Sailing in Bocas del Toro, Panama is starting to feel a little too comfortable… so naturally, we find ourselves leaving the boat to explore what’s hiding beyond the islands. 🌴⛵️ This week aboard Escapade takes us from Starfish Beach into the canals and jungle of Bocas del Toro, with light-wind sailing, a few long-overdue boat jobs, a hike through the jungle and an unexpected dinghy adventures We visit the Drunken Monkey, explore a mangrove tunnel, and keep our eyes peeled for some of the wildlife hiding along the way. Then we take the dinghy deep into the Snyder River — a waterway originally carved out more than a century ago to transport bananas — where the jungle starts to feel a whole lot wilder. And somewhere along the way, we spot something swinging through the trees… This is another week of life aboard Escapade — the beautiful, the ordinary, the jobs we keep putting off, and the adventures that seem to find us anyway. ⛵️ Sailing Vessel Escapade 📍 Bocas del Toro, Panama #Sailing #BocasDelToro #panama ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ⛵ Join us aboard our 40ft sailboat, Escapade, as we navigate the highs and lows of full-time sailing, boat life, and the adventures that come with exploring the world by sea. 🔥 If you're enjoying the videos, you can Hype this episode on YouTube to help support the channel and share our adventures with more people. 🎥 Watch from the beginning: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLcpg_1nM2Z5zzbEr20cfs0K1W3FAV46DJ 🫶🏽 Patreon (early access / ad-free): https://www.patreon.com/Leadingtheescapade ☕ One-off support: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/leadingtheescapade

After days of nonstop rain, we finally get some sunshine and make the most of it! 🌴☀️ In this episode, we start with a few cosmetic boat jobs we’ve been putting off while waiting for the weather to improve. Then we set sail through Bocas del Toro, Panama, heading to Dolphin Bay Yacht Club to check out one of the popular cruising spots on the islands and meet some of the people who call this beautiful part of Panama home. From there, we sail to Starfish Beach on Isla Colón, where the weather finally turns picture perfect. We spend a few days enjoying the tropical paradise — exploring Starfish Beach, paddle boarding through the crystal-clear water, walking the beach trails, eating some seriously good food, getting out for some skurfing, and even letting our cats have their own little beach adventure! 🐈🌴 This is exactly the kind of island life we dreamed about when we started sailing — warm water, beautiful beaches, good food and plenty of time to slow down and enjoy where we are. 📍 Bocas del Toro, Panama ⛵ Isla Colón | Dolphin Bay | Starfish Beach ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ⛵ Join us aboard our 40ft sailboat, Escapade, as we navigate the highs and lows of full-time sailing, boat life, and the adventures that come with exploring the world by sea. 🔥 If you're enjoying the videos, you can Hype this episode on YouTube to help support the channel and share our adventures with more people. 🎥 Watch from the beginning: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLcpg_1nM2Z5zzbEr20cfs0K1W3FAV46DJ 🫶🏽 Patreon (early access / ad-free): https://www.patreon.com/Leadingtheescapade ☕ One-off support: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/leadingtheescapade

Sailing the San Blas Islands, Panama after months of sailboat repairs, boatyard damage and an ongoing insurance claim! ⛵️🌴 After months stuck in the boatyard, Escapade is finally back on the water and we’re sailing again! In this episode, we take you along for our first week back aboard Escapade as we leave the boatyard behind and begin sailing through Panama once again. We explore the incredible San Blas Islands, spend some much-needed time back at anchor, and start making our way towards Bocas del Toro. 🌊 But we also know many of you still have questions about what happened to Escapade, so we sit down to give you a more detailed update on the boat repairs, the damage caused at the boatyard, our insurance claim, and where everything currently stands. After such a long and frustrating few months, it feels amazing to finally be moving again. There’s still a lot to sort out, but getting Escapade back in the water and sailing through the beautiful islands of Panama feels like a huge step forward. ❤️ 📍 San Blas Islands, Panama → Bocas del Toro ⛵️ Follow our journey aboard Escapade as we continue sailing through Panama and beyond! Thank you so much for all the incredible messages, encouragement and support you’ve sent us throughout this whole experience. It genuinely means so much to us. If you'd like to support us while we work through the costs of getting Escapade repaired and back to where she needs to be, you can find our GoFundMe here: https://gofund.me/bafa058ff Thanks for watching and coming along for the journey! Janaye & Jason Leading the Escapade ⛵️ ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ⛵ Join us aboard our 40ft sailboat, Escapade, as we navigate the highs and lows of full-time sailing, boat life, and the adventures that come with exploring the world by sea. 🔥 If you're enjoying the videos, you can Hype this episode on YouTube to help support the channel and share our adventures with more people. 🎥 Watch from the beginning: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLcpg_1nM2Z5zzbEr20cfs0K1W3FAV46DJ 🫶🏽 Patreon (early access / ad-free): https://www.patreon.com/Leadingtheescapade ☕ One-off support: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/leadingtheescapade

We’ve been itching to get back out exploring, and this time we’ve got a new toy to see the adventure from a whole different perspective! 🚁 In this episode, we take the Antigravity A1 out for its first real adventure. After learning the basics back in the boatyard, we head to Bocas del Toro, Panama, for a full day of exploring. Janaye rides a motorbike for the first time, we hit dirt tracks and island trails, chase some epic tracking shots, and take the A1 over the surf for a seriously immersive perspective. And after a full day of building confidence, we attempt something we definitely weren’t ready for at the start… launching and landing the drone on the boat! 😳 Another day of exploring, experimenting and figuring it out as we go. 🌴⛵️ ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 🚨 Antigravity Labor Day Sale! 🚨 The Antigravity A1 is now up to 25% OFF for a limited time! 🚁 🎁 First 10 orders using code AGRA0R9 or this link get: FREE flight battery ($99.99 value) 20% OFF Care Plan 🛒 Amazon: https://bit.ly/amz_A1_LeadingtheEscapade Extra bundle deals: 🔋 Infinity Bundle → FREE High-Capacity Battery Code: HCB100DS 🔋 Explorer or Standard Bundle → FREE Standard Battery Code: STB100DS 🛡️ Any drone bundle → 20% OFF 1- or 2-Year Care Plan Code: 20CAREDS #360Drone #Antigravity #DroneCamera ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ⛵ Join us aboard our 40ft sailboat, Escapade, as we navigate the highs and lows of full-time sailing, boat life, and the adventures that come with exploring the world by sea. 🔥 If you're enjoying the videos, you can Hype this episode on YouTube to help support the channel and share our adventures with more people. 🎥 Watch from the beginning: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLcpg_1nM2Z5zzbEr20cfs0K1W3FAV46DJ 🫶🏽 Patreon (early access / ad-free): https://www.patreon.com/Leadingtheescapade ☕ One-off support: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/leadingtheescapade

After our boat was badly damaged by the boatyard, we now have to trust them to lift Escapade again — and this time, everything has to go right. After everything that happened to Escapade, the time finally comes to start putting her back together. But before we can get anywhere near putting this nightmare behind us, there is one thing we have been absolutely dreading… we have to trust the boatyard to lift our boat again. After watching our boat sustain serious damage during the previous lift, seeing her go back onto the same equipment was nerve-wracking to say the least. This time, every lifting point, every support and every movement matters. In this episode, we begin the repairs and start dismantling parts of the cabin to access the areas that need to be rebuilt. We show you exactly what is involved in repairing the structural damage, what we discover along the way, and how the repair process comes together. At the same time, things with the boatyard continue to be difficult, with more challenges and frustrations appearing as we try to get Escapade repaired and ready for the next stage. After months of being stuck, dealing with the damage, insurance battles, unexpected costs and one setback after another, we're desperate to finally get our home back to where she needs to be. But we're not counting our chickens just yet… Thank you so much for all the incredible support and messages you've sent us throughout this whole experience. ❤️ If you'd like to support us while we work through the costs of getting Escapade back to where she needs to be, you can find our GoFundMe here: https://gofund.me/bafa058ff Thanks for watching and coming along for the journey. Janaye & Jason Leading the Escapade ⛵️ ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ⛵ Join us aboard our 40ft sailboat, Escapade, as we navigate the highs and lows of full-time sailing, boat life, and the adventures that come with exploring the world by sea. 🔥 If you're enjoying the videos, you can Hype this episode on YouTube to help support the channel and share our adventures with more people. 🎥 Watch from the beginning: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLcpg_1nM2Z5zzbEr20cfs0K1W3FAV46DJ 🫶🏽 Patreon (early access / ad-free): https://www.patreon.com/Leadingtheescapade ☕ One-off support: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/leadingtheescapade

Our sailboat haul-out turned into the biggest nightmare we've ever faced after unexpected damage, an insurance dispute, and a lightning strike. What should have been a routine haul-out quickly turned into the biggest ordeal we've ever faced with our boat. What followed was months of uncertainty, unexpected damage, insurance disputes, and one setback after another. Just when we thought things couldn't get any worse… lightning struck ⚡️ In this episode, we're sharing everything that happened, the challenges of getting our boat repaired, the financial and emotional toll it took, and where things stand now. If you've been following our journey, thank you for sticking with us through one of the toughest chapters yet. We hope sharing our experience helps other sailors know what to watch out for and reminds you that even when everything seems to be going wrong, you just have to keep moving forward. If you'd like to support our journey, watching our videos, subscribing, liking, commenting, and sharing them with others all make a huge difference and help us continue creating these adventures. ❤️ Many of you have also asked if there's a way to help with the unexpected repair costs after everything that's happened. If you'd like to contribute, we've created a GoFundMe. There's absolutely no pressure or expectation—we're incredibly grateful for your support in any form. 👉 GoFundMe: https://gofund.me/bafa058ff ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ⛵ Join us aboard our 40ft sailboat, Escapade, as we navigate the highs and lows of full-time sailing, boat life, and the adventures that come with exploring the world by sea. 🔥 If you're enjoying the videos, you can Hype this episode on YouTube to help support the channel and share our adventures with more people. 🎥 Watch from the beginning: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLcpg_1nM2Z5zzbEr20cfs0K1W3FAV46DJ 🫶🏽 Patreon (early access / ad-free): https://www.patreon.com/Leadingtheescapade ☕ One-off support: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/leadingtheescapade

After two weeks on the hard stand smashing through boat jobs, we're getting closer than ever to putting Escapade back in the water! This week we freshen up the bottom with a new coat of antifoul, install our brand new headsail, varnish the cockpit table, oil the shower grate, fit a new Rocna stainless steel swivel, and tackle a long list of those last-minute maintenance jobs that always seem to pop up before splash day. It's amazing how quickly the to-do list grows, but seeing everything come together has us even more excited to get back out sailing. Next stop... launch day! ⛵ ⛵ South East Asia Sails One of the biggest upgrades we're making is our brand new headsail, custom-built by South East Asia Sails. We couldn't be happier with the quality and craftsmanship. 👉 Learn more here: https://southeastasiasails.com/?srsltid=AfmBOopfQL9qV_GJt2PBLp24ylbY3D0Au7Fuzy6v8xKDA2-RkNJGeOMg ⚓ Rocna Stainless Steel Swivel We also upgraded our anchor setup with the Rocna Stainless Steel Swivel, designed to help keep the anchor and chain aligned while reducing twist. 👉 Check it out here: https://rocna.com/products/rocna-swivel/ 🛠️ TotalBoat Products Used in This Episode A huge thanks to TotalBoat for supporting this project. Here are the products we used in this episode: • Dewaxer & Surface Prep https://www.totalboat.com/products/dewaxer-surface-prep-solvent • Spartan Black Antifouling Paint https://www.totalboat.com/products/spartan-multi-season-antifouling-paint • TotalProtect Epoxy Barrier Coat Primer https://www.totalboat.com/products/totalprotect-epoxy-barrier-coat-primer • Gleam Marine Spar Varnish https://www.totalboat.com/products/gleam-marine-spar-varnish • Prop Coat Barnacle Barrier (Prop Shaft Antifouling Spray) https://www.totalboat.com/products/outdrive-af-antifouling-prop-outdrive-spray-paint

Check out the Fitnexa SomniPods 3 here to apply $10 off: https://go.fitnexa.com/wyIdKP #Fitnexa #SomniPods3 #travelsleep What started as a few small cracks quickly turned into a more involved repair than we expected… While inspecting our sailboat’s rudder, Jase noticed cracking around the rudder stock. What seemed like a minor cosmetic issue led us to grind back a small area of fiberglass to see how far the cracks went. By the time we reached solid material, we had uncovered a section that needed proper attention. With the damaged area exposed, it was time to learn a completely new skill. Using epoxy, fiberglass, and fairing techniques, we carefully rebuilt and reshaped the rudder back to its original profile. It was a challenging repair, but one that gave us the confidence to tackle future maintenance projects with a little more know-how. #BoatRepair #FiberglassRepair #diyboatrepair ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ⛵ Join us aboard our 40ft sailboat, Escapade, as we prepare for our upcoming Pacific crossing. 🔥 If you're enjoying the videos, you can Hype this episode on YouTube to help support the channel and share our adventures with more people. 🎥 Watch from the beginning: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLcpg_1nM2Z5zzbEr20cfs0K1W3FAV46DJ 🫶🏽 Patreon (early access / ad-free): https://www.patreon.com/Leadingtheescapade ☕ One-off support: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/leadingtheescapade

What happens if a through-hull fitting fails offshore? As we prepare Escapade for a Pacific Ocean crossing, we're tackling one of the most important sailboat maintenance jobs we've ever done: replacing our through-hull fittings and seacocks with a complete TruDesign installation. While it might not be the most exciting boat project, neglected through-hulls can become a major safety risk. A failure below the waterline can quickly turn into every sailor's worst nightmare. In this episode, we remove our old fittings, install new TruDesign composite through-hulls and seacocks, and take another big step towards getting Escapade ready for thousands of miles of offshore sailing. If you're planning a long-distance sailing adventure, cruising offshore, or simply want to make your boat safer, this is one maintenance job worth paying attention to. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Where to find TruDesign products: 🇺🇸 USA: Shop TruDesign products through Gemlux: https://gemlux.com/ 🌍 All other countries: Find your local TruDesign distributor here: https://www.trudesign.nz/marine/distributors ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Products we used in this project from TotalBoat: • TotalBoat TotalProtect Epoxy Barrier Coat: https://www.totalboat.com/products/totalprotect-epoxy-primer • TotalBoat TotalBilge Epoxy Bilge Paint: https://www.totalboat.com/products/totalbilge-epoxy-bilge-paint • TotalBoat Dewaxer & Surface Prep: https://www.totalboat.com/products/dewaxer-surface-prep ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ⛵ Join us aboard our 40ft sailboat, Escapade, as we prepare for our upcoming Pacific crossing. 🔥 If you're enjoying the videos, you can Hype this episode on YouTube to help support the channel and share our adventures with more people. 🎥 Watch from the beginning: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLcpg_1nM2Z5zzbEr20cfs0K1W3FAV46DJ 🫶🏽 Patreon (early access / ad-free): https://www.patreon.com/Leadingtheescapade ☕ One-off support: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/leadingtheescapade

After arriving in Panama from the San Blas Islands, it's time to haul Escapade out of the water and begin preparing for our biggest sailing adventure yet: crossing the Pacific Ocean. The plan seems straightforward. A few routine maintenance jobs, a bit of boat work, and then back in the water. With Escapade safely ashore, we remove the rudder, begin hull preparations, polish the topsides, repair our outboard motor, and tackle grinding back and barrier coating the keel. It's all part of getting the boat ready for the thousands of miles that lie ahead. At the time, everything felt like it was going to plan. Looking back now, this haul out would mark the beginning of one of the most challenging chapters we've faced aboard Escapade. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 🔧 Thanks to TotalBoat for supporting our boat maintenance and refit projects. We've been using their products throughout our preparations for the Pacific crossing and beyond: [LINK] https://www.totalboat.com/?srsltid=AfmBOorfJFbwQ2E3wskoSICu1-Wa5QrDKDv9ekDPTVC8sT9UXlRtxUSh ⛵ Join us aboard our 40ft sailboat, Escapade, as we continue our full-time sailing journey through the Caribbean and beyond. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 🔥 If you're enjoying the videos, you can Hype this episode on YouTube to help support the channel and share our adventures with more people. 🎥 Watch from the beginning: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLcpg_1nM2Z5zzbEr20cfs0K1W3FAV46DJ 🫶🏽 Patreon (early access / ad-free): https://www.patreon.com/Leadingtheescapade ☕ One-off support: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/leadingtheescapade

After weeks of offshore passages, unexpected challenges, and nonstop movement, we finally wake up in one of the most beautiful cruising destinations in the world: the San Blas Islands of Panama. With only one day to explore before continuing our journey, we move Escapade into crystal-clear shallow waters and set out to discover why sailors fall in love with this Caribbean paradise. From snorkelling reefs to visiting one of the most popular islands among cruisers—with its beach bar, hammocks in the water, and even an overwater bungalow—we soak up everything San Blas has to offer. Jason and Tom head out spearfishing, successfully catching invasive lionfish before feeding the remains to the waiting reef sharks below. Then, just as quickly as we arrived, it's time to move on. The next morning, we set sail for mainland Panama, where Escapade will be hauled out for routine maintenance and final preparations before our biggest adventure yet: crossing the Pacific Ocean. ⛵ Join us aboard our 40ft sailboat, Escapade, as we continue our full-time sailing journey through the Caribbean and beyond. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 🔥 If you're enjoying the videos, you can Hype this episode on YouTube to help support the channel and share our adventures with more people. 🎥 Watch from the beginning: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLcpg_1nM2Z5zzbEr20cfs0K1W3FAV46DJ 🫶🏽 Patreon (early access / ad-free): https://www.patreon.com/Leadingtheescapade ☕ One-off support: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/leadingtheescapade

After a whirlwind week in Cartagena, it's time to continue our journey west. Before leaving Colombia, we make the most of our time ashore celebrating our friends' wedding and exploring one of the Caribbean's most vibrant cities. From island beach clubs and sunset catamaran cruises to Cartagena's famous party buses, walking tours, and the wedding itself, it's a week we'll never forget. But we need to get a move on if we want to cross The Pacific Ocean this year! After lessons learned on our passage from the USA to Colombia, we take advantage of Colombia's incredibly cheap fuel prices and stock up on extra jerry cans before heading offshore once more. With Escapade ready to go, we set sail on an overnight passage bound for the legendary San Blas Islands. The conditions are better than expected, the miles disappear quickly, and before we know it, we're approaching the islands much sooner than planned. As darkness falls, we carefully navigate our way into one of the Caribbean's most remote cruising destinations and drop anchor among the palm-fringed islands of San Blas. ⛵ Join us as we continue our sailing adventure through the Caribbean aboard our 40ft sailboat, Escapade. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 🔥 If you're enjoying the videos, you can Hype this episode on YouTube to help support the channel and share our adventures with more people. 🎥 Watch from the beginning: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLcpg_1nM2Z5zzbEr20cfs0K1W3FAV46DJ 🫶🏽 Patreon (early access / ad-free): https://www.patreon.com/Leadingtheescapade ☕ One-off support: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/leadingtheescapade

The final stretch to Colombia… and after everything this passage threw at us, the wind completely disappears. After battling storms, big seas, a shredded headsail, and days offshore, we spend the entire night drifting slowly toward Cartagena at just 2–3 knots. If we’d had enough fuel, we could have arrived the night before — but instead we’re left floating offshore, eager to finally complete the passage and make landfall. Luckily, our amazing friends come to the rescue, bringing fuel out to the entrance of the port so we can safely motor the final miles into the marina, step onto land for the first time in days, and finally celebrate making it to Colombia together. This is the final episode of our passage from the USA to Colombia aboard Escapade 🇨🇴 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ⛵ Support / GoFundMe (HeadSail replacement): After our headsail failed during this passage, a lot of you asked how you could help. We’ve set up a fundraiser to go directly toward replacing the sail and getting Escapade safely moving again. https://gofund.me/73555833f Thank you so much to everyone who has already supported us, shared kind messages, or donated -including through PayPal. It genuinely means a lot 🥹 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ⛵ Follow the journey as we sail from the USA to Colombia aboard our 40ft sailboat, Escapade — daily episodes documenting offshore life, ocean crossings, and everything in between. 🔥 If you’re enjoying the series, you can Hype this video on YouTube to help support the channel and push it to more people. 🎥 Watch from the beginning: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLcpg_1nM2Z5x0VEfLF0XzUTVuvq 🫶🏽 Patreon (early access / ad-free): https://www.patreon.com/Leadingtheescapade ☕ One-off support: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/leadingtheescapade #Colombia #SailingTheCaribbean #OceanPassage

Day 13 & 14 of our offshore passage from the USA to Colombia… After days at sea, the weather forecast suddenly shifts for the worse. What was meant to be manageable conditions turns into a long-lasting storm stretching across the entire Caribbean Sea — leaving us with nowhere to run and no way around it. With 50 knot gusts, massive swell, waves breaking over the boat, and almost no chance to properly rest, the boys take turns steering through the chaos before collapsing into the cockpit completely soaked between watches. This is the raw reality of offshore sailing when the ocean decides otherwise. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ⛵ Support / GoFundMe (HeadSail replacement): After our headsail failed during this passage, a lot of you asked how you could help. We’ve set up a fundraiser to go directly toward replacing the sail and getting Escapade safely moving again. https://gofund.me/73555833f Thank you so much to everyone who has already supported us, shared kind messages, or donated — including through PayPal. It genuinely means a lot. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ⛵ Follow the journey as we sail from the USA to Colombia aboard our 40ft sailboat, Escapade — daily episodes documenting offshore life, ocean crossings, and everything in between. 🔥 If you’re enjoying the series, you can Hype this video on YouTube to help support the channel and push it to more people. 🎥 Watch from the beginning: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLcpg_1nM2Z5x0VEfLF0XzUTVuvq 🫶🏽 Patreon (early access / ad-free): https://www.patreon.com/Leadingtheescapade ☕ One-off support: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/leadingtheescapade #offshoresailing #oceanvoyage #stormatsea

Day 12 of our sail from the USA to South America… and this is where the crossing starts to get rough. After finally reaching stronger winds out in the Caribbean Sea, the conditions quickly deteriorate and our headsail completely shreds offshore. With over 30 knots of wind, building swell, and no fuel left to rely on, we’re forced to drag the sail down on a violently rolling deck and attempt repairs in the middle of the ocean. Exhausted, sleep deprived, sea sick, and running purely on adrenaline, this turned into one of the hardest days we’ve faced aboard Escapade so far. Even Tom — who has never been sea sick before — finally reaches his limit while helping repair the sail down below. To make things worse, we get caught in a nasty squall with winds of 45 knots as the reality of offshore sailing really begins to hit. This episode is a raw look at what life can actually be like crossing an ocean on a 40ft sailboat when things stop going to plan. ⛵ Follow the journey as we sail from the USA to Colombia aboard our 40ft sailboat, Escapade — daily episodes documenting the reality of life offshore, ocean crossings, unexpected moments, and everything that comes with sailing across the Caribbean Sea. 🔥 If you’re enjoying the series, you can now Hype this video on YouTube to help push it to more people and support the channel. 🎥 Watch from the beginning: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLcpg_1nM2Z5x0VEfLF0XzUTVuvq 🫶🏽 Support the channel & get early access/ad-free videos: https://www.patreon.com/Leadingtheescapade ☕ One-off support: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/leadingtheescapade 📍 Follow us in real time: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/leadingtheescapade #offshoresailing #oceancrossing #boatlife

Day 11 of our sail from the USA to South America… and today feels like a real turning point. The last glimpse of land disappears behind us as we head further offshore with nothing but ocean ahead. After barely any wind and carefully watching our fuel levels, we finally start to feel the conditions changing as stronger breeze begins to fill in and we edge closer to the trade winds. Along the way we dodge huge cargo ships crossing our path, celebrate Tom’s 40th birthday at sea, and get an incredible visit from dolphins riding the bow of Escapade. This was one of those raw, slower days offshore that really shows what ocean sailing is actually like. ⛵ Follow the journey as we sail from the USA to Colombia aboard our 40ft sailboat, Escapade — 🔥 If you’re enjoying the series, you can now Hype this video on YouTube to help push it to more people and support the channel. 🎥 Watch from the beginning: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLcpg_1nM2Z5x0VEfLF0XzUTVuvq 🫶🏽 Support the channel & get early access/ad-free videos: https://www.patreon.com/Leadingtheescapade ☕ One-off support: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/leadingtheescapade #sailingvlog #caribbeansailing #sailingadventures

Day 9-10 of our sail from the USA to Colombia… and this stretch tested us hard. We’re still battling 30 knot winds as we try to make our way past Cuba and toward the channel between Cuba and Haiti. But between the strong current pushing against us and the wind directly on the nose, every tack feels pointless. No matter what we do, we’re barely making any ground. Then things get worse. The weight of our outboard engine snaps the bolt holding part of the pushpit into the boat, leaving us trying to deal with damage offshore in rough conditions. After hours of fighting the current, we’re forced to make an unexpected decision… turn the engine on and motor our way past Cuba. But there’s another problem waiting ahead. As we approach Haiti, we know we’re about to hit a huge wind shadow — and suddenly we’re not sure if we even have enough fuel left to get through it. ⛵ Follow our sail from the USA to Colombia 🎥 Start the series here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLcpg_1nM2Z5x0VEfLF0XzUTVuvqNrpM3P ❤️ Support the journey & watch early/ad-free videos: Patreon → https://www.patreon.com/Leadingtheescapade 🫶🏽 One-off support: PayPal → https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=R48D67JJBMDB4 Subscribe and follow along as we prepare Escapade for our Pacific crossing. CHAPTERS: INTRO: 0:00 DAILY VLOG: 1:10

We Fixed the Sail… But Now the Rigging Might Fail | Day 8 We fixed the sail and set off again… but now we’re worried the rigging might fail. After tearing our sail on our first attempt to leave the Bahamas, we finally get it repaired and feel ready to try again. We haul anchor, hoist the sails, and set off towards Colombia… hoping this time everything goes to plan. But almost immediately, something doesn’t feel right. Our new rigging is making us second guess everything. It seems looser than it should be, and out here in open ocean, that’s not exactly something you want to be unsure about. Add to that another questionable weather forecast, and we’re already pushing into 30 knots of wind… again. We’re hoping things settle down tomorrow. …but they don’t. This is just the beginning of what turns into a much tougher passage than we expected. If you enjoy sailing adventures, real offshore challenges, and the ups and downs of life at sea, make sure to subscribe and follow along 🤙 ⛵ Follow our sail from the USA to Colombia 🎥 Start the series here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLcpg_1nM2Z5x0VEfLF0XzUTVuvqNrpM3P ❤️ Support the journey & watch early/ad-free videos: Patreon → https://www.patreon.com/Leadingtheescapade 🫶🏽 One-off support: PayPal → https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=R48D67JJBMDB4 Subscribe and follow along as we prepare Escapade for our Pacific crossing. CHAPTERS: INTRO: 0:00 DAILY VLOG: 1:10

We use Airalo to stay connected when we land in new countries — super easy eSIMs with no physical SIM needed. Try it here: https://try.airalo.com/leading Code: LEADING Day 7 continued of our sail from the USA to Colombia… and this is not how we imagined it going. After days of waiting in the Bahamas for the right weather window, it’s finally time. We’re prepped, fuelled, stocked up, and ready to go. We haul anchor, raise the sails, and set off—this is it. But almost immediately, things take a turn. Out of nowhere, a squall rolls through and hits us hard. Winds spike to 40 knots, catching us completely off guard… and within moments, disaster strikes. Our sail tears almost from top to bottom. Just like that, our crossing is over before it even begins. We’re forced to turn around and head back, dealing with the damage and figuring out how to repair a shredded sail well enough to try again. It’s frustrating, it’s exhausting, but this is all part of life offshore. Now it’s a race against time to fix everything and get back out there tomorrow. ⛵ Follow our sail from the USA to Colombia 🎥 Start the series here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLcpg_1nM2Z5x0VEfLF0XzUTVuvqNrpM3P ❤️ Support the journey & watch early/ad-free videos: Patreon → https://www.patreon.com/Leadingtheescapade 🫶🏽 One-off support: PayPal → https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=R48D67JJBMDB4 Subscribe and follow along as we prepare Escapade for our Pacific crossing. CHAPTERS: INTRO: 0:00 DAILY VLOG: 1:10

Still tucked away in the Ragged Islands, we’re waiting on the right weather window to make our next big move south to Colombia… but life out here doesn’t exactly slow down. While we wait, it’s time to get a few jobs ticked off. We break out the sewing machine onboard and get to work repairing our canvas, replacing the clear panels in the biminey, and even sewing zips onto our flexible solar panels to make them easier to manage underway. Of course, it’s not all work… the boys head out and manage to catch a fresh grouper and lobster, which turns into the ultimate beach bonfire catch & cook on a remote island. Nights like this are hard to beat. But the waiting finally comes to an end. A weather window opens up—and just like that, it’s go time. We scramble to prep for the passage, cook up food, grab fuel, and get Escapade ready to head offshore once again. Before we leave, we squeeze in one last bit of fun… taking the underwater scooter out for a spin in these unreal Bahamian waters. Next stop: Colombia 🇨🇴 ⛵ Follow our sail from the USA to Colombia 🎥 Start the series here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLcpg_1nM2Z5x0VEfLF0XzUTVuvqNrpM3P ❤️ Support the journey & watch early/ad-free videos: Patreon → https://www.patreon.com/Leadingtheescapade 🫶🏽 One-off support: PayPal → https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=R48D67JJBMDB4 Subscribe and follow along as we prepare Escapade for our Pacific crossing. CHAPTERS: INTRO: 0:00 DAILY VLOG: 1:10