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 K

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

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 th

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 sout

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.

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.

Short sailing windows, long waits. The pattern persists. Following a short stay in Bar Harbor, Maine, I find a day's worth of fair winds for a ninety-mile coastal hop down to Southport, Maine. There I ride out the next round of weather, re-provision, and look for a window to carry on to Nantucket and Vineyard Sound. 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.

Beggars can't be choosers. Not in late October, not when you are southbound from Nova Scotia and ill-equipped for arctic sailing conditions. I am searching for a weather window to sail direct to Buzzards Bay from Shelburne, but the weather maps remain implacable. There is, however, a short but doable window to Maine. Well it moves the yardsticks up, so I shall take it. 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 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.

I arrive in Sheet Harbour two days after departing the Bras d'Or lakes. There I spend the next nine days waiting for another sailing window. Fortunately there is a dinghy landing and supplies are a short walk away. I depart for Shelburne around 0300 on October 16 to catch the end of a fair norther. Gone are the warm summer days. I can feel the oncoming winter nipping at my heels. 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 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.

The current tables for the Great Bras d'Or Channel are accurate. Phew! Sailed out past Noir Point in fair winds and about 2 knots of fair tide. A beautiful night for sailing ensues, but the following day brings rain as the winds pipe up from the northeast. I make for Sheet Harbour, as the forecast calls for at least a week of inclement weather. It's now early October and I'm just beginning the long trek south, which will turn into a race against the oncoming winter. 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 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 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.

Inclement weather offshore obliges me to linger longer on the wonderful Bras d'Or lakes. 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: Fields of Gold(Sting) -- Kevin's No Copyright Covers. Prelude in C Major -- JS Bach 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.

I reach Baddeck, Nova Scotia, then cruise the wonderland of the Lower Washabuck. Angling for some top shelf drone footage of Ruth Avery with her topsail against the breathtaking background of the Bras d'Or's, I am yet continually thwarted by both Mother Nature and my own lack of practice. Sigh. 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 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 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.