People ask us all the time — how do you fly a spinnaker on a Balance catamaran? In this video, Phil from Zoom Sails (who designed every sail for SV GoTFO) walks us through step-by-step: ⚓ Rigging with color-coded sheets & guys (Port sheet = red, Starboard sheet = green, Guys = black) ⚓ Hoist sequence — halyard + sock deployment ⚓ Trimming — sheets side-to-side, guys control foot height ⚓ Flying angles — best between the 120s°, can fly as high as 90° relative ⚓ The douse — comms, shackle release, sock down, halyard down We’ve flown “Big Purple” before, but this lesson was about balance and confidence. Even though Dennis wasn’t aboard, Phil was in Greece as we passed south — and I had to step in. My Love Bug 💜🐞 reflection? Sailing teaches us to own our triggers, protect each other when we’re flooded, and always return to the calm at the helm. 📧 Want our wind-angle PDF? Email us at gtfoplan@gmail.com. #GTFOplan #SVGTFO #ZoomSails #SpinnakerLesson Phil of ZoomSails.com CURRENT LOCATION: https://forecast.predictwind.com/tracking/display/SV-GTFO/ ABOUT OUR CATAMARAN: We love our new Balance 482 - it's a perfect size for a cruising couple to handle and is a great "balance" of performance and comfort. One of our favorite features is the excellent ventilation since we mostly live as "hookers" (aka at anchor) where the boat automatically turns into the wind so we stay cool and we don't need to battle mold. We also have starlink for easy off-grid life. Our 2400 watt solar panel array also means we rarely need to run an engine to charge our batteries. ABOUT US: We saved for a our future boat, sold everything that we owned, and shipped the rest in a container to Cape Town, South Africa. We then flew there and explored South Africa by way of a safari and touring Cape Town before moving aboard our boat. We then sailed to Saint Helena, Ascension Island, Fernando de Naronha (Brazil), Martinique, Sint Maarten (Dutch and French side), the US Virgin Islands (Saint Croix, Saint John, and Saint Thomas), the British Virgin Islands (Anegada, Norman Island, Jost van Dyke, and Anegada), The Bahamas (Inagua, Crooked Island, Long Island, George Town, Staniel Cay, the Exumas, and Eleuthera). We then sailed back to the United States, making landfall in Cape Canaveral, Florida. From there our destinations are endless! Both Dennis and Ann grew up military brats with Army fathers. Dennis (the Colonel) served 30 years in the US Army and his retirement pension helped us retire in our 50s. Ann (the ship's Captain) wrote Test Automation in Python and Java. Dennis and Ann met on Match.com where Ann had in her profile "Do you want to sail the world with me?" Ann easily brought Dennis into sailing, and he loved the GTFOplan of retiring early and sailing the world. After many years of saving, living on one income but earning two, and cutting back on everything possible, they saved enough to buy a Balance 482. Follow them as they get real about boat life and all the hassles of buying a new boat because we all know N.E.W. means Not Everything Works. Kisses, Ann & Dennis Twitter: @GTFOplan Facebook: https://facebook.com/anndennis.snellikin.3 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gtfoplan/ YouTube: www.youtube.com/c/gtfoplan Email: gtfoplan@gmail.com

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🚤 Wake boat fans, this one’s for you! 🔥 Sea Ray SLX 280⚡ Yamaha 255 XD🌊 Yamaha 252 SD Tag someone who needs one of these for their next lake day. 🏄☀️ Designed for cruising, watersports, and entertaining. Visit BoatTEST.com to watch these tests, #WakeBoats #SeaRaySLX280 #Yamaha255XD #Yamaha252SD #BoatTEST #LifeIsBetteronaBoat #lakeBoat

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1st November 5pm Update – 3 Hours into the 2024 Melbourne to Devonport Race The fleet is settling into Bass Strait, enjoying flat seas and 15 knots from the south in what has been termed "peachy conditions." Leading the fleet are MRV and eXtasea, with the fleet staying just east of the rhumb line. In an interview at 4pm, Rod Smallman on Maverick predicted that those who pick the right time to tack may have the advantage, as they await a wind change later tonight. He went on to suggest that it could turn out to be a small boat race for handicap honors given the predicted conditions, though tactics will play a large part. The fleet is closely packed, with each tracker update giving everyone a chance at the handicap win. Keep an eye on the tracker https://race.bluewatertracks.com/2024-melbourne-to-devonport-rudder-cup and enjoy whilst we wait for the wind to change the interview with Rod Smallman here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MKb4a8r4e7M

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The Fountaine Pajot Flybridge 35 motor cat has been sold.

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