a raw, real, and beautiful slice of life at sea. 👇 Comment: What would YOU do if your daggerboard cracked mid-adventure? 🔔 Subscribe to follow the GTFOplan and experience freedom, exploration, and sailing resilience. CURRENT LOCATION: https://forecast.predictwind.com/tracking/display/SV-GTFO/ ABOUT OUR CATAMARAN: We love our new Balance 482 - it's a perfect size for a cruising couple to handle and is a great "balance" of performance and comfort. One of our favorite features is the excellent ventilation since we mostly live as "hookers" (aka at anchor) where the boat automatically turns into the wind so we stay cool and we don't need to battle mold. We also have starlink for easy off-grid life. Our 2400 watt solar panel array also means we rarely need to run an engine to charge our batteries. ABOUT US: We saved for our dream boat, sold nearly everything we owned, and shipped the rest to Cape Town, South Africa. After a safari and time exploring Cape Town, we moved aboard and began our journey. We sailed to Saint Helena, Ascension Island, Fernando de Noronha (Brazil), then across the Atlantic to Martinique, Sint Maarten, the US and British Virgin Islands, and through the Bahamas, including Inagua, Long Island, George Town, Staniel Cay, the Exumas, and Eleuthera. We eventually made landfall in Cape Canaveral, Florida. Both of us grew up as Army brats. Dennis (the Colonel) served 30 years in the US Army—his retirement pension helped us retire in our 50s. Ann (the ship's Captain) worked in test automation using Python and Java. We met on Match.com, where Ann’s profile read: “Do you want to sail the world with me?” Ann introduced Dennis to sailing, and he quickly embraced the GTFOplan of early retirement and global adventure. Years of saving, living on one income, and cutting back on everything made our dream—a Balance 482 catamaran—a reality. Kisses, Ann & Dennis Twitter: @GTFOplan Facebook: https://facebook.com/anndennis.snellikin.3 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gtfoplan/ YouTube: www.youtube.com/c/gtfoplan Email: gtfoplan@gmail.com TIMESTAMPS: 00:00 – Sailing Prep & Playful Vibes 01:40 – Exploring Anse Noire & Dog Adventures 03:02 – Quick Sail from Anse Dufour to St. Pierre 04:12 – Light Wind Maneuvering Challenges 05:42 – Wind Shifts & Real-Time Adjustments 06:33 – Successful Furling & Boat Awareness 07:27 – DIY Cushion Repair & Material Breakdown 08:52 – Creative Cushion Sewing & Fabric Fix 09:34 – Unexpected Discovery While Cleaning 10:41 – Underwater Hull Cleaning with Carpet Hack 11:54 – Scraping Barnacles & Burnout Snorkeling 13:21 – Daggerboard Damage Mystery & Theory 13:46 – Checking Out of Martinique 14:14 – Immigration Tips & French Island Process 14:42 – Customs Lessons Learned #GTFOplan #SailingAdventure2025 #SaintPierreMartinique #AnseDufourSnorkeling #SailingLifeUnfiltered #BoatDamageAtSea #DaggerboardProblem #IslandExplorationVlog #SailingMartinique #liveaboardlife

Sailing, Salty Repairs & #Innuendo: A Week Aboard SV GoTFO⛵️ We rely heavily on AIS (Automatic Identification System) to safely navigate and identify nearby vessels. AIS provides real-time data—like speed, heading, and closest point of approach. In daylight, we might pass a little closer, but at night we maintain a strict 1-mile buffer, especially around RAMs (Restricted in Ability to Maneuver) like tankers and cargo ships. There's always a sigh of relief when we drop anchor or grab a mooring ball—but that's when the real work begins. Boat life isn’t all palm trees and sunsets—there’s always a list of projects waiting, and this week was no exception. Ann repairs Schatzi’s “front yard,” where salt and wind tore up the artificial turf. We also take a close look at how our Balance 482 #catamaran #performs in light wind: better than half of wind speed, especially near a beam reach. (Of course, performance depends on sail selection, sea state, and current.) We discover a mysterious gouge in our outboard—(dinghy dock suspect?)—and Dennis drops Ann off in Soufrière, St. Lucia for a walk with Schatzi, where she stumbles upon live stadium music. On the dinghy ride back, we zip past fellow Balance 482 sailors, SV Windependence. Shocked by island tour prices, we skip the excursions and splurge on fresh lobster from the boat boys instead—no regrets! 🦞 Plus, Ann hunts down the elusive St. Lucia lettuce (victory!) and demos how to bind marine vinyl rugs using a Sailrite hot knife and binding tape, with tips for choosing darker colors to hide dirt. Dennis shows how we upgraded our #Spectra #watermaker pump system—doubling our water output by running both pumps! And there's a classic Ann moment on the Hobie Pedal Board (someone forgot the rudder...), with Dennis swooping in for the rescue. 🚤 Hero status: confirmed. Oh, and Dennis gets way too excited demonstrating how to lube hatch gaskets—yes, innuendo included. 🍑 We also upgrade our seagull striker padding (goodbye yoga mat, hello pool noodles with center holes!). Finally, we meet three awesome kids kayaking by and hand out apples and YouTube stickers—spreading good vibes, one nautical mile at a time. ➡️ Thanks for sailing with us! Don’t forget to subscribe, like, and leave a comment below! CURRENT LOCATION: https://forecast.predictwind.com/tracking/display/SV-GTFO/ ABOUT OUR CATAMARAN: We love our new Balance 482 - it's a perfect size for a cruising couple to handle and is a great "balance" of performance and comfort. One of our favorite features is the excellent ventilation since we mostly live as "hookers" (aka at anchor) where the boat automatically turns into the wind so we stay cool and we don't need to battle mold. We also have starlink for easy off-grid life. Our 2400 watt solar panel array also means we rarely need to run an engine to charge our batteries. ABOUT US: We saved for a our future boat, sold everything that we owned, and shipped the rest in a container to Cape Town, South Africa. We then flew there and explored South Africa by way of a safari and touring Cape Town before moving aboard our boat. We then sailed to Saint Helena, Ascension Island, Fernando de Naronha (Brazil), Martinique, Sint Maarten (Dutch and French side), the US Virgin Islands (Saint Croix, Saint John, and Saint Thomas), the British Virgin Islands (Anegada, Norman Island, Jost van Dyke, and Anegada), The Bahamas (Inagua, Crooked Island, Long Island, George Town, Staniel Cay, the Exumas, and Eleuthera). We then sailed back to the United States, making landfall in Cape Canaveral, Florida. From there our destinations are endless! Both Dennis and Ann grew up military brats with Army fathers. Dennis (the Colonel) served 30 years in the US Army and his retirement pension helped us retire in our 50s. Ann (the ship's Captain) wrote Test Automation in Python and Java. Dennis and Ann met on Match.com where Ann had in her profile "Do you want to sail the world with me?" Ann easily brought Dennis into sailing, and he loved the GTFOplan of retiring early and sailing the world. After many years of saving, living on one income but earning two, and cutting back on everything possible, they saved enough to buy a Balance 482. Follow them as they get real about boat life and all the hassles of buying a new boat because we all know N.E.W. means Not Everything Works. Kisses, Ann & Dennis Twitter: @GTFOplan Facebook: https://facebook.com/anndennis.snellikin.3 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gtfoplan/ YouTube: www.youtube.com/c/gtfoplan Email: gtfoplan@gmail.com

IN THIS VIDEO: Join us from the middle of the North Atlantic Ocean as sail to The Azores as part of our passage to the Mediterranean Sea. CURRENT LOCATION: https://forecast.predictwind.com/tracking/display/SV-GTFO/ ABOUT OUR CATAMARAN: We love our new Balance 482 - it's a perfect size for a cruising couple to handle and is a great "balance" of performance and comfort. One of our favorite features is the excellent ventilation since we mostly live as "hookers" (aka at anchor) where the boat automatically turns into the wind so we stay cool and we don't need to battle mold. We also have starlink for easy off-grid life. Our 2400 watt solar panel array also means we rarely need to run an engine to charge our batteries. ABOUT US: We saved for a our future boat, sold everything that we owned, and shipped the rest in a container to Cape Town, South Africa. We then flew there and explored South Africa by way of a safari and touring Cape Town before moving aboard our boat. We then sailed to Saint Helena, Ascension Island, Fernando de Naronha (Brazil), Martinique, Sint Maarten (Dutch and French side), the US Virgin Islands (Saint Croix, Saint John, and Saint Thomas), the British Virgin Islands (Anegada, Norman Island, Jost van Dyke, and Anegada), The Bahamas (Inagua, Crooked Island, Long Island, George Town, Staniel Cay, the Exumas, and Eleuthera). We then sailed back to the United States, making landfall in Cape Canaveral, Florida. From there our destinations are endless! Both Dennis and Ann grew up military brats with Army fathers. Dennis (the Colonel) served 30 years in the US Army and his retirement pension helped us retire in our 50s. Ann (the ship's Captain) wrote Test Automation in Python and Java. Dennis and Ann met on Match.com where Ann had in her profile "Do you want to sail the world with me?" Ann easily brought Dennis into sailing, and he loved the GTFOplan of retiring early and sailing the world. After many years of saving, living on one income but earning two, and cutting back on everything possible, they saved enough to buy a Balance 482. Follow them as they get real about boat life and all the hassles of buying a new boat because we all know N.E.W. means Not Everything Works. Kisses, Ann & Dennis Twitter: @GTFOplan Facebook: https://facebook.com/anndennis.snellikin.3 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gtfoplan/ YouTube: www.youtube.com/c/gtfoplan Email: gtfoplan@gmail.com

CURRENT LOCATION: https://forecast.predictwind.com/tracking/display/SV-GTFO/ ABOUT OUR CATAMARAN: We love our new Balance 482 - it's a perfect size for a cruising couple to handle and is a great "balance" of performance and comfort. One of our favorite features is the excellent ventilation since we mostly live as "hookers" (aka at anchor) where the boat automatically turns into the wind so we stay cool and we don't need to battle mold. We also have starlink for easy off-grid life. Our 2400 watt solar panel array also means we rarely need to run an engine to charge our batteries. ABOUT US: We saved for a our future boat, sold everything that we owned, and shipped the rest in a container to Cape Town, South Africa. We then flew there and explored South Africa by way of a safari and touring Cape Town before moving aboard our boat. We then sailed to Saint Helena, Ascension Island, Fernando de Naronha (Brazil), Martinique, Sint Maarten (Dutch and French side), the US Virgin Islands (Saint Croix, Saint John, and Saint Thomas), the British Virgin Islands (Anegada, Norman Island, Jost van Dyke, and Anegada), The Bahamas (Inagua, Crooked Island, Long Island, George Town, Staniel Cay, the Exumas, and Eleuthera). We then sailed back to the United States, making landfall in Cape Canaveral, Florida. From there our destinations are endless! Both Dennis and Ann grew up military brats with Army fathers. Dennis (the Colonel) served 30 years in the US Army and his retirement pension helped us retire in our 50s. Ann (the ship's Captain) wrote Test Automation in Python and Java. Dennis and Ann met on Match.com where Ann had in her profile "Do you want to sail the world with me?" Ann easily brought Dennis into sailing, and he loved the GTFOplan of retiring early and sailing the world. After many years of saving, living on one income but earning two, and cutting back on everything possible, they saved enough to buy a Balance 482. Follow them as they get real about boat life and all the hassles of buying a new boat because we all know N.E.W. means Not Everything Works. Kisses, Ann & Dennis Twitter: @GTFOplan Facebook: https://facebook.com/anndennis.snellikin.3 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gtfoplan/ YouTube: www.youtube.com/c/gtfoplan Email: gtfoplan@gmail.com

IN THIS VIDEO: Can you believe another boat hit us while GoTFO⛵️ was at anchor in broad daylight? After a quick sail from Fort-de-France, Martinique, we found ourselves anchored in the stunning Rodney Bay, Saint Lucia. Our friends Ted and Mia on SV *Serengeti* had left just ahead of us, and we gave it our best shot to catch up. We nearly closed the gap, but their head start was just a bit too much—next time, *Serengeti*! Rodney Bay is every bit the Caribbean dream, with its white sand beaches, turquoise water, and palm-lined resorts. Once anchored, we headed ashore to clear customs and immigration, and then explored the area. It's definitely got a touristy vibe, but there's also a strong boating presence with chandleries and marine shops that make life easier for cruisers like us. During one of our dinghy runs to shore, we spotted two young French women struggling to row after their outboard gave up. Dennis tossed them a line and towed them in—our second dinghy rescue of the week! Good karma, right? Oh—and yes, we got hit by another boat… again! Thankfully, no harm done this time. A 15-foot Hobie Cat, rented by a vacationing couple, accidentally bumped into us. Luckily, their soft bow made it more of a gentle nudge than a true collision. Still—twice in one week? We made sure to stick around for Rodney Bay's legendary Friday night “Jump Street” party, a 50-year-old tradition full of music, food, and high-energy fun. The next morning, we prepped the boat, weighed anchor, and pointed the bow toward Soufrière—home of the iconic Pitons and more adventures ahead. CURRENT LOCATION: https://forecast.predictwind.com/tracking/display/SV-GTFO/ ABOUT OUR CATAMARAN: We love our new Balance 482 - it's a perfect size for a cruising couple to handle and is a great "balance" of performance and comfort. One of our favorite features is the excellent ventilation since we mostly live as "hookers" (aka at anchor) where the boat automatically turns into the wind so we stay cool and we don't need to battle mold. We also have starlink for easy off-grid life. Our 2400 watt solar panel array also means we rarely need to run an engine to charge our batteries. ABOUT US: We saved for a our future boat, sold everything that we owned, and shipped the rest in a container to Cape Town, South Africa. We then flew there and explored South Africa by way of a safari and touring Cape Town before moving aboard our boat. We then sailed to Saint Helena, Ascension Island, Fernando de Naronha (Brazil), Martinique, Sint Maarten (Dutch and French side), the US Virgin Islands (Saint Croix, Saint John, and Saint Thomas), the British Virgin Islands (Anegada, Norman Island, Jost van Dyke, and Anegada), The Bahamas (Inagua, Crooked Island, Long Island, George Town, Staniel Cay, the Exumas, and Eleuthera). We then sailed back to the United States, making landfall in Cape Canaveral, Florida. From there our destinations are endless! Both Dennis and Ann grew up military brats with Army fathers. Dennis (the Colonel) served 30 years in the US Army and his retirement pension helped us retire in our 50s. Ann (the ship's Captain) wrote Test Automation in Python and Java. Dennis and Ann met on Match.com where Ann had in her profile "Do you want to sail the world with me?" Ann easily brought Dennis into sailing, and he loved the GTFOplan of retiring early and sailing the world. After many years of saving, living on one income but earning two, and cutting back on everything possible, they saved enough to buy a Balance 482. Follow them as they get real about boat life and all the hassles of buying a new boat because we all know N.E.W. means Not Everything Works. Kisses, Ann & Dennis Twitter: @GTFOplan Facebook: https://facebook.com/anndennis.snellikin.3 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gtfoplan/ YouTube: www.youtube.com/c/gtfoplan Email: gtfoplan@gmail.com