On Father's Day and all my father wanted to do was try his new Flight Board. He's had it for a few months but had not time to use it. We wanted to make sure if the wind picked up, he didn't end up in Waubaushene! Since I have a sweet Highfield Sport 390, I offered to provide rescue support. With 60 horsepower, the Sport 390 will run 40 mph. Plenty to keep up with the Flight Board. Turns out he didn't need it any support! There were plenty of crashes but no one got hurt. Just another amazing day in a Highfield.

Dinghy adventures are the BEST! For a number of years now there has been a super fun dinghy poker run to raise funds for breast cancer patients that we call the "Pink Dinghy Run". This year we upgraded our super-light Classic 340 to a MUCH more comfortable Sport 390. The CL340 is light enough to secure on our davit system without taking the engine off, which makes it perfect for long sailing trips. But there are so many places to explore on the Bay that we were excited to upgrade to a full console SP390 that has a 20-degree hull which slices through waves and wakes like butter! Which is great when the dinghy run will take us about 15 nautical miles to complete! Other than some serious rain just after the last card spot, it was a flawless day. The SP390 was a fast pirate ship for one day. Now we have to find the next dinghy adventure. Fishing anyone?

We purchased a bigger RHIB with a centre console when we got back to Georgian Bay. Light enough to hoist on our davit, our CL340 was perfect while sailing. But for bigger/longer dinghy adventures on G-bay, we wanted a proper RHIB with a console and a big water hull. Luckily CO2 had a used Sport 390 that we added a Yamaha F60 to. BUT… it didn’t come with an arch. So we ordered one but it took a bit to get. Today, to save some $$$, I decided to install it myself. With some tips from Les at CO2, it was easy!

There's something really nice about an early morning boat ride, when the sun is shining and the winds are low. Located Right next to Beusoleil, the Gin Islands are just two of 63 islands that make up the Georgian Bay Islands National Park. Well known to Aboriginal peoples as a bad weather refuge and stopping place, Beausoleil was used as a base for hunting and trading as far back as 7,000 years ago! Early voyageurs marked it as a midpoint on their travels between the Severn River and north Georgian Bay. Today it's a great recreational boating destination, with incredible views. Just be careful getting in. As always on Georgian Bay, there are plenty of rocks around!

Join us on this week's episode of Wide Eyed Adventures as we venture south in search of sunshine, sandy beaches, and thrilling experiences. Discover the hidden charm of Alabama's Hidden Meadow Vineyard, where a tranquil stay and exquisite wine tastings await. Then, soak up the coastal beauty of Luna Beach, indulging in the sun, sea, and sand. Our journey continues with scooter exploration, as we navigate the scenic landscapes of the Southern coast. From the vineyards to the beaches, this episode is a perfect blend of relaxation and adventure. Subscribe, like, and share to join us on our Southern escapade, and stay tuned for more exciting travel tales! 🌞🍷🏖️🛵 Challenge this week: See if you can spot the palm tree with Jon. It's hard to see. Let us know in the comments if you find it. Good luck and happy hunting! #WideEyedAdventures #Travel #Adventure #SouthernEscape #Alabama #WineTasting #BeachLife #Explore #ScooterAdventure #HiddenGems #Wanderlust #TravelGoals #SunSeaSand #WeeklyAdventures #Florida #RVLife #AlternativeLiving #Muscadine

Embark on a journey with Wide Eyed Adventure in this week's episode! Join us as we prep our RV for travel, starting with a trailer taillight install to ensure safety on the road. Dive into a detailed bike rack review, helping you choose the perfect gear for your upcoming adventures. Our road trip spans almost 3,000 km, taking us from Tennessee to Canada, where we pick up and install our new Genco Winter Boat Cover to protect African Queen from our harsh Canadian winters. Buckle up for an exciting ride as we document our travels and preparations, bringing you along for every mile of the journey. Subscribe now for an adventure-packed episode and valuable insights into sailing and RV travel, gear reviews, and winter boat protection! #wideeyedadventures #sailinglife #travel #RV #trailerlife #genco #winterboatcover #bikerack #trailerlights #installation #adventure

Join us on an enchanting journey with Wide Eyed Adventure as we explore the largest underground lake in the US, nestled within the historic Craighead Caverns. Our adventure kicks off in The Old Sweetwater Village, where log cabins house a mesmerizing glassblowing studio, captivating us with a live demonstration by the skilled Van Camp. Venturing 140 ft underground, we unravel the Lost Sea's rich history and unique geological formations, including delicate "cave flowers." The Cavern Tavern's intriguing past and the vast Underground Lake room add to the allure of our underground exploration. Discover the captivating story of hand-fed Rainbow Trout and their adaptations to the cave's low-light conditions. To top off our adventure, we indulge in a delightful Muscadine wine tasting at the Tsali Notch Vineyard, savoring the unique flavors of the region. As the sun sets, we reflect on the memories of our underground exploration, cherishing the unique treasures both below and above the Earth's surface. Like, subscribe, and hit the notification bell for more unforgettable Wide Eyed Adventures! 🌏✨ #WideEyedAdventure #UndergroundExploration #LostSeaCave #GlassblowingArt #HistoricCaverns #NatureTrail #MuscadineWineTasting #TsaliNotchVineyard #CaveHistory #CaveFlowers #NationalLandmark #RainbowTrout #rvlife #sailing #GeologicalFormations #WineLovers #CaveAdventures #UniqueFlavors #tennessee

While waiting in Tennessee for African Queen's winter cover to be finished, we find a few more things to do in Chattanooga. Their whiskey is great, and their waterfalls are underground! #wideeyedadventures #rubyfalls #chattanoogawhiskey #chattanooga #tennessee #travel #rvlife #sailinglife #waterfall #cave

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Season two and a new RV adventure begins! Overnight temps are dropping below zero so we MUST move the RV south. We say goodbye to African Queen IV for a few weeks while Genco finishes the winter cover, and head to Tennessee. Just far enough South to prevent the pipes from freezing, but close enough to make it back in one day to install the cover when it's ready. While staying at Over-Nighter RV Park, we find a few fun things to do in the area. Tennessee is awesome! #wideeyedadventures #sailinglife #tennessee #rvlife #travel #chattanooga #trainride #lookoutmountain #train #inclinerailway #unlimited #beefjerkey #harvesthost

Join us as we tackle challenges like fixing an air conditioning pump, navigating a decision about our dinghy, and skillfully hauling our boat out of the water. The excitement doesn't end there – immerse yourself in the spontaneity of camping by the scenic Ontario coast. Whether you're an outdoor enthusiast or just curious, this episode combines maintenance tasks, decision-making, and the joy of camping in the heart of Ontario. Don't miss out on this journey – hit the like button, subscribe, and share your thoughts as we explore the highs and lows of alternative living! 🏞️🚤🏕️ #outdooradventure #ontario #acrepair #decisionmaking #boathaulout #camping #outdoorlife #natureadventure #alternativeliving #wideeyedadventures #sailinglife #travelvlog #ebike #ferrari

We're back! With over 3,500 nautical miles under our keel, there was just no time to edit. We finally had an opportunity to stop for a few days where we were able to edit a few episodes. In this episode embark on an unforgettable Lake Erie escapade as we navigate the shimmering waters by dinghy to the idyllic Pelee Island! Our adventure kicks into high gear on scooters, exploring the island's scenic landscapes. At The Dog and Goat restaurant, we savor a delectable lunch and refreshing drinks before revving up for a hilarious golf cart race through the island's winding roads. The day peaks with wine tasting at renowned Pelee Island Winery, framed by breathtaking lake views. Join us for a day of laughter, camaraderie, and the sheer joy of discovering Pelee Island's hidden treasures on this epic Lake Erie journey! 🚤🏞️ #PeleeIslandAdventure #LakeErieExploration #IslandGetaway 🌅#Winetasting 🍷#WideEyedAdventures

We know we haven't posted in awhile. We have sailed out the St. Lawrence and are in NYC at the moment. Sailing 2500 nautical miles has taken up 95% of our time, leaving little time to edit. But we have a ton of content in the can and as soon as we anchor in one place for more than 2 days, we will start editing again. In the meantime, we really wanted to show how well our new Rocna Mark II anchor has been holding us. We have been through several major storms, including Hurricane Lee, which was downgraded to a tropical storm by the time it reached us, just north-east of Portland Maine. But it came very close with sustained winds in the 30 knot range and gusts in the low 40s. We found a very protected anchorage to avoid swells off the Atlantic and put a second anchor on deck just in case. But we never needed it. The Rocna held fast for over 36 hours. Amazing anchor!

There's a new Captain in town, boat logistics to iron out, and lots of fun to be had this week @wideeyedadventures.

We are back at the boat gong crazy with boat projects and the editing is suffering. For those of you following us on Facebook, you will have seen this link to the full length English Channel crossing we did with Steve from Highfield. 180 nautical miles in one day... in a 19-foot rubber boat. See the full episode on Highfield's Youtube channel here: https://youtu.be/M-baoEbaVB0 Follow us on Facebook for more real time updates: https://www.facebook.com/wideeyedadventures So what boat projects are we working on? - new anti-fouling paint - new anodes - repair bent propeller - sand, epoxy and paint the sail drive - change gear lube - change impeller - replace smelly 2" waste hose - add ball valve fittings to keep waste hose empty - install new Racor 500 fuel filter with metal bowl guard - build an emergency Dewatering pump (kit in a bag) - install new EPIRB with AIS - replace deck cars - replace broken swim platform pivot hinge - fix AIS - remove and stow gigantic Genco winter cover - replace all canvass - dodger, Bimini, camper, etc. - check diesel fuel condition and replace if necessary - measure location for Diesel Dipper - replace one Simrad wind instrument. - install radar reflector - assemble and updated first aid kit and new ditch bag Cheers!

In this episode we make some tough decisions... and among other things... go fishing!

One of our favourite things about sailing is getting to explore new places. This week on Wide Eyed Adventures, we try our hand in some local fishing, get new scooters and explore the cute Village of Erieau.

On this week’s Wide Eyed Adventure, we depart Port Dalhousie early in the morning for one stressful transit through the Welland Canal. The weather that morning was decent but the forecast was ominous… with a number of storms cells predicted for the region. Part of the St. Lawrence Seaway, the Welland Canal is a commercial shipping route connecting Lake Ontario and Lake Erie, effectively bypassing Niagara Falls. It is 27 miles in length… with eight locks allowing ships to ascend or descend the 326 foot elevation difference between Lake Ontario and Lake Erie. It allows recreational traffic, on a limited schedule. Upbound transits from Port Weller to Port Colborne are authorized on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays… but only with a confirmed reservation. You are expected to compete the transit in a single day, while giving way to any commercial ships that might cross your path. Our one-way transit cost in 2022 was $200.00. You must arrive and register with the Seaway’s Operations Control Centre before 9am on your scheduled transit day, or you will not be allowed to proceed. Tricky the first time, when you’re not sure exactly where to go. We show the exact location to check in at 02:30 in the video. We do have some experience with locks. We’ve travelled the Trent Severn from Lake Simcoe to Georgian Bay, at least a dozen times. And we transited the entire Trent waterway from Trenton to Georgian Bay… a 386 kilometer journey… back in 2017. But transiting the Welland Canal is a whole other ball game. Coming so close to monstrous commercial ships, was nerve racking. But far worse, were the massive currents generated, when filling the locks. These giant locks meant for ships up to 780 feet long! Our recommendations for upstream transits: 1. Bring at least 4 crew, more if you don't have a thruster. (3 were not enough) 2. Bring extra fenders - have at least 4 large fenders on each side to protect the hull. 3. Triple check the weather forecast. If winds over 20 knots are predicted, reschedule. 4. Book a slip at Sugarloaf marina for a rest after the transit. Lock 8 is the last lock before Port Colbourne. The lift is only 3 feet and we were told not to tie off, rather to sail slowly and the doors at the other end would open when ready. We drove as slowly as possible, in forward gear for two seconds then in idle position for five seconds. It seemed like forever, but the doors opened with room to spare. The lock masters and bridge operators are pros, and you can rely on their expert timing. Part 2 Our sail the next day from Port Colborne to Long Point was only 45 nautical miles. With light winds however, we were up early. But the leisurely sail was a welcome reprieve from the stressful canal transit. Long point is quite sheltered with plenty of protected anchorages. Keep an eye on water depth as you approach shore. On Day 3 we headed to Port Stanley, another 65 nautical miles west. Along the way we spotted a series of spectacular cliffs on the north shore between Port Bruce and Hawk Cliff. If we weren't pressed for time this would have been a great spot to anchor and explore. From Port Stanley we were headed for Erieau Marina, another 42 nautical miles South-West. And we had perfect weather… with winds out of the south west, between 8 and 12 knots right, on the beam most of the way. One thing that attracted us to Erieau Marina was its water depth. We draw over 6-feet and some marinas aren’t deep enough. No so with Erieau. Originally a commercial coal harbour the Erieau Marina’s average depth is over 12-feet. Couple that with extremely helpful staff, and incredible fishing… and we found the perfect spot to chill for a bit. If you want any tips on catching Walleye, Ponch at the Chandlery is really helpful! Music: Artlist.io

In this episode we continue our Great Lakes journey, sailing from Coburg to Toronto Island with a bit of skinny dipping (chunky dunking?) along the way. We meet up with a good friend before sailing to Port Dalhousie. Licensed Music & SFX: artist.io #sailing #lakeontario #toronto

In this episode we sail 90 nautical miles from Prince Edward Bay to Coburg Marina... pounded through 8 - 12 foot waves right on the nose... and find perhaps THE best place to provision on Lake Ontario! Lucas from the Market & Smor saw us staring at their mushroom display and asked if we could give hime a tour. This was completely impromptu, and in hindsight we wished we had brought the bigger camera and a proper mic. But we had no idea what we were about to see. If you are anywhere near the Coburg area, we highly recommend dropping in to pick up a few items! Links: The Market & Smor - https://themarketsmor.com Coburg Marina, a fantastic deep water port: https://www.cobourg.ca/en/Marina.aspx Licensed Music & SFX: artist.io #sailing #beneteau #lakeontario #coburg