Footage and Editing by Daniel Gonzolez St. Pete Sailing Charters www.StPeteSailing.com The holidays are here, and we’re thrilled to introduce a magical new experience – our Private Holiday Light Christmas Cruise! Imagine gliding across the tranquil waters of Tampa Bay aboard our beautifully decorated sailboat, bathed in the warm glow of Christmas lights. We’ll take you on an enchanting evening tour of the St. Pete Pier waterfront, where the city’s dazzling holiday light displays create a breathtaking backdrop. This exclusive cruise offers: - A cozy and festive cruising experience. - Front-row views of downtown St. Pete’s sparkling holiday lights. - Holiday treats and beverage options to keep you warm and merry. Whether you’re celebrating with family, friends, or that special someone, this private cruise is the perfect way to capture the magic of the season. Limited bookings are available. Reserve your spot today to ensure you don’t miss out on this unforgettable holiday tradition. www.stpetesailing.com

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Ski and sail trip to West Greenland

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If you’re bringing your sails into the loft for service or storage using a drawstring sail bag, you may be staring at that gold UK Sailmakers bag that’s been stashed below deck for months, or even years, wondering how your sail will ever fit. Trust us: over the years, our lofts have seen some very creative folding techniques! Getting your sails serviced before the spring sailing season is key to keeping them performing at their best, and catching small maintenance issues early can help prevent costly repairs down the road. Your local UK Sailmakers loft can inspect, repair, or clean your sails, and if you’re thinking about a new one, this is the perfect time to plan for spring delivery. We can help you create a multi-year plan to suit your needs, budget, and sailing goals. Some UK Sailmakers lofts also offer collection and installation services to make it easy to bring your sails in for repair, winter storage, or return. But if you’re dropping your sails off yourself and are wondering how to fit them into a standard drawstring bag, follow this step-by-step guide—it will save you time and make your sailmaker’s job easier. Step 1: Remove any battens and sheets from the sail and lay it out on a clean, flat surface—like a dock finger, sailing club lawn, or other smooth area. Avoid dragging the sail across rough concrete or other hard, abrasive surfaces. Step 2: Flatten about an arm span’s width of the foot, keeping the remainder of the sail neatly piled beside it without twists. Step 3: Grip the foot of the sail while holding the section for your first fold taut. Keep the height of your drawstring bag in mind and make folds slightly narrower than your sail bag’s height to ensure a good fit. Step 4: Continue flaking the sail back and forth, staying between the tack and clew, all the way to the head. You don’t need to stack the luff like you would for a racing sail “sausage bag,” though you can if you prefer. Step 5: Fold over the tack edge over, then roll the sail toward the clew. Step 6: Secure the rolled sail with sail ties and slide it into your drawstring bag. Done!

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This onboard video was taken while racing the Didi 26 "Umoya" on Table Bay in South Africa. The log shows 10.9 knots but was not working. The GPS showed actual speed of 18 knots.

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Good morning from the moat of Matsue Castle, where turtles bask, cherry trees sway, and history lingers in the quiet corners. I’ve just visited the former home of Lafcadio Hearn, the beloved storyteller who helped introduce Japan to the Western world in the late 19th century. Hearn was a foreigner here—just like me—and yet he was deeply embraced, not because of status or novelty, but because of his cultural curiosity and willingness to listen. His legacy reminds us that belonging in another culture begins with humility and respect. I understand why some people in Japan are experiencing a rise in discomfort around tourism—crowded streets, noise, and frayed public manners. Even I get irritated when people cut in line or talk loudly on trains. Yet in my own experience, I’ve rarely felt hostility. When foreigners arrive with sensitivity, Japan almost always responds with warmth. My personal connection to Hearn reaches across time—years ago, his great-nephew rented my house in Vancouver after I moved to Japan. Now, back in Matsue, I’m heading out to see the turtles, symbols of longevity—another thread in this journey. See you on the water. #Japan #LafcadioHearn #Matsue #MatsueCastle #ForeignersInJapan #Longevity #JapanTravel #CulturalExchange #TravelVlog #JapanCulture #BlueZonesJapan #SustainableTravel #SlowTravel #Storytelling #HistoryJapan

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We celebrated the 4th of July on Moho Island. What a blast! The island was the most beautiful well kept island. They had a long dock that lead to a waterslide into the ocean. They had a swimming pool and a bar. We had the best day!

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