GTFOplan #94: Tackling Sail Repairs & Discovering Bermuda's Hidden Gems!

IN THIS VIDEO: While waiting in Bermuda for a weather window to head south to Saint Martin, we make the most of our time by tackling boat projects. Our most significant task is repairing the Code Zero sail, which suffered a tear during a failed launch attempt. Working with the Sailrite is challenging, as its fixed foot complicates positioning the sail properly. Ann demonstrates her impressive sewing skills, not only mending the sail but also replacing our jack lines. These essential lines run along the deck to the bow and bowsprit, allowing crew members to safely tether themselves with a PFD and harness. One of our goals this season was to linger longer in each location, and the weather delay gave us that chance in Bermuda. The island's rich history provided wonderful opportunities for exploration. We strolled through the old forts, soaking in the history, and took the public bus to Hamilton, the capital. There, we explored the Royal Navy Dockyard and various corners of the vibrant city. To cap off our time in Bermuda, we enjoyed a fantastic dinner at The Wharf in St. George's, bidding farewell to our crewmember Paul. Having skilled and professional crew onboard was a refreshing change after last year's challenges in St. Helena. The timing worked perfectly, as just a few days after Paul's departure, a favorable weather window opened, and we set sail southward. 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 Master of the Feast by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/