Sailing from Hampton Virginia to Antigua. My first 12 day blue water sailing passage of 1,500 miles. I was a rookie crew member assisting the owners of Pilar sail her to the Caribbean.

I created the Hobie Getaway Mega Mast Stepper to raise my mast single-handed because I had back surgery 7 months ago and can no longer lift my mast. This Hobie mast lifter is a real back saver. If you are cleaver, you could modify the design for Hobie 16, Hobie 18, and other catamarans. I simply built this for my own enjoyment. Let me know if you like the idea.

The Tiwal 2L sailboat proved to be the perfect way to learn sailing. My grandkids can inflate and rig the boats without my assistance. In just two days they were sailing like crazy. Yes they capsized... and they could right the boat themselves. The Tiwal is a great solution for families who want a portable boat that fits in the back of their SUV.

We anchored the 42' sailboat in the pristine cove at Isla San Francisco in the Sea of Cortez midway through my seven day hands-on Nautilus sailing school. While hiking the ride to watch the sunset, a drone continually circled us. It was unnerving. We later learned it was being operated from the deck of a neighboring sailboat by a friendly sailor short on wine. For 50 years I have dreamed of getting my American Sailing Association (ASA) Certification enabling me to sail on the ocean. I selected Nautilus Sailing School and was more than satisfied. Captain Dave Bell was our instructor. His extensive experience racing sailboats and later living aboard a cruising catamaran with his family gave him the unique qualifications I was looking for in a teacher. If you have a desire to sail into secluded coves on pristine islands and harness wind energy like mariners of old, I highly recommend booking the week-long sailing school with Nautilus and requesting Dave Bell as your onboard instructor and captain. This is an unsolicited and non-compensated recommendation. Here's the contact info: Nautilus Sailing https://www.nautilussailing.com/ Captain Dave Bell https://www.nautilussailing.com/about-us/the-nautilus-team/ Music: Pleasant Pictures Music Club https://pleasantpictures.club/ About Grandpa Larry I began sailing a Hobie Cat at age 12 on small freshwater lakes. I always dreamed of sailing the oceans to islands in the Caribbean, South Pacific, and to coastal cities in the Mediterranean. Getting ASA certified is my first step to fulfilling my dreams. If you enjoy my armature videos, make my day and subscribe. I have no illusion of becoming a YouTube sensation and I don't care about monetizing or making money. If you really, really like it, leave a comment. Even if you just think, Grandpa Larry needs some cosmic love or good karma? click that silly like button.

Swimming with sea lions was just one fun stop during my seven day hands-on sailing school. For 50 years I have dreamed of getting my American Sailing Association (ASA) Certification enabling me to sail on the ocean. I selected Nautilus Sailing School and was more than satisfied. Captain Dave Bell was our instructor. His extensive experience racing sailboats and later living aboard a cruising catamaran with his family gave him the unique qualifications I was looking for in a teacher. If you have a desire to sail into secluded coves on pristine islands and harness wind energy like mariners of old, I highly recommend booking the week-long sailing school with Nautilus and requesting Dave Bell as your onboard instructor and captain. This is an unsolicited and non-compensated recommendation. Here's the contact info: Nautilus Sailing https://www.nautilussailing.com/ Captain Dave Bell https://www.nautilussailing.com/about-us/the-nautilus-team/ Music: Pleasant Pictures Music Club https://pleasantpictures.club/ About Grandpa Larry I began sailing a Hobie Cat at age 12 on small fresh water lakes. I always dreamed of sailing the oceans to islands in the Caribbean, South Pacific, and to coastal cities in the Mediterranean. Getting ASA certified is my first step to fulfilling my dreams. If you enjoy my armature videos, make my day and subscribe. I have no illusion of becoming a YouTube sensation and I don't care about monetizing or making money. If you really, really like it, leave a comment. Even if you just think, Grandpa Larry needs some cosmic love or good karma? click that silly like button.

New Hobie Getaway Mast Step Up Block & Tackle enables sailors to step up the mast single handed. This simple DYI Block & Tackle solves the difficulties when stepping up the Hobie Getaway mast and attaching the forestay to the jib furler. This video shows how to assemble a Hobie Getaway Step Up Block & Tackle in just two minutes. You can purchase the step up block and tackle parts at your local hardware store for about $40. (See the parts list below). Here are the key advantages of the Grandpa Larry Hobie Getaway Mast Step up Block and Tackle: 1. Attaches to Hobie Getaway in 5 minutes 2. Very compact,,, Fits in your Hobie Getaway hull storage bin, sail bag, or a 1 gallon zip-lock bag. 3. Aligns the Hobie forestay adjuster bracket with the jib furler making it easy to insert the pin 4. Can be used to lower the Getaway mast more safely 5. A DYI solution for about $40 Grandpa Larry's Hobie Getaway Mast Step up Parts List: (1) Swivel hook with spring closure (1) Swivel Pulley with eye (1) Cam Cleat Hook with Spring clsoure (1) Carabiner (2) Lashig Straps with cinch jaws 12' of 3/16" paracord Note: All these parts should be heavy duty rated at over 300 LBS lifing strenth... get aluminium not plastic. Also, Grandpa Larry recommends the following Hobie Getaway parts which can be ordered online at West Coast Sailing. (1) Shackle part# 10700000 (Attach this shackle in the top adjuster hole below the Jib and leave it there. It does not affect the jib function and speeds step up and droping the mast.) (1) 1/4" x 1" Quick Release Pin #8020800 (so much easier than a Clevis Pin and Ring Ding) Best Wishes, Grandpa Larry