Repairs Starts on Crash Damaged Catamaran Our crash damaged catamaran has been hauled out of the water. Now we can get a much better look at what we are dealing with. The starboard bow took the main impact. And despite us sealing the damage with epoxy putty to keep the worst of the water out, seawater has slowly seeped into the bow and the crash box. There's water ingress and damage to the stern of the port keel, damage to the inner and outer port hull, and another small area in the port bow. But before any of those areas can be properly repaired, there's one thing we need to do first: get them dry. Except we've arrived in Trinidad during the rainy season. Music Musicbed.com The Flower duet - Thank you to Lud and Schutts Musical Emporium for the use of their copyright music Thank you for helping keep us afloat and supporting the creative process. You can be part of the crew for less than the price of a coffee. You can do so here: - Patreon https://www.patreon.com/CruisingKiwis WEB SITE www.thecruisingkiwis.com SOCIAL MEDIA Follow us on: Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/THECRUISINGKIWIS Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/THECRUISINGKIWIS Much love to you all, Rob, Rachel, Finn, Declan, Ivan https://www.patreon.com/CruisingKiwis ***** Follow us in real time on Instagram and Facebook @thecruisingkiwis @finn_hamill @declan_hamill @ivanhamill #sailing #repairs #trinidad #TheCruisingKiwis

Releasing Gallons of Trapped Sea Water from our Crash Damaged Boat | Rough Sail to Trinidad to Haul Out After winding our way through the Windward Islands of the Caribbean, we've finally arrived in Grenada for the final schlep of our journey to Trinidad, where our crash damaged catamaran, and it's leaking hulls are booked to haul out and be repaired. Unfortunately, this week is not the ideal weather window for sailing south. The forecast is showing 20 to 30 knot winds across the entire period. We're hoping we've picked the right day to make the final leap. Patrons - shop = www.thecruisingkiwis.shop Music Musicbed.com The Flower duet - Thank you to Lud and Schutts Musical Emporium for the use of their copyright music Thank you for helping keep us afloat and supporting the creative process. You can be part of the crew for less than the price of a coffee. You can do so here: - Patreon https://www.patreon.com/CruisingKiwis WEB SITE www.thecruisingkiwis.com SOCIAL MEDIA Follow us on: Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/THECRUISINGKIWIS Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/THECRUISINGKIWIS Much love to you all, Rob, Rachel, Finn, Declan, Ivan https://www.patreon.com/CruisingKiwis ***** Follow us in real time on Instagram and Facebook @thecruisingkiwis @finn_hamill @declan_hamill @ivanhamill #sailing #Trinidad #caribbean #TheCruisingKiwis

ROUGH seas BROKEN eggs DAMAGED boat There's no use crying over broken eggs while rough seas batter our damaged catamaran as we continue sailing south through the Caribbean Sea towards Trinidad. Until now, we've been able to take our time, pausing to enjoy the islands, wildlife and most importantly, waiting for the best weather windows before moving on, but that luxury is running out. Our haul out date in Trinidad is approaching and with a damaged hull beneath us we can no longer afford to wait for perfect conditions. But while conditions might not be ideal for sailing, they're perfect for kiteboarding, and rescuing stranded kiteboarder. Music Musicbed.com The Flower duet Seasons (winter): 1. Allegro Con Molto - Thank you to Lud and Schutts Musical Emporium for the use of their copyright music Thank you for helping keep us afloat and supporting the creative process. You can be part of the crew for less than the price of a coffee. You can do so here: - Tipjar https://tipjar.thecruisingkiwis.com - Patreon https://www.patreon.com/CruisingKiwis - PayPal using our email thecruisingkiwis@gmail.com WEB SITE www.thecruisingkiwis.com SOCIAL MEDIA Follow us on: Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/THECRUISINGKIWIS Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/THECRUISINGKIWIS Much love to you all, Rob, Rachel, Finn, Declan, Ivan https://www.patreon.com/CruisingKiwis ***** Follow us in real time on Instagram and Facebook @thecruisingkiwis @finn_hamill @declan_hamill @ivanhamill #sailing #caribbean #TheCruisingKiwis

The ONLY CARIBBEAN ISLAND that still eats this!? We sailed our damaged catamaran to the beautiful Grenadine island of Bequia, where we're waiting for a weather to continue island hopping to Trinidad for boat work. While enjoying some island time, Rob continues his passion, to eat like a local, but finds this Caribbean island's delicacy is not to his liking. WEB SITE www.thecruisingkiwis.com Music Musicbed.com The Flower duet - Thank you to Lud and Schutts Musical Emporium for the use of their copyright music Thank you for helping keep us afloat and supporting the creative process. You can be part of the crew for less than the price of a coffee. You can do so here: - Patreon https://www.patreon.com/CruisingKiwis - Paymate https://www.kerryhamilltrust.com/donate/ - PayPal using our email thecruisingkiwis@gmail.com WEB SITE www.thecruisingkiwis.com SOCIAL MEDIA Follow us on: Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/THECRUISINGKIWIS Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/THECRUISINGKIWIS Much love to you all, Rob, Rachel, Finn, Declan, Ivan https://www.patreon.com/CruisingKiwis ***** Follow us in real time on Instagram and Facebook @thecruisingkiwis @finn_hamill @declan_hamill @ivanhamill #sailing #islandlife #caribbean #TheCruisingKiwis

PLANS CHANGE. THINGS GO WRONG Sometimes you put a hole in your boat, races don't go your way, and whole course of life changes.This isn't an episode about a disaster; it's about how a family responds when things doesn't go to plan. This week we continue our Caribbean sailing adventure from Martinique to Saint Lucia and on to Bequia, island hopping through the windward islands aboard our damaged catamaran, Javelot. We share a beautiful snorkel beneath the Pitons in Saint Lucia before sailing down the coast of Saint Vincent and along the way we get a surprise phone call from our our sons Declan and Ivan, crossing the North Atlantic on a 106 year old sailing cargo ship. We also commiserate with Finn and his girlfriend Karolien, when things don't go according to plan, at the first rowing world cup of the season, in Seville, Spain. But, Just like sailing, life is about what you do next. We would love you to check out our new WEB SITE www.thecruisingkiwis.com SOCIAL MEDIA Follow us on: Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/THECRUISINGKIWIS Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/THECRUISINGKIWIS Music Musicbed.com The Flower duet - Thank you to Lud and Schutts Musical Emporium for the use of their copyright music Thank you for helping keep us afloat and supporting the creative process. You can be part of the crew for less than the price of a coffee. You can do so here: - Patreon https://www.patreon.com/CruisingKiwis - Paymate https://www.kerryhamilltrust.com/donate/ - PayPal using our email thecruisingkiwis@gmail.com Much love to you all, Rob, Rachel, Finn, Declan, Ivan https://www.patreon.com/CruisingKiwis ***** Follow us in real time on Instagram and Facebook @thecruisingkiwis @finn_hamill @declan_hamill @ivanhamill #sailing #familyadventure #sailinglife #boat #TheCruisingKiwis

Sailing Our Damaged Catamaran to Trinidad We're sailing our damaged catamaran south through the Caribbean, island hoping from Guadeloupe towards Trinidad, where we plan to haul out and repair the hull after our recent grounding. With hurricane season underway, Trinidad is our destination for repairs, but getting there means choosing careful weather windows and nursing Javelot safely between the islands. Meanwhile, our three boys are following adventures of their own, Finn is is Spain for the rowing World Cup, while Declan and Ivan are crossing the North Atlantic aboard a 106 year old sailing cargo ship, with no autopilot, winches, wind instruments or showers. No problem! WEB SITE www.thecruisingkiwis.com SOCIAL MEDIA Follow us on: Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/THECRUISINGKIWIS Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/THECRUISINGKIWIS Music Musicbed.com Thank you for helping keep us afloat and supporting the creative process. You can be part of the crew for less than the price of a coffee. You can do so here: - Patreon https://www.patreon.com/CruisingKiwis - Paymate https://www.kerryhamilltrust.com/donate/ - PayPal using our email thecruisingkiwis@gmail.com Much love to you all, Rob, Rachel, Finn, Declan, Ivan https://www.patreon.com/CruisingKiwis ***** Follow us in real time on Instagram and Facebook @thecruisingkiwis @finn_hamill @declan_hamill @ivanhamill #sailing #caribbean #boatlife #TheCruisingKiwis

Have We Made a Huge Mistake? Last week we wept as Declan and Ivan sailed off to Mexico to join a sailing cargo ship bound for the northern Atlantic and ultimately Hamburg. Their first contact with us when they reached the boat on Cozumel, left us wondering if we had made a huge mistake. Meanwhile Rob gets busy in the engine bay, replacing the starter motor and we launch our new website @www.thecruisingkiwis.com Thank you for helping keep us afloat and supporting the creative process. You can be part of the crew for less than the price of a coffee. You can do so here: - Patreon https://www.patreon.com/CruisingKiwis - tipjar.thecrusingkiwis.com - PayPal using our email thecruisingkiwis@gmail.com WEB SITE www.thecruisingkiwis.com SOCIAL MEDIA Follow us on: Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/THECRUISINGKIWIS Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/THECRUISINGKIWIS Much love to you all, Rob, Rachel, Finn, Declan, Ivan https://www.patreon.com/CruisingKiwis ***** Follow us in real time on Instagram and Facebook @thecruisingkiwis @finn_hamill @declan_hamill @ivanhamill #sailing #caribbean #sailinglife #TheCruisingKiwis

After 8 Years...It's Time to Say Goodbye And just like that...a chapter comes to a close. After eight years of live aboard sailing around the world, where Declan and Ivan have grown from boys to capable, adventurous young men, they are jumping ship, bound for Mexico to join a 106 year old sailing cargo ship, crossing the North Atlantic to Hamburg, Germany. The grounding changed our plans in more ways than one. It's the end of an era and goodbye to our crew. Music Musicbed.com Thank you for helping keep us afloat and supporting the creative process. You can be part of the crew for less than the price of a coffee. You can do so here: - Patreon https://www.patreon.com/CruisingKiwis - Paymate https://www.kerryhamilltrust.com/donate/ - PayPal using our email thecruisingkiwis@gmail.com WEB SITE www.thecruisingkiwis.com SOCIAL MEDIA Follow us on: Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/THECRUISINGKIWIS Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/THECRUISINGKIWIS Much love to you all, Rob, Rachel, Finn, Declan, Ivan https://www.patreon.com/CruisingKiwis ***** Follow us in real time on Instagram and Facebook @thecruisingkiwis @finn_hamill @declan_hamill @ivanhamill #sailing #sailinglife #caribbean #TheCruisingKiwis

#sailinglife #dolphin #caribbean #boatlife #swimwithdolphins #islandlife #ocean

Family Sailing Adventure Wasn't Supposed To End Like This After safely sailing our damaged catamaran south from Antigua to Guadeloupe, we make one final stop in the breathtaking archipelago of Les Saintes, home to one of the Caribbean's most beautiful natural harbours and the best baguettes in the French Caribbean. The colourful waterfront villages of Les Saintes are the perfect place to forget our troubles for a while and the perfect way to round off Hilary and Andre's Caribbean sailing adventure, the icing on the cake of which, was an incredible dolphin interaction, with a playful wild dolphin, which brought my sister to tears. However, eventually each sailing adventure reaches its destination, but I'm just not ready for this next round of goodbyes. Music Musicbed.com Thank you for helping keep us afloat and supporting the creative process. You can be part of the crew for less than the price of a coffee. You can do so here: - Patreon https://www.patreon.com/CruisingKiwis - Paymate https://www.kerryhamilltrust.com/donate/ - PayPal using our email thecruisingkiwis@gmail.com WEB SITE www.thecruisingkiwis.com SOCIAL MEDIA Follow us on: Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/THECRUISINGKIWIS Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/THECRUISINGKIWIS Much love to you all, Rob, Rachel, Finn, Declan, Ivan https://www.patreon.com/CruisingKiwis ***** Follow us in real time on Instagram and Facebook @thecruisingkiwis @finn_hamill @declan_hamill @ivanhamill #sailing #caribbean #goodbye #TheCruisingKiwis

We CRASHED our SAILBOAT....NOW WHAT? What do you do after crashing your sailboat into rocks? With holes in our catamaran and only temporary repairs completed, we set sail from Antigua to Guadeloupe, in the Caribbean, hoping our temporary fixes will hold. abut this episode isn't just about repairing a damaged boat. Being unexpectedly stranded in Antigua gave us something we hadn't planned for extra on the island. Time to explore and make some extraordinary connections with people whose story has been intertwined with our own family for more than eighty years. Sometimes the biggest setbacks lead to the most memorable adventures. Music Musicbed.com Thank you for helping keep us afloat and supporting the creative process. You can be part of the crew for less than the price of a coffee. You can do so here: - Patreon https://www.patreon.com/CruisingKiwis - PayPal using our email thecruisingkiwis@gmail.com WEB SITE www.thecruisingkiwis.com SOCIAL MEDIA Follow us on: Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/THECRUISINGKIWIS Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/THECRUISINGKIWIS Much love to you all, Rob, Rachel, Finn, Declan, Ivan https://www.patreon.com/CruisingKiwis ***** Follow us in real time on Instagram and Facebook @thecruisingkiwis @finn_hamill @declan_hamill @ivanhamill #sailing #crash #antigua #caribbean #TheCruisingKiwis

Can We Repair our Sailboat After Crashing into Rocks? Welcome back aboard, you join us this week in Antigua where we are assessing the damage to our sailboat, after accidentally crashing her into rocks at 6 knots. We are repairing what we can, and hoping to get our floating home seaworthy enough to sail back to Guadeloupe to deliver our visiting crew. Music Musicbed.com Thank you for helping keep us afloat and supporting the creative process. You can be part of the crew for less than the price of a coffee. You can do so here: - Patreon https://www.patreon.com/CruisingKiwis - Paymate https://www.kerryhamilltrust.com/donate/ - PayPal using our email thecruisingkiwis@gmail.com WEB SITE www.thecruisingkiwis.com SOCIAL MEDIA Follow us on: Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/THECRUISINGKIWIS Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/THECRUISINGKIWIS Much love to you all, Rob, Rachel, Finn, Declan, Ivan https://www.patreon.com/CruisingKiwis ***** Follow us in real time on Instagram and Facebook @thecruisingkiwis @finn_hamill @declan_hamill @ivanhamill #sailing #crash #sailboat #TheCruisingKiwis

Captain Checked his Phone then We Hit the Rocks What should have been a short, routine sail between two anchorages in Antigua turned into one of our most expensive mistakes. A moment of distraction, the captain checking his phone, saw Javelot ran onto rocks, causing damage to both hulls and causing an abrupt change to our plans and our visiting crew's holiday schedule. We're sharing this story because every sailor makes mistakes. Fortunately, no one was injured, and if our experience helps another cruiser avoid the same errors, it's worth telling. Music Musicbed.com Thank you for helping keep us afloat and supporting the creative process. You can be part of the crew for less than the price of a coffee. You can do so here: - Patreon https://www.patreon.com/CruisingKiwis - Paymate https://www.kerryhamilltrust.com/donate/ - PayPal using our email thecruisingkiwis@gmail.com WEB SITE www.thecruisingkiwis.com SOCIAL MEDIA Follow us on: Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/THECRUISINGKIWIS Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/THECRUISINGKIWIS Much love to you all, Rob, Rachel, Finn, Declan, Ivan https://www.patreon.com/CruisingKiwis ***** Follow us in real time on Instagram and Facebook @thecruisingkiwis @finn_hamill @declan_hamill @ivanhamill #TheCruisingKiwis

The Rookie Mistake That Nearly Cost Us an Engine Every sailor likes to think they're beyond rookie mistakes...until they make one. Join us this week, on the leeward coast of Guadeloupe, in the town of Bouillante, famous for it's natural thermal river, heated by the volcanic activity beneath La Soufrière, the active volcano that dominates the island of Basse-Terre. But first the crew fixes a rookie mistake made by the captain, that almost cost us an engine. Music Musicbed.com Thank you for helping keep us afloat and supporting the creative process. You can be part of the crew for less than the price of a coffee. You can do so here: - Patreon https://www.patreon.com/CruisingKiwis - Paymate https://www.kerryhamilltrust.com/donate/ - PayPal using our email thecruisingkiwis@gmail.com WEB SITE www.thecruisingkiwis.com SOCIAL MEDIA Follow us on: Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/THECRUISINGKIWIS Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/THECRUISINGKIWIS Much love to you all, Rob, Rachel, Finn, Declan, Ivan https://www.patreon.com/CruisingKiwis ***** Follow us in real time on Instagram and Facebook @thecruisingkiwis @finn_hamill @declan_hamill @ivanhamill #sailing #travel #caribbean #TheCruisingKiwis

#sailing #sailinglife #mama #boatlife #guitarcover #travel #islandlife #rockme

Everything Has Changed For the first time in more than two months, our family is about to be reunited aboard our sailing catamaran Javelot. While I've been in England, following the loss of my brother Angus, Rob, Declan and Ivan have continued exploring the Caribbean without me. But now, with my return fast approaching, they're in Guadeloupe, hard at work, changing and fixing everything, preparing for my arrival and to welcome, returning patron Andre, and my sister Hilary. The boat projects never end. After months apart, the countdown to being back aboard has finally begun. Music Musicbed.com Thank you for helping keep us afloat and supporting the creative process. You can be part of the crew for less than the price of a coffee. You can do so here: - Patreon https://www.patreon.com/CruisingKiwis - Paymate https://www.kerryhamilltrust.com/donate/ - PayPal using our email thecruisingkiwis@gmail.com WEB SITE www.thecruisingkiwis.com SOCIAL MEDIA Follow us on: Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/THECRUISINGKIWIS Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/THECRUISINGKIWIS Much love to you all, Rob, Rachel, Finn, Declan, Ivan https://www.patreon.com/CruisingKiwis ***** Follow us in real time on Instagram and Facebook @thecruisingkiwis @finn_hamill @declan_hamill @ivanhamill #sailing #travel #cominghome #TheCruisingKiwis

SAYING GOODBYE - Sailing the Caribbean Sooner or later, every voyage reaches it's destination, and this week is all about goodbyes. While I farewell my beautiful brother Angus, Rob, the boys and our patron Diane continue sailing south through the Caribbean Leeward Islands, Making their way from Nevis to Guadeloupe. A week ago Diane stepped aboard as a guest. She leaves as a friend, and a timely reminder not to take this extraordinary life for granted. Saying goodbye is rarely easy and neither, it seems, is getting there. Music Musicbed.com Thank you for helping keep us afloat and supporting the creative process. You can be part of the crew for less than the price of a coffee. You can do so here: - Patreon https://www.patreon.com/CruisingKiwis - Paymate https://www.kerryhamilltrust.com/donate/ - PayPal using our email thecruisingkiwis@gmail.com WEB SITE www.thecruisingkiwis.com SOCIAL MEDIA Follow us on: Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/THECRUISINGKIWIS Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/THECRUISINGKIWIS Much love to you all, Rob, Rachel, Finn, Declan, Ivan https://www.patreon.com/CruisingKiwis ***** Follow us in real time on Instagram and Facebook @thecruisingkiwis @finn_hamill @declan_hamill @ivanhamill #sailing #travel #goodbye #TheCruisingKiwis

DRUG SEARCHED in Netherlands 'highest' Kingdom This forgotten corner of the Caribbean is just five square miles making the Island of Saba one of the smallest special municipalities in the Dutch Caribbean. This week the crew have departed Sint Maarten to sail to this tiny volcanic island, which remains well off the typical Caribbean sailing route... but in the right conditions it's absolutely worth the effort. Before we made it ashore to summit the volcano and become the highest people in the Netherlands, we were boarded and search for drugs and weapons by the friendly coast guards. Music Musicbed.com Thank you for helping keep us afloat and supporting the creative process. You can be part of the crew for less than the price of a coffee. You can do so here: - Patreon https://www.patreon.com/CruisingKiwis - Paymate https://www.kerryhamilltrust.com/donate/ - PayPal using our email thecruisingkiwis@gmail.com WEB SITE www.thecruisingkiwis.com SOCIAL MEDIA Follow us on: Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/THECRUISINGKIWIS Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/THECRUISINGKIWIS Much love to you all, Rob, Rachel, Finn, Declan, Ivan https://www.patreon.com/CruisingKiwis ***** Follow us in real time on Instagram and Facebook @thecruisingkiwis @finn_hamill @declan_hamill @ivanhamill #sailing #boarded #saba #TheCruisingKiwis

The REAL PIRATES of the Caribbean Do you know who the real pirates of the Caribbean are? It's not people sailing around on boats. When we were sailing in Martinique, we bought three little copper washers. When we inquired why they cost $64 we were told it's because they have holes in them, those holes cost a lot. In England we found the same washers for $4.67 each. As we sail out sailboat further west, everything becomes more expensive. In fact things were cheaper on one of the most remote island in the world Saint Helena. The Caribbean island are close to America. Why the big mark up? Music Musicebed.com Thank you for helping keep us afloat and supporting the creative process. You can be part of the crew for less than the price of a coffee. You can do so here: - Patreon https://www.patreon.com/CruisingKiwis - Paymate https://www.kerryhamilltrust.com/donate/ - PayPal using our email thecruisingkiwis@gmail.com WEB SITE www.thecruisingkiwis.com SOCIAL MEDIA Follow us on: Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/THECRUISINGKIWIS Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/THECRUISINGKIWIS Much love to you all, Rob, Rachel, Finn, Declan, Ivan https://www.patreon.com/CruisingKiwis ***** Follow us in real time on Instagram and Facebook @thecruisingkiwis @finn_hamill @declan_hamill @ivanhamill #sailing #pirates #boatlife #TheCruisingKiwis

I Was Fine... Till I Wasn't - Sailing the Caribbean Welcome back aboard for another Caribbean sailing adventure. This week our patrons our patrons Greg and Gideon experience their very first offshore sailing passage, on our live aboard catamaran, departing Saint Martin for Saint Barts. Its a very real introduction to life at sea, complete with rough conditions, motion sickness, buckets, a few regretted life choices but plenty of laughter and song. If you enjoy honest sailing adventures, liveaboard life, family travel and off shore experiences, subscribe and come aboard for the journey. Music Musicbed.com Thank you for helping keep us afloat and supporting the creative process. You can be part of the crew for less than the price of a coffee. You can do so here: - Patreon https://www.patreon.com/CruisingKiwis - Paymate https://www.kerryhamilltrust.com/donate/ - PayPal using our email thecruisingkiwis@gmail.com WEB SITE www.thecruisingkiwis.com SOCIAL MEDIA Follow us on: Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/THECRUISINGKIWIS Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/THECRUISINGKIWIS Much love to you all, Rob, Rachel, Finn, Declan, Ivan https://www.patreon.com/CruisingKiwis ***** Follow us in real time on Instagram and Facebook @thecruisingkiwis @finn_hamill @declan_hamill @ivanhamill #sailing #sailinglife #travel #caribbean #TheCruisingKiwis