The winds freshen from the east, kicking up the Gulf Stream. While getting into the head compartment the door flies open and tears off the top hinges. OK, another repair to make. Southerly winds a head of an approaching front blow me into the narrow entrance to Taylor Creek, in Beaufort, NC. There I take on provisions for the next leg of the journey, back to the Chesapeake Bay. 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 R6 Mk II with RF 70-200mm L IS zoom lens Go Pro Hero 9 Black Go Pro Hero 12 Black Go Pro Hero 13 Black DRONE: DJI Phantom 3 Professional THE BOAT: Design: Gilmer 31; LOD 31', LWL 25', Beam 9.5', Draft 4.5', Displ. 13,600lbs

Waiting for favorable offshore weather can drive you crazy. Even the kinder, gentler northbound run in the spring (as opposed to the southbound run in late fall, invariably a bear) can have you sitting in port for weeks. Of course it's tempting just to sail and hope for the best. In time experience will teach you that this approach is pure idiocy. 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: Loose Ends -- Kevin Boothby VIDEO SOUNDTRACKS: https://soundcloud.com/user-177118317 CAMERAS: Canon EOS R6 Mk II with RF 70-200mm L IS zoom lens Go Pro Hero 9 Black Go Pro Hero 12 Black Go Pro Hero 13 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 enter Biscayne Bay via the Cape Florida Channel on the faintest of winds. Then an entire month passes as I shuttle back and forth between Key Biscayne and Dinner Key, all the while looking for a weather window to head offshore for the Chesapeake Bay, or Beaufort ... I'll even take Fernandina Beach. But alas, I see nothing. While anchored off of Dinner Key I get clobbered by a wild rainsquall. 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 R6 Mk II with RF 70-200mm L IS zoom lens Go Pro Hero 9 Black Go Pro Hero 12 Black Go Pro Hero 13 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 first segment from Key West back to Biscayne Bay has you steering ENE, which frequently means that either one is going to slog into the prevailing easterlies, or wait for a southerly slant. Being gaff rigged and engineless, I opt for the latter. But that does mean some waiting, and as the weather models are never 100% accurate, you may end up doing some slogging after all. 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: Sea Moon -- Kevin Boothby VIDEO SOUNDTRACKS: https://soundcloud.com/user-177118317 CAMERAS: Canon EOS R6 Mk II with RF 70-200mm L IS zoom lens Go Pro Hero 9 Black Go Pro Hero 12 Black Go Pro Hero 13 Black DRONE: DJI Phantom 3 Professional THE BOAT: Design: Gilmer 31; LOD 31', LWL 25', Beam 9.5', Draft 4.5', Displ. 13,600lbs

One month and one week was the nine-hundred mile loop I sailed from Key West, to Panama City, to Boca Grande, and back. My mini-mid-winter odyssey. It was certainly better from an educational standpoint than laying at anchor in the Keys all winter while waiting for warmer weather to head back north. Though light winds prevailed for the final leg, so did the flat seas, making it a delight. 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: Better Days -- Kevin Boothby VIDEO SOUNDTRACKS: https://soundcloud.com/user-177118317 CAMERAS: Canon EOS R6 Mk II with RF 70-200mm L IS zoom lens Go Pro Hero 9 Black Go Pro Hero 12 Black Go Pro Hero 13 Black DRONE: DJI Phantom 3 Professional THE BOAT: Design: Gilmer 31; LOD 31', LWL 25', Beam 9.5', Draft 4.5', Displ. 13,600lbs

Still lots to see of Boca Grande and Charlotte Harbor, but the winter cold fronts are coming through fast and furious. Which means that tourism has to yield to the exigencies of finding safe anchoring ahead of severe 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: The Whimsical One -- Kevin Boothby VIDEO SOUNDTRACKS: https://soundcloud.com/user-177118317 CAMERAS: Canon EOS R6 Mk II with RF 70-200mm L IS zoom lens Go Pro Hero 9 Black Go Pro Hero 12 Black Go Pro Hero 13 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 finally enter Charlotte Harbor, four days out of Panama City, FL, owing perhaps more to the flooding current than whatever wind there was. But an afternoon sea breeze works up to propel me to the anchorage off of Boca Grande Marina. Boca Grande is certainly scenic, although the nearest Publix supermarket is eight miles away, so I get a good workout on the bicycle. Then my sightseeing is interrupted by an approaching cold front, obliging me to move the boat to a more secure anchorage. 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 R6 Mk II with RF 70-200mm L IS zoom lens Go Pro Hero 9 Black Go Pro Hero 12 Black Go Pro Hero 13 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'm off to a glorious start from Panama City, bound for Boca Grande and Charlotte Harbor, romping down the Gulf with fair northerly winds. But in total defiance of the weather maps, the winds just south of Port St. Joe shift southeast--dead on the nose--so I find myself tacking and barely making any progress. Brisk easterlies fill in overnight, then gradually diminish over the next two days until they leave me becalmed about 25 miles from Boca Grande. 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: Meander -- Kevin Boothby VIDEO SOUNDTRACKS: https://soundcloud.com/user-177118317 CAMERAS: Canon EOS R6 Mk II with RF 70-200mm L IS zoom lens Go Pro Hero 9 Black Go Pro Hero 12 Black Go Pro Hero 13 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 find my way ashore to St. Andrews State Park, where I can land the dinghy, dump trash, take on water, and ride my bicycle to the Publix. So that's a win, even though it cost me $4 to get back into the park. Anyway, there's a window to head back south to Fort Meyers, and I'm going to take it as the weather here in January is a bit cold for my comfort. 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: Meander -- Kevin Boothby VIDEO SOUNDTRACKS: https://soundcloud.com/user-177118317 CAMERAS: Canon EOS R6 Mk II with RF 70-200mm L IS zoom lens Go Pro Hero 9 Black Go Pro Hero 12 Black Go Pro Hero 13 Black DRONE: DJI Phantom 3 Professional THE BOAT: Design: Gilmer 31; LOD 31', LWL 25', Beam 9.5', Draft 4.5', Displ. 13,600lbs

After provisioning and exploring Watson Bayou, I make my way to the highly recommended Shell Island anchorage. It does not disappoint. However, the weekly frontal passages bring not only brisk northerlies, as they do everywhere in Florida during the winter, but bitter cold with overnight temperatures hovering around freezing. 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: Meander -- Kevin Boothby VIDEO SOUNDTRACKS: https://soundcloud.com/user-177118317 CAMERAS: Canon EOS R6 Mk II with RF 70-200mm L IS zoom lens Go Pro Hero 9 Black Go Pro Hero 12 Black Go Pro Hero 13 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 slowly approach the Gulf Coast. Light winds prevail. Even with the white sandy beaches and tall buildings in sight, I see almost no signs of life other than a few small powerboats. Nothing on AIS. Can't see any sailboat masts. Did some apocalypse just occur? Once inside St. Andrews Bay the winds pipe up to 20 knots, obliging me to change my anchoring plans. 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: Doodles -- Kevin Boothby VIDEO SOUNDTRACKS: https://soundcloud.com/user-177118317 CAMERAS: Canon EOS R6 Mk II with RF 70-200mm L IS zoom lens Go Pro Hero 9 Black Go Pro Hero 12 Black Go Pro Hero 13 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 depart the buzzing and booming city of Key West, northbound for Panama City, Florida. After a mild frontal passage, which puts me through the usual sail drills, conditions quickly moderate. Wind and seas diminish over the next few days, making for slow but comfortable sailing. 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: The Whimsical One -- Kevin Boothby VIDEO SOUNDTRACKS: https://soundcloud.com/user-177118317 CAMERAS: Canon EOS R6 Mk II with RF 70-200mm L IS zoom lens Go Pro Hero 9 Black Go Pro Hero 12 Black Go Pro Hero 13 Black DRONE: DJI Phantom 3 Professional THE BOAT: Design: Gilmer 31; LOD 31', LWL 25', Beam 9.5', Draft 4.5', Displ. 13,600lbs

After a period of active weather, the weather maps are clear for the next week. Fair winds for northbound passaging are indicated, so I decide to push off for Panama City, FL. Besides my visit to Galveston, TX, in 2002, I have yet to cruise the Gulf Coast. 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: The Whimsical One -- Kevin Boothby VIDEO SOUNDTRACKS: https://soundcloud.com/user-177118317 CAMERAS: Canon EOS R6 Mk II with RF 70-200mm L IS zoom lens Go Pro Hero 9 Black Go Pro Hero 12 Black Go Pro Hero 13 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 Florida Keys. Warm waters, sunshine, carefree ... um, no, not carefree, not in the winter. Cold fronts come sweeping across the Keys typically once a week during the winter months. The low islands offer little wind protection, and the holding is not always great. So one has to keep a constant weather eye out, and know where to go anchor in case of a severe 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: The Temple -- Kevin Boothby VIDEO SOUNDTRACKS: https://soundcloud.com/user-177118317 CAMERAS: Canon EOS R6 Mk II with RF 70-200mm L IS zoom lens Go Pro Hero 9 Black Go Pro Hero 12 Black Go Pro Hero 13 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 Biscayne Bay in the middle of the night (naturally), nearly fourteen days out of Poquoson, Virginia. After re-provisioning and making some repairs, I am promptly off to the Florida Keys. 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 R6 Mk II with RF 70-200mm L IS zoom lens Go Pro Hero 9 Black Go Pro Hero 12 Black Go Pro Hero 13 Black DRONE: DJI Phantom 3 Professional THE BOAT: Design: Gilmer 31; LOD 31', LWL 25', Beam 9.5', Draft 4.5', Displ. 13,600lbs

Following that screaming gale I spend a week inching along toward Biscayne Bay in little or no wind. Entering into the Bahamas the seas become flat as a lake, and the sunsets are spectacular. Still I wish I was progressing a little faster, especially when the fresh food runs 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: Loose Ends -- Kevin Boothby VIDEO SOUNDTRACKS: https://soundcloud.com/user-177118317 CAMERAS: Canon EOS R6 Mk II with RF 70-200mm L IS zoom lens Go Pro Hero 9 Black Go Pro Hero 12 Black Go Pro Hero 13 Black DRONE: DJI Phantom 3 Professional THE BOAT: Design: Gilmer 31; LOD 31', LWL 25', Beam 9.5', Draft 4.5', Displ. 13,600lbs

After a screaming gale I get light airs. Not complaining, although the slow progress does get frustrating after a while. An old Gordon Lightfoot song brings back memories of when I lived in a tiny apartment in Evanston, IL, worked at Arthur Andersen in Chicago, and constantly dreamed of blue water sailing. Now that dream is my life. 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 R6 Mk II with RF 70-200mm L IS zoom lens Go Pro Hero 9 Black Go Pro Hero 12 Black Go Pro Hero 13 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 unable to get far enough south to avoid gale conditions ushered in by a passing cold front. No option remains but to reef down and ride it 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 VIDEO SOUNDTRACKS: https://soundcloud.com/user-177118317 CAMERAS: Canon EOS R6 Mk II with RF 70-200mm L IS zoom lens Go Pro Hero 9 Black Go Pro Hero 12 Black Go Pro Hero 13 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 usual late fall offshore passage scenario. You depart the US east coast on the tail of a cold front, which supplies you with favorable northerly winds. But there's always another front moving through in a few days' time. The typical strategy is to sail south as fast as you can, by which you hope to avoid the worst of it. That's the hope. It's a race against the weather clock. 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 R6 Mk II with RF 70-200mm L IS zoom lens Go Pro Hero 9 Black Go Pro Hero 12 Black Go Pro Hero 13 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 offshore weather window will be perfect. So long as the forecast calls for mostly fair winds and no severe weather, that's a window. And so it is. Well almost. I have to move south fast in order to avoid a rather strong frontal passage four days out. Other than that, looks like a decent run to the Bahamas, and then on to 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: Is This Love (Whitesnake) -- Kevin's No-Copyright Covers VIDEO SOUNDTRACKS: https://soundcloud.com/user-177118317 CAMERAS: Canon EOS R6 Mk II with RF 70-200mm L IS zoom lens Go Pro Hero 9 Black Go Pro Hero 12 Black Go Pro Hero 13 Black DRONE: DJI Phantom 3 Professional THE BOAT: Design: Gilmer 31; LOD 31', LWL 25', Beam 9.5', Draft 4.5', Displ. 13,600lbs