EP 195: Engine Failure & Sailing into Bermuda with John Singerland - Blue Water Sailing Club

In this special edition of the Sailing and Cruising the East Coast of USA Podcast, host Bela Musits connects with seasoned skipper John Singerland aboard his sailing vessel Avocet after making landfall in Bermuda. As part of our ongoing coverage of the Blue Water Sailing Club’s Caribbean Challenge Cruise, this episode explores what happens when a blue water ocean passage takes an unexpected mechanical turn. While crossing the Gulf Stream on their 600-mile passage from New England, the crew of Avocet suffered a total engine failure caused by fuel contamination in heavy seas. With auxiliary diesel power completely disabled, John and his crew had to rely strictly on traditional seamanship to sail the rest of the offshore passage. John walks us through the nerve-wracking approach through "The Cut"—the extremely narrow channel entrance into St. George's Harbor—and the rare feat of docking a 40-plus-foot cruising sailboat entirely under sail alongside a concrete wharf in heavy harbor winds without incident. Bela and John also discuss the logistical challenges of offshore voyaging, including diagnosing diesel lift pump and filter issues, clearing Bermuda customs, relying on professional weather routing from Chris Parker, managing watch schedules, and preparing for the next leg south toward the Caribbean. Whether you are prepping for the Rally, planning your own Gulf Stream crossing, or looking for practical offshore damage control tips, this conversation is packed with real-world blue water experience. Key Topics Covered in This Episode: Total diesel engine failure in the Gulf Stream caused by fuel tank venting issues Navigating the narrow Cut into St. George's Harbor under sail power alone Executing a high-stakes docking maneuver without auxiliary power in heavy crosswinds Rigging chain leads and chafing gear for surge on concrete, non-floating piers Storm trysails and storm jibs vs. roller furling setups on ocean cruising boats Offshore watch schedules, managing skipper fatigue, and solo watchkeeping Working with island mechanics to flush fuel tanks and bypass secondary filters Analyzing Caribbean weather windows and departure routing with Chris Parker The realities of aging, physical stamina, and joint replacements on offshore passages Connect with the Podcast: Email: sailingtheeast@gmail.com Subscribe for more blue water sailing stories, cruising advice, and in-depth offshore interviews from the East Coast and beyond. SEO Search Terms: sailing into bermuda, blue water sailing, blue water sailing club, caribbean challenge cruise, offshore passage making, gulf stream crossing, st georges harbor cut, sailing without engine, diesel engine failure sailboat, docking under sail, cruising sailboat, ocean passage planning, blue water cruising, chris parker weather routing, sv avocet, east coast cruising podcast Music: https://www.purple-planet.com