OK, I don't have an anemometer. I just liked the word play in the title when it makes you think of the country song "Gentle on my Mind". Actually this passage started off blustery, but a few days into it and the Gulf Stream went flat, the breezes warm and gentle. I hang out everything in the hamper, including the topsail, and life is pleasant as my little ship glides toward Beaufort, NC. SUPPORT HOW TO SAIL OCEANS ON PATREON: https://patreon.com/user?u=12372934 HOW TO SAIL OCEANS ON RUMBLE: https://rumble.com/c/c-1981134 HOW TO SAIL OCEANS TEE SHIRT: https://maritimetees.net/search?q=how+to+sail+oceans DONATE: https://www.paypal.me/KevinBoothby WEBSITE: https://www.kevinboothbysailing.com MUSIC: Always with me, always with you (Satriani) -- Kevin's No-Copyright Covers Just Now -- Kevin Boothby VIDEO SOUNDTRACKS: https://soundcloud.com/user-177118317 CAMERAS: Canon EOS 60D with EF 24-105mm L IS zoom lens Go Pro Hero 9 Black Go Pro Hero 12 Black DRONE: DJI Phantom 3 Professional THE BOAT: Design: Gilmer 31; LOD 31', LWL 25', Beam 9.5', Draft 4.5', Displ. 13,600lbs.

I am boarded by Customs and Border Patrol. They crash into me and damage the boat. After checking my documents and rifling through my things, they leave. Good riddance! Soon after I'm contending with a nasty squall. I finally make it into Biscayne Bay late in the afternoon. It was quite a day. SUPPORT HOW TO SAIL OCEANS ON PATREON: https://patreon.com/user?u=12372934 HOW TO SAIL OCEANS ON RUMBLE: https://rumble.com/c/c-1981134 HOW TO SAIL OCEANS TEE SHIRT: https://maritimetees.net/search?q=how+to+sail+oceans DONATE: https://www.paypal.me/KevinBoothby WEBSITE: https://www.kevinboothbysailing.com MUSIC: Every Breath You Take (The Police) -- Kevin's No-Copyright Covers Simple Gifts (traditional) -- YouTube Audio Library VIDEO SOUNDTRACKS: https://soundcloud.com/user-177118317 CAMERAS: Canon EOS 60D with EF 24-105mm L IS zoom lens Go Pro Hero 9 Black Go Pro Hero 12 Black DRONE: DJI Phantom 3 Professional THE BOAT: Design: Gilmer 31; LOD 31', LWL 25', Beam 9.5', Draft 4.5', Displ. 13,600lbs.

Three hundred episodes of HtSO! I am northbound from the Florida Keys, but the wind is playing cat and mouse with me. After poring over weather files for weeks and one false start, I finally find fair wind to Biscayne, but only make it to Rodriguez Key. Which means another pre-dawn start if I am to find safe harbor before the next frontal passage ... SUPPORT HOW TO SAIL OCEANS ON PATREON: https://patreon.com/user?u=12372934 HOW TO SAIL OCEANS ON RUMBLE: https://rumble.com/c/c-1981134 HOW TO SAIL OCEANS TEE SHIRT: https://maritimetees.net/search?q=how+to+sail+oceans DONATE: https://www.paypal.me/KevinBoothby WEBSITE: https://www.kevinboothbysailing.com MUSIC: Echoes -- Atch VIDEO SOUNDTRACKS: https://soundcloud.com/user-177118317 CAMERAS: Canon EOS 60D with EF 24-105mm L IS zoom lens Go Pro Hero 9 Black Go Pro Hero 12 Black DRONE: DJI Phantom 3 Professional THE BOAT: Design: Gilmer 31; LOD 31', LWL 25', Beam 9.5', Draft 4.5', Displ. 13,600lbs.

Summer is coming, but winter ain't done. I depart Key West with a warm, gentle, southerly breeze to blow me northeastward toward the Chesapeake Bay. But then I have to hole up in Newfound Harbor for two weeks while cold fronts howl and headwinds persist. SUPPORT HOW TO SAIL OCEANS ON PATREON: https://patreon.com/user?u=12372934 HOW TO SAIL OCEANS ON RUMBLE: https://rumble.com/c/c-1981134 HOW TO SAIL OCEANS TEE SHIRT: https://maritimetees.net/search?q=how+to+sail+oceans DONATE: https://www.paypal.me/KevinBoothby WEBSITE: https://www.kevinboothbysailing.com MUSIC: Time Out -- Atch VIDEO SOUNDTRACKS: https://soundcloud.com/user-177118317 CAMERAS: Canon EOS 60D with EF 24-105mm L IS zoom lens Go Pro Hero 9 Black Go Pro Hero 12 Black DRONE: DJI Phantom 3 Professional THE BOAT: Design: Gilmer 31; LOD 31', LWL 25', Beam 9.5', Draft 4.5', Displ. 13,600lbs.

Returning from the mystical atoll that is the Dry Tortugas, which is an overnight sail for me, I am foiled by contrary wind and current barely three miles from the Mule Key anchorage. After several futile tacks, I opt to anchor in the lee of the shoal and wait for a fair tide. The following day I return to Key West for provisioning. With that I have begun my trek north, following the direction of the sun as winter turns to spring and summer. SUPPORT HOW TO SAIL OCEANS ON PATREON: https://patreon.com/user?u=12372934 HOW TO SAIL OCEANS ON RUMBLE: https://rumble.com/c/c-1981134 HOW TO SAIL OCEANS TEE SHIRT: https://maritimetees.net/search?q=how+to+sail+oceans DONATE: https://www.paypal.me/KevinBoothby WEBSITE: https://www.kevinboothbysailing.com MUSIC: Sky -- Hotham VIDEO SOUNDTRACKS: https://soundcloud.com/user-177118317 CAMERAS: Canon EOS 60D with EF 24-105mm L IS zoom lens Go Pro Hero 9 Black Go Pro Hero 12 Black DRONE: DJI Phantom 3 Professional THE BOAT: Design: Gilmer 31; LOD 31', LWL 25', Beam 9.5', Draft 4.5', Displ. 13,600lbs.

Never as good as the first time? Second visit to the Dry Tortugas was even better than the first, at least for me it was. Now, admittedly, I had to drag myself out of my bunk to get underway from Key West, all grumpy and growling I was. The Dry Tortugas is a tricky one for a small sailboat, as one needs to find a fair wind each way (about 80 miles), and settled weather while one is there. That's not an easy needle to thread. SUPPORT HOW TO SAIL OCEANS ON PATREON: https://patreon.com/user?u=12372934 HOW TO SAIL OCEANS ON RUMBLE: https://rumble.com/c/c-1981134 HOW TO SAIL OCEANS TEE SHIRT: https://maritimetees.net/search?q=how+to+sail+oceans DONATE: https://www.paypal.me/KevinBoothby WEBSITE: https://www.kevinboothbysailing.com MUSIC: Every Breath You Take (The Police) -- Kevin's No-Copyright Covers Sky -- Hotham VIDEO SOUNDTRACKS: https://soundcloud.com/user-177118317 CAMERAS: Canon EOS 60D with EF 24-105mm L IS zoom lens Go Pro Hero 9 Black Go Pro Hero 12 Black DRONE: DJI Phantom 3 Professional THE BOAT: Design: Gilmer 31; LOD 31', LWL 25', Beam 9.5', Draft 4.5', Displ. 13,600lbs.

Party! Key West is a fun town, lots to do and see. It's a "big port". There are several large marinas if you are visiting by yacht, but they might not suit your budget, or if you are engineless like me, they are nearly impossible to get to. Which leaves anchoring. Key West abounds in anchoring possibilities. However, the holding is uneven and few of the anchorages offer 360 protection. In the wintertime strong cold fronts come ripping through and boats break loose. So choose your anchorage wisely, and never take your eye off of the weather. SUPPORT HOW TO SAIL OCEANS ON PATREON: https://patreon.com/user?u=12372934 HOW TO SAIL OCEANS ON RUMBLE: https://rumble.com/c/c-1981134 HOW TO SAIL OCEANS TEE SHIRT: https://maritimetees.net/search?q=how+to+sail+oceans DONATE: https://www.paypal.me/KevinBoothby WEBSITE: https://www.kevinboothbysailing.com MUSIC: Carefree -- Hotham VIDEO SOUNDTRACKS: https://soundcloud.com/user-177118317 CAMERAS: Canon EOS 60D with EF 24-105mm L IS zoom lens Go Pro Hero 9 Black Go Pro Hero 12 Black DRONE: DJI Phantom 3 Professional THE BOAT: Design: Gilmer 31; LOD 31', LWL 25', Beam 9.5', Draft 4.5', Displ. 13,600lbs.

I make my way to "winter base camp", which is Newfound Harbor, in the Florida Keys. There I find a decently protected anchorage and access to supplies, so I can rest for a while. Rest? Of course not. I just won't be sailing so that I can catch up on boat projects. First and foremost is to tackle the lightning damage to the mast, which is conveniently located at the very top. SUPPORT HOW TO SAIL OCEANS ON PATREON: https://patreon.com/user?u=12372934 HOW TO SAIL OCEANS ON RUMBLE: https://rumble.com/c/c-1981134 HOW TO SAIL OCEANS TEE SHIRT: https://maritimetees.net/search?q=how+to+sail+oceans DONATE: https://www.paypal.me/KevinBoothby WEBSITE: https://www.kevinboothbysailing.com MUSIC: Carefree -- Hotham VIDEO SOUNDTRACKS: https://soundcloud.com/user-177118317 CAMERAS: Canon EOS 60D with EF 24-105mm L IS zoom lens Go Pro Hero 9 Black Go Pro Hero 12 Black DRONE: DJI Phantom 3 Professional THE BOAT: Design: Gilmer 31; LOD 31', LWL 25', Beam 9.5', Draft 4.5', Displ. 13,600lbs.

The long trek south from Cape Breton to Florida is done! But I still haven't reached "winter base camp" at Newfound Harbor and Key West. So after a re-stock in Key Biscayne, I'm off again down the Hawk Channel, in blustery, winter conditions. SUPPORT HOW TO SAIL OCEANS ON PATREON: https://patreon.com/user?u=12372934 HOW TO SAIL OCEANS ON RUMBLE: https://rumble.com/c/c-1981134 HOW TO SAIL OCEANS TEE SHIRT: https://maritimetees.net/search?q=how+to+sail+oceans DONATE: https://www.paypal.me/KevinBoothby WEBSITE: https://www.kevinboothbysailing.com MUSIC: Always with me, always with you (Satriani) -- Kevin's No-Copyright Covers VIDEO SOUNDTRACKS: https://soundcloud.com/user-177118317 CAMERAS: Canon EOS 60D with EF 24-105mm L IS zoom lens Go Pro Hero 9 Black Go Pro Hero 12 Black DRONE: DJI Phantom 3 Professional THE BOAT: Design: Gilmer 31; LOD 31', LWL 25', Beam 9.5', Draft 4.5', Displ. 13,600lbs.

I arrive in the Berry Islands following an overnight trip from the Abacos. There I get a night of rest before setting off again across the Bahama Bank, wanting to catch the forecasted, favorable southerly winds to blow me across the Strait of Florida. SUPPORT HOW TO SAIL OCEANS ON PATREON: https://patreon.com/user?u=12372934 HOW TO SAIL OCEANS ON RUMBLE: https://rumble.com/c/c-1981134 HOW TO SAIL OCEANS TEE SHIRT: https://maritimetees.net/search?q=how+to+sail+oceans DONATE: https://www.paypal.me/KevinBoothby WEBSITE: https://www.kevinboothbysailing.com MUSIC: Always with me, always with you (Satriani) -- Kevin's No-Copyright Covers VIDEO SOUNDTRACKS: https://soundcloud.com/user-177118317 CAMERAS: Canon EOS 60D with EF 24-105mm L IS zoom lens Go Pro Hero 9 Black Go Pro Hero 12 Black DRONE: DJI Phantom 3 Professional THE BOAT: Design: Gilmer 31; LOD 31', LWL 25', Beam 9.5', Draft 4.5', Displ. 13,600lbs.

I drop anchor in the bight by Treasure Island Cay to ride out a frontal passage. Brisk northwesterlies soon moderate the following day and I carry on with my journey. I don't head directly back out to sea, however, opting to take the scenic route through the inland Sea of Abaco. SUPPORT HOW TO SAIL OCEANS ON PATREON: https://patreon.com/user?u=12372934 HOW TO SAIL OCEANS ON RUMBLE: https://rumble.com/c/c-1981134 HOW TO SAIL OCEANS TEE SHIRT: https://maritimetees.net/search?q=how+to+sail+oceans DONATE: https://www.paypal.me/KevinBoothby WEBSITE: https://www.kevinboothbysailing.com MUSIC: Ripples -- Kevin Boothby VIDEO SOUNDTRACKS: https://soundcloud.com/user-177118317 CAMERAS: Canon EOS 60D with EF 24-105mm L IS zoom lens Go Pro Hero 7 Black Go Pro Hero 9 Black DRONE: DJI Phantom 3 Professional THE BOAT: Design: Gilmer 31; LOD 31', LWL 25', Beam 9.5', Draft 4.5', Displ. 13,600lbs.

The gale roars like a lion and then steals away on cat's feet. The following day I'm struggling to make progress in light winds, trying to close with the Abacos ahead of an approaching, strong cold front. SUPPORT HOW TO SAIL OCEANS ON PATREON: https://patreon.com/user?u=12372934 HOW TO SAIL OCEANS ON RUMBLE: https://rumble.com/c/c-1981134 HOW TO SAIL OCEANS TEE SHIRT: https://maritimetees.net/search?q=how+to+sail+oceans DONATE: https://www.paypal.me/KevinBoothby WEBSITE: https://www.kevinboothbysailing.com MUSIC: Always with me, always with you (Satriani) -- Kevin's No-Copyright Covers VIDEO SOUNDTRACKS: https://soundcloud.com/user-177118317 CAMERAS: Canon EOS 60D with EF 24-105mm L IS zoom lens Go Pro Hero 7 Black Go Pro Hero 9 Black DRONE: DJI Phantom 3 Professional THE BOAT: Design: Gilmer 31; LOD 31', LWL 25', Beam 9.5', Draft 4.5', Displ. 13,600lbs.

... as it had rolled five thousand years ago. I'm making great progress south toward the Abacos, but I have a day of rough weather to contend with. Though only 12 hours of actual gale conditions are in the forecast, that's enough to put me through several rounds of sail reductions until I have her reaching comfortably under trysail and heavy weather staysail. SUPPORT HOW TO SAIL OCEANS ON PATREON: https://patreon.com/user?u=12372934 HOW TO SAIL OCEANS ON RUMBLE: https://rumble.com/c/c-1981134 HOW TO SAIL OCEANS TEE SHIRT: https://maritimetees.net/search?q=how+to+sail+oceans DONATE: https://www.paypal.me/KevinBoothby WEBSITE: https://www.kevinboothbysailing.com MUSIC: Ripples -- Kevin Boothby Genesis -- Lucjo VIDEO SOUNDTRACKS: https://soundcloud.com/user-177118317 CAMERAS: Canon EOS 60D with EF 24-105mm L IS zoom lens Go Pro Hero 7 Black Go Pro Hero 9 Black DRONE: DJI Phantom 3 Professional THE BOAT: Design: Gilmer 31; LOD 31', LWL 25', Beam 9.5', Draft 4.5', Displ. 13,600lbs.

Brrrr! It's New Year's Day, 2025, and there's something like a window to depart Beaufort, southbound to the Bahamas and on to Florida. Overall a decent if blustery passage on tap, except for a spell of light gale conditions three days out ... SUPPORT HOW TO SAIL OCEANS ON PATREON: https://patreon.com/user?u=12372934 HOW TO SAIL OCEANS ON RUMBLE: https://rumble.com/c/c-1981134 HOW TO SAIL OCEANS TEE SHIRT: https://maritimetees.net/search?q=how+to+sail+oceans DONATE: https://www.paypal.me/KevinBoothby WEBSITE: https://www.kevinboothbysailing.com MUSIC: Is This Love (Whitesnake) -- Kevin's No-Copyright Covers VIDEO SOUNDTRACKS: https://soundcloud.com/user-177118317 CAMERAS: Canon EOS 60D with EF 24-105mm L IS zoom lens Go Pro Hero 7 Black Go Pro Hero 9 Black DRONE: DJI Phantom 3 Professional THE BOAT: Design: Gilmer 31; LOD 31', LWL 25', Beam 9.5', Draft 4.5', Displ. 13,600lbs.

With high hopes for warmer climes and clear waters, I depart the Chesapeake Bay. But the weather picture is deteriorating. Soon I will have to make a decision. SUPPORT HOW TO SAIL OCEANS ON PATREON: https://patreon.com/user?u=12372934 HOW TO SAIL OCEANS ON RUMBLE: https://rumble.com/c/c-1981134 HOW TO SAIL OCEANS TEE SHIRT: https://maritimetees.net/search?q=how+to+sail+oceans DONATE: https://www.paypal.me/KevinBoothby WEBSITE: https://www.kevinboothbysailing.com MUSIC: Is This Love (Whitesnake) -- Kevin's No-Copyright Covers VIDEO SOUNDTRACKS: https://soundcloud.com/user-177118317 CAMERAS: Canon EOS 60D with EF 24-105mm L IS zoom lens Go Pro Hero 7 Black Go Pro Hero 9 Black DRONE: DJI Phantom 3 Professional THE BOAT: Design: Gilmer 31; LOD 31', LWL 25', Beam 9.5', Draft 4.5', Displ. 13,600lbs.

Ring out solstice bells! I see a possible weather window to head offshore for the Bahamas and Florida and to finally escape the winter cold. For which there will be much rejoicing. However, the GFS model is showing a nasty low pressure forming off Hatteras in a few days, while ECMWF is showing light winds. As usual, nothing is assured. SUPPORT HOW TO SAIL OCEANS ON PATREON: https://patreon.com/user?u=12372934 HOW TO SAIL OCEANS ON RUMBLE: https://rumble.com/c/c-1981134 HOW TO SAIL OCEANS TEE SHIRT: https://maritimetees.net/search?q=how+to+sail+oceans DONATE: https://www.paypal.me/KevinBoothby WEBSITE: https://www.kevinboothbysailing.com MUSIC: Is This Love (Whitesnake) -- Kevin's No-Copyright Covers VIDEO SOUNDTRACKS: https://soundcloud.com/user-177118317 CAMERAS: Canon EOS 60D with EF 24-105mm L IS zoom lens Go Pro Hero 7 Black Go Pro Hero 9 Black DRONE: DJI Phantom 3 Professional THE BOAT: Design: Gilmer 31; LOD 31', LWL 25', Beam 9.5', Draft 4.5', Displ. 13,600lbs.

A little over one hundred miles remain to the mouth of the Chesapeake Bay, and I've got about thirty-six hours before a major cold front pushes through. So it's a race against time if I am going to avoid a Force 9 gale offshore. SUPPORT HOW TO SAIL OCEANS ON PATREON: https://patreon.com/user?u=12372934 HOW TO SAIL OCEANS ON RUMBLE: https://rumble.com/c/c-1981134 HOW TO SAIL OCEANS TEE SHIRT: https://maritimetees.net/search?q=how+to+sail+oceans DONATE: https://www.paypal.me/KevinBoothby WEBSITE: https://www.kevinboothbysailing.com MUSIC: Genesis -- Lucjo VIDEO SOUNDTRACKS: https://soundcloud.com/user-177118317 CAMERAS: Canon EOS 60D with EF 24-105mm L IS zoom lens Go Pro Hero 7 Black Go Pro Hero 9 Black DRONE: DJI Phantom 3 Professional THE BOAT: Design: Gilmer 31; LOD 31', LWL 25', Beam 9.5', Draft 4.5', Displ. 13,600lbs.

Squeezed between two major weather systems is a four-day sailing window from Buzzards Bay to the Chesapeake. This will not be pleasant summertime sailing, but so long as I arrive within four days there will be no gales to contend with. And that's going to have to be good enough. SUPPORT HOW TO SAIL OCEANS ON PATREON: https://patreon.com/user?u=12372934 HOW TO SAIL OCEANS ON RUMBLE: https://rumble.com/c/c-1981134 HOW TO SAIL OCEANS TEE SHIRT: https://maritimetees.net/search?q=how+to+sail+oceans DONATE: https://www.paypal.me/KevinBoothby WEBSITE: https://www.kevinboothbysailing.com MUSIC: Bonnie Ship the Diamond -- The Longest Johns VIDEO SOUNDTRACKS: https://soundcloud.com/user-177118317 CAMERAS: Canon EOS 60D with EF 24-105mm L IS zoom lens Go Pro Hero 7 Black Go Pro Hero 9 Black DRONE: DJI Phantom 3 Professional THE BOAT: Design: Gilmer 31; LOD 31', LWL 25', Beam 9.5', Draft 4.5', Displ. 13,600lbs.

Three weeks of shuttling back and forth between Padanaram and Hadley Harbor, the former to re-stock the larder, the latter to shelter from the storms. Sailing windows remain too short to safely head offshore to the Chesapeake Bay, some 350 miles. And so I wait. SUPPORT HOW TO SAIL OCEANS ON PATREON: https://patreon.com/user?u=12372934 HOW TO SAIL OCEANS ON RUMBLE: https://rumble.com/c/c-1981134 HOW TO SAIL OCEANS TEE SHIRT: https://maritimetees.net/search?q=how+to+sail+oceans DONATE: https://www.paypal.me/KevinBoothby WEBSITE: https://www.kevinboothbysailing.com MUSIC: Ripples -- Kevin Boothby VIDEO SOUNDTRACKS: https://soundcloud.com/user-177118317 CAMERAS: Canon EOS 60D with EF 24-105mm L IS zoom lens Go Pro Hero 7 Black Go Pro Hero 9 Black DRONE: DJI Phantom 3 Professional THE BOAT: Design: Gilmer 31; LOD 31', LWL 25', Beam 9.5', Draft 4.5', Displ. 13,600lbs.

No time to waste. It's November and I am just departing Maine, southbound for Buzzards Bay, MA. Weather windows remain short, so forget any direct offshore hops to Bermuda or the Bahamas. SUPPORT HOW TO SAIL OCEANS ON PATREON: https://patreon.com/user?u=12372934 HOW TO SAIL OCEANS ON RUMBLE: https://rumble.com/c/c-1981134 HOW TO SAIL OCEANS TEE SHIRT: https://maritimetees.net/search?q=how+to+sail+oceans DONATE: https://www.paypal.me/KevinBoothby WEBSITE: https://www.kevinboothbysailing.com MUSIC: Over You -- Atch VIDEO SOUNDTRACKS: https://soundcloud.com/user-177118317 CAMERAS: Canon EOS 60D with EF 24-105mm L IS zoom lens Go Pro Hero 7 Black Go Pro Hero 9 Black DRONE: DJI Phantom 3 Professional THE BOAT: Design: Gilmer 31; LOD 31', LWL 25', Beam 9.5', Draft 4.5', Displ. 13,600lbs.