In this premiere episode, I’m pulling back the curtain on the real life of a sailor in West Africa. It’s not just wind and water; it’s about survival. I’ll share the untold stories of my time in Cape Verde—learning Creole from the women I loved, navigating the "drunken sailor" lifestyle, and dealing with corrupt officials and gangsters just to keep moving. Now, with my pension finally here and survival mode over, I’m refitting my 45-year-old Jeanneau SunFizz 40, Galopin, in Dakar. Forget Swiss efficiency; here, we operate on "African Standards." I’m not here to teach you DIY boat repair (I mostly suck at it). I’m here to show you how to survive: finding fuel when there is none, trusting a crew that knows nothing about sailing, and embracing the chaos of the African coast. From the dark times of questionable jobs to the beauty of the ultimate chapter, this is the raw, unfiltered truth of sailing West Africa. 00:00 Intro 00:15 A rude awakening 01:14 Hacked not jacked 02:00 Cape Verde Years 03:04 Living on edge 04:03 Life change 06:32 Ultimate chapter 07:56 Next week Some say it’s The Best Sailing Channel on YouTube! Agree or disagree, make your voice heard. Subscribe, like, dislike, or comment. DISCLAIMER: This series is simply intended to offer and give an alternative to conventional TV... for FREE! And if anyone has the good will to reward this series purely on merit because it's somehow funny, mildly interesting, slightly stupid, or bizarrely entertaining, you can do so by giving it a tip on Patreon or Ko-fi: https://www.patreon.com/SailorAlex? ko-fi.com/sailoralex Stay up to date with the following Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/windedvoyage/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/windedvoyage/ Winded Voyage Website: http://www.windedvoyage.com/ Flickr: https://www.flickr.com/photos/cuckooracha/ X: https://mobile.twitter.com/SwissSailorAlex/ #windedvoyage #sailinglifestyle #africatravel #solosailor #retirement #lifeafter60

After months of hard work, sanding, and refitting, Galopin is finally going back in the water! In this episode, we navigate the ups and downs of boat life in Dakar on the hard. Trust is everything when you’re far from home, and the local expertise here in Senegal has been invaluable. We got the antifouling done, fixed some metal knick-knacks, and tackled the slow but productive process of getting this old girl ready to sail again. The moral of the story? If you have the time, take care of your boat, and he will take care of you. But the adventure doesn’t come without challenges. Watch as we deal with shoddy marine lines that snap under pressure and the edgy moments of testing the furler. Now that we’re free from the cormorants and the dock, where to next? Rumor has it Paps is taking a finished boat to The Gambia… could that be our next destination? Some say it’s The Best Sailing Channel on YouTube! Agree or disagree, make your voice heard. Subscribe, like, dislike, or comment. 00:00 Intro 00:48 Ups & downs 01:21 Soft sanding 01:39 Paint they did 02:10 Antifoul away 03:33 More than paint 04:05 Ready to splash 04:29 Coming down 05:48 Back in the water 07:21 Furler fail 08:24 Gone to Gambia 09:08 Next week DISCLAIMER: This series is simply intended to offer and give an alternative to conventional TV... for FREE! And if anyone has the good will to reward this series purely on merit because it's somehow funny, mildly interesting, slightly stupid, or bizarrely entertaining, you can do so by giving it a tip on Patreon or Ko-fi: https://www.patreon.com/SailorAlex? ko-fi.com/sailoralex Stay up to date with the following Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/windedvoyage/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/windedvoyage/ Winded Voyage Website: http://www.windedvoyage.com/ Flickr: https://www.flickr.com/photos/cuckooracha/ X: https://mobile.twitter.com/SwissSailorAlex/ #windedvoyage #sailinglifestyle #africatravel #solosailor #SailingGalopin #WindedVoyage #BoatRefit #SailingAfrica #BoatLaunch #Liveaboard #SailingAdventure

The wait is over—Galopin is finally out of the water. Join us in Dakar for a traditional African haul-out where power tools are banned, and everything is done by hand. After months of waiting and navigating visa renewals, the team carefully lifts Galopin onto the cart. Watch the meticulous process as they scrape and sand the hull down to the primer, ensuring a perfect surface for antifouling. It’s not all work, though; the boatyard transforms during the World Cup, complete with feverish match viewing and a French-style barbecue celebrating the France vs. England game. Once the football ends, the real work begins with the primer application. This is 100% handmade boat care at its finest. 00:00 Intro 00:47 Renovation station 01:26 My African motifs 02:02 Flag test 03:02 Haul out wait list 03:32 World Cup fever 04:28 Going up 05:53 We're up 06:21 Shell scrape 06:47 Cared for by hand 07:17 Spanish vendetta 07:52 Just paint it 08:44 Next week Some say it’s The Best Sailing Channel on YouTube! Agree or disagree, make your voice heard. Subscribe, like, dislike, or comment. DISCLAIMER: This series is simply intended to offer and give an alternative to conventional TV... for FREE! And if anyone has the good will to reward this series purely on merit because it's somehow funny, mildly interesting, slightly stupid, or bizarrely entertaining, you can do so by giving it a tip on Patreon or Ko-fi: https://www.patreon.com/SailorAlex? ko-fi.com/sailoralex Stay up to date with the following Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/windedvoyage/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/windedvoyage/ Winded Voyage Website: http://www.windedvoyage.com/ Flickr: https://www.flickr.com/photos/cuckooracha/ X: https://mobile.twitter.com/SwissSailorAlex/ #windedvoyage #sailinglifestyle #africatravel #solosailor #Sailing #BoatMaintenance #WestAfrica #HaulOut #SailingLife #Galopin #WorldCup

Welcome to The Gambia—the small sliver of a country carved by colonizers but defined by its incredibly chilled vibe. In this episode, we link up with a local legend, Rasta Babs (Babacar), to explore the authentic side of this West African gem. No AI-generated travel guides here; just real experiences, river adventures, and the true "Rasta thing."Join us as we scout the perfect anchorage for my boat, Galopin, to ride out the rainy season. From sailing up the river past crocs and hippos to navigating the crooked, full-moon streets that might just make you question if you’re high, this trip is a journey into the local culture. Babs isn’t just a guide; he’s revered. Whether it’s getting VIP treatment at local spots or smoothly talking our way through frequent police and military checkpoints, there’s a lot to learn from his approach to life.When bus tickets sell out and we get stuck for another night, Babs turns it into a celebration with Jack, Coke, and good company. We tour his neighborhood, meet his wife Marie, and discover that in The Gambia, stress simply isn’t an option. 00:00 Intro 00: 23 Ridin' with Rasta 01:19 Best driver 02:09 High tide wet feet 04:01 Coming back 04:37 Africa's car 04:50 Beach front paradise 05:46 Stuck in paradise 06:43 Gambian Rasta ride 09:26 Next week Some say it’s The Best Sailing Channel on YouTube! Agree or disagree, make your voice heard. Subscribe, like, dislike, or comment. DISCLAIMER: This series is simply intended to offer and give an alternative to conventional TV... for FREE! And if anyone has the good will to reward this series purely on merit because it's somehow funny, mildly interesting, slightly stupid, or bizarrely entertaining, you can do so by giving it a tip on Patreon or Ko-fi: https://www.patreon.com/SailorAlex? ko-fi.com/sailoralex Stay up to date with the following Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/windedvoyage/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/windedvoyage/ Winded Voyage Website: http://www.windedvoyage.com/ Flickr: https://www.flickr.com/photos/cuckooracha/ X: https://mobile.twitter.com/SwissSailorAlex/ #windedvoyage #sailinglifestyle #africatravel #solosailor

After three months in Senegal, the port police told me I had to leave the territory to renew my visa. The only option? A trip to The Gambia, the small country carved out of Senegal by colonial history. In this video, I team up with my local friend As to navigate the chaotic overland route from Dakar to the border. What started as a cheap $15 bus ride turned into an endurance test: endless waits for the bus to fill, constant hawkers climbing aboard, and a broken AC system in the hottest town in Senegal. We witness the reality of Senegal’s new toll infrastructure, endure a sweltering repair stop, and face the rigorous border control where biometrics and passport checks cost us another hour. To make matters more interesting, we miss our connection, haggle with private taxis, and risk missing the crucial Cabo Verde vs. Argentina football match. From the frustration of transport changes to the relief of finally reaching the Senegambia tourist strip for 24-hour food and late-night vibes, this is the raw reality of West African border hopping. In this video: The reality of "Garage" bus travel in Dakar. Breaking down in the heat of Kaolack. Crossing the colonial border: Senegal exit & Gambia entry. Chasing the Cabo Verde football game on the road. Arriving in Senegambia: Food, beers, and late nights Has anyone else dealt with visa runs in West Africa? Let me know your border crossing stories in the comments! 00:00 Intro 00:52 The train 01:08 Finding a ride 02:12 The highway 03:17 The chill fixers 03:55 Never doubt Senegalese 04:16 Crossing borders 05:12 Immigration station 06:07 Game on 07:18 Starved & stoned 08:30 Next week Some say it’s The Best Sailing Channel on YouTube! Agree or disagree, make your voice heard. Subscribe, like, dislike, or comment. DISCLAIMER: This series is simply intended to offer and give an alternative to conventional TV... for FREE! And if anyone has the good will to reward this series purely on merit because it's somehow funny, mildly interesting, slightly stupid, or bizarrely entertaining, you can do so by giving it a tip on Patreon or Ko-fi: https://www.patreon.com/SailorAlex? ko-fi.com/sailoralex Stay up to date with the following Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/windedvoyage/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/windedvoyage/ Winded Voyage Website: http://www.windedvoyage.com/ Flickr: https://www.flickr.com/photos/cuckooracha/ X: https://mobile.twitter.com/SwissSailorAlex/ #windedvoyage #sailinglifestyle #africatravel #solosailor #Senegal #TheGambia #WestAfricaTravel #Dakar #TravelVlog #CaboVerde #BorderCrossing #windedvoyager

Leaving the calm of the Casamance River was the easy part. Getting Galopin safely to Dakar with a torn Genoa and a "toy" storm sail was a different story. In this episode: •The Bar: Navigating the treacherous mouth of the Casamance. With only 5 meters of depth miles offshore, the breaking waves were a constant threat to capsize us. •The "Toy" Sail: My big Genoa is gone. I’m crossing open water with a used main and a tiny storm sail. No motor noise, no vibration, and no fear of a tangled prop. Surprisingly, Galopin found his stride, giving us 6 hours of pure, silent sailing bliss. •The Invisible Minefield: Darkness brings a new set of obstacles. Fishing buoys and nets are everywhere, and catching a line in the prop means diving under the hull in the dark—something I desperately wanted to avoid. •The Laser Game: Out of the dark, a green laser tagged my sails. Then, six massive spotlights blinded me. Fishermen guarding their nets or a phantom Coast Guard? I had to steer off-course and hope they wouldn't follow. •Surreal Beauty: Despite the stress, the ocean provided a light show. The hull was cutting through clouds of blue bioluminescence, a spellbinding sight that video never quite captures perfectly. •The Cat Nap: Sleep is a luxury you can't afford. My night was a cycle of 20-minute alarms—wake up, check the AIS, scan the horizon for unlit boats, and repeat. •Night Terrors: The Gambian coast is a minefield of fishing nets and unlit buoys. Just as the bioluminescence began its surreal light show, I was targeted by green lasers and strobe lights. Was it fishermen protecting their nets, or the Coast Guard? •The Race: A 20-minute cat-nap cycle and a race against a closing weather window. When you’re 65 and solo, you learn to trust your gut—especially when it tells you to drop the sails before the wind hits. 00:00 Intro 00:30 Breaking waves 02:20 WTF is this? 02:56 Pure sailing pleasure 04:57 Laser beamed & chased 06:06 Dancing around cargos 07:13 Ominous ahead 09:11 Got dancing seal legs 11:06 Mission accomplished Some say it’s The Best Sailing Channel on YouTube! Agree or disagree, make your voice heard. Subscribe, like, dislike, or comment. DISCLAIMER: This series is simply intended to offer and give an alternative to conventional TV... for FREE! And if anyone has the good will to reward this series purely on merit because it's somehow funny, mildly interesting, slightly stupid, or bizarrely entertaining, you can do so by giving it a tip on Patreon or Ko-fi: https://www.patreon.com/SailorAlex? ko-fi.com/sailoralex Stay up to date with the following Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/windedvoyage/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/windedvoyage/ Winded Voyage Website: http://www.windedvoyage.com/ Flickr: https://www.flickr.com/photos/cuckooracha/ X: https://mobile.twitter.com/SwissSailorAlex/ Help keep Galopin moving toward the next horizon by joining our Patreon. #SailingSenegal #WindedVoyage #SoloSailing #GambiaCoast #BoatLife #SailingAfrica

Navigating the Casamance River delta in Senegal is as magical as it is nerve-wracking. In this episode, a pod of dolphins finds me—first following in my wake, then leading the way through the winding, mangrove-lined channels. These dolphins are here for a reason: they’re feasting on the river's abundant shrimp, and for a brief moment, they brought me into their world.But the beauty of the river comes with a constant challenge: the depth. With one eye on the horizon and the other glued to my depth sounder, I have to navigate carefully to avoid running aground on the hidden sandbanks of the delta A Special Map from Ziguinchor I wasn't just wandering; I was looking for a very specific spot. Back in Ziguinchor, an old French sailor shared his local knowledge with me, handing over a hand-drawn map of a secluded beach perfect for careening. Following those ink lines through the shifting sands of the delta felt like a true mission.But the clock was ticking. I’m not a rich yachtsman, and the reality of cruising in Senegal is that it's expensive. The authorities charge a $170/month navigation tax for the river. My permit was nearly up, and with the last of my funds going toward fuel, cooking gas, and food for the trek back north to Dakar, I was—quite frankly—broke. The Solo Scrape: A 65-Year-Old’s Mental Battle At 65, the stress of a sliced foot from a sharp oyster shell combined with the financial pressure was heavy.To prepare for the long trek back north to Dakar, the hull needed to be spotless. With the help of a local named Gilbert, I managed to beach the boat. But to avoid being "neaped"—stuck on the sand until the next moon’s high tide—I didn't push her as high up as I should have.This meant I had to finish the job alone, standing in waist-deep river water.Locals in Ziguinchor assured me the water here is too salty for crocodiles—they stay much further up-river in the fresh-water tributaries. But when you’re alone in waist-deep, murky water with a bleeding foot, logic starts to slip. Every ripple in the mangroves feels like a set of eyes, and the "spook factor" becomes very real. If you enjoyed this journey through Senegal, consider subscribing and joining the crew on Patreon to help keep this journey on course! 00:00 Intro 00:18 Old sailor's map 00:48 Sailing with porpoise 02:24 Close to running aground 04:58 Beaching my boat 06:38 Scraping the hull 08:03 Spooked in waist deep water 09:35 Two boats is a crowd 10:31 Net week Some say it’s The Best Sailing Channel on YouTube! Agree or disagree, make your voice heard. Subscribe, like, dislike, or comment. DISCLAIMER: This series is simply intended to offer and give an alternative to conventional TV... for FREE! And if anyone has the good will to reward this series purely on merit because it's somehow funny, mildly interesting, slightly stupid, or bizarrely entertaining, you can do so by giving it a tip on Patreon or Ko-fi: https://www.patreon.com/SailorAlex? ko-fi.com/sailoralex Stay up to date with the following Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/windedvoyage/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/windedvoyage/ Winded Voyage Website: http://www.windedvoyage.com/ Flickr: https://www.flickr.com/photos/cuckooracha/ X: https://mobile.twitter.com/SwissSailorAlex/ #SailingSenegal #WindedVoyage #Casamance #SoloSailing #BoatMaintenance #DolphinEncounter #SailingAfrica

Mana and I are invited to Jean Philippe's place where he offers fresh wild mangrove oysters charbroiled and laid out on his oyster bar. We shuck and suck the delicacies with a drop of lemon from trees in his yard. The huge sound system is playing warm African grooves from local artist Charlemagne who's with us sipping on palm wine. The vibe is delicious. We are anchored at Campment Villageois, a safe and calm spot. But we must sail back up river to take Mana back home. I pay homage to Mana with a video montage and prepare for mu next part of my journey. This is sailing Africa. Donkororong & Bapalay Music by Charlemagne 00:00 Intro 00:17 Truck load of oysters 01:12 Smoked oysters & grooves 02:24 Off to the fights 04:57 Praise for the accomodations 06:14 River dolphin ballet 08:09 Homage to Mana 11:21 Next week Some say it’s The Best Sailing Channel on YouTube! Agree or disagree, make your voice heard. Subscribe, like, dislike, or comment. DISCLAIMER: This series is simply intended to offer and give an alternative to conventional TV... for FREE! And if anyone has the good will to reward this series purely on merit because it's somehow funny, mildly interesting, slightly stupid, or bizarrely entertaining, you can do so by giving it a tip on Patreon or Ko-fi: https://www.patreon.com/SailorAlex? ko-fi.com/sailoralex Stay up to date with the following Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/windedvoyage/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/windedvoyage/ Winded Voyage Website: http://www.windedvoyage.com/ Flickr: https://www.flickr.com/photos/cuckooracha/ X: https://mobile.twitter.com/SwissSailorAlex/ #windedvoyage #sailinglifestyle #africatravel #solosailor

We're anchored in the fishing village called Elinkine. We've been busy the past few days attending local festivities, so we decided to stay on the boat and make food. First we had to go shopping in town and then Mana put her chef's hat on. She wears it well and her food is delicious. I was out of cash, and the closest cash machine was in Cap Skirring, the popular tourist destination. Djibril, our trusty chauffeur took us there. I got cash and let Mana take me to the artisan market where I could buy her something nice. Then we went to the beach. Cap Skirring is famous for its stunning beach. And there were the local beauties sun bathing. Cows. Yes several cows hanging out nude whith no bikinis on. Quite a sight. 00:00 Intro 00:15 Mana's new look 01:01 Chef Mana 02:21 Beach road trip 04:07 African queen 05:17 Cow's beach 08:36 She got her shoes 09:56 Next week Some say it’s The Best Sailing Channel on YouTube! Agree or disagree, make your voice heard. Subscribe, like, dislike, or comment. DISCLAIMER: This series is simply intended to offer and give an alternative to conventional TV... for FREE! And if anyone has the good will to reward this series purely on merit because it's somehow funny, mildly interesting, slightly stupid, or bizarrely entertaining, you can do so by giving it a tip on Patreon or Ko-fi: https://www.patreon.com/SailorAlex? ko-fi.com/sailoralex Stay up to date with the following Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/windedvoyage/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/windedvoyage/ Winded Voyage Website: http://www.windedvoyage.com/ Flickr: https://www.flickr.com/photos/cuckooracha/ X: https://mobile.twitter.com/SwissSailorAlex/ #windedvoyage #sailinglifestyle #africatravel #solosailor