We say goodbye and hello to friends in Florida, and finally make it to much better weather. We prepared adequately for our Gulf Stream crossing, and enjoyed it all the way as we raced our two buddy boats across to Bimini (shhh ?....they didn't know it was a race...lol). Thanks for coming back to another round of adventure.

In this episode we head south in search of warmer weather since we don't have to be to work on Monday. Join us as we slowly sail south and find family and friends along the way.

The time has finally come. I moved aboard and left land life, and guess what...I'm not alone. Welcome Suzy-Q to the team. Together, we sold all that we thought was so instrumental in our lives to set out on journeys undefined. This is only the beginning of grand adventures to come. Enjoy this episode and be sure to share it with your family and friends. ??

Relax to the soothing sounds of Sailing Vessel Validated moving through water. Enjoy the mix of natural noises of the Atlantic Ocean, the Chesapeake Bay, the Potomac River, and the ICW. These are actual clips of Sput skippering S/V Validated to different places along different waterways. The ASMR aspect of moving through various bodies of water provides a comforting backdrop that allows for relaxation and deep sleep. Press play, adjust the volume, close your eyes and enjoy your sleep. #asmr #asmrsounds #relaxing #sailing #water #watersounds

The chain plates are DONE and it's time to get out of Florida for hurricane season. Two YouTube friends join me in doing the Atlantic Ocean from FL to the Chesapeake Bay, the right way. In addition to the chain plates, I wound up getting a new radar, two new chart plotters and a new VHF radio. The extra work allowed me time to go diving with friends, and enjoy the company of good people. Please show some love to my friends below. Instagram: @timbatsea @native_treasure @nickin_nature @billblevins @zzzfri

In this episode I head out from St. Augustine to as far south as W. Palm Beach before dropping my boat off in Stuart, FL for upgrades. Mack Yacht Services is the only place on the east coast that will replace chain plates on Island Packets. Bring your bank account because the job is not cheap! Suzy-Q shows flies into Palm Beach International and we enjoy Easter with my peeps in Hobe Sound, while anchored right outside of their house. She then helps me unload everything from the boat in order to turn it in for the upgrades. Enjoy.

In episode 18 I leave Jacksonville, FL solo. I take the ICW southbound and wind up stopping in St. Augustine for what I thought would be a day. As fate would have it, I got much more than anticipated when I entered a rabbit hole that my curiosity wouldn't let me avoid. Virtual Tour: https://arcweb.forest.usf.edu/dhhc/NPS-CASA/CASA-VR/ African Americans in St. Augustine: https://www.nps.gov/casa/learn/historyculture/african-americans-in-st-augustine-1565-1821.htm#:~:text=September%208%2C%201565%3A%20St.,part%20of%20America's%20first%20colony.

In the dead of winter, I take off from my marina in VA to deliver my boat to Stuart, FL for new chainplates. I deliberately take it easy and move slowly, because I'm also preparing for a life at sea where you can not be in a rush. Enjoy this segment of the trip where I get the boat to the top of FL.

Now that I'm officially retired, I need to sell everything in preparation for living aboard and casting off for good. While I figure that piece out, I set off for Florida to have my chainplates replaced at the only place that replaces Island Packet chainplates on the east coast, Mack Yacht Services, in Stuart, Florida. #solosailor #selling #porsche #army #starlink #anchorages #connectivity #birthday #coldaf #liveaboard #omw #retiredlife #internet #omg #boatlife #nextchapter #adventure #islandpacket #fuelpolishing #dieselbug #liferaft #

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Join me as I officially close one chapter to begin another ???.

I did it! Solo sailed successfully! Check out the second part to my trip to the Annapolis Sailboat Show. I'm not one of those kid YouTubers who fills your screen with clickbait. I try to bring you the real deal stuff that any beginner WILL experience. In this video you get to see how I used this experience to validate my ability to do it all solo.

The 2023 Annapolis Sailboat Show was the best thus far! It was about so much more than looking at sailboats. It was truly the precursor to my journey to places near and far. Enjoy as I take you through the intimate moments that made the 2023 Annapolis Sailboat Show what it was.

I'm basically solo sailing, as I take my family out for a "Day Sail." The real adventure begins when it's time to dock in the marina with 15 knot winds.

Recovered "enough" from my shoulder surgery, I return to the boat and get it ready for sailing. I'm joined by my video apprentice, A. Mercedes, who was instrumental in getting me off the docks for the first time in over six months.

Have a look at how I spent my time over the 1st year of owning this beauty. Once I got her to VA, I sailed her as much as I could. Even though I was inland on the Potomac River, it was very challenging due to the currents and the narrow, and shallow river. I was often fortunate to have company (who never knew anything about sailing tho?lol) aboard. The sailing eventually slowed as the Winter approached and I had shoulder surgery. Now I'm on the mend and preparing for the next chapter. Come along and enjoy.

Two months post-op, Sput says hi and thanks the Damage Control Board members.

The shoulder wasn't getting any better so major repairs were done. Worry not though, there is a plan to continue to prepare as I rehab and heal. Thank you all for rocking with me?see y'all soon. ??????

My hungry bilge ate an iPhone 11, iPhone 12, and a .45 cal magazine with 13 bullets. The lesson here is to empty pockets prior to working on the boat. I also learned about caring for modern cell phones ?. For real though, I learned that I should close the raw water sea-cock and open the strainer so that the ice can expand without busting pipes/hoses.

I can't wait to start sailing around in the nation's capital, but before I do I need to fix a few things that were broken on the way from FL. So I took a little time to get some necessary repairs done.