# S/V Sabado > Holly and Ray on Sailing Vessel Sabado Public Ghost content for AI and LLM tooling. This file includes a bounded export of public pages first, then recent public posts. Append `.md` to any post or page URL to get the content in Markdown (for example, `/example-post.md`). ## Pages ### Where is Sabado? URL: https://svsabado.com/where-is-sabado/ Last updated: 2026-06-26T00:44:17.000Z _This page is for paying subscribers only._ ### Subscribe URL: https://svsabado.com/subscribe/ Last updated: 2026-09-11T03:13:35.000Z ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/dji_0018-00_02_49_19-still003.jpg) Subscribe to get notifications of new content ### Coaching & Consulting URL: https://svsabado.com/consulting/ Last updated: 2026-07-16T19:03:20.000Z **When something goes wrong on your boat, who do you call?** Most cruisers find out the hard way that there's *nobody* to call. The yard is booked three months out. The advice on the forums contradicts itself. And the manual assumes you've already diagnosed the problem. We've spent years solving these problems on our own boat and, increasingly, on other people's. Whether you're troubleshooting a generator, planning a lithium conversion, deciding if that boat in the yard is the right boat to buy, or just trying to get your partner as excited about this as you are, you can put two experienced people in your corner. Sometimes that means fixing a specific problem. Sometimes it means walking alongside you while you learn to do it yourself. We do both. [Get in Touch](#consulting-form-wrap) --- ### What People Hire Us For **Before You Buy** - Pre-Purchase Review: We'll review the listing, survey, and onboard systems to give you an honest assessment before you buy. - Which Boat: We'll compare your candidates based on how you actually plan to cruise. - What That "Turnkey" Boat Will Really Cost: We'll uncover potential hidden costs that often come with "ready-to-go" boats. **Learning the ropes** - Coaching you through your first systems, projects, and repairs so you can do the next one yourself - Making sense of everything you're reading and turning contradictory advice into a plan - Building the skills and judgment to handle what the ocean hands you **Power & Electrical** - Lithium Conversion Planning: Components, sizing, sequencing, and the expensive mistakes to avoid - Solar Array Design: Panel sizing, layout, and MPPT selection. - Victron Systems: Configuration, integration, and getting everything working together - Generator selection, installation planning, and troubleshooting - Diagnosing why your batteries aren't behaving the way the spec sheet promised **Systems & Monitoring** - Boat Network Design: NMEA 2000, SignalK, and getting your instruments to actually cooperate - Onboard Monitoring: Knowing your watermaker, fridge, or engine is failing *before* it fails - Nav desk setup, OpenCPN, and touchscreen integration - Starlink Offshore: Power, mounting, failover, and what it really costs - Home Assistant and automation aboard, for the people who want to go deep **Refit & Projects** - Refit Planning: Sequencing, budgeting, and knowing what's genuinely worth doing - Project triage when you're mid-refit and over budget - Working With a Yard: what to hand off, and what to DIY **Getting Ready To Go** - Setting your boat up for long-term cruising - Offshore Passage Prep: Systems, spares, tools, and contingencies - Spares and Tool Inventory: What to actually carry, and what's dead weight - Provisioning for extended cruising and remote anchorages **Living Aboard** - Water Systems: Watermakers, tank sanitation, and why your water tastes/smells like that - Tropical Maintenance: Keeping mold, biofilm, and the elements from winning - Food Safety: Preservation tips and advice from a microbiologist - Canvas and Sail Repair: What you can fix yourself with a Sailrite - Interior systems, storage, and making a boat livable long-term **Crew & Confidence** - Coaching for the partner who isn't sure they want to do this yet - Building watch routines, boat handling confidence, and shared systems knowledge - What to do when one of you is far more into this than the other **Don't see your problem? That's usually the interesting one. Send us a note.** --- ### Ways to Work With Us **One Hour — $150** Email, phone, WhatsApp, FaceTime, Zoom, or Skype. Bring us your problem or your plans and we'll work through it together. Best when you've got a specific issue and you need it solved now. **Three Hours — $450** Use them however you like, one deep dive, or several sessions as a project unfolds. Best for anything with follow-up: a refit, a conversion, a boat purchase, or learning a new system start to finish. *Includes 6 months of complimentary Crew membership — the Document Library, live tracking, and ad-free videos.* **Custom — from $500** Something bigger, longer, or stranger? Tell us what you need and we'll build it around you. [Get in Touch](#consulting-form-wrap) --- ## Who You'll Be Working With ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/2026/07/IMG_0679.jpeg) **Ray** has spent most of his life on the water, commercial fishing in Alaska, delivering yachts, and since 2018, living aboard Sabado full time. With an engineering background, he specializes in preventative maintenance, systems integration, and marine technology: monitoring refrigeration, watermakers, generators, engines, and electrical systems so abnormalities get caught early, before they become costly failures. **Holly** started sailing in 2020 and earned her USCG Captain's License in 2021\. Before going to sea she worked as a microbiologist in infectious disease research, a background that shows up in how methodically she approaches vessel management, provisioning for extended cruising, and the operational systems that keep life comfortable in remote anchorages. Between us, we cover most of what a cruising boat can throw at you. --- ### What People Say > "Indispensable if you're planning to go cruising. My wife and I spent years planning to go cruising with our 12-year-old daughter. The hardest part wasn't the planning — it was the learning curve once we actually started. Ray and Holly don't just know this stuff — they live it every day. There might be others out there with similar knowledge, but what sets them apart is how patiently they can translate it into terms a beginner actually understands. It felt more like working through a problem with friends than being chastised by a schoolteacher at the end of their patience. Oftentimes, it was just a calming voice saying, 'You got this.' We could not have accomplished what we did without them." > — **S/V Solace** > "Holly and Ray have been an absolute lifeline for me. When I've run into difficult boat issues, they've helped where others couldn't. From troubleshooting my generator to digging through the manual and suggesting upgrades for better reliability, they consistently go above and beyond. My sailing life is so much better knowing I have them in my corner." > — **S/V Catnip** > "Holly and Ray have been an incredible resource as I recently purchased a 2019 Lagoon 42 to start cruising. As they're a few years ahead of me, I've been able to lean on their experience to shape the builds and customizations to my vessel. The detailed answers they've provided helped me with my 48V lithium conversion, adding a touchscreen display to my nav desk, and integrating all my onboard systems in one place. I reach out to them regularly and look forward to seeing them out on the water." > — **S/V Exit Plan** > "You were there for me as a trusted advisor as I made my first journey to the Caribbean. It was invaluable to know I had someone a text away to bounce issues or ideas off of, and your repository of documents helped me plan my trip from tools to spare parts." > — **S/V Rumaway** > "When on the water, reliability and having the right parts and tools is huge. Being able to work through solid electrical system upgrades and best practices for maintaining systems — to suggesting tools that make life a little easier — it's sure nice to be able to bounce ideas and problems off someone with the mindset of 'we will figure this out,' but we're going to do it with safety as the primary objective." > — **M/Y Tiki** > "The knowledge Ray + Holly have about electronics, mechanics and boat maintenance is truly inspiring! We know we can ask the hard questions and always walk away with several ideas!" > — **S/V Karma** ✅ **Thanks for reaching out!** We'll be in touch within 1–2 days. Name Email Message Send Message Something went wrong — please try again or email us directly. ### About us URL: https://svsabado.com/about-us/ Last updated: 2026-06-29T19:57:39.000Z ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/2026/06/Sabadoodlebora-1.PNG) **Sabado**, Spanish for “Saturday,” is a 2017 Lagoon 42 owner’s version. Aboard Sabado, *every day is Saturday*! ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/ray.webp) **Ray** is from Portland, Oregon, and has worn many hats over the years, including commercial fisherman, engineer, yacht delivery captain, consultant, photographer, and bar and restaurant owner. In 2018, he decided it was time for a change of pace and scenery, purchased Sabado, and has been sailing full time ever since. *You'll usually find Ray researching the latest marine technology, designing new onboard monitoring systems, or lending a hand to fellow cruisers with repairs and troubleshooting.* ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/holly.webp) **Holly** is from San Diego, California, where she worked as a microbiologist specializing in infectious disease research while also running a nonprofit organization supporting women in science. In 2019, she quit her job, sold nearly everything she owned, and booked a one-way flight to Vietnam, planning to bartend on a beach for the foreseeable future. Then the world changed. COVID border closures forced Holly to rethink her plans. Fortunately, Ray and Sabado were in the United States and looking for an extra hand. She moved aboard, discovered a passion for sailing, earned her Captain's License, and has never looked back. *You'll usually find Holly snorkeling, planning the next provisioning run, or testing a new recipe in the galley.* ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/2r4a1133-1.jpg) Holly and Ray got married in the British Virgin Islands in May 2023\. Together, they are hoping to sail around the world! ### Holly and Ray on Sailing Vessel Sabado URL: https://svsabado.com/home/ Last updated: 2023-10-01T16:47:39.000Z Recent Blog Posts Read more Blog Categories Boat Life Behind the Scenes Recipes Crew Only **Join us as we document our journey sailing around the world on our Lagoon 42 catamaran, *Sabado*.** Together, we’ve explored the East Coast of the United States, the Bahamas, and the Caribbean. Then, we crossed the Panama Canal into the Pacific Ocean. It took us 27 days to sail from Panama to French Polynesia, and we’ve been hopping between remote islands in the South Pacific ever since. We share photos, videos, honest insights into our expenses, tech tips that keep us afloat, and candid stories from every destination along the way. ### Support the Adventure URL: https://svsabado.com/support-the-adventure/ Last updated: 2026-07-02T17:49:22.000Z From the bottom of our hearts (and the depths of Sabado’s bilges), **thank you** for wanting to support our adventure! All contributions will go directly to sailing and keeping Sabado in ship shape. The easiest way to help us is **FREE**: share, like, and comment on our posts. This tells the algorithm that what we’re posting is well-received and worth showing to others. Another option, at **no additional cost** to you, is to shop using our affiliate links. By doing this, we earn a small commission on eligible purchases! We’ve spent some time compiling a list of our favorite products you can shop [here](https://www.amazon.com/shop/hollyandray?ref%5F=cm%5Fsw%5Fr%5Fapin%5Faipsfshop%5Faipsfhollyandray%5FHQNW24J5SDT9E0N7N210&ref=svsabado.com). We hope you love them as much as we do! We continuously strive to paint a realistic picture of boat life, and the truth is, it’s expensive! We are so grateful to have people like you helping make our dream of sailing around the world come true. Thank you, thank you, thank you! ### Your Profile URL: https://svsabado.com/your-profile/ Last updated: 2024-10-25T23:47:19.000Z \[pmpro\_member\_profile\_edit\] ### Blog URL: https://svsabado.com/blog/ Last updated: 2024-10-27T16:58:12.000Z _No content available._ ### login URL: https://svsabado.com/login-2/ Last updated: 2024-10-27T21:26:06.000Z Join Not a subscriber yet? Join now for FREE Subscribe ### Welcome Aboard! URL: https://svsabado.com/welcome-aboard/ Last updated: 2024-10-29T06:32:52.000Z Screenshot Thank you for confirming your email You have joined our mailing list. ### Subscribe URL: https://svsabado.com/subscribe-2/ Last updated: 2026-07-02T17:50:29.000Z _No content available._ ### Payment Confirmation URL: https://svsabado.com/payment-confirmation/ Last updated: 2024-10-29T18:56:28.000Z \[simpay\_payment\_receipt\] ### Payment Confirmation URL: https://svsabado.com/payment-confirmation-2/ Last updated: 2026-07-02T17:49:43.000Z \[simpay\_payment\_receipt\] ### Contact URL: https://svsabado.com/contact/ Last updated: 2026-06-25T18:19:02.000Z Contact us ### Videos URL: https://svsabado.com/videos/ Last updated: 2026-07-02T20:28:49.000Z _This page is for paying subscribers only._ ### Documents URL: https://svsabado.com/documents/ Last updated: 2026-06-25T20:39:14.000Z Here are the files, diagrams, code, images, inventory, anything that we think might help the lives of our members. ### testimonials URL: https://svsabado.com/testimonials/ Last updated: 2026-07-11T03:18:09.000Z > "From troubleshooting my generator to digging through the manual and suggesting upgrades for better reliability, they consistently go above and beyond." — S/V Catnip > "You were there for me as a trusted advisor as I made my first journey to the Caribbean." — S/V Rumaway > "My sailing life is so much better knowing I have them in my corner." — S/V Catnip > "It was invaluable to know I had someone a text away to bounce off issues or ideas off of and your repository of documents helped me plan my trip from tools to spare parts" — S/V Rumaway > "When I’ve run into difficult boat issues, they’ve helped where others couldn’t." — S/V Catnip > "The knowledge Ray + Holly have about electronics, mechanics and boat maintenance is truly inspiring! We know we can ask the hard questions and always walk away with several ideas!" — S/V Karma > "Indispensable if you're planning to go cruising." — S/V Solace > "Ray and Holly don't just know this stuff—they live it every day." — S/V Solace > "We could not have accomplished what we did without them." — S/V Solace > "Being able to work through solid electrical system upgrades and best practices for maintaining systems to suggesting tools that make life a little easier." — M/Y Tiki > "The detailed answers they’ve provided me have helped me with my 48v lithium ion conversion, adding a touchscreen display to my nav desk and integrating all my onboard systems in one place." — S/V Exit Plan > "I’ve been able to lean on their experiences to help me shape the builds and customizations to my vessel." — S/V Exit Plan ### Welcome Crew URL: https://svsabado.com/welcome-crew/ Last updated: 2026-07-11T22:55:52.000Z _This page is for subscribers only._ ### Welcome VIP URL: https://svsabado.com/welcome-vip/ Last updated: 2026-07-11T22:56:13.000Z _This page is for subscribers only._ ### Welcome Flagship URL: https://svsabado.com/welcome-flagship/ Last updated: 2026-07-11T22:56:26.000Z _This page is for subscribers only._ ## Posts ### 3 Ways We Save Money Cruising URL: https://svsabado.com/3-ways-we-save-money-cruising/ Last updated: 2026-09-12T23:41:36.000Z Our plan to live on a boat for five years has turned into a lifestyle we’ve completely fallen in love with, and now we want to continue for as long as possible. That means finding ways to make our cruising budget stretch further and save money wherever we can. Here are three ways we save money while cruising: ## **1\. Limit Offshore Data Usage** With Starlink recently tripling the price of offshore data, a lot of us are looking for ways to conserve usage. We don’t skimp on using it for weather and safety communications, but we also don’t want to give up the entertainment we’ve grown used to: audiobooks, youtube videos, music, TV/Movies, can make a 10 day passage a lot more pleasant. There's a full server running below decks on Sabado. Not a NAS, not a Raspberry Pi. A proper server, handling everything from photo backups to boat data to our password manager. Most people don't expect that on a sailboat, but after years of living aboard full-time, it's become one of the things we'd have a hard time giving up. The short version of why: we don't want to depend on cloud services that cost money forever, change their terms, or just stop working when we're somewhere with bad internet. Out here, "somewhere with bad internet" is most places. Here are a few examples of what we use for entertainment offshore, so our starlink billl isnt astronomical: **Plex:** Our movie and TV library. **TubeArchivist:** A self-hosted application that lets you download, organize, search, and archive YouTube videos on your own server or NAS. We have it set to automatically monitor the channels and playlists we care about, so new content is archived and we can search for videos from our favorite creators, browse content about destinations we’re heading to, or just scroll through our library like a regular YouTube feed offline. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/2026/09/IMG_0634-1.png) **Audiobookshelf:** Our private audiobook and podcast server. Audiobooks are a big part of how we get through night watches and long passages, and this keeps the whole library organized and synced across devices without needing someone else’s subscription service. **Want to know more about our server and the software we use every day?** We posted details [here](https://svsabado.com/software-we-use-on-our-boat-every-day/). ## **2\. Doing it Ourselves** There are plenty of projects where hiring a professional is absolutely the responsible thing to do. That said, we’ve been caught more than once paying a professional, only to watch them Google what to do next or ask to see our manuals. We’ve also hired people to build or repair things, only to find ourselves replacing their work later when it didn’t hold up. I learned to sew after paying three different people over the years to take on canvas projects for the boat. Since then, the canvas work I’ve done myself has already saved us thousands of dollars, and I now have the skills, tools, and supplies to repair everything I’ve made, as well as our sails if I ever need to. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/2026/09/IMG_3316-1.jpg) Beyond the cost, there’s an added stress in being dependent on someone else. So, we’ve built up our skill sets over time, and that knowledge now informs how we monitor and maintain the boat. We’ve learned how to recognize the small changes that can be early warning signs, allowing us to address problems before they turn into expensive or catastrophic failures. That preventative approach saves us money and, just as importantly, keeps us from being stuck somewhere with a broken system. We’ve also learned which spare parts are worth carrying, so we’re not forced to pay three times the price to have something shipped to a remote island when we could have had it on board all along. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/2026/09/IMG_2729.jpg) **Doing a project yourself to save money is not always the answer, but the more you know, the more often it can be.** Over the years, we’ve learned this through experience, including plenty of mistakes, failed attempts, and lessons learned the hard way. We’ve spent years solving problems on our own boat and, increasingly, helping other boaters solve theirs. Whether you’re troubleshooting a generator, planning a lithium conversion, or simply want to feel more confident and prepared while cruising, we can help you understand the problem, weigh your options, and learn along the way. Check out our [Coaching and Consulting services](https://svsabado.com/consulting/). ## **3\. Treating Insurance Renewal Like a Job Application** We insure our vessel each year and approach the process much like a job application. For each of us, we put together a sailing resume that documents our accumulated miles, certifications, and other relevant experience. We also provide a comprehensive list of the safety upgrades and improvements we’ve made to the boat, for example, carrying a spare autopilot, reinforcing the escape hatches, and other enhancements designed to improve safety and reliability. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/2026/09/IMG_0551.jpg) This approach helps demonstrate to insurers that we are experienced, responsible, and a lower-risk proposition. Historically, it has helped us secure lower policy premiums. **If you’re curious about our monthly expenses while living aboard** our 2017 Lagoon 42, check out our monthly behind the scenes reports. Crew members have access to all of those details, including what we pay for insurance, along with plenty of other resources. [Join here](https://svsabado.com/#/portal/signup) to unlock full access, or scroll through one month for free, [here](https://svsabado.com/july-2026-behind-the-scenes/). ### Peanut Crunch Salad URL: https://svsabado.com/peanut-crunch-salad/ Last updated: 2026-09-13T16:56:15.000Z A customizable, filling salad we make all the time. It’s delicious with seared tuna, shredded chicken, or shelled edamame for protein. Adding a carb and a handful of nuts make it extra satisfying and keeps you fueled for hours. Cooked inGentle RollUnderway with easy motion. One pot, lids on, the gimbal doing its job. Prep 15 min Total 15 min ### Ingredients #### Dressing - 1/4 cup smooth peanut butter - 1 tbsp honey, optional (recommended if using natural peanut butter) - 3 tbsp soy sauce - 1 tbsp rice vinegar - 1-inch piece fresh ginger, grated - 1 clove garlic, grated - Juice of 1 lime #### Salad - 1/4 cup cilantro, chopped - 1/3 cup roasted, salted peanuts - 1 cup purple cabbage, thinly sliced - 1 cup green cabbage, thinly sliced - 1 large carrot, grated - 1 cup other crunchy vegetables you have or like! I used 1/2 cucumber and 1/2 red bell pepper here, but chopped sugar snap peas are also great. - 1 cup protein (shredded chicken, seared tuna, or shelled edamame) - 1 cup carb (fried wonton strips, crispy noodles, or cooked and cooled quinoa) ### Method 1. Cook your protein and carb, if needed, ahead of time and let them cool while you prepare the other ingredients. If you’re heading out sailing, you can also make the dressing ahead of time and store it in the fridge. Since this is a cabbage-based salad, it won’t get soggy, so you can also toss everything together in advance and keep it chilled until you’re ready to eat. #### Make the dressing 1. Combine the peanut butter, soy sauce, rice vinegar, lime juice, and honey (if using) in a jar. Seal and shake until well combined. Grate in the ginger and fresh garlic, then shake again until smooth. Taste and adjust as desired. You can add hot water to thin it out if necessary. #### Assemble the salad 1. Chop all the vegetables and add them to a large mixing bowl along with the cilantro, protein, nuts, and carb. Pour over the dressing and toss well to combine. Serve and enjoy! ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/2026/09/IMG_0970-2.jpg) #### Notes from the galley If you’ve never tried quinoa in a salad, go for it here! It’s pretty much the only way we eat quinoa on board. It soaks up the delicious dressing and adds a satisfying texture while helping to keep you full for longer. Cooking from your phone? Paste this page's link into Paprika, Mela, AnyList, or any recipe app that imports from the web, and the whole thing lands in your recipe box. ### Here's The Plan... [EXCLUSIVE VIDEO] URL: https://svsabado.com/heres-the-plan-exclusive-video/ Last updated: 2026-09-06T03:17:34.000Z We’ve been busy filming and editing, but haven’t been posting publicly. The truth is _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Time for a Change URL: https://svsabado.com/time-for-a-change/ Last updated: 2026-09-06T03:07:20.000Z *A Week Aboard S/V Sabado: 8/30/2026 - 9/6/2026* On Sunday morning, we pulled up the anchor and left the protected anchorage where we had spent the past two weeks. Sabado is so much more comfortable after our refit that we didn't mind hunkering down for days of gusty wind and rain, but we were ready for a change of scenery. More importantly, we were running out of food. With our sights set on cruising the Yasawa island group before our time in Fiji is up, we knew it was time to reprovision and get prepared. The closest and easiest place to take care of everything we needed was Port Denarau, a popular tourist port with easy shore access, a fuel dock, and somewhere to dispose of our trash. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/2026/09/Still-2026-09-04-195642_1.28.1.jpg) The morning was calm and still as we motored between the reefs. I was happily soaking up the sunshine at the helm. We figured we would be motoring all the way to Denarau, but once we escaped the island's wind shadow, we realized there was just enough breeze to sail. So, we hoisted the main and jib, shut off the engines, and let Sabado do her thing. At first, it was peaceful. The water gently lapped against the hulls as we cruised along at around 5 knots. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/2026/09/IMG_0849.jpg) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/2026/09/Still-2026-09-04-195642_1.18.1-1.jpg) Then the wind began to clock around until we had 20 knots on the nose. With limited maneuverability as we navigated around the reefs, we decided it was time to drop the sails and motor directly toward our destination. Our speed took a hit, and we started looking for an anchorage where we could spend the night and finish the trip in daylight the following day. The first two spots we poked our bow into were tight and rolly, and both left us sitting on a lee shore. The wind was not forecast to be this strong, or from this direction, so we had to consider the possibility that it could continue like this overnight. Neither anchorage felt like a good option. We continued on to the third and final possibility. If we did not stop there, we would be arriving at our destination in the dark. Thankfully, a small island curved around the bay, leaving a more sheltered section of water. There was plenty of room, and the bottom was mud, which made for good holding. We set the anchor, backed down hard, and settled in for the night. We were the only boat there. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/2026/09/IMG_0861.jpeg) We were near Sawene Bay, where a fellow sailor had recently been boarded and robbed, so we took a few extra precautions before going to bed. We locked everything up, kept an eye on a fisherman making his way around the otherwise empty anchorage, and waited until he eventually disappeared before turning in for the night. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/2026/09/IMG_0862.jpg) Anchorage review on No Foreign Land By morning, the anchorage was peaceful, but the air was thick with smoke from nearby sugar cane fires. August and September are peak sugar cane harvesting months here in Fiji. The country produces roughly 1.5 to 2 million tons of sugar cane each year, much of it grown on small farms where harvesting still relies heavily on manual labor. Harvesting sugar cane is hard work, so farmers generally have two options: they can cut the cane green, which is slower and more physically demanding, or burn it first to clear away the leaves and make harvesting faster and easier. As a result, cane burning remains common here, despite the significant smoke and air pollution it creates, along with greenhouse gas emissions and the loss of organic material from the soil. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/2026/09/Untitled-design---8-1.jpg) We had watched the fires lighting up the hills overnight, and when we first anchored, the wind had kept the smoke moving away from us. Unfortunately, the wind died during the night, leaving Sabado sitting right in the middle of the smoke cloud by morning. Our throats were scratchy, and the boat was coated in a fine layer of grey ash. We sipped our coffee and chatted for a while before pulling the anchor and motoring the final couple of hours toward Denarau. On the way, we got a chance to test [Sereno](https://svsabado.com/sereno-anchor-watch-beta/)'s AIS Advisor system on our chartplotter. Our Vesper Cortex has a similar feature, but Sereno allows you to flip through options on avoidance maneuvers, instead of just alerting you that you are on a collision course. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/2026/09/Still-2026-09-04-200003_1.28.2.jpg) We picked up a mooring ball for $50 FJD per night, which included use of the nearby dinghy dock, otherwise $15 FJD per day, as well as trash disposal, which would otherwise cost $50 FJD. So, a mooring seemed like a good deal. We turned off our freezer and let it defrost overnight. We knew this would be a big provisioning run, so we decided to hire a taxi to take us to several different shops. We used the same taxi driver who took me to the airport when I was injured, and had texted me a prayer each day that I was in the US receiving medical care (this is the level of kindness we have experienced from all Fijians!). When we travel, we like to find a taxi driver we trust and use them repeatedly. It also makes it easier and safer for me to run errands on my own when Ray isn’t able to come along. We visited two supermarkets, the local produce market, and a butcher shop to get everything we needed. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/2026/09/Still-2026-09-04-195642_1.21.2.jpg) With a full fridge and freezer, a topped off jerry jug of gas for the dinghy, and our trash disposed of, we cast off the mooring ball and headed for Musket Cove. The boat was filthy. The salt spray from our passage was like glue, grabbing all the ash from the smoke in the air and sticking it to the boat. Everything was grimy and grey. So we were eager to get somewhere with clear water, run the watermaker, and finally give Sabado a much needed bath. As we were preparing to leave the anchorage, we noticed the wind was at the perfect angle to fly our spinnaker, so Ray hauled it out of the sail locker and rigged it up. We watched as another boat heading in the same direction hoisted theirs as well. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/2026/09/Still-2026-09-05-170720_1.24.1.jpg) We hauled the anchor and headed toward Musket Cove, but by the time we got underway, the wind had shifted dramatically. We were grateful the shift hadn’t happened while our spinnaker was flying, especially as we watched the other boat struggle to untangle theirs. From a distance, it looked like it had wrapped around their forestay. Yikes! ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/2026/09/Still-2026-09-05-171248_1.18.1.jpg) We got the main up and waited patiently for the wind to shift back to a more favorable angle. The shift never came, and as we approached our destination, we finally gave up on the spinnaker and packed it back into its sail bag. Ray dropped the main while I prepared our mooring lines. Musket Cove is a well known cruising hub with a sheltered anchorage, marina, restaurants, supplies, and plenty of services for visiting boats. It has a long standing reputation as a social gathering spot for cruisers, particularly during the annual Musket Cove Regatta, and has become something of a home base for sailors exploring the Mamanucas and Yasawas. We’d heard a lot about it and were excited to finally see what it was all about. But first, we needed to take care of our girl. We hopped onto a mooring ball and got to work. Ray changed the oil in both our Yanmar engines, then we ran the Rainman to top off the water tanks before washing the boat. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/2026/09/IMG_0909.jpg) It was a dirty but satisfying job! We used our Ryobi battery powered pressure washer and buckets of soapy water. The job took us the rest of the evening, we finished just as the sun slipped below the horizon, listening to the live band playing at the nearby resort. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/2026/09/Still-2026-09-05-170720_2.4.1-1.jpg) All in all, it was a great week for Sabado and crew. We were productive, ate some good food (more recipes coming soon to the blog!), and have finally landed somewhere that looks much more like the tropical paradise we had imagined when we first came to Fiji, but haven’t really had the chance to experience yet. We hope you had a great week, thanks for following along! :) ### August 2026: Behind the Scenes URL: https://svsabado.com/august-2026-ehind-the-scenes/ Last updated: 2026-09-05T02:51:41.000Z Every month since January 2023, we've published a behind-the-scenes report detailing the challenges, projects, chores, and expenses we encountered while living aboard our Lagoon 42 sailing catamaran full time. With our new vessel monitoring system, it's easier than ever to track and share the realities of life on the water. From our water, fuel, and energy consumption to what broke, what it cost to fix, and our monthly spending, these reports provide an honest look at **what it actually costs to cruise full time.** ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/2026/09/Still-2026-08-13-195238_1.90.1.jpg) *Denarau, Fiji* We moved once in August. Nawi to Denarau, down the south coast of Vanua Levu with stops at Bua Bay, Yadua, Nanau-i-Cake and Matawalu, and that one passage accounts for all the diesel we burned for the month. The rest of it we sat at anchor and ran the whole boat on sunshine. ## Power Usage Averaged across the month our draw sits near 315 watts and barely moves, while solar swings from nothing to well over a kilowatt and back. ![What a day looks like](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/2026/09/2-average-day-1.png) Across the whole of August that came to 248 kWh of solar collected and 234 kWh used, with the generator running 0 minutes. Below you'll find a complete breakdown of the month, including daily solar production and energy consumption, cumulative energy totals, our lowest battery state of charge each day, water and fuel tank levels, and a detailed expense ledger. We share what we spent in August, organized into four categories, including what we paid to insure, operate and maintain the boat. **Crew, VIP and Flagship members get this report every month.** _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### An Update From Our Anchorage in Fiji [EXCLUSIVE VIDEO] URL: https://svsabado.com/an-update-from-our-anchorage-in-fiji-exclusive-video/ Last updated: 2026-08-29T03:13:20.000Z Exclusive video for our Crew, VIP and Flagship members _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Slice and Bake Coconut Shortbread Slabs URL: https://svsabado.com/slice-and-bake-coconut-shortbread-slabs/ Last updated: 2026-09-13T16:57:53.000Z Buttery, coconutty goodness, ready and waiting in your fridge to slice and bake whenever you need a sweet treat. Cooked inGentle RollUnderway with easy motion. One pot, lids on, the gimbal doing its job. Prep 10 min Cook 12 min Total 20 min Serves 18-20 cookies ### Ingredients - 1c butter softened, salted - ¾c granulated sugar - 1.5tsp vanilla extract - 1 ¾c all-purpose flour - 1c unsweetened coconut flakes/chips plus some for covering the log of dough ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/2026/08/IMG_0654-3.jpg) ### Method 1. Cream the softened butter and sugar together until light and fluffy. 2. Add the vanilla extract and mix until well combined. 3. Add the flour and mix until just incorporated. Be careful not to overmix. Fold in the coconut flakes until evenly distributed. 4. Divide the dough in half and shape each portion into a log. Roll each log in the extra coconut flakes, lightly coating the outside. Wrap tightly in wax or parchment paper, place in a sealed container or bag, and refrigerate for at least 12 hours. 5. When ready to bake, preheat the oven to 325°F (165°C). Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper. 6. Slice the chilled dough into ¼-inch thick slabs and arrange them on the prepared cookie sheet. Bake for 10–12 minutes, or until the edges begin to brown. Peek underneath one cookie using a spatula, the bottom should be golden. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/2026/08/IMG_0598-1.jpg) 1. Remove from the oven and allow the cookies to cool completely on the baking sheet. The bottoms should be crisp, while the cookies themselves should remain buttery and tender. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/2026/08/IMG_0635.JPG) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/2026/08/IMG_0636-3.jpg) #### Freezing the dough 1. The dough can also be frozen. Keep in mind that frozen dough may crumble slightly when sliced. If baking directly from frozen, bake at a lower temperature of 300°F (150°C) for approximately 20 minutes, or until the edges are golden. Cooking from your phone? Paste this page's link into Paprika, Mela, AnyList, or any recipe app that imports from the web, and the whole thing lands in your recipe box. ### Sereno Anchor Watch Beta Installation and first run URL: https://svsabado.com/sereno-anchor-watch-beta/ Last updated: 2026-09-13T21:56:55.000Z Let's keep beta comments, bug reports, and requests in the comment section of this post A while back I wrote up [the anchor watch we built on Home Assistant and SignalK](https://svsabado.com/building-a-custom-anchor-watch-system-with-home-assistant-and-signalk/). Measured rode instead of a guessed scope ratio, warnings that fire before the alarm does, a marina mode for when nobody's aboard. It works, and we still use it every night. It also needs a server, a SignalK install, a Home Assistant instance and a boat network that stays up. That's a lot to ask of somebody who just wants to sleep through the night. Many cruisers looking for a good anchor watch might not have any of that. So, we took the parts of that system that matter most and put them on a board that costs about eight dollars. That's Sereno, and this post is about giving it to you. ## What it is Sereno is an anchor watch and AIS collision device that runs on an ESP32 development board. It has its own alarm, serves its own web pages, and sends notifications to your phone. It's installed from a web browser in one click, with no toolchain and nothing to download. This beta is only testing the firmware at this time. The hardware is currently being developed and will be a self contained small box with built in gnss receiver, speaker for the alarm, and touchscreen. The software that we’ve released for this beta will be the same. ## Why not just use a phone app We looked at writing one. There are good ones out there and they cost nothing to try, which is a real advantage over anything that involves buying a board. The trouble is what a phone is. It sleeps, and the operating system decides which apps get to keep running overnight. Holding GPS open all night costs you the battery you need in the morning. And the alarm follows the phone, so if you dinghy ashore for dinner your anchor watch goes with you. A board doesn't do any of that. One job, no operating system deciding it's not important, the boat's own position feed, and it stays with the boat. It also doesn't care what phone you carry, since everything it shows is on a web page viewable on any device with browser capability, including B&G Zeus MFDs . And it can raise the alarm in several places at once: a buzzer aboard, every phone in the crew, and the plotter at the helm. If a phone app is the right answer for your boat, use [Hooked](https://hookedanchor.com/?ref=svsabado.com). It's built by friends of ours who sail, and it's the one we'd point anybody toward. The free tier does the anchor alarm. AIS, remote monitoring and feeding it position from your plotter are on the paid tier, at $18 a year. It's iPhone and Mac only, so Android crews are out. This is one of the best phone apps. The phone app is the anchor watch you can have in five minutes. This is the one still watching when the phone is in a bunk, on silent, ashore, or at four percent. ## The name Our boat's name is Spanish, so this one is, too. Sábado means Saturday, and Sereno was the night watchman who walked the streets calling the hour and the weather, and it's also the word for calm or clear. It's the same word for the man and for the condition he was reporting. The badge is a lighthouse. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/2026/08/IMG_0924.png) ## Sereno Installation and first run What to do after you've flashed the device and found it on your network. Written against firmware `2026-08-28-d`. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/2026/08/14410.png) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/2026/08/14404.png) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/2026/08/14367.png) Work down this page and down the Setup screen together. They're in the same order on purpose. Three of the sections need an account somewhere else: Pushover for phone alerts, Saillogger for logging, and a SignalK server for the safety report. All three are optional. The anchor watch works with none of them. --- ## Before anything else: this is a beta Sereno is in testing and is going out to a small number of people. We are requiring at least a free member account so we can better accept bug reports and work directly with our testers. If you want to run the beta outside our test program, just send us a message and we can provide the install link with the understanding that we won't be able to support you through the beta program. **Where to install it.** The installer lives at: _This post is for subscribers only._ ### 3 Galley Hacks Every Sailor Should Know URL: https://svsabado.com/3-galley-hacks-every-sailor-should-know/ Last updated: 2026-08-23T03:02:39.000Z Living full-time on a boat has taught me that the smallest changes in the galley can make the biggest difference. When you're cooking underway, every extra step, slippery surface, or bulky appliance becomes a hassle. These are three simple tricks that have made cooking onboard easier, safer, and a lot more enjoyable. ## **1\. Make Your Induction Burner Non-Slip** If you cook with an induction burner, here's one of my favorite hacks: place a **¼-sheet silicone baking mat** between the burner and your pot. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/2026/08/IMG_0520.jpg) The silicone creates just enough grip to keep your cookware from sliding around when the boat is moving. As a bonus, it's a true multi-purpose galley item. I also use mine instead of parchment paper when baking, so it earns its place in my limited storage. Small change, big improvement. [These](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08D6HJ5NS?linkCode=ssc&tag=sabadollc-20&creativeASIN=B08D6HJ5NS&asc%5Fitem-id=amzn1.ideas.161TGADZZ2SF7&ref%5F=aip%5Fsf%5Flist%5Fspv%5Fons%5Fd%5Fasin&th=1&ref=svsabado.com) are the ones I have. ## **2\. Get a Custom Chopping Board** One of the best additions to my galley has been a custom chopping board that lives permanently on the countertop. If your counter has a lip, having one made to fit perfectly into a corner keeps it from sliding around while you're underway, making it a low-maintenance, low-worry addition to your galley. It's not something you have to scramble to stow the moment the sea state picks up. It's always ready when you need it, and **it's one less thing to dig out and put away** while cooking in rough conditions. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/2026/08/IMG_0502.jpg) It may seem like a small change, but eliminating even one extra step makes a noticeable difference when the boat is moving. We also have one that covers our gas cooktop, so that becomes functional space when not in use. This one is from [Wave Designs](https://www.wavedesigns.co.nz/?ref=svsabado.com) in New Zealand. ## **3\. Use an Immersion Blender** It took me far too long to realize I didn't need to haul out a countertop blender or food processor every time I wanted to make something. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/2026/08/IMG_0526.jpg) An immersion blender has become one of my most-used galley tools. It's compact, uses less power, is easy to clean, and stores almost anywhere. Best of all, you can blend right in the pot, jar, or in a tall cup, which means fewer dishes and less mess. For anyone cooking for one or two people aboard, **it replaces a full-sized blender for most everyday tasks** while taking up only a fraction of the storage space. I use mine for: - Salsa - Creamy soups - Smoothies - Sauces (pesto, aioli, homemade mayonnaise, butter, etc.) - Whipped cream - No-churn ice cream (recipe [here](https://svsabado.com/simple-and-delicious-no-churn-ice-cream/)) ## **Final Thoughts** Space is always at a premium on a boat, so every item in the galley has to earn its keep. If you're outfitting your boat or just looking to make life in the galley easier, I'd start with these. Sometimes it's the smallest changes that make the biggest impact. **What’s your best galley tip?** ### OpenCPN vs qtVlm: Why We Switched [EARLY + AD-FREE VIDEO] URL: https://svsabado.com/opencpn-vs-qtvlm-why-we-switched-ad-free-video/ Last updated: 2026-08-22T02:48:19.000Z Ad-free version of this week's YouTube video _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### One Screen, One Question: How We Monitor Sabado URL: https://svsabado.com/one-screen-one-question-how-we-monitor-sabado/ Last updated: 2026-08-18T04:13:39.000Z There's a moment every cruiser knows. You wake up in the middle of the night because something sounds different, and you lie there running an inventory in your head. Is that the fridge cycling or the bilge pump? Did the anchor drag? Are the batteries good? On most boats the answer involves getting up, finding a flashlight, opening a panel, and squinting at four different displays that were each designed by a company that had never met the other three. We got tired of that. So over the last couple of years the monitoring aboard Sabado has been rebuilt around a single idea: **one screen should be able to answer the question "are we okay?" in under two seconds, from across the saloon, without me putting my glasses on.** Behind that screen, the status cards are reading somewhere around ninety separate values. What you see is around dozen tiles. The compression is the whole point, and the rest of this post is really about how we decided what gets thrown away. ## Data is not information The systems on the boat generate an enormous amount of data. Two engines, a 24V/1035Ah lithium bank, solar charge controllers, a generator, tank senders, bilge sensors, anchor alarms, smoke and CO detectors, AIS, GPS, refrigeration, air conditioning. Every one of those is happy to tell you a number. The trap is thinking that more numbers means more safety. A wall of gauges is a wall you have to interpret, and interpretation takes attention you may not have when you need it most. Any dashboard that requires you to remember that 26.9 volts is fine but 24.1 volts is not has pushed the hard part of the job back to you. So the rule we settled on is that the boat's systems do the interpreting. A sensor reading is raw data. A sensor reading compared against a threshold, in context, is information. Only information goes on the screen. In practice that means every system on Sabado resolves to one of three states: green, amber, red. Green means no action. Amber means look at this today. Red means look at this now. If a system can't honestly be reduced to one of those three, then we haven't thought hard enough about what the number actually means. As it turned out, there was a fourth state we didn't see coming, but I'll come back to that. > **For the Techies:** this is implemented as a custom Lovelace card in Home Assistant, `sabado-status-card.js`, written in vanilla JavaScript. Rather than hardcoding logic per system, it defines a small set of reusable check types: booleans, banded ranges, differentials, alarm flags, state matches, and a couple of special cases for safety devices and refrigeration. Each system tile is then just a declaration of which entities to watch and what the bands are. Adding a new system is a config change, not a code change. ![12938.jpg](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/2026/07/12938.jpg) ## The thresholds are the actual work Writing the card took a few evenings. Getting the thresholds right has taken months, and it isn't finished. Take the house bank. State of charge warns below 30 percent and goes critical below 15\. But SOC alone is a lousy health metric for lithium, so the card also watches maximum cell voltage, minimum cell voltage, the spread between them, cell temperatures, and whether all three battery modules are reporting in. A pack sitting at a comfortable 80 percent with a 0.12V cell spread has a problem that SOC will never show you. Fresh water goes amber at 15 gallons and red at 10\. Engine start batteries, which are Odyssey AGM, are good at 12.4V and up, low below 12.2, critical below 11.8\. Solar expects three controllers online during daylight and checks aggregate output. Safety devices get the simplest rule on the boat: any smoke, CO, bilge, or engine room sensor that's tripped **or offline** turns the tile red, and a detector reporting under 20 percent battery turns it amber. That "or offline" part matters more than we initially thought, and it leads to an important thing I've learned building this. ## A sensor that stops reporting is not good news The default failure mode of a lot of monitoring systems is silence. The feed drops, the display shows the last known value or a dash, and everything looks fine. For us, that's exactly backwards. Missing data should be treated as bad data until proven otherwise. ![IMG_0743.jpeg](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/2026/08/Screenshot_2026-08-17_14-45-53.png) We learned this while working on the engine alarms. Each Yanmar reports twenty-four separate alarm flags, plus RPM, coolant temperature, oil pressure, alternator voltage and load. Twenty-nine values per engine, fifty-eight for the pair, and they resolve to two tiles that spend most of their life saying nothing at all. That compression is the whole design working. Except at first it wasn't. Every port and starboard engine alarm on Sabado read "alarm" whenever the engines were off, because the underlying data path went unavailable and the templates evaluated to nothing. Two permanently red tiles. Within a week I had stopped seeing them, which is the worst possible outcome for an alarm system. An alarm you've learned to ignore is worse than no alarm at all, because it costs you attention and gives you nothing back. Instead of suppressing those alarms, we gated them. Engine alarms are only evaluated when the engine is actually running (I know, that sounds basic), defined as RPM at or above 350\. We had to choose a non-zero RPM value because of how quickly the sensors are lost on engine shutdown. Below that threshold the tile is neutral, not green and not red, because we genuinely don't know and pretending otherwise is a lie. The same logic applies to the anchor watch, which reads OFF rather than ALARM if its feed drops. Similarly, the cockpit fridge reads around 77 degrees most of the time. The sensor is fine. The fridge is just switched off, and the card knows the difference between "warm" and "off" and shows it as neutral rather than screaming about a fault. Neutral is that fourth state, and it turned out to be a surprisingly useful one. Sometimes the honest answer is "not applicable right now," and a system should be allowed to say so. ## From status to forecast Knowing where you stand right now is only part of the job. The more useful question, especially when it comes to our power, is where you're going to be. The energy card does this. It takes the pack capacity, applies a reserve floor, works out actual daily consumption from measured discharge history, pulls a solar forecast built from irradiance data at the boat's real GPS position, and projects the state of charge forward three days. Then it finds the tightest point, the overnight trough where the bank will be lowest, and reports that. ![IMG_0743.jpeg](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/2026/08/IMG_0855.jpeg) The framing we landed on for the day to day version is deliberately non-technical. It answers a question Holly and I actually ask each other, which isn't "what will SOC be at 0400 on Thursday" but "can I cook?" So the card converts the headroom above the reserve floor into meals and says GO AHEAD, ONE MEAL, GO EASY, or CONSERVE. > **For the Techies:** the same model also runs as a standalone Home Assistant template sensor whose state is the three-day trough SOC, with attributes for end-of-day SOC across the horizon, the overnight low and which night it falls on, whether the generator will be needed and when it first crosses the line, daily load, and the solar terms. Keeping it as a sensor rather than burying it in card logic means automations and anything else aboard can act on the same numbers the display shows. ## What this is not It's worth being clear about something before anyone builds a version of this for their own boat. ![IMG_0743.jpeg](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/size/w1600/2026/08/Screenshot_2026-08-17_14-53-45.png) None of this is the safety layer. The smoke and CO detectors alarm on their own, locally, whether or not anything else aboard is running. Navigation runs on its own hardware. The bilge pumps don't ask permission from a dashboard. Every one of those systems works exactly the same if the whole monitoring stack is unplugged, and that's by design. What we've built is a second set of eyes on top of systems that already stand alone. It's very good at catching the slow, quiet problems that nothing else aboard is watching for. It is not, and must never be, the thing between you and an elevated CO level. ## The screen itself ![IMG_0743.jpeg](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/2026/08/Screenshot_2026-08-17_14-57-32.png) All of this lands on a hub dashboard that's almost entirely buttons. Anchor Watch. Engines. Generator. Safety. Solar. Temps. Passage log. Squawks, which is our running list of things aboard that need fixing. It's the default view, and its job is to be boring. The design constraint is that the status page should be readable at a glance and navigable with a wet thumb. No dense grids, no tiny type, no information that requires you to already know what you're looking at. If you have to lean in to read it, it has failed. ## What we'd tell anyone starting this Start with the question, not the sensors. Ours was "are we okay?" Yours might be different. But build backwards from the question you actually ask yourself, because that's the only moment the system truly has to work. Then be ruthless about false alarms. Every red tile you learn to ignore erodes the value of every other red tile. And treat a silent sensor as a failed sensor, because on a boat, it usually is. ## Where this series goes next This post is the result. The next several are how we got here, and more importantly, what we choose to leave out. Coming up: why an alarm you ignore is genuinely worse than no alarm at all, and what hospitals and offshore platforms learned about that the hard way. How we sort every number aboard into a handful of categories, and why that decides whether it earns a place on the screen. Why power is the one system that pays for the whole effort. Why engine data, wind, depth and AIS mostly don't. What changes when nobody's aboard. And the problem we still haven't solved, which is how the monitoring system is supposed to tell you it has died. Somewhere in there we'll also pull apart the generator monitoring, an ESP32 running ESPHome that turned out to be one of the highest value projects aboard for the money. If there's a piece of this you want covered in detail, tell us in the comments. **We’ve made all these status cards** [**available**](https://svsabado.com/home-assistant-status-cards/) **to our Crew in case you want to give this a try.** We would love to hear from anyone implementing this or a similar system so reach out and let us know. ### Sourdough Discard Pretzel Bites & Beer Cheese Dip URL: https://svsabado.com/sourdough-discard-pretzel-bites-beer-cheese-dip/ Last updated: 2026-08-16T15:29:10.000Z When the battery bank hits 100% before noon, you know it’s time to have some fun in the galley! These sourdough discard soft pretzel bites with beer cheese dip are a favorite on board, and remind us of our favorite dive bar. Perfect for bringing a little shore-side fun to any anchorage. Cooked inAt AnchorFlat or near enough. Oven's fair game, several pans going, things stay where you put them. Prep 30 min Cook 25 min Total 55 min ### Ingredients #### Sourdough Discard Pretzel Bites - 2 1/4tsp instant yeast - 2/3c whole milk - 2tbs brown sugar - 1/3c sourdough discard - 2c all purpose flour - 1/2tsp salt - 1tbs salted butter, melted - Toppings of choice: salt, sesame seeds, everything bagel seasoning #### Baking Soda Bath - 2c water - 2tsp baking soda - Scale up depending on pot size so you have a reasonable amount #### Beer Cheese Dip - 2tbs salted butter - 2tbs all-purpose flour - 3/4c whole milk - 2/3c beer - 1tsp Worcestershire sauce - 1tsp dijon mustard - 1/2tsp garlic powder - 1/4tsp smoked paprika - 1/4tsp salt - 12 slices of Kraft Singles (we call it “plastic cheese” but it melts great into sauces and dips) or 2c freshly grated cheddar cheese ### Method 1. Bloom the yeast: warm the milk, dissolve the brown sugar, stir in instant yeast and let sit for 5-10mins, until frothy. 2. Stir in sourdough discard and melted butter. Mix in flour and salt. Knead the dough for 5-10mins until it is smooth. 3. Divide dough into 5 equal balls, cover with a damp tea towel and let sit for 15mins. 4. Roll each ball into a 16in rope, and cut into “pillows”. Boil in baking soda bath briefly (\~1-2mins) until slightly puffy. Use a slotted spoon to remove from baking soda bath. Sprinkle with toppings while still damp. 5. Arrange on a parchment lined baking sheet, allowing 1in space between each. Bake at 425°F for 12-15 mins or until browned to your liking. #### While they bake/cool, make your beer cheese dip 1. Melt the butter in a small pot, add the flour and cook the smooth paste for 1min. Slowly whisk in the milk, seasonings and beer. Slowly add the cheese, stirring continuously on low heat until melted into the sauce completely. Taste and adjust seasoning to your liking. Cooking from your phone? Paste this page's link into Paprika, Mela, AnyList, or any recipe app that imports from the web, and the whole thing lands in your recipe box. ### Life at Anchor Just Got Better: Our Anchor Alarm & Bow Shade [EARLY + AD-FREE VIDEO] URL: https://svsabado.com/life-at-anchor-just-got-better-our-anchor-alarm-bow-shade-early-ad-free-video/ Last updated: 2026-09-13T21:59:04.000Z Two things have really changed the way we live at anchor this season. The first is our custom anchor alarm, which means we can both sleep easier at night. The second is the new shade over the bow. Together, they give us more comfort and peace of mind while living at anchor _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Building a Custom Anchor Watch System With Home Assistant and SignalK URL: https://svsabado.com/building-a-custom-anchor-watch-system-with-home-assistant-and-signalk/ Last updated: 2026-08-14T04:09:55.000Z Holly and I take anchor watch seriously. Sleeping aboard with rocks on one side and a reef on the other means a dragging anchor isn't just a minor inconvenience, it's a serious safety concern. We've used handheld GPS alarms and a couple of phone apps over the years and have never been happy with them, so during our refit in New Zealand we built our own using Home Assistant, our Vesper Cortex, and SignalK. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/2026/07/Still-2025-08-28-222404_1.1.1.jpg) ### Why We Built Our Own Most commercial anchor alarms just let you set a radius and call it done. That ignores how much rode you actually let out, how deep the water is, and where the anchor is sitting relative to the boat. We wanted the math to be right, not just close enough. We also wanted a warning before the actual alarm, something that flags a problem developing rather than waiting until the boat has already dragged out of the circle. And we wanted redundancy: my phone, Holly’s phone, and a physical siren onboard, since phones can lose signal or run out of battery. ### How It Works ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/2026/08/IMG_0846.jpeg) The integration pulls position, wind angle, wind speed, speed over ground, and depth from SignalK (fed by multiple sources) in real time. ### Anchor Position and Alarm Radius As we’re finding our position, the anchor watch screen shows the boat’s location on the chart and because it’s “seeing” the depth, it provides a suggested rode length as we move. We press Drop Anchor when the hook goes down, which records GPS position and depth. Then we back down to set it, and press Anchor Set. At that point the system calculates rode length with the Pythagorean theorem: horizontal distance moved while backing down, plus vertical distance from bow roller to seabed, gives actual rode length. Add a swing margin and that's the alarm circle. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/2026/08/IMG_0842.jpeg) The scope ratio shown on the dashboard is now calculated from what actually happened rather than assumed. That's been useful, considering a couple of times we thought we had more scope out than the math said we did. We also switched the warning threshold from a percentage of the alarm radius to a fixed number of feet. With a tight alarm radius, the percentage math sounded the alarm constantly and we started ignoring it. Fixed feet from the edge works regardless of how tight the radius is set. ### Early Warning System Two things get watched before the position alarm ever sounds. Apparent wind angle: at anchor the boat should sit roughly nose-to-wind. If AWA drifts outside a wide window and stays there for 30 seconds, it warns. We had to widen this window and ignore wind speeds under 5 knots because in light air the wind vane spins freely and reports garbage, which set off false alarms. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/2026/08/IMG_0844.jpeg) Speed over ground: should be near zero at anchor. Sustained SOG above 1.2 knots for 30 seconds triggers a warning. We raised this from the original 0.5 knots after our GPS noise floor kept tripping it on calm nights. If both fire at once, that's a critical alert and bypasses Do Not Disturb on both of our phones. ### GPS Staleness SignalK has several sources of GPS signals so we have redundancy in what is fed to the anchor watch system. However, if the SignalK system drops for some reason, the anchor watch has no position to check against the alarm circle. It's blind and we don’t know it. We added a check: warning at 30 seconds without a GPS update, critical at 60 seconds, all-clear when it comes back. The depth-based calculations don't break when instruments are off, either. Depth gets saved at the moment we drop anchor and reused from there, so scope and rode stay accurate even with the depth sounder powered down. ### Notifications and the Siren My phone gets notified directly. Holly's phone and the Zigbee sirens are triggered by a separate automation watching the alarm sensors. Critical alarms run the siren loud for 30 seconds. Warnings use a quieter tone for 10 seconds. There's a real difference between "look at this" and "get up now," and the system should sound different for each. We added a confirmation prompt on the Lift Anchor button after hitting it by accident a few times. One bad tap there would have wiped the whole session. Setting and lifting the anchor now sends a confirmation notification too: “Anchor Watch Active, radius 235 ft, rode 136 ft, scope 5.7:1.” That started as a convenience. It also proves the notification path is alive at the exact moment we’re paying attention to it. We found that out the hard way: a notification target got misconfigured and my phone stopped receiving alerts for weeks. The siren and Holly’s phone still worked, so nothing looked broken. A safety system that fails quietly is worse than one that fails loudly, so now every anchor set is a live test. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/2026/08/IMG_0843.jpeg) ### Marina Mode The anchor watch does its job when we're aboard. The other case we needed to cover is Sabado sitting in a marina slip for weeks while we're off the boat, and sometimes out of the country. A normal anchor alarm doesn't work in a slip. The wind shift warning fires constantly because a docked boat doesn't weathervane, and the rode and scope geometry is meaningless. So, marina mode is a separate state with one button, no drop-and-set sequence: it records where the boat is, sets a tight radius, and starts watching the things that actually matter when nobody's aboard. Position and speed over ground still get monitored since a boat moving in a marina is always wrong. It also watches the systems that fail while nobody is aboard to notice: - **Battery state of charge**\- We rarely plug in at marinas because our solar is good enough that we don't need to, so the alert is built around living on solar rather than around shore power dropping out. The threshold has to tolerate a normal overnight dip and recovery, and only complain when something is genuinely wrong. - **Solar yield-** If the array produces almost nothing by mid-afternoon, something has failed, a controller, a breaker, DVCC. That's actionable well before the batteries ever get low. - **Refrigeration-** This one needed care. Our status cards already distinguish "fridge is off" from "fridge is failing" by looking at how warm it actually is, a box reading ambient is deliberately shut down, but a box at 58°F while running is dying. Marina mode reuses exactly that logic so we don't get nuisance alarms after emptying the freezer before a flight home. The wrinkle we had to solve: a freezer that fails while we’re away climbs through the alarm range and eventually reaches ambient, at which point it reads as “off” and the alarm clears itself. The failure would hide. We tried latching the alarm so it stayed fired until we got back, and that turned out to be worse. A temperature spike from loading provisions left a sticky alarm we couldn’t clear without ending the session. So instead of holding the alarm, marina mode notifies on every transition, including the one where a box drops into the “off” band. The current state can go back to normal on its own, but the run of messages doesn’t. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/2026/08/IMG_0831.jpeg) The other half of marina mode is a daily heartbeat. Every morning both our phones get a status snapshot: position, state of charge, solar yield, fridge and freezer temps, GPS health. Silence for three weeks is ambiguous when you're a thousand miles away, is everything fine, or did the whole system die on day two? A daily message turns silence into a signal. If we stop getting it, something is wrong. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/2026/08/IMG_0847.jpeg) That same logic is why an unexpected reboot sends a notification. HA restarting while we're away is exactly the kind of thing we want to know about, not have papered over. ### The Chart The map panel runs MBtile charts from The Chart Locker, plus Google and Bing satellite imagery, all served locally off our Unraid server through TileServer-GL. We've got tiles loaded for all of our cruising grounds. It shows a top-down catamaran icon rotating with magnetic heading, the anchor position, the alarm circle, and AIS targets from SignalK. Track history comes from InfluxDB rather than Home Assistant's own history since HA only logs geo\_location on state change and gave us a track with maybe a dozen points over 12 hours, which was useless. InfluxDB has a position logged every half second, so we downsample it and get a smooth line. There's a slider now for how far back to show, from 1 to 48 hours. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/2026/08/IMG_0848.jpeg) The page reloads itself periodically so the browser doesn't choke on data after a few days at anchor. ### What We'd Do Differently The rode geometry took a few attempts before it was right. We initially had the depth formula wrong (I have to turn in my engineering card…), and the rode calculation just used a flat scope ratio instead of the actual measured distances. I blame focusing on code rather than the basic math on this one. The early warning thresholds needed real-world tuning more than once. What looked fine on paper set off false alarms the first night we actually used it in light wind. GPS staleness detection should have been in the first version. We added it after the fact, but losing position while anchored is the kind of failure that should be caught from day one. The bigger lesson is about the failures you can't see. Every serious bug we’ve hit has been a **silent** one: notifications that stopped sending, a freezer alarm that cleared itself, marina mode that never restored its dashboard after a reboot even though it was still running underneath. Most of the work has gone into catching those, not into the alarms you can hear. Everything lives in git, which has saved us more than once when a change went sideways. If you build something like this, commit early and commit often. ### What's Next We're trying to get the anchor watch page to show up on our B&G Zeus 3S chartplotter. Navico has a UDP multicast protocol for broadcasting web apps to their MFDs, and we're still chasing the exact JSON format their devices expect. The Victron app on the same network works, ours doesn't, yet. We also want to fold the separate safety-monitoring script, the one pulling earthquake, weather, and health data based on our position, into this same dashboard. One more idea we keep coming back to: painting exclusion zones directly on the chart. Anchoring off a reef, the wind usually holds us over open water but if it dies we could swing or drift onto coral that's well inside our alarm circle. A drawn no-go polygon, checked independently of the swing radius, would cover that. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/2026/08/Still-2026-08-13-195647_1.89.1-1.jpg) **The integration and map panel code are both available to our paying members** [**here**](https://svsabado.com/sabados-anchor-watch-system/)**.** They're built specifically for Sabado's setup and will need changes for anyone else's boat, but the rode and alarm math should hold up. Let me know if you're looking to implement them and I'll try to help as much as I can. ### ### Sabado’s Anchor Watch System URL: https://svsabado.com/sabados-anchor-watch-system/ Last updated: 2026-09-13T21:59:22.000Z _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### The Emergency We Weren’t Ready For [EARLY + AD-FREE VIDEO] URL: https://svsabado.com/the-emergency-we-werent-ready-for-early-ad-free-video/ Last updated: 2026-08-08T02:43:46.000Z What we had was a pounding heart, a serious injury, and one very simple question: What do we do first? So we built something for that moment. It’s called Overboard, it’s free, and it’s available for anyone who wants it. _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Free Offline Emergency App for Cruisers, Built After Our Own Medical Emergency in Fiji URL: https://svsabado.com/free-offline-emergency-app-for-cruisers-built-after-our-own-medical-emergency-in-fiji/ Last updated: 2026-08-09T02:55:03.000Z After an accident onboard, Holly went to the hospital in Fiji, and I learned something about myself that I didn't like. I've been captaining boats for many years. I know the theory. I know what a MAYDAY call sounds like, I know where every piece of distress gear on this boat lives, and I could recite the whole thing to you over a coffee at any anchorage we meet. None of that was available to me in the moment. What I actually had was a pounding heart, an injured wife, and a brain that had gone completely blank. That's the part nobody tells you. The knowledge doesn't disappear because you never had it. It disappears because your body dumps a load of adrenaline into your system and takes your ability to think straight with it. So we built something for that moment. It’s called Overboard, it works with no signal at all, and it’s **free** for anyone who wants it. If you want the full story of what happened in Fiji and what it taught us, [we wrote that up here](https://svsabado.com/5-lessons-every-cruiser-can-learn-from-our-medical-emergency-in-fiji/). [**Open Overboard**](https://emergency.svsabado.com/?ref=svsabado.com) ## What it does ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/2026/08/IMG_0795-2.jpeg) Overboard opens on one screen with three buttons, because three buttons is about the limit of what I could have handled at the time. Before those buttons, there's one line reminding you to make the boat safe to leave the helm. Heave to, autopilot, furl, engine on, whatever it takes so nobody has to steer. Then three slow breaths out. Then you pick one: - **Red.** Not breathing, bad bleeding, unconscious. - **Amber.** Awake, hurt, needs help. - **Green.** Minor, we can handle it. Each one opens a short list of what to do next, in order, in plain language. The red path starts with stopping the bleeding, not with reaching for a device, because that's the actual order of operations and it's the one people get backwards when they panic. Past that, there are a few things I wish I'd had in my hand that day: ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/2026/08/IMG_0798.jpeg) **A MAYDAY script you read out loud.** Not a summary of how a distress call works. The actual words, in order, with your vessel name, call sign, and MMSI already filled in and your current position pulled from your phone's GPS. There's a PAN-PAN version too, for urgent but not immediately life-threatening, which is the call more cruisers should be making and don't. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/2026/08/IMG_0797.jpeg) **Free medical advice, on speed dial.** CIRM in Rome gives free medical advice to any vessel, anywhere, in English. I sailed for decades without knowing that service existed. It's built in, along with the reminder that if you have no voice line, you can email them, and if you have neither, VHF 16 and the words "I require medical advice" will reach a doctor through whichever rescue center hears you. **Your position, in the formats you'll actually be asked for.** No fumbling around with a chartplotter while somebody is bleeding. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/2026/08/IMG_0799.jpeg) **A casualty log.** Timestamped notes on what happened and how the patient is doing. It matters more than you'd think when you finally do reach a doctor, and adrenaline is terrible for memory. It is likely your insurance will want the play by play, too. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/2026/08/IMG_0800.jpeg) **A setup screen you fill in once.** Vessel details, people on board, your assistance or evacuation membership number. Then it's there when you need it. ## The offline part is the whole point An emergency app that needs an internet connection isn’t great for our lifestyle. Think about when you'd actually reach for this. You're offshore. Or you're in a remote anchorage. Or Starlink is doing what Starlink does. The exact conditions that create a marine emergency are the conditions that take your connection away. So Overboard installs itself onto your phone. You open it once with a connection, and after that it works with the phone in airplane mode, in a locker, in a liferaft. There's no login, no account, and no signup. It also never sends your information anywhere. Your vessel details and crew information stay on your phone, full stop. There's no server collecting it, because there's no server. That was a requirement for us and it should be for you too. ## Put it on your phone before you need it This part matters. Bookmarking it isn't enough, because a bookmark needs a connection. **You have to add it to your home screen**, which is what tells your phone to keep a copy. **On iPhone:** open [emergency.svsabado.com](https://emergency.svsabado.com/?ref=svsabado.com) in Safari. It has to be Safari, not Chrome or Brave. Tap the Share button, then Add to Home Screen, then Add. **On Android:** open the link in any browser, then use the browser menu and tap Install app or Add to Home screen. Then do the test I want you to do: turn on airplane mode and open it from the new icon. It should come straight up. Now you know it works, and you know it before the day you need it. Fill in the setup screen right away while you're relaxed and the internet works. It takes two minutes, and it means the MAYDAY script is already reading your boat's name back to you when it counts. ## What this is not It's not a replacement for medical training. Take a first aid course or better a wilderness medical class. If you're heading offshore, take a proper offshore medical course. It's not a replacement for your EPIRB, your PLB, or your radio. The app tells you what to say. Your beacons and your radio are what actually reach rescuers. And it's not medical advice. It's a set of checklists to keep a rattled person moving in the right order until you get a real doctor on the line. ## It's free, and we'd like you to share it We're not charging for this, we're not gating it behind a signup, and there's nothing to buy. If it gets used once, on somebody else's boat, by somebody we've never met, that's the whole return we're after. So please pass it along. **Send it to your buddy boat**. Drop it in your rally's WhatsApp group. Share it with your yacht club or your marina. If you run a cruising net, mention it. [**emergency.svsabado.com**](https://emergency.svsabado.com/?ref=svsabado.com) Fill it in tonight. Then hopefully never open it again. :) ### Sample Behind the Scenes Post URL: https://svsabado.com/sample-behind-the-scenes-post/ Last updated: 2026-08-04T20:57:06.000Z You'll need at least a free account to view this monthly Behind the Scenes post _This post is for subscribers only._ ### July 2026 Behind the Scenes URL: https://svsabado.com/july-2026-behind-the-scenes/ Last updated: 2026-09-11T02:24:37.000Z Every month since January 2023, we've published a behind-the-scenes report detailing the challenges, projects, chores, and expenses we encountered while living aboard our Lagoon 42 sailing catamaran full time. With our new vessel monitoring system, it's easier than ever to track and share the realities of life on the water. From our water, fuel, and energy consumption to what broke, what it cost to fix, and our monthly spending, these reports provide an honest look at **what it actually costs to cruise full time.** ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/2026/08/Still-2026-08-03-144148_1.36.1.jpg) **Savusavu, Fiji* We only moved once in July, sailing from Nadi to Savusavu by rounding the northern tip of Viti Levu before heading east. That single passage accounted for all the diesel we burned this month. Aside from the hours spent running the engines during that passage, we powered the boat with sunshine all month. This wasn't a typical month for us. Ray made the passage solo while Holly flew back to the United States for emergency medical treatment, so our usual routines, consumption, and expenses looked a bit different than they normally do. ## Power Usage Everyone assumes a boat's power use looks like a house: quiet all night, spiking at meal times. Ours doesn't. Averaged across the month our draw sits near 261 watts and barely moves, while solar swings from nothing to well over a kilowatt and back. ![What a day looks like](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/2026/08/2-average-day-8.png) Across the whole of July that came to **212 kWh of solar collected and 194 kWh** used, with the generator running 26 minutes. Below you'll find a complete breakdown of the month, including daily solar production and energy consumption, cumulative energy totals, our lowest battery state of charge each day, water and fuel tank levels, and a detailed expense ledger. We share what we spent in July, organized into four categories, including what we actually paid for operating and maintaining the boat. **Crew members get this report every month.** First time here? Our July 2026 report is free: the complete month, every chart and every expense line item. Want more? [Join the Crew here](https://svsabado.com/#/portal/signup). [Get July 2026, Free ](https://www.svsabado.com/sample-behind-the-scenes-post/?ref=svsabado.com) _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Reunited + New Medical Emergency Response System (SNEAK PEEK) URL: https://svsabado.com/reunited-new-medical-emergency-response-system-sneak-peek/ Last updated: 2026-08-02T01:59:13.000Z Exclusive video for our Crew, VIP and Flagship members. _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### A Stolen Credit Card Number Used to Ruin Our Month. Now It Takes Ten Seconds to Fix URL: https://svsabado.com/a-stolen-credit-card-number-used-to-ruin-our-month-now-it-takes-ten-seconds-to-fix/ Last updated: 2026-07-31T21:33:43.000Z We had our card compromised after a pizza night in the Bahamas. That's all it took. One dinner ashore, and a few days later dozens of charges we didn't recognize started showing up. When you live on land, this is an annoyance. You call the bank, they cancel the card, a new one shows up in your mailbox in three business days, and you get on with your life. **On the water, it's a logistical nightmare.** We ended up having to send the replacement card to a friend and wait several weeks until they flew in to visit us (thank you, Eve!). In the meantime, life didn't stop. With painfully slow internet, we logged into every company that charged our card on autopay, one by one, and updated our payment information. That included critical services like our insurance and the Iridium plan that keeps our weather routing coming in. Then there were all the subscriptions we'd completely forgotten about until their payment failed and they suddenly reminded us they existed... That was 5 years ago, and for us, that was the last time. There's a simple fix, and we've been using it ever since. **Stop handing your real card number to the internet in the first place.** ## What is a Virtual Card? A virtual card is a normal 16 digit card number with a CVV and an expiration date. It works at checkout exactly like the plastic one in your wallet. The difference is that it's generated on demand, it's tied to a service sitting in front of your bank account rather than to the account itself, and **you can cancel it from your phone in about ten seconds.** We use [Privacy.com](https://www.privacy.com/?ref=svsabado.com). You link a US checking account, and it pulls funds by ACH, the electronic bank transfer system used in the United States, whenever a card gets charged. Merchants never see your real account details. Instead, they see a disposable card number that exists only for them. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/2026/07/IMG_0780.jpeg) Three card types do most of the work: **Merchant locked cards** attach themselves to the first business that charges them, then refuse every other business forever. If that number leaks in a data breach, it's worthless to whoever stole it. **This is the one we use for subscriptions and for any vendor we expect to buy from again.** **Single use cards** close automatically after one transaction. This is what we reach for when we're buying from a chandlery we've never heard of, or a parts supplier we found through a forum post, or anything that gives us the slightest pause. **Everywhere cards** aren't locked to one merchant and can be loaded into Apple, Google, or Samsung Wallet. This is the one that covers you in person, and it's the one that would've saved us in the Bahamas. More on the catch below. You also set a spending limit on every card. Per transaction, monthly, or total. A merchant can't charge you more than you agreed to, because the money simply isn't there to take. ## The 3 Things That Matter Most on a Boat **A compromised number stops being an emergency.** If a card gets skimmed or breached, you close it in the app and generate a new one. No phone call to a bank at three in the morning your time. No waiting on somebody's flight. Your actual bank card never got exposed, so it keeps working the whole time. **Subscription cancellation becomes trivial.** Every cruiser has a stack of recurring charges: weather routing, streaming so you've got something to watch at anchor, cloud backup, software licenses, the marina app you used once. Some of these companies make cancellation genuinely difficult, especially from a boat in a different time zone with poor internet. When each subscription has its own dedicated card, you don't have to argue with anyone, and you don't have to go log into all of them either. **You just close the card**. The charge declines. Done. The same trick makes free trials safe. Give the trial a single use card with a $1 limit and forget about it. It can't auto renew into a real charge, because there's nothing to charge. **You get compartmentalization.** One vendor gets breached and it touches exactly one card, not your entire financial life. We've used these cards with vendors all over the world, plenty of them foreign, and we've never had one declined for being virtual. It's a US issued number, and it processes like any other "real" card. ## The Honest Limitations ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/2026/07/IMG_0779.jpeg) We're not going to pretend this is a perfect tool. **In person, you need contactless.** Everywhere Cards load into Apple, Google, or Samsung Wallet, so you can tap with a virtual card and the merchant never touches a real number. Nothing about your account goes across the counter, and you can still kill the card from your phone. It works anywhere contactless Mastercard is accepted. The catch is how many places that isn't, especially in the islands. Plenty of the restaurants, chandleries, and fuel docks we deal with still want the physical card in hand, and no virtual card helps you there. **Where you can tap, tap. Where you can't, you're back to the plastic or better yet, cash.** **It's US centric.** You need a US checking account to fund it, and foreign transaction fees can apply on purchases from merchants based outside the US. If you're not a US resident with a US bank, this particular service isn't for you, though similar options exist elsewhere. **We'd be curious to hear from someone who has set up a US bank account through** [**Wise**](https://wise.com/us/?utm%5Fsource=google&matchtype=e&device=c&userlocation=9212309&keyword=wise&campaignid=17092134461&adgroupid=135359534079&utm%5Fcampaign=17092134461%5F%5F%5F135359534079&gad%5Fsource=1&gad%5Fcampaignid=17092134461&gbraid=0AAAAADqE2bDX4lwxiBTuhgATOAyCMYC3N&gclid=CjwKCAjwj7HTBhBiEiwA8s35Ovu1QXtR0OOgn-U%5FIsjbOqKCooy-G29xPFgpFS5a2QQCla4IF5k79xoCRlIQAvD%5FBwE)**: are you able to use Privacy.com?** **Everywhere Cards cost extra.** They're only on the two upper plans, currently Pro at $10 a month and Premium at $25\. **The free plan and the $5 plan get merchant locked and single use cards, which** **is the online protection, but not the tap.** Worth knowing before you decide which tier you actually need. Also, if you're on Pro for the cashback, Everywhere Card purchases don't earn it. **There's a monthly card limit.** The free Personal plan allows 12 new cards per calendar month, which is more than enough for most people. Paid plans go up from there, currently 24 cards on the $5 plan, 36 on Pro, and 60 on Premium. Check their pricing page for current numbers, since these things move. ## How We Use it Aboard Sabado Every recurring service has its own merchant locked card, named after the vendor, with a monthly limit set slightly above the expected charge. That way an unexpected price increase gets declined and we find out about it, instead of discovering it three months later on a statement. Anything one time or unfamiliar gets a single use card sized to the exact purchase amount. Our real bank card stays out of every website. It comes out for the places that still need a physical card in hand, and that's the only job we ask of it. The result is that a card compromise, which cost us a month the first time, is now roughly as serious as a dead flashlight battery. Annoying for a minute, then handled. ## If you want to try it The basic plan is free, so there's no real reason not to test it on your next online purchase: [Privacy.com](https://www.privacy.com/?ref=svsabado.com) **To be clear, there's no referral link in this post and nobody is paying us for it. We only write about gear and services we actually use aboard, and this one has saved us real headaches. Out here that's worth more than the money.** ### Simple Boat-Friendly BBQ Chicken Marinade (Made with Pantry Staples) URL: https://svsabado.com/simple-boat-friendly-bbq-chicken-marinade-made-with-pantry-staples/ Last updated: 2026-07-31T19:40:37.000Z In the South Pacific, it’s pretty common for officials to board your boat when you clear into a new country and remove all fresh produce. That usually leaves you with frozen meats (if properly packaged with traceable origin, no pork) and whatever shelf-stable provisions you’ve stocked up on. One of our go-to “just cleared in” meals is simple BBQ grilled chicken with canned baked beans and whatever canned vegetables we have. It’s not fancy, but after a long passage, it absolutely hits the spot. **Easy no-fresh-produce marinade:** - 1/4 cup soy sauce - 2 tbsp olive oil - 2 tbsp brown sugar - 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce - 1 tsp smoked paprika - 1 tsp garlic powder - 1 tsp onion powder - 1/2 tsp black pepper - 1/2 tsp dried oregano Marinate chicken for 2–8 hours, then grill. Simple, reliable, and perfect for that first night back on land. ### Home Assistant Status Cards URL: https://svsabado.com/home-assistant-status-cards/ Last updated: 2026-09-13T22:00:09.000Z _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Power usage inventory sheet URL: https://svsabado.com/power-usage-inventory-sheet/ Last updated: 2026-07-30T08:23:33.000Z _This post is for subscribers only._ ### Holly's Progress: Timeline & Updates URL: https://svsabado.com/hollys-progress-timeline-updates/ Last updated: 2026-07-27T14:57:49.000Z Exclusive real-time update. _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### 5 Lessons Every Cruiser Can Learn From Our Medical Emergency in Fiji URL: https://svsabado.com/5-lessons-every-cruiser-can-learn-from-our-medical-emergency-in-fiji/ Last updated: 2026-07-27T14:56:59.000Z I fell from the coach roof through an open hatch while we were anchored in Fiji and ended up in the local hospital. Ray and I have always talked about what we would do in an emergency like this, but when you're dealing with fear and shock, it's amazing how quickly your ability to think clearly disappears. Looking back, there are several things we could have done to be better prepared for the aftermath of my accident. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/2026/07/IMG_4975-1--1.JPG) ## **Keep Emergency Information for Everyone on Board** This is especially important if you ever take crew aboard your boat. Thankfully, Ray already knew my allergies, medications, emergency contacts, and medical history. If you're sailing with friends, acquaintances, or crew, make sure you have that information before you leave the dock. If they're unable to communicate after an accident, you'll be the one answering those questions. I've created a free Emergency Information Card that you can print, fill out, and keep in your wallet or purse. I also recommend taking a photo of it and saving it on your phone, but don't rely solely on a digital copy. During our emergency, we ended up on an unexpected two-hour taxi ride to the hospital. If Ray hadn't packed a power bank and adapters in [his emergency kit](https://svsabado.com/on-the-go-emergency-kit/), our phones would have died shortly after we arrived. The Emergency Information Card is free for anyone to download. If you find it useful, consider adding to our tip jar or [becoming a Crew or VIP member](https://svsabado.com/#/portal/signup) to access our full [Document Library](https://svsabado.com/documents/), which includes additional templates, diagrams, and resources we've created to make life aboard a little easier. One thing I included on our Emergency Information Card is each person's phone passcode. It may seem like a small, or perhaps invasive, detail, but it can make a huge difference in an emergency. Being able to unlock someone's phone means you can quickly contact their family, access important information, or continue communicating if your own phone dies or doesn't have service. In our case, we had just arrived in Fiji and hadn't yet set up our eSIMs. My phone provider has better international coverage than Ray's, so he used my phone to communicate with my family and research treatment options while we were at the hospital. [Emergency Information CardDownload here (4 cards)Emergency Card.pdf66 KBdownload-circle](https://svsabado.com/content/files/2026/07/Emergency-Card.pdf "Download") ## **Set Up eSIMs ASAP** When we first arrived in Fiji, we checked into the marina and stayed there for a few days before heading out to anchor. We weren't planning to do much exploring until our cruising permit was issued, so setting up our local eSIMs didn't feel like a priority. We had Starlink on the boat, and we expected to spend very little time on shore in the coming week. That decision came back to bite us. As we climbed into the dinghy, with me bleeding and in tears, we realized we needed to turn on international data roaming and hope it worked. It was one more thing to deal with at a time when our attention needed to be somewhere else. Even once we had a connection, it was slow. We were trying to find the nearest hospital, look up dental facilities, and dig through emails to find my insurance policy number, all while dealing with an emergency. What we learned is that you should purchase and install your destination's eSIM before you need it, ideally before you even arrive in the country. We've been using Airalo for years. It lets you purchase and install eSIMs for mobile data in countries around the world without having to buy a physical SIM card. If you've already installed your country’s eSIM, turning it on and connecting to a local network typically takes just a few minutes. In an emergency, having fast, reliable mobile data can make an already stressful situation much easier to manage. It's one less thing to worry about when your focus needs to be somewhere else. Moving forward, we’ll be adding “install destination eSIM” to our predeparture checklist, before leaving the country. If you'd like to try [Airalo](https://airalo.pxf.io/c/7500118/3869553/15608?ref=svsabado.com), you can save **15% on your first Airalo Unlimited eSIM** with the code **UNLIMITED4YOU**. ## **Do Not List Your Spouse As Crew** This is something we've always paid attention to, but Fiji highlighted a detail we hadn't considered. When checking into a country, think carefully about how each person is listed on the paperwork. If you're cruising as a couple, both of you should have a status that gives you legal authority over the vessel. Neither of you should be listed simply as **Crew**. In Fiji, the paperwork used the terms **"Person in Charge"** and **"Captain."** We listed me as the Person in Charge and Ray as the Captain, not realizing that if necessary, Ray wouldn't be able to clear the boat out of Fiji without me being present. That meant the hours before my flight to the USA were spent tracking down customs and immigration officers on a Sunday so I could officially transfer responsibility for Sabado to Ray. If my treatment took longer than expected or severe weather required him to move the boat, he needed to be able to clear out of Fiji without me. Thankfully, we were able to get everything sorted before my flight. Looking back, I'm not sure we would have completed the paperwork any differently. There was no way to know which one of us might need to leave the country in an emergency. The lesson wasn't that we chose the wrong roles, but that it's important to understand exactly what those roles mean in each country you visit and to know the process for transferring responsibility if circumstances change. One thing that is consistent almost everywhere is that someone listed only as **Crew** generally has no legal authority over the vessel. If you're cruising as a couple, make sure you're both listed in a way that allows either of you to manage the boat if the other is suddenly unable to do so. It could save you a great deal of stress during an already difficult situation. ## **Join Those WhatsApp Group Chats** If you know Ray and me personally, you know we're pretty antisocial. We enjoy doing our own thing and have never been the type to seek out big cruiser gatherings. So, in the past, we've usually skipped the local rally and marina WhatsApp groups. Since arriving in the South Pacific, though, we've been making an effort to step outside our comfort zone. Cruising out here is very different from cruising the Caribbean or the Bahamas. The distances are greater, supplies take much longer to arrive, and you're often **really** far from help when something goes wrong. We've learned that the cruising community is about much more than socializing. It's sharing local knowledge when the charts are inaccurate and cloud cover makes satellite imagery useless. It's someone convincing a visiting friend to tuck a watermaker part into their luggage for you because shipping one to the islands could take weeks. And, in this case, it's being able to message a group of people you barely know to ask if someone can go retrieve the key you accidentally left in your dinghy during the chaos of getting your wife to the hospital. Because the only thing that would have made that day worse is returning to the dock and discovering the dinghy had been stolen. We still aren't the most social cruisers, but this experience reminded us that being part of the cruising community isn't just about making friends. It's about having a network of people who are understand your situation and are willing to help when life takes an unexpected turn. Thank you to everyone who messaged us back in our time of need: Ian, SV Tevake for grabbing our dinghy key, Dirk, SV Moin for boarding Sabado to close all the hatches, Beth and Dave, SV Warrior, and Ben and Ashley, SV Nahoa for sharing tracks and route advice to get to the marina, Chad, SV Ohana for the marina recon, Viki from the [Island Cruising](https://www.islandcruising.nz/?ref=svsabado.com) rally for helping us figure out which form was needed for customs and immigration, and everyone who sent me messages of support while we couldn't have been more down in the dumps. ## The Bigger Lesson: We Paid for All the Right Services and Didn't Know How to Use Them The lessons above are the practical ones, the fixes you can make this week. But my accident exposed something larger, and it's kept Ray busy ever since. Had my injuries been more severe, or had we not been anchored near a busy port with access to taxis and pharmacies, our response would have been very different. We are not underprepared people. We have an EPIRB, a satellite beacon and an AIS beacon on each life jacket, an Iridium GO, a Garmin inReach, VHF with DSC, and Starlink. We carry medical assistance membership. We both have international health insurance. However, having all of that is not the same as knowing, in the moment, **which one to reach for and what it will actually do**. We had the tools. What we didn't have was the answer to simple questions at the worst possible time: Which number do we call first? Does that one send help, or just money? Does it cover both of us, or only one? Do we call before we arrange a flight, or after? Who actually pays to get someone off a boat if we were a hundred miles offshore? We didn't know off the top of our heads. When we started pulling our policies and membership documents apart, we learned that some services pay for a rescue only if that same service arranges it, so if you organize the transfer yourself, however sensible that is in the moment, the bill is yours. Some cover one of us and not the other. Some cover the transport but not the care once you're ashore, and some are the reverse. Our coverage has seams, and the seams are exactly where an emergency lands. There's also a whole category of **free help** we didn't know existed until we went looking, and it turned out to be one of the best things we found. None of this was hidden, exactly. It was just spread across a dozen documents written by a dozen organizations who each assumed theirs was the only one you'll read. ## What We're Building Instead Ray is building the integration manual nobody sold us. For our own boat first, because we need it, and then to share, because **if two reasonably careful people got caught out by this, plenty of others will too**. It has two parts: the first is a single written manual in plain language, including what we carry and what each piece actually does, with the gaps stated plainly. Then for each kind of emergency, a simple sequence to follow. The second is a tool built into Sabado's monitoring system that turns the manual into something you can use when you're too rattled to think. One tap to step by step instructions. Simple questions to guide you through assessing the situation. The right phone numbers, in order. Our position on screen and the exact words you'd read over the radio. And a place to log what happened as it happens, because afterward nobody remembers the order, and the people who pay the bills will ask. The guiding idea behind all of it is simple: it has to work when you're at your worst, not your best. **In an upcoming post, we'll take a deep dive into that new system: the protocols, the free resources most cruisers have never heard of, and the insurance details every cruiser should understand before they need them.** It's the post we wish we'd been able to read a month ago. Until then, below is a document we created that you can edit for your vessel and print **now**. We hope it never comes in handy! ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/2026/07/flow.jpg-1.jpg) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/2026/07/scripts.jpg-1.jpg) [sabado-flowchart-SHARE-lettersabado-flowchart-SHARE-letter.svg11 KBdownload-circle](https://svsabado.com/content/files/2026/07/sabado-flowchart-SHARE-letter.svg "Download") [sabado-scripts-letter-SHAREsabado-scripts-letter-SHARE.svg6 KBdownload-circle](https://svsabado.com/content/files/2026/07/sabado-scripts-letter-SHARE.svg "Download") ### Three Watermakers, Two Oceans, One Hard Lesson URL: https://svsabado.com/three-watermakers-two-oceans-one-hard-lesson/ Last updated: 2026-07-23T17:00:30.000Z There's a specific kind of quiet that settles over a boat when you finally admit a piece of equipment is never going to work again. We had that quiet in a Martinique anchorage the day the Paguro service center called to say they were giving up on our generator. And we had it again, a few years and one ocean later, standing over the Spectra watermaker we'd just spent four thousand dollars on, failing to resurrect. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/2026/07/12412.jpg) Making fresh water is not optional on a cruising boat. It's the difference between real independence and being tethered to a dock and a hose. So over the years aboard Sabado we've owned three watermakers, chased down two continents' worth of spare parts, and learned the hard way what actually matters when you choose one. I want to walk through all of it, the failures of the equipment and, honestly, some of our own because I think our mistakes were reasonable given what we knew and what we had on the boat at the time. And I think the lessons are worth more than the water. ### Why the watermaker is the hardest system on the boat People assume the engine or the rig is the temperamental part of a cruising boat. It's usually the watermaker. The core technology is simple enough: a high-pressure pump pushes seawater through a semi-permeable reverse-osmosis membrane at somewhere near 800 psi, the membrane lets water molecules through and rejects the salt, and you get fresh water on one side and concentrated brine on the other. That part is well-understood and reliable. Everything around the membrane is where the trouble lives. Of all the design decisions, the one that determines whether your watermaker is an asset or an anchor is how you power it. That single choice cascades into everything: your generator dependence, your power budget, your output in gallons per hour, and how the whole system fits into daily life at anchor. The other two things that kill watermakers have nothing to do with output at all: - Flush discipline: An RO membrane left sitting in seawater will foul and harbor growth. If you're not making water daily, you have to flush the system with fresh, unchlorinated water and how easy the manufacturer makes that flush determines whether you actually do it. - Parts availability: A watermaker that needs a proprietary part is a watermaker that can strand you. When you're 2,000 miles from the nearest dealer in a country with unreliable shipping, "we can overnight that to you" is a sentence that does not exist. Keep those three things, power source, flushing, and parts in mind, because every chapter of our story is really about one of them. ### Chapter One: Sea Recovery + Paguro Generator ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/2026/07/12410.jpg) When we started, Sabado carried an Aquamatic Sea Recovery unit that made about 35 gallons an hour. On paper, that's a lovely watermaker, high output, well-built, a serious piece of marine engineering. The catch was that it ran on AC power, which meant it could not make a drop unless the generator was running. Our generator was a Paguro. And the Paguro failed more than it ran. We threw money and technicians at it in island after island. Nobody could get it to run right for long. The failure finally became official in Martinique, when the Paguro service center, the factory's own people, told us they were out of ideas. Here's the thing I want to be clear about: the Sea Recovery watermaker never let us down. The generator did. But when your watermaker is chained to a power source you can't trust, the distinction stops mattering. So we made a decision that, given the situation, I'd make again: we pulled the Sea Recovery unit out entirely and went looking for water we could make without a generator at all. ### Chapter Two: The Spectra, our honest mistake ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/2026/07/12409.jpg) We replaced it with a Spectra that made about 14 gallons an hour and ran on 12 volts. I want to defend this choice before I criticize it, because at the time it was the right call. We had just been burned badly by generator dependence. The single most attractive quality any watermaker could have, in that moment, was independence from AC power. Spectra's whole reputation is built on energy efficiency, clever engineering that lets you make water off your battery bank without starting up a generator. After the Paguro saga, that was exactly what we were looking for. And for three years, it mostly worked. The Spectra ran, we made water, we cruised. But the vulnerability wasn't the running, it was the fixing. When parts failed, they were proprietary Spectra parts, and getting them shipped to the places we cruise ranged from expensive to nearly impossible. The clever engineering that made the unit efficient also made it dependent on a supply chain we couldn't reach. We kept feeding it. The final tally was around four thousand dollars in Spectra parts, and at the end of it, we still had a watermaker that would not make water. That's the mistake, and I'll own it: we kept investing in a system whose real weakness was structural (or logistics maybe), not mechanical. But I'll also defend the reasoning that got us there. We didn't choose the Spectra because we misjudged it. We chose it because, on the boat we had, with a generator we couldn't trust, DC independence was worth more than anything else. The lesson wasn't "Spectra is bad." The lesson was subtler, and it's the one I'd tattoo on my past self: efficiency doesn't matter if you can't buy the parts. For a couple on a boat with a modest battery bank and no generator, Spectra's efficiency-first design may still be exactly the right answer. And to be clear, the Spectra made a lot of great water for us and allowed years of independence. ### Chapter Three: Rainman earns the starting job ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/2026/07/12407.jpg) Before crossing the Pacific, we did something that turned out to be the smartest watermaker decision we've made: we bought a backup. The backup was a “portable”, AC-powered Rainman that makes about 37 gallons an hour. The idea was insurance, something completely independent from the Spectra, so that a failure mid-ocean wouldn't leave us rationing water a thousand miles from anywhere. What actually happened is that the backup quietly won the job. When we finally gave up on the Spectra, we switched to running the Rainman full time, and it has been genuinely excellent. It is basic in the best sense of the word, a straightforward, robust machine that makes a lot of water, built from standard, serviceable components. And here's the part that closes the whole circle: now that we've built up a large battery bank and serious solar capacity, we can run the Rainman off our own power without a generator at all. (We do finally have a good, reliable generator too but the point is we no longer need it to drink.) The unit that solved our problem wasn't the most efficient or the most elegant. It was the most serviceable. ### The one honest gripe I promised expertise, and part of expertise is being honest about tradeoffs, so here's our Rainman's real downside: ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/2026/07/12406.jpg) It's a “portable” unit, which means it comes in two pieces, and both of them are heavy and cumbersome. Storing them is a chore. Getting them out is a chore. And because we're not running the watermaker every single day, we have to haul both pieces out and set the whole thing up at least every seven days just to do a fresh water flush. That flush is non-negotiable, skip it and you'll ruin the membrane, so every week, like clockwork, we do the heavy-lifting ritual for a job that takes the machine only a few minutes to perform. It is the single point of friction in an otherwise outstanding system. And it has a name-brand solution: Rainman makes a permanently framed, installed version of this same watermaker with automatic freshwater flush. Same excellent water-making guts we already trust, mounted and plumbed in, with the one tedious chore we do fifty-two times a year turned into something the system just handles on its own. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/2026/07/12411.jpg) That's our dream unit. I'll say it plainly: if there's a watermaker upgrade on our wishlist, it's that one. ### What we'd tell our past selves If you're choosing a watermaker, here's the distilled version of everything three units and two oceans taught us: Choose around your power reality, not the spec sheet. Gallons per hour is the number everyone shops on and it's the least important one. Ask first what's going to power this thing, and how much you trust that power source, because that decision drives everything else. Choose around your parts reality. Wherever you actually cruise, ask how you'd get a failed component replaced. Standard, serviceable parts beat clever, efficient engineering every single time you're far from a dealer which, if you're cruising remote, is most of the time. Value flushing you'll actually do. The best flush routine is the one that's easy enough that you never skip it. If a design makes maintenance a heavy weekly chore, factor that in honestly, it's the difference between a membrane that lasts years and one that fouls in a season. None of our choices were foolish for the boat we had at the time. But knowing what we know now, we'd have weighted serviceability far higher, and efficiency far lower, from the very beginning. ### Where we are now Sabado today has a big battery bank, plenty of solar, a generator we finally trust, and a Rainman that just works. We make all the water we need off our own power, anywhere we drop the hook. After the Paguro and the Spectra years, "it just works" is a small miracle we don't take for granted. There's one upgrade left on the dream list: that framed, auto-flushing Rainman that would erase that weekly flush chore. Until then, we'll keep hauling out both heavy halves every seven days, doing the flush, and being quietly grateful that the hardest system on the boat finally became the one we worry about least. *What’s powering your watermaker, and would you make the same choice again? We especially want to hear from anyone running a framed, auto-flush Rainman, tell us about your experience.* ### Automated Battery Compartment Cooling with ESPHome and Home Assistant URL: https://svsabado.com/automated-battery-compartment-cooling-with-esphome-and-home-assistant/ Last updated: 2026-07-18T13:18:37.000Z Holly and I have a lot invested in Sabado's electrical system. The 1,035Ah 24V LiFePO4 bank, the AC charging components, the DC/DC chargers, and the inverter all live in one compartment that we built under the owners bed. Heat is the enemy of every one of them. We needed active ventilation in that space, not just passive airflow. What started as a simple two-fan setup grew into something more capable, and the control logic turned out to be more interesting than I expected. This post covers what we built and how it works. ## The Problem The electrical compartment on a Lagoon 42 isn't large so we decided to remove the bed on our side of the boat and build a new space. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/2026/07/1301.jpg) On a warm day at anchor with solar charging hard and the inverter under load, temperatures climb. We wanted ambient air moving through the space, cool in and warm out, without fans running flat out all the time and without managing it by hand. Also, it makes little sense running fans to cool the space with ambient air when the ambient air temperature is about equal to the temperature in the compartment. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/2026/07/12239.jpg) In New Zealand in late autumn, outside air is often 58 to 62°F. That's great for cooling, but it creates an awkward control problem. The delta between inside and outside can be large even when the interior isn't dangerously hot, and a naive controller will spin the fans up hard, pull cold air in, cool everything fast, then shut off. Ten minutes later it repeats. We watched exactly that oscillation play out in our first few iterations. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/2026/07/IMG_0512-1.jpeg) We also run a condensate pump for the AC units, so it made sense to manage that on the same controller but we’ll discuss that in a later post. ## The Hardware Five Noctua PWM fans, four blowing ambient air in and one extracting warm air out. PWM gives us speed control from roughly 20% to 100% instead of just on/off, which matters when you're living with the noise. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/2026/07/12244.jpg) - **Fans:** Noctua NF-F12 iPPC, spec'd at 3000 RPM - **Controller:** ESP32-S3 on a Waveshare 6-channel board with relay outputs, which also drives the condensate pump relay - **Temperature sensors:** Three one-wire sensors on a single bus: - **Ambient**, outside the compartment, measuring incoming air - **Interior**, general compartment air temperature - **Hotspot**, positioned at the highest heat-generating component - **Fan RPM:** Pulse counter on the tach wire, so we're reading actual fan speed rather than trusting the PWM command ## The Software: ESPHome The controller was flashed to runs ESPHome, which integrates natively with Home Assistant over the local network. Firmware is YAML with embedded C++ lambdas for the logic, which is enough for real embedded control without dropping to full ESP-IDF. ### Temperature-Based Control The control function runs every 10 seconds. It takes the higher of hotspot and interior, computes the delta above ambient, and maps that to a PWM level with an exponential curve: ```cpp float excess = delta - HYSTERESIS_ON_DELTA_C; float max_excess = 13.5f; float k = 0.050f; // curve shape, lower = gentler ramp float raw_f = 1.0f - std::exp(-k * excess); float max_f = 1.0f - std::exp(-k * max_excess); level = 0.2f + (0.8f * (raw_f / max_f)); ``` The exponential response is gentle at small deltas and steepens as the delta grows, which is a much better fit than a linear ramp. `k` sets the steepness. We started at 0.087 and pulled it down to 0.050 after watching the fans overshoot in cool ambient conditions. ### Hysteresis Turning the fan on at 70°F and off at 70°F gives you chatter. We use hysteresis at two levels: - **Temperature threshold:** won't start until interior reaches 70°F, stays on until it drops to 65°F - **Delta threshold:** won't start until delta above ambient is at least 2.7°F, stays on until delta drops below 0.5°F ```cpp const float MIN_EFFECTIVE_ON_C = 21.1f; // 70°F, start threshold const float MIN_EFFECTIVE_OFF_C = 18.33f; // 65°F, stop threshold const float HYSTERESIS_ON_DELTA_C = 1.5f; // 2.7°F to start const float HYSTERESIS_OFF_DELTA_C = 0.3f; // 0.5°F to stop ``` ### The Oscillation Problem Hysteresis alone wasn't enough. With ambient at 59°F and interior at 70°F, the delta is nearly 11°F, which was enough to drive the fans hard. They'd cool the compartment fast, the delta would collapse, the fans would stop, temperatures would climb, and the whole thing would repeat. The RPM trace on the chart was a clean sawtooth. Three changes fixed it: **PWM cap below 72°F interior.** If the interior hasn't reached 72°F there's no reason to push. Cap at 25%, which on 3,000 RPM fans is about 750 RPM. Enough to move air steadily without overcooling. ```cpp const float LOW_TEMP_PWM_CAP_C = 22.22f; // 72°F const float LOW_TEMP_PWM_CAP = 0.25f; // 25% max if (level > LOW_TEMP_PWM_CAP && std::max(interior, hotspot) < LOW_TEMP_PWM_CAP_C) { level = LOW_TEMP_PWM_CAP; } ``` **Asymmetric slew rate limiting.** PWM can rise 5% per 10-second cycle but fall 20% per cycle. Conservative about adding power, responsive about shedding it. This keeps a transient delta reading from kicking the fans to high speed. **Minimum run time.** Once the fans start they run at least 10 minutes before they're allowed to stop. Kills the rapid cycling and gives the compartment time to settle before the next on/off decision. ### Failsafe If the interior and hotspot sensors both return NaN for more than 90 seconds, the system drives the fans to 100% immediately and bypasses all the ramp logic. A Home Assistant persistent notification fires at the same time. Running the fans flat out on a sensor fault is the right failure mode. Leaving the compartment unventilated is not. It might sound like a jet engine but it’s better to be safe. Ambient going NaN is handled differently. The controller falls back to the last known ambient reading and posts a warning, but doesn't trigger failsafe, since a stale ambient value is still usable for a delta calculation. ## The Home Assistant Dashboard This is where it comes together. We built a dedicated Temps dashboard that gives us the whole picture at a glance. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/2026/07/IMG_0693-1.png) The fan speed monitor drives an animated fan graphic that spins proportionally to actual RPM. Small touch, but it makes the state of the system obvious from across the salon. Below it, an ApexCharts card plots all three temperatures against fan RPM on a shared four-hour timeline. This chart is what drove nearly every tuning decision we made. Seeing the RPM trace alongside the temperature lines makes overcorrection immediately obvious. You can watch interior and hotspot dip as RPM spikes, then watch the cycle restart. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/2026/07/IMG_0694-1.png) ## What We Learned **Tune for your worst-case ambient, not your typical one.** The oscillation only appeared in cool ambient conditions. In warm weather the system behaved fine and we would never have caught it. Stress the control logic across the full ambient range you expect to see. **Exponential beats linear.** A linear PWM ramp gives you too much fan at low deltas and not enough at high ones. **Asymmetric slew rates are the correct behavior for a cooling system.** Slow to add power, quick to shed it. **Instrument before you tune.** The RPM-against-temperature chart made the failure mode legible in about thirty seconds. Without it we'd have been guessing. ## Is It Working? So far, yes. The compartment is holding well within limits, the fans aren't cycling, and we have full visibility from anywhere on the boat. The real test comes as we move into warmer conditions in Fiji, where the ambient delta problem inverts and the fans will actually need to work. Still tuning. But having real data, automated control, and proper alarming on a critical system is the right posture for bluewater cruising, where there's nobody to call. If you would like to give this a try, we’ve posted the code for our crew in the [documents section](https://svsabado.com/fan-condensate-pump-controller-esphome/). Have a go at it and let us know how you implement it. ### I Should Be With Her: A Medical Emergency Sailing Fiji [AD-FREE VIDEO] URL: https://svsabado.com/i-should-be-with-her-a-medical-emergency-sailing-fiji-ad-free-video/ Last updated: 2026-07-23T17:01:06.000Z We hope you enjoy this week's ad-free video. _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Starlink Changed the Roaming Rules. Here's How We're Handling It Aboard Sabado URL: https://svsabado.com/starlink-changed-the-roaming-rules-heres-how-were-handling-it-aboard-sabado/ Last updated: 2026-08-28T01:27:27.000Z If you cruise internationally and lean on Starlink to stay connected, the rules just changed underneath you. The news landed in mid-July, right as we are staging in Fiji for our run to Australia. So we've had to work this out for real, with actual dates and dollar amounts, not hypotheticals. Here's what changed, what we're doing about it, and what it's going to cost us: ## What actually changed The new rules took effect July 14, 2026 for new customers. Existing customers get pulled in on **August 17**. If that's you, that's the date to circle on the calendar. The short version: - **Roam Unlimited now only works outside your registered home country for 30 days at a time.** The old policy was 60 days per trip, loosely enforced. Not anymore. - **The cheaper tiered Roam plans (100GB and 300GB) lost international use entirely.** Now, you can only use them in your home country. - **The old Global Roam plan ($400/month, unlimited, anywhere on land) is discontinued.** The only remaining no-limit international option is Global Priority, which is metered and expensive (more on that below). - **Two exceptions:** the US and Canada now count as one "country," and most of Europe counts as another. If you're cruising inside either of those regions, most of this doesn't apply to you. Anywhere else, every border counts. - **Travel Registration is required before your dish will work abroad at all.** That means passport, personal details, and a live portrait through the app. Do it before you leave, not from an anchorage with no signal. Your two ways to reset that 30-day window are to bring the dish back to its home country, or to transfer the account to the country you're actually in. And the transfer has its own catch: once you move a dish to a new country, you can't move it again for roughly 90 days (technically 120 days from purchase or 90 from activation, whichever comes first). There's also a middle option worth knowing about: upgrading to Local Priority extends you to 60 total international days, but that includes the days you already burned on Roam Unlimited, and the data comes in metered blocks instead of unlimited. And Standby mode ($10/month for about 500 kbps) still works most places; whether idle Standby days burn the 30-day clock is genuinely unclear right now. We'll find out the hard way and report back. ## Why this bites cruisers, specifically We're not returning "home." And we cross borders faster than a 90-day transfer lock is comfortable with. Left unmanaged, you either run out your 30 days and lose service mid-country, or you get pushed onto Global Priority, which at our usage (roughly 500 GB/month, since we work from the boat) would run somewhere between $650 and $765 a month. That number is the villain of this whole post. ## Our plan, with real numbers The route: depart Fiji August 31, Vanuatu through September, New Caledonia through October, first Australian port around mid-November, then south, slowly, to Sydney. We run two dishes: our main Starlink, registered in the US, and a Starlink Mini that's still sitting on its New Zealand registration from last season. That leftover NZ registration turns out to matter a lot. **Protect the one transfer that counts.** The main dish stays on its US registration, untouched, all the way to Australia, where we'll be for a while. That way its one important transfer, to a local Australian account (about US$140/month there), is clean and available the day we clear in. Honestly, our first instinct was the opposite: transfer the main dish early since it's the one under pressure. But the lock math kills that idea. Move it to Fiji or Vanuatu and its Australia transfer would still be locked roughly until the day we arrive. Too tight for comfort. **Spend the grace you already own before paying for anything.** The Mini's NZ registration has a full, unused 30-day international window sitting on it. So the Mini stays switched off until the main dish's window lapses. Then it comes on, we run that NZ grace down through Vanuatu, and we only transfer it to a Vanuatu account as the grace nears empty, timed to our departure so the fresh 30-day window opens right as we sail for New Caledonia and covers the whole month there. Vanuatu also happens to be the cheapest Roam Unlimited registration on our route at about US$95/month, so the transfer isn't just a clock reset, it's a price cut. **Relay, don't overlap.** Two dishes run back-to-back, never at the same time. That's two 30-day windows in sequence instead of one, before anyone transfers or pays extra. **Localize wherever you'll sit longest.** The moment we stop moving (Australia, for us) the dish becomes domestic. No clock, no juggling. And underneath all of it: we gave ourselves permission to arrive in Australia without a hard deadline, because our cellular fallback is strong enough to bridge any gap. That one decision took most of the stress out of the timing. ## What it costs AUG 28, 2026 UPDATE: Starlink has announced that Ocean Mode price increased to $6/GB. The following calculations were made based on the old $2/GB rate. | Phase | What's running | Rough monthly cost | | ----------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------- | -------------------------------------- | | Fiji, pre-departure | Main dish (US Roam Unlimited) + local SIM for bulk data | \~$175 + $15 | | Passage Fiji to Vanuatu | Main on Ocean Mode, \~$2/GB, low-data (\~4–5 GB/day) | \~$100 for the passage | | September, Vanuatu | Mini on its grace, then Vanuatu Roam Unlimited | \~$105 | | October, New Caledonia | Mini's fresh window, free if the timing holds | $0 (worst case \~$400 on metered data) | | Passage to Australia | Main on Ocean Mode again | \~$100 for the passage | | Australia onward | Main localized to AU (\~$140) + cheap local cellular | \~$140 + a bit | Steady state is basically one Roam Unlimited subscription plus a cheap SIM. Compare that against $650 to $765 a month on Global Priority and the juggling starts to look very well paid. ## The gear that makes it work None of this works unless we can move fluidly between satellite and cellular and grab whichever is cheaper right there. Satellite side: two dishes. The standard as primary, the Mini as reserve. That's what gives us the two independent grace windows the relay depends on, plus real redundancy if a unit dies mid-passage. We've met enough cruisers with failed GPS chips to take that seriously. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/2026/07/cellularrouter-x3000.webp) Cellular side: a GL.iNet Spitz AX (GL-X3000), a 5G router with two SIM slots and automatic failover. One slot holds a cheap local data SIM for wherever we are. The other holds a SIMPoYo reprogrammable eSIM card, loaded with a profile for the next country, so we have coverage the moment we drop anchor and a cross-network backup the rest of the time. The eSIM data isn't cheap ($1.50 to $2.50/GB), but that's not its job. Its job is day one and failover. And here's why the cellular side isn't an afterthought. The per-gigabyte spread is enormous: - **Fiji:** Digicel sells 250 GB for FJ$35\. That's about **six cents a gigabyte**, against roughly $2/GB on Starlink's metered priority data. Thirty times cheaper. We're pushing every heavy upload and backup through that SIM before we leave. - **Australia:** Telstra-network prepaid runs roughly US$0.11 to $0.25/GB while moving, and a Telstra 5G home-internet plan (1 TB for AU$85) works out to about six cents a gigabyte at a marina. That's cheaper per GB than the Starlink flat plan itself, never mind priority data. - **Offshore:** about $2/GB on Starlink, and worth every cent, because it's the only thing out there. That six-cents-versus-two-dollars gap is the whole game. Starlink priority data is for the ocean. On land there's almost always something dramatically cheaper sitting right next to you. ## The playbook, if your route isn't ours Strip away our specifics and it comes down to this. Know where each dish is registered and what that registration costs; prices vary a lot by country, and a transfer can be a price cut. Treat unused grace windows as currency and spend them before you transfer. If you run two dishes, relay them rather than burning both clocks at once. Localize wherever you'll linger. Do Travel Registration for every dish before you need it. Check whether your cruising ground falls inside the US-Canada or Europe regions, because if it does, your life is much simpler than ours. And always, always compare the real cost per gigabyte before you buy. The cheapest data on your route is probably in a local SIM, not in the sky. Keep a cellular fallback you actually trust, and the satellite rules lose the power to strand you. ## The honest caveats A few things in our plan are bets, not certainties. We don't know yet whether idle or Standby days burn the 30-day clock. October being free versus costing $400 hinges on it. We're assuming Vanuatu offers a roaming-capable plan at all (if it's residential-only, we fall back to a Fiji transfer). New Caledonia coverage is newish, so we'll re-check the map in Port Vila and arm the priority-data toggle there, in port, because once you're in an unserved cell you may not be able to switch it on from the boat. And the biggest caveat of all: Starlink changed these terms twice this summer before landing on the current version. A 14-day limit was published and pulled in June. Everything above is accurate as we write it. Reconfirm before you commit to anything. We'll report back once we're through to Australia with what actually happened versus the plan. If you're working the same puzzle on your own boat, come compare notes. That's half the fun of the anchorage anyway. ### Fan & Condensate Pump Controller (ESPHome) URL: https://svsabado.com/fan-condensate-pump-controller-esphome/ Last updated: 2026-09-13T22:00:28.000Z _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Offshore Passage Meal Prep: 5 Make-Ahead Boat Meals That Save Time at Sea URL: https://svsabado.com/offshore-passage-meal-prep-5-make-ahead-boat-meals-that-save-time-at-sea/ Last updated: 2026-07-14T17:24:07.000Z Preparing food for an offshore passage is a lot like reefing the sails before the wind arrives. A little work in calm conditions makes life much easier when things get challenging. My goals when meal prepping are simple: 1. **Spend less time in the galley.** With just the two of us aboard, every spare moment matters. If I’m not on watch, I’d much rather be catching up on sleep than cooking. 2. **Conserve power and water underway.** Our sails often cast shadows over the solar panels, and overnight we use more electricity running instruments and radar. Reheating a pre-cooked meal is usually much quicker than cooking from scratch and creates fewer dishes, helping us save both power and water while at sea. 3. **Make sure we’re eating well, even if the weather isn’t ideal.** Nutritious meals are especially important when conditions get rough. We’ve found that when we don’t eat properly, seasickness and fatigue is much more likely to creep in. A little preparation before departure can make a big difference once we’re out at sea. I’m a big fan of the “cook once, eat twice” approach, where you prep a large batch of a meal component that you can use to create at least two different meals. That way we maximize variety with minimal effort. I find that any sort of braised meat freezes well and reheats quickly, which is ideal for longer passages. Here are my top 5 prep-able components and how I use them, that have served us well over years of sailing: 1. **Salsa Chicken:** Seasoned chicken thighs are seared then braised in salsa and broth until fall-apart tender. After shredding the chicken, the braising liquid is reduced into a rich, flavorful sauce that coats every bite. Being from Southern California and Texas, it's hard for me to get excited about a jar of salsa. I always prefer fresh. But I was pleasantly surprised by this recipe. A smoked paprika-forward seasoning blend transforms even an ordinary shelf-stable salsa into a deeply savory, smoky sauce that tastes like it simmered for hours, but is actually done in less than 30 minutes. I can’t remember the last time I made a single batch, we always double this on generator days or good solar days and freeze half. It's a staple in our diet, not just on passage. **What can you make with salsa chicken?** It's incredibly versatile! Use it for tacos, chicken enchiladas, nachos, chicken quesadillas, or burritos. You can also turn it into **chicken tortilla soup (pictured below)** by adding chicken broth, canned beans, and corn, then topping it with cilantro and tortilla chips. For a creamy **chicken chili**, add chicken broth, cream cheese, canned beans, corn, and a cornstarch slurry to thicken. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/2026/07/data-src-image-ac57d08e-694a-47ae-9552-7ecc3bcd5081.jpeg) It also makes delicious **burrito bowls** served over rice with beans, sautéed peppers and onions , and guacamole. My personal favorite is **tostadas**: spread refried beans on a tostada shell, top with salsa chicken and shredded cheese, then broil for a few minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbly. 1. **Braised Beef:** Season chuck roast and sear it on all sides until browned. Pressure cook with beef broth and a packet of onion soup mix until the meat is fall-apart tender, then shred it and store it with enough of the braising liquid to keep it moist and juicy. Save the remaining braising liquid separately to use as a rich base for gravy, soups, or sauces. **What can you make with braised beef?** One of the most popular meals on our boat is a **hot shredded beef sandwich**. Pile the pre-cooked shredded beef onto half of a sandwich roll (we love sourdough ciabatta), top with sliced colby or provolone cheese, then spread a thin layer of butter or mayonnaise on the top half of the roll so it doesn't dry out. Broil, open, for about 5 minutes, or until the beef is heated through and the cheese is melted and bubbly. Serve with a pre-packaged salad kit. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/2026/07/data-src-image-eb9f33d0-3078-4e98-a92d-8ba3bf7f3a48.jpeg) The reserved braising liquid is just as versatile. Thicken it into a rich **gravy** and serve the **shredded beef over mashed potatoes** for a comforting meal. Or use it as the base for a **hearty beef stew** by adding beef broth, carrots, potatoes, and frozen peas. 1. **Sausage + Veggie Combo:** If I had a dollar for every time I’ve thanked my past self for cooking a batch of sausage and prepping a vegetable before a passage... My go-to passage meal is this plus any pre-packaged seasoned rice/cous cous/pasta. Near the end of the package instructions cooking time, I’ll add the cooked sausage and chopped vegetables, give it a good stir, and voilà- an easy, hearty meal underway. The **combinations are endless**: kielbasa + yellow rice and bell peppers, chicken sausage + cheesy pasta and broccoli, hot Italian sausage + garlic herb rice pilaf with spinach, and so on. Mix and match your favorites. You can also **scramble a few eggs**, add the sausage and veggies, and serve with a piece of bread for a quick, simple, satisfying meal. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/2026/07/data-src-image-adbad1a2-b144-41cb-a41d-0704f56d863e.jpeg) 1. **Bolognese:** There's a certain peace of mind that comes with always having a batch of bolognese in the freezer. The recipe I use is a real crowd-pleaser, so if happy hour unexpectedly turns into having guests over for dinner, this is my go-to meal. It's hearty, comforting, and incredibly versatile, making it perfect to have on hand for passages as well. Making it in the Instant Pot cuts the cook time without sacrificing flavor. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/2026/07/data-src-image-ee7d84b1-ef8b-4a7f-b162-cadb81dea44d.jpeg) **What can you make with bolognese?** The obvious choices are **pasta bolognese** (my favorite is rigatoni or bucatini- which is pictured above)and **lasagna**, but it's also delicious spooned **over creamy polenta or baked potatoes**. And if conditions offshore get a little too lively to safely boil water and cook pasta, we've been known to enthusiastically eat it straight from a bowl with chunks of crusty bread for dipping. Sometimes the simplest meals are the best. 1. **Roasted Chicken:** We love to air fry a whole chicken, shred the meat, and freeze it. In a pinch, I know I can use it in so many ways. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/2026/07/data-src-image-565ae2c8-0b80-4728-9705-51099eafcbe6.jpeg) **What can you make with roasted chicken?** In really rough weather, chuck some into a cup of **instant noodles** to get your crew through the storm. It also works great in **fried rice** with carrots, peas, and soy sauce. You can also use it in **wraps or sandwiches** with mayo and salad greens, or toss it into a quick **chicken salad** with whatever crunchy veg you have on hand. It’s also handy to have a couple of **fish recipes** on hand in case you get lucky on passage. For us, that’s usually sesame crusted seared tuna with rice or **fish tacos with a spicy cabbage slaw** (pictured below) dressed with my go to green sauce: I posted the recipe [here](https://www.instagram.com/p/Dakw2J6DvIi/?utm%5Fsource=ig%5Fweb%5Fcopy%5Flink&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==). ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/2026/07/data-src-image-c08e4b7e-90bf-4303-b85e-11767bc40d1d.jpeg) I hope this gave you some ideas for your next passage. If you’re interested in detailed recipes with measurements and cook times, **let me know and I’ll put something together.** I’d also love to hear from you. Comment your favorite passage meal below so we can all learn from each other :) ### Sailing from New Zealand to Fiji: Our 8-Day Offshore Passage URL: https://svsabado.com/sailing-from-new-zealand-to-fiji-our-8-day-offshore-passage/ Last updated: 2026-07-11T23:03:46.000Z ***Watch our YouTube video of this passage*** [***here***](https://youtu.be/VoKrmvJetW4?si=jIw0BiBV84iK0H5d&ref=svsabado.com)***!*** ***Crew, VIP, and Flagship members can enjoy it ad-free*** [***here***](https://svsabado.com/the-reality-of-an-8-day-offshore-passage-to-fiji-early-ad-free-video/)***.*** We cleared out of New Zealand at 10AM. New Zealand Customs and Immigration are particularly strict, so we were underway by 10:15\. In many places, you’re allowed up to 24 hours between clearing out and departure as long as you don’t come ashore, but here it’s not unusual for officials to walk you straight down to the dock after your appointment and watch you cast off. The expectation is that you leave almost immediately after clearance, so we had everything prepared ahead of time. With barely any wind, slipping out of our berth and navigating through the Bay of Islands was a breeze. Once clear, we hoisted the main, unfurled the jib, and motor-sailed our way toward warmer waters. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/2026/07/data-src-image-ce3e91a4-2564-4149-ae82-efb0d5c06ea6.jpeg) The marina emailed us the bill for our stay, and I wired the payment straight away (thank you, Starlink!). I’m still surprised by how relaxed things are here when it comes to billing. The boatyard where we completed our refit sent us two additional invoices weeks after we splashed, and our previous marina didn’t send an invoice until ten days after we had already left. That only happened after we reached out to let them know we were planning to leave the country soon and wanted to settle up. In most places we’ve cruised, payment is due on arrival, or at the very least a credit card is kept on file and everything is settled before you depart. New Zealand seems to take a much more trusting approach. It definitely caught us off guard, but it’s another reminder that things are done a little differently here. Lunch was excellent: BLTs on homemade sourdough ciabatta made with bacon I had cooked before departure. I really nailed the meal prep for this passage. I spent less than 30 minutes in the galley every day, which made a huge difference. Check back next week for a more detailed post about pre-departure meal prep! Later that afternoon, we spotted squalls building on the horizon and decided to tuck a reef into the main. Not long after, the Outremer 51 we had met that morning in the Customs office came flying past us under full main and a large headsail, properly powered up. We waved and laughed at our decidedly more conservative sail plan. Maybe we’re just a little cautious after spending so much time off the boat, but at the end of the day, you have to captain your own ship. We were happy to keep gliding along, reefed, steady, and comfortable. We swapped photos over WhatsApp as we passed each other. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/2026/07/data-src-image-06911a65-895b-4bb8-ab37-756c85b1884a.jpeg) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/2026/07/data-src-image-eddc989c-b4f5-434b-9758-f17d15bf1aec.jpeg) Our new rig is gloriously quiet. No clanking wires, no squeaky gooseneck, just the clean, solid sound of the boat moving through the water. Sunset crept up faster than expected, and I rushed to get dinner sorted in the last bit of daylight. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/2026/07/data-src-image-4a3d87fa-56d3-4ada-a239-65e803f3f925.jpeg) As the wind and sea state built, my first night watch turned uncomfortable. The combination of beam seas and no moon meant there was no visible horizon to help me find my bearings. For me, that combination is a fast track to seasickness. It only hits me a handful of times a year, usually after time off the boat or during dark, rolly nights where it’s difficult to get oriented. I’ve learned the best approach is to stay ahead of it: keep moving, stay hydrated, eat something plain like crackers, and stay busy with small physical tasks like coiling lines or tidying the helm. If needed, I’ll use [these drug-free patches](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00RHJKGE2?linkCode=ssc&tag=sabadollc-20&creativeASIN=B00RHJKGE2&asc%5Fitem-id=amzn1.ideas.333I3NAJD693J&ref%5F=aip%5Fsf%5Flist%5Fspv%5Fofs%5Fmixed%5Fd%5Fasin&th=1&ref=svsabado.com). I don’t know what kind of magic is in them, but they’ve reliably carried me through to sunrise many times. If things escalate though, I won't hesitate to pop a Dramamine! By 11PM, we were making 7.5 to 8 knots over ground in around 20 knots of true wind, sailing at roughly 145° (true wind angle) with one reef in the main and the jib out on a barber hauler. Ray woke me around 2AM for a gybe. As a short-handed crew, we have a rule that whenever the person on watch needs to go on deck, they wake the other person first. That way, someone is always at the helm and can respond immediately if anything goes wrong. I kept an eye on Ray as he moved the preventer and barber hauler over to the opposite side of the boat. Once everything was squared away, I curled back up under the blankets in the salon for my last hour of sleep before the shift change. As night turned to day and then back into night again, we settled into our watch schedule for the remainder of the passage: Ray: 12AM to 3AM, Holly: 3AM to 6AM, Ray: 6AM to 9AM, Holly: 9AM to 12PM, Ray: 12PM to 3PM, Holly: 3PM to 5PM (dinner and dishes 5PM to 6PM), Ray: 5PM to 9PM, Holly: 9PM to 12AM It was shockingly cold until the final day of the passage. I bought us both these comically thick grippy wool socks (thanks for the recommendation, Gladys!), and I think they’re the only reason I still have toes. We kept our handline out in hopes of catching fresh tuna or mahi mahi. The wind became frustratingly inconsistent, dying, shifting, and occasionally returning before disappearing again within the hour. We played the game for a while, hoisting and dropping the sails every shift, before finally accepting that we would be motoring for most of the passage. We made sure to secure the halyard carefully, but the seas were still tossing us around a bit. Last year in similar conditions, the halyard got stuck at the top, tangled around the stay, and Ray had to go up the mast while underway to free it. We definitely don't want to make that mistake again. So, we pulled it tight, added another line through the shackle at the top of the sail, and secured it to the coach roof for extra tension. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/2026/07/data-src-image-3abf3792-1d89-4017-9e59-06039da3f0a0.jpeg) We forgot to bring in the handline before sunset, but luckily were rewarded with a mahi mahi in the dark. Ray filleted it on the sugar scoop with a headlamp while I watched the helm. Maybe leaving the lines in too long will be our new fishing strategy... ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/2026/07/data-src-image-a90937e3-3080-4646-870d-e271b215c76d.jpeg) In the middle of the night, Ray woke me up to look at a spaceship. If that sentence makes you laugh, you probably haven’t done enough overnight passages because we see some strange things out here. I always tell Ray to wake me up for wildlife sightings while we’re underway, and I suppose this counted? I reluctantly emerged from my cozy blanket cocoon to investigate. There was a light in the distance. At first, it looked like another boat, but then it started moving rapidly. It would disappear, then reappear much closer, or perhaps just much brighter. Eventually, I decided I didn’t want to find out what it was, climbed back into bed, and went back to sleep. Ray, however, stayed up and said he eventually watched it shoot upward into the sky until it disappeared. Then, around 4AM, I witnessed something strange, too. Off our starboard beam, more than ten shooting stars streaked across the sky at the same time. I see plenty of shooting stars during overnight passages, but never that many at once or so concentrated in one area. As I watched more closely, I noticed a strange arc of light nearby, almost like a rainbow, but pale grey instead of multicolored in an otherwise black sky. The moon was on the opposite side of the boat, so it wasn’t one of the lunar halos you sometimes see. The glowing arc lingered for nearly an hour before finally fading away. Let us know what you make of all of this. We’d love to hear your theories! During the day, we often switched the inverter off to conserve power, as persistent high cloud cover kept our solar production lower than usual. It was frustrating to watch squall after squall build on the horizon, only for none of them to bring enough wind for sailing. We kept an engine running and switched between them periodically to balance our fuel tank levels. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/2026/07/data-src-image-4fcb0b9b-8d8e-440d-b145-dda36f3f286b.jpeg) We Facetimed my dad on Father’s Day. One of the bittersweet realities of this lifestyle is missing moments with family. We’re grateful for modern technology that lets us at least feel a little closer, even from thousands of miles away. The final few days of our passage were challenging as we battled a 1 to 1.5 knot current. It dramatically slowed our progress, burned through diesel, and tested crew morale. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/2026/07/data-src-image-d97cbeb7-1f30-4501-8d21-f4a7f3d5c4dc.jpeg) Fresh fish tacos temporarily lifted our spirits, though. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/2026/07/data-src-image-eb2ceb91-ea4b-4662-89bc-ced57da92b0c.jpeg) On day 8, we caught our first glimpse of land. Ray hoisted the Q flag, and we were relieved to see the current finally dissipate. We raised the sails for the final couple of hours of the passage and happily traded our sweatpants and socks for shorts and sunscreen. Our arrival at Vuda Marina was special. The entire staff came down to the dock to welcome us with a song and a flower garland called a salusalu. It’s a traditional Fijian welcome and a symbol of hospitality, respect, and congratulations. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/2026/07/data-src-image-a04ccea7-9815-486b-b5e9-1236a33b40cf.jpeg) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/2026/07/data-src-image-c667d246-c4aa-4a6c-ae7d-f89dbd13f50b.jpeg) We got settled into the marina and med-moored for the very first time. It wasn't nearly as intimidating as I'd expected! We'll be staying here until our cruising permit is issued, giving us a chance to thaw out after our cold passage and ease back into cruising life. :) ### Software We Use on Our Boat Every Day URL: https://svsabado.com/software-we-use-on-our-boat-every-day/ Last updated: 2026-09-13T21:43:15.000Z # What Runs on Sabado's Server There's a full server running below decks on Sabado. Not a NAS, not a Raspberry Pi. A proper server, handling everything from photo backups to boat data to our password manager. Most people don't expect that on a sailboat, but after years of living aboard full-time, it's become one of the things we'd have a hard time giving up. The short version of why: we don't want to depend on cloud services that cost money forever, change their terms, or just stop working when we're somewhere with bad internet. Out here, "somewhere with bad internet" is *most* places. Here's what's actually running, and why we bothered with each piece. _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### The Reality of an 8-Day Offshore Passage to Fiji [EARLY + AD-FREE VIDEO] URL: https://svsabado.com/the-reality-of-an-8-day-offshore-passage-to-fiji-early-ad-free-video/ Last updated: 2026-07-10T17:02:48.000Z **What is an offshore passage really like?** Join us as we sail from **New Zealand to Fiji** on an 8-day offshore passage, sharing the day-to-day reality of life at sea as a short-handed crew. Beyond the beautiful ocean views, this is what our routine actually looked like: standing watch, preparing quick meals, tracking our progress, and settling into the rhythm of life offshore. In this video, you'll see: \- Our watch schedule for sailing offshore as a crew of two \- The simple meals that keep us fueled underway \- Ray's DIY electronic logbook built with **Home Assistant** and how it automatically reports our position to [Passage Guardian](https://passageguardian.nz/?ref=svsabado.com) for added safety \- The routines, challenges, and rewards of an 8-day ocean crossing \- Our arrival in beautiful Fiji after more than a week at sea Fair winds, Holly & Ray _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### One Last Week in NZ: We're Fiji Bound! URL: https://svsabado.com/one-last-week-in-nz-were-fiji-bound/ Last updated: 2026-07-05T01:35:19.000Z *A Week Aboard S/V Sabado: 6/7/26 - 6/14/26* ***Watch our latest YouTube video*** [***here***](https://youtu.be/fv8BMUEP7Yc?si=HgDFj3sWwssoLt5h&ref=svsabado.com)***!*** After last week’s storm, with what felt like endless clouds, rain, and strong winds, we were thrilled to wake up to sunshine and a glassy calm anchorage on Sunday morning. We lowered the dinghy to take advantage of the extra solar gain created by sunlight reflecting off the water and onto our new bifacial solar panels. This is becoming a new part of our on anchor routine. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/2026/07/data-src-image-60104222-a4c3-4b1d-bee1-92a729019802.jpeg) A couple of locals stopped by in their fishing boat to say hello and share a few tips for catching snapper in the area. I have to admit, I felt a little nervous when I first saw them speeding toward us. Memories of being chased out of perfectly legal anchorages in French Polynesia came flooding back. Instead, it was a genuinely warm and welcoming encounter. In fact, the people here in New Zealand have been some of the friendliest we’ve ever met. I still remember our first night in the country. We went to a restaurant near the marina for dinner, and a large group of locals invited us to join them. We pulled up a couple of chairs, shared a meal and some wine, and spent the evening swapping stories. By the end of the night, we had their phone numbers, invitations to stay at their homes, and even offers to borrow their cars. At first, we thought it might be a prank. We kept waiting for the other shoe to drop, because surely people can’t be this nice. But if it is a prank, it seems to be country wide, because we’ve continued to have people bend over backwards for us moments after meeting. Our running joke has become, “what’s next, do you think they’ve got candy and puppies in their van too?” Haha. In all seriousness, Kiwi Kindness is an endearing quality that has made our time here exponentially better, and it’s inspired us to go out of our way more to help others. Wednesday night the sky was clear enough to reveal the stars. We noticed two particularly bright ones, and pulled out our constellation app to identify them, it was Venus and Jupiter! ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/2026/07/data-src-image-eddd44b7-f5a1-4dcf-8af0-c3f74b1b56dd.jpeg) Thursday morning, we pulled the anchor with the intention of motoring up to the Bay of Islands and anchoring there ahead of our marina reservation, which began on Friday. As we exited the harbor, we were delighted to find just enough wind to justify hoisting the sails. We raised the main and unfurled the jib. With just 9 knots of wind, we were making 5 knots SOG. We felt like kids in a candy shop. Our heads were constantly swiveling as we took in the incredible scenery, enjoyed the perfect sea state, checked over the new rigging, and marveled at the rudder angle, which sat between 0° and -4° and felt wonderfully balanced. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/2026/07/data-src-image-5e621bcf-b076-43ee-a024-b24c8c740f9a.jpeg) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/2026/07/data-src-image-28d7b1d2-28f8-49ed-b5b8-c413c3fe1165.jpeg) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/2026/07/data-src-image-714b05c8-f1fb-49c7-a688-c489c2628cb8.jpeg) We tacked back and forth a few times, getting a feel for the new setup before reluctantly dropping the sails and firing up the engines so we could alter course and reach our destination before dark. Two dolphins came by to visit as we entered the Bay of Islands. I was cracking up listening to how excited I sound in the video footage. We swung by the fuel dock and topped up the tanks, filling in $199 NZD increments because, for whatever reason, that’s the only way our U.S. credit cards will work here. From there, we made our way into Opua Marina and, by pure coincidence, were assigned the exact same slip we had when we first arrived back in September: H06\. Ray maneuvered us into position. With no one around to lend a hand, I stepped off the sugar scoop and secured the dock lines. Before long, we were safely tied up and settled back into marina life. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/2026/07/data-src-image-b956db92-fabf-46d5-a3d9-9fc1e67b25af.jpeg) We had heard from our weather router that next week might be a good window to depart to Fiji. We booked our customs and immigration appointment and began tackling our passage prep to do list: laundry, check the weather forecast, meal prep, check the weather forecast, test safety equipment, check the weather forecast… You know the drill. We'll be the first to admit that marinas aren't usually our happy place. One undeniable perk, though, is how easy they make it to meet interesting people. During our time on the dock, I had the chance to interview three different couples. They all live aboard in their own way, on different boats, with different philosophies, experiences, and stories. I asked each of them the same four questions: 1. Are you full-time liveaboards? If so, what did your life look like before? 2. Tell me about a time on the boat when you were genuinely scared or seriously challenged. What happened, and how did you handle it? 3. What has been your favorite memory since moving aboard? 4. What's one piece of advice you'd give to someone dreaming about this lifestyle? If you've been following us for a while, you might remember that I did [a similar video a few years ago](https://youtu.be/g5XkGbQkqlw?si=YKptqgxCqyLLvm3v&ref=svsabado.com). We had so much fun making it that I knew I wanted to do it again. So grab a cup of coffee, or a glass of wine, we won't judge, and tune in [here](https://youtu.be/fv8BMUEP7Yc?si=HgDFj3sWwssoLt5h&ref=svsabado.com). We hope you enjoy hearing these stories as much as we enjoyed collecting them. And let us know in the comments: what questions should I ask the next group? Thanks for following along. :) ### Vessel Reference Sheet URL: https://svsabado.com/vessel-reference-sheet/ Last updated: 2026-09-13T22:01:35.000Z The only thing more frustrating than filling out mountains of customs and immigration paperwork is digging through piles of documents to find the information they're asking for. Make life easier for yourself and your crew by downloading, printing, and filling out this one-page vessel reference sheet. With all of your vessel's key details in one place, you'll have the information you need at your fingertips, making every customs and immigration clearance faster, smoother, and far less stressful. _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Living on a Sailboat: Honest Stories from 3 Couples [EARLY + AD FREE VIDEO] URL: https://svsabado.com/living-on-a-sailboat-honest-stories-from-3-couples-early-ad-free-video/ Last updated: 2026-07-03T02:05:14.000Z Hello! We hope you enjoy this week's YouTube video, available early and ad free. This one is a little different from our usual content. Rather than focusing solely on our journey, we wanted to introduce you to some of the incredible cruisers we've met along the way and share their stories. The cruising community is such a special part of this lifestyle, yet it's also one of the hardest things to capture on camera. We hope these interviews give you a glimpse into the people who make life on the water so rewarding. As always, thank you so much for your support. We truly appreciate you being here! 😊 _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Sabado Spare Parts List URL: https://svsabado.com/sabado-spare-parts-list/ Last updated: 2026-09-13T22:01:56.000Z This document is continuously changing as we develop of list of spares that we maintain onboard. Although this list is specific to our boat, it is easily adaptable to other makes/models. _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### June 2026: Behind the Scenes URL: https://svsabado.com/june-2026-behind-the-scenes/ Last updated: 2026-06-30T20:58:31.000Z Our monthly behind-the-scenes reports are for our paid subscribers only. We share our unfiltered challenges, projects, and expenses here to give you an honest look at what boat life is really like. Please let us know if there are any specific details you’d like us to include in future updates! We appreciate your support and hope you find these reports valuable. **Here’s a bullet-point list of what we tackled in June 2026:** _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Boat Logbook Template URL: https://svsabado.com/boat-logbook-template/ Last updated: 2026-06-30T17:56:07.000Z Below is the PDF and IDD files for the bound logbook we use on Sabado. We printed a very large version of this at a book printing company in a hardcover format and will use it for years. You could also print the book yourself if you didn’t want it as a hardcover. _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Electronic Logbooks & Digital Watchkeeping: Modernizing Maritime Reporting on Sabado URL: https://svsabado.com/electronic-logbooks-digital-watchkeeping-modernizing-maritime-reporting-on-sabado/ Last updated: 2026-06-30T17:58:22.000Z Holly and I departed New Zealand in mid-June for our 8 day offshore passage to Fiji. Before we left, we built a digital passage management system to complement our paper logbook and along the way, the project turned into something more interesting than a logging tool. It became a case study in a question every offshore sailor relying on automation should ask: when a safety system says “sent,” how do you actually know it’s telling the truth? ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/2026/06/11145-2-1.png) ## The Problem If you’ve done offshore passages, you know the watch routine. Every hour or so, the person on watch walks the boat, checks equipment, looks at the horizon, glances at the instruments, and writes a line in the logbook. Time, position, course, speed, wind, barometer, sea state, battery voltage, fuel level. We’ve always used a bound paper logbook for this, and we still do, it’s the legal backup, the thing that works when everything else has gone sideways. But paper has limits. You can’t search it, graph it, or have it auto-populate from instruments at 02:00 when it's dark and you’re tired. We wanted a digital system that complements the paper log, same data, pulled from the sensors we already have flowing through Home Assistant and Signalk, presented in a way that’s actually useful. That system grew to include something else entirely, automated daily welfare reporting to [Passage Guardian](https://passageguardian.nz/about/passage%5Fguardian/?ref=svsabado.com), the free vessel-tracking safety service we use on ocean passages. And that’s where the real lesson of this build emerged... ## What We Built: The Passage Dashboard The Passage Dashboard is a custom Home Assistant panel, vanilla JavaScript, no frameworks, running in Home Assistant's sidebar. It manages pre-departure checklists, hourly watch logging, daily safety reporting, and arrival procedures. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/2026/06/11146-2-1.png) ### Live Instruments The Watch tab shows position (degrees, minutes, seconds), course and speed over ground, true wind direction and speed pulled directly from our wind instrument’s MWD sentence, barometric pressure, trip log distance, battery state of charge, and engine RPM for both engines, side by side, so a developing problem on one engine is visible at a glance. Below that: fuel and water gauges, and all four refrigeration zones in °F. Sea state, cloud cover, and visibility are manual dropdown selections, since there’s no sensor for “what does the sky actually look like.” We added a “Night” option to both cloud cover and visibility, an obvious omission once we hit our first overnight watch and realized there was no honest way to log “can’t see clouds, it’s pitch black.” ### Pre-Departure and Arrival Checklists Eight sections cover everything from engine room inspections (duplicated for each hull, because catamaran life means doing everything twice) to safety gear to comms checks. Sensor-backed items show live values automatically; everything else is a tappable checkbox. The “Ready to Depart” button only goes green when every item is checked. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/2026/06/11374-1.png) ## The Real Story: Verified Safety Reporting Here’s where the project got serious. We use Passage Guardian for vessel tracking on ocean passages. You submit a daily welfare report (position, conditions, vessel and crew status), and if a report is missed, they assess risk and can contact the relevant Rescue Coordination Center. We built the dashboard to generate that report automatically, formatted correctly, with one tap. It still requires us to, and this is very important, send the report manually by populated certain fields ourselves and pushing the send button. The first version worked exactly as you’d expect: tap Send, the dashboard fires the email through Home Assistant’s notify service, marks the report as sent, and shows a green checkmark. Clean, simple, done. Except it wasn’t telling the truth. ### The Bug That Mattered One day, with Starlink briefly down, I tapped Send. The dashboard showed green: “Sent.” The email had not gone anywhere. Home Assistant’s notify service is fire-and-forget it returns as soon as the *request* is made, not when the email actually leaves the boat. The SMTP failure happened silently in the background, and the dashboard had no idea anything had gone wrong. It had already marked the report as delivered and logged it to our database as a confirmed send. Think about what that means in practice. You’re offshore, you send your daily report, the dashboard says green, you move on with your watch. Passage Guardian never receives it. You don’t know. They don’t know there’s a problem until a report goes missing for long enough to raise concern except from your side, every report *looks* like it went out fine. That’s not a logging bug. That’s a safety system actively lying to the person relying on it, which is worse than having no automation at all. We pulled the actual Home Assistant error log from that day and found it: `socket.gaierror: [Errno -3] Try again` a DNS resolution failure, because there was no internet to look up the mail server’s address. A completely mundane, expected failure on a boat. And the dashboard had papered right over it. ### Building Something That Doesn’t Lie The fix was to stop trusting the request and start verifying the result. We wrote a small Python script using only the standard library (no internet-dependent package installs needed on Home Assistant’s locked-down OS) that does the actual SMTP send itself, using `smtplib` directly instead of going through Home Assistant’s notify abstraction. Critically: **it only writes a “sent” record to our database after the mail server has actually accepted the message.** If the send fails for any reason no DNS, no connection, timeout, authentication failure the script reports failure and writes nothing. The dashboard now shows “Sending…” the moment you tap the button, then polls the database for up to thirty seconds looking for that confirmation record. Only when it finds one does the status flip to a genuine green “Sent.” If nothing shows up, the button turns red — “Failed — Retry” — and both phones on board get a push notification. No silent failures. No false confidence. We tested this rigorously before trusting it. The next time we were running with Starlink off for an extended stretch, we sent the report deliberately to watch it fail and it failed exactly as designed: red status, phone notification, nothing logged. No retry happens automatically either, which was a deliberate choice. A background retry loop quietly hammering away while you’re unaware there’s a connectivity problem is its own kind of false comfort. We wanted a human to notice the failure and decide what to do next wait for better signal, try again, switch to another method rather than software pretending to handle a problem it can’t actually solve. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/2026/06/11023-1.png) ## Two Independent Channels [Passage Guardian](https://passageguardian.nz/about/passage%5Fguardian/?ref=svsabado.com) accepts reports by email or web form, and we wanted both available but they serve different purposes for us. The email goes to our designated shore contact and copies our own address, so it’s always part of the loop regardless of which safety service we’re using on a given passage. The web form submission goes specifically to Passage Guardian’s tracking system, and we only want it firing when we’re actually using their service that trip. So the email sends every time, automatically. A separate tick box “Also submit to Passage Guardian website” defaults off and resets off after every send. Tick it, and the same tap also submits the structured report through Passage Guardian’s web form. Leave it unticked, and only our shore contact gets the email, which is useful on passages where we’re not engaging Passage Guardian’s service at all. The web submission needed its own verification problem solved. Their form runs on a session-authenticated system: log in, grab a fresh form token, submit, and the only real proof of success is a server-issued acknowledgement page confirming receipt. So the script logs in, submits, and explicitly checks for that acknowledgement text before reporting success same philosophy as the email fix, applied to a more involved process. It writes its own confirmation record only when it sees genuine proof of receipt, completely independent of whether the email succeeded. The result is two honest, independent status lines on the the dashboard: Email and Web, each showing its own Sending/Sent/Failed state, each confirmed against our database rather than assumed. One can succeed while the other fails, and you’ll know exactly which is which. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/2026/06/10792.png) ### Getting the Format Right for Two Audiences The report needed to read two different ways. For the email going to a human, our shore contact, who’s reading it on a phone we wanted it genuinely easy to parse: proper degree and minute symbols on the coordinates, wind direction as a compass point instead of a raw heading number, “True” spelled out on course over ground. For the web form, Passage Guardian’s own system expects a terser, more standardized format: padded three-digit headings, plain spaced coordinates, compass abbreviations without the niceties. Rather than maintain two separate formatting paths that could drift out of sync, the dashboard computes the underlying data once position, course, wind, conditions and derives both presentations from that single source. The wind-to-compass-point conversion lives in one shared function so the email’s “SW” and the web form’s “SW” are always guaranteed to agree. There’s also a calm-wind threshold: below about three knots, the compass direction is essentially meaningless noise, so both formats show “Variable” (or “VRB” on the web form) instead of a misleading heading. ## What We Learned The watch dashboard, the checklists, the live instruments all useful, all working well. But the part of this project that actually mattered was the verification work on the safety reporting. It would have been easy to ship the first version, the one that showed green regardless of whether the email actually left the boat, and never know it was wrong until the day it mattered. The principle that came out of this: **a safety system’s status should reflect confirmed reality, not attempted action.** Calling an API, firing a service, sending a request none of that is the same as the thing actually happening. If your dashboard can’t tell the difference, it’s not protecting you; it’s giving you a reason to stop checking. We’ve carried that principle through the rest of the build. Every status indicator on this dashboard battery state, watch completion, both report channels is built to show what’s verifiably true, not what was merely attempted. When something fails, it says so, clearly, and tells a human rather than trying to handle it quietly on its own. ## Reports Now that we have all this data in an electronic format, pulling the data into a trip report is easy. We're just scratching the surface of what we're doing with this system and since this is our first passage with it, things are likely to be modified and tweaked as we go but for now, we really like it. Here's the pdf version of our NZ to Fiji trip. [Passage Report - Opua to Vuda, fijiPassage Report - Opua to Vuda, fiji.pdf293 KBdownload-circle](https://svsabado.com/content/files/2026/06/Passage-Report---Opua-to-Vuda--fiji.pdf "Download") ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/2026/06/11375-1.png) The paper logbook is still there, still the backup of the backup. But the digital system now earns the trust it asks for and on an ocean passage, that’s the only kind of automation worth having. The code for this is ugly and is pretty specialized for our system but just in case you’re curious or feeling adventurous, I’ve shared the code for our Crew and VIP members [here](https://svsabado.com/passage-log-system-files/). If you use it, please let me know how it goes and perhaps we can collaborate to make it easier to adapt for other users. --- ### Passage Log System Files URL: https://svsabado.com/passage-log-system-files/ Last updated: 2026-06-30T17:57:54.000Z _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Electrical Diagrams URL: https://svsabado.com/electrical-diagrams/ Last updated: 2026-07-16T22:06:53.000Z Below are the three wiring diagrams that represent the 2026 upgrade that we made to Sabado. These include separate documents for the 24 volt system, 12 volt system., and the 120 volt system. _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### New Blog! URL: https://svsabado.com/new-blog/ Last updated: 2026-06-24T22:37:30.000Z We Moved! Here’s What’s New (and What You Need to Check) If you’ve been following along for a while, you might have noticed something: our website looks a bit different. That’s not a glitch — we moved. A little while back, our old site ran into an issue that needed urgent attention. Rather than patch around it, we used it as the push to finally do something we’d been meaning to do for a long time anyway: move to a faster, more reliable platform built specifically for blogs and memberships like ours. We took the old site down and had the new one live in a matter of days. All while on passage from New Zealand to Fiji! 😁 We’ve pulled across every post, every page, and — as far as we can tell — every single member account, exactly as it was. That said, with a move this size, we’d rather ask you to double-check than assume everything is perfect. **A New Way to Log In (No More Passwords!)** One of the nicest changes: you’ll never need to remember a password for this site again. Here’s how logging in works now: 1. Go to the site and click **Sign In** 2. Enter the email address you used to subscribe 3. Check your inbox for a sign-in link from us 4. Click it — you’re in That’s it. No password to create, forget, or reset. Each link is unique to you and only takes a moment to arrive. **A Faster Site** Our new host is built specifically for publishing, which means pages should load noticeably faster than before — especially if you’re checking in from a boat with a so-so connection, like we often are. **Please Check Your Account** We believe every membership — Free, Crew, VIP, and Flagship (you know who you are ❤️) — transferred over correctly. But we’re human, computers are computers, and migrations are exactly the kind of thing worth double-checking. Could you take thirty seconds and [check your account here](https://svsabado.com/#/portal/account/plans) to confirm your membership level looks right? If anything looks off, just reply to this email or reach out to us directly at sailing@svsabado.com — we’ll sort it out right away. Thanks for sticking with us through the move. Same boat, same crew, same stories — just a smoother ride from here on out. — Holly & Ray ### Website Down? Don't Worry! URL: https://svsabado.com/web/ Last updated: 2026-06-22T03:26:58.000Z Hey, team! We are currently having issues with our website host and will be moving to a new provider. During this transition, our website may be unavailable for a few days. In real time, we are underway to Fiji! Thanks for your patience and understanding while we get everything sorted. Cheers, Holly and Ray ### A Stormy Week on Anchor URL: https://svsabado.com/a-stormy-week-on-anchor/ Last updated: 2026-06-25T14:51:50.000Z **A Week Aboard S/V Sabado: 5/31/2026 - 6/7/2026** *Watch this week’s YouTube video* [*here*](https://youtu.be/UdhUYD2dfqU?si=rPWNXDsWmX0-lyd0&ref=svsabado.com)*! Crew and VIP members can watch the ad-free version* [*here*](https://svsabado.com/catamaran-workshop-reveal-the-ultimate-refit-upgrade-early-ad-free-video/)*. Thank you for your support. :)* Last Sunday, we were hunkered down for a three- day storm. We stayed in our pajamas, wrapped in giant fleece blankets, and spent the day curled up in the salon, alternating between working on our computers and watching movies while the wind howled outside (\~25kn, gusting to 35kn). ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/still-2026-06-04-194708_1-3-1.jpg) At one point, our bilge alarm went off, and we discovered a surprising amount of water in the starboard aft bilge. Thankfully, it was fresh water. Our first step in situations like that is always a taste test, which either brings instant relief or immediate concern. After a bit of investigating, we traced the leak to the galley foot pump, a system we never use. We switched it over to salt water, which stopped the leak, or at least bypassed the problem for now. We'd love to remove the foot pump system altogether at some point, but for the time being, we'll be keeping a close eye on it. On Monday morning, we decided to run the generator. Lately, we have been running it about once a week, which is more often than we **ever** ran our old genset. It's remarkable how much your mindset shifts when you're not constantly second-guessing the reliability of your equipment. So far, we have put around 40 hours on it, although according to the manufacturer, it is not considered fully broken in until it reaches 100 hours. By comparison, we averaged only about 110 hours **a** **year** on our old generator. Every start-up felt like a high-stakes event. We'd hold our breath, cross our fingers, and hope for the best- haha. With our new one, we just shrug and push a button! We turned on the heaters and enjoyed the morning despite the wind and rain outside. I baked a coffee cake ([this recipe](https://sallysbakingaddiction.com/coffee-cake-recipe/?ref=svsabado.com#tasty-recipes-73631) is my favorite), and we chatted about our plans. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/img_4499_snapseedcopy.jpg) There appeared to be a possible weather window on the horizon, though it was still too far out in the forecast to put much faith in it. A lot of boats have been waiting more than a month for an opportunity to sail from here to Fiji. We scrolled through WhatsApp messages, reading everyone's hopes and pleas that this potential window would materialize. While we certainly empathize with their eagerness to leave, this time we do not really relate. We've absolutely felt that sense of urgency before, but despite having been in New Zealand longer than we've stayed anywhere since moving aboard, we're perfectly happy to wait here until the right weather window comes along. Perhaps it's because we haven't forgotten how miserable our passage from Tonga to New Zealand was, and we have no desire to repeat the mistake of rushing out on a subpar window only to find ourselves battling terrible conditions. Perhaps it's because New Zealand has been one of the most welcoming countries we've visited. Or, perhaps it's because the boat is significantly more comfortable now than it has ever been. As I write this, we're eating cake with the heaters running, cappuccinos in hand, and jazz music playing over the speakers, so it’s hard to complain! The bottom line is that we're content to stay put and enjoy the fruits of our refit labor until the stars align for a good departure. The wind continued to build on Monday, hitting 40kn+. We could hear the wind whistling through the rigging, and felt the boat vibrate. Given the conditions, it was fairly calm in our anchorage. There wasn't much fetch, and there were no other boats around to worry about. If we started dragging we had a solid 15-20+ minutes to react before we’d be in any trouble. These were great conditions to build confidence in our new ground tackle and alarm system. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/still-2026-06-04-194708_1-2-1.jpg) The peak of the storm arrived around 1AM Tuesday. We lay in bed listening to the wind howl and the rain pour. Lightning flashed in the distance, which always gets our hearts racing, but thankfully it moved on without paying us a visit. Even so, we didn’t get much sleep. We were happy to see sunshine and blue skies by 9AM. The wind had subsided and shifted around, now pushing us toward shore. Hoping to move to a cleaner anchorage just outside the bay to make some water, we decided to pull our anchor and head out. As soon as we poked our bow out of the harbor, we turned right back around. The waves outside were huge, with breaking seas of around 10 feet just beyond the harbor entrance. Instead, we reanchored on the other side of the bay, where we were no longer on a lee shore and could sit more comfortably while the sea state continued to settle. We took advantage of the mild wind conditions and hoisted our mainsail for the first time since we installed it, marking the reef points in our new lines with needle and thread. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/still-2026-06-04-194708_1-8-1.jpg) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/still-2026-06-04-194708_1-9-1.jpg) Ray pulled out the Rainman and filled our water tanks while I cleaned and applied UV protectant to our enclosure. The water clarity in our anchorage wasn’t ideal, so we ended up putting a fair amount of gunk in the filter. However, we didn’t really have another choice. We decided there wasn’t any need to make the push to the Bay of Islands until the weather allowed us to sail or we needed supplies such as fuel or food, whichever came first. It sounds like it’s pretty crowded over there. So, I pulled some meat out of the freezer to thaw. We have enough produce for the rest of the week, at least. By Friday, we were back to sustained 25-knot winds. We kept ourselves entertained with indoor projects. I baked the best batch of sourdough ciabatta I've ever made. As much as it pains me to say it, my starter is a huge fan of cooler weather. High-hydration dough is effortless, nothing overproofs, and the results are light, airy, and incredibly delicious. I fear this may be a seasonal talent, and that all bets are off once we're back in the balmy tropics. [This](https://alexandracooks.com/2021/04/25/simple-sourdough-ciabatta-bread/?ref=svsabado.com) is the recipe I use. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/img_4517.jpg) Ray was in his workshop, working on a way to add the generator exhaust temperature and oil pressure to our boat monitoring system, so it would alert us if something was abnormal. He’s loved having a dedicated space to tinker without intruding on our limited living space. It’s vastly different from our previous setup, so organizing things in a practical and intuitive way is the next challenge. He has secured all of his most used tools onto a peg board with magnets, which so far have stayed in place. Some of the cabinets were purpose built, for example, one specifically to accommodate my sewing machine, but the rest is open real estate, so as time progresses and he’s been using the space he’s been shuffling around how things are organized. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/refit-15-1.jpg) He’s been liking these yellow Stanley Fatmax storage containers to organize the little odds and ends, and I cut shadow foam for specific tools in an attempt to keep the drawers from becoming junk drawers. If you have any other organization tips, we’d love to hear them! ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/still-2026-06-16-153537_1-14-1.jpg) Anyway, as the week comes to an end and the storm finally passes, we’ve been keeping a close eye on the weather forecast, hoping for a good window to make the hop to Fiji. Fingers crossed it arrives sooner rather than later, as it’s getting colder and colder here! ### Catamaran Workshop Reveal: The ULTIMATE Refit Upgrade [Early + Ad-Free Video] URL: https://svsabado.com/catamaran-workshop-reveal-the-ultimate-refit-upgrade-early-ad-free-video/ Last updated: 2026-07-03T00:13:49.000Z We hope you enjoy our next YouTube video, available early and ad-free! _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Back in Our Element: Life After the Refit URL: https://svsabado.com/back-in-our-element-life-after-the-refit/ Last updated: 2026-06-14T13:00:00.000Z **A Week Aboard S/V Sabado: 5/24/2026 - 5/31/2026** *Watch this week’s YouTube video[here](https://youtu.be/lAfreYuIXrk?si=2XHIun4Pgw9o2p%5FC&ref=svsabado.com)! Crew and VIP members can watch the ad-free version* [*here*](https://svsabado.com/refit-to-reality-will-our-new-systems-actually-work-early-ad-free-video/)*. Thank you for your support. :)* Last Sunday, we decided to install our new transducer. We had been putting it off, knowing that after we splashed, we would be motoring to the nearby dock and sitting in nutrient rich river water while testing our new systems post-refit. We were hoping to avoid the paddle wheel getting clogged with growth. But as things progressed and we knew we wanted to anchor out soon, we decided it was finally time. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/still-2026-05-26-212524_1-3-1-1.jpg) Once installed, we noticed significant fluctuations. The depth reading bounced between 13 and 24 feet. Errors like that are not just annoying at sea; they can lead to misjudging anchoring scope or, even worse, running aground. Naturally, our minds went straight to the worst case scenario: the brand new unit must be faulty. So we ordered another one. Thankfully, it was in stock in Auckland, which meant fast shipping. Since we finally sold our car, we hitched a ride into town and picked up the package on Tuesday afternoon. We installed the replacement and saw the same fluctuations. Since we never throw anything away, we dug out the old transducer and tested that too. Same result. Three faulty transducers seemed pretty unlikely, so we started looking beyond our original assumption. After checking the rest of the system piece by piece, we finally realized the problem had to be coming from outside the boat. We grabbed our handheld depth sounder and measured 8 meters from the starboard sugar scoop and 4.2 meters from the port side sugar scoop. The transducer must have been picking up the slope! We should have thought of that sooner; I guess we have a couple of spare transducers now… We’ll know for sure once we leave the dock. Wednesday morning was gloriously calm. We had a rental house when we were hauled out, right next to a river; we could see the ocean in the distance, but there’s something special about being back **on** the water. For us, being in a house **near** the water was like listening to your favorite song through a wall. When we’re on the boat, afloat, everything feels clearer. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/still-2026-05-26-212524_1-1-1.jpg) We slipped away from the dock just after 9am and made our way to Smugglers Bay, a secluded area on the Northern end of Bream Bay. Rumor has it that, back in the day, alcohol (particularly whisky) was hidden in the dunes to avoid customs duties when entering Whangarei Harbor, hence the name Smugglers Bay. It was a leisurely \~2hr motor from the dock. Our depth readings were steady; mystery solved! ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/still-2026-05-26-212524_1-19-2.jpg) We dropped our new anchor and bridle for the first time. Watching with the kind of cautious excitement that comes when testing something important for the first time. We were the only boat there, probably because it’s fairly exposed and despite little to no wind, it was a bit rolly. Since we’ve finally silenced the clanking wires in our mast, however, we didn’t mind. In the South Pacific, an anchorage with nothing but sand underneath feels almost suspiciously easy. No coral heads to dodge, no need to float the chain… a little bounce in exchange for that sort of peace of mind feels like a pretty good deal. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/still-2026-05-26-212524_1-25-1.jpg) We were grinning from ear to ear, using our binoculars to spy on the herd of cattle patrolling the grassy hill above the beach. We opened a couple of beers and did our classic “we’re here cheers”, reminiscing on the last time we did that: after our brutal passage from Minerva Reef to New Zealand last September! ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/still-2026-05-26-212524_1-36-3.jpg) The sky quickly shifted, and we watched a wall of grey clouds move toward us. We spent the rest of the day in the salon listening to the rain, working on our computers, and enjoying our panoramic view of the ocean. Ray has been building a custom anchor alarm system for us that now needs some fine-tuning after its first use. I was working on our YouTube video. It got dark fast. One of the perks of being so far from any light pollution is that our bodies slip back into a more natural rhythm. After dinner and cleanup, we lingered at the stern, watching the bioluminescence flicker in the water; it never gets old. By 8pm, we had crawled into bed and slept like rocks. Around 6AM, I heard Ray start the generator. We hadn’t gotten much solar over the past few days. A little later, he brought me a coffee in bed. Most mornings, I nurse it slowly while working up the courage to leave my blanket cocoon. It has been brutally cold here in the mornings. But today I threw the blankets back and hurried upstairs, where the heater was already on- what a luxury! I switched on the bread machine, where I’d left a ball of sourdough to proof overnight. This is a new method for me. I add all the ingredients at once and let the machine handle the mixing and kneading, then unplug it overnight and run only the bake cycle in the morning. The loaves aren’t pretty, but so far it’s the lowest maintenance and lowest power consumption method we’ve tried, and it makes great sandwich bread. Ray decided it was time to commission the Spectra watermaker, which had been pickled since our time in French Polynesia, after it started giving us trouble and we couldn’t get parts or service. Thankfully, we also carry a Rainman portable watermaker, which kept us supplied with water all the way to New Zealand. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/still-2026-05-30-173735_1-29-1-1.jpg) While we’ve been here, we've replaced the Spectra’s feed water pump and motor, hoping to resolve the original issue, only to be disappointed when it still wouldn’t build up enough pressure. Apparently, the Clark pump now also needs to be replaced, which is just too expensive for us right now. Plus, it took months to get the new feed pump here, so I’m not sure the lead time for another part would work out for us anyway. The Rainman has been far more reliable thanks to its simple design, but it’s still a pain to pull out of storage every week for flushing, and we can’t run it while underway. We’ll be exploring our options, so if you have a watermaker you love, we’d love to hear about it! We took the dinghy for an evening lap around the bay and grilled steaks for dinner to celebrate the approval of our visa application. In New Zealand, there is no extension option, so we had to apply and pay for another visitor visa to stay beyond our previous visa’s June 6 expiration date while we wait for a suitable weather window to sail to Fiji. We are now permitted to stay until July 31st. We left Smugglers Bay on Friday morning and motored toward the Bay of Islands. The sea was calm, and there was no wind, but a storm was in the forecast, so we wanted to reach a more protected anchorage before it arrived. It was a beautiful, relaxing trip up the coast, with tall rocky mountains rising from the water and a whale waving hello. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/still-2026-05-30-173635_1-53-1.jpg) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/still-2026-05-30-173635_1-54-1.jpg) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/still-2026-05-30-173635_1-60-2.jpg) We decided to anchor in Whangaruru Harbor, a smidge south of the Bay of Islands. It seemed just as well protected, and it was empty. We strategically chose our anchoring spot, positioning ourselves with mountains between us and the direction of the forecasted strong winds. Right on schedule, the wind began to build Saturday night. I was restless, listening to it whistle through the rigging as gusts reached 30+ knots. We're still building trust in our new ground tackle and alarm system, but there was no better place to do it. We were tucked into an empty sandy cove with plenty of room astern, giving us a safe margin if the anchor decided to drag. We held firm through the night, but the storm is set to stick around until Tuesday… ### Refit to Reality: Will Our New Systems Actually Work? [EARLY + AD FREE VIDEO] URL: https://svsabado.com/refit-to-reality-will-our-new-systems-actually-work-early-ad-free-video/ Last updated: 2026-07-03T00:13:17.000Z _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### April-May 2026: Behind the Scenes URL: https://svsabado.com/april-may-2026-behind-the-scenes/ Last updated: 2026-06-24T07:50:49.000Z The application process required a letter of support explaining the unusually rough weather conditions that had delayed our departure, along with a $318.65 USD application fee... (read more) _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### From Refit to Reality URL: https://svsabado.com/from-refit-to-reality/ Last updated: 2026-07-03T00:12:34.000Z We’ve been back in the water for several weeks now, and it finally feels like Sabado is coming back to life. For months, she was a total construction site, with tools scattered everywhere, projects half-finished, and an endless to-do list that seemed to grow faster than we could cross things off. Now, little by little, the dust has settled, and the boat is starting to feel like home again. Since splashing, we’ve been focused on finding our rhythm and settling back into liveaboard life. That has meant plenty of cleaning, reorganizing, and more importantly, testing and retesting every system before we trade the comfort and convenience of the dock for life at anchor. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/img_4441_1-61-1.jpg) **Sabado docked at Port Nikau* ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/img_4441_1-66-1.jpg) **Big smiles while commissioning the new generator!* ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/img_4441_1-82-1.jpg) **Sunset view.* Every completed project has made daily life aboard a little easier, a little smoother, and a lot more enjoyable. After months of planning, installing, troubleshooting, and problem-solving, there’s something deeply satisfying about seeing all the pieces finally working together exactly as they were designed to. Below is our new YouTube video, covering our final days in the boatyard and the beginning of this exciting new chapter back on the water: **available a week early and ad-free for our Crew and VIP members, enjoy!** _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Refit Review: Contractors and Facilities URL: https://svsabado.com/refit-review-contractors-and-facilities/ Last updated: 2026-06-24T07:51:31.000Z A list of vendors we used during our extensive refit and an honest review of our experience with each. _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### 232 Days Later: Back to Boat Life URL: https://svsabado.com/232-days-later-back-to-boat-life/ Last updated: 2026-05-10T13:00:00.000Z **After 232 days on the hard, Sabado is back where she belongs: afloat!** We wrapped up all our projects and splashed last Tuesday, then motored around the corner to the service dock to test everything out. Since then, we’ve run our new generator and AC units, put on our boom, jib and new mainsail, and cleaned, cleaned, cleaned. We finally removed the cardboard we had taped down to protect the floors, washed our cockpit upholstery, and scrubbed our neglected and abused teak. Both toilets work, and our bilges are dry. Sabado seems happy, and so are we! ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/still-2026-05-09-215701_1-24-1.jpg) *All smiles while working on the last project we HAD to complete on the hard: a minor gel coat repair below the waterline.* ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/still-2026-05-09-215701_1-48-1-1.jpg) *Sabado in the slings, leaving Port Whangarei Marine Center.* ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/img_4334.jpg) Ray and I love our new cabin setup. Making the bed is infinitely easier now. I can sit on the grey bumper cushions on either side and lift the one-piece, standard-shaped mattress. What a luxury! Our sheets fit better, and we got all new pillows, including one specifically for side sleepers that made the shoulder pain I’ve had for nearly two years practically disappear. After seeing the effects of chronic sleep deprivation last year, we really wanted to prioritize better rest. This lifestyle can be demanding, and when you’re exhausted, the seemingly constant challenges can become difficult to manage. Along with several recent safety upgrades, including a new anchor, 100 meters of chain, and a full boat monitoring system, the new mattress, sheets, and pillows were the icing on the cake. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/img_4106.jpg) Things are coming together, and we’re feeling good about the changes we’ve made. Of course, we did not get to this point without frustrations and delays. Despite being the most developed place we’ve been for years, New Zealand is still a small island, which comes with challenges when sourcing parts and labor. At the last minute, we had to DIY some projects we simply could not find a professional to handle, and tracking down supplies was both time-consuming and expensive. For example, just the other day we spent half of the day driving around, visiting every store we could think of in search of a clevis pin, a common and inexpensive part readily available throughout the USA and Caribbean. In the end, we had to get one custom-made at the local machine shop. If we could go back in time, we would have started this refit with more realistic expectations. While there are plenty of specialty stores and highly skilled tradespeople here, that does not necessarily mean they will have the exact part you need or be able to fit you into their schedule. And being in a closed yard with an assigned project manager does not excuse you from the responsibility of coordinating workers and following up on things yourself. Anyway, we’ve adjusted back to boat life just fine. We thoroughly enjoyed our rental house in Waipu, but Sabado feels like home. We’ve been sporadically filming, which is so fun. I've missed re-living our days while editing footage, but I’ve yet to conjure up enough free time to publish something coherent on YouTube. It’s been much easier to post updates on Facebook and Instagram lately, so be sure to check us out over there. Any down time we've had has been spent checking the weather, organizing provisions and studying up on the check out procedure for NZ/check in procedure for Fiji. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/f4342891-fa46-44e6-abfc-7688d8ceab26.jpg) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/img_4272.jpg) Like New Zealand, the islands we plan to visit this season have strict food regulations. Honey is prohibited, fresh fruit and vegetables may be confiscated, and pork products are absolutely not allowed. Other meat is permitted, but only if it remains in its original “Product of NZ” packaging. Keeping meat in the bulky plastic grocery store trays would drastically reduce the amount we can fit in our freezer, so I placed an order with a local butcher who is very familiar with provisioning for boats. They’re vacuum sealing our requested portions with the appropriate labels attached. We’ll pick up the order tomorrow morning. I’ll prepare a few meals for our passage and leave the rest packaged as is. Our visa expiration date is just around the corner, so we’re hoping to take the first decent weather window that comes our way. After our treacherous trip here last year, we’re happy to wait for the right conditions. There is nothing we’re considering in the current forecast. At the moment, we’re waiting to sort out a few things before leaving the dock: 1. We want to top up our fuel tanks. Although things seem to be improving, we’re still unsure what fuel availability will look like in the islands this season. Unfortunately, none of the fuel docks here accept our US cards, so we may end up making a few trips to the gas station with our jerry cans. 2. We’re struggling to sell our car. With fuel prices so high here, there isn’t much demand for our Volkswagen Tiguan because everyone wants a hybrid. We’ve had a few offers from locals willing to look after it if we need to list it and leave, but we hate the idea of passing that responsibility onto someone else. 3. When North Sails came to collect our old mainsail, we also gave them our gennaker to see if it could be saved from some pretty extensive sun damage. Somewhere in the process of making our brand new main, it seems the gennaker was forgotten about, and now it’s too late to figure out a solution. However, there was some valuable hardware attached to it that we’d still like to salvage. They’re sending someone up from Auckland on Tuesday to deliver the parts to us. That’s all I have to report, folks! Life is good, but it is busy and COLD! We’re thrilled to be in the water again, but we’re eager to get back **out** there. Crew and VIP members: keep an eye out for an upcoming post of the vendors/contractors we used and our honest reviews. Thanks for following along! :) ### Real-Time Refit Reality Check (EXCLUSIVE VIDEO) URL: https://svsabado.com/real-time-refit-reality-check-exclusive-video/ Last updated: 2026-07-03T00:12:03.000Z Hey team! We wanted to check in as we head into what we hope will be our final week... (video below) _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### The Light at the End of the Tunnel (Refit Update) URL: https://svsabado.com/the-light-at-the-end-of-the-tunnel-refit-update/ Last updated: 2026-04-05T13:00:00.000Z **Hello hello!** We’re nearing the end of this refit, and it’s taking everything we’ve got: time, money, brainpower… We’ve been keeping our heads down and pushing through, and now we are finally starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel. Construction is complete, and without sawdust and contractors constantly coming and going, we’ve begun bringing our belongings back aboard. Man, does that feel good! Each passing week has been a whirlwind, so let me get you up to speed. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/img_4078.jpg) **The bad news:** At the beginning of this refit, we decided to replace our rusted-out cockpit refrigerator. Knowing we had an ambitious project list ahead of us, we opted for a like-for-like replacement and ordered the exact same model we were removing. Unfortunately, the manufacturer changed the design without changing the model number, so we were caught off guard when the unit finally arrived and it was completely different: no bottom flange, additional vents along the perimeter, and several millimeters wider. We were frustrated because if we had known we would need to cut fiberglass, we would have chosen a completely different fridge, maybe even one with a built-in ice maker. Instead, we paid extra for the bottom flange, which is now sold separately, and waited for the yard to send someone to trim the opening. It was not something we trusted ourselves to do given how precise the cut needed to be on such thin fiberglass. They finally got to us this week, and we promptly installed the new fridge. Yesterday it rained, and water started pouring into the boat from around the new unit, even though we had plugged the new vent holes as best we could. To our surprise, water was also seeping in through the black interior frame. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/img_4081.jpg) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/img_4083.jpg) So, we’re taking a two-pronged approach. First, we have practically cemented the frame in place with sealant and are letting that cure. I’m not going to post a photo of it because it looks pretty rough, haha. Hopefully one day, when this fridge is full of cold beer, we won’t care how it looks. Next, we’re working on reducing the amount of water that reaches the fridge in the first place. Most of the runoff comes over the ledge from the helm, so adding a lip there is an obvious solution. We also noticed a steady stream coming from the line bag that completely bypasses the ledge (pictured below with a blue arrow). Our current plan is to move the track for a section of the helm enclosure that we never use (pictured with the red circle) and reposition it along the ledge (red line). Then we’ll make a new piece of canvas that slides into the rail and sew it onto the existing panel that supports the line bag (drawn in yellow). This way, the rail will act as a lip, and any water coming from the bag won’t be able to bypass it. After that, we’ll add some kind of secondary lip above the fridge as an extra layer of protection. We only came up with this yesterday though, so let us know your thoughts/other low-budget ideas! ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/img_4088.jpg) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/img_40861.jpg) **The good news:** Our new escape hatch brackets are installed, and they’re not going anywhere. We’ve screwed them to the hull and sealed them to both the aluminum frame and the glass itself. This has been a long time safety concern for us, so it feels great to finally have it sorted. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/img_4090.jpg) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/img_4091.jpg) Our rig is nearly ready to be craned back on top of Sabado. Our rigger has sourced, cut, and installed new conduit for the wires that run from the spreaders down. We’ve also replaced the noisy gooseneck, VHF antenna cable, tri-color light, and the new standing rigging is ready to go. The generator wiring is complete, so we’ll be able to crane the new generator into place when we step the mast. Our new mainsail is ready as well, and we’re hoping to coordinate its delivery with the mast stepping. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/image.jpg) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/img_38471.jpg) The interior is ready to go. Ray has completed all of the electrical upgrades, including a 24V lithium battery bank, new solar wiring, upgraded air conditioners, and a new generator. Along the way, he also reworked several factory-installed components that weren’t up to standard. After that came days of careful inspection, checking, and rechecking every detail, followed by extensive testing. We even ran a hose from the yard to properly test the new air conditioners. We have been powered up, and all has been running smoothly for the last few weeks while we keep a close eye on performance. Spoiler alert: even on cloudy days, it has been AWESOME! ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/img_3746.jpg) We hired Circa Marine to build the lid for our new electrical compartment, which also serves as the base of our bed. They matched the trim to the rest of the boat and designed it to be removable, so we can still lift the panels from the edge for access when needed. We had considered painting or staining the front panel we built out of marine plywood, but with the shadow from the overhang of the lid, it doesn’t really bother us. We’ll live with it for a while and see how we feel. We might change our minds down the line, but for now, we’re calling this one done! ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/image-24.jpg) We have encountered an issue with our water-heating element. We ordered a 500W unit and had it shipped to New Zealand. The receipt and part number both indicate 500W, the packaging label says 600W, but the element itself is marked 800W. Because there are limited suppliers of this 110V part in New Zealand, we ordered another unit from a US-based company and had it sent to my parents’ home in Texas. The idea was, we’d use the 800W one we have and replace it when my parents come to visit us next. It arrived yesterday, and shockingly, it shows the same discrepancy. The receipt and part number state 500W, the packaging says 600W, and the element itself is labeled 800W. We have since placed a third order with another supplier that ships to New Zealand, but it has not arrived yet. At this point, I’m convinced there was a mislabeled batch from the manufacturer. Getting the wrong part once is annoying, twice is weird… Hopefully this third time is a charm. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/image-20.jpg) I’ve finished the bulk of my sewing projects, most recently the interior curtains and a helm seat cover. Now I’m working on three new cockpit shade panels, with a few design improvements over the old ones, like adding a batten along the top to prevent sagging and an extra buckle so we can quickly fold up a corner to clear the cockpit walkway and improve visibility when needed. As we move back aboard, we’re getting more and more excited to show you the result of all our hard work. We’re planning to splash this month, then focus on putting all our new gear and systems through their paces. If any issues come up, we want to deal with them here before our visa expires. After that, we’ll get back out there and go cruising! ### March 2026: Behind the Scenes URL: https://svsabado.com/march-2026-behind-the-scenes/ Last updated: 2026-06-24T07:53:27.000Z We paid $148.50 NZD for the yard’s fabrication team to create and mount a custom... (read more) _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Nearing the End of this MASSIVE Refit URL: https://svsabado.com/nearing-the-end-of-this-massive-refit/ Last updated: 2026-06-24T07:54:07.000Z A real-time sneak peek for our Crew and VIPs: Construction is complete, and without sawdust and contractors constantly coming and going, we have begun... (read more) _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### February 2026: Behind the Scenes URL: https://svsabado.com/february-2026-behind-the-scenes-report/ Last updated: 2026-06-24T07:54:41.000Z The construction of our workshop was completed by Circa Marine for... (read more) _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Major Milestones: Finished Workshop and a Quieter Rig Ahead URL: https://svsabado.com/major-milestones-finished-workshop-and-a-quieter-rig-ahead/ Last updated: 2026-03-01T14:00:00.000Z **Refit Diaries: 2/03/2026 - 3/01/2026** February was a blur! Looking back over the past few weeks, we’ve made tremendous progress and hit several major milestones in this refit: **Rig Progress** The [Niss Niss](https://www.nzmarine.com/directory/business/niss-niss-ltd?ref=svsabado.com) team has successfully removed all the stripped bolts that were holding the tangs in place on our mast. With those out, they can now install the conduit that will house the wires running from our spreader down. These wires were left loose from the factory, causing a persistent clanking noise whenever the boat moved. We are looking forward to finally having a quiet rig! They have also assembled our forestay with a new telescopic section and furler, as we were advised that the old one was in poor condition. Things are progressing, and we are looking forward to getting Sabado’s rig back on soon! ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/img_3522.jpg) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/img_3523.jpg) **Sewing Projects** Now that the salon upholstery, line bags, and helm instrument cover are finished, I’ve moved on to replacing our curtains. The factory curtains are pleated, which makes them difficult to machine wash, and over time, the blackout coating has flaked off, leaving patches of sunlight beaming through in certain places. At this point, they have become too worn and grimy to justify keeping. I am reusing the existing tracks and hooks, but sewing S-fold tape onto the new curtains lined with a triple-weave, machine-washable blackout fabric. As with all of my sewing projects, the goal is to make everything durable and easier to clean. I am halfway done! After this, I will move on to replacing three of our fender covers that have holes too big to ignore. How many more sewing projects do you think I can fit into this refit? I’m definitely giving my machine a workout! ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/img_3511.jpg) **Workshop Construction COMPLETE!** The construction of our workshop is complete. [Circa](https://circamarine.co.nz/?ref=svsabado.com) did an incredible job, and we are absolutely thrilled with the result! It looks nearly identical to the AI rendering we created. We were especially impressed by how seamlessly they color-matched the countertop and trim to the rest of the boat, creating a cohesive look. This week, we added the finishing touches by installing the flooring, mounting a pegboard, and hanging a whiteboard. We are still organizing everything inside, but we will be filming an in-depth video tour of the space soon. Having a workshop has already made the handful of projects we currently have underway infinitely easier. Being able to clearly see what we have versus what we need, and having a dedicated place for everything without climbing over furniture or digging through massive, cluttered bins, has been an absolute game-changer! I cannot believe we put this project off for so many years! ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/img_3521.jpg) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/img_3542.jpg) **New Systems Update** Ray has made significant progress, completing his electrical projects and moving into the wire management stage. The 12, 24, and 120 volt systems are installed and energized. The solar charging system is installed and operating. The shore power and isolation transformer installation is complete. The new generator wiring is complete. The air conditioning units are currently being installed. We will be sharing a full walkthrough of the upgrades he has made to our system in a future YouTube video. We have hired Circa to build the lid for our new under-the-bed electrical compartment to take one project off our plate. Once that is finished, we will move our new mattress into place. It is such a luxury to be able to fit a standard-sized mattress aboard, and I can’t wait to have sheets that fit properly! ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/img_3675.jpg) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/img_3641.jpg) **Time feels like it is flying by.** We’ve reached the point in this refit where we’ve revisited our project list to prioritize projects we absolutely cannot do in the water and are at the yard 6-7 days a week. We’re looking forward to taking a day off this week to go to the Auckland Boat Show, though! Let us know if you’ll be there. :) Thanks for following along, we hope you had a great week! ### Offshore Nightmare: Decisions That Saved the Crew URL: https://svsabado.com/offshore-nightmare-decisions-that-saved-the-crew/ Last updated: 2026-02-22T14:00:00.000Z #### A review of the S/V Magic Bus incident report (Nov 1–6, 2025): read the full report [here](https://svmagicbus.com/sv-magic-bus/?fbclid=IwY2xjawO-xbVleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETEzQ2dCeDRBbjNQT0Vid3BGc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHgt5pEEgsY9BHnTcCT9gYa1QipbdstH4GQ2XaBLDSvafU5uw%5FFam3y57BWcH%5Faem%5FCF-pcqTSptxvCmzhEwykVQ&ref=svsabado.com). The story begins like many offshore passages do, with careful planning, good weather forecasts, and a capable crew excited for a long sail. The 58-foot cruising catamaran S/V Magic Bus departed Stonington, Connecticut, on November 3, 2025, bound for the Bahamas under a promising weather window. Systems had been checked, supplies stowed, and watches set, but over the next four days, things dramatically deteriorated. On November 4, the crew noticed water rising in the port engine compartment. They threw everything they had at the ingress, using buckets, electric pumps, and a converted raw-water intake engine pump, but the flooding outpaced their efforts. Suddenly, the jib sheet failed, damaging a hatch and leaving the boat under bare poles. Both engines became inoperable, eliminating steerage. Electrical loads climbed as pumps and systems fought the flooding, overheating the generator and draining the batteries. Despite the worsening conditions, the crew made the right call when it counted. Using Starlink, they transmitted a Pan-Pan message. By the early hours of November 6, the flooding had risen 18 inches over the port hull cabin sole, leaving no viable path to recovery. The crew made the difficult decision to abandon ship into the life raft. Their actions were organized, calm, and deliberate. Rescue efforts ensued. A Coast Guard C-130 located the life raft in rough sea conditions. An MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter deployed a rescue swimmer to confirm the crew’s safety. All five sailors were safely extracted and flown to shore by mid-morning on November 6th. This is not just a rescue story. It is a lesson in how multiple problems can compound and how planning, communication, and seamanship can mean the difference between tragedy and survival. The vessel was later found inverted, with the port rudder skeg missing, likely the result of a collision with a submerged object that went unnoticed while sailing at more than 10 knots in rough seas. In hindsight, the crew recognized that despite running multiple pumps, the water level in the port engine room never fell below the external waterline, a critical detail that might have altered their response strategy. In-water inspections or hull repairs were impossible in the prevailing conditions. They made the best decisions they could with the information available at the time. ### Here are the key takeaways we are bringing aboard Sabado: #### Early Communication Is Critical A Pan-Pan or Mayday should be considered sooner rather than later. Even if flooding appears manageable, early alerts give authorities valuable time to prepare and respond. #### Understand How Your Safety Gear Works Checking how and when devices actually activate is as important as owning them. Redundancy and vigilance are critical for ensuring these systems perform when it matters most. PLBs should be activated before raft departure, which may require manual activation. Handheld VHFs, satellite communicators, and other emergency devices must be waterproof, fully charged, and routinely tested. If abandoning ship, every available communication device should be taken into the liferaft. In this case, the crew’s handheld VHF and EPIRB failed to transmit, but they had also brought a Starlink Mini and a SPOT tracker into the raft. Those redundant systems ultimately provided the signals the Coast Guard and SAR teams used to locate them during rescue efforts. #### Preparation and Training Matter Under Stress Several crew members had completed [Safety at Sea](https://48north.com/instructional/you-cant-buy-safety/?ref=svsabado.com) training, which directly contributed to their calm and organized response during the crisis. Planning alone is theory; training makes it real under pressure. Participating in hands-on courses or demonstrations can make all the difference. #### Systems Degradation Happens Faster Than You Think Generator failures, flooding, overloaded pumps, any one could be manageable. Together, they overwhelmed the vessel. Reviewing systems as integrated networks rather than isolated components can change how we prepare and respond. I urge you to read the in depth timeline of events and key takeaways linked at the beginning of this post. The Magic Bus incident is a powerful reminder that offshore sailing is not about avoiding every challenge, it is about being prepared when things do not go according to plan. **I hope this write up encourages you to reflect on your own redundancy, decision making, and overall readiness in a new light, long before you ever need to rely on them**! ### 7 Qualities You Want in a Sailing Partner URL: https://svsabado.com/7-qualities-you-want-in-a-sailing-partner/ Last updated: 2026-09-13T21:41:14.000Z I recently asked a simple question in a Facebook group full of sailors: **“What makes a great sailing partner?”** A tidal wave of responses followed. 169 people chimed in with everything from deeply thoughtful reflections to brutally honest confessions, jokes about dogs, autopilots, skimpy bikinis, and more than a few declarations that solo sailing is the only answer. Once you read past the humor and sarcasm, some very clear patterns emerge. So, here they are: **The Top 7 Things that Actually Make a Great Sailing Partner,** according to sailors who have been there, done that, and probably argued about it while docking. #### 1\. Patience (the undisputed champion) Patience showed up again and again, sometimes politely, sometimes emphatically, sometimes in ALL CAPS. Things break, weather changes, lines get tangled, and none of it happens on your preferred schedule. A great sailing partner: - Does not panic when things go wrong - Does not take stress personally - Understands that yelling during a maneuver is not the same as yelling **at** someone #### 2\. Trust Trust appeared in dozens of comments, often phrased like this: “Someone you trust enough that you can sleep while on passage.” That is it. That is the test. **Without trust, you do not rest. Without rest, everything else unravels fast.** A great sailing partner is someone you trust to: - Stand a proper watch - Make sound decisions when you are off watch - Wake you when needed (and only when needed) #### 3\. Calm Under Pressure Many sailors described this without using the word calm, but the meaning was clear. **Offshore, people do not become better versions of themselves, they become truer ones.** You want someone who: - Does not panic - Does not melt down - Does not escalate stress or make miserable conditions more miserable One commenter perfectly summed it up: “Somebody who suffers well.” #### 4\. Communication and Teamwork This was a major theme. Many sailors said some version of: “The same things that make a great life partner.” Clear communication. Mutual respect. Teamwork. The ability to listen, learn, and adapt. Several commenters also made an important point: partner does not mean subservient or authoritarian. **This is a shared mission.** Great sailing partners: - Share the workload without being asked - Communicate clearly, especially when things get hectic - Understand the difference between urgency and disrespect - Know when to speak and when silence is better #### 5\. Competence (or the willingness to learn) You **do** **not** have to know everything. You **do** have to admit what you don't know and be willing to learn. Confidence matters, but humility matters just as much. As one person put it: “A friend who knows as much or more than you do, but does not need to prove it.” Again and again, sailors emphasized: - Basic skills - Situational awareness - Asking questions instead of guessing - A willingness to learn #### 6\. Sense of Humor When you are wet, tired, bruised, under caffeinated, and three hours into a repair you did not plan for, humor becomes a survival strategy. You can teach almost anyone to sail. You cannot teach someone to be pleasant at two in the morning in twelve foot seas. A great sailing partner: - Laughs after the crisis has passed - Does not dwell on minor mistakes - Keeps morale afloat #### 7\. Emotional Maturity (the one nobody said, but everyone meant) This quality showed up indirectly, but constantly. Great sailing partners: - Regulate their emotions - Do not weaponize stress - Can hear feedback without becoming defensive - Understand that the boat comes first #### Honorable Mentions (According to the Internet): - Dogs - Autopilots - A bottle of rum - A large bank account And yes, many sailors concluded that solo sailing is the ultimate solution, which tells you everything you need to know about how hard partnership at sea can be. #### Final Thoughts A great sailing partner is not about perfection. It is about reliability, patience, trust, and emotional steadiness when the ocean decides to test you. Or, as one of the most honest comments put it: “You will only know if someone is a great sailing partner after sailing with them when the sh\*t hits the fan.” If you'd like to read the full discussion thread, you can [here](https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1MXLysQFPo/). **Fair winds and Happy Valentines Day, choose your partner wisely!** ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/img_34921.jpg) ### Powering Up and Making Progress (Refit Update) URL: https://svsabado.com/powering-up-and-making-progress-refit-update/ Last updated: 2026-02-01T14:00:00.000Z **Refit Diaries: 1/15/2026- 2/01/2026** We’ve been at the boat seven days a week since our family left the country. It’s been dirty, sweaty, and frustrating as we battle the summer heat and spend hours wedged into tiny spaces working on electrical projects. There’s barely enough room for a headlamp, let alone a camera, so our return to YouTube will have to wait until the workshop is finished and we have at least some space and organization aboard. For now, writing is much easier… 😂 **Emergency Plaque** If you’ve ever been part of a regional cruising Facebook or WhatsApp group, you’ve probably seen plenty of posts like, “Does anyone know the owner of this boat?” followed by concerns about a dragging anchor, a chafing mooring line, or something else going wrong. To make it easier for people to reach us quickly should they need to board the boat, we had Kelly from [Wave Designs](https://wavedesigns.co.nz/?ref=svsabado.com) create a custom acrylic plaque for our helm. It’s bright red and clearly displays our boat name, phone numbers, and email address so we can be contacted right away in case of an emergency or suspicious activity. We are so pleased with her work that we’ve also asked her to help us make a new dash panel that will house our generator controls, battery monitor and alarm system, remote battery switches, underwater light switches, etc. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/img_3424.jpg) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/img_3458.jpg) **Rig Update** Removing the tangs to access the channel for the new conduit in our mast has been challenging. All of the bolts were stripped during the process, so the mast was moved into the yard’s shed where the team could continue drilling them out during last week’s storm. Progress has been slow, but we’re hopeful they’ll be able to get everything sorted soon. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/img_3410.jpg) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/img_3411.jpg) **Hatch Replacement** We realized the hatch in the starboard aft cabin, where we’re doing extensive electrical work, was leaking badly. During last week’s storm, some areas received more than 285 mm of rain in 24 hours, which is more than a typical whole summer’s worth. This intense downpour caused flooding and landslides (which they call “slips” here), so the leak was extra obvious and especially concerning. We had ordered replacement hatches weeks ago but had not yet received a shipping notification. I contacted the company, and they explained that they were waiting for our full order to be in stock before shipping. However, they did have one of the sizes we needed for our cabin available, and it was on our doorstep within 24 hours. Ray installed it immediately, and thankfully, the leak stopped (we’re slowly switching to the hatches without the raised vent = one less thing to fix, one less thing to trip over…). ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/still-2026-01-31-191611_1-1-1-1.jpg) **Workshop Update** The cabinetry is in and the countertops are finished. We’re just waiting for the installation. I’ve made a template for the flooring, which we’ll be cutting and installing ourselves. The end is in sight, and we’re hoping to have this project wrapped up next week. After that, we’ll move our tools and spare parts in and start getting everything organized. We can’t wait to show you the final product! ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/still-2026-01-31-191611_1-3-1-1.jpg) **Electrical update** Our new air conditioning units arrived, and Ray hooked up the solar panels, which means we officially have no excuses left to delay the electrical work. He’s been working tirelessly and got us powered up for the first time this week. Over the next couple of weeks, we’re hoping to clean up the wiring and then switch gears to carpentry to build the top of our custom compartment so we can put a mattress on it eventually! ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/img_3452-1.jpg) **New Anchor** We dragged anchor more during one year in French Polynesia than we have in our entire time sailing combined, likely due to frequent strong shifting winds and reversing tidal currents in the atolls. Our current anchor struggled to reset. The replacement is a SARCA Excel, known for its excellent ability to reset quickly after wind or current changes. In preparation for its arrival we lowered our current anchor. We will re-paint our reference marks while the chain is on the ground and attach the new anchor when it arrives. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/img_3461-1.jpg) We had a long overdue cleanup day yesterday and are feeling really good about our progress heading into next week. Sabado is slowly coming together! **Cheers, and thanks for following along! We hope you had a great week. 🙂** ### January 2026: Behind the Scenes URL: https://svsabado.com/january-2026-behind-the-scenes/ Last updated: 2026-06-24T07:55:21.000Z We paid ~$7,000.00 NZD to have the boat yard’s fabrication team... (read more) _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### When Things Go Terribly Wrong in a Remote Anchorage URL: https://svsabado.com/when-things-go-terribly-wrong-in-a-remote-anchorage/ Last updated: 2026-01-25T14:00:00.000Z #### A review of “It quickly becomes clear that things are not good…” (Yachting World, 19 June 2025): read the full article [here](https://www.yachtingworld.com/cruising/it-quickly-becomes-clear-that-things-are-not-good-what-follows-is-a-blur-of-suppressed-panic-and-a-mad-fumbled-search-of-the-boat-158605?utm%5Fsource=chatgpt.com). The story begins like many cruising narratives: anchored in paradise, routine evening aboard, dinner, games, sleep. The couple, Miranda and Elliot, have sailed over 14,500 miles and refitted their steel‑hulled Mason 48 for remote cruising with upgrades like solar, a watermaker, and multiple sail options. Around 1:30AM, Elliot wakes with paralysis on his right side, a sign of a possible stroke. At first, he downplays it, searching for aspirin, but the situation deteriorates. Medical emergencies are not unheard of at sea, but the symptoms of a stroke can be subtle and ambiguous at first. Miranda quickly realizes this is a genuine emergency. With no aspirin on board (the one medicine that can be critical in early stroke care), they confront a frustrating reality: they have an extensive medical kit, but not the one thing they need. Miranda describes the moment as devastating, surrounded by drugs they can’t use. Miranda attempts a Mayday call on VHF. A Mayday call is powerful, but it doesn’t guarantee immediate nearby help, especially in remote anchorages with few vessels or low radio traffic. No one responds to her call. This was a stark, frightening moment where she felt utterly alone. As dawn breaks, she learns the local search and rescue will come… not by air, but by boat from Sorong, Indonesia, nearly 9 hours away. They also organise two volunteer cruisers to sail their vessel back to safety so that Miranda can accompany Elliot to the hospital. Eventually, a rescue boat reaches them, evaluates Elliot, and they are medevac’d to a hospital. Weeks later, he fully recovered, despite not receiving aspirin for *nearly 36 hours*. This outcome was fortunate, and the story makes it clear how every small decision and preparedness step contributed to survival. I read this article months ago, and it has stuck with me. **Here are my key takeaways, and the steps we’re taking aboard Sabado to be better prepared for an emergency like this:** #### 1\. Invest in Reliable Long‑Range Communication Starlink enabled real time communication with rescue and medical professionals. Without it, the emergency could have been far worse. **Starlink is no longer a luxury gadget.** It is a critical safety tool. For additional reliability, consider carrying an inReach or a similar satellite messenger as a backup. Iridium GO is a popular option that offers more than global voice and messaging. It also supports GEOS emergency services, providing worldwide SOS activation and coordinated emergency response when help is needed in remote locations, which is something that Starlink does not have, and is why we continue to use the Iridium service. It is also easy to take off the boat with you for dinghy/shore excursions. #### 2\. Build a Comprehensive Medical Kit Know what medications and equipment are critical, learn how and when to use them, and label/organize everything clearly for **quick** access in a crisis. #### 3\. Understand the Limits of VHF and Mayday A Mayday call is vital but not infallible. In remote anchorages, VHF channels might be unused or chaotic, and other cruisers may not be listening. Consider dedicated channels for overnight listening and always carry redundant alert methods (EPIRB, AIS, satellite comms). #### 4\. Keep Emergency Contacts Handy Miranda had to scroll through emails to find insurance telehealth contacts. Print, save to your contacts, or write on a notepad near your medical bag: - Insurance emergency numbers - Local SAR contacts - Closest port/marina numbers - Cruising group contacts #### 5\. Plan for the Unexpected: Prepare the Boat Too The short operational videos Miranda recorded for the volunteer crew were a brilliant idea, but I’m not sure most people could do that in the middle of a crisis. Once we finish the electrical refit on Sabado, I plan to put together a clear, **straightforward operations binder** so that, if needed, almost anyone could step aboard and safely run the boat. It will cover basics like raising the anchor, starting the generator, checking fuel levels, operating the watermaker, and locating all emergency gear. Miranda and Elliot’s experience is a powerful reminder that even the most capable, well-prepared sailors can find themselves facing the unexpected. I hope you found this write-up helpful, and that their story encourages you to take a fresh look at your own systems, plans, and readiness, before you ever need them. If nothing else, it’s a reminder that learning from others’ experiences is one of the greatest advantages we have as sailors. ### It's a Team Effort: Catamaran Refit Update URL: https://svsabado.com/its-a-team-effort-catamaran-refit-update/ Last updated: 2026-01-11T14:00:00.000Z **Refit Diaries: 1/03/2026 - 1/10/2026** Long time, no see! We took a break from the boatyard to spend the holidays with family and are just starting to get back into the swing of things. At the moment, Sabado is a disaster. The port forward and starboard aft cabins are both under construction, leaving the cockpit and salon overflowing with tools, spools of wire, and miscellaneous parts. We’re really struggling to make progress whilst there’s nowhere to put anything, and we can’t keep track of what’s on the boat versus what’s at the rental house. We’ve ultimately decided to postpone most of our projects until the workshop is finished, simply so we have the space to get organized. Trying to accomplish anything while the boat is in this state has just become too frustrating. In the meantime, we’re doing what we can to prepare: **Workshop Update** Here is the current state of our port forward cabin-to-workshop conversion: ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/img_3287.jpg) The end is in sight! We’re hoping to see the cabinetry and countertop go in next week. It’s exciting to see our vision slowly becoming a reality. The guys from [Circa Marine](https://circamarine.co.nz/?ref=svsabado.com) have been excellent. **Solar** The boatyard’s fabrication team has modified our solar arch, and the new panels are now mounted. Next, we’ll need to figure out a bracket that attaches to the panel so we can remount our stern light. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/img_3307.jpg) **Sewing** While we were away from the yard, my mom and I have been sewing almost every day! We’ve nearly finished reupholstering the salon cushions and completed the two line bags for the helm, along with a few other pouches I’d been wanting to make. We’re just waiting on the last bit of fabric to arrive for the final few cushions, which I’m hoping to finish while she’s still in town. She’s a much more experienced seamstress than I am, and every single cushion seems to have been constructed differently, so it’s much easier with four hands and two brains! I’ve definitely found this project to be tricky, but it’s fun to see the “done pile” keep growing. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/img_3316.jpg) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/img_3106.jpg) I’m also expecting some fabric samples for our new curtains in the mail any day now, which will be my next (and hopefully easier) project. Be sure to follow us on Instagram @sv\_sabado to help me choose the fabrics! **Bootstripe** We thought we could save some money by applying the new boot stripes ourselves, but wow, it is much harder than it looks. We watched countless tutorials, read tips online, and went into the project feeling pretty confident. Even with all four of us helping, we could not get the vinyl to lie flat or straight, no matter how slowly or carefully we worked. The material is incredibly thin, almost like cellophane, which makes it stretch, wrinkle, and stick to itself. We blamed the wind during our first attempt. So we regrouped, waited for a perfectly calm morning, and tried again. Unfortunately, even in completely still conditions, we could not get it. This long stripe is nothing like doing a logo or lettered decal. Clearly, this is a job for a professional. So if you know someone in Whangārei, we would love a recommendation. We already have the material; there is no residue left from the old stripe, and the surface is prepped and ready to go. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/still-2026-01-10-214847_1-5-4.jpg) **Cleaning** My mom and I spent some time cleaning our marine vinyl bean bag chairs, treating them with a mold stain blocker and then a UV protectant, and they are now looking as good as… lightly used. Which is pretty impressive, considering we definitely do *not* use them lightly. I really should have taken before and after photos. I also did my best to restore clarity to the Strataglass panels in our helm enclosure, but had no luck. Replacing them probably won’t fit into the refit budget, so it looks like things may stay hazy until the next cyclone season. I will, however, be repairing the zipper on the roll-up doorway before we splash, because that thing is barely holding on! **Parts Update** Exciting news: our Quattro has finally arrived, and our new air conditioning units will be delivered next week! Ray and my dad were able to mount the Quattro and the isolation transformer so that we can check that off the list. Once the AC units arrive, we will heave everything we need to continue our electrical upgrades. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/img_3311.jpg) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/img_3313.jpg) The majority of our rigging components have also arrived, and we are hoping to see the workshop completed in the next week or so. Once that is done, we will be able to kick things into high gear and make some real progress (and hopefully, a YouTube video!). **Cheers, and thanks for following along! We hope you had a great week. :)** ### The 5 Best Things to Have on Your Boat (According to Real Sailors) URL: https://svsabado.com/the-5-best-things-to-have-on-your-boat-according-to-real-sailors/ Last updated: 2026-09-13T21:41:41.000Z We recently asked a simple question in a sailing group: **“What’s the BEST thing you have on your boat?”** What followed was 400+ comments ranging from practical to hilarious, heartfelt, and occasionally unhinged. There were strong opinions, plenty of jokes, and some clear patterns. While answers varied wildly (from espresso machines to fly swatters), **these five items came up again and again:** ### 1\. Autopilot: The Crew Member That Never Sleeps Autopilot appeared hundreds of times, especially among solo sailors and couples. Many people summed it up perfectly: **“It’s not equipment, it’s crew.”** That's why on Sabado, we have TWO! Why it matters: - Allows you to leave the helm to reef, cook, rest, or use the head - Reduces fatigue on long passages - Makes single-handing and short-handed sailing realistic - Improves safety by maintaining a steady course when you’re busy elsewhere For many cruisers, an autopilot isn’t a luxury; it’s the difference between a manageable and miserable sail. ### 2\. A Comfortable Bed (and a Real Mattress) So many sailors said some version of: **“A good bed changes everything.”** One of the most relatable responses came from someone who skipped custom marine cushions and instead bought a king-size memory foam mattress topper, cut it to fit their V-berth, and saved over $1,000 compared to a marine upholstery quote. On Sabado, we’re currently rebuilding our bed to accommodate a standard-size mattress, but for the past few years, we’ve absolutely loved our cut-to-size mattress topper; it’s been a simple upgrade with a big payoff. Why it matters: - Sleep quality affects everything: mood, decision-making, safety - Long passages and active days demand real rest A good bed can transform boat life from camping to a real home. ### 3\. Watermakers: Freedom in a Box If autopilot was the most mentioned, watermakers were the most passionately defended. Once sailors install one, they tend to say the same thing: **“I’d never go back.”** Why it matters: - Eliminates constant water runs and rationing - Enables longer stays at anchor - Makes hot showers, laundry, and cooking less stressful - Increases self-sufficiency and cruising range Several people said a watermaker was the single upgrade that most improved their quality of life, and many agreed it was worth every penny. On Sabado, we have both a Spectra and a high output Rainman watermaker. ### 4\. Power Systems: Solar + Lithium = Game Changer Solar panels, lithium batteries, and modern power systems came up constantly, often together, because they’re best as a team. Why it matters: - Quiet, renewable power at anchor - Ability to run fridges, freezers, Starlink, fans, tools, and autopilot - Less reliance on marinas and generators - Makes modern cruising comforts possible Many sailors described lithium upgrades as **“the biggest leap forward”** in how they use their boats. Once you stop worrying about power, everything else gets easier. You can [watch our full lithium conversion on YouTube](https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLulZzWW05bHc-aIti1N5JEQX31SYpo05n&si=YftMNxumWkj6AcwN&ref=svsabado.com)! ### 5\. The Head (Yes, Really) You might laugh, but sailors are serious about toilets. Electric heads, full-size heads, composting heads, bidets, upgraded plumbing… this category came up **a lot** (and often with strong language, haha). Why it matters: - It’s the most-used system on board - Poor head design can make life miserable, fast - Comfort and cleanliness matter more than people expect - A good head is a genuine morale booster As one commenter bluntly stated: **"you can tolerate a lot on a boat, but a bad toilet will break you."** ### Honorable Mentions (That Almost Made the Top 5) - **Starlink** (connectivity is a modern cruising revolution) - **Ground tackle** (good ground tackle = peace of mind = more enjoyable cruising) - **Refrigeration** (makes cruising feel less like camping) - **Coffee makers and espresso machines** (suddenly, night watches aren't so bad...) - **Full enclosures and dodgers** (protection from the elements is key) - **“My wife/husband/partner”** (frequently and enthusiastically mentioned) ### The Big Takeaway What stood out most wasn’t just the gear; it was **what that gear enables:** - Rest - Independence - Safety - Comfort At the end of the day, the “best thing” on a boat is about making life afloat sustainable, enjoyable, and just a little easier. Thanks for reading, folks! If you want to check out the whole thread on Facebook, you can see it [here](https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1ASgEqKPqn/). **Fair winds, and good sleep, fresh water, steady steering, reliable power, and a toilet that works. ;)** ### December 2025: Behind the Scenes URL: https://svsabado.com/december-2025-behind-the-scenes/ Last updated: 2026-06-24T07:58:20.000Z We ran into some significant delays with the Victron Quattro we ordered from... (read more) _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Holiday Highlights: Exploring NZ with Family (A Break From Boat Work) URL: https://svsabado.com/holiday-highlights-exploring-nz-with-family-a-break-from-boat-work/ Last updated: 2025-12-28T14:00:00.000Z Happy Holidays from us to you! We’ve taken a short break from boat work to spend some much needed time with family. We feel incredibly lucky that they were willing to travel all this way to see us, and we’ve been soaking up every minute together. We haven’t all been in the same place for two years, so this time feels particularly special! Ray and I have loved sharing this beautiful country with them, and so far our favorite activities have been… [**Waipu Caves Scenic Reserve**](https://www.doc.govt.nz/parks-and-recreation/places-to-go/northland/places/waipu-area/things-to-do/waipu-caves-track/?ref=svsabado.com) There are small native fungus gnat larvae found in damp dark caves across New Zealand. These larvae produce a blue light to attract insects into fine silk threads they hang from the cave ceilings. We drove to the cave near our rental home, waded through shin-deep water, and turned off our flashlights to reveal thousands of tiny blue dots lighting up the ceiling; it was incredible! ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/img_3061.jpg) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/img_3060.jpg) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/img_0289.jpg) [**Piroa Falls**](https://www.doc.govt.nz/parks-and-recreation/places-to-go/northland/places/waipu-area/things-to-do/piroa-falls-track/?ref=svsabado.com) The Piroa Falls Track is a short but rewarding hike that ends at a beautiful waterfall, complete with clean, deep pools perfect for swimming. There’s also a picnic table, so we packed a cooler and enjoyed lunch in the forest. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/img_3052.jpg) [**TerraGallo Al Fresco Kitchen Experience**](https://www.terragallo.nz/?ref=svsabado.com) When Ray and I first arrived in New Zealand, a group of locals invited us to join them for a Sunday roast. Everyone was unbelievably friendly, it was such a warm welcome! Fast forward several months, coming from the USA, we had no idea that Boxing Day meant nearly every restaurant would be closed on December 26th. With such limited time with my family, I really wanted to plan something special for that evening. I reached out to one of the women from that first roast dinner, and she suggested “some Italian man’s house” in Mangawhai. It turned out to be one of the highlights of the trip. Donato is absolutely lovely, his home overlooks the valley, and he made us five different pizzas in his authentic wood-fired oven right in his backyard. We laughed, drank wine, and ended the night with tiramisu! ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/img_3058.jpg) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/img_0142.jpg) [**The Landing Winery**](https://thelandingwine.co.nz/?srsltid=AfmBOoqof-cngXbDceXugensB4qyW9k37HQicfZP1mC5xxfn9d70WukB&ref=svsabado.com) We were picked up at the wharf by Gus, the skipper, and taken by boat to The Landing, a stunning vineyard and winery on the Purerua Peninsula in the Bay of Islands known for its award-winning estate wines and beautiful coastal setting. We enjoyed a tour of their incredible vineyard and cellar, followed by a wine tasting and a chef-curated seasonal lunch featuring fresh local produce. We even noticed a few mooring balls nearby… perhaps we’ll return one day on our boat? ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/img_0083.jpg) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/img_01201.jpg) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/img_0129.jpg) [**Waipu Golf Club**](https://www.waipugolfclub.org.nz/?ref=svsabado.com) We popped in for a friendly nine holes at the scenic Waipu Golf Club, just a few minutes down the road from our rental home. With stunning ocean views from every hole, we had a blast, although Ray and I are still firmly *not* golfers (haha!). If you visit, be sure to stop for lunch at the cafe; the food is delicious and the scenery is hard to beat! ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/img_3049.jpg) This week we’re saying farewell to my brother and then getting back to boat work. We’re still waiting on two vital pieces of equipment before we can move forward with the wiring: the Quattro and our new air conditioning units. Fingers crossed they arrive soon so we can kick this refit back into gear! **Cheers, and thanks for following along** :) ### Not Much Boat Progress, Plenty of Everything Else URL: https://svsabado.com/not-much-boat-progress-plenty-of-everything-else/ Last updated: 2025-12-07T14:00:00.000Z **Refit diaries: 11/30/25- 12/7/25** *Did you see our holiday gift guide? Check it out* [*here*](https://svsabado.com/gift-guide-for-sailors-2025/)*!* Our family is in town visiting and luckily, we’ve come up with perfectly reasonable excuses to hit “pause” on anything that requires us to physically be at the boat: Installing the new forward hatches in the salon? There’s been way too much rain. Obviously we must wait for better weather so the sealant can cure properly. Wiring work? Totally impossible to continue until the new air conditioning units and Quattro arrive! Literally anything else? Will be easier once the workshop is complete! Instead, we walked the beautiful New Zealand beaches, explored the local market, and enjoyed some quality time together at our rental house, with great food (thanks to the Grill Master, my dad) and excellent wine. I've even convinced my mom to join the local pilates studio with me! ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/img_2764.jpg) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/img_27901.jpg) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/img_0025.jpg) **Sewing** We haven’t halted *all* progress though, this week, my mom and I finished sewing the new line bag! The curved binding was challenging, and keeping the double layers of fabric aligned took patience, but the end result is strong and should serve us for years to come. We’re hoping to install it at the helm next week, so I’ll be sure to take some pictures! We also made an envelope-style throw pillow cover, which means no zippers to worry about rusting shut. I’m not totally convinced this design will hold its shape, so we’re going to live with it around the house for a bit. If it doesn’t get floppy, we’ll make another one. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/img_2801.jpg) We’ve started mapping out our first salon cushion. This is the project I’m most nervous about, because I know ill-fitting covers would bother me every single day. We took apart the original cover to use as a pattern and decided on a [semi flat-felled seam](https://www.sailrite.com/how-to-sew-semi-flat-felled-seam?srsltid=AfmBOopKOjduRuCE6YGDBtguRB2083QZ94Bzd8Ye23LVKkoJ4aUhlCFa&ref=svsabado.com). It leaves one row of stitching visible on the outside and two hidden underneath, which means excellent strength, minimal UV exposure to the thread, and better water resistance than an overlapping seam. These are indoor cushions, but we’re hard on our upholstery aboard Sabado. We’ve stripped off all the old batting from the cushion foam and are replacing it, but the foam itself is still in good shape. **Electrical** We try to keep our systems aligned with ABYC standards. With recent updates to the guidelines, Ray has been re-thinking parts of our electrical upgrade/rewire, like including adding a Class-T fuse on each battery to meet the AIC requirements. We’re also installing a Blue Sea remote solenoid, giving us a helm-mounted switch that can instantly cut power to the winches and windlass. After reading about [this tragic accident](https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/kiwi-skipper-dies-in-sailing-accident-on-round-the-world-trip/EUC5UQFDLVENNC4VE5VZJBAYAI/?ref=svsabado.com), that extra layer of safety felt like an easy decision. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/still-2025-12-06-214940_1-7-1.jpg) **Mast parts update** Between the high cost of VMG Soromap replacement parts and the substantial investment required to switch to Harken, we’ve decided to make do with the system we already have. It’s an issue we’ll revisit in the future. We also checked off a few general to-dos, like washing our foul-weather gear and organizing some of the Ray’s spare parts and components into new storage containers. Overall, it’s been a slow week of progress on the boat, but taking some time off is better for us in the long run — this refit is a marathon, not a sprint! **We hope you had a great week. :)** ### Gift Guide for Sailors (2025) URL: https://svsabado.com/gift-guide-for-sailors-2025/ Last updated: 2026-07-12T13:14:21.000Z With the holidays rapidly approaching, here are some gifts for the sailor in your life. *This post contains affiliate links. We may earn a commission on purchases made (at no additional cost to you).* **THE BEST** [**Battery Operated Portable Fan**](https://a.co/d/hi2fVcn?ref=svsabado.com) This is by far our most-used gift on the boat— rechargeable, powerful, and easy to clean. No tiny screwdrivers needed: just twist off the front to access the blades. The adjustable height makes it perfect to use when cooking in the galley, cooling off at the foot of your yoga mat, or aiming straight at your bed on those extra-hot nights. We just purchased two more. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/1.jpg) [**Zipper Cleaner + Lubricant**](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00HATSKPG?linkCode=ssc&tag=onamzsabadoll-20&creativeASIN=B00HATSKPG&asc%5Fitem-id=amzn1.ideas.1YS4Z49WP0T4N&ref%5F=aip%5Fsf%5Flist%5Fspv%5Fofs%5Fmixed%5Fd%5Fasin&th=1&ref=svsabado.com) The most useful stocking stuffer you can give a sailor. Perfect for wetsuits, jackets, and bags, since basically anything on a boat that zips is doomed to corrode. This keeps gear working smoothly and lasting longer. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/2.jpg) [**Stainless Steel Chopsticks**](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07GD92ZG8?linkCode=ssc&tag=onamzsabadoll-20&creativeASIN=B07GD92ZG8&asc%5Fitem-id=amzn1.ideas.161TGADZZ2SF7&ref%5F=aip%5Fsf%5Flist%5Fspv%5Fons%5Fmixed%5Fd%5Fasin&ref=svsabado.com) We use chopsticks on the boat every day as stir sticks, sushi utensils, etc. Wooden ones eventually wear out, but a few pairs of stainless-steel chopsticks will last practically forever! ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/3.jpg) [**Women’s UPF 50+ Sun Protection Hooded Jacket**](https://a.co/d/av3w3zj?ref=svsabado.com) A UPF top that doesn’t feel like you’re wearing a sweater— I own two of these and wish I had two more! These are lightweight, breathable, and keep you protected from the sun. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/4-2.jpg) [**Leatherman**](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B079MJBP21?linkCode=ssc&tag=onamzsabadoll-20&creativeASIN=B079MJBP21&asc%5Fitem-id=amzn1.ideas.2FXKH7VUUDU7B&ref%5F=aip%5Fsf%5Flist%5Fspv%5Fons%5Fd%5Fasin&th=1&ref=svsabado.com) A high quality practical gift that every sailor will love, and have for years to come. This 18-in-1 multitool by Leatherman is one of our most frequently used tools on Sabado. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/5-3.jpg) [**Fujifilm Instax Mini**](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07ZHNRB3W?ref=svsabado.com) Print Polaroids from your phone anywhere you go! This tiny, travel-friendly printer is ideal for adding personal touches to your boat or gifting new friends and guests memorable printed photos during your travels. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/6-2.jpg) **Want more ideas?** Check out last year’s gift guide [here](https://svsabado.com/gift-guide-for-sailors/)! Or, **let them pick something out**– these are the most helpful gift cards for sailors: Amazon, [West Marine](https://www.westmarine.com/gift-cards/?srsltid=AfmBOoo3HUOkQo3RjcD1vXwZrZIdQHR2BojpyEeKcFFx7Gh2DghRRfJq&ref=svsabado.com) (USA), [Budget Marine](https://budgetmarine.com/gift-cards/?ref=svsabado.com) (Caribbean), [Defender Marine](https://defender.com/en%5Fus/gift-cards?srsltid=AfmBOopTGBn-hovnkEPZ4jRRZdwuTfFqEfmDHD5e36-RlfwOwNIzh515&ref=svsabado.com) (USA and Canada) **Happy Holidays!** :) ### This Week on Sabado: Wiring Discoveries & Good Company URL: https://svsabado.com/this-week-on-sabado-wiring-discoveries-good-company/ Last updated: 2025-11-30T14:00:00.000Z **Refit diaries: 11/23/2025 - 11/30/2025** *Check out our latest YouTube video* [*here*](https://youtu.be/jvOxL0hzD00?si=EzETDAXq-b2w0Bke&ref=svsabado.com)*!* Here’s this week's rundown of refit projects: **Solar Upgrade** We lowered the dinghy to prepare for the removal of our current solar panels, the modification of the solar arch, and the installation of four new 585W bi-facial panels. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/img_2697.jpg) **Wiring Update** The more we dig into this boat, the more wiring issues we find. In addition to a few more undersized cables, we also discovered some labeling discrepancies this week. For example, I guess there was an option to have three electric winches on this boat, because there are three winch wires, but they are all labeled “W1”. I'm sure you can imagine the confusion this caused us... Ray spent a good amount of time this week tracing everything and updating our wiring diagram. **Workshop Update** [Circa Marine](https://circamarine.co.nz/?ref=svsabado.com) kindly gave us a tour of their facility this week and even let us wander around with a camera (check out the video [here](https://youtu.be/jvOxL0hzD00?si=EzETDAXq-b2w0Bke&ref=svsabado.com)!). Their operation is mind-blowing: specializing in luxury aluminum boats, they are not only equipped to build vessels, but also craft stunning custom interiors. They had the framing of our workshop laid out, ready for the finishes to be pressed on soon. Compared to the other projects we saw at their shop, ours feels tiny in scale— but still exciting for us! We can’t wait to see the room come together aboard Sabado. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/still-2025-11-30-015019_1-52-1.jpg) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/img_2728.jpg) **Mast Parts Update** VMG Soromap has so far been unable to source any of the parts we need, so we’re now exploring the possibility of having them custom-made here in New Zealand. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/img_2731.jpg) **Sewing** I’ve started re-making our primary line bag at the helm. Over time, the original has worn thin in several places. This time, I’m hoping to boost durability by using two layers of fabric and reinforcing the edges with UV-resistant binding. We’re also switching to black mesh because the white version looked dirty about 24 hours after cleaning it! ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/img_2741.jpg) **Family visit!** My parents arrived on Friday morning, and we’ve been enjoying some long-overdue time together. As I’m typing this, we’re cooking a belated Thanksgiving dinner. Naturally, they also showed up with a suitcase full of boat parts, so we’re excited to dive back into projects and keep the momentum going next week! ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/img_2740.jpg) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/img_2742.jpg) **We hope you all had a great week! :)** ### November 2025: Behind the Scenes URL: https://svsabado.com/november-2025-behind-the-scenes/ Last updated: 2026-06-24T07:58:46.000Z Our new batteries arrived! For three 345Ah 24V LiFePO4 batteries, we paid... (read more) _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### From Production Catamaran to Dream Boat: Refit Projects That Will Change Everything URL: https://svsabado.com/from-production-catamaran-to-dream-boat-refit-projects-that-will-change-everything/ Last updated: 2026-07-03T00:11:24.000Z Early & ad-free version of our latest Youtube video for our Crew and VIPs. _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Workshop Progress, New Batteries, and the Hunt for Parts URL: https://svsabado.com/workshop-progress-new-batteries-and-the-hunt-for-parts/ Last updated: 2025-11-23T14:00:00.000Z ****Refit Diaries: 11/16/25 - 11/23/25** *A new video is up for our Crew & VIPs, watch it* [*here*](https://svsabado.com/exclusive-video-3-steps-forward-2-steps-back/)*!* We’ve been sticking to our half-day at the yard schedule, but lately we’ve been arriving earlier and earlier to beat traffic. It’s been a good balance for us. Knowing we’re heading back to the house after lunch makes us much more productive, and it also forces us to pause before we get too frustrated with a project. I get to spend the afternoon sewing and cleaning the belongings we brought from the boat to the house, and Ray usually kicks back on the couch with his iPad, tracking down parts or reviewing wiring diagrams. Here’s a rundown of what we accomplished this week: ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/still-2025-11-22-195316_1-45-4.jpg) **New solar panels** Thank you all for your help last week! We managed to secure four new 585W bifacial solar panels through Fletcher at J.A. Russell Ltd. They didn’t fit in our car, but thankfully, the company delivered them to the boatyard the same day. It feels good to check this one off the to-do list! ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/still-2025-11-22-171546_2-15-1.jpg) **Mast parts sourcing issues** We’re having a bit of trouble finding replacement cars for our mast. The existing ones have no markings at all, so we have no clue who made them, and the mast manufacturer either doesn’t know or isn’t willing to tell us. We *could* have some custom-made, but for this refit, we’re thinking long-term: imagine years from now, cruising in the middle of nowhere, and a car fails— we want to know we could order a replacement to the nearest developed area without scrambling. One option we’re considering is switching to a Harken track system, but that would be a pretty big, unexpected expense. **Workshop update** The [Circa Marine](https://circamarine.co.nz/?ref=svsabado.com) team continues to make impressive progress. This week, they completed the cabinetry and countertop framing, and we’re very pleased with the height and storage space. Plus, Ray has significantly more headroom than anticipated! We also finalized our finish selections, deciding at the last minute to go with darker cabinets that will tie in better with the rest of the boat’s interior and better resemble the original design inspiration. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/img_2681.jpg) **New batteries + bed construction** Three 24V 345Ah LiFePO₄ batteries from [NZ Lithium](https://www.nzlithium.co.nz/?gad%5Fsource=1&gad%5Fcampaignid=22897661702&gbraid=0AAAAApR3tUwL3uZJ1u4kJ-Sa-sgQ12dyw&gclid=CjwKCAiA24XJBhBXEiwAXElO3yXhf%5FHNyvnz5GTlumURvn4bms8zcTaII82JXhdpMR0Tf3ndJPc07xoCX%5FEQAvD%5FBwE&ref=svsabado.com) arrived at the yard this week. Thanks to a forklift and our friend Nestor from a neighboring boat, we were able to get them safely onto Sabado and into the bed base Ray is building for our new electrical system. Ray added a few cutouts for vents and continued framing the rest of the space this week. At this point, we’re just waiting for the Quattro and the new air conditioner to arrive. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/still-2025-11-22-171900_1-36-1.jpg) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/img_2680.jpg) **Thruhulls** We had the yard close off two thru-hulls in the port forward cabin. They were originally for that cabin’s air conditioner, but they’re not needed in the workshop layout. Honestly, it feels great to have two fewer holes in the boat, haha! ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/img_2639.jpg) **Sewing** I’ve converted a corner of our rental house into my sewing lair and have been learning how to sew. I want to thank Kristie, Megan, Lisa, and my mom for all the helpful tips and advice! I finished my first project this week: reupholstering the cushion on our cockpit cooler/storage bench. The corners were definitely the most challenging part! I’ve also started mapping out my fabric to re-do our ratty line bags. I’m finding this new hobby really fun, and I’m looking forward to completing more projects! ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/still-2025-11-22-195808_1-49-1.jpg) **Black Friday Purchases** This is the first time in years that we’ve had a shipping address for more than a couple of weeks. I put together a list of all the household items we’ve been needing to replace (sheets, pillows, blender, a mattress for our newly renovated bed, etc.) and have been waiting for each one to go on sale, since we have plenty of time. I hadn’t realized how many New Zealand shops participate in Black Friday, so I tore through my list this week, and the bank account is definitely feeling it! The deals were great and the purchases were planned, but seeing charge after charge, especially on top of all the big boat-related expenses, still leaves a pit in my stomach… Man, I am ready to go sailing again! **We hope you had a great week.** :) ### EXCLUSIVE VIDEO: 3 Steps Forward, 2 Steps Back... URL: https://svsabado.com/exclusive-video-3-steps-forward-2-steps-back/ Last updated: 2026-07-03T00:10:54.000Z New video for our Crew & VIP members! _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### The Good, the Bad, and the Factory Wiring URL: https://svsabado.com/the-good-the-bad-and-the-factory-wiring/ Last updated: 2025-11-16T14:00:00.000Z **Refit Diaries: 11/09/2025 – 11/16/2025** **Time is flying!** *Somehow, we only got 4 minutes of footage this week, so check back next week for a* [*YouTube video*](https://www.youtube.com/hollyandray?ref=svsabado.com)*.* In the meantime, here is what we’ve been up to: **Clanking in the mast** We ran an endoscope up the mast and finally confirmed the source of the constant clanking: all of the wires from the spreader downward (lights, radar, etc.) are unsecured and not running through a conduit. Although the mast has a channel for an additional conduit, two fittings mounted along the mast intrude into that channel. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/still-2025-11-15-160512_1-1-1.jpg) Our plan is to install a new conduit by cutting it into three sections (indicated by the red lines in the photo below), leaving two gaps where the fittings sit. We’ll remove those fittings, run the wires through the conduit sections, position the pieces in the channel, and then reinstall the fittings. This should secure the wires properly and eliminate the clanking. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/untitled-design-9.jpg) **Cleaning, cleaning, and more cleaning** We pulled out all the bins and equipment we’d been storing in the anchor chain locker and gave the space a thorough cleaning. We also emptied the sail locker, since we’d put the sails away wet after our sporty trip here. Next, we’ll air out the forepeak and clean everything so we can start fresh. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/still-2025-11-15-162233_1-1-3.jpg) I’ve continued using acetone to treat the discoloration in the interior—reminder: since acetone works so well, I cannot spot-clean. I am cleaning the entire panel of any affected areas to get an even finish. Since the weather has improved, I’ve also started polishing the stainless. **Workshop update** We handed the workshop over to the experts, and they delivered. In just one week, the guys from [Circa Marine](https://circamarine.co.nz/?ref=svsabado.com) completed the floor supports and laid out the cabinetry and benchtop design. We’re making the space highly intentional, so they’ve been working closely with Ray, measuring his storage bins and most-used tools to ensure the cabinets and drawers are built to fit everything perfectly. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/img_2542.jpg) We received our first weekly invoice from the yard that included the labor and materials used on this project so far. I pulled those line items and added them to the back of our original workshop conversion quote. I’ll keep doing this each week to make sure we are progressing within budget. This refit is a major investment for us, so staying organized and tracking projects as we make payments is essential. **Replacing factory wiring** Ray has discovered yet another case of undersized wiring from the factory. While removing our air conditioning units, he found that the wiring running through the boat is a smaller gauge than it should be, even though the short, visible section after the plug is the correct size. So, although these boats are offered with a 110V option from the factory, it seems they only change the bare minimum when converting from the 230V setup… Disappointing, cheap, and in this case, deceitful. From routine inspection points, you’d never spot this unless you pulled the entire length of wiring out. We will be replacing this wiring on Sabado. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/5.jpg) **Sourcing solar panels** We’ve been emailing back and forth with several New Zealand–based companies, but every time we finalize panel specs and quantities and request an invoice, communication suddenly stops. What is going on?! We’re trying to purchase four 600W+ solar panels. We posted about this on our Instagram and Facebook yesterday and have received some promising leads, but at this point, we’re cautious until the deal is actually *done*. So, if you have any reliable solar supplier recommendations, we’d love to hear them! **We hope you had a great week. :)** ### Finding Our Rhythm: Boat Projects and Balance in New Zealand URL: https://svsabado.com/finding-our-rhythm-boat-projects-and-balance-in-new-zealand/ Last updated: 2025-11-09T14:00:00.000Z **Refit Diaries: 11/02/2025 - 11/09/2025** *Hi! Did you see our latest YouTube video? You can watch it, [here](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dg5Oijs0rN0&ref=svsabado.com)!* This week, we adopted a more balanced routine: half days at the boatyard, about four hours each morning, followed by errands on the way back to our rental house. This has allowed us to catch up on wiring diagrams, video editing, and housework during the second half of the day. It’s been a good rhythm. Many of our projects have reached natural pause points as we wait for parts to arrive, which has given us the perfect excuse to slow down a bit. The weather is finally starting to warm up, and we’ve been soaking in the sunshine and clear skies. This is SUCH a beautiful country! ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/still-2025-11-05-213414_1-39-2.jpg) One evening, we watched an incredible supermoon rise over the river behind the house, followed by distant fireworks celebrating Guy Fawkes Night. The fireworks commemorate the failed Gunpowder Plot of 1605, when Guy Fawkes attempted to blow up the British Parliament. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/still-2025-11-05-153552_1-37-1.jpg) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/still-2025-11-05-153552_1-37-3.jpg) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/still-2025-11-05-153552_1-37-4.jpg) With all that said, progress continues at the yard. Even with our lighter schedule, we managed to make steady headway on several projects this week, including: **Clean the generator compartment** We removed the generator last week, giving us access to the full compartment for the first time in years. The bottom was coated in a thick layer of grease and grime, with a light film of dirt along the walls. I spent some time scrubbing it clean using heavy-duty wipes, a firm brush, and a tub of Pink Stuff. Now, when Ray goes in to set up the new generator, he’ll have a clean workspace. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/still-2025-11-08-211020_1-74-1.jpg) **Build workshop floor** After completing the demolition of our port forward cabin [last week](https://svsabado.com/full-speed-ahead-mast-unstepped-and-workshop-gutted/), Ray began building the new floor supports. We bought a large sheet of styrofoam to use as a cutting template, since we were struggling to visualize the exact dimensions needed to match the hull’s curves and slope. The supports will be suspended (without mechanical fasteners) and must also account for the thickness of the new flooring material. We picked up a few pieces of trim wood to use as a straight reference line from the existing hallway floor, but we couldn’t quite get it right. The last thing we want is to spend all this time and money for a rebuild on top of a wonky floor. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/still-2025-11-08-211020_2-10-1.jpg) Luckily, a member of the [Circa](https://circamarine.co.nz/interiors?ref=svsabado.com) team was on site and available. He had everything figured out and cut within two days. He took the supports back to their shop for the weekend to seal them with epoxy, protecting them from any future water damage. We’ll take photos of his work once he returns to install them. We prefer to do most of the boat work ourselves, but for this workshop, we want it done right, and the Circa guys are experts. We know our limits! **Discoloration in the salon** We’ve noticed some yellow discoloration throughout the boat's interior. I’ve tried just about everything to remove it, and the only thing that actually works is acetone! You can see the discoloration and a test patch I cleaned in the photo below. Unfortunately, the acetone is *too* effective, so I can’t just spot-clean the discolored areas, or they’ll stand out. Instead, I have to clean the entire panel for an even finish. This week, I tackled the panel that runs between the headliner and the sides of the saloon. I used diluted acetone, gloves, white rags, and rinsed thoroughly with fresh water. If you’re cleaning with acetone, be sure to rinse well, especially if the surface is warm, and always dispose of your rags properly afterward, since they can spontaneously combust! I plan to repeat this process on the other affected panels. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/still-2025-11-08-211233_2-6-1.jpg) **Wiring** Ray continued removing the factory wiring for the generator, air conditioning, and shore power. That included all of the green connectors Lagoon uses, since they create too much resistance, which causes them to overheat and even melt. Instead, we’ll be replacing them with continuous wiring for a safer, more reliable setup. **Rig updates** The longer the mast is down, the more we discover. From a preliminary inspection, it appears three conduits are running through the mast— two that likely run the full length, and one that’s less than a meter long. Most of our wiring is crammed into that short conduit, leaving the rest of the length open for the wires to rattle around freely. Mystery of the obnoxious clanking: solved. Next week, we’ll send an endoscope up there to get a clearer picture, and we’ll share our plan for fixing it once we know more. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/still-2025-11-08-211020_1-71-1.jpg) We have also heard from our rigger that the bearings on all the mast cars need to be replaced, and so does our furler— ouch! That’s an expensive surprise. Help us feel better: what's the biggest and/or most expensive surprise you've had on your boat? **Another week down, many more to go… See you next time!** ### AD- FREE VIDEO: We’re FINALLY Doing It (Catamaran Workshop Conversion) URL: https://svsabado.com/ad-free-video-were-finally-doing-it-catamaran-workshop-conversion/ Last updated: 2026-07-03T00:10:25.000Z Early and ad-free video for Crew and VIPs! _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Full Speed Ahead: Mast Unstepped and Workshop Gutted URL: https://svsabado.com/full-speed-ahead-mast-unstepped-and-workshop-gutted/ Last updated: 2025-11-02T14:00:00.000Z **Refit Diaries: 10/26/2025 - 11/2/2025** *Holy smokes, it’s November already!* Time is flying by, and we’ve got the pedal to the metal on our refit projects, trying to get as much done as possible before the holidays, when it’s notoriously hard to get on any trade’s schedule. Unfortunately, we couldn’t squeeze in enough editing time this week, so there’s no public YouTube video. **Check back next week, or join our** [**Crew or become a VIP**](https://svsabado.com/subscribe/) **to watch an exclusive, unfiltered update about our projects and an honest discussion about our experience in the yard.** Alright, on to this week's projects: **Cockpit refrigerator** We took a closer look at our new cockpit fridge. Reminder: even though it is the exact same model number as our previous fridge, we noticed a few key differences when we unboxed it last week. - The bottom frame has been removed. Without it, all the condensate would drain directly into the boat, so we ordered the bottom flange separately this week. - There are no longer screw holes on the top and bottom. The manufacturer decided they were unnecessary and thought they “looked too industrial”. That is fine, as the screws on either side should be enough. - The new fridge is slightly wider. To accommodate the increased width, we will need to trim the fiberglass opening and modify the existing metal bracket it sits in. This is the part we are most frustrated about, but it is doable. If we had known we would need to make modifications, we probably would have chosen a different fridge altogether. We tried to make the job easy, but it backfired! - Ventilation has also been added along the sides (pictured below), which would lead to water ingress in our case. We plan to seal these vents since our installation provides plenty of airflow through the back. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/image-1.jpg) **Saloon forward hatches** Over time, the frames on our forward saloon hatches have corroded due to the use of dissimilar metals. You can see bubbling along the frames, which has caused them to warp and no longer close properly. We ordered the “new and improved” replacements from the local Lagoon dealer and received them in the mail this week. When we unboxed them at the house, they looked surprisingly large, so we rushed down to the boat to check. Thankfully, they’re exactly the same size as the old ones. I guess we’ve just been off the boat for too long, or maybe we’re a little skeptical after the refrigerator debacle- haha! ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/image-2.jpg) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/image-5.jpg) **Unstepping the mast** This was a big milestone in our refit! Our rigger, Charles (from [NissNiss](http://nissniss.com/?ref=svsabado.com)), and his colleague, Gara, spent several days preparing the boat by measuring, marking, placing straps, etc. Their attention to detail and precise prep work paid off when the crane arrived and removed the generator, boom, and mast in under an hour. It could not have gone smoother. We now have a long list of items to tackle while the rig is down, and have hired the NissNiss team to help see it through. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/image-9.jpg) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/image-7.jpg) ![](null) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/image-8.jpg) **Port forward cabin demolition** Ray completed the port forward cabin demolition this week, removing all the furniture to make way for our future workshop. It was a loud and exhausting job, cutting and prying through layers of glue and hidden screws, but we are so relieved to have it done. Ray is thinking about trying his hand at making the floor supports. We are considering getting some stiff foam to cut templates first, since we are having trouble visualizing how to measure and level everything. We also spent some time thinking about the finish and design options. We decided not to try matching the factory finishes because nothing matches perfectly, and we know that would drive us crazy. Instead, we are leaning into the garage and workshop vibe, using durable and easy-to-clean/maintain materials. Does anyone know of a shop in the area that carries high-quality rubberized flooring, like the kind you would see in a garage? We would love to check some out in person. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/image-6.jpg) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/image.jpg) **Repurposing fabric for future sewing project** We removed the two lounge cushions from our top deck. The sun had destroyed the mesh, and the foam had started disintegrating. Honestly, we didn’t use them enough to justify replacements, so I tossed the foam and brought the covers home. I removed the damaged mesh and plan to repurpose the Sunbrella panels for my first sewing project: reupholstering the cushion that tops our cockpit storage cooler/bench. I quickly realized I’ll need a pair of fabric shears, some chalk, and a zipper, so we plan to swing by Spotlight in Whangarei tomorrow. Is that the best sewing supply shop in the area? If you know more than I do, please share! A big thank-you to Kris and Lisa for the great advice on sewing machine accessories and where to order fabric locally. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/image-4.jpg) **Disconnect solar panels** We’ve requested a forklift from the yard to lower the dinghy, but haven't seen one sent our way yet. So, I shimmied into the raised dinghy to cut the wires to our current solar panels, prepping them for removal. The yard’s fabrication team will remove them and modify the arch to accommodate our new panels. Unfortunately, we are still on the hunt for new panels. The company we had planned to order from would not accept our [TIE](https://svsabado.com/content/files/www-customs-govt-nz/media/0j2dtttb/form-c4g-import-entry-temporary-yachts-and-small-vessels.pdf) (exempting us from paying GST), so we are searching for another source. We had originally spec’d 520-watt Jinko 54HL4M-BVD panels. If anyone has any leads, we are looking for the highest output with dimensions as close to 2400 x 1134mm as possible. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/image-10.jpg) **Clean up day** We drove to the boat yesterday morning to tidy up. After such a busy week, we had tools strewn about, sawdust everywhere, and a sizable pile of scrap wood at our stern. We rearranged, vacuumed, and lugged everything we could to the dumpster. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/image-3.jpg) Now, we’re ready for another week of work! We hope you all had a great weekend. :) ### October 2025: Behind the Scenes URL: https://svsabado.com/october-2025-behind-the-scenes/ Last updated: 2026-06-24T08:03:00.000Z We were billed for our haul and launch from September 2025. The cost breakdown is as follows... (read more) _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Let’s Chat: Unfiltered Exclusive Update (VIDEO) URL: https://svsabado.com/lets-chat-unfiltered-exclusive-update-video/ Last updated: 2026-07-03T00:09:57.000Z A video update for our Crew and VIPs. _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Sawdust, Stainless, and Steady Progress URL: https://svsabado.com/sawdust-stainless-and-steady-progress/ Last updated: 2025-10-26T11:00:00.000Z **Happy Sunday!** *Did you see [our latest YouTube video?](https://youtu.be/l6XXJyzpHHE?si=yAdHzBGoEOOQEupD&ref=svsabado.com)* **Refit Diaries: 10/19/2025 - 10/26/2025** Wow, time is flying by! Where did the week go? Besides keeping ourselves bathed, clothed and fed, we have not done anything outside of boat work this week. It’s been a blur of physically working in the yard, and mentally working from the house researching/sourcing materials/keeping track of parts, tools and payments. So, let’s get right into it... This week’s projects included: **Rebuilding starboard aft cabin bed.** We picked up some marine-grade plywood on Monday and cut the front and sides for our new starboard aft cabin bed base. Reminder: the plan is to expand the base to make room for new batteries and electrical components. Easier said than done, though— the measuring process was a real pain, since nothing on the boat is perfectly square. Luckily, after a million re-measures, a couple trips back to the hardware store and one “learning experience,” Ray nailed it on the second try (let’s just pretend the first attempt never happened). ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/image-1.jpg) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/refit-11.jpg) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/refit-9.jpg) We’ll have to hit pause on this project until our new air conditioner, batteries, and inverter arrive, but it feels good to see real progress. Slowly but surely, this cabin is coming together, and we’re feeling optimistic about where it’s headed. **Stainless work**. We had the machinists at Port Whangarei Marine Center repair and reinforce the handle on the steps leading from the helm to the coach roof. They fixed the cracked welds and added an extra stainless steel bar across the middle for added strength and longevity. Since we use this handle every day to reach the helm and depend on it in rough weather, this was an critical project to keep our boat safe. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/still-2025-10-24-204511_1-30-1.jpg) We also had them fabricate eight long brackets to frame our escape hatches, since we weren’t satisfied with the two small aluminum tabs installed during a recall to keep the glass from falling out. We dive (passionately, maybe a little angrily) into just how risky that setup is in our latest video, so be sure to watch 'til the end! ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/still-2025-10-26-013939_1-68-1.jpg) **Preparing to un-step the mast.** With the help of a rigger, we took down the sails and boom to get ready for Sabado’s mast removal next week. Ray wrapped up disconnecting all the wiring from the mast and also unhooked the generator, since we’ll be lifting that out with the crane too. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/image-3.jpg) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/image-6.jpg) We’re trying to keep our crane time (and costs!) to a minimum, so all this prep work should make the big day go a lot faster. **Ordering new mainsail.** Once we took down the mainsail, we sent it off with a representative from North Sails to get measurements and see what parts could be repurposed for our new one. Somewhere between Tonga and New Zealand, we finally admitted it was time for a replacement. We’ve only had this sail for three years, but after nearly 30,000 nautical miles, it’s stretched so much that we can’t get a proper trim anymore. The jib, on the other hand, is still in great shape because we tend to fly larger headsails most of the time. For the new mainsail, we’ve decided to move away from the square-top design and go with a large roach instead. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/image-4.jpg) We also gave them our gennaker that a sailmaker in Tahiti said was “burnt to a crisp”. We’re not sure if it’s something that can be repaired or repurposed, but we couldn’t pass up the opportunity to have the manufacturers of the sail re-evaluate it. **Approved carpentry quote for workshop buildout.** We’ve officially locked in a carpenter for the workshop buildout, which is a huge relief after recent uncertainty! We met with the company on Friday to discuss the details. To keep the project within budget, we’ll be handling the demolition ourselves. We also received a flipbook of finish samples and will be sharing our favorite options soon. Be sure to follow us on Instagram (@sv\_sabado) for real-time design updates! ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/image-5.jpg) **Getting organized.** We have yet to visit a yard without accounting issues. There always seems to be problems when there’s guys in the yard doing the work, reporting their work to a manager, who reports it to an accountant, who has a secretary distribute invoices. We picked up a binder this week to organize our printed and notated invoices and quotes, since the stack on our desk at the house was getting unruly. We write the date/method (wire, credit card, check) of all payments on the corresponding invoice, and date/method (email, WhatsApp, in person meeting) of all quote approvals, and file them away accordingly. I carry the binder with us to the yard and back to the house so I always have it handy if an email comes in about a “missing payment”. There’s a lot of room for error when multiple vendors and contractors are involved all at once. It’s a tedious process but going through everything with a fine tooth comb has always been worth it for us. Case in point: this week we caught a new invoice that included a line item we’d already paid! **Cockpit refrigerator.** Our new cockpit refrigerator has arrived! We picked it up and unboxed it in the garage. Despite being the exact same model number, it has slightly different dimensions. We drove to the boat to evaluate the gaping hole it will eventually reside in. Unfortunately, we’ll have to make some modifications to accommodate the new dimensions. It’s doable, we’re just a smidge annoyed. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/img_2080.jpg) **Source new solar panels.** The electrician we had been working with was unable to follow through on the solar panels we’d agreed upon. Her alternative option was too large for our solar arch and offered less power output. As a result, we’ve decided to take matters into our own hands by researching and ordering panels ourselves that better meet our needs. **Begin port forward demolition.** Instead of taking the day off from boat work yesterday as planned, we ended up driving to the yard and diving into the port forward cabin, our soon-to-be workshop. Lagoon builds their boats by assembling all the furniture first and then dropping it into the hull, hiding countless screws and making dismantling anything a real challenge. We tore out what we could and cut away the rest. There’s still plenty left to do, but it felt great to finally get started in there. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/image.jpg) **Set up new sewing machine.** The transformer for my sewing machine arrived, so I unboxed and set it up last night. As someone who knows nothing about sewing machines, it would have been nice if the parts were labeled! Ray helped me sort through the unmarked plastic bags of mystery pieces while we followed along with the tutorial video. I wound my first bobbin before calling it a night and finishing up this post. I’m looking forward to playing around with it more next week. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/image-7.jpg) That's the update, folks! Thanks for following along, we hope you had a great week. :) ### AD-FREE VIDEO: Addressing a Serious Safety Issue During Our Catamaran Refit URL: https://svsabado.com/ad-free-video-addressing-a-serious-safety-issue-during-our-catamaran-refit/ Last updated: 2026-07-03T00:09:28.000Z Early and ad-free video for Crew and VIPs! _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Step by Step, Project by Project URL: https://svsabado.com/step-by-step-project-by-project/ Last updated: 2026-06-24T08:08:10.000Z **Happy Sunday!** *Don’t forget to watch our latest YouTube video* [*here*](https://youtu.be/jl2H7N4Mv%5FI?si=ao2MxGgxm8adM8h-&ref=svsabado.com)*.* **Refit Diaries: 10/12/2025 – 10/19/2025** We had a discouraging meeting on Monday morning, suggesting that our carpentry projects might be astronomically out of our budget. We didn’t go into this blind— these projects have been on our wishlist for years. We have collected quotes along the way and gathered a solid idea of the ballpark cost. We’ve also extensively researched the cost of materials and labor here in New Zealand. So, we were definitely caught off guard. It felt less like a quote and more like a polite way of saying, *“We're fully booked unless it’s really worth our time.”* One of the yard’s project managers has gone back to renegotiate, so we will keep our fingers crossed. The quote was based on descriptions and photos, so we’re hoping an in-person meeting might help provide context on the scope of our projects. In the meantime, we began taking things into our own hands: researching how to do it ourselves, can we outsource cabinetry? Rent tools? How would we transport plywood? At what point does this become a bad idea? We’re not giving up, but we might be getting a little more creative. Here is a reminder of what we’re hoping to do in the port forward cabin (our biggest carpentry project): ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/still-2025-10-18-165321_3-14-1-1.jpg) By Tuesday morning, we had received an official quote for all things rigging related (pulling the mast, replacing the standing rigging, etc.), which, thankfully, was right about what we were estimating, plus it included a couple of extra things we hadn't initially accounted for, like using the crane to remove our generator. It's still a *lot* of money, but at least it wasn't an unexpected amount. The weather was crummy, so we spent the day camped out on the couch under fleece blankets with our laptops, emailing back and forth with anyone who could help us with the workshop conversion: other marine interior companies, custom kitchen cabinetry folks, van conversion people... We were exploring all potential avenues. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/still-2025-10-18-165618_1-24-1.jpg) On Wednesday morning, we met with the yard’s project manager and the carpenter to review our options: what would the price be if we did the port forward cabin demo? And if we did the floors ourselves? Basically, what combination of us + you can we come up with to make this work? We are willing to handle most of the other projects ourselves if we can get the workshop conversion down to a better price. Overall, we think the meeting went well. The carpenter was knowledgeable and friendly, and seemed open to working with us to “sharpen the pencil” a bit on his estimate. We have not seen a revised quote yet, but we feel hopeful. In the meantime, we have continued to solicit alternative quotes, including several viable (but not ideal) options. This has been an unexpected speed bump, but that’s just the nature of high-demand marine trades. Thank you to everyone who has sent us a tip/connection/recommendation. Your input has been so helpful! My sewing machine was delivered this week, but it’s been sitting in its box in our entryway while I wait for the transformer to arrive so I can use it. I think my first project will be a simple box corner cushion to put on our cockpit cooler/storage bench. Reminder: I’ve never used a sewing machine before, so I’m starting small! I’ve found the [tutorials on the Sailrite website](https://www.sailrite.com/learn/learning-to-sew?ref=svsabado.com) very encouraging. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/img_1884.jpg) We’ve discovered Bunnings Warehouse and Mitre Ten, two giant hardware stores within minutes of the boat yard. We bought heaps of tools this week while finishing the starboard aft cabin demolition (where we plan to house new batteries and electrical components). I’ve been staying on top of registering all our purchases online to activate the warranty, should we need to replace anything while we’re here. It’s an easy, but tedious process. Ray winces when he swipes the credit card, but I can see his excitement while unboxing all this stuff. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/still-2025-10-18-172055_2-3-1.jpg) We mapped out a spot for three 24V 340Ah LiFePO4 batteries by [NZ Lithium](https://www.nzlithium.co.nz/24v-batteries?ref=svsabado.com) using the empty shells they shipped us. This allowed Ray to precisely cut a space for them to sit under our bed. We promptly shipped the shells back to them to be filled with the actual batteries. We still love [the Kilovault batteries we installed in 2023](https://youtu.be/DCoEbinDxx4?si=5opDCnSoC5-tIP3J&ref=svsabado.com), but the company has stopped producing them, making it challenging to expand our system. We will keep one 12V 300Ah Kilovault to supply power to our remaining 12V consumers, but have two others up for grabs if anyone is interested. From what we've seen so far, the build quality of these new batteries is impressive. It's amazing how much the technology has advanced since our initial conversion. If you're interested in more details about our electrical system, we've attached the wiring diagrams Ray created for our 24V/12V and 120V side below, available to download for our [Crew and VIPs.](https://svsabado.com/subscribe/) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/img_1895.jpg) When we’re not at the yard, we’ve been messing around with our new gear—did you notice anything different in our latest video? We got a new camera with a fantastic zoom and a couple of lapel mics to make the audio more bearable when filming in the noisy boatyard. There’s been a bit of a learning curve, but we’re having fun with it. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/still-2025-10-18-165321_1-50-2.jpg) We also celebrated getting our visa approved— we can officially stay in New Zealand until June 2026! Our friends, Nick and Megan, are still staying with us, so our evenings are filled with good food and shared laughter. The owners of the house we are renting stopped by to drop off some Halloween and Christmas decor for us and a fresh jar of local honey. Time is flying by, and we’re looking forward to a festive holiday season here with friends and family between boat work. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/still-2025-10-18-165357_1-4-1.jpg) **Looking ahead:** We’ve ordered some marine plywood to start rebuilding the base of our bed; we plan to pick it up tomorrow morning. We hope to hear back on that revised carpentry quote this coming week, primarily for the workshop build-out, so keep your fingers crossed! Aside from that, life is good. Busy, but good. It feels like there are so many moving parts right now, but we are making a conscious effort to stay organized by printing out and sorting all invoices, designating who is responsible for responding to what emails, etc. We’re also learning to juggle land life responsibilities like unloading the dishwasher, mowing the lawn, washing the car, etc., haha! New, but necessary chores! Anyway, that's all we have to report for now. Have a great week! :) ### AD-FREE VIDEO: Building Our Dream Electrical System (Catamaran Refit in New Zealand) URL: https://svsabado.com/ad-free-video-building-our-dream-electrical-system-catamaran-refit-in-new-zealand/ Last updated: 2026-07-03T00:08:54.000Z Early and ad-free video for Crew and VIPs! _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Let The Boat Work Begin! URL: https://svsabado.com/let-the-boat-work-begin/ Last updated: 2025-10-12T13:00:18.000Z **Happy Sunday!** *Have you seen our latest YouTube video? Watch it [here](https://youtu.be/huLEj8H0ZTA?si=o0aX1XFWKElMKx-E&ref=svsabado.com) to join us for a day in our new routine, including a tour of the boat yard Sabado is staying at.* **Refit Diaries: 10/05/2025 - 10/12/2025** Let the boat work begin! We’ve hauled Sabado out of the water at [Port Whangarei Marine Center](https://portwhangarei.com/?ref=svsabado.com), packed up all our belongings, and moved them off the boat to prepare for our upcoming projects. Seeing the interior completely empty is a little unsettling, but exciting nonetheless. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/still-2025-10-10-210359_1-103-2.jpg) We’ve rented a house nearby, which softens the stress of our pending interior demolition. Taking hot showers daily and filling a full-sized refrigerator with groceries every week feels incredibly luxurious. The neighborhood is charming and everyone is very friendly. It’s on a scenic stretch of river, so we have been soaking up the colorful sunrises and local wildlife. The neighbors say you can swim in the river once it warms up. I’m definitely looking forward to summer! ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/still-2025-10-11-171221_1-138-1-1.jpg) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/still-2025-10-11-171221_1-14-1.jpg) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/still-2025-10-11-171221_1-15-1.jpg) We’re in a bit of a holding pattern until all of our equipment arrives for the boat. Half of it seems to be stuck at customs, and the other is still in transit, but, like most boatyards, we’ve quickly learned that nothing really gets done unless we’re physically on the boat— the moment contractors see our car parked nearby, they start stopping by one by one with plans, quotes, and progress reports. So, despite being limited in what we can accomplish, we pack a lunch and drive to the yard daily to keep things moving. This week’s projects included: **Preparing to un-step the mast.** We disconnected some of the wires to prepare to pull the mast. We noticed the cable for our IridiumGo antenna was rusty, which likely explains the poor connection we've been experiencing recently. We will need to replace that while we’re here. We are waiting on a quote from the rigger before scheduling the crane. If you’d like to see the full, detailed report (with photos) from our rig inspection, we posted it [here](https://svsabado.com/august-september-2025-behind-the-scenes/). ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/still-2025-10-11-171512_1-25-1.jpg) **Removing the cockpit fridge.** Over the years, the runoff from the helm area has rusted out the slides on our drawer-style cockpit fridge. The slides are built into the drawer, and replacing the drawer is nearly as expensive as replacing the entire unit. So, we have ordered a complete replacement. The fridge is original to the boat, so it took us a while to figure out how it was installed. Luckily, we discovered it was not bolted to the large metal bracket it was sitting in, but there was an impressive amount of sealant used around the frame that we had to hack our way through. We covered the hole with plastic and duct tape while we wait for the new fridge to arrive. To prevent damage to the new unit, we hope to design a visor to divert water over the drawer, and/or a lip to prevent water from the helm running down the ledge. You can watch the removal process in [this video](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=huLEj8H0ZTA&ref=svsabado.com). ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/refit-1.jpg) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/still-2025-10-10-220142_1-118-1.jpg) **Owner’s cabin demolition.** After waiting on the carpenter for several weeks, we decided to complete the owner's cabin demolition ourselves. Ray removed all the screws he could access, but because the bed was put together before it was put into the boat, many of the screws were hidden and had to be cut. The rest of the bed came apart like puzzle pieces. We saved the trim to re-use later. We plan to expand the base out to the edge of the hulls to accommodate more batteries, electrical components, and a new air conditioner. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/5.jpg) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/6.jpg) When we're not at the yard, we’ve been enjoying hanging out with friends. [Nick and Megan O’Kelly](https://www.youtube.com/@TheOKellys/about?ref=svsabado.com) have been staying with us for the past few weeks, and we’ve loved chatting/decompressing/bouncing ideas off each other. Megan and I have joined a local pilates studio, and have been having fun trying new recipes each night. Ray and Nick have been playing with camera gear and discussing all sorts of boat-related things. This isn’t the first time the four of us have lived together for a stretch of time, but usually it's on Sabado. They are equally good house guests as they are crew. ;) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/img_1850.jpg) We’ve begun taping thick protective paper on the interior floor to prepare for next week. Our floors dent and scratch easily, so we’re hoping this will prevent new marks from appearing while contractors, tools, and equipment traipse in and out over the next few months. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/still-2025-10-11-182034_1-1-3.jpg) I’ve received the shipping notification for my sewing machine, and I look forward to learning a new skill and getting started on some upholstery and canvas projects. If you have any recommendations for where I can purchase Sunbrella in New Zealand, I’m all ears! It’s also starting to look more and more like we will be executing our carpentry projects ourselves, rather than a carpenter. So if you have any local connections, we’d love to hear about them. We’re primarily interested in help with the cabinetry for our workshop conversion. This is the vision: ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/refit-2.jpg) The photo on the left is from a sister ship. We have not yet started the demolition of the port forward cabin on Sabado. The photo on the right is an AI-generated image of our design. We plan to lean into the workshop/garage vibe by using rubberized flooring and a pegboard to store some of our tools. Overall, it feels like we are settling into a productive routine. We look forward to taking you along with us as we work our way through our project list. A huge thank you to our [Crew and VIP members](https://svsabado.com/subscribe/) and all of you who have reached out with recommendations for us. This is a team effort, and we are grateful for your support! ### (Ad-free Video) BIG CHANGES AHEAD: Refitting our Catamaran in New Zealand URL: https://svsabado.com/ad-free-video-big-changes-ahead-refitting-our-catamaran-in-new-zealand/ Last updated: 2026-07-03T00:08:12.000Z Early and ad-free video for Crew and VIPs! _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### August + September 2025: Behind the Scenes URL: https://svsabado.com/august-september-2025-behind-the-scenes/ Last updated: 2026-06-24T08:09:25.000Z After approximately 28,000 nautical miles, our mainsail has stretched to the point where we can no longer achieve proper trim. It’s served us well, but it’s time for a new one. Our current mainsail is from Mack Sails; we will order a new one from... (read more) _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Sailing to New Zealand: Pre-Departure & Arrival Guide for Foreign Yachts URL: https://svsabado.com/sailing-to-new-zealand-pre-departure-arrival-guide-for-foreign-yachts/ Last updated: 2025-09-28T04:49:44.000Z This checklist is designed to help streamline the foreign yacht clearance process in New Zealand, based on our firsthand experience in September 2025. #### BEFORE YOU DEPART: #### 1\. Evaluate food stores New Zealand has a comprehensive list of items that are prohibited or restricted upon entry. Review the full list [here](https://www.mpi.govt.nz/bring-send-to-nz/bringing-and-posting-items-to-nz/check-if-you-can-bring-or-send-an-item-to-nz/bringing-food-to-nz/?ref=svsabado.com), and plan to use or dispose of any restricted items before your arrival. Here are a few clarifications to help dispel some common misconceptions: - **Fresh produce:** Fresh produce is not permitted. Upon arrival, any fresh produce you have should be sealed in a ziplock bag to prevent the spread of fruit flies, so officials can properly dispose of it. - **Dried spices:** Officers are generally not concerned with most dried spices. They specifically asked us about bay leaves and fresh herbs, and our chia and sesame seeds were allowed. - **Legumes and beans:** Canned beans and legumes are permitted. However, dried or uncooked varieties may be confiscated. - **Pork products:** No pork products are allowed, even if canned. This includes baked beans containing pork, canned pork sausages, or pâté/duck preserved in pork fat. - **Dairy products:** Canned and fresh butter, powdered milk, and shelf-stable milk were all permitted during our inspection. As always, declare all food items honestly. Officers will inspect anything that raises questions, but as long as you're transparent, the process is usually straightforward. If you have prohibited items, they’ll provide a large garbage bag and safely dispose of them for you. Officers have regulations regarding the weight and contents of the disposal bags, and they may not confiscate as much as you expect. It’s best to leave all food items stored normally until they board your vessel and let them do their jobs—they’re efficient and experienced in handling these situations. #### 2\. Evaluate other banned items [here](https://www.mpi.govt.nz/bring-send-to-nz/bringing-and-posting-items-to-nz/check-if-you-can-bring-or-send-an-item-to-nz/?ref=svsabado.com). Plants, seashells, specialty soaps containing honey or tallow, and wooden souvenirs collected during your travels may be subject to inspection or confiscation. Check the official list (linked above) and prepare these items for presentation at check-in. In our case, we brought a jar of shells and souvenirs, which were examined by the officer and ultimately cleared for us to keep. #### 3\. Apply for your [NZeTA](https://www.immigration.govt.nz/visas/new-zealand-electronic-travel-authority-nzeta/?ref=svsabado.com) (if applicable). Some travelers can enter New Zealand without applying for a visa in advance by using an NZeTA (New Zealand Electronic Travel Authority). Eligibility depends on your passport, mode of travel, and whether you're visiting or just transiting. An NZeTA is valid for two years and allows for a stay of up to 90 days per visit. It only becomes active upon arrival, so you can apply well in advance and check it off your to-do list. In our case, we entered New Zealand on an NZeTA, then applied for a Visitor Visa before the 90-day period ended to extend our stay. #### 5\. Clean your hull! New Zealand has the strictest biosafety regulations we have encountered. Your hull needs to be meticulously maintained. Be sure to thoroughly clean all niche areas (thru hulls, props, etc.) within 30 days of arrival. [Here](https://www.mpi.govt.nz/dmsdocument/19757-Vessels-Craft-Risk-Management-Standard/?ref=svsabado.com) are the official guidelines, explanations, and an [FAQ brochure](https://www.mpi.govt.nz/dmsdocument/27444-Craft-Risk-Management-Standard-FAQs/?ref=svsabado.com). #### 6\. Document the state of your hull. Grab your dive light and record a continuous video that clearly shows your boat name, then pans slowly over the entire hull below the waterline, including all niche areas like thru-hulls, propellers, and rudders, illuminating as necessary. Take your time and ensure clear visibility; the footage must be bright and detailed enough for officials to assess your hull's condition. Do not cut or stitch clips together; they want a single, unedited raw video file. Although we were allowed to submit photos instead of a video, we found this impractical. Our photos were rejected for being too dark, not high enough quality, and missing some parts of the hull. Capturing every area of the hull with acceptable clarity would have required 30+ high-quality photos. The biosafety officer we spoke with also emphasized the importance of having the boat name visible in the cleaning evidence—something that’s difficult to achieve with still images. If you submit photos, be ready to provide the original, unedited image files (not a PDF). Do not overlay the date on the image. The metadata (including the date and time) should be intact in the image file properties. #### 7\. Gather supplemental proof of hull maintenance. For example, receipts from previous haul outs when antifoul was applied, the type of antifoul you have, the manufacturer's suggested lifespan, any personal logs you may keep of previous hull cleanings, etc. #### 8\. Fill out and submit the Advance Notice of Arrival form (available to download at the bottom of this post). Craft an email that includes the **completed Advanced Notice of Arrival (ANOA) form, a copy of your certificate of vessel registration, a scanned copy or photograph of the bio-page of passport for all passengers and crew on board, a full photograph of your vessel, and evidence of vessel value** (bill of sale or insurance documentation that lists the value) and send it to yachts@customs.govt.nz. You must submit this information no less than 48 hours before arriving in New Zealand, but it is recommended you submit this prior to your departure from an overseas port, because it will trigger the email from NZ MPI (biosecurity). This gives you the opportunity to gain biosecurity pre-clearance before you’re underway, when it might be difficult to get in the water to gather more evidence of the condition of your hull if necessary. If you know you will be stopping over at Minerva Reef, you can complete this step there. #### 9\. Submit Biosecurity Pre-Clearance information by responding to the email you’ll receive from NZ MPI after submitting your Advanced Notice of Arrival. For context, see the bottom of this post for the exact wording of the email we received. Keep in mind that this is a new system, and the wording may change over time. Simply copy and paste the questions they ask you into an email reply, answer them, and upload the video of your hull through the file share link they provide. If your submission is denied, you have two options: collect more suitable evidence (which may include re-cleaning and re-filming your hull), and resubmit. Or, wait for the on-arrival assessment. Just be aware: vessels with pre-clearance are prioritized during check-in. If the Q Dock is busy when you arrive and you don’t have pre-clearance, you may be delayed. In that case, biosecurity officers will board your vessel with their own underwater camera and light, and thoroughly review all of your supplemental documentation and footage in person. If your hull is not up to their standards, you may be required to haul out within 24 hours at an MPI-approved facility (at your expense). Our Pre- Clearance photos were denied, and we failed the on arrival assessment. I've included the photos we submitted and some photos of the hull after our mandatory haul out (before hull cleaning began) at the bottom of this post. #### 10\. Print and fill out a Small Craft Inward Report (available to download at the bottom of this post). You can leave your arrival details blank until you are underway, but the Customs & Immigration officials boarded our boat shortly after our arrival, so it was nice to have the bulk of this form filled out and ready. #### 11\. Submit your [Travelers Declaration](https://www.travellerdeclaration.govt.nz/?gad%5Fsource=1&gad%5Fcampaignid=16701880071&gbraid=0AAAAAog7c6N8rIE6pCAqEk8gwjg6C7Gad&gclid=CjwKCAjw89jGBhB0EiwA2o1On45eHZxARSMkiqNtM6MmG0iRlU5lRkk86IJ9xeIBQ-xlSLORg3qughoCYmkQAvD%5FBwE&ref=svsabado.com) When traveling by sea, the earliest you can submit your declaration is 24 hours before departing the vessel’s last foreign port prior to arriving in New Zealand. At the latest, it needs to be submitted by the time the vessel has berthed at its first port in New Zealand. #### WHILE UNDERWAY: #### 1\. Update Advance Notice of Arrival form (if necessary). Resubmit an updated ANOA with amended arrival date and time if needed. This is especially important if you will be arriving before your original ETA. #### 2\. Submit [Travelers Declaration](https://www.travellerdeclaration.govt.nz/?gad%5Fsource=1&gad%5Fcampaignid=16701880071&gbraid=0AAAAAog7c6N8rIE6pCAqEk8gwjg6C7Gad&gclid=CjwKCAjw89jGBhB0EiwA2o1On45eHZxARSMkiqNtM6MmG0iRlU5lRkk86IJ9xeIBQ-xlSLORg3qughoCYmkQAvD%5FBwE&ref=svsabado.com) if you didn’t do it before departure. #### 3\. Re-evaluate food stores Prioritize consuming fresh produce and other banned items during your passage. Seal all fresh produce before arriving in New Zealand waters. #### UPON ARRIVAL: #### 1\. Radio ahead When nearing New Zealand waters (12 nautical miles offshore), contact Maritime Radio on 4125 kHz, 6215 kHz, or VHF Ch 16 to inform them of your ETA. #### 2\. Display the Q-Flag Once you enter New Zealand's territorial waters, clearly display the international Q-flag. #### 3\. Proceed to a PoFA You must arrive at a designated Place of First Arrival (PoFA). Several marinas have this capability; you can find the full list of approved entry points [here](https://www.mpi.govt.nz/resources-and-forms/registers-and-lists/places-of-first-arrival-seaports/?ref=svsabado.com). We cleared in at Opua, Bay of Islands Marina, several hours before sunrise. Be aware: there are no lights on the Q Dock. #### 4\. Clear Customs and Immigration Stay on board your vessel until the local officials meet you for inspection. For us, 2 Customs and Immigration officials arrived on a dinghy around 8am. We welcomed them aboard; one sat with us at the saloon table to begin reviewing our paperwork. The other started their inspection: opening all cabinets, drawers, and compartments, but not rummaging through the contents too much. It was thorough, but very respectful. At this stage, they are looking for prohibited goods like drugs, firearms, etc., duty and tax declarations like alcohol and tobacco, and commercial goods (anything that looks like it might be intended to sell). The other officer took our Inward Report, checked our passports and boat documentation, and assisted us with obtaining a Temporary Import Entry (TIE). This customs process allows visiting yachts to stay in New Zealand for up to 24 months without paying import duty or GST on the vessel. **Note:** To obtain a TIE, you must complete a carbonless paper version of the [C4G form](https://svsabado.com/content/files/www-customs-govt-nz/media/0j2dtttb/form-c4g-import-entry-temporary-yachts-and-small-vessels.pdf). The officer will provide this; you do NOT need to print and fill one out in advance. Before they left, they gave us a carbonless paper version of the [Master's Declaration form](https://www.mpi.govt.nz/dmsdocument/7233-Masters-Declaration-for-Full-Biosecurity-Clearance/?ref=svsabado.com) to fill out while we waited for the biosecurity officer to arrive. I’ve linked it for you here so you know what to expect, but you do NOT need to print and fill this out in advance, because they require it to be completed on the carbonless paper. **Tip:** Just because you are asked to declare an item on the form does not mean they will inspect or confiscate it! Leave all food items where you usually store them. The officer will ask you to show them specific items they may be concerned about. #### 5\. Clear Biosecurity The biosecurity officer will inspect your vessel for pests and any prohibited biological items, including food, plant/animal products, or souvenirs. If necessary, they will also assess your hull condition and any supporting biofouling documentation. At the end of the inspection, the officer will either grant clearance or require your vessel to be hauled out at an approved facility. If a haul-out is necessary, the facility will carry out the cleaning and provide the documentation. Once the process is complete, clearance will be issued to you by email. #### 6\. Pay Border Clearance Levy Several days later, we received an email invoice for $68.91 NZD, payable online by credit card. **Safe travels, folks! We hope this free guide helps streamline your check in experience. If you found this helpful, don't forget to subscribe and share. :)** [NZ Advanced Notice of Arrival Form](https://svsabado.com/content/files/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/nz-advanced-notice-of-arrival-form.pdf)[Download](https://svsabado.com/content/files/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/nz-advanced-notice-of-arrival-form.pdf)[NZ Small Craft Inward Report](https://svsabado.com/content/files/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/nz-small-craft-inward-report.pdf)[Download](https://svsabado.com/content/files/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/nz-small-craft-inward-report.pdf)[Sabado Hull Photos](https://svsabado.com/content/files/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/sabado-hull-photos.pdf)[Download](https://svsabado.com/content/files/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/sabado-hull-photos.pdf)[Biosecurity Pre-Clearance Email Sept2025](https://svsabado.com/content/files/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/biosecurity-pre-clearance-email-sept2025.pdf) ### Cruising Tonga: A Sailor’s Guide to Port Logistics, Provisioning, and Yacht Resources URL: https://svsabado.com/cruising-tonga-a-sailors-guide-to-port-logistics-provisioning-and-yacht-resources/ Last updated: 2026-07-12T13:14:44.000Z This is not a comprehensive cruising guide to the Kingdom of Tonga. It’s a quick reference resource to help you with the logistics: checking in/out, provisioning, refueling, etc., based on our personal experiences from June to August 2025\. If you have recent updates or tips, feel free to share them in the comments. And if you found this helpful, don’t forget to subscribe and share! Fair winds, folks. :) **INTRODUCTION** - About Tonga (geography, population, religion, language) - Currency conversions - Health and hazards - Local food and drinks - Seasons/weather **CUSTOMS & IMMIGRATION** - Check-in procedure (Advanced Notification of Arrival, international and domestic check-in/out processes) - Visa extensions - Check-out procedure **NEIAFU, VAVA’U** - Mooring balls - ATMs - Trash disposal - Yacht services (laundry, propane, fuel, etc.) - Provisioning - Parts & repairs **PANGAI, HA’APAI** - ATMs - Trash disposal - Fuel - Provisioning - Parts & repairs --- **INTRODUCTION** **About Tonga:** Tonga is made up of 170 islands, 45 of which are inhabited, with just over 100,000 people calling it home. Most of the population lives on Tongatapu, the largest island in the southernmost island group. The archipelago is divided into four main island groups: Tongatapu, Ha’apai, Vava’u, and the remote Niuas. Situated just west of the International Date Line, Tonga is one of the first places on Earth to greet each new day. The official languages are Tongan and English; the local currency is the Tongan paʻanga (TOP). ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/can-leave-dinghy-here-4.jpg) **Currency Conversions:** 1 TOP = 0.64 AUD, 0.70 NZD, 0.42 USD, 0.58 CAD, 0.37 EUR **Cultural Norms & Visitor Etiquette:** Tonga is a Christian country, and modesty is highly valued. In tourist areas, wearing shorts and tank tops is generally acceptable, but when visiting villages or attending church, it is recommended to cover your shoulders and knees. Most businesses close on Sundays. **Health & Hazards:** Tonga is home to Aedes mosquitoes, which transmit dengue, chikungunya, and zika viruses. To protect yourself from mosquito-borne illnesses in Tonga, wear long-sleeved clothing, use insect repellent with DEET, and use bug screens on open hatches/sleep under mosquito nets. Tonga lies in the Pacific “Ring of Fire,” making it vulnerable to earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, and tsunamis. Consider following [Tonga Meteorological Services](https://www.facebook.com/share/1JrPVTjfSe/?mibextid=wwXIfr) for updates during your stay, and check out [this blog post](https://svsabado.com/responding-to-a-tsunami-warning-at-anchor-lessons-from-tonga-july-2025/) about our experience responding to a tsunami warning while on anchor in Tonga! **Local Food and Drink:** - Coffee: Kingdom Koffie, Tupu’Anga Coffee - Beer: Maka, Ikale, limited availability of imported beer - Wine/spirits: Royal Spirits (produced in Tonga), limited availability of imported wine and spirits - Fresh coconut juice is widely available. - Kava, a traditional ceremonial drink, is commonly offered. It has a mildly sedating and numbing effect, so consume with caution. - ‘Otai is a refreshing Tongan fruit drink usually served over ice, made with coconut milk, water, and grated fruit like watermelon, mango, or pineapple. - A Tongan feast typically includes Umu, a cooking method in which food is wrapped in banana leaves and slow-cooked for hours in an underground oven lined with hot rocks. The food can include pork, beef, lamb, chicken, octopus, or vegetables. **Seasons/weather:** - Dry Season (May–October): Cooler, less humid, and considered a high season for tourism. - Wet Season (November–April): Hotter, more humid, with an increased chance of tropical cyclones. - Whale Season (July–October): Humpback whales migrate to Tonga to mate and give birth. Warning: Do not approach whales if you are not in a licensed whale-watching vessel; keep a minimum 300m distance. Swimming or snorkeling with whales is legal only via a licensed tour operator; all other attempts are prohibited. Violating whale interaction rules can result in fines of 1,000–5,000 USD. **CUSTOMS & IMMIGRATION** Customs & Immigration offices are open during business hours Monday- Friday and Saturday until noon. There is an overtime fee to check in/out outside of those hours. **Check-in procedure:** - Pre‑Arrival Requirements: Submit an Advance Notice of Arrival (available for download at the bottom of this post) via email to info@customs.gov.to at least 24 hours before arrival, or face fines up to 4,000 TOP and possible clearance delays or denial. - Ports of Entry: Nukuʻalofa (Tongatapu), Neiafu (Vavaʻu), Pangai (Haʻapai), Falehau (Niuatoputapu), and Futu (Niuafoʻou). Neiafu is the most popular port of entry, but be aware that you must dock your vessel to clear customs. The dock is in poor condition, with multiple reports of it causing damage to boats. You can read [this article](https://tongaindependent.com/environment/pacific-rally-long-term-gain-why-tonga-must-fix-neiafus-wharf-now/?ref=svsabado.com) for more context regarding the dock. We checked in at Falehau, where the process is more flexible. You can anchor in the bay, dinghy to the wharf, and bring the officials back to your boat. During our visit, no one on the island had a working VHF radio, so we initiated contact via WhatsApp per the instructions of a departing boat. Others have reported that customs officials typically go to the wharf around 1pm daily (you’ll see a large white pickup truck) and you can go ashore to meet them. You will need to bring the officials aboard your vessel. They will provide the necessary forms, inspect your food stores, and collect a fee based on the number of people aboard and the size of your boat. We paid 115 USD. The payment must be in cash, but since there is no ATM on the island, they accept USD, AUD, and NZD. Read [this blog post](https://svsabado.com/exploring-tonga-niuatoputapu-and-vavau/) for our whole check-in experience. - Domestic Movement Between Tongan Island Groups: When traveling between Tonga’s main island groups (Tongatapu, Vavaʻu, Haʻapai, and the Niuas), you must complete a Domestic Check-In/Check-Out each time. To streamline the process, you can print and fill out the Local Movement Report at the bottom of this post. Bring the completed form and your passports to the local customs office for processing when checking out. You must present the stamped/signed form when checking in at the local customs office at your next destination in Tonga. Failure to complete domestic check-ins and check-outs may result in fines. Note: When checking out of Neiafu, we were charged a 37 TOP “Lights and Buoy” fee, based on our vessel’s tonnage. This fee was cash only. No domestic check-out fees were charged in Pangai or Falehau. Keep all payment receipts, as you may be asked to present them when checking out of the country. **Visa Extension:** You can only extend your visa in Neiafu (Vava’u) or Nuku'alofa (Tongatapu). In Vava’u, visas are processed the same day. In Tongatapu, it can take up to two weeks; some have reported customs holding their passports for that duration. We extended in Vava’u. The process is as follows: - Step 1: Bring passports, boat documentation, and cash to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Office, located on the second floor of the Ministry of Internal Affairs building. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/can-leave-dinghy-here-7.jpg) - Step 2: They will give you a form to fill out and will make copies of your passports. We extended our visitor visa for 3 months. I believe you can extend a visitor visa up to 6 months. We were not required to submit additional passport photos. - Step 3: Pay the fee (69 TOP per person, per month). They will stamp your passport, handwrite the new visa expiration date, and give you a receipt. **Check-out procedure:** We checked out of the country in Pangai (Haʻapai). The process is as follows: - Step 1: Walk to the Ministry of Infrastructure to pay a fee. There was no sign when we went, so we have included a photo of the front of the building-- if you pass the cemetery, you’ve walked too far! The fee is cash only and calculated by your boat's tonnage. They asked to see our Certificate of Documentation. We paid 27.40 TOP. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/can-leave-dinghy-here-6.jpg) - Step 2: Bring the receipt from the Ministry of Infrastructure to the Customs Office along with your passports, boat documentation, and any other official receipts you’ve collected from your time in Tonga (i.e., lights and buoy fee from Vava’u). To find the office, turn right before the white cell phone tower on Faifekau Rd. It’s an unmarked dirt path. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/can-leave-dinghy-here-8.jpg) - Step 3: The official will provide you with all necessary forms to complete the check-out process. You should leave with a single page document titled “Certificate of Clearance”. We were not boarded while checking out of the country here. --- **NEIAFU, VAVA’U** Cruisers net 8:30AM Monday-Saturday on VHF Channel 26. **Mooring Balls:** Beluga Dive Shop owns the yellow mooring balls. No reservations are required; you can pick up any open yellow ball and dinghy to their office (walk up the outdoor staircase to the second floor) to pay. They charged us 20 TOP per night. You may see their staff around the harbor on an aluminum dinghy. If there is no wind, some of the balls are placed close enough together that, depending on the size of the vessels attached, can collide. Be vigilant and have fenders ready! ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/can-leave-dinghy-here-9.jpg) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/can-leave-dinghy-here-11.jpg) **ATMs:** There is an ATM outside of Cafe Tropicana and another at the Bank of South Pacific (BSP). We used both without any issues. **Trash Disposal:** There is free trash disposal for yachts. Dinghy to the dock in front of Lesina’s Guest House and look for black bins with yellow lids, usually labeled “waste from yachts only”. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/3.jpg) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/4.jpg) **Yacht Services:** - You can arrange for your fuel jerry jugs to be picked up, filled, and returned to you at the dinghy dock via WhatsApp: ‪+676 881 2347‬. We paid the fuel cost plus a small fee for the service (\~10 TOP). - Laundry can be dropped off at Mango Restaurant & Bar on Tuesday and Thursday at 10AM. Drop your bags (labeled with your boat name) by the whiteboard at the entrance. The laundry is typically done and ready for pickup the day after. You pay (cash only) when you pick up. - Inquire at Mango about refilling your propane tanks. They filled ours quickly for a fair price. - The owner of Mango, Adrian, is very friendly and eager to help cruisers. You may use his dinghy dock even when not dining at his restaurant. Take the staircase behind the building to get up to the main road. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/can-leave-dinghy-here-10.jpg) **Provisioning:** - Falaleu Deli sells meat imported from New Zealand if you need to restock your freezer. We loved their roasted chicken sausage and ribeye steaks (when they’re available)! They also sell sauces, local coffee beans, cheese, and frozen pre-made meals. You can order via email or WhatsApp (contact info is in the bottom right corner of the menu photos below) or walk in and purchase whatever is available. Cash only. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/8.jpg) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/9.jpg) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/7.jpg) - There is a fresh outdoor market (fruit, vegetables, sometimes eggs) Monday-Saturday across the street from Tonga Customs/seen on Google Maps as “Farmers Market”. Come in the morning for the best selection. If it looks sparse, you can ask the people selling when their next shipment arrives. Cash only. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/5.jpg) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/6.jpg) - For dry/canned goods, snacks, and condiments, check out SnAB Enterprises (located next to the ice cream shop, down the street from the FedEX). This is the only Tongan-owned grocery store in the area. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/can-leave-dinghy-here-12.jpg) - There are many “Chinese Marts” throughout Tonga offering a variety of groceries and household supplies at low prices. While it’s great to support local Tongan-owned businesses, like the fresh market, Falaleu Deli, and SnAB, the Chinese Marts often stock items that are hard to find elsewhere. So if you’re after something specific, they’re worth checking out. For more context regarding the presence of Chinese businesses in Tonga, check out [this blog post](https://svsabado.com/life-is-good-in-vavau/). **Parts & Repairs:** - There is a small chandlery called The Yacht Shop that sells a selection of parts, boat cleaning supplies, and fishing gear. There is also a large hardware store next door to the FedEx on Fatafehi Rd. We have no experience shipping parts in. --- **PANGAI, HA’APAI** See the check-out procedure section for information on Customs Office and the Ministry of Infrastructure locations in Pangai. Note: The dinghy dock at the wharf is underwater at high tide, and very slippery at low tide— use caution. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/can-leave-dinghy-here-13.jpg) **ATMs:** We used the BSP ATM on Hala Holopeka road (look for the large green sign) with no issues. **Trash disposal:** There are trash cans all over Pangai. We used the ones near the dinghy dock (free). **Fuel:** We hitchhiked to the talikavenga gas station one afternoon. They said they were out of diesel but we could return in a few days. If we brought our empty jerry jugs, they said they would drive us back to the dinghy dock with the filled ones. Alternatively, we could have beached the dinghy closer to the fuel station, and it would’ve been walkable (there is a small path through the trees from the beach). We ended up returning to Vava’u instead and refueled there. **Provisioning:** There is a small fresh market with seemingly no schedule, perhaps only open when they have a surplus to sell. You can look up RayLela's Cake & Ice Cream Shop on Google Maps to get you into the right area, then look for the building with a fruit and vegetable mural painted on the outside. Cash only. Across the street from the market there is a Tongan owned shop that sells canned/dry goods, and some frozen meat & vegetables. There are also several Chinese Marts selling various snacks/household goods. **Parts & repairs:** There is a hardware store next to the BSP ATM on Hala Holopeka road. The Tongan owned shop across the street from the fresh market is also kind of a combo hardware + grocery store. We did not see any marine specific stores. **We hope you found this free, quick logistical guide helpful! Safe sailing. :)** [AdvanceNoticeofArrivalForm\_Tonga](https://svsabado.com/content/files/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/advancenoticeofarrivalform%5Ftonga.pdf)[Download](https://svsabado.com/content/files/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/advancenoticeofarrivalform%5Ftonga.pdf)[LocalMovementReport\_Tonga](https://svsabado.com/content/files/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/localmovementreport%5Ftonga.pdf)[Download](https://svsabado.com/content/files/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/localmovementreport%5Ftonga.pdf) ### Sailing from Tonga to New Zealand— We did it! URL: https://svsabado.com/we-did-it-sailing-from-tonga-to-new-zealand/ Last updated: 2025-09-14T13:00:00.000Z The past few weeks have felt like a cruel game of emotional tug of war. We are exhausted. It started in Pangai, Tonga, as we prepared to depart for Minerva Reef. It would look like the forecast was lining up for us for several days. We would spend our time feverishly cleaning, preparing passage meals, and planning our route, only to wake up the morning we’d hoped to check out of the country to a vastly different forecast with no departure date in sight. We’d dinghy to shore, buy a six-pack of beer, and sulk around for the afternoon. The cycle would then repeat itself. These are the consequences of our own actions, as now is not the season to sail toward New Zealand. Most boats wait until October/November to make the journey, when the weather is more stable. We knew we were pushing it, but Sabado and crew have been yearning for a break for quite some time now, and we had our sights set on a haul out in New Zealand, where Sabado can get some much-needed TLC, and her crew can enjoy some land life luxuries. We finally left Pangai on August 22nd, embarking on a bouncy three-day trip to Minerva Reef. Although it was uncomfortable, we made great time. Using our main and jib, we maintained a \~7.5kn SOG, sailing the entire way. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/img_1206.jpg) Scanning the horizon with the binoculars while trying to spot the reef as we arrived was fun. This is our first time not being able to shout “land ho!” hours before our arrival; the reefs are nearly invisible at high tide unless the seas are calm or the sun is directly overhead. One moment, we were surrounded by open ocean, and the next, we were slipping through the narrow pass into the atoll, grinning from ear to ear in disbelief! This was definitely a bucket list destination for us. It was surreal to see our location on Google Maps! ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/img_1421.jpg) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/img_1242.jpg) Having the place to ourselves made it feel even more remote, like we’d stumbled onto a secret spot. It was already blowing 20kn as we dropped our anchor, and the wind was set to double, so we used the remaining daylight to put away the sails and prepare Sabado for the incoming storm. We chose to anchor on the southern end of North Minerva Reef, where the reef is more built up, providing maximum protection from the outside swell, but we had scoped out a Plan B spot on the north side to escape the fetch in case the wind clocked around. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/img_1414.jpg) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/img_1425.jpg) The following 4 days were wet, rough, and gloomy, with wind speeds ranging from 5kn to 50kn. We rotated around our anchor 360° more than once, but luckily, the fetch never became unbearable, so we stayed put on the south side. We did drag at one point, but were able to pull and reset the anchor without issues. There are bommies in Minerva Reef that you cannot see on the satellite images. They are all deep, so they’re not necessarily navigational hazards, but you have to pay close attention when anchoring not to get your chain wrapped around them. On our fifth day there, we watched our first sunrise over Minerva Reef. The clouds had finally parted, and the winds had ceased. It was unbelievably quiet. There were no palm fronds rustling in the breeze, no cars or dinghy engines running in the distance, no dogs barking or birds chirping, only the sound of waves crashing onto the reef. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/img_1418.jpg) We chatted about our plan for the day over coffee, factoring in just how remote we really were. If we were to get injured or ill, help is days away. I often think about [Miranda and Elliot’s](https://www.yachtingworld.com/cruising/it-quickly-becomes-clear-that-things-are-not-good-what-follows-is-a-blur-of-suppressed-panic-and-a-mad-fumbled-search-of-the-boat-158605?ref=svsabado.com) terrifying medical episode in a remote anchorage in Indonesia. If one of us were to need emergency rescue here, would the other stay and move the boat alone? Not many boats pass through this time of year, so how would we get back if we both left? Mid-discussion, we realized our wind instruments weren’t working. Ray will have to go up the mast. Factoring in our risk analysis, we used every piece of safety equipment we had! 😂 ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/img_1429.jpg) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/img_1430.jpg) Thankfully, it was a problem we could solve: the bearings in the anemometer had seized up, so it had stopped spinning. Ray dug out our old anemometer that had failed years ago (we keep everything!) and was able to use those bearings as a replacement. I watched in awe as he made the simple swap. I sent him back up the mast, and we had wind data shortly thereafter! Phew! We spent the rest of the day just taking it all in. Minerva Reef is one of those pinch-me places where you feel like a real explorer, anchored in the middle of nowhere with nothing but water, reef, and sky. It's hard to believe this little atoll has such a [wild history](https://rmarine.nz/minerva-reef/?ref=svsabado.com#:~:text=Minerva%20Reef%20is%20named%20after,Pacific%20islanders%20for%20much%20longer.&text=In%20a%20bizarre%20and%20notable,micro-nation%20attempt%20in%201972.), from a multitude of shipwrecks to Tonga and Fiji arguing over who it belongs to, and even a short-lived attempt to turn it into the “Republic of Minerva” back in the ’70s. It’s funny to imagine such drama when it feels so peaceful. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/48b806fd-e136-4311-abe1-d8d97416d97c.jpg) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/2544cb37-0f53-4b2b-a204-ea69af196998.jpg) We decided to take the dinghy out at low tide. [Here](https://svsabado.com/content/files/www-noonsite-com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/exploring-minerva-reefs.pdf) is an excellent guide to exploring Minerva Reef. We were particularly interested in the “walking track” after being boat-bound for the past 7 days. We are very wary of touching/damaging marine life during our travels, but I could not find any resource advising against this. However, we didn’t love the idea of bringing our dinghy up onto the reef like we saw in others’ photos. So, Ray stayed in the dinghy, in the water, while I checked things out. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/img_1298.jpg) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/img_1297.jpg) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/img_1296.jpg) Walking on a reef goes against all my instincts. It felt good to stretch my legs and gently wander through the ankle-deep water, strategically placing my feet where I didn’t see any critters. I cringed at the occasional crunching sensation and quickly decided this didn’t sit right with me. Although I had hoped to walk far enough to look for lobster underneath the rocks in the distance, we had plenty of food on the boat. I made my way back to Ray, and we headed home. I've since come to understand that because so few people visit Minerva Reef, the damage of a few footprints is insignificant. The reef has historically been able to bounce back effortlessly. I guess I’m just a bit sensitive. ;) The next weather update gave us the green light to leave in two days. We spent the evening reviewing our paperwork for New Zealand, planning our route, and taking a break to watch a beautiful sunset over the Pacific Ocean. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/img_1419.jpg) We were grateful we had begun preparations when, the following morning, our weather router encouraged us to leave ASAP to give us ample time to arrive ahead of a storm. We pulled anchor that afternoon and began the last leg of our long-awaited passage to New Zealand. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/img_1309.jpg) The first two days were miserable. Although we made great time on day 1, averaging SOG 7.3kn, the wind came from a different angle than anticipated. Then, we had a dramatic forecast change overnight that doubled the sea state. We found ourselves slogging upwind, bashing into 10-foot waves, all while getting messages from our weather router about how important it was to maintain our speed. The storm we were trying to beat kept getting closer and closer… what started as “you must arrive in New Zealand by Monday” became Sunday, then Saturday… I hadn’t felt seasick in years, but these conditions had me clamoring around our medicine cabinet in search of Dramamine. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/img_1422.jpg) Thankfully, the sea state began to subside after night 2 as the wind died, but we quickly found ourselves facing a new challenge: no wind and a strong countercurrent. Even with both engines set to 2200 RPM, we struggled to maintain SOG 5kn. The incoming storm was beginning to look quite dangerous, with our weather router estimating 70kn winds and 8m seas upon our arrival. We needed to go faster. The updated forecast showed no wind for the next 4 days. We didn’t have enough fuel to keep running both engines like this, so we weighed our options: - We could alter course and motor \~12hrs to try to get out of the current, but the amount of fuel and time it would take, not making headway toward our destination, was risky. - We could turn around, but the storm would likely still catch us. Perhaps it would be weaker by then. I submitted several inquiries at haul-out facilities in Fiji, just in case. If we endured all this only to turn around, we would need a break from boat life before trying again. - We could head to Australia instead, adding nearly two weeks to this passage but potentially putting us out of the storm's path in time. Did we have enough provisions to turn a week-long passage into a three-week passage? - We could pray/manifest/trust that the wind would fill out and we could hoist our sails and boost our speed, and/or that the current would dissipate soon. There was no perfect choice. Despite making it this far, it felt like our New Zealand dream might not become a reality, again! Amidst all this, we noticed the halyard had wrapped around the forestay. We’d dropped the sail when the wind died overnight, and although things had mellowed out, it was not calm. The motion must’ve caused the halyard to swing enough to get tangled; we should have secured it better. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/img_1423.jpg) We tried flinging the line around to knock it loose, but could only free one side. Ray would need to go up the mast, underway, using only one side of the halyard. We had to Google the knot we needed: the [Alpine Butterfly Knot](https://www.animatedknots.com/alpine-butterfly-loop-knot?ref=svsabado.com). Admittedly, having to look this up did not inspire much confidence in our plan. The icing on the cake: the batteries for our headsets weren’t holding a charge, so our ability to communicate was severely restricted. We took a deep breath and got on with it, because, well, we had to! I got Ray up the mast, and he untangled the halyard. I brought him back down to safety with only a few bruises as Sabado dove over waves, knocking him around quite a bit. He took some Advil, and we had a brief moment of celebration before revisiting the decision at hand: to turn around, alter course, or proceed. We were cold, tired, stressed, and frustrated with the unreliable forecast. We had two paid weather experts and a friend who is a meteorologist helping us, and we still found ourselves in this mess! If you’re reading this, don’t try to make this trip early. We’ve learned our lesson! We decided to wait until noon tomorrow to make a decision. The forecast had been wrong every day so far, so who’s to say we won’t get enough wind to hoist the sails again, which might boost our speed enough to make a Saturday arrival ahead of the storm. We had come so far, we decided it was worth a shot. That afternoon, I received an email from [New Zealand MPI](https://www.mpi.govt.nz/?ref=svsabado.com) requesting information regarding our arrival and antifoul/cleanliness of hulls. New Zealand has a reputation for having some of the strictest biosecurity rules in the world when it comes to clearing in yachts. Officials are very thorough about preventing pests, diseases, and invasive species from entering their ecosystem, so arriving boats are inspected carefully, inside and out. I had prepared a 6-page report in anticipation of this, which included recent ports, notes from past hull cleanings, receipts from haul-outs when antifoul was applied, etc. I wasn’t aware I’d be asked to submit this prior to our arrival, but apparently, this “pre-clearance” procedure is new and is meant to help streamline the process upon arrival. So, I submitted my report, which was promptly denied. They provided two reasons for rejecting my report: 1) I did not include enough photos/my photos were missing areas of the boat, and 2) the photos were too dark and not of high enough quality. Given the sea state and time crunch we were under, I opted not to get in the water to gather more evidence to submit. The denial email said they could re-assess us on arrival, since the evidence was the problem, not necessarily the actual cleanliness of our hull. After this exchange, I also randomly received several other emails from New Zealand government officials, responding to inquiries I had made nearly a year ago about visa requirements. Their system must have pinged our boat name or email address after we submitted our Advanced Notice of Arrival. It wasn’t a big deal; it was just a bit overwhelming and confusing while underway, since they had already responded to all my inquiries when I had first sent them months ago. We’d been keeping an eye on our fuel level and began questioning its accuracy… the last thing we wanted to do was miscalculate based on an inaccurate reading and not have enough fuel to make it up the inlet to the Quarantine Dock, especially if we were going to arrive in bad weather. Ray took apart our bed to get a visual on one of the tanks. Thankfully, it looked like it aligned with the level our system was reporting. Simultaneously, we got another message from our weather router encouraging us to turn around. We went back and forth with our decision, ultimately choosing to continue. Given our decision, we were advised to aim for the northernmost tip of New Zealand, allowing us to keep the strongest wind/seas more behind us as we approach ahead of the front. Then, if we are still underway as the front passes on Saturday, we’d be more protected along the immediate East Coast as we move toward our intended destination. By nothing short of a miracle, the wind began to pick up, and the current we’d been battling disappeared. We hoisted the sails, still using one engine to boost our speed, but feeling optimistic about cutting our fuel consumption in half. Our SOG bounced between 6kn and 8.5kn, and we watched our ETA slip out of the danger zone. We were still cutting it close, so watch shifts were very active. The wind speed and direction fluctuated constantly, so we stayed sharp, frequently adjusting our sails, engine RPM, and heading to maximize Velocity Made Good and minimize fuel consumption. Usually, even on challenging passages, there are pockets of peace where we can kick back and appreciate our surroundings, often marveling at how amazing this life is and how lucky we are to be out here, but this passage was stressful **the** **entire time**. It was a whirlwind of discomfort: enduring bone-chilling temperatures at the helm overnight, battling difficult and rapidly changing conditions, and wrestling with the constant underlying fear that we were making the wrong decision. Thankfully, we were able to keep our speed up for the next 48 hours. Conditions got a bit sporty toward the end, but we escaped the worst of the storm as we headed up the inlet toward Bay of Islands Marina. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/img_1356.jpg) We arrived at the Quarantine Dock a few hours before sunrise on Saturday morning. It was pouring rain, the dock did not have any lights, and we were surprised to see nearly 5kn of current ripping through the channel. We tried to get the stern close enough to the dock so that I could step off and secure a line onto the cleat, but we couldn’t maneuver properly against the current, so we kept trying. I was shivering, holding a flashlight in one hand, a fender in the other, and balancing a soaking wet dock line over my shoulder. This is an actual quarantine dock: it is only accessible by boat, and we were the only boat there, so no one was coming to help us. Ray got me close enough to step off, and I immediately locked the stern line into place. From there, he brought the bow in and tossed me the bowline. Holy smokes, we did it! ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/4d3b3f6f-0d4f-4e8f-8799-03db938e7095.jpg) Hot showers were the first order of business, followed by a quick tidy of the boat, as the customs/immigration and MPI officials would be boarding shortly, and we had salt-soaked clothes, towels, and blankets everywhere. We had enough time to defrost our fingers and toes and drink some coffee before they arrived by dinghy. The check-in process took 4 hours and is the strictest we have ever experienced. I’m working on a detailed blog post that will hopefully help streamline things for any of you heading this way, so please keep an eye out for that post. There was some confusion as the MPI officer gave us full biosecurity clearance upon reassessing the photos of the hull in person, but then returned to the boat several hours later to amend our status, hand writing on the form that future direction was needed, urging us to haul out as soon as possible, but clarifying that the growth on our hull was “within the threshold” and we were not required to complete the biofouling haulout within 24hrs of our arrival (which is the usual consequence if you are not granted full clearance). We had hoped to chill in the marina for a week to rest and recover. The boat needed a deep clean, we desperately needed to do laundry as we each only own two pairs of pants and we’d been wearing them both under our foulies to keep warm for the past week, plus we didn’t have enough fuel to make it to a fuel dock so we’d need to sort out a car and transport jerry jugs, etc. But we felt uneasy about the revised biosecurity classification. If they saw anything on our hull that was even mildly concerning, we wanted to be certain we were doing our part to protect the local ecosystem. So, we decided to shorten our marina visit to two nights, giving us enough time to catch up on sleep and refuel the boat; we figured we could tackle the rest of our to-do list after we hauled out. The marina offered a courtesy car, so we were able to transport our jerry jugs back and forth to the gas station on Sunday and depart the marina on Monday for an overnight motor to Port Whangarei Marine Center. It was far rougher than what was forecasted, I know, shocker!!! But the end was in sight at this point, so we pressed onward and pulled into the haul-out slip just after sunrise. The guys at Port Whangarei Marine Center were armed with lines and fenders, ready to assist us. Ray maneuvered Sabado into the well, and the yard guys positioned the straps for the travel lift without a single fender even touching the dock. The next thing we knew, Sabado was hovering above ground. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/img_1447.jpg) We rented a car and have begun moving into a rental home. We plan to take everything off the boat before we start our lengthy refit project list. We know it’s going to be a lot of work, but we have already experienced so much relief being here, with easy access to supplies, only having to check the weather to decide if we need to grab an umbrella, eating heaps of groceries we haven’t seen in over a year (like lemons! Broccolini! Fresh berries!), and taking endless hot showers. There are big changes for us on the horizon! Here is what we currently have coming out for you all to catch up to real time: - Video: Tonga to Minerva Reef - Blog: Tonga Cruising Guide - Video: Minerva Reef to New Zealand - Blog: New Zealand Yacht Clearance Guide See you Saturday over on YouTube! :) ### Refit Power Upgrade Plan - Part 1 URL: https://svsabado.com/refit-power-upgrade-plan-part-1/ Last updated: 2026-06-24T08:09:57.000Z This report provides the finalized power budget for Sabado, optimized for a tropical circumnavigation with two full-time crew members and occasional guests. The system prioritizes solar-only autonomy, achieving net-zero demand/generation in normal anchored conditions… (read more) _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Developing a Maritime Safety Monitoring Script URL: https://svsabado.com/developing-a-maritime-safety-monitoring-script/ Last updated: 2026-06-24T08:10:34.000Z The script was born out of necessity during our time in Vava’u, Tonga, where we faced volcanic activity and health concerns. By integrating APIs and AI, it provides a "safety dashboard" tailored to our location, ensuring we're proactive rather than reactive. It's designed to run on a local server (e _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Responding to a Tsunami Warning at Anchor: Lessons from Tonga, July 2025 URL: https://svsabado.com/responding-to-a-tsunami-warning-at-anchor-lessons-from-tonga-july-2025/ Last updated: 2026-07-12T13:16:02.000Z **BACKGROUND:** On July 30, 2025, at 11:24AM PETT, a magnitude 8.8 [megathrust earthquake](https://www.usgs.gov/special-topics/subduction-zone-science/science/earthquakes?ref=svsabado.com) struck off the eastern coast of Russia’s Kamchatka Peninsula. The region lies within the Pacific Ring of Fire, a zone known for intense seismic and volcanic activity. Roughly 90% of the world’s earthquakes and 75% of its active volcanoes are along this ring. This particular earthquake originated in the Kuril-Kamchatka subduction zone, where the Pacific Plate is forced beneath the North American Plate, ranking among the top six most powerful seismic events recorded globally. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/img_1046-1.jpg) Graphic from [National Geographic: Plate Tectonics and the Ring of Fire](https://education.nationalgeographic.org/resource/plate-tectonics-ring-fire/?ref=svsabado.com) Tsunami waves of 3-5 meters struck Severo‑Kurilsk on the Kuril Islands. Tsunami warnings were issued in Japan, Hawaii, the U.S. West Coast, French Polynesia, the Kingdom of Tonga, Chile, Ecuador, and even as far south as the Galápagos Islands. Warnings were later downgraded in most regions as waves proved less damaging than initially feared. In this post, we will detail the timeline and decision-making process we experienced during this event on our sailboat in Tonga. **JULY 30, 2025 12:43PM:** Our first tsunami alert came via WhatsApp from Viki, the coordinator of the [Pacific Rally](https://www.islandcruising.nz/index.cfm?module=event&pagemode=indiv&page%5Fid=2313582&ref=svsabado.com). We had hastily registered for the rally last year when we thought we’d be making a last-minute dash to New Zealand before cyclone season and needed help navigating the paperwork, check-in, and visa process because we hadn’t had time to research it thoroughly ourselves. When those plans fell through, Viki kindly carried our registration over to this year, and the rally has been an excellent resource for us. We were anchored in Pangai in about 5m of water at the time, with 25–30 knots of wind blowing through the anchorage. The forecast for the next 24 hours looked gnarly, with the wind set to clock around from the West, leaving us with zero protection. We’d planned to hunker down and ride it out. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/beb23232-b2fb-45ce-a111-78b7579fc9c2-1.jpg) After receiving the alert, our first instinct was to turn to social media. *Is this real? What is everyone else doing? Is the threat serious enough to leave our anchorage in these conditions?* Then we went to Google. *When do tsunami sirens go off? How much warning do you get? How far does the water usually recede, and is the recession proportional to wave height?* We quickly realized that we didn’t know much about tsunamis. **JULY 30, 2025 3:25PM:** The Government of Tonga posted an official bulletin, putting us on "Tsunami Alert”. We only saw this because we were actively searching for it. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/img_0993-1.jpg) Tsunami warning systems use different levels to communicate the risk and urgency of a potential tsunami. The specific terminology can vary slightly by region or country, but the most commonly used levels are: - **Tsunami Watch:** A tsunami is possible, but not yet confirmed, issued soon after a large undersea earthquake. Threat level = Uncertain. It’s too early to tell if a tsunami will occur. - **Tsunami Advisory/Alert:** A potential tsunami may produce strong currents or dangerous waves, especially in harbors and coastal areas. Threat level = Low to moderate. Flooding is not expected, but marine and beach conditions can be dangerous. - **Tsunami Warning:** A tsunami is imminent or already occurring and poses a significant threat to life and property. Threat level = High. This is the most serious level. We began preparing the boat to move: we secured the dinghy, checked both engines, closed all hatches, gathered our emergency and foul-weather gear, planned our route, and alerted our family of our situation/location/plan in writing (this can be helpful if you have to file an insurance claim later). At this point, the tsunami was projected to be anywhere from 0.5 to 3m, which could potentially put us on dry land. We were seeing reports of boats being kicked out of marinas and harbors, forced to head out to sea. Taking the official recommendation seriously, we decided to move to deeper water. The first wave was estimated to arrive at 9:25PM. We went back and forth on our departure time: we’d like to minimize the time we spend being thrashed around in high winds and waves, but were wary of leaving the reef-ridden shoreline in the dark. We wondered how accurate these wave arrival time estimates are. How far ahead of the wave might the water recede? I felt a bit jealous of folks in more populated anchorages sharing information and bouncing ideas off one another. There can be comfort in numbers. We needed to remain calm, do our research, and make the best decision for us and our vessel. We chose to pull our anchor at 5pm, giving us enough daylight to navigate the reefs before reaching a depth of 1000ft+, several miles away from our anchorage, where we would drift until the threat passed. Tsunami waves only build height and force when they reach shallow coastal areas (the seafloor causes the wave to slow and grow taller). So, tsunamis in deep water are barely noticeable, and boats will rise and fall gently with the wave. Conditions were miserable. We were in full foul-weather gear, cold and soaking wet as we were pelted by rain and salt spray. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/img_1045-1-1.jpg) It’s also whale season here in Tonga, adding another layer of difficulty to our plan: don’t hit a whale. It may sound crazy, [but it happens](https://ocean.org/blog/global-study-on-ship-strikes-on-whales/?ref=svsabado.com). Collisions are actually the leading cause of death for large whale species like humpback, blue, and sperm whales, and can cause detrimental damage to boats like ours. We kept our speed low and maintained an active watch to lower our risk of collision. **JULY 30, 2025 8PM:** Sirens began sounding on shore as Tonga was upgraded from a “Tsunami Alert” to a “Tsunami Warning.” At that point, all amplitude forecasts predicted the wave to be 1 meter or less. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/img_0989-1.jpg) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/img_0994-1-1.jpg) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/img_0995-1.jpg) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/img_0996-1.jpg) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/img_0997-1.jpg) Neither of us had ever seen a tsunami amplitude forecast before. Here’s what we’ve learned: - Amplitude ≠ Wave Height. Amplitude is half of the full wave height, because tsunami waves are measured from the middle of the wave (still water level) to the peak or trough. So, if the graph shows +0.5m amplitude, the peak-to-trough wave height is \~1m. - Tsunamis arrive as a series of waves, not just one. The first wave is not always the largest; subsequent waves may be stronger. - These graphs may not capture local amplification effects in harbors and bays, or wave reflections and resonance. These amplitude forecasts gave many people a false sense of security. Even a small tsunami wave can pose serious dangers. Here is a breakdown of potential hazards: - The distance of water drawback before a tsunami can be surprisingly large, depending on the slope and shape of the seafloor near the coast. For a 1 meter tsunami, the water can recede anywhere from a few meters to a kilometer from the normal shoreline. This is because tsunamis are long-wavelength waves (up to hundreds of kilometers long). As a trough approaches, it “sucks” water away from shore, exposing the seafloor. The flatter the slope, the farther the water pulls back. - Tsunamis are not like regular surf waves. The entire water column is moving, not just the surface. Force = mass × acceleration. Even a small tsunami wave has a huge mass. So, even a small wave can come in like a fast-moving flood or surge, reaching speeds of 30–50 km/h or more. - As the water surges inland, debris such as logs, building materials, cars, etc., might be dragged back out to sea. The debris could become high-speed projectiles, capable of causing severe injury or damage to your vessel. Given the information we had at the time and the topography of our anchorage, we were satisfied with our decision despite how uncomfortable we were in the wind and waves. We turned the engines off and drifted, periodically firing them back up to redirect when we began moving toward a reef. Waves crashed into our cockpit and across our deck, sending flying fish to our doorstep and catching squid on our roof. These conditions were weather-related, not tsunami-related. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/img_1049-1.jpg) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/img_1050-3-1.jpg) **JULY 30, 2025, 9:30PM:** We did not experience a wave event during the tsunami ETA. However, we did experience some unusual currents, pushing and pulling our boat in different directions for several hours. Others who opted to stay in deep anchorages/mooring fields reported seeing a depth rise and fall of a couple meters. We were grateful it ended up being uneventful. **JULY 31, 2025 12:00AM:** The Tsunami warning was officially cancelled, and we followed our tracks back to our anchorage, still experiencing strong swirling currents. We safely re-anchored and rode out the rest of the storm as planned. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/img_0987-1-1-2.jpg) **CONCLUSION:** Despite being one of the most powerful earthquakes in recent memory and triggering tsunami waves up to 4m locally, there were no recorded deaths. This outcome was widely credited to robust early warning systems, fast and coordinated evacuations, and fortunate circumstances such as low population density near the epicenter. For us, timing and connectivity were key. Having a few hours to prepare the boat, do some research, and ultimately devise and execute a well-thought-out plan was essential. We have begun wondering: *What would’ve happened if this occurred at night, when we typically silence our cell phones? What if we had turned Starlink off for the night? Would we have heard the sirens in our anchorage over the wind and waves?* We are eager to find a suitable alert system for the future. This is what we’ve discovered so far: - [Disaster Alert](https://apps.apple.com/us/app/disaster-alert-pdc-global/id381289235?ref=svsabado.com): a free mobile and web-based resource developed by the Pacific Disaster Center (PDC Global). It’s designed to provide early warnings and updates on natural hazards worldwide, including earthquakes, tropical cyclones (hurricanes/typhoons), tsunamis, volcanoes, floods, wildfires, and tornadoes. We found the sign-up process glitchy and the customization options for alerts and location radius sub-optimal for boating. - [Quake Alerts](https://apps.apple.com/us/app/earthquake-tsunami-alerts/id1505203661?ref=svsabado.com): an iOS-only app offering a 7-day free trial, then charging $2.99 annually. The setup was straightforward and more user-friendly than Disaster Alert, and I like that you can customize the magnitude for which you will receive an alert. There are ads when you click to see more contextual info about a warning, even if you pay the $2.99. - [Smart Traveller Enrollment Program](https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/before-you-go/step.html/?ref=svsabado.com) (STEP): STEP is free for US citizens travelling abroad. It sends email alerts for natural disasters, health, and security events. However, you have to manually update what country you’re in; it does not track your location. We haven’t found a solution that fully meets our needs, so Ray is designing a custom system to keep us informed. It will cover not only natural disasters but also civil and geopolitical unrest that may influence our cruising decisions. Our goal is to receive a standard daily report along with real-time emergency alerts when necessary. Here’s an example of what a daily report might look like: “As of August 3, 2025 (next 4 days): Weather in Vava'u, Tonga—highs 23-26°C (73-79°F), partly cloudy with light SE winds (10-19 mph) and low to moderate chance of showers; stable marine conditions. No major natural disasters: no active earthquakes, tsunamis (Kamchatka alerts cancelled, no ongoing threats), or volcanic activity in Tonga; minor regional events include M5.0 and M4.4 earthquakes in Papua New Guinea on Aug 2 with no impact. World events stable, with regional Pacific forums and sports but no disruptions. Geopolitical tensions elevated (US-China rivalry amid tariff negotiations, Russia-Ukraine war with accelerating Russian advances and drone strikes, escalating trade tariffs on multiple countries); includes US repositioning 2 nuclear subs in response to Russian threats. Unlikely to impact South Pacific sailboat activities. Safe sailing; monitor updates.” He’s teamed up with other tech enthusiasts to bring this idea to life, and we’ll share more details as we begin testing it. While we hope this was a once-in-a-lifetime experience, it revealed a blind spot in our knowledge and preparedness that we’re determined to address! ### July 2025: Behind the Scenes URL: https://svsabado.com/july-2025-behind-the-scenes/ Last updated: 2026-06-24T08:11:07.000Z Ray’s phone fell out of his jacket pocket and into the ocean while trying to start the dinghy. I dove down to retrieve it, and… (read more) _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### 5 Boat-Friendly Sourdough Recipes URL: https://svsabado.com/5-boat-friendly-sourdough-recipes/ Last updated: 2025-07-27T12:00:00.000Z Hurricane/Cyclone season usually comes with sailing restrictions from our insurance company, so I make it a point to pick up a new skill or hobby during that time each year. It’s a great way to stay sane when our cruising range shrinks, and our lifestyle slows down. Some of these storm season projects stand the test of time, while others fall by the wayside. Experimenting with sourdough has stuck around! Aside from the occasional $1 baguette (irresistible in the French islands!), we haven’t purchased any baked goods in ages. My starter, affectionately named SabaDOUGH, has adjusted to obscure flours in remote atolls, high temperatures/humidity levels, and a few questionable boat yard refrigerators… ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/img_0718-1.jpg) I’ve donated starter to fellow cruisers and local restaurant chefs along the way, and have enjoyed learning more about baking. Here are five of our favorite boat-friendly sourdough recipes you can make with minimal effort and equipment: 1. **[Simple Sourdough Focaccia](https://alexandracooks.com/2019/03/22/simple-sourdough-focaccia-a-beginners-guide/?ref=svsabado.com)** ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/img_3469-1-1.jpg) There’s nothing better than fresh and fluffy focaccia bread! We keep it simple with olive oil and sea salt to use in various meals. It is excellent alongside any dip, as a pizza crust, or a vehicle to consume saucy meatballs… 😂 1. **[Sourdough Ciabatta Rolls](https://littlespoonfarm.com/sourdough-ciabatta-rolls-recipe/?ref=svsabado.com#recipe)** ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/img_9528-2.jpg) These are our go-to sandwiches. They don’t dry out as quickly as a loaf, so we can store them on the counter rather than sacrificing valuable fridge/freezer space. 1. **[Sourdough Everything Bagels](https://littlespoonfarm.com/sourdough-bagels-recipe/?ref=svsabado.com)** ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/img_8839-1.jpg) These take a bit more effort to proof, shape, boil, and bake, but man, is it worth it. These are so yummy, we’ve been known to eat an entire batch in 48hrs… Shhhh! Don’t judge us! 1. **[Sourdough Naan Flatbread](https://littlespoonfarm.com/sourdough-naan-recipe/?ref=svsabado.com)** ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/img_0688-1.jpg) When we're low on power and want to avoid using the electric oven, I make these flatbreads that are cooked on the stovetop. We love brushing them with garlic butter and dipping them in curry. 1. **[Sourdough Thumbprint Cookies](https://littlespoonfarm.com/sourdough-thumbprint-cookies-recipe/?ref=svsabado.com)** These have never lasted long enough for me to remember to take a photo! I love a sweet treat, and these make a perfect dessert or afternoon pick-me-up with a glass of iced tea. Ray is allergic to chocolate, so I’m always looking for desserts we can share, and this one is a winner. **What are your favorite sourdough recipes?** ### One Step Closer… URL: https://svsabado.com/one-step-closer/ Last updated: 2025-07-20T13:00:00.000Z Things have been quiet aboard Sabado, which is why we haven’t had much to share. The refit we are doing in New Zealand is a serious investment of time and money, so we’ve spent our days researching supplies, working on designs, and running the numbers against our budget. Ray has been taking a [boat electrics and mechanics class](https://boathowto.com/?ref=svsabado.com) while working tirelessly on a wiring diagram for our new system. I have been preparing all of the paperwork for our entry and extended stay in New Zealand, and studying sewing tutorials to save us some money on upholstery/canvas work. I’ve never sewn anything, but there’s a first time for everything! All of our needs are met here in Tonga— a refreshing change. It’s easy and much more affordable to get food, propane, fuel, laundry, etc. The people are friendly, the mooring field is safe, and the weather has been pleasant. Unfortunately, we are allergic to something in the air here… so there’s been lots of sneezing and sniffling. We’ve blown through our allergy medication inventory and are now on our final blister pack of Benadryl. We decided to leave Vava’u for Pangai on Sunday, where we’d stage our departure from Tonga to Minerva Reef and then to New Zealand. To prepare, we checked out and ditched our mooring ball on Saturday morning and motored for an hour and a half to a secluded anchorage on the outskirts of the island chain where we would spend the night, putting us in a better position for an early morning departure to Pangai. We cautiously passed a whale watching boat, keeping an eye on a couple of humpbacks they were following. Humpback whales migrate through the area this time of year to give birth, so we wanted to give them plenty of space so as not to disturb them. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/img_0914-1.jpg) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/img_0885-1-1.jpg) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/img_0834-1.jpg) We dropped our anchor around 10AM in 60ft of crystal clear water and celebrated with a “we’re here cheers” of our current favorite— Foster’s lager. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/img_0831-1.jpg) Afterward, I shimmied into my wetsuit for a dip in the irresistibly blue bay. It’s winter here; we’ve been sleeping under blankets and pulling out our jackets most days, but I couldn't pass up the opportunity to swim! I was greeted by a group of skittish squid hanging out by our anchor chain. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/img_0830-1.jpg) The bottom was all sand, so there wasn’t much else to see, but I enjoyed it nonetheless. We spent the afternoon watching the horizon for whales, and had a few visit us inside the anchorage (\~100m from Sabado!) at sunset. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/img_0883-1.jpg) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/img_0881-1.jpg) We could hear them blowing and splashing in the dark as we were cleaning up after dinner, and while I was downstairs brushing my teeth, Ray called my name from the cockpit— a whale was right alongside Sabado! It was close enough that Ray got wet when it blew. I hung over the side of the boat, toothbrush still in hand, trying to get a better look when Ray warned me that the boat could get jostled if the whale decided to nudge us, and “I just need you not to fall overboard, Holly.” 😂 What an incredible moment! The whale slowly swam around our bow, eventually disappearing into the darkness. We pulled our anchor just before sunrise the following morning, hoisting our sails and shutting off the engines in the moonlight. We were sailing great: a beam reach right toward our destination. Unfortunately, about three hours in, Ray made the call to turn around. He had checked the latest weather update, which called for 30kn/gusts to 40kn of wind from the west at our destination (which has zero protection from the west), and potential lightning. Our weather router said the best place in Pangai in those conditions would be to tie stern-to against the sea wall. We’d rather avoid it altogether! ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/img_0880-1.jpg) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/img_0886-1.jpg) So, we turned around, reset our sails, and headed back toward Vava’u. The weather in the [South Pacific Convergence Zone](https://skybrary.aero/articles/south-pacific-convergence-zone-spcz?ref=svsabado.com) is tricky, so I can’t say I was surprised that this appeared seemingly out of nowhere. In our experience, the weather forecasts here have been notoriously unreliable. I remember several instances in French Polynesia where the forecast was 180° and 20kn off! I sat at the helm with Ray and scanned the horizon for whales as we backtracked. This aspect of sailing has always been a challenge for me. I love to plan and feel prepared for the future, but things rarely go as planned on a boat! Being flexible and staying lighthearted rather than letting myself get disappointed is something I’m constantly practicing. We ended up departing again two days later. The wind had disappeared, but we decided to motor to Pangai anyway. This move puts us one step closer to New Zealand, and the clock is ticking! We hope to haul out in early August. It was a dreary and sloppy trip, but we were thrilled to anchor in 15ft of sand at our destination. It feels like forever since we’ve been in a nice, shallow anchorage! We took a quick nap, then went ashore to complete our domestic check-in. When we arrived at the dinghy dock, it was underwater… So, we tied off to a tree and walked around until we found the customs office. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/img_0876.jpg) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/img_0913-1.jpg) Checking in took 2 minutes. Before heading back to Sabado, we stopped by one of the “Chinese Marts” for some butter, fresh fruit, and a handful of lollipops to pass out to the local kids. Ray cooked me a steak dinner to celebrate my birthday, and we watched a beautiful sunset before crashing from exhaustion! Now, the wait is on— we check the weather multiple times a day and keep our provisions topped up in case a weather window to Minerva Reef appears. We’ve been filming this week and hope to get a new video out for you soon, but we are essentially just sitting in the salon, working on our computers, preparing for our refit. There are so many details to finalize, and we want to be confident that we are choosing the right supplies and installing everything properly. It’s a huge responsibility! Our excitement is building… We can’t wait to share everything we have in store with you. :) ### May + June 2025: Behind the Scenes URL: https://svsabado.com/may-june-2025-behind-the-scenes/ Last updated: 2026-06-24T08:11:34.000Z We paid $115 to check into Tonga at Niuatoputapu. Since the island has no bank, we could not get local currency to pay the fee (no electronic payments are accepted). Luckily… (read more) _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Life is Good in Vava’u URL: https://svsabado.com/life-is-good-in-vavau/ Last updated: 2025-06-22T12:00:00.000Z *A Week Aboard S/V Sabado: 6/15/2025 - 6/22/2025* **Happy Sunday, folks!** *Watch our latest YouTube video [here](https://youtu.be/Mhr0hZATtfU?si=7wGxf%5FWZ1gYG4de3&ref=svsabado.com). :) Enjoy this weekly recap:* Last Sunday was Father’s Day, and it would be crazy not to acknowledge the essential role my dad played in my life! I used to be so shy— I couldn’t even speak to a server at a restaurant; it was nearly debilitating, but my dad never gave up on me. Throughout the years, he enthusiastically embraced every dream and wild idea I had. He taught me that nothing is ***that*** scary because, if it didn’t work out, I’d still have him in my corner, no matter what. My dad taught me to be brave, and man, is that an incredibly handy life skill! I would not have the joy-filled and exciting life I have now if it weren’t for my dad. He’s also resilient, hilarious, smart, and has excellent taste in wine. I really hit the jackpot. I love you, Dad! Can’t wait to see you in New Zealand! ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/img_0691-1.jpg) Sundays are a day of rest here in Tonga. So, we lay low. I organized my video files and made some delicious [sourdough naan](https://littlespoonfarm.com/sourdough-naan-recipe/?ref=svsabado.com) while we listened to the church bells ring throughout the mooring field. We took the dinghy to shore on Monday to complete our [domestic clearance](https://www.noonsite.com/place/tonga/view/clearance/?ref=svsabado.com). This is an annoying formality, but we found the process relatively painless. There was no line, paperwork, or additional fees. We handed over the form we received when we checked out of Niuatoputapu, and they checked our passports. It took us longer to find their office than to check in. Afterwards, we strolled through town. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/img_0695-1.jpg) We stopped at a coffee shop, a small chandlery, and popped into the various general stores that lined the main street. They carried a hodgepodge of stuff, and we had fun poking around. Like most islands we’ve sailed to, we noticed a strong Chinese presence here. Many shops and passing taxis were marked as Chinese-owned and operated. I read that in the 80s and 90s, Tonga allowed foreign nationals to apply for residency based on business investments. This, in combination with a lack of immigration enforcement, became the pathway for many Chinese migrants to relocate. Once they set up shop here, they could sponsor other Chinese migrants to establish residency and import goods directly from China, allowing them to set their prices at a rate local shops could not compete with. The locals seem to have mixed feelings about this: on one hand, there is resentment toward these shops for dominating over local businesses, but on the other hand, there is value in these stores carrying goods that local shops cannot source, and being open longer hours than those that follow Tongan cultural customs. We saw this in French Polynesia as well. In the Caribbean, we saw hospitals, airports, and main roads/street lights built and maintained by Chinese migrants. It’s an interesting dynamic; we support local shops whenever possible. We visited an outdoor market and purchased some fresh fruits and vegetables at a fraction of the price we’d grown used to in French Polynesia. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/img_0690-1.jpg) We had a fun date night at Mango Cafe, the waterfront restaurant overlooking the mooring field. The owner is super friendly and really goes out of his way to help sailors. He told us we could drop off our laundry and empty propane tank, and he’d have it taken care of— a massive weight off our shoulders. I had a BBQ chicken plate, and Ray had a burger with bacon, cheese, and a sunny-side-up egg for dinner. We drove the dinghy home in the dark and were surprised to see thousands of jellyfish in the bay! ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/img_0682-1.jpg) I learned that this is called a jellyfish bloom, which occurs when warmer waters and excess nutrients cause dormant polyps to suddenly produce large numbers of jellyfish. Although it was spectacular to witness, there can be negative environmental implications, like disrupting marine food chains and clogging intakes for cooling systems in power plants/desalination facilities (and boat generators/ACs/watermakers). They were still around come morning. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/img_0672-1.jpg) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/img_0680-1.jpg) We returned to Mango Cafe to pick up our laundry and propane tank, then walked to the deli to pick up our meat order. Finding good quality, responsibly packaged meat in the islands can be difficult, so we were excited to see the local deli offer house-made sausages, frozen minced beef, chicken thighs, etc. We placed a large order through WhatsApp to restock our freezer, since it’s been about a month since we’ve grocery shopped. Unfortunately, when we went to pay, an island-wide network outage shut down all the ATMs! I felt so guilty; our order took up a large chunk of the small shop’s storage space. I assured the owner we would pick it up as soon as Digicel was back up and running, and if that took several days, she was welcome to sell our order off to walk-in customers. She said she didn’t care about the payment timeline or storage space; she only cared about us having what we needed! She encouraged us to visit her husband's restaurant if we were hungry; he could hold our tab until cash was flowing again. I assured her we weren’t going to starve, and there wasn’t a weather window in sight for us to leave, so we weren’t in a rush to reprovision. Everyone here is so caring! Luckily, the ATMs were back up and running that night, and we picked up our order the next day. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/11233408-7dc6-4b20-ae11-409d0e30be9f-1.jpg) A storm rolled through on Friday morning. I sat in the cockpit, watching as the raindrops fell, sending faint ripples across the water, lit by the low morning sun. A rainbow appeared off our port side. I sipped my coffee while Ray played Jack Johnson over the speakers. Slow, calm mornings like this are my favorite. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/img_0696-1.jpg) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/img_0693-1.jpg) Ray changed the oil in our engines, and I cleaned the interior. It’s starting to get a bit chilly, so we dug out our jackets and did what we could to revive the corroded zippers. We ended up at happy hour with 10+ other sailors, which turned into cheesecake for dinner and learning the [frog dance](https://youtu.be/G2F9pOAhc4w?si=3e0WaqGrSjkd4F7Z&ref=svsabado.com) from a Swedish gal to celebrate Midsummer Day. Life is good here in Tonga! We hope you had a great week. ❤️ ### Exploring Tonga: Niuatoputapu and Vava’u URL: https://svsabado.com/exploring-tonga-niuatoputapu-and-vavau/ Last updated: 2025-06-15T12:00:00.000Z *A Week Aboard S/V Sabado: 6/08/2025 - 6/15/2025* **Hello and Happy Sunday!** *Did you see [our latest YouTube video](https://youtu.be/hahniXfaKPQ?si=e4V9nPOqYzKuZgNH&ref=svsabado.com)? We had a blast making this one. :)* **Let’s jump right into this weekly recap:** We felt fantastic after our first uninterrupted night’s sleep since completing our 9 day + 7hr, 1357.4nm passage from Bora Bora to Tonga. There was a consistent cool breeze coming through our open hatches and no alarms going off every three hours for watch shifts. The other boat that was here when we arrived had left, leaving us alone in the anchorage with zero swell and blue skies. I could see pigs roaming the coastline through our binoculars. I made a coconut cake in our bread machine while we drank our coffee. The sweet, tropical aroma filled the boat. The government officials here board your boat to complete the check-in process, and I’ve read mixed messages about whether or not you should offer them something to eat/drink. We plowed through our snack stash during this passage and hoped to make our remaining fresh items last, so I figured I’d bake something to have ready, just in case. It turned out perfectly tender, moist, and sweet. I cut thick slices into thirds to have out as finger food. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/img_0583-1.jpg) No one on the island has a VHF radio, but we got the contact information of a local woman and reached out over WhatsApp. She told us to keep an eye on the wharf. When we saw a van, the customs agents were ready for us. The van appeared around noon, so Ray took the dinghy to shore to pick them up. Three officers boarded Sabado, and we sat in the cockpit, eating cake and filling out paperwork. They were very friendly and excited to see us! One of the female officers asked to see our food stores, so I took her inside. She did not confiscate anything. The other female officer came in and asked for a tour— they were very impressed that we had multiple “real” bedrooms and bathrooms! I got the sense they do not see many catamarans. The male officer told Ray that during their high season (now), they see one or two boats per month, and they hadn’t seen an American-flagged vessel in a very long time. We paid USD 115 cash for quarantine and customs fees for two people, and they ate the entire cake I made. :) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/img_0582-1.jpg) We lounged around on the boat the rest of the day, slowly tidying up all the extra clothes, safety gear, etc., we had strewn about during the sail. The next day, we ventured ashore. The Kingdom of Tonga is incredibly conservative, and women are expected to have their shoulders and knees covered in public— the women here even swim fully clothed. In this heat, I’d rather be in shorts and a tank top, but seeing as we were the only tourists here, I decided it was best to abide by the local customs. Plus, there is a current [outbreak of Dengue fever](https://pmn.co.nz/read/health/tonga-confirms-dengue-outbreak-children-most-affected?utm%5Fsource=chatgpt.com), so covering up is in everyone’s best interest. It was low tide, and a handful of women were walking along the beach. We watched as they took what looked like palm fronds, but we later learned were pandanus leaves, submerged them in the shallow water, and secured them with rocks. This is a traditional method to prepare the leaves for weaving by using salty and slightly alkaline seawater combined with heat from the sun to soften and bleach them. They will retrieve the leaves in a few days and use them to make mats, fans, and other ceremonial textiles. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/img_0584-1.jpg) As we wandered the partially paved street, every passing car stopped to greet us. We saw lots of wild pigs and chickens running around, children playing, and adults lounging in hammocks. Once our legs grew tired, we returned to the boat just in time for an afternoon rainstorm. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/img_0562-2-1.jpg) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/img_0563-1.jpg) We couldn’t help but roll our eyes at the memory of the many two week long stretches of gloomy, wet weather we had in French Polynesia. To our delight, the sunshine and blue sky returned the following morning! Two monohulls arrived later in the week, a busy month for the local officials. We watched as they brought them aboard to complete paperwork— following the same procedure we did. One of the boats was a solo female sailor, and the other housed a family of five. The solo sailor came by in the afternoon to invite me over for a ladies night. I hadn’t had any girl time in a while, so I came over just before sunset, and the three of us sipped gin and homemade kombucha cocktails in her cockpit and chatted until dark. We pulled our anchor the following morning and followed our tracks out of the pass, setting sail for Vava’u. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/img_0570-3-1.jpg) Although we enjoyed our time at Niuatoputapu, we were eager to get somewhere with a bank, grocery store, snorkeling spots, etc. Our primary motivation for stopping there first was to avoid the mandatory check-in dock at Vava’u, which has damaged many boats. We will still have to complete domestic clearance in Vava’u, but you can do that without docking. It was a rough 1.5-day upwind sail. Sabado bashed into the wind and waves, with our jib and main reefed. We did our best to stay positive: the sun was shining, it was pleasantly cool, and this would be a short passage. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/img_0573-1.jpg) The full moon rose during my first night watch shift. I was in awe of how much light it cast—it resembled a sunrise! Thank goodness, because nothing is worse than being tossed around in the dark. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/img_0581-1.jpg) The sea state began to calm down the following morning. As the wind died, we dropped the sails and started our engines. A pod of dolphins paid us a quick visit as we motored between the islands. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/img_0566-1.jpg) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/img_0567-1.jpg) We had reached the island group by noon, but it took nearly two hours to get to the town mooring field. Upon arrival, we were shocked to see how many boats were here— AIS and [no foreign land](https://www.noforeignland.com/?ref=svsabado.com) did not reflect reality. We took a few laps around the mooring field and couldn’t find any buoys available. We didn’t want to get caught trying to anchor elsewhere in the dark, so we left while we could. The visibility declined as the late afternoon sun reflected off the water. We didn’t feel comfortable navigating the bommie-filled anchorages nearby. So, we dropped the hook near where we entered just before sunset. The anchorage was empty, with a clear sandy bottom and incredible view; a perfect “roadside” stop— this will do for a night! ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/img_0565-1.jpg) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/img_0564-1.jpg) We ran the generator and the watermaker for a couple of hours before passing out from exhaustion. We woke up the next morning and decided to give the mooring field another shot. It was full when we arrived, but several boats left while we hovered in wait with a few others. We swooped in and grabbed one— letting out a sigh of relief. Here, we had easy shore access to visit an ATM, complete our domestic clearance, reprovision, and dispose of our garbage. But first, we visited the closest restaurant for some well-deserved pizza and beer. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/img_0527.jpg) We’re looking forward to this dose of civilization for the next few days. Everyone thus far has been welcoming and friendly; most speak English, the bays are calm, and prices are a fraction of what they were in French Polynesia. We look forward to exploring more of this slice of paradise! I spent the rest of the afternoon catching up on our logbook. In addition to recording when we’re underway, Ray made me a section to write notes about the ports we visit. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/img_0580.jpg) I jot down our favorite restaurants/stores, relevant local news, anchoring conditions, tape photos and business cards in… Let us know if you’d like to see these— maybe we should start sharing them for those of you headed this way? I hope you had a great week. ❤️ ### Day 10: We’ve Arrived in Tonga! URL: https://svsabado.com/day-10-weve-arrived-in-tonga/ Last updated: 2025-06-05T05:30:18.000Z Last night was rough. The 11ft seas from yesterday’s forecast materialized, tossing Sabado in every direction. It was difficult to hear anything over the roaring sound of waves breaking and the howling wind. As the sun began to rise, I realized one of our lazy jacks had become disconnected and was dangling below the boom. If we needed to drop the sail or reef again in these conditions, we’d risk the mainsail spilling out to one side. This is not the first time we’ve encountered this issue. I apologetically woke Ray up, knowing he’d want me to send him up the mast to fix it— a tough start to the day. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/img_0392-1.jpg) He attached the topping lift to his bosuns chair and used the spinnaker halyard as a safety line. We should have taken a minute to think before getting started because I couldn’t hear him over the sound of the winch, wind, and waves, and he couldn’t use hand signals because he needed to cling to the mast so as not to get thrown around with the motion of the boat. We should have grabbed our headsets. Instead, he yelled as loudly as he could, and I pretty much just stopped and started the winch when I saw his mouth open. It was not a perfect process. We were both frustrated, but we had to work through the situation at hand. I brought him up past the spreader, and he was able to reconnect the lazy jack and descend to safety. He got tossed around pretty aggressively, so I’m sure he’ll have some bruises tomorrow. He laid back down for a while before making us some coffee and relieving me from watch. I sat in the cockpit, sipping my coffee and marveling at the ginormous waves. I ooh’d and ahh’d at them as they rose above the solar arch, curling at the top before breaking and sending us soaring forward. Unfortunately, our ETA was not panning out in our favor. As is, we’d arrive at the pass at sunset, forcing us to drift around for 12+ hours waiting for daylight before entering. We decided to drop the sails so we could motor dead downwind, directly to our destination, shaving several hours off the trip. We caught our first glimpse of land just after lunch. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/img_0416-1.jpg) We raised our Q flag as we entered Tongan waters. The clouds parted as we navigated the pass, so we had excellent visibility to avoid the reef on either side. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/img_0417-1.jpg) The current was strong, but Ray used both engines to keep us on course while I watched for hazards from the bow. There was only one other boat in the lagoon, so we dropped anchor, kicked back, and relaxed for the rest of the afternoon. The wind picked up, bringing us a nice cool breeze through our open hatches. It smells clean and fresh here. We’ll sort out the check-in process tomorrow, but for now, we’re going to sleep! **Here are our stats from this passage, courtesy of [Saillogger](https://saillogger.com/accounts/login/?next=/&ref=svsabado.com)—** Distance: 1375.4 miles Duration: 9 days, 7hrs Avg Wind Speed: 18.1kn Avg Speed Over Ground: 6.1kn Thanks for following along! We’ll resume regular video/blog postings next week. :) ### Day 9: Sailing from French Polynesia to Tonga URL: https://svsabado.com/day-9-sailing-from-french-polynesia-to-tonga/ Last updated: 2025-06-04T07:15:17.000Z Last night was drama-free; the wind was steady, and although it was rolly, we were happy with our speed and newly quiet boom. We reset our sails in the morning— one reef in the main + jib on a barber hauler. It was another beautiful, sunny day! ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/img_0389-2-1-2.jpg) We turned Starlink on so I could complete and send in our Advanced Notice of Arrival form via email. A customs agent acknowledged that they had received it shortly thereafter. I’ve been reading about our destination and look forward to experiencing something new! Here are three interesting facts I’ve learned: - The five island divisions of the Kingdom of Tonga are comprised of over 170 coral and volcanic islands, but only 40 are inhabited. - The Kingdom of Tonga has never been colonized by a foreign power and has retained its indigenous governance. - Most Tongans are Christian. It is said that Tonga has more churches per head than anywhere else in the world. Cruisers must observe Sunday as the day of rest and should not play loud music, work on the boat, or even hang their laundry out to dry (if you do, you might be visited by the police!). The wind and waves began to build, so Ray reefed again in the afternoon—two reefs in the main and a reefed jib. The change didn’t impact our speed, and we happily cruised for the rest of the day. It has been *really* nice to sail this entire trip after having to motor way more often than we expected in French Polynesia. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/img_0390-1.jpg) The waves reached 9ft, and the wind hung just below 25kn (pleasantly less than what was forecasted). Cloud cover increased throughout the day, and some squalls were on the horizon as we ate dinner, so we will stay alert overnight. Ray reeled in the fishing lines to reveal we had lost both lures. We’ve had terrible luck fishing out here! We hope to replenish our lure inventory in Tonga before our next big offshore passage to New Zealand. I miss having tuna in the freezer. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/img_0381-2-1.jpg) This evening's sunset was partially blocked by thick grey clouds, but it might be the last one of this passage. We have about 100 miles to go, so we should make landfall tomorrow! ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/img_0386-2.jpg) I’m looking forward to a quiet, full night’s sleep on anchor and being awake at the same time as Ray for more than 3hrs a day. The downside to doing these passages with just the two of us is that it can get lonely. We’re used to spending every minute of every day together, and then suddenly, we only see each other during meals and in passing at shift changes. Anyway, I’ll let you know how it goes tomorrow. Thanks for joining us virtually through these daily posts! Goodnight. :) ### Day 8: Sailing from French Polynesia to Tonga URL: https://svsabado.com/day-8-sailing-from-french-polynesia-to-tonga/ Last updated: 2025-06-03T06:58:05.000Z The sea state got pretty intense last night. When lying down inside, I could feel the vibration as the waves pummeled the boat, punching up against the bridgedeck. It’s amazing how much force water can exert. Things calmed down after sunrise, but there are 11ft waves and 30kn winds in tomorrow’s forecast… Ray shook out a reef, and we enjoyed the mellow sea state and a boost in speed while we had our coffee. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/img_0364-1.jpg) We are less than 300 miles out from our destination, so I’m beginning to think about entry logistics. When I first moved aboard Sabado, I went with Ray to check into a marina. While filling out the form at the front desk, he asked me what the date was; I said the 21st, then watched him write the wrong month AND year on either side. I’ve been in charge of our paperwork ever since. This afternoon, I spent some time reading up on the fees and forms I need to prepare to enter Tonga. It sounds pretty straightforward. I will submit an Advanced Notice of Arrival tomorrow morning, and the rest of the process will be done in person. There is no bank in Niuatoputapu, and because we are making landfall there, we won’t have any local currency yet. I read that, surprisingly, they accept US currency for the customs & immigration fees. The ATMs in Bora Bora wouldn’t dispense USD, but we were lucky enough to have a couple of our subscribers vacationing there bring some to us a few days before we left (thank you, Joe and Melissa!). Hopefully, all will go smoothly upon our arrival. We ate lunch together, and as far as canned food goes, these cheesy potatoes are great if you can find them. I add garlic powder, lots of pepper, and extra cheese before baking. Since we’re conserving power and my oven is electric, I reheated them on the propane stovetop today, and they were still yummy! ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/img_0339-2.jpg) Typically, I enjoy spending time in the galley, but I like to have shortcuts up my sleeve when we’re underway. With limited space in our fridge/freezer, it’s an added bonus if it’s something shelf-stable. The wind began to creep up in the afternoon, so we double-reefed the main sail again. Our speed took a hit (8kn to 6.5kn), but that’s a consequence we accept as conservative sailors; we reef early and often. We haven’t seen a single other boat out here, so there’s no one around to race anyway. ;) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/img_0351-2.jpg) We hung out the rest of the afternoon, and I did some meal prep in case tomorrow is brutally bouncy. I took the helm again at 6pm and watched as the tops of the clouds began to resemble cotton candy. I got lucky on this passage with the sunset and sunrise watch shifts! ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/img_0360-2.jpg) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/img_0358-2.jpg) We have some bright moonlight tonight, which is nice because the waves are building and rocking us on our beam— being able to see makes it much more tolerable. I’m definitely looking forward to a quiet night on anchor after this! See ya tomorrow. ### Day 7: Sailing from French Polynesia to Tonga URL: https://svsabado.com/day-7-sailing-from-french-polynesia-to-tonga/ Last updated: 2025-06-02T06:50:12.000Z Last night was much more pleasant than the night before. The wind held steady, and aside from minor trim adjustments, the sails were low-maintenance. It’s starting to get chilly at night, but we can shed our extra layers of clothing at sunrise. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/img_0289-1.jpg) I loved reading your messages and comments about the sewing machine. It sounds like Sailrite has a ton of helpful video tutorials I can follow—I’m optimistic about my project list! There’s a running joke amongst sailors that to be a liveaboard, you must be a nurse, chef, engineer, carpenter, maid, marine biologist, electrician, mechanic, meteorologist, doomsday prepper, seamstress, etc. I am constantly learning something new! We’ve been turning Starlink on for an hour in the morning and an hour at night, but it takes \~30 minutes to connect, so our time online has been minimal. After checking in with my family this morning, I read up on [another catamaran requiring rescue](https://www.radio1.pf/une-championne-olympique-et-sa-famille-sauves-dun-naufrage-au-large-de-ua-pou/?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR5HQlNzpAgaJMVl6Fwkr2J6hSbSH59TQJF30tNYhOE8EJB3zkgcL3OgwbpKQA%5Faem%5F7a4C8BeG6SXGsle-pZd5yA&ref=svsabado.com)— the 4th one here in two weeks. They hit “something” around 3am and began taking on water. All crew members evacuated into a liferaft and were rescued 10 hours later. I couldn’t find anything that detailed what exactly they hit, but there’s been speculation it may have been a shipping container. It’s rare but not unheard of. The large metal containers fall off cargo ships and drift partially submerged for miles. One of the people aboard was an Olympic sailing medalist, which shows that while skill is an important part of sailing, so is luck, and sailing in the dark adds another layer of risk; it could happen to anyone. I’m sure their hearts are aching over the loss of such a beautiful vessel, but their well-executed evacuation is admirable. We’re glad everyone is safe! ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/0f817b75-cace-47c2-a314-c3495dc1380d-1.jpg) Photo taken and shared by the boat’s owners. Despite it being a beautiful sunny day today, we had to run our generator. We simply do not get enough solar with the sails up, travelling east/west. Considering we’ll be sailing in this direction for the rest of our circumnavigation, increasing our lithium bank and charging options (or simply getting a more reliable generator) is a high-priority project. Our current setup was perfect in the Caribbean, but it just isn’t cutting it out here. There’s been a creaking noise coming from our boom for a few days now, and it’s been driving us crazy. We’ve tried everything we could to silence it but couldn’t pinpoint where it was coming from. This afternoon, Ray cracked the code: it was coming from where the reefing line loops around the boom. He put a black piece of rubber in between, and the sound is gone! Woohoo! ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/img_0324-1.jpg) We had homemade Salisbury steak, gravy, and mashed potatoes for dinner (one of Ray’s favorites) and watched the sunset. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/img_0325.jpg) Tonight has been lovely so far, with 20kn of wind and green bioluminescence glittering in our wake. We have less than 400nm to go to reach our destination. If you’ve been keeping up with these daily updates, you know the drill by now: my shift has just ended, so I am off to bed! Goodnight! See ya tomorrow. ### Day 6: Sailing from French Polynesia to Tonga URL: https://svsabado.com/day-6-sailing-from-french-polynesia-to-tonga/ Last updated: 2025-06-01T07:58:06.000Z Squalls rolled through every half hour last night, bringing 30kn of wind and waves on the beam, robbing us of sleep. It continued after sunrise, and the direction of the wind began to shift, turning us away from our destination. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/img_0262.jpg) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/img_0261.jpg) Ray ran our port engine to charge the start battery for a while, which has been giving us trouble lately. In an emergency, we want to be able to start our engines immediately, not fumble around trying to jump-start them. We turned the engine off once it was sufficiently charged and will continue to be mindful of it. The wind leveled out in the afternoon, blowing a consistent 18-22kn. There were still some squalls on the horizon, so we kept the mainsail at its second reef but let out the full jib. The sea state remained large and in charge. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/img_0287-1.jpg) I spent a lot of time today thinking about the projects I’d like to tackle during our time on the hard in New Zealand. A shocking number involve sewing, which I’ve never done before. Sabado is nearly 8 years old and our factory line bags and curtains are on their last leg. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/img_0285.jpg) I’d also like to make a cover for our helm seat; our dinghy chaps could use some patches, a few of our fender covers could stand to be replaced, etc. I’ll need to solicit some quotes and compare the numbers, but I’m 99% sure it would be more cost-effective to purchase a Sailrite sewing machine and learn to do it myself. A Sailrite would be nice to have aboard long term anyway to repair our sails/sunbrella/eisenglass in the future. I have a pretty ambitious list, but I think it would be worth the investment even if I only complete the curtains, dinghy chap repairs, and line bags. If you have a sewing machine on board, I’d love to hear about your model and if you think it’s worth carrying. We spent the rest of the afternoon trying to catch up on sleep when we weren’t on watch. I’m hoping tonight will be calmer… ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/img_0284-1.jpg) It’s currently blowing 18kn (TWS), and we’re going 7.2kn (SOG). I’m looking forward to my nap time. :) See ya tomorrow! ### Day 5: Sailing from French Polynesia to Tonga URL: https://svsabado.com/day-5-sailing-from-french-polynesia-to-tonga/ Last updated: 2025-05-31T06:56:36.000Z The sun is beginning to rise later. It was still pitch black when I started my 6am watch shift. Ray mentioned that we must be getting close to the international date line; I hadn’t even realized we’d be crossing it during this passage! The sun finally began to creep up over the horizon around 7:30AM, illuminating two large storm clouds: one behind us and one right in front of us. We already had the mainsail prematurely at its second reef, so the only preparations I had to do were rain-related. I closed the sliding window and zipped up the door of our helm enclosure. We got some rain but very little additional wind. It cleared up quickly, revealing a faint rainbow ahead of us! ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/img_0231-1.jpg) During Ray’s shift, the wave height rose to \~8ft. Still, primarily from behind us, the waves are a welcomed push, occasionally giving us an extra +1.5kn of speed. We shook out a reef and sailed along nicely all afternoon. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/img_0251-1.jpg) We ate brunch together and discussed the ethical implications of AI. Ray has been listening to a podcast detailing various AI experiments exhibiting deceit and self-preservation tendencies— where is the line between innovation and danger? I’ve been listening to a podcast about the increasingly popular “subscription economy.” We’ve traded ownership for access. For example, no one owns a collection of CDs or movies anymore, but everyone has at least two subscriptions to streaming services. Companies have made massive profits off this model, and now we’re seeing it everywhere— you can select the “subscribe and save” option on most Amazon purchases; fitness trackers and even some cars require a subscription to “unlock” all the features after purchasing the physical product. What else will become subscription-based, and what are the ramifications of this? Now that we’ve adjusted to sleeping in shifts, we have the energy (and plenty of time) to ponder these sorts of random things. We spent the rest of the day resting and keeping watch, bringing the main back down to the second reef before sunset. We ate spaghetti and meatballs for dinner. I was happy to read your encouraging comments on our last post about my sunset picture habit… ;) Here is tonight’s: ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/img_0245.jpg) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/img_0249.jpg) Pretty fantastic! We’re cruising along at 7kn as I post this (AWS 14.5, AWA 135). The moonlight is faint but present. My shift has just ended, so I’m off to brush my teeth and take a nap. Fingers crossed, we have another uneventful night! ### Day 4: Sailing from French Polynesia to Tonga URL: https://svsabado.com/day-4-sailing-from-french-polynesia-to-tonga/ Last updated: 2025-05-30T07:10:28.000Z The wind and waves grew overnight. We put a second reef in the main and reefed the jib just after 1AM. We’d been waiting for a forecasted wind shift that never came, so we jibed back and forth until sunrise. With the push of the waves at our stern, Sabado was flying! A loud creak developed in our starboard head. Our biggest complaint about this boat is how the furniture is put together. As the boat flexes, the interior panels rub together and, after a few days, sound like a chorus of nails on a chalkboard. Ray typically stays on top of them, cutting up pieces of thin, flexible plastic cutting boards or wooden shims and wedging them in the problem areas to quiet them. He does whatever is the quickest and most effective solution on passage, but we’ll try to make it look nicer later. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/img_0211-2.jpg) The wind decreased in the afternoon, so we reset our sails accordingly. The waves continued to boost our speed. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/untitled-3540-x-2655-px.jpg) We’ve settled into a routine for this passage; our days look something like this: **12AM-3AM:** Holly is on watch, and Ray is asleep. **3AM-6AM:** Ray is on watch, and Holly is asleep. **6AM-9AM:** Holly on watch, tidy helm area + lines. Ray is asleep until \~8:30AM, then makes coffee for us and plays music over the speakers. **9AM-12PM:** Ray on watch, Holly asleep until \~11AM, cook brunch for us + do the dishes. **12PM-3PM:** Holly is on watch, and Ray does inspections, fixes things, checks the weather, etc. **3PM-6PM:** Ray is on watch, and Holly writes, edits, cooks dinner for us, and does the dishes. **6PM-9PM:** Holly is on watch, and Ray is asleep. **9PM-12AM:** Ray is on watch, and Holly is asleep. Every passage looks different for us; we try to stay flexible and take care of each other above all else. Since it’s just the two of us, a rigid schedule isn’t necessary: if we start to feel too sleepy during our watch shift, there’s no shame in waking the other person up. If it was a particularly rough night and neither of us slept well, we’ll take longer shifts during the day to get some meaningful rest. Typically, the longer we’re underway, the longer our shifts get, but this is the general routine currently working for us. While on watch, we listen to music, audiobooks, or podcasts. We’ve been keeping the inverter off most of the time, but when it’s on, we message friends and family and update our social media. It’s so fun posting and hearing from you in real-time! Doing these daily passage diaries reminds me of [our Pacific Crossing](https://svsabado.com/pacific-crossing-roundup/), they’ll be so fun to look back on one day… this blog and our YouTube channel feel like our digital scrapbook; it’s still so cool to us that other people have tuned in. Thanks for joining us! ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/img_0216.jpg) The wind shift we’d been waiting for finally arrived this afternoon. We’re now on a rhumb line to our destination. We’ve decided to make landfall at Niuatoputapu rather than the more popular main port of Vava’u. It has become a well-known warning amongst sailors that to check in at Vava’u you’ll need your wallet, passport, and a fiberglass repair kit. They require boats to tie up to a dock that is falling apart and charge you to use it. After hearing stories of people’s fenders getting stuck and ripping out their stanchions, having to use their dinghy to hold their boat off the dock because of protruding metal pieces, and being forced to raft up against other boats, we decided it might be worth trying to avoid. If you’re heading this way, having a few jumbo round fenders to put space between you and the dock would be ideal, plus a fender board setup. Or, if our plan works to avoid it, we’ll let you know. Our understanding is that you can check in while anchored in Niuatoputapu. You dinghy the officials out to your boat if they require a search. Sailing between Tongan islands requires a domestic clearance, so we’ll still have to check in at Vava’u when we visit, but the domestic clearance doesn’t require the boat to be docked. Then, we hope to check out of the country from Pangai. I’ll let you know how it works out, we still have \~5 days to go. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/img_0223.jpg) I managed to shower and wash my hair today, officially exiting zombie mode. We had dinner together and put another reef in the main, anticipating higher winds tonight. Are you tired of sunset pictures yet? It feels like a crime not to share them. Ray teases me for taking so many, but I genuinely do look back at them in my camera roll! It wasn’t all that long ago that I worked in a laboratory with no windows… Here’s tonight’s view: ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/img_0219.jpg) Goodnight! ### Day 3: Sailing from French Polynesia to Tonga URL: https://svsabado.com/day-3-sailing-from-french-polynesia-to-tonga/ Last updated: 2025-05-29T07:11:43.000Z The sun rose around 6am, and the wind and waves began to die down. We altered course a bit to increase our apparent wind speed and maintain our speed over ground. We had shaken out a reef overnight, leaving one reef in the main and the jib on a barber hauler. Sabado was doing well. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/img_0180-1-1.jpg) I went back to sleep around 9am, and Ray jibed again during his shift. For brunch, we had fruit, scrambled eggs, and our favorite [sourdough focaccia](https://alexandracooks.com/2019/03/22/simple-sourdough-focaccia-a-beginners-guide/?ref=svsabado.com). Today has been our calmest day yet. The wind blew a steady \~12-15kn, and the waves settled to 3-4ft. It’s been a comfortable temperature, and we’ve been enjoying ourselves! ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/img_0182-1.jpg) We fired up the generator around 2pm. Despite having relatively clear skies, our solar panels are shaded by the sails most of the day, so we’ve struggled to get charged. Before crossing the Pacific, my longest passage on Sabado was 9 days, and it was pretty rare for us to do more than 3-4 days. But now, having spent 27 days at sea plus a couple of 10-day passages this year, I see the value in having a few portable/flexible solar panels we could lay on deck when needed. I’m sure they’d also come in handy during long stretches of cloudy weather on anchor—another thing to add to our incredibly long wishlist, I guess. ;) For now, I’m grateful for our generator. We’ve put more hours on it since we left Panama than it had accumulated during 5yrs in the Bahamas/Caribbean/USA! Aside from that, it was an uneventful day. We’re starting to feel less like zombies; it’s amazing how our bodies can adapt to the constant motion and broken sleep schedules. We ate dinner together and watched another beautiful sunset at sea, and a sliver of moon appeared. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/img_0186.jpg) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/img_0194.jpg) Surprisingly, that produced enough moonlight to illuminate the outline of our sails without dimming the stars or bioluminescence around us. It’s a beautiful night. I’ve just finished my shift and am heading to sleep as I post this. See ya tomorrow! ❤️ ### Day 2: Sailing from French Polynesia to Tonga URL: https://svsabado.com/day-2-sailing-from-french-polynesia-to-tonga/ Last updated: 2025-05-28T07:10:19.000Z We divided the night into 3-hour shifts, with one of us on watch at the helm and the other asleep in the saloon. This is our usual double-handed setup. The table in our saloon lowers, turning the seating/dining area into a bed. It’s usually quieter than sleeping in our cabin with the waves slapping against the hull, plus it’s safer— in an emergency, we’re just a shout away from each other. Ray woke me just before midnight to help him reef the main as the wind and waves began to pick up. I strapped myself into my PFD, grabbed a headlamp, and met him at the helm. We don’t always wake each other to reef, but when the sea state is rough, I actually prefer getting a heads up and lending a hand rather than waking up in a panic as we turn upwind and start bashing into the waves. We worked together to get the jib in, bring the main down to its second reef, and then pull the jib back out quickly. It was pitch black— no moon. It can be disorienting in heavy seas when you can’t see anything, like riding a roller coaster with your eyes closed. Clear and calm communication is key, especially when one of you just woke up... 😂 Ray got us back on course and fine-tuned the sail trim while I laid back down for the last bit of my break. The wind began to lighten up before sunrise, so we shook out a reef and jibed, setting our course toward our destination. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/img_0127-1.jpg) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/img_0158-1-1.jpg) The first few nights of sleeping in shifts are always difficult. I fought off my exhaustion at the helm, listening to loud music and keeping myself busy re-flaking all our lines. I like long passages; there's something comforting about knowing that I have time to adjust. Soon, we’ll find our groove and move up to 5-hour shifts, and it will all feel easier. This discomfort is temporary. We had turned our inverter off overnight to conserve power. Ray turned it back on for a few hours this morning so we could connect to the internet. We read about [two more catamarans ](https://www.radio1.pf/operation-de-sauvetage-sur-deux-catamarans/?ref=svsabado.com)whose crew required emergency rescue in the area. We weren’t able to find details about the cause of their emergencies. We checked in with our friends and family before turning the inverter off again since our sails were shading the solar panels. We continued switching off at the helm and sleeping for the rest of the afternoon as Sabado cruised down 9ft waves. The day felt like a blur: eat, sleep, adjust the sails, repeat. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/img_0152-1.jpg) Around 4pm we had someone hail us on the radio. We hadn’t seen a ship since we’d left Bora Bora— who was calling? I walked to the helm to listen as Ray responded. It was a French Navy aircraft. They told us they would fly over us, so we stood outside and waived. They asked where we came from, where we were headed, how many people were on board, and how our sail was going. Ray answered all their questions. They informed us we were approaching a marine sanctuary marked on our charts. We told them we were aware and would stay outside the boundaries, and then they flew off. You don’t get to chat with a naval aircraft every day; it was kind of cool! ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/img_0159-1.jpg) The waves settled down to 4-6ft, so I enjoyed cooking us dinner before settling into the first watch shift of the night, 6pm-9pm. I watched the sun set behind a dense line of squalls on the horizon. We preemptively put another reef in the main. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/img_0166.jpg) It’s the end of my shift as I’m posting this. We’ve turned the inverter on to check the weather, but it’s been a relatively calm night so far. Fingers crossed it stays that way. See ya tomorrow! ### Day 1: Sailing from French Polynesia to Tonga URL: https://svsabado.com/day-1-sailing-from-french-polynesia-to-tonga/ Last updated: 2026-06-25T18:39:27.000Z Jeez, guys… it’s been a while! We’ve been in a rut recently, but we’re feeling optimistic now that our time in French Polynesia has come to an end. We’ve spoken about our struggles in past videos/blog posts and have been even more honest in our [Crew/VIP Only posts](https://svsabado.com/tag/crew/), but to summarize our time here, it has been more challenging than fun. We’re tired. Now that cyclone season is over, we are eager to move along! We thought we’d kick things off by bringing back our daily blog posts for our \~7-10-day passage from Bora Bora to Tonga. So without further adieu… We were cutting it close—checking out of the country the day our visas expired. I thought the three weeks I had scheduled between our insurance’s cyclone season restriction end date and our visa expiration would be plenty; who would’ve thought it would take 25 days for a weather window to come along? Outrageous! At one point, we figured we had to be being misled, so we hired a second weather router and reached out to a friend who is a meteorologist for a second and third opinion. They all agreed it was in our best interest to stay put. So, we made the most of our time, tackling some boat projects and exploring the beautiful island we’d found ourselves “stuck” at. ;) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/img_9955-1-1.jpg) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/img_9956-1-1.jpg) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/img_0119-1.jpg) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/img_9957-1-1.jpg) We finally set sail this morning, ditching our mooring ball and exiting the pass around 8:30AM. We hoisted the sails and turned off the engines shortly thereafter. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/img_0106-1-1.jpg) We had our mainsail at the first reef, and our jib on a barber hauler. The seas were rolly, but as we settled onto our course, they were mostly at our stern/aft starboard quarter, pushing us in the right direction. It felt so good to be on the move again. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/img_0118-1.jpg) By lunchtime, the wave height had doubled. Between the heat and the boat's motion, I got a little dizzy while cooking in the galley, so I spent the next few hours at the helm: the best place to prevent sea sickness. I kept my eye on a couple of squalls that had formed on the horizon while Sabado surfed onward. We’re starting on a North path to avoid a cold front to the South. The plan is to jibe on Tuesday/Wednesday. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/img_0113-1.jpg) We’ve read a few too many reports recently of boat troubles in the South Pacific. A catamaran had an escape hatch fail and [tragically sank in the Marquesas](https://www.polynesie-francaise.pref.gouv.fr/Actualites/Communiques-de-presse/2025/Chavirement-d-un-catamaran-au-sud-de-Tahuata-aux-Marquises-quatre-personnes-sauvees?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR6H4Xl84V8vtEfJ4ZHpi8nNBO4cxkgTacGL-63kaBNcVKSFFWwS8qRC1%5FjW9A%5Faem%5FAL3KDtSGfmQ9brlqDezHIw&ref=svsabado.com); all passengers were rescued after drifting for seven hours on an inflatable paddle board. They are now trying to get their passports replaced to organize a return to their home country. Another catamaran was [dismasted, and both engines failed](https://www.newsweek.com/four-people-three-dogs-rescued-pacific-ocean-cruise-ship-2076750?ref=svsabado.com). Passengers were rescued by a nearby cruise ship. Our hearts go out to both vessels and their crew. Events like this always prompt lengthy discussions between Ray and me about what we’d do in such an emergency. It’s easy for us to get complacent living on the boat year-round but rest assured, we are taking every safety precaution possible for this passage. Ray took the helm around 3pm, and I napped beside the [ditch bag](https://svsabado.com/ditch-bag-for-emergencies-at-sea/) in our cockpit. We had an early dinner because I prefer to do the dishes in the daylight when we’re underway. [This saucy braised chicken taco recipe](https://oliviaadriance.com/braised-chicken-tacos/?ref=svsabado.com) is my go-to for passages. I prepped a double batch of the meat ahead of time, and we‘ll use half for tacos and half for chicken chili tomorrow. The sun is setting as I’m posting this, so I’ll leave you with this beautiful view to conclude Day 1 of our passage from French Polynesia to Tonga. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/img_0120-1.jpg) Fingers crossed tonight is uneventful. See ya tomorrow! ### Goodbye, Tahiti URL: https://svsabado.com/goodbye-tahiti/ Last updated: 2026-06-24T07:37:49.000Z Bora Bora: a breath of fresh air! Sharing what we’ve learned about our upcoming stops on our route to New Zealand… (read more) _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### 5 Tips for Sailors Heading to French Polynesia URL: https://svsabado.com/5-tips-for-sailors-heading-to-french-polynesia/ Last updated: 2026-07-12T13:19:42.000Z We’ve spent the past year sailing in French Polynesia. These islands have been our most challenging cruising grounds yet, and we have learned a lot along the way. Here are 5 things to think about if you’re planning to head this way: 1. **Have adequate and reliable ground tackle.** Many of the anchorages in French Polynesia away from the reefs are deeper than we were used to (\~20-25m). So, we upgraded to 320ft of anchor chain and a 1500W windlass, which makes anchoring safely much easier! ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/img_8128.jpg) Loading up our new anchor chain in Tahiti. **Tip:* We’ve seen many windlasses fail here. Have a float with your boat name on it ready in case you have to ditch your anchor in an emergency and return to retrieve it.* ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/img_9855-1.jpg) Floating our chain in the Tuamotus. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/img_6985.jpg) Our DIY wireless windlass remote. **Tip:* Consider a wireless windlass remote.* [*This*](https://a.co/d/9KbBGJB?ref=svsabado.com) *is the one we use. Many cruisers float their chain when anchoring amongst the coral. If you have to pull your anchor in an emergency, a wireless remote you can put on a lanyard and wear around your neck while you remove the floats can save you valuable time.* 1. **Bring as many provisions as you can.** Groceries are sparse (unless you plan your shopping around the supply ship schedule) and expensive here— especially alcohol! Bring as much as you can carry. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/img_5879.jpg) Rotten produce for sale ahead of the supply ship’s arrival. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/img_5877.jpg) Supply ship docked in Fakarava. **Tip:* Here are a few things I wish we’d brought more of that I can’t find or are exorbitantly expensive here: canned chicken, canned black beans, canned green chilis, good/spicy jarred salsa, and bourbon/whiskey.* ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/eb3fbdd5-9bd0-4c1c-840f-59311f0f179e-1-1.jpg) $80 bottle of Jack Daniel’s in Nuku Hiva VS $18 bottle of Jack Daniel’s in the USA. **Tip:* The items with red price tags at the grocery stores are subsidized and often cheape*st. 1. **Plan for parts and repairs.** Even if you bring all the spares and tools you can think of, you’ll probably need something you can’t find here. We were able to use credit card points for round-trip flights from Tahiti to Los Angeles for urgent items and shipped parts to our family’s house to bring when they came to visit. People have mixed experiences shipping parts in. We had one package held at customs for weeks. They decided the contents were not “necessary for our ship’s navigation” and taxed us 100% of the package's value. The other package was in our hands tax-free 24hrs after it arrived in Tahiti. Both were shipped through DHL. **Tip:* You can submit paperwork for a package to* [*Tahiti Crew*](https://tahiticrew.com/?ref=svsabado.com)*, who will “pre-clear” it for you. If you do this, request a copy of the packing slip from the company you ordered from; do not just submit the invoice. If the invoice doesn’t precisely match the packing slip, your package may get delayed at customs.* ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/img_9686-1.jpg) 1. **Be Prepared for bugs!** In the Society Islands, we saw lots of creepy crawlers. Having bug screens on all our hatches and doorways was vital! **Tip:* After heavy rainfall, plan an early dinner and turn off all your lights before sunset. The bugs swarm at dusk after rain and are attracted to lights!* 1. **Bring reef/water shoes.** Many of the beaches in the Tuamotus are made up of sharp, broken coral— don’t let that keep you from exploring! Bring a pair of reef shoes to protect your feet. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/snapshot-12-07-2024-0058-1.png) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/snapshot-07-07-2024-1346-1.png) Want to watch us learn these lessons in real time? 😂 [Join our Crew or become a VIP](https://svsabado.com/#/portal/signup) to read our monthly behind-the-scenes reports as we figure out this whole sailing-around-the-world thing. ### April 2025: Behind the Scenes URL: https://svsabado.com/april-2025-behind-the-scenes/ Last updated: 2026-06-24T08:12:02.000Z We turned on our deck light so they could see us and watched in amazement as they pulled up right next to us and dropped their anchor. We were close enough to shout, so we told them we had 300ft of chain out and would absolutely hit them. We were astonished to see them casually put their… (read more _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### 24hrs on Anchor as Liveaboard Sailors URL: https://svsabado.com/24hrs-on-anchor-as-liveaboard-sailors/ Last updated: 2025-04-20T12:00:00.000Z **Hello, friends!** *Given the recent issues with our gennaker, we have ordered a spinnaker for our journey to New Zealand. We’re now simply killing time until it arrives in Tahiti. Here’s a look into what a day in the life of a liveaboard sailor is like on anchor, while we wait to begin our next adventure…* I wake up to Ray sitting up in bed. We’re anchored in Moorea, French Polynesia; it’s midnight, and he has felt the boat swing around. There’s hardly any wind, so all the boats around us are pointing in different directions. We’re anchored in \~70ft of water with a 4:1 scope. The anchorages away from the reefs in French Polynesia are deep, and many boats here don’t carry enough chain to anchor responsibly. The boat behind us tried to make it work by anchoring in a small area marked on the charts as 44ft deep— but, if you drag off that spot, the chances of your anchor resetting in the deeper water surrounding it are slim. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/img_9758-1.jpg) We’re sitting pretty much right on top of our anchor, and their boat looks too close to us. Given the amount of chain we have out, we were concerned we’d collide if we pulled back. I put some clothes on in case we needed to move, then sat in the cockpit, watching them. Their captain is awake, shining a headlamp on our boat, their bow, and then back into their cockpit. We’re close enough to shout, so Ray asks if everything is okay. Have they dragged? They’re French, so there is a language barrier. We called them on the radio and described our position, depth, and scope. They say they don’t think they’ve dragged, but they have 15m of additional chain they can let out, and they planned to move come morning. We agreed and watched from our cockpit as they let the rest of their chain out by hand. Broken/nonexistent windlasses are common here, but it’s scary to think about how much slower they’d be should they have to raise their anchor in an emergency. We stayed up for a while longer to observe how we swung, and so did the other Captain. If the current conditions hold, we would be fine, but in our experience here, things change quickly... The mountains surrounding us act as a funnel, sending gusts through the anchorage amidst even the calmest conditions. Ray set an alarm (in addition to our anchor alarm) that would sound if we began to pull back on our anchor toward them, and we slept in the salon— just in case. Ray wakes up first and checks our battery levels before deciding to use the electric kettle or a pot over propane to make coffee. I stumble downstairs to wash my face. Neither of us slept well. It was hot, and we woke up to check our position often. We quietly enjoy our coffee and watch the sun climb over the mountains. It really is beautiful here. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/img_9698.jpg) The boat we were concerned about last night had pulled its anchor and left. There’s still no wind, but the clouds have parted, and it looks like it will be a good solar day, so I pulled out my baking supplies to make a loaf of bread. We’re heading to New Zealand soon, and they have strict rules about what you can and can’t bring into the country. Honey and most seeds are prohibited, so I am trying to use up what I have. I made a multigrain Dave’s Killer Bread-inspired loaf using honey, sesame seeds, sunflower seeds, chia, and pumpkin seeds that turned out to be delicious! We ate some toasted for breakfast with eggs and an apple. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/img_9673.jpg) Immediately after breakfast, I start thinking about lunch and dinner. I get some chicken out of the freezer for later, taking a quick inventory of what we have left and assessing whether or not I need to defrost the freezer before I restock (opening and closing it in this humidity causes it to frost up very quickly). I ask Ray how much longer we’ll be in this anchorage, with easy shore access close to a grocery store. He checks the weather and says we will at least stay the rest of this week. I factor that into my provision planning. Since we just ate the last of our eggs, I put on a pot of yogurt to ferment so it’d be ready to eat for breakfast tomorrow morning. We like to get any boat maintenance that needs to be done out of the way in the morning before it gets too hot, so I polish our stainless steel while Ray works on a supplies list for our upcoming refit. Some parts have a long lead time and will need to be ordered in advance, so he is collecting quotes and working out a tentative timeline. After lunch, we decided to head ashore to dispose of our garbage, but when we got there, we saw this: ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/img_9712.jpg) As sailors, we try our best to minimize our environmental impact. Part of that is ensuring we don’t overwhelm or take advantage of the resources on these small islands. So, we decided to let our trash rot in the cockpit a while longer—hopefully, the next time we go to shore, the dumpster will have space for our waste. Suddenly, the anchorage was enveloped by clouds—so much for a good solar day! It rained on and off for the rest of the afternoon. Although the morning sunshine had fooled us, by 3pm we knew we’d need to run the generator. This was our fourth day of cloud coverage, and our batteries were not happy. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/img_9716.jpg) We had burned some diesel to get here, so before running the generator, we’d need to transfer some fuel into our tanks from our jerry jugs. After that, we fired up the generator. In a perfect world, we’d run the watermaker simultaneously, but the runoff from the rainstorm had infiltrated the anchorage, leaving Sabado sitting in a mud puddle. It’d be a while before the water clears up again… ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/img_9754-1.jpg) We sat inside while the generator ran. I took advantage of the air conditioning by exercising and cleaning the interior. Ray worked on a wiring diagram for an upcoming electrical project. The clouds parted just in time for sunset, so we opened a bottle of wine and watched as they turned from grey to orange. I never get tired of watching sunsets from the boat! ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/img_9584.jpg) We turned off the generator and turned on some jazz music, cooked dinner at home, and watched an episode of a TV series before heading to bed in hopes of more restful sleep than we had last night… ### 6 Days at Sea: Light Winds & Sail Troubles URL: https://svsabado.com/6-days-at-sea-light-winds-sail-troubles/ Last updated: 2025-04-06T12:00:00.000Z **Hello and Happy Sunday!** *Did you see our latest [YouTube video](https://youtu.be/1D5A4h%5FNDuI?si=eoWenOs4wlUx0ev-&ref=svsabado.com)?* We’re back on the move! Sorry for the lack of posts lately. To be honest, crew morale has plummeted. Boat life has never been cheap or easy for us, but it has always been rewarding enough to make it worthwhile. Unfortunately, we have not had enough positive experiences in the past year to justify the financial, mental, and physical burden. Yet, when we discuss what an alternative life would look like, all options pale in comparison to our dream of sailing around the world. We just need a break. In the meantime, we’re focusing on the positives: we are safe, healthy, and together! We figured an offshore passage and a change in scenery might cheer us up. With the [World ARC](https://www.worldcruising.com/world%5Farc/worldarcfaqs.aspx?ref=svsabado.com) heading toward the Marquesas, we decided to refuel, reprovision, and get the heck out of there before it got too crowded! We motored for the first two days with 1-7kn of wind, periodically using our main and jib when possible. A few squalls rolled through, bringing rain but no additional wind. It was *hot*. We struggled to sleep when not on watch. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/img_9650-1.jpg) One afternoon, I noticed something dark on the horizon, moving slowly. I grabbed the binoculars and quickly realized we were heading toward a pod of pilot whales! We altered course and watched in amazement as 5-10 black dorsal fins bobbed up and down. Seeing wildlife underway never gets old! Moments like this are magical. They were too far away for me to get a good photo, though… ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/img_9647-1.jpg) On day 3, I woke up to the sound of Ray bringing out the gennaker. With 10kn of wind, the mainsail, and our gennaker, we maintained 7kn SOG! Spinner dolphins leaped out of the water in the distance. I took a deep breath, listening to the water rushing by our hulls—a sound that had been masked for the past 48 hours by the dull drone of the engines. We were both grinning from ear to ear. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/img_9648-1.jpg) Those dreamy conditions lasted through the afternoon before the wind dropped to 4kn and the clouds returned. We furled in the gennaker but kept the main up and started an engine. We brought out the jib to gain as much speed as possible, but it was largely ornamental in those conditions. As the sun began to set, we noticed two boobies trying to land on Sabado. They were resting at the top of the mainsail, coming close to our wind instruments during takeoff and landing. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/img_9646-1.jpg) We’ve had birds damage our wind instruments before, and the last thing we wanted to do was have to source replacements here. So, we dropped the mainsail and turned on our fog horn to deter them. We stood on the bow shouting and waving our arms like hooligans as the sun fell below the horizon. The boobies circled us for a while longer before eventually giving up and moving on. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/img_9649-1.jpg) We motored through the night, dodging a handful of fishing vessels without AIS. Around 3AM, we decided to bring out the gennaker. Typically, we don’t fly big headsails at night, but the sea state was calm, the wind was light and steady, and we *really* wanted to sail. Ray went to the bow, and I operated the aft winch, but we couldn’t get the top \~10 wraps to unfurl… we messed around with it for a while before giving up and motoring until sunrise. Good thing we refueled before we left! ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/img_9639-1.jpg) We tried to unfurl the gennaker again around 7am with no luck. We tossed around a few theories: perhaps we have a back wrap, maybe it’s the torsion cable, or could the peeling UV strip have caused a problem? Eventually, we accepted defeat and hoisted the code zero instead. This allowed us to turn off the engine and enjoy a few hours of sailing before the wind disappeared again. It was another hot and uncomfortable afternoon. The sea state picked up, and sitting at the helm began to resemble riding a mechanical bull. Conditions worsened for the remaining two days of our passage. We rolled around in 6-foot waves on the beam, periodically getting rained on. The creaks and groans inside were driving us crazy. We sailed/motor-sailed whenever we could. At one point in the middle of a squall, we noticed our first reefing line was chafed on both ends… Ray tied a safety line to one end, and we waited until conditions allowed us to replace it safely with a spare we had aboard. Then, we saw a kink in the top of our mainsail. It looked like a broken batten or leech line. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/img_9496-1.jpg) We furled in the headsail, turned upwind, and dropped the main. The leech line had snapped, and we didn’t have a replacement handy, so we secured the broken line and re-hoisted it. With less than 24 hours left in this passage, we weren’t too concerned. We will replace the leech line before our next passage. The following day, not long after sunrise, we spotted land and dropped anchor in Tahiti. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/img_9651-1-1.jpg) We wasted no time hauling the gennaker to a sail loft and purchasing a replacement leech line. The guys at Tahiti Sails got back to us a few days later: they had no problem unfurling the sail and didn’t see any reason we wouldn’t have been able to unfurl it underway. They also informed us that what we thought was the UV-resistant strip peeling away was actually burnt sailcloth. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/img_9497-1.jpg) There is a velcro piece that prevents us from furling the sail the wrong way, so we’re not sure what could’ve caused this— perhaps this sail is just approaching the end of its lifespan? We purchased it at the end of 2021 and flew it for the first time in 2022\. We’re pretty frustrated about this and are actively trying to get a new asymmetrical spinnaker to Tahiti before we head to New Zealand— an expensive undertaking that we’re hoping doesn’t impact our timeline too much… we’ll see how it goes! We’ve since moved to Moorea, our favorite of the Society Islands. We’re tucked into a beautiful anchorage, battling the sweltering heat, bugs, and shockingly little solar power. We’re enjoying the cleaner water, easy shore access, and even a few restaurants as we prepare to depart French Polynesia. Our insurance deadline is May 1st, and our visas expire soon after that, so let the countdown begin! We are keeping our chins up and looking forward to our next adventure. ❤️ ### Behind the Scenes: March 2025 URL: https://svsabado.com/behind-the-scenes-march-2025/ Last updated: 2026-06-24T08:12:31.000Z Insurance cost, a burnt sail, broken leech line, and more... (read more) _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Ditch Bag for Emergencies at Sea URL: https://svsabado.com/ditch-bag-for-emergencies-at-sea/ Last updated: 2026-07-12T13:21:13.000Z A **ditch bag** (also called an emergency grab bag) is a waterproof, pre-packed bag containing essential signal and survival gear that sailors take with them if they need to abandon ship. It is important to consider the logistics of an emergency that would require abandoning ship, and ensure you thoroughly discuss the protocol with your crew. Everyone aboard should be familiar with the procedure and capable of executing it efficiently (avoid making your ditch bag too heavy for the weakest crew member to lift). Select a waterproof bag and attach a carabiner to the strap so you can quickly secure it to the tether of your life raft and safely transport it from your vessel. Additionally, keep an empty waterproof bag in an easily accessible place in case there’s time to grab extra gear or valuables. We’ve heard of someone who had time to make his entire crew sandwiches before abandoning ship! ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/img_9317.jpg) Before packing your ditch bag, take note of the contents already in your life raft. Ours includes some food, water, a bail and patch kit, flares, and oars. When packing your ditch bag, focus on including items that will **aid visibility and support survival until rescue.** Here’s what we carry in ours: **Shop our ditch bag picks on** [**Amazon**](https://www.amazon.com/shop/hollyandray/list/O66CGYLL1X9Q?ref%5F=aip%5Fsf%5Flist%5Fspv%5Fofs%5Fmixed%5Fd&ref=svsabado.com)**!** *This post includes affiliate links, we earn commission on qualifying purchases.* **Documents** - Copy of all crew members’ passports/IDs - Copy of boat’s Certificate of Documentation - Proof of boat insurance - Crew medical information (proof of repatriation/medevac/health insurance, list of allergies and prescriptions) - List of emergency contact numbers (family, friends, etc.) **Visibility** - [Dye markers](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0000AY06V?linkCode=ssc&tag=onamzsabadoll-20&creativeASIN=B0000AY06V&asc%5Fitem-id=amzn1.ideas.O66CGYLL1X9Q&ref%5F=aip%5Fsf%5Flist%5Fspv%5Fofs%5Fmixed%5Fd%5Fasin&ref=svsabado.com): can turn up to a 50-foot area of water neon green - [Industrial grade ultra-bright 12hr glow sticks](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B004NBZLJM?linkCode=ssc&tag=onamzsabadoll-20&creativeASIN=B004NBZLJM&asc%5Fitem-id=amzn1.ideas.O66CGYLL1X9Q&ref%5F=aip%5Fsf%5Flist%5Fspv%5Fofs%5Fmixed%5Fd%5Fasin&th=1&ref=svsabado.com) - Signal flares (day and night) - Flashlight (with extra batteries) - Air horn - [Emergency signal mirror](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B076Z2THJR?linkCode=ssc&tag=onamzsabadoll-20&creativeASIN=B076YZNP9P&asc%5Fitem-id=amzn1.ideas.O66CGYLL1X9Q&ref%5F=aip%5Fsf%5Flist%5Fspv%5Fofs%5Fmixed%5Fd%5Fasin&th=1&psc=1&ref=svsabado.com) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/img_9313-2.jpg) **Survival gear** - [Emergency food rations](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07VNQGPYW?linkCode=ssc&tag=onamzsabadoll-20&creativeASIN=B07VNQGPYW&asc%5Fitem-id=amzn1.ideas.O66CGYLL1X9Q&ref%5F=aip%5Fsf%5Flist%5Fspv%5Fofs%5Fmixed%5Fd%5Fasin&th=1&ref=svsabado.com): look for something with a long shelf life, easily digestible, and non-thirst-provoking. - Water: bottles, packets, jugs, or bladders—whatever you have! - [Survival kit](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B083KGPQL9?linkCode=ssc&tag=onamhttps://www.amazon.com/dp/B083KGPQL9?linkCode=ssc&tag=onamzsabadoll-20&creativeASIN=B083KGPQL9&asc%5Fitem-id=amzn1.ideas.O66CGYLL1X9Q&ref%5F=aip%5Fsf%5Flist%5Fspv%5Fofs%5Fmixed%5Fd%5Fasin&th=1https://www.amazon.com/dp/B083KGPQL9?linkCode=ssc&tag=onamzsabadoll-20&creativeASIN=B083KGPQL9&asc%5Fitem-id=amzn1.ideas.O66CGYLL1X9Q&ref%5F=aip%5Fsf%5Flist%5Fspv%5Fofs%5Fmixed%5Fd%5Fasin&th=1zsabadoll-20&creativeASIN=B083KGPQL9&asc%5Fitem-id=amzn1.ideas.O66CGYLL1X9Q&ref%5F=aip%5Fsf%5Flist%5Fspv%5Fofs%5Fmixed%5Fd%5Fasin&th=1&ref=svsabado.com): Ours includes fishing gear, emergency blankets, a knife, fire starter, whistle, wire saw, and several multitools. - [UPF 50+ sun protection shirts](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08Q3X3QB7?linkCode=ssc&tag=onamzsabadoll-20&creativeASIN=B08Q3X3QB7&asc%5Fitem-id=amzn1.ideas.O66CGYLL1X9Q&ref%5F=aip%5Fsf%5Flist%5Fspv%5Fofs%5Fmixed%5Fd%5Fasin&ref=svsabado.com): Ray’s wardrobe is mostly navy blue/black, and mine is primarily bikinis, so we keep two neon orange sun shirts in our ditch bag for UV protection and maximum visibility in case of an emergency. - Hand warmers and additional clothing if sailing in colder climates. - Insect repellent - Sunscreen - Lip Balm - Sunglasses - [Rain ponchos](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B076ZHMR3S?linkCode=ssc&tag=onamzsabadoll-20&creativeASIN=B076ZHMR3S&asc%5Fitem-id=amzn1.ideas.O66CGYLL1X9Q&ref%5F=aip%5Fsf%5Flist%5Fspv%5Fofs%5Fmixed%5Fd%5Fasin&th=1&psc=1&ref=svsabado.com) - Prescription medication (if needed) - [Motion sickness medication](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B085GY29H2?linkCode=ssc&tag=onamzsabadoll-20&creativeASIN=B085GY29H2&asc%5Fitem-id=amzn1.ideas.O66CGYLL1X9Q&ref%5F=aip%5Fsf%5Flist%5Fspv%5Fofs%5Fmixed%5Fd%5Fasin&ref=svsabado.com) - [First aid kit in waterproof case](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0108VOU7E?linkCode=ssc&tag=onamzsabadoll-20&creativeASIN=B0108VOU7E&asc%5Fitem-id=amzn1.ideas.O66CGYLL1X9Q&ref%5F=aip%5Fsf%5Flist%5Fspv%5Fofs%5Fmixed%5Fd%5Fasin&th=1&ref=svsabado.com) - Duct tape - Paracord, rope - Hand sanitizer - One can of fruit cocktail: It has been a running joke aboard Sabado that if we’re opening a can of fruit cocktail, things have gone horribly wrong. So, our ditch bag seems like a fitting place to keep one. - Deck of waterproof playing cards to help pass the time. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/img_9315-1.jpg) We also carry an EPIRB, Iridium GO!, [Garmin inReach](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09PSKG7C3?linkCode=ssc&tag=onamzsabadoll-20&creativeASIN=B09PSKG7C3&asc%5Fitem-id=amzn1.ideas.O66CGYLL1X9Q&ref%5F=aip%5Fsf%5Flist%5Fspv%5Fofs%5Fmixed%5Fd%5Fasin&ref=svsabado.com), and handheld VHF radio aboard Sabado, which we would use in an emergency, but we do not store those items in our ditch bag. **Stay safe out there, folks!** ### Farewell, Norman Family! URL: https://svsabado.com/farewell-norman-family/ Last updated: 2025-03-09T12:30:00.000Z *A Week Aboard S/V Sabado: 3/02/2025 - 3/09/2025* **Hello and happy Sunday!** Last Sunday, we left Tahuata around 1pm. The forecast showed little to no wind, so we planned an overnight motor to Nuku Hiva because my parents had a flight back to Tahiti later this week. This was my parents’ first overnight trip on Sabado, so we talked through some safety protocols and dug out our extra life jackets. Once outside the anchorage, we realized the wind was funneling between the two islands. We took advantage of it, hoisting our main and jib and shutting off the engine for a few hours. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/img_9222-1.jpg) We ate a late lunch and enjoyed the sunshine and calm seas. A few hours later, the wind began to die, so we swapped out the jib for our gennaker. Sabado was sailing faster than we expected, and our ETA moved up, putting our arrival before sunrise… ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/img_9220-1.jpg) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/img_9225-1.jpg) My parents switched off reading their books and sitting at the helm. We ate dinner together and watched the sunset turn the gennaker bright pink! ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/img_9215-1.jpg) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/img_9216-1.jpg) We decided to leave the gennaker up, knowing that we wouldn’t be able to sail in such light winds if we switched back to the jib. We don’t usually fly big headsails overnight, but the seas were calm, and there were no squalls on the horizon, so we felt comfortable with our decision. During my watch shift, I noticed one solid white light up ahead, with a flashing white light below it. I began timing the flashes, trying to identify a pattern. Was there a marker of some sort out here? The only thing I could see on the charts was 40 miles away… I kept an eye on it until we got close enough that I could tell it was moving. I tracked it using our radar before realizing it was a sailboat with no navigation lights- they had their anchor light on and what looked like a headlamp strapped to their boom (the flashing I saw was from the sail occasionally blocking the headlamp). They had no AIS and did not respond on the radio. I woke Ray up as they maneuvered toward us- you never know what someone’s intentions are… We altered course and closely watched them as we passed each other in the darkness. Thankfully, that was the only notable event that night! We furled in the gennaker when the wind died, motoring and periodically sailing using the jib whenever possible. We arrived too early and drifted off the coast of Nuku Hiva, waiting for sunrise before finally anchoring in Taioha’e Bay just as a wet squall passed through. After a shower, nap, and a couple of cups of coffee, the sunshine was back, and we took the dinghy to shore to visit our favorite grocery store and produce market. We returned to Sabado with bags of fresh mangoes and passion fruit, some salami, and a few bottles of wine. A couple we had chatted with during a particularly rough passage in December buzzed over in their dinghy- we hadn’t met in person! We invited them aboard, and the six of us chatted in the cockpit for hours. We shared a few drinks, swapped stories, and laughed all afternoon. We put Sabado back together the following day: taking down and storing the gennaker, fixing a few things, and tidying up. Ray had a hankering for a Coca-Cola, so he and my dad went ashore to hunt some down. My mom and I baked some fresh bread. The four of us traded our swimsuits for “real clothes” that evening, taking a taxi to the restaurant at the nearby resort. It’s been a while since we’ve eaten something that didn’t come out of our galley! We got cocktails, entrees, and dessert to celebrate Ray’s birthday. We are so lucky to have him in our lives! Cheers to another great year together! ❤️ Wednesday was a local holiday called [Missionary Day](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Missionary%5FDay?ref=svsabado.com), so most of the island was shut down. We decided to take the dinghy to shore anyway to stretch our legs. We watched the fisherman clean their catch, marveling at the number of sharks they attracted. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/img_9226-1.jpg) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/img_9211-1.jpg) We walked around the village looking at the tikis, but the heat quickly zapped our energy, and we spent the rest of the afternoon relaxing under our bow sun shade on the boat. We rented a car to explore the rest of the island the following day. We took my parents to some of our favorite viewpoints overlooking the water and excitedly watched the manta rays swim around Sabado upon our return. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/img_9182.jpg) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/img_9172.jpg) We drove them to the airport Friday morning, not realizing how vastly different that drive would be. It was nothing like what we’d seen the day before. We navigated windy roads through the clouds, with lush green forests on either side. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/img_9201.jpg) It took us an hour, and some stretches were more stressful than others, with near 180° switchbacks and thick fog—I was thankful Ray was driving, not me! We were able to sit with my parents while they waited to board the first of three flights they’d have to take to return home. We hugged them extra tight before their departure. We’re so grateful they traveled all this way to visit us, and we are looking forward to seeing them again when we reach New Zealand! We made the long drive back and stopped at the grocery store again before returning our rental car and heading back to Sabado. We spent the day yesterday cleaning and rearranging things (there are a few items we like to store in the guest cabin when it’s empty for easier access). We’re considering heading back toward the Society Islands to stage before the cruising season begins, but we’re not seeing a weather window yet, so we’ll take this time to inventory our remaining provisions and plan our route. We’re looking forward to getting moving again! I hope you had a great week. ❤️ ### All Aboard! A Week of Sailing & Swimming With Family URL: https://svsabado.com/all-aboard-a-week-of-sailing-swimming-with-family/ Last updated: 2025-03-02T12:30:00.000Z *A Week Aboard S/V Sabado: 2/24/2025-3/2/2025* **Hello friends!** *Have you seen [our latest video](https://youtu.be/ZXPX8fjLai0?si=y6uFm3Kyo6KYaqGv&ref=svsabado.com)? It’s loads of fun, check it out!* Sorry, we’ve been MIA online lately; truthfully, we’ve had nothing to share. It’s cyclone season here in the South Pacific, so our cruising grounds are temporarily limited. We are just passing the time until we can set off on our next adventure! We checked out a couple of different anchorages in Nuku Hiva, the largest of the [Marquesas Islands](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marquesas%5FIslands?ref=svsabado.com), before taking a weather window to Hiva Oa. It was an easy overnight sail, though the wind speed and direction were not what was forecasted (we’re getting used to that here). We spent the first few hours tacking back and forth in choppy seas before settling into a more favorable heading for the night. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/img_9133-1.jpg) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/img_9132-1.jpg) Using our main and jib, we were able to sail past sunrise, only turning on an engine to complete our approach when the staggering mountains of Hiva Oa blocked our wind. We reminisced on our arrival to this very island after our 27-day sail from Panama… We were eager to explore what is advertised as the creme de la creme of cruising; we had no idea how many challenges we’d face to see this sliver of paradise. That was nearly 10 months ago! It’s no secret we had a stressful season full of bad weather, poor anchorages, and expensive repairs. We had hoped to depart before our insurance limitations for storm season took effect, but we are still here. Perhaps that’s a factor in our lack of social media presence: we are making the best of it, but we’re still a smidge bummed. The stunning scenery and frequent manta ray sightings sure do help, though. ;) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/img_9019-1.jpg) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/img_9125-1.jpg) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/img_9123-1.jpg) We dropped our anchor near Atuona and spent the following days reprovisioning and cleaning in preparation for visitors. Having guests aboard always reignites our passion for this lifestyle. Seeing someone’s reactions to our everyday routines reminds us just how lucky we are! I revived my towel animal tradition and made a manta ray for the guest cabin: ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/img_9131-1.jpg) My parents arrived Friday morning to an exceptionally rolly anchorage. Most of the anchorages in the Marquesas are rolly, but their first night aboard was (of course) the worst we’ve had- take a Dramamine level of rolly. We left the next morning, making a quick 2-hour sail to Tahuata. Thankfully, the most popular anchorage was nearly empty! We got a sweet spot near the picturesque beach, inflated our SunChill, and jumped in the bright blue water. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/img_9130-1.jpg) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/img_9126-1.jpg) We spent the rest of the week anchored right there. Many books have been read, board games played, and sharks spotted. I cleaned the bottom of the boat and cracked open a fresh bottle of stainless polish my parents had brought from the States, and Ray installed a new battery charger for the generator we had them pack in their luggage for us. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/img_9128-1.jpg) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/img_9127-1.jpg) My mom has helped me cook all our meals from scratch, but we heard the restaurant at the resort in Nuku Hiva recently reopened, so we look forward to paying them a visit this week! The plan is to leave Tahuata tonight to return to Nuku Hiva, where my parents fly out in a few days. We’ll hang out there a while longer, then start heading West. Thank you all for sticking with us! I hope you had a great week. ❤️ ### Behind the Scenes: February 2025 URL: https://svsabado.com/behind-the-scenes-february-2025/ Last updated: 2026-06-24T08:13:08.000Z We submitted the necessary paperwork for insurance renewal and will share the cost with you once we hear back… (read more) _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### January 2025: Behind the Scenes URL: https://svsabado.com/january-2025-behind-the-scenes/ Last updated: 2026-06-24T08:13:34.000Z We appreciate your support, and we hope you find these reports valuable. Here is a bullet point list of things we dealt with in January 2025… (read more) _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### 2 Years of Behind-the-Scenes Reports URL: https://svsabado.com/2-years-of-behind-the-scenes-reports/ Last updated: 2026-06-25T18:41:58.000Z We have officially posted two years of monthly behind-the-scenes reports! What originally started as an attempt to show what living on a boat is *really* like has turned into a way to track our maintenance and expenses as we continue our journey around the world. We are constantly learning and trying to improve our vessel. We hope you’ve learned something along the way, too! We’ve rounded up some fun statistics to reminisce on the past two years. We will continue publishing these reports for the rest of our circumnavigation, but they will only be for our Crew and VIP members (join [here](https://svsabado.com/subscribe/)!). Thank you for your support; it means the world to us! **First Behind the Scenes Report:** [January 2023](https://svsabado.com/january-2023-behind-the-scenes/) **Most viewed Behind the Scenes Report:** [March 2024](https://svsabado.com/march-2024-behind-the-scenes/) **Frequently mentioned:** ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/6ba06edf-83f5-4362-8442-9f83dc540c59-1.jpg) - We wrote about repairing our factory NV helm enclosure 6 times before finally replacing it. The NV enclosure was incredibly thin and did not use UV-resistant thread, so over time, the stitches disintegrated, and the eisenglass yellowed, clouded up and crumbled. - We mentioned polishing our stainless steel 19 times! We try to polish once a month to keep Sabado rust-free. [This](https://a.co/d/0HMIpjX?ref=svsabado.com) is our favorite polish. - We had issues with our indoor fans 5 times, although I suspect it was more than that. They often start whining and must be removed, cleaned, and lubricated. We switched the fan in our cabin out for the Caframo “elite” model, which sits farther away from the wall and moves noticeably more air. We’d love to switch them all out if it ever fits into our budget. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/img_8915-1.jpg) - We’ve had a number of generator problems, including a failed water pump, a clogged exhaust elbow, and a blown capacitor. **Projects/upgrades we wish we’d done earlier:** - [Using soft shackles to attach anchor bridle to chain](https://svsabado.com/october-2023-behind-the-scenes/) - After a headsail mishap that had our chunky metal Mantus chain hook soaring through the air toward Ray’s head, we switched to soft shackles. They work just as well and, most importantly, feel safer. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/img_5988.jpg) - LiFePO4 house batteries - Going from AGM to Lithium was a game changer for us! Watch our video series on the process [here](https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLulZzWW05bHc-aIti1N5JEQX31SYpo05n&si=F9ty-ZqLBCcx6irN&ref=svsabado.com). - [New dinghy outboard engine ](https://svsabado.com/august-2023-behind-the-scenes/) - We ditched our unreliable Yamaha 20hp 4-stroke outboard and replaced it with the Yamaha Enduro (2-stroke 25hp) and have never looked back! ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/img_8128.jpg) - [New anchor chain ](https://svsabado.com/november-2024-behind-the-scenes/) - We have 320 feet of galvanized chain, which allows us to safely anchor in the deep anchorages we’ve found in French Polynesia. - Cooler for snorkel gear - We bought a [cooler with a cushion](https://www.amazon.com/shop/hollyandray/list/18E6ESCSN9ZQE?ref%5F=cm%5Fsw%5Fr%5Fapin%5Faipsflist%5FYQ6VA8ERFS826TB5SMJF&language=en%5FUS&ref=svsabado.com) the same height as our cockpit seating to store our snorkel gear and double as a bench seat. It’s easy to access and clean, and overall, it has been a much better storage setup than we had before. **Haul-outs:** ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/img_6626-1.jpg) You don’t see many folks sharing their haul-out expenses, but we do! We’ve hauled out three times since we started posting these reports: - [Saint Martin haul out 1](https://svsabado.com/march-2023-behind-the-scenes/) - This haul out included routine maintenance, as well as the removal and replacement of all our thru-hulls. - [Saint Martin haul out 2 ](https://svsabado.com/january-2024-behind-the-scenes/) - This haul out included crossbeam corrosion repairs, spinnaker halyard backing plates, and a backup autopilot to prepare for our Pacific crossing. - [Tahiti haul out ](https://svsabado.com/december-2024-behind-the-scenes/) - This haul out included sail drive shaft and seal replacement. **Honorable mention:** - [Panama Canal Transit](https://svsabado.com/february-2024-behind-the-scenes/) - This post includes all the fees we paid to transit the Panama Canal. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/facetune_13-03-2024-16-38-36-1.jpg) - [Pacific Crossing Roundup](https://svsabado.com/pacific-crossing-roundup/) - This is not a traditional monthly report, but it includes many behind-the-scenes details like applying for our long stay visa, provisioning, and links to all of the content we made about our 27-day crossing from Panama to French Polynesia. We hope you’ve enjoyed reading these reports as much as we’ve enjoyed making them! If you’d like to read future behind-the-scenes reports, gain access to our Document Library and other exclusive content, [join the Crew or become a VIP](https://svsabado.com/subscribe/) today! ### Settling in for Cyclone Season URL: https://svsabado.com/settling-in-for-cyclone-season/ Last updated: 2025-01-26T12:00:00.000Z *A Week Aboard S/V Sabado: 1/19/2025 - 1/26/2025* **Happy Sunday!** *There is no video this week; check back next week!* Last Sunday was our first full cloudy day in a while. We decided to run the generator after breakfast, and about 30 minutes in, we heard a grinding noise, followed by the generator overheating and shutting down. We spent the rest of the day trying to fix it: the impeller looked brand new, and the strainer did have a small fish in it, but cleaning it out did not solve the problem. Eventually, Ray took off the exhaust elbow, and sure enough, the interior was coated with a thick layer of buildup. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/img_8914-1.jpg) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/img_8913-1.jpg) He chipped away at it with a screwdriver for a while before remembering we had a spare. Our generator’s engine was modified to be a marine model, so the spare exhaust elbow the manufacturer sent us was a different shape than what we had. It’s usable, but we couldn’t close the cover with it on. We fumbled around with it briefly before deciding we’d be better off trying to clean up the old one. We taped up one end and poured a bit of Barnacle Buster inside. It immediately began bubbling, and the elbow was cleared shortly thereafter. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/img_8912-1.jpg) We reattached it the next day and ran the generator for a few hours without issue. Woohoo! Admittedly, we have become increasingly irritated with our generator and are looking into removing it soon. I spent the rest of the day using every last drop of stainless polish we had on Sabado’s exterior. I haven’t found any available here, so we’ll see how long I’ll be able to keep her rust-free! We woke up the next morning to some extra company in the anchorage… ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/img_8909-1.jpg) We’d seen the [Silver Shadow](https://www.silversea.com/ships/silver-shadow.html?ref=svsabado.com) here and there in the Society Islands: Tahiti, Moorea, Bora Bora. However, we were surprised to see it venture this far off the beaten path. This luxury cruise ship is much smaller than the ones we’d see in the Caribbean, with only 382 passengers (compared to 3,000+ on a Carnival cruise, for example). I looked up their itinerary online, and they have a couple of stops in the Marquesas, Tuamotus, and Cook Islands! We watched as the lifeboats carried their guests to and from shore all day. That afternoon, we got to thinking: Between [Starlink and eSIMs](https://svsabado.com/internet-at-sea-how-we-stay-connected-while-exploring-the-world/), we rarely reach for our physical guide books anymore. We sorted through our library and decided to lug several bags of books ashore to donate to the local yacht services shop, lightening our load and freeing up some valuable storage space! Hopefully, they’ll be of use to a fellow cruiser. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/img_8908-1.jpg) We walked to the chandlery to purchase a new furling line since our old one was too worn to re-splice. Thankfully, they had the size and length we needed in stock! We’ve been unable to locate a new splicing tool or splicing tool alternative (we’ve heard your suggestions to use a metal hanger, but all of ours are plastic, and there’s nowhere to buy any here!). So, we dropped the new line off at the local fix-if guy’s boat, who was able to use his tools to splice it later that afternoon. Sabado is now rigged and ready to fly headsails again! By Wednesday, we decided it was finally time to clean up the cockpit. That’s right; we’d left all the tools, parts, and rags we’d used for the generator repair out for *days*. Sometimes, the most challenging part of a boat project is getting things out and putting them back- you have to move 20 things out of the way to access the one thing you need. It was a sweaty job, but we rewarded ourselves with a glass of wine on the bow once everything was neat and tidy. This view never gets old! ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/img_8888.jpg) We spent the rest of the week killing time. Cyclone season is our “off-season,” so we’re trying to embrace the slower pace that comes with limited cruising grounds. We’re on the lookout for a weather window to leave Nuku Hiva, but those seem far and few between. We can’t complain; this is an easy place to hang out. We got a bit of rain yesterday, but it’s been pleasant otherwise. The grocery store is small and expensive, but the local produce market has been such a treat. We’ve been stuffing ourselves with fresh fruit! However, it’s hard to ignore the itch to go sailing… I hope you have a great week. ❤️ ### Island Life: Exploring and Searching for Parts URL: https://svsabado.com/island-life-exploring-and-searching-for-parts/ Last updated: 2025-01-19T12:00:00.000Z *A Week Aboard S/V Sabado: 1/12/2025 - 1/19/2025* **Hello and Happy Sunday!** *Did you see our latest [YouTube video](https://youtu.be/RfLDl6SL0u4?ref=svsabado.com)? Crew & VIP members can watch it ad-free [here](https://svsabado.com/update-and-ad-free-video-for-crew-and-vips/).* Last Sunday, we cleaned, polished the stainless steel, and baked a fresh batch of [sourdough bagels](https://littlespoonfarm.com/sourdough-bagels-recipe/?ref=svsabado.com). I haven't seen cream cheese in a while, but surprisingly they have those spreadable Laughing Cow triangles here, which are the next best thing! ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/img_8839-1.jpg) After snapping our splicing tool in half last week, leaving us unable to repair the furling line for our headsails, we were eager to visit the local chandlery Monday morning in search of a new one. We took the dinghy to shore bright and early to complete the errand before it got too hot. Unfortunately, they did not have what we needed. We began the walk back to the dinghy dock, stopping by the tourism office to arrange a rental car. We figured we could explore the island and check out a few other stores that might have what we need with a vehicle! ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/img_8798-1.jpg) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/img_8836-1.jpg) We spent Tuesday relaxing at home, researching sightseeing spots and hardware store locations. That afternoon, we had a video call with one of our [VIP members](https://svsabado.com/subscribe/) who was having some generator issues on their boat. Thankfully, it was an easy fix! Sometimes, you just need another set of eyes on things… We caught the tail end of the fish market Wednesday morning when we went to shore to pick up our rental car. We watched as they cleaned their catch and fed the scraps to the sharks. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/img_8834-1.jpg) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/img_8833-1.jpg) We grabbed a map and climbed into our pickup truck. Good news: Ray remembers how to drive! It’s been a long time since either of us has been behind the wheel. My license expired over a year ago! There’s only one road on the island, so we picked a direction and headed out. Nuku Hiva is the largest of the Marquesas Islands, with a steep, rocky coastline. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/img_8832-1.jpg) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/img_8831-1.jpg) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/img_8830-1.jpg) The population is around 3,000 and is predominantly Polynesian, with a small percentage of Europeans (mainly from Metropolitan France). Although the island is not a popular tourist destination compared to Tahiti and Bora Bora, it is well-suited for cruisers, with plenty of bays, shore access, and an impressive produce market. They also filmed [season 4 of Survivor](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Survivor:%5FMarquesas?ref=svsabado.com) here! ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/img_8827-1.jpg) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/img_8838-1.jpg) We stopped at an ATM, drove through the small villages, scoped out the other anchorages, and walked along a few beaches before making it to the hardware store. It was larger than we expected, and we scored some parchment paper (a rare find!) and a razor blade but no splicing tool. We reached out to the local “fix-it guy,” who agreed to try splicing our line using his tools, and he picked up the line later that day. Ray used the razor blade to clean up the teak repair we did a couple of weeks ago. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/img_8823.jpg) We spent Friday on the boat, finishing up our latest YouTube video and chatting about our route for next cruising season. Cyclone season ends in late April/early May, and we plan to slowly make our way to New Zealand, stopping in the Cook Islands, Tonga, Fiji, Vanuatu… Let us know if you have any recommendations! We heard back about the furling line- he couldn’t splice it either, so we’ll be looking for a new one when the shops open back up on Monday. The wind has begun to pick up here, but the sunshine and blue skies have held strong. We’ve kept our bow and cockpit sun shades up to help mitigate the afternoon heat, but the steady breeze on the boat has made it quite comfortable. We won’t mind staying a while longer… ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/img_8835-1.jpg) I hope you had a great week. ❤️ ### Extending Our Stay in Nuku Hiva URL: https://svsabado.com/extending-our-stay-in-nuku-hiva/ Last updated: 2025-01-12T12:00:00.000Z *A Week Aboard S/V Sabado: 1/05/2025 1/12/2025* **Hi there!** *This week’s video was for our Crew & VIPs only: we took you along for a day in the life on anchor in Nuku Hiva. [Join here](https://svsabado.com/subscribe/) to watch! We also posted a [new recipe](https://svsabado.com/brown-butter-honey-cinnamon-banana-bread/) for our favorite banana bread! Did you see it?* Despite everything being closed, we were able to score some salami and cheese ashore on Sunday morning. We spent the rest of the day enjoying the sunny, calm anchorage and tackling a few chores. While cleaning out our fridge, I found a half carton of cream I knew we wouldn’t use before it spoiled, so I decided to turn it into butter. I’ve never made butter before, but I delusionally believe I can figure out just about anything. I don’t have an electric mixer, so I plugged in my trusty immersion blender and got to work. In about 10 minutes, it began to separate. I saved the buttermilk, salted my butter, and set it in the fridge to firm up. Surprisingly, making it in the afternoon heat didn’t seem to cause any issues- once refrigerated, it became a normal block of butter! ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/img_8605.jpg) I used the buttermilk to make biscuits, and we ate them with sausage gravy and the rest of our eggs for dinner that night. We haven’t seen eggs at the shop in quite a while, but this meal was 100% worthy of our last few. I love breakfast for dinner! On Wednesday, we ventured to shore, hoping to get a closer look at the massive tiki statue overlooking our anchorage. We wandered uphill, shaded by bright red blossoming trees, until we reached the top. The views along the way were breathtaking! This is such a beautiful island. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/img_8666-1.jpg) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/img_8663-1.jpg) The female tiki stands 12m tall atop Tuhiva Hill and is known as the Guardian of Tradition and Knowledge. Behind her stands a smaller male tiki, representing a warrior imposing his power. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/img_8664-1.jpg) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/img_8638.jpg) When we first arrived, a group of local kids were playing games in the shadow of the sculptures. We attempted to fly our drone to get a better view of the bay, but the nearby helicopter pad made this a no-fly zone. We’d been watching the weather for nearly two weeks now for a window to sail to Tahuata, the home of our favorite anchorage in the Marquesas with clear water and a sandy beach. It finally looked like one was materializing on Saturday. So, we made a final stop at the grocery store and local produce market to reprovision before we left. Fruit is plentiful here, but vegetables can be challenging to find, so we were thrilled to pick up some tomatoes, peppers, cabbage, and the usual mangoes, pamplemousse, and pineapple. Ray made a batch of simple syrup and steeped the pineapple peel in water. He used both, plus some fresh pineapple, gin, and soda water, to make a delicious cocktail that evening. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/img_8672-1.jpg) We had planned to depart Nuku Hiva on Saturday afternoon. So, our morning was peaceful. Between cups of coffee and breakfast, we slowly began our pre-departure inspections and got the boat ready to move again. With light winds and calm seas in the forecast, we knew we’d want to fly a big headsail, so we reshaped and reattached [our rogue bobstay](https://svsabado.com/december-2024-behind-the-scenes/) to the bowsprit- which is when Ray noticed the furler was out of whack, with one part of the guide bent inward, puncturing the line. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/img_8670-1.jpg) (This photo was taken after bending it back into place) We still have no idea how this happened, but seeing the damage to the furler leads us to believe it was something with a lot of force! Perhaps a [FAD](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fish%5Faggregating%5Fdevice?ref=svsabado.com) went right between our hulls, grabbing the bobstay on its way? We’d love to hear your theories… He brought the furler into the cockpit and bent it back into place, but the line had been compromised and needed to be trimmed and respliced. He worked on it for ages, but splicing old lines is tough- so tough that our splicing tool snapped in half. Without that tool, we were screwed. It was 12:45pm, and the chandlery closed at noon. We’re not sure they will have what we need, but we’d rather wait until they reopen on Monday than motor 100 miles. We were disappointed, but honestly, we’ve been in far worse situations. Ray made us a couple of gin and tonics, and we’ll make the most of our newly extended time in Nuku Hiva! I hope you had a great week. ❤️ ### Brown Butter Honey Cinnamon Banana Bread URL: https://svsabado.com/brown-butter-honey-cinnamon-banana-bread/ Last updated: 2026-08-02T01:54:23.000Z ## Brown Butter Honey Cinnamon Banana Bread ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/frenchtoast.jpg) Another bread machine recipe we can’t stop making! - 3 large overripe bananas - 1/2 c salted butter, browned - 2 eggs - 1/2 c honey - 2 tsp vanilla extract - 1/2 tsp salt - 1 tsp baking soda - 1 tsp baking powder - 2 c all purpose flour - 1 tsp cinnamon Brown the butter in a small saucepan over medium heat until it turns a deep amber color. Allow it to cool while you assemble the rest of the wet ingredients: mash three large overripe bananas, about 1c total. Add two eggs, honey, and vanilla, then mix in the cooled brown butter. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/brownbutter.jpg) Pour the wet ingredients into your bread pan, and add the dry ingredients on top: flour, salt, cinnamon, baking powder, and baking soda. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/bananabreadmix.jpg) Set your bread machine to the quick bread setting, light crust. As it starts mixing, scrape the sides and corners with a rubber spatula to ensure all the dry ingredients get combined. Let your machine do the rest! Allow your loaf to fully cool before slicing. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/browbutterbananabread.jpg) **Eat it Sabado Style:** as French toast, with maple syrup and extra bananas, of course! ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/frenchtoast.jpg) **If you try it, send us a pic on Instagram @sv\_sabado!** ### Relaxation & Recuperation in Nuku Hiva URL: https://svsabado.com/relaxation-recuperation-in-nuku-hiva/ Last updated: 2025-01-05T12:00:00.000Z *A Week Aboard S/V Sabado: 12/29/2024 - 1/05/2025* **Hello hello! Happy New Year!** *Did you see [our latest YouTube video](https://youtu.be/EMmtaomqSo4?si=JqPRIst2PeM4PfbW&ref=svsabado.com)? Crew & VIPs can watch it ad-free [here](https://svsabado.com/2025-videos/), plus an [exclusive year-in-review video](https://svsabado.com/2024-year-in-review/) where we discuss our favorite memories of 2024, what we wish we’d done differently, and our goals for 2025\. :)* It has been a week of relaxation and recuperation for us. After setting up our sunshade, we spent all day Sunday lounging on the bow. Ray brought the cushions from our top deck to the trampolines, and we rotated between them and the bean bag chairs, kicking back and staring at the beautiful mountains of Nuku Hiva. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/img_8564.jpg) We ventured to shore on Monday, stopping by the chandlery and the produce market. The island is carpeted in lush greenery, and the trees are loaded with flowers or fruit. The air smells sweet and floral. There are women with folding tables overflowing with mangos, tomatoes, and limes to sell! ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/img_8595-1.jpg) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/img_8591-1.jpg) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/img_8592-1.jpg) We were able to pick up what we needed to complete a project that’s been on our to-do list for a while: repairing the teak on our port-side sugar scoop. A portion of the teak has separated from the fiberglass, allowing water to get underneath. Ray was able to lift and apply adhesive to the affected portions to reattach them to the deck. We used what we had to weigh it down while the adhesive dried- including boxes of canned vegetables, heavy books, jugs of teak cleaner and tools. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/img_8598-1.jpg) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/img_8599-1.jpg) We also dropped off three giant bags of laundry at the Yacht Services building- a total luxury for us. We somehow used every towel we own between our rough passage here and cleaning the boat afterward. We had every intention to head to shore Tuesday evening to ring in the new year, but when the time came, we opted to stay home. We were still feeling quite fatigued. Instead, I baked some cookies and Ray made us a cocktail using some fresh mango and passion fruit. We had dinner together, watched a TV show, and went to bed early. I spent the day Wednesday editing a video while Ray did some boat maintenance tasks (changing the engine impellers and cleaning one of the anti-siphon valves that was leaking). He discovered a wad of plastic fibers in the raw water strainer. Could this have been the cause of the water in our sail drive? ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/img_8559.jpg) We went to shore Thursday morning to pick up our laundry and walk to the hardware store. It was a beautiful walk, and the sunshine felt so good! We gawked at the plethora of pamplemousse growing on every corner. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/img_8594-1.jpg) Unfortunately, the hardware store was still closed for the New Year holiday. So, we made the trek back to the dinghy dock, stopping to purchase a bottle of wine on the way. It was a beautiful evening. I love watching the mountains turn gold as the sun sets. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/img_8597-1.jpg) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/img_8600-1.jpg) We got some rain on Friday and Saturday. We’d been spoiled with constant sunshine since our arrival in the Marquesas, so we couldn’t help but roll our eyes when we heard the rain hitting the fiberglass. At least here, the rain storms have been brief, and there seems always to be a patch of blue sky peaking through! We discussed our plans for next cruising season and reassessed our list of future projects/upgrades. Sorry for the short update, we really have just been resting! We have zero plans for today. What about you? I hope you had a great week. ❤️ ### December 2024: Behind the Scenes URL: https://svsabado.com/december-2024-behind-the-scenes/ Last updated: 2026-06-25T18:42:35.000Z Every month, we publish an unfiltered list of things we dealt with while living full-time on our sailing catamaran. We hope these monthly behind-the-scenes reports give you a better idea of what boat life is really like! **If you’d like to support our efforts and gain access to even more behind-the-scenes content (tech details, wiring diagrams, exclusive updates, ad-free videos)** [**join our Crew or become a VIP!**](https://svsabado.com/subscribe/) Here is the roundup for December 2024: - We noticed severe chafe on our first reefing line, so Ray cut out the affected portion. - I polished our stainless steel once. I am nearly out of polish and hope to find more in the Marquesas. - We hauled out at [Technimarine ](https://www.technimarine.pf/?ref=svsabado.com)in Tahiti after discovering water in our starboard sail drive. Raiatea has a more affordable haul-out facility, but we are only insured in Tahiti, Moorea, Tuamotus, and the Marquesas during cyclone season. Here is the breakdown of our final invoice, converted to USD: - Haul out, pressure wash, stalling of boat, splash: $1729.59 - Daily storage fee: $150.41; we stayed for 16 days - Accommodation: \~$100 per night - Mechanical work (removing propellor, oil seal, cleaning of all parts, removing axis on both sides): $591.73 We had an excellent experience at Technimarine. Had we not found issues beyond the sail drive seals, their staff would have had us in and out there in 24 hours. - We did not find an obvious cause of the leak in our sail drive. However, we were surprised to see significant wear on the port shaft. This shaft did not seal from the factory and had two speedi sleeves pressed on. A deep groove had been worn into the shaft ahead of where the sleeves were installed. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/img_8107-1-1.jpg) The mechanics agreed it was best to repair or replace the shaft. We hoped to find a machine shop to build up the metal around the groove and grind it back down to spec, but no one could do that in Tahiti. We began contacting shops out of the country but were quoted a minimum 2-week lead time to complete the job. When exploring replacement options, we were quoted 4X the price for a new shaft in Tahiti. To purchase it in the USA and have it shipped to Tahiti, a $200 agent fee is required, and in our experience, it takes weeks to clear a package through customs. Factoring in the price of yard time, purchasing a new shaft in the USA and a round-trip flight to pick it up was the cheapest option. So, that’s what we did. Thank you, [Just Catamarans](https://justcatamarans.net/?ref=svsabado.com), for assembling our shaft with new gears and quickly getting it to us in Texas. We spent $1,472.36 for the shaft and \~$500 on airfare. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/img_8542-1.jpg) - While reattaching the propellers, we noticed the mechanic forgot the unique washer that bends in two places, securing the bolt on our flexofold props. We reminded him and watched him bend it incorrectly, cracking the tab 75% of the way. Thankfully, we had a spare, reviewed the manual with him, and got it right the third time. One part bends forward, the other bends backward. We always insist on doing the work ourselves or keep a close eye on the person doing it. This is how it should look when installed properly: ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/img_8308-1.jpg) - We finally had the aft portions of our helm enclosure repaired by Sellerie Marine de Tahiti for $600\. We replaced the forward panels a couple of years ago but did not have room in our budget to do the rest. We have regretted that decision ever since. We’ve continually had to re-stitch and duct tape them together as the thread disintegrated and the plastic crumbled. With the heavy rain in French Polynesia, keeping the helm dry has become increasingly important. We are thrilled to have this checked off of our to-do list. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/img_8275-1.jpg) - While on anchor in Tahiti, we experienced 6 days of squalls bringing 40kn winds and thick sheets of rain. We were thankful to be in an empty anchorage with 280ft of [brand-new anchor chain](https://svsabado.com/november-2024-behind-the-scenes/) out (and to have a generator!). - We got our asses kicked during our passage from Tahiti to the Marquesas. An unforecasted storm swallowed us for three days as we sailed close hauled into 10-12ft seas, struggling to make any headway toward our destination. We turned downwind and ran with it for a while. At one point, we were able to maintain SOG 5kn with no engines on and no sails up. The trip took us 7 days and was our most challenging passage to date. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/img_8455-1-1.jpg) - While motoring to the Tuamotus, we heard a high-pitched whine from our starboard engine. A similar sound is what initially alerted us to the water in the sail drive, but upon inspection, there was none this time. We turned off our chargers to determine if it was coming from the alternator, but the sound persisted. We’ve concluded it may have been a singing prop. The sound went away after a few hours. - After a rough upwind passage, we realized one of our bobstays had detached from the bowsprit. There was minimal damage to the hull from the stainless whacking against it, nothing beyond the gel coat. We’ve never had this happen, and aren't sure what caused it. We should have done more thorough inspections while underway despite the sea state. We will have to reshape the attachment point before we can use the bow sprit again. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/untitled-1900-x-1080-px-1280-x-720-px-1.png) - Our starboard head was leaking around the base. Ray replaced the macerator motor, which stopped the leak. We kept the old motor and plan to rebuild it. - A portion of our teak on the portside sugarscoop has separated from the fiberglass, allowing water to get underneath. Ray pulled it up and added some adhesive to reattach it to the deck. - They’ve implemented a new monthly tax for cruisers in Nuku Hiva for household waste (obligatory, $9.16) and water (optional, $9.16) that we paid at the chandlery. **We hope you enjoyed this month’s behind-the-scenes report!** ### Our Worst Passage Yet URL: https://svsabado.com/our-worst-passage-yet/ Last updated: 2024-12-29T12:00:00.000Z *A Week Aboard S/V Sabado: 12/22/2024-12/29/1014* **Happy Holidays!** *Did you see [our latest video](https://youtu.be/D-mwBCxT6J4?si=xH-ydetUhHOsgXu3&ref=svsabado.com)? Crew and VIP members can watch it ad-free [here](https://svsabado.com/2024-videos/).* Last Sunday, while 10ft waves ravaged the boat, Ray noticed our toilet leaking. With no end in sight for these terrible conditions, he decided he might as well address it now. I sat at the helm in my PFD, tethered to Sabado as she slammed from side to side. Ray dug out the rubber gloves and braced himself while he got to work in our starboard forward head- the worst place to be in rough seas. I’ll spare you the icky details, but there was lots of gagging, cursing, and disinfectant needed. What a way to spend the day. Meanwhile, Sabado was making absolutely no progress toward our destination. In fact, we were moving backwards. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/still-2024-12-28-190149_1-1-5.jpg) By Monday, we found our situation quite comical. We’ve crossed the Pacific Ocean, yet *this* has been our most challenging passage. Mother Nature finally took an ounce of mercy on us, and we were able to point toward the Marquesas, although it was still wildly uncomfortable. The boat nose-dived into every wave, leaving the rig shuddering; it sounded like Sabado could break in half any minute. Trying to sleep was a waste of time. If we were lucky enough to drift off, we’d wake up in a panic minutes later from the noise. You’d be surprised what sort of crazy dreams your brain creates when you try to sleep amongst a chorus of chaos. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/still-2024-12-28-184901_1-1-10.jpg) We began playing a game we created earlier this season: every time you say something negative, you must say three positives. Here’s an example: This sucks, BUT at least it’s not raining! AND we're not seasick! AND we’re sailing, so we don’t have to worry about running out of fuel! Hahaha. Ray called me inside and asked if I had spilled my water bottle down the stairs. “No, why?” I asked. My eyes widened as he pointed to a puddle at the bottom of the steps down into our hull. I immediately assumed our escape hatch was leaking. I tasted the puddle; it was salt water, but the escape hatch was dry. We traced the droplets up to the ledge below the saloon window. We had taken a massive wave over the side of the boat… was our window leaking? We couldn’t see any part that looked compromised, and it was far above the waterline, so we decided to sop up the puddle and investigate later when we were on anchor. At this point, we were just in survival mode. Tuesday marked day 7 of our passage from Tahiti to the Marquesas. We had made excellent progress overnight and were set to arrive in Nuku Hiva late that afternoon, *finally*. It was Christmas Eve. We continued bashing upwind all morning, eventually changing our destination to Ua Pou, a smaller island nearby that would shave 4-5 hours off our trip. We were desperate to drop anchor and get some rest. As we approached the anchorage, a pod of spinner dolphins came to greet us. It was too rough to go up on the bow to watch them play, but we cheered them on from the helm as they frolicked in the waves. Surely this was a good omen, signifying the hard part was over… Right? ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/still-2024-12-28-184901_1-1-13.jpg) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/still-2024-12-28-184901_1-1-12.jpg) The anchorage was empty, and towering cliffs surrounded us. We found a nice sandy spot and got settled, pouring a glass of wine and sitting in our salt-soaked cockpit. Those were some conditions we wouldn’t wish on anyone! We debriefed and devised a to-do list to get the boat back in order while we watched the waves crash on the nearby rocks, but first, we were due for a good night’s sleep. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/still-2024-12-28-184901_1-1-7.jpg) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/still-2024-12-28-184901_1-1-5.jpg) We were rocked out of bed on Christmas morning. The anchorage was so rolly we may as well have still been underway! No wonder we were the only boat there. We sipped our coffee, discussing how much longer we could endure this swell. I typically try to make the holidays we spend isolated special, baking cookies and planning months in advanced so we have a gift to open, but this year, I could not muster the energy to do anything. We video chatted with our family and decided to stay in Ua Pou for a couple of days, get Sabado cleaned up, then move to Nuku Hiva when there was a lull in the wind. Ray was looking at the bow when he noticed we were missing a bobstay. When did that happen?! And how did we not notice?! It had completely detached from the bowsprit and bashed up against the hull for who knows how long. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/untitled-1900-x-1080-px-1280-x-720-px.jpg) Admittedly, we did not conduct very thorough inspections during this passage, so we were worried the powerful waves had whacked that hunk of stainless steel into our hull, potentially doing some damage below the waterline. I immediately got in, but with the murky water and the hull aggressively bobbing up and down, it was hard to get a clear look. I could feel the divots and see some missing bottom paint, but I couldn’t tell if it went beyond the gel coat in the smaller spots. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/still-2024-12-28-184901_1-1-8.jpg) There were six clusters of small chips. In a moment of panic, we looked into haul-out options in the Marquesas; hull damage is not something we’d like to half-ass a repair on. Unfortunately, we are too heavy for the one facility here, so we’d have to return to Tahiti if necessary. After the passage we just endured, that sent a shiver down our spine… However, the spots are so small, in theory, we could probably get away with underwater epoxy for a while. If we were going to do that, a calmer environment and some scuba gear would be helpful. We spent the rest of the day stressing out about this. We found the pin and circle clip that attaches the bobstay to the bowsprit on the trampolines. We still have no idea how this happened, but it managed to bend the attachment point so much that we’ll have to reshape it before we can rig up our headsails again. It was not a very jolly way to spend Christmas Day. After, we passed the time cleaning the boat and putting everything away from our passage. When the sea state is that bad, we try to minimize our time down below, so we had accumulated lots of clothing, pillows, snacks, toothbrushes, lotion, etc., at the helm and throughout our general living spaces. We had tracked saltwater in on our feet, leaving the floors wet and crusty... Everything needed some attention. We did our best, but the anchorage was so bouncy, we found ourselves feeling wobbly and frustrated more than clean and refreshed. The second the wind calmed down, we motor sailed over to Nuku Hiva and got a second set of eyes on our hull. For once, we got some excellent news: no damage past the gel coat. Sabado was okay. ❤️ We took the dinghy to shore and walked to the nearest grocery store to grab some booze to celebrate- finally, we could relax. Nuku Hiva is even more beautiful than I remember! The bay is calm with plenty of room and good holding. Plus, it smells like every flower and fruit tree are in bloom. We are looking forward to spending some more time here. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/still-2024-12-28-190440_1-1-1-1.jpg) I hope you had a great week. ❤️ ### Surprise, Surprise: More Bad Weather in French Polynesia URL: https://svsabado.com/surprise-surprise-more-bad-weather-in-french-polynesia/ Last updated: 2024-12-22T12:00:00.000Z *A Week Aboard S/V Sabado: 12/15/2024 - 12/22/2024* Last Sunday, we basked in the morning sun. It’d been a week since we’d seen blue sky. I took the opportunity to run to shore for one last grocery haul, topping off our fresh fruit and veggie supply. We were planning to leave for Tuamotus on Tuesday. Thankfully, I made it back to the boat before the familiar grey clouds swallowed us whole once again. We opened a bottle of wine and spent the rest of the day sitting in the saloon, listening to music and swapping conspiracy theories while the rain poured and the wind howled. We were grateful to be the only boat in an anchorage with an all-sand bottom. No need to worry about someone dragging into us or floating our anchor chain over coral. This has been the closest we’ve come to relaxing in a while. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/img_8379-1.jpg) The sunshine had returned Monday morning, and we watched the local sailing club buzz around the bay. Despite a calm forecast for our pending passage, I did some meal prep while Ray put the last of his tools away from our haul-out projects, getting the boat ready to move again. I have no problem cooking underway in most conditions, but you can never be too prepared here. After all, [the last time](https://svsabado.com/paradise-isnt-perfect-the-struggles-of-boat-maintenance-in-tahiti/) the forecast said 3-5kn of wind and calm seas, it was 27kn on the nose with 6ft seas. We left Tuesday morning around 10am. There was no wind, ideal conditions for the direction we were going. We motored the entire day, taking shifts at the helm and lounging in swimsuits- a welcome change from our recent routine. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/img_8460-1.jpg) As liveaboards, you either love or hate passage-making. I’ve always loved it. No matter the conditions, there’s something deeply satisfying about being completely self-reliant. You focus on the basics: eat, sleep, hydrate, keep the crew safe, and keep the vessel moving—nothing else matters. You never know what conditions will be thrown at you or what might break. You just have to trust your ability to deal with whatever comes. It's somehow simultaneously refreshing and challenging. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/img_8461-1.jpg) Squalls lined the horizon at sunset. The bioluminescence glittered around us, illuminating our wake. We could feel the static electricity in the air, and our apparent wind speed began showing crazy numbers, a telltale sign of lightning nearby. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/img_8458-1.jpg) We cautiously motored on but began hearing a high-pitched whine from our starboard engine, the same sound that led us to [discover water in our sail drive](https://svsabado.com/now-what-heading-east-for-cyclone-season/) last month. It was so loud it woke me up. I alerted Ray to the noise and took the helm while he climbed into the engine compartment to investigate. We exchanged concerned glances. Did we not solve the problem? Was [this entire haul out](https://svsabado.com/home-sweet-home/) worthless? ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/img_8419-1.jpg) We both sighed in relief when we saw no water in the oil, but what was causing the noise then? We bounced ideas around: maybe it’s the alternator, so let's turn off charging and see if it stops. Nope. Do we hear it at different RPMs? What if we turn off that engine and now stick your head in the other engine compartment… this went on for an hour or so before we settled on the idea of a singing prop: a high-pitched noise similar to a ringing wine glass caused by fluid circulation and vortex shedding. If you’d like to nerd out on this topic, I found [this brief technical report](https://svsabado.com/content/files/hydrocompinc-com/wp-content/uploads/documents/hc138-singingpropellers.pdf) very interesting! We closed the engine compartment and continued motoring through the night. The sound eventually faded away. On Wednesday, the updated weather forecast showed high winds and lightning in the Tuamotus. We’d been watching the weather patterns throughout French Polynesia for a while now, and it seems like any time the Tuamotus or Society Islands get hammered, it’s been pretty pleasant in the Marquesas. So, we decided to alter course to Tahuata, powering through instead of stopping in Tuamotus, more than doubling the length of this passage. We’re desperate for a break from this weather. The jump from the Tuamotus to the Marquesas is notoriously rough, beating into the wind and waves. Conditions started picking up Wednesday night, and we spent all day Thursday dodging squalls, sailing periodically but predominantly motoring to maintain enough speed to stay ahead of the trailing lightning storms. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/img_8418-1.jpg) We made great time and sailed all day Friday in 15-20kn of wind. We had a reef in the main and our full jib out, ignoring the sloppy sea state; we were just happy to be moving sans diesel. The waves grew as the sun began to set. We were getting tossed around in every direction. I ate dinner from a mixing bowl at the helm (fewer dishes = less time inside = less seasickness). Our watch shifts were very active that night, altering course to dodge squall after squall. I woke up Saturday morning to the sound of Ray starting our engines and dropping the sails- we were seeing 40kn+ winds out of nowhere. The rain began to pour. We turned slightly downwind, taking the brunt of the waves on our beam while attempting to stay vaguely on course. Eventually, the waves grew too large, forcing us to turn fully downwind and run with it. The storm was growing in every direction, and we were right in the middle. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/img_8455-1.jpg) Heading nowhere near our destination with no idea of when this would end, we decided to turn off our engines to conserve fuel. With no sails and no motors, we were still maintaining SOG 5kn. So, we kicked back for a while. I managed to make a big pot of spaghetti despite the 10ft waves. The wind began to die down a few hours later, but the sea state was still too rough to turn up and hoist the sails. Photos never do these conditions justice; it was gnarly, you’ll just have to trust us. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/img_8456-1.jpg) We were able to get the sails up around 2pm but struggled to make headway toward our destination. The wind kept shifting, picking up, and dying. We tried to adjust the sails in response but couldn’t keep up. We furled in the jib and tried to get back on course using our engines, but there was just too much water moving against us; we were burning a lot of diesel and getting nowhere. We made the call to turn around an hour later, bringing the jib back out and shaking out a reef in the main. The wind shifted again, then completely died, but the sea state remained relentless. We felt like we were being pranked! We evaluated our options and decided to turn back toward the Marquesas. We had less than 250 miles to go, and we’re tough! We can do this! I took the helm for the rest of the day so Ray could rest. It isn’t easy to sleep when you feel like you’re inside a washing machine. This storm started during his night watch shift, and he’s been awake ever since. I at least got a couple hours’ rest before things took a turn for the worse. We were hoping to get back to posting on YouTube this week, but it has been impossible to look at my laptop for more than ten minutes these past few days, it’s actually a miracle I was able to type this out! Conditions only got worse overnight. The wind speed stayed around 30kn, so we sailed with the main and jib reefed way down. Some of the most powerful waves I’ve ever felt slapped us from all directions. It seemed like pure chaos until the moon finally rose at midnight, helping me feel a little less disoriented. We had to dramatically change course, again, and have no idea what tomorrow will bring, or where we’ll end up. Wish us luck! I hope you had a great week. ❤️ ### Home Sweet Home URL: https://svsabado.com/home-sweet-home/ Last updated: 2024-12-15T12:00:00.000Z *A Week Aboard S/V Sabado: 12/08/2024 - 12/15/2024* **Hello and Happy Sunday!** *We posted an* [*exclusive video*](https://svsabado.com/were-floating/) *for our Crew and VIPs—did you see it?* Last Sunday, we made the 40-minute trek from our Airbnb to the boatyard in the wet Tahiti heat. No matter how early in the morning we get going, we’re always drenched in sweat by the time we get there. Ray has been trying to wax the boat all week, but with the various sawing, sanding, and grinding going on in the yard, it has been impossible to keep the boat clean enough to wax. So, he used everyone’s day off to get it done. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/snapshot-09-12-2024-0858-1.jpg) We try our best to wax Sabado every six months. It’s infinitely easier to do when on the hard or at a dock. Wax protects and preserves the fiberglass, slowing down UV damage. Plus, it makes the boat nice and shiny! We hit the ground running Monday morning, getting to the yard right as they opened with our brand-new sail drive shaft in hand. Thanks again, [Just Catamarans](https://justcatamarans.net/?ref=svsabado.com)! They also sent us these cool new sunglasses. :) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/img_8356-1.jpg) The mechanics immediately got to work putting our sail drives and propellers back together. We were hoping to splash the following day. Ray kept a close eye on everything that was going on. ![](https://lh7-rt.googleusercontent.com/docsz/AD_4nXeP4jKbYF_OKSUH7d7K4t9-meO2qWjDp1Dyl9n9jLr5UDq7hkgntRLt5gDm7gcUtaW2md_fKOV_ZMN6bLiVxw81Oy2s-_AldwhPlMBrkXhgXDgOLhpXAGlzKZsRGpNPLL8S2nodZA?key=N7h7_53B40Em6ta65b_LeykS) Thankfully, he was able to intervene when he noticed one of the mechanics had forgotten to use the tabbed washer to secure our propeller. Ray reminded him and watched him incorrectly bend it into place, cracking the tab about 75% of the way through. Luckily, we had a spare. Ray reviewed the diagram from the manual with him before handing it over. Don't worry; he got it right that time, underscoring the importance of supervising projects if you aren’t doing the work yourself. This is how it looked before assembling the rest of it: one part bends forward, the other bends aft. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/img_8308.jpg) Once Sabado was put back together, I ran to the grocery store. I had defrosted and cleaned our refrigerator and freezer, as we were overdue for a big reprovision. I struggled through the [Carrefour](https://www.carrefour.com/en/group?ref=svsabado.com), pushing two carts, giggling at the ramen noodles, bulk spices, and sugary drinks section being labeled “100% American”. ![](https://lh7-rt.googleusercontent.com/docsz/AD_4nXdx6c-8DivHKlKW582IsX09HnGMPR4R-Z_zQHQElVny6HUMSjktr-pnYTDX8HUVYgdshJcKjjex8KzTmdBeOVXElU69kR3MTM2WxOny303gs9rLgkuDvupe9jTS8mEz2l5_JIpX?key=N7h7_53B40Em6ta65b_LeykS) I came out (surprisingly) under budget and took a taxi back to the boatyard. Ray helped me get everything up the ladder and stowed away before we began the long walk back to the apartment, stopping for a cold beer at the halfway point. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/img_8282-1.jpg) My alarm sounded at 4:30 on Tuesday morning. I dragged myself out of bed, packed our bags, and called a taxi. We had run out of coffee at the apartment, and there was no way I was making that walk uncaffeinated *with* our luggage. Today was splash day. We beat all the workers to the yard, unpacking our bags, disposing of garbage, and readying our lines and fenders. Thirty minutes before our launch, a squall ripped through, bringing a blanket of rain and winds up to 37kn. We waited in the saloon, watching anxiously. ![](https://lh7-rt.googleusercontent.com/docsz/AD_4nXcHRRFsgM6-LqMwuGp1jBaRCh_uYRKuSdIaovyit3A-Av68geQvQ43eWwvzENAPnlMJ7gAq3RN1I-bp2WH1ZXSTDOiVAM0sUgvCbTJDeI9qUJq6JWeg8YIiyWHg6SnwIZvqJBMC4g?key=N7h7_53B40Em6ta65b_LeykS) We were relieved as the wind began to settle and the rain subsided. I walked to the office and paid our final invoice, and by the time I got back, they had Sabado in the slings. ![](https://lh7-rt.googleusercontent.com/docsz/AD_4nXcxNmpDQ2pQXJ4bbwtDIMdU4_mo2FXvVhMNljqBbsgdsOANLdudaAmLDtnyTWoLl7qhba1jWWcqHtGQbPU6an-yqkiJlGDx0a261UiOEm7rphPbxnOr4rDGI5kOXS5JnN8X0gM9Bg?key=N7h7_53B40Em6ta65b_LeykS) We watched as they drove our home to the well. We climbed aboard and assumed our positions as they gently lowered us into the water. The lead mechanic came aboard to assist as we checked both engines/sail drives/props—all good! Ray expertly backed us out of the well and swiftly steered us toward our anchorage. We were racing against the weather. The sky grew more menacing by the minute, and we were hoping to get on anchor before the next squall hit. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/facetune_10-12-2024-08-36-40-1.jpg) We pulled into an empty bay and let out 280 feet of our brand-new chain. Ooooh, it feels good to have a proper scope out! We backed down just before the storm began, bringing 40kn winds and buckets of rain. ![](https://lh7-rt.googleusercontent.com/docsz/AD_4nXc_ntRIbn2xZoSzRjcHJvgyiwLTTvRapQS3pcnQ0xU3uaIQnnQ_Kp05Q4TUse0NhhzXR0Y0mrJLiKBbXL6ws2ySBqGeMRD5biialYWAkWKa2yqRuT8_7ACGFFM_QXqq-Ed3oYeq?key=N7h7_53B40Em6ta65b_LeykS) This weather pattern continued for the rest of the week. There would be a couple of hours of calm conditions- although still grey and gloomy- then vicious wind and copious amounts of rain for an hour, on repeat for four days. We were just happy to be home. Before Sabado, I had never felt homesick. I wasn’t very attached to where I lived, and a phone call with loved ones always sufficed. Now, I am desperate to return whenever I'm off the boat. I suppose Sabado is much more than a home- we spend all our time (and money) caring for her, and she takes care of us in return. It feels like a piece of my personality is missing when we’re on land. Despite the lousy weather, we are both infinitely more relaxed now. Plus, the chronic sniffles we had developed from the pollution in Papeete and sleeping in air conditioning disappeared within 24 hours. We’ve been cleaning, organizing, and cleaning some more ever since. After any period on the hard, Sabado is an absolute mess. Tools are strewn about, dirty footprints are everywhere, and dust and grease spots litter the deck. I’m also learning a new video editing software, which is a humbling experience, to say the least. So, most of my “downtime” has been spent consuming tutorials and working on our current footage. I’m hoping to get a public video out next week, but you can [join our Crew](https://svsabado.com/subscribe/) to watch the exclusive updates we’ve posted along the way. Yesterday morning, we spun around 180°. Despite the huge empty bay, a boat anchored right next to us. So, we kept an eye on them as the squalls continued rolling through, bouncing us around much more from this direction. As we were sitting down for lunch, we noticed a man swimming out to us from shore. We were pretty far out, and he didn’t have fins on, so we offered him a glass of water and sat on the sugar scoop, chatting for a bit. He was from France, here for a while for work, and swims for an hour a day for exercise. He’s working toward being able to swim from the public beach to the cliff opposite the bay. In broken English, he said that his “future project” is to learn to navigate a sailboat around Polynesia. He finished his water and began swimming back to shore. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/img_8370-1.jpg) We told him we’d keep an eye out for him today. The weather is not looking great for a trip to the Tuamotus any time soon, but we’re considering pushing through for a Monday departure. I’ll let you know how it goes! I hope you had a great week. ❤️ ### Paradise Isn't Perfect: The Struggles of Boat Maintenance in Tahiti URL: https://svsabado.com/paradise-isnt-perfect-the-struggles-of-boat-maintenance-in-tahiti/ Last updated: 2024-12-08T20:37:41.000Z **Hello!** *Weekly write-ups are BACK! Did you miss them?* 😘 It feels like our lives have been moving a mile a minute lately! We’re exhausted. After finding water in our starboard sail drive during an overnight passage from Bora Bora to Moorea several weeks ago, we learned that the earliest the yard could haul us out was the 25th. We used the downtime to study how to remove our props and replace the seals ourselves in case no mechanic was available. We dug through our spare parts inventory only to realize that the spare seal kits we had were missing an O-ring, and our props have a special washer that bends in two places that shouldn’t be re-used (we didn’t know this existed, let alone that we should carry a spare). ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/img_8009-1.jpg) We searched high and low to find these parts in French Polynesia or an avenue to get them here before the 25th for a reasonable price. We determined that a single round-trip plane ticket to Los Angeles was the cheapest and fastest option. I volunteered to be the traveler. We were still anchored in Moorea, so I took a ferry, two taxis, and an 8.5-hour flight back to the Land of Convenience (the USA). ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/img_8260-1.jpg) I grabbed what we needed and a few additional odds and ends to make the trip worthwhile, then booked a flight right back to Tahiti. Unfortunately, my return flight was canceled the night before I was set to leave. I was rebooked for the next flight out, but the delay caused me to miss the ferry back to Moorea, leaving Ray to move Sabado to Tahiti single-handed. The forecast showed 3kn, so imagine his surprise when encountering 27kn winds on the nose and 6ft seas. The forecasts have proven worthless time and time again for us here in French Polynesia. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/img_8099-1.jpg) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/img_8098-1.jpg) He struggled to make headway on one engine but safely anchored in Point Venus five miserable and salty hours later. He picked me up from the beach and helped me unpack before a well-deserved good night’s sleep. The following day was our haul out. I was cutting it close with that trip! We chugged our coffee and readied our lines and fenders. The wind began to pick up as we motored toward the boatyard. It was blowing 20kn by the time we got to the well. The yard hailed us on the radio, instructing us to bring our bow and stern lines midship, approach the well sideways, throw both lines simultaneously, and then pivot in. We’ve never done anything like this; honestly, it sounded crazy. We put our headsets on and assumed positions: me on the bow, ready to handle the fenders and lines, and Ray at the helm. We attempted an approach but bailed out soon after, circling around to try again. We had not gotten close enough to the concrete pier to throw the lines, but we had gotten a better idea of how things would go. Our second attempt was not much better, but with the yard guys’ encouragement, I threw the bow line. We were still too far away; the line missed the pier by a few feet and plunged into the water. I quickly pulled it back aboard as Ray announced he was reversing so I could try again. He got the boat into position, and I tossed both lines together on our port side- both were caught. Phew! Third time’s a charm! Now, the real challenge began: pivoting into the well with the wind on our beam. Seven men handled our port bow and stern lines as I moved around the boat with a fender in hand, talking to Ray through my headset. *“6ft starboard bow… starboard bow line tossed… clear midship… starboard stern line tossed…5ft over here… you’re in!”* We pulled it off without a fender even kissing the concrete. We both let out a sigh of relief. Things moved quickly after that- a diver jumped in to place the straps for the travel lift, and we were blocked on the hard before we knew it. Two mechanics immediately got to work. They said they could change our sail drive seals and get us back in the water that day if we wanted! Things were looking up. We noticed they were struggling to remove the props, so much so that they had to use an impact driver to remove the nut. It seems they were overtightened the last time we had the sail drives serviced. Could this have contributed to the leak? They removed the shafts, and we were shocked to see significant wear on the port side shaft (not the leaking one). There was no obvious cause. We found no line or abrasive, and the starboard side looked perfectly fine. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/img_8106-1.jpg) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/img_8107-1.jpg) We discussed our options with the mechanics: we carried speedi sleeves for situations like this, but the shaft didn’t seal from the factory, so it already had two sleeves on it from the first haul out. The mechanics all agreed it was too deep of a groove to ignore. The best course of action would be to replace the shaft. Luckily, there was a Yanmar shop nearby. So, we walked over in the sweltering heat with the part number in hand. Of course, they didn’t have it in stock and quoted us an outrageous amount to have them order it. We returned to the boat and began exploring our other options. The clock was ticking as we sat in the most expensive boatyard we’d ever been in. We scoured the internet for a shop with the part in stock and called everyone we could think of to see how quickly we could get it. We then realized that even if we could get the replacement shaft, we couldn’t properly remove the old gears here and press them onto the new shaft. I was surprised to learn that Yanmar doesn’t sell them fully assembled. By the end of the next day, [Just Catamarans](https://justcatamarans.net/?ref=svsabado.com) in Florida had come to our rescue, agreeing to ship us a new shaft fit with new gears for a reasonable price, although it was still the fastest and cheapest for one of us, to-you guessed it- fly back to the States to pick it up. So, off I went again. This time, it was one taxi, an 8.5-hour flight to San Francisco, and a 4-hour flight to San Antonio, Texas, where my lovely family would feed and house me for a few days while I waited for the package to arrive. To make the trip worthwhile, we decided to go all in and purchase a new windlass, too. We recently got more anchor chain and our windlass has been groaning/ changing pace for a while now. Most boaters I’ve met at the Tahiti airport who are making a run to the States for parts (this is very common) have been going to get windlasses. The deep anchorages of French Polynesia can really test your gear! So, I figured we’d get ahead of it and hopefully prevent another trip. After spending four years together 24/7 on a 42ft boat, it’s tough for Ray and I to be apart, and we didn't want to have to do it again. We upgraded from our 1000W windlass to a 1500W, and we now carry 320ft of shiny new chain. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/img_8277-1.jpg) While I was gone, Ray held down the fort at the boat yard, enduring the heat and humidity by himself. He washed and waxed the boat, tracked down a shop that would refill our propane tanks, and arranged for the portions of our helm enclosure that we’d been complaining about for months to be replaced. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/img_8275.jpg) The second I had my hands on our new shaft and windlass, I booked a return flight to Tahiti and carefully bubble-wrapped our new prized possessions. Just Catamarans and [MMarine Online](https://mmarineonline.com/?ref=svsabado.com): thank you from the bottom of our hearts (and the depths of Sabado’s bilges!) for working with us on this. We received excellent customer service from both companies, with clear and frequent communication to ensure we got what we needed quickly. I boarded my return flight, and was hilariously the only passenger in economy. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/img_8256.jpg) I’ve flown a lot in my lifetime but have never seen a full first class and empty main cabin on such a large plane! Several flight attendants told me the same thing; I’m just grateful Delta didn’t cancel the flight. I landed, made it through customs and immigration without issues, and climbed into a taxi to reunite with Ray. ❤️ I’m sitting on Sabado as I’m posting this. I’m thrilled to be back, but life on the hard is far from glamorous. The yard is next door to a sewage treatment plant and some sort of fish processing facility, so I’m sure you can imagine the aroma… There is also a dead rat off our stern cooking in the 90° heat. Delightful! We’re knocking out our to-do list as fast as possible so we can get the boat back in the water and get the heck out of here. Please, please, *please* keep your fingers crossed we have a smooth splash- these days, it seems like we need all the good luck we can get! I hope you had a great week. ❤️ ### Our Favorite Software for Boat Life URL: https://svsabado.com/our-favorite-software-for-boat-life/ Last updated: 2026-07-16T16:27:48.000Z For an updated post about our onboard software, see this [post](https://svsabado.com/software-we-use-on-our-boat-every-day/) A new “must-have” software tool seems to come out weekly. It also seems like those tools can only be “rented,” meaning you pay a monthly or yearly subscription fee. We like to find software tools that are not subscription-based. We also like to support open-source developers as much as possible. We’ve found that those objectives are not difficult to be met and to be met with best-in-class tools. We’ve been asked about the software tools we use, so we thought we would put together a list of what we’ve found to be the most helpful. We plan to detail how we use each of these in future blog posts and videos for the more feature-rich applications. Our overarching principles when selecting our software applications are as follows: - Reliable - Open source - No subscriptions - Can be used without Internet (where it makes sense) - Easy to use Here are the main software applications we use. [LuckGrib](https://luckgrib.com/?ref=svsabado.com) : Even though this application is iOS and MacOS only (I use Android and Linux), I still paid for it and use it on my iPad. It isn’t as flashy as PredictWind, but with a one-time purchase price of $29.99 for the software, it’s a screaming good deal. I also added $59.00 for the offshore data (e.g., Iridium Go!) and $59.00 for the routing module. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/img_0076.png) So, for a one-time purchase price of $150, we have a weather package that is second to none. The routing module is very, very good as well. We’re big fans of owning what we buy and believe that subscription services are silly. Now, if only the developer would release this for Android and Linux! ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/img_0078.png) [Windy](https://www.windy.com/?ref=svsabado.com) : Everyone knows about Windy.com. Yes, this app/service can be a full-featured forecast companion, but our use is much more basic. When we want a quick graphical view of what to expect in the near term, we pop Windy open. It’s super easy, super fast, and does what it does (show you the weather) really well. We’ll often have this webpage open on our nav desk PC so we can watch the weather radar. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/img_0080.jpg) Windy [qtVlm](https://www.meltemus.com/index.php/en/?ref=svsabado.com) : Yeah, it’s a horrible name, but as bad as the name is, the software is as good! This software package runs on Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, and Linux. It is the most feature-rich navigation software package that we’ve used. That list of software we’ve tried includes OpenCPN, TimeZero, Expedition, Navionics, and a long list of lesser-known packages. This software is installed on all our devices and runs 24x7 on our nav desk PC. Oh, and it’s free (but we did donate). ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/img_0081.png) [Navionics](https://www.garmin.com/en-US/c/marine/marine-apps/?ref=svsabado.com) : We have used this one less and less since they moved to the auto subscription renewal feature for charts. It’s easy; charts are available nearly everywhere, and it seems like everyone uses them. Honestly, we almost didn't list this app because we believe that Garmin has really made this software less desirable by changing the subscription and third-party data use they've made since acquiring the company. If you aren't already using this application, we recommend you don't start. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/img_0082.png) [Sail Logger](https://saillogger.com/?ref=svsabado.com) : Not only is this tracking app/website very good but the developer is an amazing person and a sailor, so they know what is needed. We use this service so our family, friends, and subscribers can follow us in real-time. It’s fast, accurate, and very reasonably priced. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/screenshot_30-11-2024_10451_saillogger-com.jpg) [No Foreign Land](https://www.noforeignland.com/?ref=svsabado.com) : Garmin screwed Active Captain up. It really isn’t usable anymore. Anyway, No Foreign Land is better than Active Captain ever was. It’s free, packed with amazing details about every place you can think of, has great photos, and everyone is using it. In our opinion, this is a must-have application, and it’s free (but do give them a donation). ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/img_0084.jpg) No Foreign Land The following applications are server based and run on our Linux server that is on 24x7\. This is extremely helpful to us but we couldn’t really do this until we made the switch to lithium batteries. [Paperless](https://docs.paperless-ngx.com/?ref=svsabado.com) : We upload all of our documents to this application, including manuals, reference material, receipts, etc. The software does optical character recognition on the files, and then everything is searchable. It’s very helpful when I need to know the torque value for the bolts on the Flexofold props, for example. This allows us to eliminate storing paper on the boat. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/img_0085.jpg) Paperless [Nextcloud](https://nextcloud.com/?ref=svsabado.com) : I hesitate to include this because it is such a pain to install, but honestly, it’s a very important part of our onboard services. This is a complete replacement for Google Drive. It is file storage, document creation, document sharing, backup, photos, calendar, project management, contacts, etc. It is 100% available when there is no internet, and if there is internet available, it is completely accessible when we are off the boat. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/img_0074.jpg) Nextcloud [Grocy](https://grocy.info/?ref=svsabado.com) : This is a server-based home inventory application that we’ve modified a little so we can use it as a spare parts inventory system. Honestly, it isn’t the best use case, but it is the best we could find. I’m including it in this list in hopes someone will reach out with a better option. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/img_0086.jpg) Grocy [Planka](https://planka.app/?ref=svsabado.com) : While Nextcloud does have a Kanboard application that works well for (light) project management, Plank's user interface is much nicer. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/img_0079.jpg) Planka [Duplicati](https://github.com/duplicati/duplicati?ref=svsabado.com) : The risk with self-hosting all this data on our own server is that something will fail, and we will lose it all. To protect against that, we run backup software called Duplicati. Duplicati compresses and encrypts all of our data and uploads it to cloud storage. One of our friends then syncs that data to his home server, so it’s stored in multiple locations. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/img_0087.jpg) Duplicati We plan to go into more detail on our most used applications to show how we use them in later blog and video posts. Also, since I am a bit of a new software junkie, I am always testing new options. When I find something new that I believe should be shared, I'll add it to our blog. Let us know in the comment section what you think of these applications and if you have any that you use and find helpful in your boat life. ### November 2024: Behind the Scenes URL: https://svsabado.com/november-2024-behind-the-scenes/ Last updated: 2026-06-25T18:43:16.000Z Every month, we publish a list of things we dealt with while living full-time on our sailing catamaran. We hope these monthly behind-the-scenes reports give you a better idea of what boat life is *really* like! **Here is the roundup for November 2024:** - Our cockpit drawer-style refrigerator was not latching closed. The spring had rusted and broken in half, causing the top portion to droop. We purchased a replacement handle/latch for $57.00. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/img_8137-1.jpg) - I polished our stainless steel once. - One of the fans in our saloon began whining, so Ray took it apart, cleaned the carbon out of the motor, and lubricated it. - We inspected our interior after another month of [termite swarms in the Society Islands](https://svsabado.com/cruising-the-society-islands-beautiful-but-challenging/), looking for evidence of termites, and found none. - We purchased two sail drive seal replacement kits for $75.00 each. - We purchased two flexofold prop kits for $120.00 each. - We spent \~$500.00 on airfare to pick up parts from the USA. This is common practice here as supplies are minimal, the customs process for shipped packages is lengthy, and, believe it or not, it is more expensive than a round-trip flight to Los Angeles. - We discovered water in our starboard sail drive during an overnight passage from Bora Bora to Moorea. We hauled out to address the issue and were surprised to see severe wear on the shaft. We are still out of the water and working to resolve this issue, but we will publish the total costs and details when we get the final invoice. [Join our Crew or become a VIP](https://svsabado.com/subscribe/) for real-time updates as we navigate this unexpected complication. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/img_8119-1-1.jpg) - We were caught off guard by unforecasted high winds ahead of our haul out. We tried a new approach at the yard's recommendation: I brought our port-side bow and stern line midship to be thrown simultaneously as we pulled up perpendicular to the well. We could then pivot in with control despite the high wind speeds. It was odd and nerve-wracking, but we pulled it off without even a fender coming into contact with the concrete slip. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/img_8156-1.jpg) - We purchased 320ft of galvanized chain for $1447.40 (including delivery). This will make anchoring in the deep waters of French Polynesia safer and easier for us. We marked every 20ft and attached it to our anchor. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/img_8128.jpg) **We hope you enjoyed this month’s behind-the-scenes report!** ### Gift Guide for Sailors (2024) URL: https://svsabado.com/gift-guide-for-sailors/ Last updated: 2026-07-13T03:39:36.000Z With the holidays approaching, here are some gifts for the sailor in your life. *This post contains affiliate links. We may earn a commission on purchases made (at no additional cost to you).* **Let them pick something out**\- these are the most helpful gift cards for sailors: Amazon, [West Marine](https://www.westmarine.com/gift-cards/?srsltid=AfmBOoo3HUOkQo3RjcD1vXwZrZIdQHR2BojpyEeKcFFx7Gh2DghRRfJq&ref=svsabado.com) (USA), [Budget Marine](https://budgetmarine.com/gift-cards/?ref=svsabado.com) (Caribbean), [Defender Marine](https://defender.com/en%5Fus/gift-cards?srsltid=AfmBOopTGBn-hovnkEPZ4jRRZdwuTfFqEfmDHD5e36-RlfwOwNIzh515&ref=svsabado.com) (USA and Canada) **Under $30** ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/untitled-design-2.png) [Custom Cork Key Float](https://www.etsy.com/listing/1022069124/personalised-cork-ball-keyring-floating?click%5Fkey=0c7dfdc532b08efe26ab79a0313667b96b2a713a:1022069124&click%5Fsum=7fd19ecc&ga%5Forder=most%5Frelevant&ga%5Fsearch%5Ftype=all&ga%5Fview%5Ftype=gallery&ga%5Fsearch%5Fquery=custom+cork+key+float&ref=sr%5Fgallery-1-1&organic%5Fsearch%5Fclick=1&sts=1&content%5Fsource=704d9450abe9901a89caf591e962867a8c278af3:1022069124) Get their boat name or logo engraved on a cork keychain float for their dinghy/boat key. They won’t have to worry about it fading and peeling like the plastic or foam ones! We’ve had ours for years. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/untitled-design-3-1.png) [Tonic syrup](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00BK0V8LO?linkCode=ssc&tag=onamzsabadoll-20&creativeASIN=B00IK3BEH2&asc%5Fitem-id=amzn1.ideas.161TGADZZ2SF7&ref%5F=aip%5Fsf%5Flist%5Fspv%5Fs%5Fofs%5Fmixed%5Fd%5Fasin&th=1&ref=svsabado.com) This is a niche gift, but it will excite the right person. Do you know a gin and tonic lover? Most cruisers have a soda stream or other at-home carbonation system. Gift them this tonic syrup! It takes up less room on the boat, and they no longer have to lug around packs of tonic water or deal with a litter of cans. We’ve repurchased this so many times! ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/untitled-design-2-1.png) [“Tasteful Nudes” A Calendar of Exotic Marine Nudibranchs](https://www.reefprotect.org/product/nudibranch-calendar/?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR3GWtQ8mKN%5Fv1wkHP4WEEfdVieL0AuRR058XC1GzFsviZIpBvoynr5XVrQ%5Faem%5F7C9PvucwAD8p26XF-ZauiQ&ref=svsabado.com) This one will get a laugh out of any dive enthusiast! The calendar contains interesting facts and stunning photos of colorful nudibranchs at depths reserved for skilled divers. Plus, the photographer is a sailor herself! ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/untitled-design-1-1.png) [Sea-to-stream leave-in conditioner](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B017BUWI7O?linkCode=ssc&tag=onamzsabadoll-20&creativeASIN=B017BUWI7O&asc%5Fitem-id=amzn1.ideas.333I3NAJD693J&ref%5F=aip%5Fsf%5Flist%5Fspv%5Fofs%5Fmixed%5Fd%5Fasin&th=1&ref=svsabado.com) \+ [Neoprene mask strap cover](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B007EI7Z2C?linkCode=ssc&tag=onamzsabadoll-20&creativeASIN=B007EI7Z2C&asc%5Fitem-id=amzn1.ideas.LEFPDCK0U0EB&ref%5F=aip%5Fsf%5Flist%5Fspv%5Fofs%5Fmixed%5Fd%5Fasin&th=1&ref=svsabado.com) Every long-haired swimmer will love both of these products. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/untitled-design-4-1.png) [Fly swatter fan](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08FSY28C2?linkCode=ssc&tag=onamzsabadoll-20&creativeASIN=B08FSY28C2&asc%5Fitem-id=amzn1.ideas.333I3NAJD693J&ref%5F=aip%5Fsf%5Flist%5Fspv%5Fofs%5Fmixed%5Fd%5Fasin&th=1&ref=svsabado.com) Battery-operated tabletop fan to keep flies off your food. We received this as a gift years ago and use it all the time for cockpit dinner parties or post-swim chips + dip. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/untitled-design-5-1.png) [Sturdy insulated grocery bag](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B081LM4H92?linkCode=ssc&tag=onamzsabadoll-20&creativeASIN=B081LM4H92&asc%5Fitem-id=amzn1.ideas.2DCPXW5GUXHAH&ref%5F=aip%5Fsf%5Flist%5Fspv%5Fons%5Fmixed%5Fd%5Fasin&th=1&ref=svsabado.com) Getting groceries to the boat involves a dinghy ride and, often, a long walk. A sturdy, insulated grocery bag is always a welcomed gift. This one, in particular, is machine washable, collapses flat for easy storage, features thick adjustable straps, and can double as a beach day picnic bag/drink cooler. It’s on our wish list, too! **$50- $100** ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/untitled-design-6-1.png) [BioLite Lantern](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08Z6294Y5?linkCode=ssc&tag=onamzsabadoll-20&creativeASIN=B08Z6294Y5&asc%5Fitem-id=amzn1.ideas.2DCPXW5GUXHAH&ref%5F=aip%5Fsf%5Flist%5Fspv%5Fons%5Fmixed%5Fd%5Fasin&ref=svsabado.com) This lantern is weather resistant, has eight different lighting options, is rechargeable, and doubles as a power bank. This is the perfect light to bring onto the bow when sundowners become nightcaps, to illuminate the galley for coffee/tea refills during overnight passages, or whenever overhead lightning feels too harsh. It is on our wishlist, too! ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/untitled-design-7-1.png) [Wera Tool- Check Plus Bit Ratchet Set with Sockets](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00I8MYMT2?linkCode=ssc&tag=onamzsabadoll-20&creativeASIN=B00I8MYMT2&asc%5Fitem-id=amzn1.ideas.2DCPXW5GUXHAH&ref%5F=aip%5Fsf%5Flist%5Fspv%5Fons%5Fmixed%5Fd%5Fasin&th=1&ref=svsabado.com) This is Ray’s most used, high-quality, compact tool set. Any handyman would appreciate this gift! **$100+** ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/untitled-design-8-1.png) [Japanese Boning & Fillet Knife](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B007CLORM2?linkCode=ssc&tag=onamzsabadoll-20&creativeASIN=B007CLORM2&asc%5Fitem-id=amzn1.ideas.2DCPXW5GUXHAH&ref%5F=aip%5Fsf%5Flist%5Fspv%5Fons%5Fmixed%5Fd%5Fasin&ref=svsabado.com) Every sailor needs a high-quality fillet knife to clean their next catch! Most of us use a cheap one we got at the marine supply store, but I know we would love to upgrade to this beautiful 7-inch flexible knife. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/img_8065-1.jpg) [Customized Yeti Drinkware](https://www.yeti.com/customize?ref=svsabado.com#closeCSModal) We replaced our ceramic coffee mugs with customized 10oz Yeti mugs a few years ago and love them! Our boat name and logo are engraved. They’re practically indestructible, great for coffee or tea (especially when underway—the lids are very secure!) or to-go cocktails. If you’re purchasing more than one, the stackable designs are ideal for storing on a boat. If you know the sailor in your life already has a go-to mug/tumbler, pick the cocktail shaker, pitcher, or water bottle! ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/untitled-design-9-1.png) [Veto Tech Tool Bag](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B008AK1ZHE?linkCode=ssc&tag=onamzsabadoll-20&creativeASIN=B008AK1ZHE&asc%5Fitem-id=amzn1.ideas.2DCPXW5GUXHAH&ref%5F=aip%5Fsf%5Flist%5Fspv%5Fons%5Fmixed%5Fd%5Fasin&ref=svsabado.com) Ray upgraded to this tool bag in 2021, and we still love it! Its waterproof base and over 50 pockets make it durable and easy to keep organized. Anytime he has brought it over to help out a fellow cruiser, I’ve been asked to pass along the product details- everyone envies this bag! We did a video on [what we keep inside](https://youtu.be/TXSY3hXbORw?si=P-CVVpNTNp25GrNm&ref=svsabado.com) if you want to see more. **Waste-free gift wrap:** Sailors are notoriously environmentally conscious, so consider giving your gift in a [dry bag](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07PLZP5LN?linkCode=ssc&tag=onamzsabadoll-20&creativeASIN=B07PLZP5LN&asc%5Fitem-id=amzn1.ideas.2DCPXW5GUXHAH&ref%5F=aip%5Fsf%5Flist%5Fspv%5Fons%5Fmixed%5Fd%5Fasin&th=1&ref=svsabado.com) instead of something disposable. We never seem to have enough; small ones are great for putting phones and wallets in during a rough dinghy ride, and larger ones get used for paddleboard excursions or beach days. If you feel the item needs tissue paper, try [t-shirt rags](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0D6FFW5MF?linkCode=ssc&tag=onamzsabadoll-20&creativeASIN=B0D6FFW5MF&asc%5Fitem-id=amzn1.ideas.2DCPXW5GUXHAH&ref%5F=aip%5Fsf%5Flist%5Fspv%5Fons%5Fmixed%5Fd%5Fasin&ref=svsabado.com) instead (Seriously! They WILL get used, and gifting them like this will likely make the sailor in your life giggle). Happy Holidays! 🎁 ### Internet at Sea | How We Stay Connected While Exploring the World URL: https://svsabado.com/internet-at-sea-how-we-stay-connected-while-exploring-the-world/ Last updated: 2024-11-13T22:44:22.000Z When we set off on Sabado to live a life at sea, one of the most exciting thoughts was disconnecting from the world. In reality, we found that we needed to be connected for many reasons. Weather, checking into countries, staying connected with family and friends, and sharing our stories are just a few. While we do have [Starlink](https://www.starlink.com/nz/technology?ref=svsabado.com), which we will discuss below, we also want our phones to be connected when we're off the boat. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/venus-dashboard-dashboards-grafana-jpeg.png) With the monitoring system on Sabado, we have the ability to be alerted on our phones if anything is out of the ordinary. For the monitoring system to work, we need internet on Sabado and on our phones. Starlink has almost 100% solved the internet issue on Sabado, but our cell phones still need something. That’s where data-only eSIMs have helped us, making it easy to stay connected without the hassle of traditional cell phone plans. Here’s why we’ve made the switch and how it works for us while traveling: **Why eSIM?** First off, what is an eSIM? Unlike the traditional physical SIM card, an eSIM is downloaded directly to your phone, allowing you to switch carriers without the need for a physical card. This is a game-changer for travelers! With a data-only eSIM plan, you can get connected almost anywhere without the fees and contracts associated with international roaming from traditional cell providers. It’s super easy to set it up as well. Imagine sailing into a new port and realizing you need a local data plan. With an eSIM, you can purchase a plan right from your device (connected through Starlink) with just a few taps. There is no need to scramble to find a store or deal with complicated activation processes. No contracts, no talking to anyone, nothing. Just pick the plan and install the eSIM. **Choosing a Data-Only eSIM Plan** When we add a cell plan this way, we choose data-only packages from reputable eSIM providers that offer global coverage. There are a variety of providers out there, so it’s important to do a bit of research to find the one that suits your needs best. Some plans allow you to purchase data in specific regions, which is super flexible depending on where you are, and some plans are global. We never sign a contract, never have a recurring payment, and can select both the timeframe and the amount of data we want. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/img_0069-1.jpg) We use [Airalo](https://www.airalo.com/?ref=svsabado.com) because they have been fast, cheap, and have always worked. We have zero affiliation with them; we are simply happy customers. Just make sure to check coverage maps before you dive in, as signal strength can vary by location. Even the best eSIM providers might struggle in some remote areas, so planning ahead is key. **Making Calls and Sending Messages** Keep in mind that with a data-only eSIM, you will not get a phone number; they only provide an internet connection. That’s where we use [Google Voice](https://voice.google.com/u/0/about?ref=svsabado.com). With Google Voice, we can make calls and send SMS messages over Wi-Fi or cellular data. I actually ported the phone number that I've had forever to Google Voice. One thing to keep in mind when using Google Voice or most VOIP services is that some text message-based two-factor authentication services, especially banks, won’t work with a new number. Because I ported an existing number that was already set up, I haven't had any issues with this. As a side note, using SMS based two-factor authentication is really a bad idea anyway. You should be using a good password manager like [Bitwarden](https://bitwarden.com/?ref=svsabado.com) that can store passwords AND two-factor codes. While maintaining a phone number can be important for SMS service, we use apps like WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger, and [Signal](https://signal.org/?ref=svsabado.com) (our preference) for messaging our friends and family. These platforms are fantastic for keeping up with loved ones, sharing photos of stunning sunsets, and coordinating meet-ups with fellow sailors. **The Power of Starlink at Sea** Now, let’s talk about taking connectivity to the next level with Starlink, especially when you’re on passage far from cell service. Starlink is a satellite internet constellation designed to provide high-speed internet access across the globe, including remote marine environments. This can be a game changer for sailors. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/pxl_20241113_223002103_edited6947791201536114685.jpg) We’ve had Starlink for over two years now and it has been amazing. Besides a few very heavy rain events, we have had continuous connectivity from Boston, down to Grenada, across the Pacific Ocean, and now, throughout French Polynesia. Another great thing about using Google Voice and a messaging app like Signal is that they don’t care whether you’re on a cell phone connection or Starlink, they will work for phone calls, video chats, and messaging. We routinely had video chats while crossing the Pacific! There are cell phone services that will also allow wifi calling that will work with Starlink as well. **A Few Things to Keep in Mind** While eSIMs and messaging apps are fantastic, there are a couple of things we’ve learned along the way: - Have a backup plan. Not every remote area has reliable internet, and it’s very easy to believe that Starlink will always work when it might not. Download charts, maps for land, and important info ahead of time, and consider investing in a satellite phone (we use [Iridium Go!](https://www.iridium.com/go-exec/?gad%5Fsource=1&gclid=Cj0KCQiA0MG5BhD1ARIsAEcZtwS1ki74MBZQA-QHR9ky0KqPnL5Ib3DIUqCYj43ETjpDUcQRCWtdXV8aAtsKEALw%5FwcB&ref=svsabado.com)) for true off-grid adventures. A [Garmin InReach](https://www.garmin.com/en-NZ/c/outdoor-recreation/satellite-communicators/?ref=svsabado.com) is another good backup option. - Always check if your apps or charts need updates before you set sail. You don’t want to find yourself in a remote anchorage only to discover that your messaging stopped working or your charts are out of date. - Be mindful of your data consumption. If you’ve opted in for Priority service on your Starlink, you will be paying for the amount of data you use. Streaming videos and music can quickly eat up your data, so consider downloading content when you are near shore and not paying on a usage basis. - Turn on low data mode, metered network, or whatever your phone, tablet, or computer calls it. If you’re on a metered connection, you could be one system update away from spending a boat load :-) of money. Our dreams of removing ourselves completely from connectivity may not have been realized, but we still enjoy the adventure, freedom, and thrill of the unknown. That doesn’t mean we have to cut off all communication. With a data-only eSIM and a few handy apps, along with the incredible capabilities of Starlink, staying connected has never been easier, and we can simply choose when to be connected. Hopefully, you find some value in how we stay connected on Sabado and if you do, please consider [subscribing](https://svsabado.com/subscribe/) to our blog. Happy sailing! 🌊⛵️ ### Now What? Heading East for Cyclone Season URL: https://svsabado.com/now-what-heading-east-for-cyclone-season/ Last updated: 2024-11-10T12:00:00.000Z *A Week Ablard S/V Sabado: 11/03/2024 - 11/10/2024* **Hello, friends!** *Have you seen [our latest YouTube video?](https://youtu.be/bnPGTEsD4ZA?si=81oOMePyOBLJN2PZ&ref=svsabado.com) Our Crew and VIP members can watch it ad-free [here](https://svsabado.com/stuck-in-french-polynesia-now-what/).* Last Sunday, we spent the day cleaning the boat and preparing for an overnight sail to Moorea, beginning our journey East in anticipation of cyclone season. Not surprisingly, the weather window we’d been counting on vanished! Monday greeted us with unforecasted high winds, rain, and rough seas. We decided to wait it out, cozy up, and work on our computers instead. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/snapshot-09-11-2024-18-1.jpg) By Wednesday, the weather had calmed enough for us to set out. Typically, the trade winds blow from the East, so we chose a day with no wind so we could easily motor the short distance between Bora Bora and Moorea. Conditions were as expected: hot and still. Since we had filled our fuel tanks and jerry jugs with diesel in preparation for our last-minute trip to New Zealand that [ultimately fell through](https://svsabado.com/false-alarm-plans-change/), we didn’t even bother to raise the sails. We listened to our podcasts, kicked back, and enjoyed the ride. A few hours in, Ray heard a strange, high-pitched whine from our starboard engine. He immediately shut it down, switched to our port engine, and climbed into the compartment to investigate. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/snapshot-09-11-2024-0154-1.jpg) Sure enough, he found water in our sail drive. We carry spare seals on board but will have to haul out to change them. This is a common failure, but it is annoying and expensive to fix. Ray pumped out and refilled it while I researched boat yards in Tahiti. We found one that looked promising and sent them an email. Squalls surrounded us as daylight faded. It was a bouncy, wet night. We motored into the darkness, periodically illuminated by flashes of lightning. It was uncomfortable but manageable. We kept watch/slept in three-hour shifts. By dawn, we could make out the outline of Moorea through the storm clouds. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/snapshot-09-11-2024-1728-1.jpg) It began to rain as we entered the pass. We wove through the anchorage before dropping our hook in Cook’s Bay, changing into dry clothes, and lying down for a much-needed nap. We slept and watched TV the rest of the day. Around 6pm, I saw the familiar floating orange flowers streaming through the anchorage. I’m not sure why this happens, but it’s become characteristic of this spot. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/img_7915.jpg) The air was still, and the shore was silent. I used to believe the flowers shook loose from the breeze… every day around dusk… even when there was no wind? Or maybe a local ceremony sends them out to sea… a very quiet ceremony that happens behind a tree, which is why we’ve never seen it? It remains a mystery—comment your theories! For what it's worth, I think they are hibiscus. Friday afternoon, I stopped by the grocery store. It was surprisingly well stocked with produce: I got some pears, cilantro, spinach, and fresh eggs. I ran into our dear friend Jen, and we made plans to hang out later that day. We chilled a bottle of rosé and brought it over to their boat that afternoon, chatting and soaking up the sunshine while periodically cooling off in the water. This is what cruising is all about! The four of us ventured out on [their boat](https://www.instagram.com/thedangerz?igsh=cDgwZ3NrajI1bHQw&ref=svsabado.com) on Saturday morning for a fishing/whale-watching excursion. We exited the pass, put our lines out, and trolled around. It was overcast and almost chilly. We shared coffee and scanned the horizon for whale tails or spouts. We saw one pretty quickly and named him Walter. He surfaced twice but seemed to be moving steadily in one direction- he was on a mission and did not want to play. So, we continued. A couple of hours later, just as we were about to end our trip, we saw a whale tail slapping the water repeatedly. At first, it was exciting, but then we grew a bit concerned because it didn’t stop. I have over a minute of video footage of it slapping its tail over and over again. The boys reeled in the fishing lines in case other whales came to witness the commotion or we decided to get in the water with them. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/img_7973-1.jpg) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/img_7974-1.jpg) We have since learned that Humpback whales slap their tails on the water for a few reasons—like communicating with other whales or marking their territory. It can also be part of their feeding strategy, helping to scare fish into tighter schools, making them easier to hunt. Once the splashing ceased, we remained in place for a while, expecting the whale to surface again, but it did not. It started raining, so we decided to head back into the anchorage. A pod of spinner dolphins appeared in the middle of the pass, flipping and twirling about. They approached the boat and hung out with us for a while before returning to sea. Seeing dolphins never gets old; these small, feisty guys are my favorite! ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/img_7954-1.jpg) Bryan and Jen re-anchored their boat, and we sat around chatting, waiting for the rain to stop before we dinghied back to Sabado. Ray and I popped open a bottle of wine with lunch (because why not?) and settled in for the afternoon. It rained intermittently, so we traded off between listening to music in the saloon together and chilling in the cockpit. There is nothing we love more than simply spending time together. After a few glasses of wine, Ray decided to give himself a haircut off the sugar scoop. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/img_7956.jpg) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/untitled-design-1.jpg) Our friends Natichka and Brandon, currently en route from Panama to the BVI to run charters on [their beautiful 50ft catamaran](https://www.instagram.com/sailingplanetocean?igsh=MWJyd2tybmxlMGlwbA==&ref=svsabado.com), got into some gnarly weather and called us shortly after that. We looked up their location and chatted about what we’d do in their current conditions. We spent the rest of the afternoon tracking their progress to ensure they were safe. As sailors, we have to stick together! We really clicked with these two when we shared a dock in Panama, so the moment we understood they could be in trouble, we dropped everything to help. A second opinion can be so comforting in times of trouble. They are safe and sound as we post this, still on course. We heard back from the boatyard, and they can’t haul us out for another two weeks. We plan to spend that time hanging out in Moorea, arranging alternative accommodation, and preparing to complete a few other jobs while we’re on the hard. I hope you had a great week. ❤️ ### Hawaiki Nui Va’a: The 3-Day Polynesian Outrigger Race URL: https://svsabado.com/hawaiki-nui-vaa-the-3-day-polynesian-outrigger-race/ Last updated: 2024-11-03T16:00:00.000Z *A Week Aboard S/V Sabado: 10/27/2024 - 11/03/2024* **Happy Sunday!** *No video this week, we’ll make it up to you next week.* After [last week’s disappointing change of plans](https://svsabado.com/false-alarm-plans-change/), we’ve decided that since we’re staying in French Polynesia until April, we are going to make the most of it! We turned our frowns upside down this week because- let’s be honest- our Plan B isn’t bad by any stretch of the imagination. We’re in paradise, after all! So, we spent this week paddle boarding, swimming with stingrays, and relaxing on our beautiful floating home. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/snapshot-02-11-2024-1443-1.jpg) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/snapshot-02-11-2024-2228-1.png) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/snapshot-02-11-2024-1444-1.jpg) On Wednesday, we decided to move to a new mooring field. We motored for an hour and a half around the island and hopped on a ball with a side view of Mount Otemanu. It looks completely different from this angle! ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/snapshot-02-11-2024-1444-1.png) There was some noisy construction nearby (a new huts-on-the-water-type resort being built), and the famous [Bloody Mary’s Beach Bar](https://www.bloodymarys.com/index.html?ref=svsabado.com) was temporarily closed for renovations, but we didn’t care. We sat in the saloon all afternoon, putting the final touches on our new website, which we launched later that day. If you’ve been following our other posts, I probably sound like a broken record, but we do not feel comfortable with people supporting us, knowing that a significant portion of their hard-earned money may not actually go to Sabado. So, we have created our own membership program on our website as [Patreon’s fee/billing process evolves](https://news.patreon.com/articles/understanding-apple-requirements-for-patreon?ref=svsabado.com). Payments on our website are processed through secure gateways (Stripe and Paypal) with minimal processing fees and no one else taking a cut. If you want to help us sail around the world, you can join our Crew or become a VIP [here](https://svsabado.com/subscribe/). You can also [join for free](https://svsabado.com/subscribe/) to beat the algorithm: you’ll get our posts sent straight to your inbox and be able to leave comments! We spent the rest of the day triple-checking the site since we’re sailors, not web developers. It was a fun project, but we’re happy to be done. Friday was Hawaiki Nui Va’a, a historic race of over one hundred six-man teams in Polynesian outrigger canoes that began in 1992\. The race is 80 miles long and completed over three days. The route covers the open ocean and inside lagoons spanning the islands of Huahine, Raiatea, Taha’a, and Bora Bora. We were eager to watch them cross the finish line just around the corner from our mooring field! ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/img_7831-1-1.jpg) *Graphic from borabora.com* The green, yellow, and purple lines represent the route taken by senior men who complete all three legs. The red line is the half-day course for women and junior men. That morning, we dropped the dinghy and headed toward the pass. We could see a line of boats coming in, composed of rowers, support vessels, and spectators alike. There were jet skis, dinghies, pangas, sailboats—you name it! ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/img_8422-1.jpg) The lagoon quickly became a washing machine of wakes. These skilled athletes seemed to alter their course to use it to their advantage, surfing where they could to increase their speed. People were cheering, music was playing, and coaches were yelling over loudspeakers. It was a chorus of chaos! We followed as the locals led the way to the finish line at Matira Beach. We walked our dinghy through the crowd in waist-deep water to witness the action. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/snapshot-02-11-2024-1445-1.png) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/snapshot-01-11-2024-2030-1.png) The winner is determined by the overall time to complete the course. I read that the leaders paddle 55-60 strokes per minute, and the fastest time recorded was 9 hours, 20 minutes, and 51 seconds in 2009\. That’s a lot of strokes! It was incredible to see them up close. I was impressed they maintained their pace even after crossing the finish line. I guess it would cause quite a traffic jam if they didn’t. I would simply collapse from exhaustion! ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/snapshot-02-11-2024-1446-1.png) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/snapshot-02-11-2024-1446-2-1.png) We hung around for a while, watching 30 or so boats finish the race before the sun and salt water began to take their toll on us. We returned to Sabado, showered, and knocked out some chores before dark. The following morning, I nearly spilled my coffee as Sabado suddenly began bouncing up and down. We went outside to investigate—we seemed to be in the middle of a children’s outrigger race! Power boats zoomed by on our port side while the kids paddled past our starboard side. I sat on the sugar scoop and joined in cheering them on. It’s just a matter of time before these kids compete in the big race themselves! ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/snapshot-02-11-2024-2233-1-3.png) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/snapshot-02-11-2024-25-1.png) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/snapshot-02-11-2024-2233-2-1.png) We spent the rest of the day cleaning the boat and planning our next move. We need to start working our way back East for cyclone season, so we hope to make a small hop in that direction next week, weather permitting. We’ve enjoyed our time in Bora Bora but are feeling the itch to move again… I’ll let you know where we end up! I hope you had a great week. ❤️ ### October 2024: Behind the Scenes URL: https://svsabado.com/october-2024-behind-the-scenes/ Last updated: 2026-06-24T08:17:21.000Z Every month, we publish a bullet point list of things we dealt with while living full-time on our sailing catamaran. We hope these monthly behind-the-scenes reports give you a better idea of what boat life is *really* like! **If you want to see the extended version,** [**join our Crew**](https://svsabado.com/subscribe/)**! Otherwise, per usual, here is a bullet point list of things we dealt with in October 2024:** - We launched our new website! In light of recent [changes to Patreon’s fee/billing](https://news.patreon.com/articles/understanding-apple-requirements-for-patreon?ref=svsabado.com) policy, we’ve decided to host our own membership program to ensure that any contribution you make to our adventure goes where you intend it to. [Click here](https://svsabado.com/subscribe/) to become a Sabado Crew or VIP member! You can also [join for free](https://svsabado.com/subscribe/) to get our posts straight to your inbox and be able to leave comments. - I cleaned and applied UV protectant to our white vinyl helm seat. - Our Spectra watermaker lost its programming during a lightning storm. At first, we thought the motor speed control board needed to be replaced, but Ray was able to reset the programming with a magnet. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/img_7339-1.jpg) - We spent $415.00 on diesel in Raiatea. - I scraped the hulls once. It was all soft growth concentrated around the waterline, with sparse barnacles around the sugar scoops and bottom of the keels. I used a plastic scraper and a scrub brush for the props and thru hulls. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/img_7796-1.jpg) - Ray repaired a portion of our helm enclosure—the aft sections are barely hanging on! The stitching has disintegrated, and the eisenglass has cracked along the edges. He re-stitched with UV-resistant thread and reinforced the weak areas with tape. We plan to replace them next year. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/fullsizerender.jpg) - Three boats dragged down on us in 24 hours. It was an exceptionally gusty day in Taha’a, and most boats do not carry enough chain for the deep anchorages of the Society Islands (us included!). This, combined with no anchor alarm, is a recipe for disaster. We did not drag and were able to avoid collision, but one of the boats ended up grounded in the middle of the night. We spoke in depth about our tried-and-true anchor alarm setup in [this video](https://youtu.be/N38z1STiZYc?si=mJuGMSLcLzxOAPzg&ref=svsabado.com). - French Polynesia has been the wettest place we have ever been. To prevent mold growth, I have been wiping down all interior surfaces with a diluted vinegar solution twice as often as in the Caribbean. - We could not make water for four days after a storm with hefty rainfall brought significant runoff and debris into the anchorage. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/snapshot-11-10-2024-1701-1.jpg) - We were swarmed by termites again in Moorea. Thankfully, we noticed immediately and already had our screens closed on our hatches. We have yet to see any evidence of termites inside. - We assumed we could check out of French Polynesia at any island with an airport since that has been a good rule of thumb throughout our previous travels. However, we were surprised to learn there are only a few islands you can check out at, and the checkout process takes at least two business days! We had to sail to another island to check out. - We defrosted our fridge/ freezer once. - We spent $690.00 to get an insurance addendum to cover a last-minute trip to New Zealand for cyclone season. After watching our weather window disappear in a matter of hours, we have requested the addendum to be reversed and are waiting for a refund. **We hope you enjoyed this month’s behind-the-scenes report! The following section is for our Crew and VIPs only. Log in to continue reading.** We discuss our experience with weather resources in French Polynesia, as well as a detailed account of the issues and concerns we’ve had since reconfiguring our reefing system 9 months ago… _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### 5 Phrases for Salty Sailors URL: https://svsabado.com/5-phrases-for-salty-sailors/ Last updated: 2024-10-30T00:32:00.000Z ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/img_2375.jpg) **1\. It’s better to be on anchor wishing you were out sailing than out sailing wishing you were on anchor.** This one is a recent addition to our repertoire, thanks to a friend of ours. It was adapted from his time as a pilot, when he would say, “Better to be on the ground wishing I was up there than to be up there wishing I was on the ground.” Thank you for sharing your wisdom, Brent. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/snapshot-24-06-2024-21-1.jpg) **2\. Plans are written in sand at low tide.** We repeat this phrase so often; it’s comical! A schedule is a sailor’s worst enemy. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/img_7871-1.jpg) **3\. Sailing around the world is just fixing your boat in exotic locations.** To circumnavigate, you must become a mechanic, seamstress, rigger, electrician, plumber… ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/img_2007-1.jpg) **4\. The pessimist complains about the wind; the optimist expects it to change; the realist adjusts the sails.** Which one are you? ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/dji_fly_20221228_170522_300_1672262039079_photo-1.jpg) **5\. Sailing is the most expensive way to travel for free.** It always seems worth the investment when we get to park our home somewhere so remote, the only visitors are sailors! What’s your favorite sailing expression? ### False Alarm | Plans Change URL: https://svsabado.com/false-alarm-plans-change/ Last updated: 2024-10-27T15:39:19.000Z *A Week Aboard S/V Sabado: 10/20/2024 - 10/27/2024* **Hi, guys!** *Did you see our [most recent video](https://youtu.be/WrUGUju7pkA?si=9JlZ7TOF10GaqTKl&ref=svsabado.com)?* We spent all week preparing for our last-minute passage to New Zealand before cyclone season begins in the South Pacific. I thoroughly cleaned the bottom of the boat and took photos to comply with New Zealand’s biofouling regulations while Ray secured us a spot on the haul-out facility’s schedule a year earlier than we had planned. Everything was coming together. We topped off our fuel and food supply, caught up on laundry, meal prepped, and secured all our belongings for what we anticipated would be a rough sail. We stopped by the [gendarmerie](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gendarmerie?ref=svsabado.com) and were officially stamped out of the country, only for the forecast to change mere hours later. Our weather window had disappeared, and there was not another in sight. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/img_7573-2.jpg) This was a tough pill for us to swallow. We could wait and still make it to Tonga in time, but the weather windows for a trip from Tonga to New Zealand are few and far between, and we don’t want to get stuck sailing uninsured during cyclone season. The reality is that we waited too long to decide we wanted to leave French Polynesia this year. So, we’ll be staying until April. To be honest, we spent the rest of the day pouting. The sun was hidden behind a thick layer of gray clouds, and the wind was howling. In our never-ending quest to stay positive, I’m not sure how our time here has been perceived online, but it has been hard for us. We were looking forward to getting to New Zealand. Thankfully, we have each other, our health, and our beautiful floating home. Our new mission is to find a sweet spot in the Marquesas/Tuamotus to camp out for cyclone season. If you have any anchorage recommendations, we’re all ears! We dug out our foul weather gear and strapped on our PFDs for a spirited dinghy ride to town to check back into the country. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/snapshot-26-10-2024-1358-1.jpg) The officials were far less kind than before and, frankly, unhelpful. We sat on wooden benches, soggy and confused, calling random numbers in Papeete in an attempt to fulfill their vague commands. They must have eventually taken pity on us because suddenly everything was fine, and they stamped our passports and shooed us out the door. We stopped by a nearby wine shop before enduring the long, wet ride home. We spent the rest of the day sipping pinot noir in the saloon and doing computer work. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/img_7574-2.jpg) We are implementing some significant changes to our website. The transition has been rocky, and we apologize for the recent inconsistencies. Thank you for sticking with us while we work this out! It will be so cool once we’re finished! We published our latest YouTube video, which felt silly knowing what we know now, and watched the rain pour. We’ll stay here until the weather improves enough to start working our way Northeast. I hope you had a great week. ❤️ ### On-the-Go Emergency Kit URL: https://svsabado.com/on-the-go-emergency-kit/ Last updated: 2026-07-12T13:22:57.000Z Our friends Nick and Megan featured Ray’s on-the-go emergency kit in their [recent YouTube video](https://youtu.be/Yty0sERsSB8?si=hEBAx7J7IZbBce2v&ref=svsabado.com). Ray has been carrying this kit in his backpack for years, and we have so many stories of when it has come in handy! If you’re interested in building your own kit, we dug through our Amazon order history and found the exact links to what he has. *Disclaimer: The following post contains affiliate links. We earn commission from qualifying purchases. To shop more of our favorites, check out* [*our Amazon page*](https://www.amazon.com/shop/hollyandray?ref=svsabado.com)*!* ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/untitled-design-3-1-2.png) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/untitled-design-2.png) - A sturdy[ bag with various slots/pockets/tethers](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01MYF8Y94?linkCode=ssc&tag=onamzsabadoll-20&creativeASIN=B01MYF8Y94&asc%5Fitem-id=amzn1.ideas.150PU3CJ4F04G&ref%5F=aip%5Fsf%5Flist%5Fspv%5Fofs%5Flist%5Fm%5Fasin&ref=svsabado.com) - **Cleaning supplies** - [Magic towels](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B071ZNGVVY?linkCode=ssc&tag=onamzsabadoll-20&creativeASIN=B071ZNGVVY&asc%5Fitem-id=amzn1.ideas.150PU3CJ4F04G&ref%5F=aip%5Fsf%5Flist%5Fspv%5Fofs%5Flist%5Fm%5Fasin&ref=svsabado.com) - [Antibacterial wipes](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07YP7V4KX?linkCode=ssc&tag=onamzsabadoll-20&creativeASIN=B07YP7V4KX&asc%5Fitem-id=amzn1.ideas.150PU3CJ4F04G&ref%5F=aip%5Fsf%5Flist%5Fspv%5Fofs%5Flist%5Fm%5Fasin%5Fmlt&ref=svsabado.com) - [Stain remover stick](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01C3NAT16?linkCode=ssc&tag=onamzsabadoll-20&creativeASIN=B01C3NAT16&asc%5Fitem-id=amzn1.ideas.150PU3CJ4F04G&ref%5F=aip%5Fsf%5Flist%5Fspv%5Fofs%5Flist%5Fm%5Fasin&ref=svsabado.com) - **Personal care items** - Feminine hygiene products - Hair elastic - [Chapstick](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08NWHWMH3?linkCode=ssc&tag=onamzsabadoll-20&creativeASIN=B08NWHWMH3&asc%5Fitem-id=amzn1.ideas.150PU3CJ4F04G&ref%5F=aip%5Fsf%5Flist%5Fspv%5Fofs%5Flist%5Fm%5Fasin%5Fmlt&ref=svsabado.com) - Bandaids - [Mini disposable toothbrushes ](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B004NH2YQ4?linkCode=ssc&tag=onamzsabadoll-20&creativeASIN=B004NH2YQ4&asc%5Fitem-id=amzn1.ideas.150PU3CJ4F04G&ref%5F=aip%5Fsf%5Flist%5Fspv%5Fofs%5Flist%5Fm%5Fasin%5Fmlt&ref=svsabado.com) - Dental floss - [Pill holders](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CDGZNCLD?linkCode=ssc&tag=onamzsabadoll-20&creativeASIN=B0CDGZNCLD&asc%5Fitem-id=amzn1.ideas.150PU3CJ4F04G&ref%5F=aip%5Fsf%5Flist%5Fspv%5Fofs%5Flist%5Fm%5Fasin%5Fmlt&ref=svsabado.com) (Tylenol, aspirin, antacid) - [Travel size eyeglasses](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00O1207EW?linkCode=ssc&tag=onamzsabadoll-20&creativeASIN=B00O1207EW&asc%5Fitem-id=amzn1.ideas.150PU3CJ4F04G&ref%5F=aip%5Fsf%5Flist%5Fspv%5Fofs%5Flist%5Fm%5Fasin&ref=svsabado.com) - Ear plugs - Cough drops - Saline 5mL tubes - **Tools** - [Leatherman](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DC8ZB1XC?linkCode=ssc&tag=onamzsabadoll-20&creativeASIN=B0DC8ZB1XC&asc%5Fitem-id=amzn1.ideas.150PU3CJ4F04G&ref%5F=aip%5Fsf%5Flist%5Fspv%5Fofs%5Flist%5Fm%5Fasin%5Fmlt&ref=svsabado.com) - [Telescoping magnetic grabber](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0000DINDG?linkCode=ssc&tag=onamzsabadoll-20&creativeASIN=B0000DINDG&asc%5Fitem-id=amzn1.ideas.150PU3CJ4F04G&ref%5F=aip%5Fsf%5Flist%5Fspv%5Fofs%5Flist%5Fm%5Fasin&ref=svsabado.com) - [Ultra-compact rechargeable flashlight](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08R66DKYS?linkCode=ssc&tag=onamzsabadoll-20&creativeASIN=B08R66DKYS&asc%5Fitem-id=amzn1.ideas.150PU3CJ4F04G&ref%5F=aip%5Fsf%5Flist%5Fspv%5Fofs%5Flist%5Fm%5Fasin&ref=svsabado.com) - [Super glue](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01MQTG9E8?linkCode=ssc&tag=onamzsabadoll-20&creativeASIN=B01MQTG9E8&asc%5Fitem-id=amzn1.ideas.150PU3CJ4F04G&ref%5F=aip%5Fsf%5Flist%5Fspv%5Fofs%5Flist%5Fm%5Fasin&ref=svsabado.com) - [Super lube](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000BXOGHY?linkCode=ssc&tag=onamzsabadoll-20&creativeASIN=B000BXOGHY&asc%5Fitem-id=amzn1.ideas.150PU3CJ4F04G&ref%5F=aip%5Fsf%5Flist%5Fspv%5Fofs%5Flist%5Fm%5Fasin&ref=svsabado.com) - [Multi-tool pen with stylus](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07YJWY967?linkCode=ssc&tag=onamzsabadoll-20&creativeASIN=B07YJWY967&asc%5Fitem-id=amzn1.ideas.150PU3CJ4F04G&ref%5F=aip%5Fsf%5Flist%5Fspv%5Fofs%5Fmixed%5Fd%5Fasin&th=1&ref=svsabado.com) - [Multi-tool pen with LED light ](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0C18HG9ZD?linkCode=ssc&tag=onamzsabadoll-20&creativeASIN=B0C18HG9ZD&asc%5Fitem-id=amzn1.ideas.150PU3CJ4F04G&ref%5F=aip%5Fsf%5Flist%5Fspv%5Fofs%5Fmixed%5Fd%5Fasin&th=1&ref=svsabado.com) - **Other** - [Waterproof notebook](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CR6BNZHY?linkCode=ssc&tag=onamzsabadoll-20&creativeASIN=B0CR6BNZHY&asc%5Fitem-id=amzn1.ideas.150PU3CJ4F04G&ref%5F=aip%5Fsf%5Flist%5Fspv%5Fofs%5Flist%5Fm%5Fasin%5Fmlt&ref=svsabado.com) - [Power bank](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08JH5SKQ8?linkCode=ssc&tag=onamzsabadoll-20&creativeASIN=B08JH5SKQ8&asc%5Fitem-id=amzn1.ideas.150PU3CJ4F04G&ref%5F=aip%5Fsf%5Flist%5Fspv%5Fofs%5Flist%5Fm%5Fasin&ref=svsabado.com) - [Credit card size adapter set](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08LBZPZDR?linkCode=ssc&tag=onamzsabadoll-20&creativeASIN=B08LBZPZDR&asc%5Fitem-id=amzn1.ideas.150PU3CJ4F04G&ref%5F=aip%5Fsf%5Flist%5Fspv%5Fofs%5Flist%5Fm%5Fasin&ref=svsabado.com) - Zip ties - Face mask - Duct tape - Paracord rope - Velcro ### Returning to Familiar Waters URL: https://svsabado.com/returning-to-familiar-waters/ Last updated: 2024-10-20T11:00:00.000Z *A Week Aboard S/V Sabado: 10/13/2024 - 10/20/2024* **Hi friends!** *We’ve been pretty busy and didn’t get the chance to post a YouTube video this week. Check back next week!* Last Sunday, we decided to pull our anchor and motor from Taha’a to Raiatea. We hopped onto the fuel dock, topped off our diesel tanks, and filled all our jerry jugs in anticipation of our passage to New Zealand. We were still waiting for our insurance to approve [our last-minute change of plans](https://svsabado.com/change-of-plans-2/), so our preparations were premature. Still, we figured even if we didn’t end up embarking on the passage, having Sabado fueled and provisioned up couldn’t hurt. We anchored in Fa’aroa Bay for the night. Monday morning was beautiful, calm, and sunny. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/img_7352-1.jpg) We planned to leave that afternoon for an overnight trip to Moorea, where we would provision. The forecast showed little wind and 6ft seas on the beam, so I prepped some food to minimize my time in the galley. We were running low on groceries, but I managed to put together something for lunch and dinner. We left that afternoon and made our way out of the lagoon. With only 10kn of wind and rolly seas, we used the main, jib, and one engine. We probably could have sailed if we were willing to hoist the gennaker, but we hate listening to that sail flap in big seas. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/snapshot-19-10-2024-1827-1-1-1.png) We had left our fresh water level near empty since we could not run the watermaker in the runoff from last week’s storm. We had 13 gallons in our tank but had planned to replenish our supply while we moved between islands. We fired up the [Spectra](https://www.spectrawatermakers.com/us/us?ref=svsabado.com), which showed super low output and higher than normal salinity. Ray changed the filter and inspected the feed pump. We began to worry that the lightning had damaged it during the storm. We let it run for a while, desperate to put some water in our tanks, then shut it off. I took the helm while Ray did some tests on the system. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/img_7339-1.jpg) There were squalls on the horizon at sunset, so we reefed the main out of an abundance of caution and continued motor sailing through the night. Ray sat inside, researching the watermaker issues. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/img_7350-1.jpg) During my second watch shift, Ray crawled into the engine compartment that houses our watermaker with a headlamp. Twenty minutes later, we were making water with standard output and salinity levels. Since we had had an engine on, we weren’t concerned about power, so we let it run for a few hours. It turns out that the motor speed control board on our watermaker is programmed using a magnet, and it appears that the EMF from the lightning storm had wiped its programming. Ray was able to reset it with a magnet! In hindsight, this is probably what happened to us years ago in Florida. We had been through numerous lightning storms that summer but didn’t know nearly as much about the system as we do now. Back then, we spent hundreds of dollars to replace the motor speed control board entirely. I guess you live and you learn! We arrived in Moorea at sunrise. This is our third visit, our second time arriving at sunrise, and it is truly a sight to see. The steep, sharp mountains illuminated by the golden morning sun are spectacular. It reminds me of our sunrise arrival in the Marquesas after our 27-day Pacific Crossing. There is something so magical about the dramatic green mountains coming straight out of the sea. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/img_7340-1.jpg) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/img_7341-1.jpg) We dropped anchor in Cooks Bay and promptly went to sleep. Overnight sails are tough with a two-person crew. Adjusting to sleeping in shifts takes at least three days, so anything less than that is exhausting. We slept until noon, did some mindless chores, then returned to bed. We hit the ground running Wednesday morning. With no idea when we’d hear back from our insurance company, we had decided to prepare as though we’d be leaving early next week. Ray topped off our fuel tanks using our jerry jugs, then refilled them at the local gas station. I went to the grocery store and cooked a few meals to keep in the freezer. I like to have a variety of fully cooked meals ready to reheat quickly while underway. My galley was a cluttered mess all day! ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/img_7353-1-1.jpg) We watched the sunset and cheerfully commented on the lack of rain we’d had since arriving. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/snapshot-19-10-2024-1829-1-3.jpg) While we were washing the dishes from dinner, we saw a damn termite. We’d thought they only swarm after heavy rainfall, but we were wrong. Thankfully, we had already closed our hatches to keep the smoke from the trash being burned ashore out of the boat. We turned off our lights to avoid attracting more and spent the rest of the evening sitting in the dark, chatting and playing on our phones. I laid in bed Thursday morning, still half asleep, listening to Ray walking up on deck. I dreamt he had gotten approval from our insurance company and was running our [jacklines](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jackline?ref=svsabado.com#:~:text=A%20jackline%20is%20a%20rope,falling%20or%20being%20swept%20overboard.) in anticipation of our passage. I got up, excitedly poking my head upstairs, searching for Ray, only to see him hunched over looking for termite remains in Sabado’s nooks and crannies. Bummer. I sipped my coffee and shaped the sourdough I’d set out to proof overnight. Barely an hour later, we got the approval email from our insurance broker. After a brief moment of celebration, we got straight to work. We had assumed that any island with an airport would have a customs and immigration office to check out since that’s typically how it’s been everywhere we’ve traveled. However, upon further investigation, we learned we couldn’t check out from Moorea. Checking out is also a 2-3 day process here, so our options were to take the ferry back and forth from Tahiti multiple times, having to pay for eight taxis total, or sail to a different island. We chose the latter. Having no desire to return to Tahiti, we opted to head back to Bora Bora. Bora Bora has been our favorite of the Society Islands, and we wanted to depart on a good note. We left Moorea the following day, motor sailing toward Bora Bora. Despite a promising forecast, the wind came from a different direction and never really filled out for us. Beyond the monotonous drone of the engine, it was a lovely night illuminated by a bright moon. As the sun rose, we were greeted by the easily identifiable outline of Mount Otemanu. We had arrived in Bora Bora. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/img_7349-2-1-2.jpg) We hopped onto a mooring ball Saturday morning, chugged some coffee, and took the dinghy to the [Gendarmerie](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gendarmerie?ref=svsabado.com) to begin the checkout process. We were surprised to find them open on the weekend! The officials were very kind and helpful as we navigated the confusing forms and fired off questions about the timeline. We will return to their office on Tuesday or Wednesday for the final step. We stopped by a wine shop before returning to Sabado and spent the rest of the day lounging around, sipping chilled rosé and taking in the view. This is not a bad life! ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/img_7351-1.jpg) We’ll spend the next few days watching the weather and preparing the necessary paperwork to arrive/stay in Tonga and New Zealand. The processes are much more complicated than our leisurely “show up and fill out a form” experiences in the Caribbean. Maybe there will be a future blog post about it… I hope you had a great week. ❤️ ### Crew Only Update: We have GOOD NEWS! URL: https://svsabado.com/patreon-only-update-we-have-good-news/ Last updated: 2026-07-03T00:06:44.000Z Today, we officially received approval from our insurance company for our passage to New Zealand! Life will be a bit chaotic between now and then as we scramble to get the boat ready + check out of French Polynesia, but we are excited to take you along on this new adventure. If you have any NZ recommendations (especially marinas), send them our way! Crew members - Log in to view the video update. Thank you for your support. ❤️ _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Haul Out Projects URL: https://svsabado.com/haul-out-projects/ Last updated: 2026-06-24T08:18:34.000Z We are currently developing our project list for our haul out at Port Whangarei Marine Center in New Zealand. This will be an extensive (and expensive) refit period for us and Sabado. We are not only addressing routine preventative and scheduled maintenance but we are also making significant modific _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### 4 Anchorages in 4 Days URL: https://svsabado.com/4-anchorages-in-4-days/ Last updated: 2024-10-06T17:39:04.000Z *A Week Aboard S/V Sabado: 9/29/2024 - 10/06/2024* **Bonjour!** *Have you seen [our latest YouTube video](https://youtu.be/G7Cn0nQasIk?si=4Ho%5F8VkJxfprCxxz&ref=svsabado.com)?* Last Sunday, we decided to run the generator out of convenience rather than necessity. We used our high output watermaker to top off our tanks and catch up on laundry. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/snapshot-05-10-2024-23-1_reduced.png) Around lunchtime, when all the tour boats disappear for an hour, our friends [Bryan and Jen](https://www.instagram.com/thedangerz?igsh=cDgwZ3NrajI1bHQw&ref=svsabado.com) came by in their dinghy to pick us up for a snorkel. We still had the genny on, so Ray stayed home to keep an eye on things while I eagerly tagged along. The three of us went out past a nearby resort, the kind you see in magazines with huts on stilts over the water. The current was ripping over the beautiful reef. We jumped in and began drifting, watching the sea life fly by beneath us. Drifting is a different kind of magic- you get all the rewards of snorkeling with basically none of the work. You surrender to nature, letting the ocean control your speed and direction. Most of the time, I like to float vertically in the water, twirling around, trying my best to take it all in. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/snapshot-05-10-2024-25-1-e1728191291950-reduced2.png) A colorful wrasse fighting the current. On our way back to the mooring field, we decided to circle through where we had spotted a fever of eagle rays. We all kept an eye out and eventually noticed a gray patch… it seemed to expand and shrink, expand and shrink… Bingo! We had found them; we slipped into the water and watched in amazement. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/snapshot-05-10-2024-17-1.jpg) Seeing them on a bright sunny day with friends rather than in the rain with 15 strangers and their tour guide yelling at me (like [last week](https://svsabado.com/bora-bora-a-bucket-list-destination/)) was nothing short of amazing. We swam above them for a while, watching others join from all directions. Everything I’ve read about spotted eagle rays suggests they are predominantly solitary animals, only gathering in groups to travel long distances through the open ocean. I’m not sure why so many of them stay together inside this lagoon, seemingly in the same area day after day. Are they alright? Are they being fed as a tourist attraction? We parted ways for the rest of the afternoon. Ray and I finished up some chores, and I showed him the stingray footage. I baked some buns and took them to Bryan and Jen’s at sunset for dinner. The four of us had sausages and grilled vegetables, exchanging stories and travel tips. I always have a great time with them, like Nick and Megan. The common denominator is that they’re all from Portland, Oregon. Do I have a type? ;) We spent Monday cleaning, defrosting the fridge, restocking groceries, and picking up some gasoline. Bryan and Jen left that morning for the next leg of their adventure, and we were leaving tomorrow, going in the opposite direction. Hopefully, our paths will cross again soon! We watched our last sunset in Bora Bora; it felt bittersweet. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/snapshot-05-10-2024-1355-1-1.jpg) The next morning, we ditched our mooring ball and motored out of the pass. It was bright and sunny, and the pass was pleasantly calm. We turned toward [Taha’a](https://www.tahititourisme.com/islands/tahaa/?ref=svsabado.com), and our apparent wind speed was 0kn. We motored on, taking in the magnificent outline of Mount Otemanu. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/snapshot-05-10-2024-2227-1-1.jpg) Our apparent wind speed grew once we exited the island's shadow, and we hoisted the main and jib. We still didn’t have enough wind to sail, so we kept an engine on, and motor sailed the rest of the way. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/untitled-design-1-1.png) We found a secluded spot to anchor in the turquoise water and dug out a couple of pearl floats to place after the bridle, keeping our chain off a small coral cluster in an otherwise sandy spot. We haven’t floated our chain since the Tuamotus! I jumped in and double-checked our anchor, floats, and depth of any surrounding bommies. We were in the clear. We spent the rest of the day soaking up the sunshine and relaxing. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/snapshot-05-10-2024-24-1-3.jpg) We hammered through the rest of our to-do list on Wednesday, finishing an interior deep clean/[termite inspection](https://svsabado.com/september-2024-behind-the-scenes/), tech projects, and baking a loaf of sourdough. It felt good to be alone, on anchor, being productive. We had a healthy dinner and then went to bed. We were jolted out of near-sleep by a grumbling sound. I assumed it was our chain rubbing up against something on the ocean floor, but was proven wrong by a bright flashing light: our first lightning storm in French Polynesia. We begrudgingly went upstairs, checked the weather, and began timing the lightning/thunder to see which way it was moving. The wind picked up, and we got a bit of rain, but we were back in bed just an hour later. Unfortunately, that, too, was short-lived. After the storm had passed, the wind had died entirely, leaving us at the mercy of the current. We had been pushed forward on our anchor, and one of our floats was bashing into the hull. The pearl floats on our chain are hard plastic, and we knew it could beat up Sabado. We waited, hoping it would correct itself, but ended up having to pull up our chain and reposition the floats in the dark. We finally went to sleep around 1AM. With high winds in the forecast, we decided to move to a different spot the following day. We pulled our anchor and began motoring toward an area with more than a few palm trees for protection. I was keeping watch on the bow, but visibility was poor since it was overcast. I saw something dark in the water, but it didn’t look near the surface. “How deep are we?” I shouted back to Ray. “20ft under the keel.” He responded. Then our depth alarm went off, and I felt Ray throw the boat in reverse. Had we hit something? I ran astern. Neither of us had felt anything concerning. Our depth alarm goes off when we have 3ft or less under our keel. We took a deep breath, adjusted our heading, and proceeded slowly. I took the helm while Ray triple-checked the charts and satellite images. There was no indication of any obstacle, and we were barely off our track from when we came in. Plus, we had another boat’s tracks to go off as well. You must stay vigilant here, and you cannot trust your charts. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/img_8134-1-5.jpg) The red lines are ours and a monohull’s tracks, the white X is approximately where our depth alarm sounded. We reached our next anchorage, and I immediately jumped in to inspect the bottom of the boat. There was no indication that we had hit anything; even the soft green beard Sabado had been growing was undisturbed. I sighed in relief and checked our anchor and any surrounding bommies. It rained intermittently for the rest of the day, so we stayed inside, periodically napping to compensate for our lack of sleep the previous night. The wind began to pick up after dinner, so we were up late again, listening to the waves slapping our hulls and the wind howl. By morning, our anchorage had become pretty uncomfortable. The wind had continued to shift around, bypassing any protection the motu ahead of us could provide. We were bouncing up and down, side to side. We decided to move into another nearby anchorage, with some mountains and a mud bottom. The sea state was dramatically calmer, but the wind was oddly gusty, going from 5kn to 30kn and then back to 5kn. We spent the day finishing up our latest YouTube video and watching TV. We realized we had dodged a bullet on Saturday morning. A boat in front of us had dragged all the way to shore overnight, just narrowly missing Sabado. They had grounded in the mud but managed to re-anchor safely. Spooked, we discussed leaving but didn’t really know where else to go. This was our “plan C” anchorage! We had held strong all night and kept a tight (and incredibly loud) anchor alarm on. So, we went about our morning, eating breakfast and sipping our coffee while watching a new boat coming in. It was a solo sailor on a monohull. He couldn’t get his anchor to set after his first drop, and instead of bringing it up, he powered forward while it was still down. Alarm bells began sounding in Ray's head- he kept a close eye as the guy dragged his anchor around and tried to reset right in front of us. His hull turned perpendicular to the wind and, with one of those 30-knot gusts, began dragging rapidly toward Sabado. Ray and I ran out onto the bow, yelling and waving our arms, trying to alert the captain that he was dragging. The guy stayed seated at the helm, throwing his arms up in defeat. He had given up. Maybe he had a long, rough passage to get here, or his chain had wrapped around his rudder, and he couldn’t steer… Either way, giving up is irresponsible when other people are at risk. We leaped into action. I started yanking fenders out of our forepeak, then sprinted back into the saloon to grab the windlass remote. Ray started the engines, and like a well-oiled machine, we pulled up our chain and got the hell out of the way. I am so thankful we didn’t have floats on at this point. I have no doubt the added time to remove them would have led to a collision. We shouted over the wind to the dragging boat, asking if he needed help or something was broken. He just waved us off, so we left the bay and motored around the island, searching for a new spot. This would be our 4th anchorage in 4 days- our fifth this week- *not* our preferred cruising pace. Our next two options were jam-packed with boats, but we found a suitable spot on the leeward side of the island. It was deeper than we would have preferred and still blowing 22kn sustained, so we put out all our chain and backed down hard. We didn’t budge. We set our anchor alarm and checked the latest forecasts: it looks like we’ve got at least five more days of these conditions… Hopefully, they’ll be less eventful than these past few days. I hope you had a great week. ❤️ ### September 2024: Behind the Scenes URL: https://svsabado.com/september-2024-behind-the-scenes/ Last updated: 2026-06-24T08:19:56.000Z Ahoy, folks! We have posted 19 months’ worth of these behind-the-scenes reports and have hopefully given you a better idea of what living on a boat is *really* like. These have quickly become our favorite things to create; we frequently refer back to them to identify patterns and keep track of projects. We’ve put extra time and effort into it this month, including more photos, context/details, links, and prices. We’ve also added an additional section where we speak more candidly about our current cruising grounds. **If you want to see the extended version, join our** [**Crew**](https://svsabado.com/subscribe/)**! Otherwise, per usual, here is a bullet point list of things we have dealt with in September 2024:** - I defrosted our saloon fridge/freezer once. - After an unexpected bouncy approach to Moorea, we discovered our main halyard had gotten tangled/caught on something partway up the mast. After several failed attempts to shake it loose, I sent Ray up the mast to free it. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/untitled-design-1.png) - We endured three termite swarms this month. One in Tahiti, one in Moorea, and one in Raiatea. This seems to occur after a day of heavy rainfall, just past sunset. We have learned to close all our hatches and turn off all the lights (even our anchor light!) to avoid attracting them. We have not seen any evidence of the termites making it inside, but we will continue conducting weekly inspections. Unless we see a reason to do it sooner, we plan to have the boat fumigated during our next haulout. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/untitled-design-2-1.png) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/untitled-design-3-1-1.png) - After sitting on anchor for several hours, a local fisherman requested we move despite being in a designated anchorage. This left us scrambling to find a new spot before dark. We have had three other similar encounters in the Society Islands. - We paid $40.00 per night to stay on a mooring ball in Bora Bora. Additionally, the yacht club charges $30.00 per day to use their dinghy dock, but they waive that fee if you spend at least $30.00 at their restaurant/shop. - We spent $438.97 on diesel in Raiatea. - We purchased a sack of [star apples](https://foodprint.org/real-food/star-apple/?ref=svsabado.com) in Moorea. Star apples are sweet but have a slimy, mushy consistency that immediately garnered the nickname “snot melons” and “booger plums” aboard Sabado. I didn't want to waste them, so I blended 5 with ½ of a pineapple and a can of coconut milk. I filled our popsicle molds and froze what was left in silicone cupcake liners. The popsicles were delicious, but I *really* enjoyed throwing the chunks from the cupcake liners into smoothies! ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/untitled-design-4-1.png) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/untitled-design-5-1.png) - Ray had to trim back a portion of our topping lift to address chafing. - We paid $39.67 for 6 gallons of gasoline in Bora Bora. - While descending the stairs into the cockpit on our starboard side, one of our lifelines broke, sending Ray down to the ground. Thankfully, he did not hit his head! We were able to put the lifeline back together but are still unsure why it gave out. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/untitled-design-6-1.png) - We paid $260.44 at a gas station in Bora Bora for a new generator start battery. It was overpriced, but ours has been dead for months, and we’re tired of having to jump-start it every time we need to run the generator! **We hope you enjoyed this month’s behind-the-scenes report! The following section is for our Crew: an extended version of our experiences in September 2024.** _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Bora Bora: A Bucket-List Destination! URL: https://svsabado.com/bora-bora-a-bucket-list-destination/ Last updated: 2024-09-29T18:00:00.000Z *A Week Aboard S/V Sabado: 9/21/2024 - 9/28/2024* **Hi friends! Happy Sunday!** *Check out our latest YouTube video [here](https://youtu.be/cqWmH2MiC3I?si=Vd9NmXYMoKym1ZHr&ref=svsabado.com).* Last Sunday, we left Raiatea and motored to Bora Bora. With 6kn of wind on our nose, we didn’t even bother raising the mainsail. The trip was pleasant, with calm seas and sunshine- a refreshing change from last week's string of rainy days. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/snapshot-28-09-2024-2152-1-3.png) The trip took us \~3 hours. We hopped onto a mooring ball in front of the Bora Bora Yacht Club and took in the iconic view of Mount Otemanu. Bora Bora is a popular bucket list destination, and we were so stoked to be there! We piled in the dinghy around sunset and headed to shore for dinner. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/snapshot-28-09-2024-1404-1.jpg) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/img_6961-1.jpg) We laughed nervously as we noticed a dead termite squished between the menu pages and another stuck in the condensation on a water bottle. We chatted about our plans, dream destinations, and boat projects. It was nice to have a meal off the boat together! As daylight disappeared, the waitress ran around the restaurant, turning off the tea lights on every table- the lights were attracting more termites. Thankfully, we had closed up Sabado and turned all the lights off before heading ashore- even the anchor light. We agreed to stop talking about bugs, and Megan and I shared a chocolate lava cake for dessert. A loud, jackhammer-esque noise filled the mooring field Monday morning. We sat around, sipping our coffee, waiting for it to stop. It was coming from some sort of barge nearby, potentially installing new moorings- we weren’t close enough to tell. We ate breakfast, did the dishes, and decided we’d rather move along than waste the rest of the morning hoping for peace and quiet. So, Ray started the engines, and we motored out toward the reef. We settled in a beautiful spot near a shallow sand bank, and all four of us got in the crystal clear water. It was the perfect temperature, and aside from the rogue wake of a passing tour boat, it was flat and calm! Ahhh, paradise! ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/snapshot-26-09-2024-1421-1.jpg) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/snapshot-25-09-2024-1513-1.jpg) We had heard about a nearby spot where a large group of spotted eagle rays frequent. So, Ray zipped me over on the dinghy. I’ve never seen more than two or three eagle rays at a time, so I was in awe as 30+ appeared from the depths! They moved so gracefully, seemingly unaware of my presence. I watched as they flapped their “wings” in slow motion, propelling them forward, their long tails trailing behind them. What incredible creatures! ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/snapshot-25-09-2024-1510-1.jpg) Suddenly, I was pulled out of my zen, underwater trance by the sound of a man yelling. I popped my head above the water, understanding that he was ordering me to swim in line with the 15-20 tourists he was “guiding.” “I’m not part of your group!” I yelled back. By the time I looked back down, the stingrays were swimming away, and the tour group had made it to my location, splashing and shouting at one another. I swam back to the dinghy and waited for the tour boat to load everyone back aboard and leave. It began raining, but I slipped back underwater, hoping to get a moment alone with the eagle rays. The water had grown dark by then, and I couldn’t spot them. We sped back to Sabado, rinsed off, and watched the rain pour. What’s your favorite rainy-day activity? I like to do yoga in the cockpit, listen to the rain hit the teak, and smell the faint aroma of wet land in the distance. We spent most of the day Tuesday relaxing on the boat. Nick and Megan had some work to do, and so did we. Ray has been creating a web portal that, when finished, will allow our [patrons](https://www.patreon.com/HollyandRay?utm%5Fmedium=clipboard%5Fcopy&utm%5Fsource=copyLink&utm%5Fcampaign=creatorshare%5Ffan&utm%5Fcontent=join%5Flink) to watch all our YouTube videos ad-free, without us having to do a second upload via YouTube! I worked on our most recent video and some upcoming blog posts. That afternoon, we decided to take the dinghy to town. Out of curiosity, we cruised by a boat that was for sale, then wandered over to the grocery store to pick up some groceries to get us through the week. Wednesday was wet and gloomy. We ran the generator and tackled some chores before preparing dinner and dessert. I’ve been doing quite a bit of cooking lately, so rather than put something together for dessert from scratch, Megan and I found a boxed lemon cake mix at the store. I doctored it up with high-quality butter, vanilla, and sour cream and topped it with fresh whipped cream instead of frosting. It was a hit! I’m embarrassed to admit that we ate every last bit in one sitting. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/snapshot-28-09-2024-2154-1.jpg) This was Nick and Megan’s last night aboard Sabado, so we reminisced in the cockpit while the sun fell below the horizon. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/snapshot-28-09-2024-2155-1.jpg) There are not many folks we’d want to host for 25 days straight, but Nick and Megan are always welcome! In fact, we were sad to see them leave. We cleaned up the galley and played a few board games before calling it a night and heading to bed. They left the following afternoon, and Ray and I quickly realized just how many of our regular tasks we’d put on the back burner in the name of hanging out and having fun with our guests. We made a to-do list, ate dinner, and watched a TV show, just the two of us. We had lofty goals for this weekend- polish the stainless, wash the boat, catch up on laundry, defrost the freezer, etc. but we have yet to accomplish a single thing. Well, that’s not entirely true- we did one load of laundry yesterday! We’ll get back in the swing of things in due time… I hope you had a great week. ❤️ ### Cruising the Society Islands: Beautiful, but Challenging URL: https://svsabado.com/cruising-the-society-islands-beautiful-but-challenging/ Last updated: 2026-06-24T21:34:22.000Z *A Week Aboard S/V Sabado: 9/15/2024 - 9/22/2024* **Good morning, hello, happy Sunday!** *Have you seen* [*our latest YouTube video*](https://youtu.be/Zg7H%5F7YMOrU?si=biZx8bLnhNLGitlM&fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR01PZbbBiopyJdW5JIpoMYL2gStHbXENzr0dThQkAZAQkTPpU%5FB5qXCE9I%5Faem%5FcwyE5V7wWoEZwAnrdK165Q&ref=svsabado.com)*?* We were misled last Sunday by a beautiful sunny morning- it rained the rest of the day. We passed the time editing videos, chatting, and watching movies. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/snapshot-22-09-2024-15-1.png) The boat felt a bit steamy since we had to keep the hatches closed, so we set the table outside for dinner. Two bites in, and we saw them… *termites*! Flying around, *everywhere*. We ushered everyone inside and turned off all the lights. This wasn’t our first rodeo; we were swarmed in Tahiti two weeks ago. Thinking it was a one-off event, we didn’t post about it online. We are perhaps overly cautious when posting anything negative since it is such a privilege to live on a boat in paradise, and we never want to come across as ungrateful or disrespectful toward the places we visit. However, we haven’t been loving our time here and want to share our experience with anyone planning to cruise this area. We spent the rest of the evening hiding indoors, watching in horror as the cockpit was blanketed in creepy crawlers. Monday morning was bright, sunny, and calm. I made my rounds with the vacuum cleaner, sucking up the [wings](https://terminixnola.com/why-do-termites-lose-their-wings?ref=svsabado.com) that littered the boat. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/snapshot-15-09-2024-22-1.jpg) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/img_6757-1.jpg) I inspected all the nooks and crannies of the interior with a headlamp, looking for any evidence of them making it inside. Thankfully, I saw none. I will continue inspecting weekly. We have reached out to an exterminator, and it seems like the chances of an infestation are low; the termites here are most likely subterranean termites looking for soil. Regardless, they are spooky and incite stress aboard Sabado. We plan to coordinate fumigation during our next haul out unless we see a reason to do it sooner. I clung to any shred of positivity I could as the clouds rolled in just in time for our whale-watching trip. I’ve been dreaming about swimming with whales since before I moved aboard Sabado, so I was determined not to let the bugs or the weather bum me out. Worst case scenario, I get wet, right? I’m already in a swimsuit, so who cares?! We took the dinghy to shore and climbed into a taxi, which took us to the next bay, where we met up with our guide and captain, [Pierre and Te Mana](https://en.blueinvitation.com/private-whale-swim?ref=svsabado.com). We zipped off the dock and through the pass, hugging the outside of the reef. Pierre explained his background and highlighted that the humpback whales were here this time of year to reproduce, so it is important not to disturb them. Just because you see a whale doesn’t mean you should be swimming with it! We spotted a giant whale almost immediately. Te Mana expertly maneuvered us alongside her as she dove down and resurfaced several times, constantly moving forward. She did not stop to rest, play, or sing, so we did not get in the water. We repeated this process several times, each with incredible whale sightings, getting in the water a couple of times in anticipation but only seeing the whales while from the boat. Toward the end of our scheduled time, it began raining. A whale breached in the distance, and Pierre mentioned that other whales will typically head in that direction to see what the commotion was. So, we waited. Two whales surfaced alongside the boat, and one breached, showing us its pale pink belly. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/snapshot-21-09-2024-2101-1-1.jpg) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/snapshot-21-09-2024-2102-1-1.jpg) They were playing! By this time, the water had grown dark, and Nick and Megan were shivering. It was just me and Pierre. We slipped into the water, trying to be discreet, and swam forward. The whales were somewhere deep below us, out of sight, but they were singing at the top of their lungs! I was shocked by how loud they were; I could feel the vibrations in my chest, and my joints were practically rattling! It sounded like it was coming from every direction, and I had a brief moment of panic as I spun around and around, worried they could be right behind me. Pierre noticed and pointed me in the right direction. I saw a glimmer of something white ascending from the depths. It felt like everything was moving in slow motion as she rose to the surface before us, unveiling her sheer size. I’ve never swam with something that big! I was awestruck. I felt so tiny. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/img_6788-1.jpg) I watched her swim away, then fell vertically in the water, popping my head up for the first time in what felt like forever. I twirled around and saw Pierre grinning from ear to ear. His smile grew as he watched me bust out laughing in disbelief- what do you even say to someone after watching *that*? “Again!” He whispered, urgently tugging my arm underwater. My eyes widened as I looked down and saw another whale; by the time it was close enough for me to make out its anatomy, I quickly realized it was coming straight toward us. I tensed but promptly relaxed as it lurched its giant body up and backward, twisting and swimming away. What an incredible encounter. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/img_6789-1.jpg) We returned to the boat, and I could tell everyone was trying their best to be happy for me. If you plan to swim with whales, I would insist on bringing your own gear: a full-length thick wetsuit, good fins, and a comfortable mask. I tried to suppress my excitement as we sped back toward the dock, learning that we had surpassed our scheduled end time while I was in the water, causing us to have to cancel our dinner reservations for the night and our taxi driver to have to wait on us. I felt a little selfish for ruining our plans and guilty for making everyone sit in the cold… but I was also proud of myself for going for it. Ray squeezed my hand and smiled. Nick and Megan asked if they could see the GoPro footage when we got home. I hope I’ll have another opportunity to swim with whales when it’s bright and sunny, but I will cherish this memory forever, regardless! We returned to Sabado, started the generator, and took showers. This was the third time we’ve had to run the generator in the past ten days. Between the shadows from the mountains and these long stretches of gloomy weather, we’ve struggled to get enough solar power. We reached out to a shop in Tahiti about getting a few additional foldable solar panels we could lay out on the bow to give us a boost, but they charge hundreds of dollars more per panel than online and said it would take 3+ months to get here. So, we’ll keep using the genny! Since we had initially planned on going out, I didn’t have anything ready to prepare for dinner, so Nick ran to the store and picked up two frozen pizzas that we popped into the air fryer and ate while we watched a movie. The rain continued the next day, and the runoff from the mountains poured through the anchorage. Thankfully, we didn’t need to run the watermaker! ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/snapshot-15-09-2024-1417-2-1.png) As a tall gal, a good chunk of my skin is still exposed when I’m in my wetsuit, so I had gotten stung by a few tiny jellyfish while swimming with the whales. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/img_6686.jpg) I slathered on some Benadryl cream and spent the afternoon researching wetsuits with longer inseams or high-top neoprene booties to add to my underwater gear collection one day. We were excited to see the sun on Wednesday. Megan and I went to the grocery store to replenish our food supply while Ray and Nick looked at the weather forecast. We decided to leave Moorea for an overnight sail to Raiatea. We pulled anchor just before 9pm and motored into the moonlight. Less than an hour in, we hoisted the main and brought out the jib. We sailed slowly (TWS 8kn, SOG \~4kn) for a couple of hours, the following seas helping push us along, then motor-sailed for a few more. Ray and I did three hours on and three hours off at the helm, and Nick and Megan joined us as they pleased. After our 3am shift change, we decided to pull out the gennaker. We typically don’t fly big headsails at night, but we felt comfortable doing it in such calm conditions, plus we had extra light from the full moon. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/snapshot-21-09-2024-22-1-1.jpg) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/snapshot-21-09-2024-2126-1-1.jpg) With the gennaker up, we sailed along peacefully for 6-ish hours! As we neared Raiatea, we swapped out the gennaker for the jib, eventually dropping the sails entirely and motoring to our anchorage as the mountains began to block the wind. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/snapshot-20-09-2024-0119-1-1.png) It was a beautiful approach, with the dark green mountains peeking through the gray misty clouds. The air was crisp and smelled clean and slightly floral. We selected an anchorage with a review specifically stating how friendly it was and settled in for the night. It was Nick's birthday, so we all took a short nap before beginning his birthday festivities… ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/img_6790-1.jpg) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/img_6791-1.jpg) Just as we sat down for dinner, a local fisherman blasted close by Sabado, throwing his hands up at us in the cockpit, motioning for us to move. Confused, as we were in a designated anchorage with ten other boats, we pulled our anchor, coming to understand that we were in his unofficial/unmarked channel to the nearby marina and hoping we could tuck behind one of the other boats before dark. If a local asks us to move, we typically do, no questions asked, since we are guests. However, this interaction marks the 4th time we’ve been told to leave a spot here in French Polynesia, and none of the interactions have been pleasant. In 7 years of cruising, this has only happened to us once outside French Polynesia. There is palpable anti-cruiser sentiment in the Society Islands. It was a tight squeeze, but we found a spot to drop our anchor that pleased the fisherman. Unfortunately, it was 80 feet deep, so we backed down hard, set some tight anchor alarms, and agreed to leave the following morning. I never sleep well knowing we don’t have ample scope out. We are trying to arrange to get more anchor chain, but it isn't proving easy here. If we could go back in time, we’d make sure to have 110m of chain before crossing the Pacific. I reheated our dinner, and we made a toast to the birthday boy. We ended the night with coconut cream cupcakes and lots of smiles! ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/img_6787-1.jpg) Nick and Megan took a taxi to town Friday morning to do some boat shopping while Ray and I relocated Sabado. We spent a couple of hours motoring around, trying to find a safe spot. At one point, we dropped our anchor in 70ft of water only to have 6in under our keel once we had the bridle out! The topography here is challenging. We ended up right back where we were, in the “friendly anchorage.” Annoyed, we decided to stay one more night before refueling and staging to leave Raiatea on Sunday. We attempted to turn the day around by inviting two more friends of ours over for dinner that night. I, once again, had set the table in the cockpit before we were, once again, swarmed by termites. We went through our well-rehearsed motions: dishes, belongings, and humans indoors, hatches closed, lights off. The six of us sat around the saloon table, making the best of it. There's nothing better than good conversation and great company! I can’t believe we didn’t get a group picture! We left after breakfast on Saturday morning. It was raining, and we could see our tracks through the muddy water as we made our way around the island to the fuel dock. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/img_6786-1.jpg) We refueled and picked up a couple dozen eggs from the gas station (random, but it seems to be the most reliable place to find them in stock!). The cashier spoke no English but was patient and kind as I told her I was practicing my French. I asked if we could dispose of a bag of trash (the answer was no) and if the price she had charged me for diesel included the “two twelves of eggs” (I could stand to take a few more French lessons). She smiled and nodded. We left the dock and anchored near the pass in anticipation of our departure. The government has recently enacted new regulations limiting where boats can anchor, how many can occupy designated anchorages, and how long they can stay. We’ve heard reports that these rules have been enforced in the Society Islands this week, with boats receiving email notifications of their “improper anchoring location.” The government uses the email addresses from immigration check-in paperwork, and it is unclear if they’re using AIS or if someone is patrolling and writing down boat names. [Here](https://www.service-public.pf/dpam/reglementation-zones-mouillage/?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR2mpSJJuuXVb5BoZQP9iqC312sWdArHwBIeML1LaoxVyVx-XctCabKYmuA%5Faem%5F5Xmqb3YrAJo8YDZsMuKobg&ref=svsabado.com) is a link to the official rules. We’re pretty sure we’re within an approved spot. There are roughly 50 boats here, and Dream Yacht Charters owns a good chunk of them on private moorings. We haven’t been around this many charter boats since the Caribbean! It poured rain the rest of the afternoon, but the sun broke through just enough to turn the sky pink as we ate dinner. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/img_6785-1.jpg) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/img_6784-1.jpg) We’re heading to Bora Bora later today, a bucket list destination! We can see the outline of the famous mountains in the distance and are looking forward to something new. I hope you had a great week! ❤️ ### Exploring Moorea: Whales, Pineapples, and Booger Plums? URL: https://svsabado.com/exploring-moorea-whales-pineapples-and-booger-plums/ Last updated: 2024-09-15T18:36:54.000Z *A Week Aboard S/V Sabado: 9/08/2024 - 9/15/2024* **Hi guys!** *We’re back on YouTube. You can watch our latest video [here](https://youtu.be/1UyRxl5oh5A?si=whuXhiX-rxi5d8mD&ref=svsabado.com)—it’s a fun one!* Last Sunday, we went for a morning swim to the reef lining our anchorage and back to Sabado. We’d been anchored in a picturesque spot off of Moorea, a volcanic island just West of Tahiti, for several days. The water was a tad chilly, but we couldn’t resist jumping in! ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/snapshot-08-09-2024-2258-1.jpg) We decided to take the dinghy to shore for lunch after, and stopped by a local fruit stand to stock up on fresh mango and [star apple](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chrysophyllum%5Fcainito?ref=svsabado.com) before heading back to the boat. Star apple is a new fruit to me, with a deep purple skin and white slimy center. It tastes sweet, and reminds me of lychee. However, they’re not necessarily a crowd pleaser- the guys have been referring to them as “snot melons” and “booger plums”. Would you try one? ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/img_6647.jpg) The wind had picked up, and the anchorage had significant fetch. We held on tight as the dinghy bounced around, returning to Sabado shivering and completely soaked! We all took showers and lounged around on the boat the rest of the day while the wind howled. Megan and I made a batch of [sourdough tortillas](https://svsabado.com/sourdough-on-a-boat-cultivating-a-starter-our-favorite-recipes/) as the sun was setting, and we had chicken enchiladas for dinner, closing out the night with an episode of [Blue Planet](https://www.bbcearth.com/shows/blue-planet?ref=svsabado.com). Monday morning was tranquil, flat calm, and sunny. We second-guessed our decision to leave as we ogled at the bright blue water and steep, green mountains surrounding us. We eventually pulled up the anchor, having decided to just go to the bay around the corner so we could come back easily if we wanted to! We motored out of the pass and hoisted the main sail. We didn’t have enough wind to sail, but we were hopeful conditions would change. Suddenly, Ray put the engines in neutral. “Whale!!” He shouted, and we all ran to Sabado’s port side. Moorea is one of the top locations in the world to see humpback whales as they migrate through to reproduce from August to November. Sure enough, a small humpback had swam right under us, making its way toward the reef. We squealed with excitement as we watched it swim away- our first whale sighting of the season! Admittedly, I did a terribly job documenting it… can you spot the whale? ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/snapshot-15-09-2024-1405-1.png) The sea state became rough despite the lack of wind, so we dropped the main and motored the rest of the way to our destination. We pulled in later that morning and found a spot in another breathtaking bay. We were so thrilled with the view that Ray decided it was worth his while to clean the windows so we could see it clearly! ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/snapshot-15-09-2024-1406-1.png) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/snapshot-15-09-2024-21-1.png) We stopped by the grocery store to top off our supply of fruit and vegetables. There is a free dinghy dock and trash disposal, both walking distance from the store- a convenience we do not take for granted out here! We ventured out to the reef the following morning for a snorkel, followed by a hike to a lookout point. The landscape here is incredible! ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/snapshot-13-09-2024-15-1.png) From the top, we could see fields of pineapples growing out of the reddish volcanic soil. Taking the hint, we decided to purchase some from a stand on the side of the road on the way home. We later learned that pineapples are the largest export on the island, but they are only shipped locally, rarely ever making it out of the South Pacific, so they stay on the plant until ripe. They’re small but very flavorful! ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/snapshot-15-09-2024-1407-1.jpg) We spent the day Friday lounging around on the boat. We ran the watermaker for several hours, edited video footage, and discussed various boat projects/upgrades. Two other friends of ours pulled into the anchorage late that afternoon, and the six of us plus their two children met up for dinner on shore. We went to a crepe shop, and dined on both sweet and savory French crepes while we all caught up. Yesterday was wet and gloomy. It poured rain for hours, trapping us inside. We lowered the saloon table into a day bed, where we planted ourselves for hours, watching a couple of movies to pass the time and listening to the generator hum. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/snapshot-15-09-2024-1416-1.png) When the rain finally let up, the runoff from shore spread through the anchorage. I watched it surround Sabado from the cockpit. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/snapshot-15-09-2024-1417-1-2.png) The sunshine is back today, and it is a beautiful morning! Nick and Megan are sitting on the bow, sipping their coffee, while Ray and I chat in the cockpit. I have a pot of homemade yogurt cooking in the galley, and we are planning to swim with whales tomorrow. Life is good! I hope you had a great week. ❤️ ### All Aboard! Sailing from Tahiti to Moorea with Friends URL: https://svsabado.com/all-aboard-sailing-from-tahiti-to-moorea-with-friends/ Last updated: 2024-09-08T18:54:42.000Z *A Week Aboard S/V Sabado: 9/01/2024 - 9/08/2024* **Hello and happy Sunday!** *We’re getting back into the groove of cruising after a short break to address some health issues and source supplies for Sabado. Our latest video is a Patreon exclusive, you can watch it [here](https://www.patreon.com/posts/111614729?utm%5Fcampaign=postshare%5Fcreator&ref=svsabado.com). :)* Last Sunday, we spent time cleaning the boat, inside and out. We’ve let some of our regular chores slip through the cracks recently, and it felt good to catch back up. Our guest cabin was still in disarray from [our Pacific crossing](https://svsabado.com/pacific-crossing-roundup/), with canned corn and spare parts on the bed. We haven’t had guests since [we went through the Panama Canal](https://svsabado.com/transiting-the-panama-canal-on-our-sailing-catamaran-february-2024/)! I converted it back to hosting mode, anticipating our friends Nick and Megan’s arrival. Unfortunately, it has been so wet here that we haven’t done laundry in a while for fear it will never dry, so their cabin got some mix-and-matched pillowcases/towels- whatever we had left that was clean. We moved to a more convenient anchorage to pick them up the following morning. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/snapshot-07-09-2024-33-1.png) The four of us spent the day chatting in the cockpit while the wind howled. Nick and Megan are currently in the market for their next ride, so they filled us in on the latest developments of their boat-buying journey, and we reminisced on the last time we were all together, this time last year in Grenada! Man, we have sailed many, many miles since then! ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/d93333bc-3e9b-4b80-b902-47fc86f3b7c5-1.jpg) Tuesday morning, we took a group trip to the grocery store to load up on produce and snacks before pulling our anchor and moving to a quiet anchorage just 5 miles away. We took the dinghy to the nearby reef and snorkeled until we were all shivering. The water temperature here doesn’t feel too cold initially, but if you stay in long enough, you will get goosebumps! We headed home for hot showers, a steak dinner, and an incredible sunset. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/snapshot-07-09-2024-1914-1.png) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/snapshot-03-09-2024-14-1.png) By Thursday, we were ready for a change of scenery. Once everyone had their fill of coffee, we set sail for Moorea. Conditions started out calm and glossy. Ray pulled the main up by hand at anchor, putting in a preemptive reef. We exited the pass and worked our way around Tahiti. The wind began to pick up an hour in, so we hoisted the gennaker and shut off our engine. With a reef in the main and 11kn of wind, our SOG was 7-7.5kn! ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/snapshot-07-09-2024-1912-1.jpg) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/snapshot-07-09-2024-27-1.jpg) The sea state began to build, rolling us from side to side. We adjusted course to put the waves behind us, keeping the trip as comfortable as possible. We swapped out the gennaker for the jib as the wind began to creep up, gusting toward 20kn. With the headsail switch, our SOG was still over 7kn. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/untitled-design-1.png) As we came out of the shadow of the island, everything escalated. The sky grew darker, the wind shifted onto our nose, and the boat slammed into every wave. It wasn't ideal, but we weren’t unsafe. Everyone held on as we dropped the sails and motored the last hour into Moorea. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/snapshot-07-09-2024-1907-1.jpg) There were only three boats in the anchorage when we arrived, and we were able to settle in a great spot. We still had substantial winds, but Megan and I jumped in to check the anchor anyway. The water was crystal clear! Our anchor was buried in sand, so I gave a thumbs up to Ray, who was standing on the bow, keeping an eye on us. The water was choppy at the surface but calm below thanks to the protection from the reef ahead of Sabado. We took a moment to swim with an eagle ray we had spotted nearby before climbing back aboard. By Friday morning, the wind had died, and Megan and I took advantage of the calm conditions and went for a nice, long snorkel. The reef was teeming with life! We saw lots of [white-spotted pufferfish](https://www.fishi-pedia.com/fishes/arothron-hispidus?ref=svsabado.com#:~:text=The%20white-spotted%20puffer%20measures,The%20also%20has%20blanc%20tasks.), [whitetail dascyllus](https://www.fishi-pedia.com/fishes/dascyllus-aruanus?ref=svsabado.com#:~:text=The%20whitetail%20Dascyllus%20measures%20around,noir%20and%20blanc%20vertical%20stripes.), and [blue-green chromis](https://www.fishi-pedia.com/fishes/chromis-viridis?ref=svsabado.com)! ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/snapshot-08-09-2024-1429-1.png) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/snapshot-07-09-2024-1905-1.png) We had noticed a local freediver towing a board with a large box attached. As we swam closer to see what he was up to, we noticed more and more sharks circling… it became obvious that he was catching and killing something (clams, perhaps?), attracting the sharks. We decided that was enough information for us and promptly redirected our swim to the other end of the reef. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/snapshot-07-09-2024-1906-1.jpg) We took the dinghy to shore for lunch that afternoon, filling up on pizza and burgers. This was the third restaurant we’ve been to since arriving in French Polynesia, and it was the best so far! By the time we were headed back to Sabado, the wind had returned. It was a wet and bumpy dinghy ride home. We spent the rest of the day relaxing and playing board games inside. Saturday morning was serene. The water was flat, and there wasn’t a breath of wind. We spent the morning basking in the sun in the bean bag chairs on the bow. The wind began to pick up after breakfast, and I jumped in the water to clean the hulls before it got worse. I scrubbed away, periodically checking on the curious sharks. It was all soft growth just along the waterline, and it was an excellent workout treading water while scrubbing in the wind/current! ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/snapshot-08-09-2024-1424-1.jpg) We ran the generator and filled our water tanks as the clouds rolled in. The wind continued for the rest of the day, but we haven’t gotten any rain since we arrived! ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/snapshot-08-09-2024-1431-1.jpg) As I post this, I’m curled up with a blanket and my coffee opposite Megan in the cockpit. Nick and Ray are in the saloon chatting. We have no plans for the day- just how I like it! What are you up to? ❤️ ### August 2024: Behind the Scenes URL: https://svsabado.com/august-2024-behind-the-scenes/ Last updated: 2024-09-01T18:45:39.000Z Between our YouTube Channel and our blog, we share a lot of our life on the water. However, there are always things that go undocumented. Over the years, we have met plenty of new liveaboards who feel like they were “duped” into this lifestyle by its romanticized portrayal on social media. In our experience, living full-time on a boat is expensive, it is hard work, and it is time-consuming. Is it worth it? For us, yes. Is it worth it for you? I’m not sure! **So, in an effort to paint a more realistic picture of boat life, here is a bullet-point list of things we dealt with in August 2024:** - Ray changed the oil in both engines. - I polished the stainless steel once. - We struggled to stay positive after a prolonged period of bad weather, failing equipment we were having trouble sourcing replacements for, health issues, and an un-warm welcome to Tahiti involving angry locals and vicious dogs. We took a brief break from social media as we worked to shift our perspective. I took a short trip back to the USA to get some supplies and see a doctor, while Ray stayed on Sabado to ensure she was safe during a strong southeast wind called a “Maramu” in Polynesia. I am happy to report that things are now looking up! Sabado and Crew are healthier and happier and will resume posting weekly. - Ray turned a $15 remote for off-road winches into a windlass remote for Sabado! Now, when raising and lowering the anchor, I do not have to open the generator compartment to access the wired remote. It also makes anchoring single-handed easier, if needed. This was a DIY alternative to the \~$250 the windlass manufacturer charges for something similar. - We replaced our rapidly failing B&G chartplotter for $4,340.88. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/img_6424.jpg) - We like to use a VPN when connected to the internet on the boat. Our old router couldn't match Starlink's high speed, so we bought a new one for $159.00\. This router provides high-speed internet through a VPN and has built-in ad blocking. - We found eggs at Carrefour in Tahiti for $5.52 per dozen. This was our first time seeing eggs since June! - Although our canned and dry goods inventory from Panama is still substantial, fresh produce and meat prices here are shockingly high! To make sure we are getting every penny’s worth from our provisions, I’ve started following low-waste recipes: using chicken bones and vegetable scraps to make nutritious broths, strawberry tops to make syrup, etc. - We purchased the new iPad Pro with a nanotextured screen for $2,000.00\. The screen performs exponentially better in direct sunlight and will be much more usable when navigating the bommie-ridden waters of the Tuamotus. It will also serve as a backup if our chartplotter fails again. It’s hard to capture the difference in a photo, but we’ll be sure to show it in our next video. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/fullsizerender-1.jpg) - We did a complete, deep clean of the boat: Ray did the outside (including cushions, teak, and deck), and I did the inside (including floor, walls, and ceiling). - Our beloved Engel 12V chest freezer began vibrating/rattling. We feared it was giving up on us, but the rubber feet on the bottom had just worn away. We were able to put some rubber pieces we had on board underneath to stop it. ### Rain, Rain, Go Away! URL: https://svsabado.com/rain-rain-go-away/ Last updated: 2024-08-18T18:05:06.000Z **Hello hello! Happy Sunday!** *Have you seen our [latest YouTube video](https://youtu.be/-xhx4ct6sT0?si=ToG1thfoG72s8lha&ref=svsabado.com)?* I’ve been in a bit of funk lately. I have a long list of things to do (including writing a proper blog post), but I have been struggling to make myself actually *do* anything. Between seemingly endless stretches of bad weather, the logistical/financial stress of sourcing supplies here, and a shoulder injury that has robbed me of proper sleep for far too long, I am just worn out. We have sailed to Tahiti and settled in a protected anchorage with good holding, but it is a drastic change of scenery compared to where we’ve been these past few months. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/snapshot-18-08-2024-1328-1.jpg) It has been another wet and gloomy week, but we made it to shore for a nice long walk and a grocery trip! I have been finding joy in restocking the freezer with some of our favorite meals and spending quality time with Ray as we plan our next move. I’m sure my mood is just a result of lack of sleep and sunshine! I apologize for the short update, here are some photos from our trip here: ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/snapshot-11-08-2024-18-1.png) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/snapshot-11-08-2024-17-1.jpg) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/snapshot-11-08-2024-1508-1.png) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/snapshot-11-08-2024-16-1.png) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/snapshot-09-08-2024-2310-1.png) I have an appointment scheduled this week for my shoulder, and then we hope to move Sabado somewhere new! I hope you had a great week. ❤️ ### The More Remote, the Greater the Responsibility URL: https://svsabado.com/the-more-remote-the-greater-the-responsibility/ Last updated: 2024-08-04T19:17:25.000Z *A Week (or two) Aboard S/V Sabado: 7/21/2024 - 8/04/2024* **Hello and happy Sunday!** Did you see [our latest YouTube video](https://youtu.be/JGwtwAbni0o?si=IK8YecGGfOiKAvna&ref=svsabado.com)? Reflecting on my first year of sailing full-time, all my memories are positive. Sure, there was terrible weather, sleepless nights, and broken parts, but we always figured it out. That was part of the appeal of this lifestyle for me: thinking on your feet, being self-sufficient, solving puzzles. The challenges always felt kind of fun. Fast forward to now, being in the middle of nowhere makes everything feel more serious. The more remote the destination, the greater the magnitude of responsibility, and here, that notion is amplified by the lack of protection. Conditions in the Tuamotus change faster than I’ve ever seen and rarely follow the forecast. We’ve seen 20kn turn into 40kn in seconds (when the forecast only said 15kn), and 6ft waves appear in our anchorage out of nowhere- and it’s not even storm season yet! Suppose our anchor chain gets caught around a coral head and snaps, or our windlass fails. We're several days sail away from a replacement or the *possibility* of a replacement; chances are we’d still have to have it shipped from somewhere else and pay an exorbitant import fee. The shallow, sandy anchorages of the Bahamas and the multitude of chandleries in the Caribbean are long gone. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/img_6040-1.jpg) Floating chain in Fakarava. Note: this is not Sabado’s chain. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/img_6039-1.jpg) Anchoring in Fakarava. Note: this is not Sabado’s chain. In the meantime, there are no marinas or mooring fields we could tuck into while we figure it out. We likely wouldn’t even be able to leave the anchorage because you need good visibility to navigate the minefield of bommies populating the lagoon to get to the pass. Even if you make it there, you’d have to hope for conditions allowing you to exit the pass, and emergencies never seem to happen in good conditions. The stakes feel exponentially higher here. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/open-ocean-2-1.jpg) The light specks are coral islands, called bommies, that sit at or just below the surface. The last time we posted an update, we were anchored in Makemo. We rode out a five-day blow there. The wind shifted 180°, but it mostly agreed with the forecast, so we were prepared. Five days on the boat crept by slowly. We passed the time tackling various chores while the wind howled. Things finally calmed down on Friday, and we set sail toward Fakarava to get diesel. We motored to the pass, noticing a couple of bommies that didn’t appear on the satellite images and a strand of \~15 black/navy blue pearl farm floats, reaffirming our decision to always have someone keeping watch on the bow and someone at the helm when moving inside these lagoons. The tide tables were wrong again, and we were met with a 5kn outgoing current. Ray was putting the engines in reverse to steer! Once we reached the open ocean, we hoisted the sails and set our course. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/snapshot-03-08-2024-1327-1.jpg) Sabado happily flew through the water, SOG 6.5kn-7kn, using the main and jib. We had three bites on our handlines, but we could only land one fish—a bonito tuna that we threw back (they’re not the tastiest). ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/snapshot-03-08-2024-16-1.png) We reefed the main at sunset and slowed down overnight, timing our arrival with daylight + the estimated slack tide at the pass into Fakarava. Our chart plotter froze up several times, once while we were jibing. It is becoming quite a safety hazard, but getting a replacement here has proven incredibly difficult. A company in Tahiti quoted us $8K, but it’s $4K in the USA. Clearing a package through customs here seems to take at least four weeks and can incur many additional fees if we order it ourselves. So, we are still brainstorming. We cleared the pass around 9am and motored to our anchorage. There is a marked shipping channel here, so it was basically a straight, bommie-free shot to the town. How refreshing! There were around 20 boats already anchored- the most we’ve seen since the Marquesas. We strategically selected our spot and dropped our anchor. The water was too deep and murky to see the bottom, but we floated our chain just in case and backed down hard. Sabado didn’t budge. We stayed up for a few hours, keeping watch before taking a quick nap and heading to shore for lunch. There are several restaurants here, and we hadn’t been out to eat since we arrived in the Marquesas, so we eagerly ordered and enjoyed an incredibly expensive burger and fries. We stayed home, on anchor all day Sunday. We brought our jerry cans to shore Monday morning, ready to fill our tanks so we could move along. We were told we could not refuel while the supply ship was docked. I assume all the fuel station employees are responsible for unloading the supply ship. No one could tell us when the supply ship would leave, either. So, we walked around town to kill some time before finally giving up and heading home. No big deal; we’ll try again another day! The wind started to shift Tuesday morning. We rechecked the forecast and were surprised by the abrupt change. What was set to be a calm, clear week had turned into quite the storm system. The wind started picking up, and we grew concerned about a couple of monohulls that had rafted up. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/img_6062-1.jpg) They had gone ashore, leaving one crew member aboard. We saw her pacing back and forth, wide-eyed, trying to shove more fenders between their hulls as the fetch sent them bouncing into the air. If they stayed together much longer, their masts could hit. The rest of the crew came speeding back on their dinghy and were able to detach in time. Phew! I decided to take advantage of the cooler weather and exercise in the cockpit. The wind continued to build, and our anchor alarm sounded before I knew it. Ray and I jumped into action- remembering how quickly things went wrong when we dragged in Makemo. Thankfully, this time around, we had daylight on our side. Ray managed the helm- letting out a brief cheer when our chartplotter started working immediately. ? I ran to the bow, and of course, it had started pouring rain. I started pulling up our chain, praying it wouldn’t get caught on anything since we had no idea what the bottom looked like here. It came up nice and easy. I was able to remove our floats much quicker in the daylight- thank goodness. Full disclosure: I had been exercising in pajama shorts before laundry day, and they were sliding down my thighs, soaking wet and heavy from the rain. So, if you saw me mooning the anchorage that day, keep it to yourself. We motored over to the opposite side of the anchorage, watching several other boats begin dragging and pulling their anchors, too. I wouldn’t wish it on anyone, but part of me was glad it wasn’t just us. Before French Polynesia, I could count how many times we’ve dragged anchor over the years on one hand. Now, it’s happened twice in two weeks! The first time was our fault; we have triple-checked our scope calculations since then. We don’t make the same mistake twice! This time, we must have just not dropped in a large enough patch of sand so our anchor could not reset when the wind shifted. Seems like we weren’t the only ones. We were able to re-drop our anchor and float our chain before the worst of the storm hit that afternoon. The wind was coming from the far end of the atoll, giving the fetch plenty of time to grow. We were getting tossed up and down, left and right. We saw someone’s bridle snap and a few more boats dragging. We still had no idea what the bottom looked like here, so for all we knew, our anchor could be stuck on a rock, and we could drag again at any moment. So, we decided to sleep in shifts in the saloon, keeping watch. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/img_6054-1.jpg) We made it through the night incident-free, and although it was still pretty bouncy, the wind had died down by morning, and we were able to refuel that afternoon. We were exhausted. It is beautiful here, and we are so lucky to see this incredible place, but the past two weeks have been crummy. We’re stressed. I bought a packet of cookies at the local shop to cheer me up, only to find a worm in them. I couldn’t help but laugh at that one. If we could go back in time, I think having scuba gear aboard, more chain, and a stronger windlass would help mitigate some of our anxiety. We’ve spent the rest of the week figuring out our next move. The weather finally gave us a break, so we’ve run to shore a few times to explore, refill our propane tank, and do some laundry. Fakarava is the second-largest atoll in the Tuamotus and has a population of 837\. There are a few restaurants and even accommodation options for tourists coming to dive the famous South Pass- known for its abundance of marine life. There is an airport, a kiteboarding school, and a yacht services building that offers heaps of resources to cruisers like us. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/img_6049-1.jpg) Getting from the beach back to Sabado via an obstacle course of bommies! ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/img_6050-1.jpg) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/img_6051-1.jpg) Fakarava Yacht Services building So, we’ve been enjoying our time. Things are looking up! When you’ve been isolated for days on end, dealing with poor, unpredictable conditions and failing equipment in the middle of nowhere, it’s easy to feel like the world is ending, but really, we’re just frustrated. We’ll figure it out, as we always do. That process just looks a lot different here… We were tossed out of bed this morning around 2am as yet another front rolled through. This time, the wind is coming more from the east, so we are in a better position, but the sea state is still surprisingly uncomfortable. We can hear the fuel in our tanks sloshing around as we teeter from side to side. The swell is hitting us right on our beam. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/img_6060-1.jpg) Hopefully, this won’t last long. We’re still undecided about what’s next for us. We’d love to check out a few more atolls before heading to Tahiti, or maybe we could go to Tahiti and sort out a replacement chart plotter, then come back. I’ll let you know what we decide! I hope you had a great week. ❤️ ### July 2024: Behind the Scenes URL: https://svsabado.com/july-2024-behind-the-scenes/ Last updated: 2024-08-01T19:17:58.000Z Between our YouTube Channel and our blog, we share a lot of our life on the water. However, there are always things that go undocumented. Over the years, we have met plenty of new liveaboards who feel like they were “duped” into this lifestyle by its romanticized portrayal on social media. In our experience, living full-time on a boat is expensive, it is hard work, and it is time-consuming. Is it worth it? For us, yes. Is it worth it for you? I’m not sure! **So, in an effort to paint a more realistic picture of boat life, here is a bullet-point list of things we dealt with in July 2024:** - We noticed salt water around our head. The gasket for the base was leaking. Ray was able to tighten down the brackets, stopping the leak. We do have a spare toilet base on board if needed. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/img_5753.jpg) - So far, anchoring in French Polynesia has been a humbling experience as most anchorages are deep and full of coral and rocks. We dragged anchor twice this month. One was our fault, as we pulled in a portion of chain to be polite when someone anchored too close to us. A squall came through and we did not have enough scope out, so we dragged. The second time was in an anchorage too deep and murky to see the bottom. The wind rapidly shifted 180°, and there must not have been a patch of sand large enough to allow our anchor to reset. - Our chartplotter is rapidly failing. During an overnight sail, it froze several times, once while we were jibing. It has become a safety hazard, and we are arranging a replacement for it now. A company in Tahiti quoted us twice the price it should be, so we are looking into shipping options or flying elsewhere to purchase one. - I used [303 Protectant](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000XBCURW?linkCode=ssc&tag=onamzsabadoll-20&creativeASIN=B000XBCURW&asc%5Fitem-id=amzn1.ideas.2SIE9BGQCTUY7&ref%5F=aip%5Fsf%5Flist%5Fspv%5Fofs%5Fmixed%5Fm%5Fasin&ref=svsabado.com) to treat our white vinyl helm seat. This helps protect against UV rays, prevent cracking and fading, and repel dirt and stains. We’ve used this product every few months since upgrading our helm seat, and it still looks excellent nearly three years later! ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/f80f4ca1-03d5-466b-abf9-924018c36eb9-1.jpg) - We purchased fuel in Fakarava. They will not honor a duty-free fuel certificate unless you bring the big boat to their dock. Conditions were bad, so we paid the tax and refueled via two very bouncy and wet dinghy trips with our jerry jugs. It cost \~$600.00 for just under 400 liters. - While motoring from one end of an atoll to the other, we saw two bommies that were not on satellite images and a strand of \~15 navy/black pearl farm floats. This reaffirmed our decision to always have someone keeping watch on the bow and someone at the helm when moving inside the lagoons. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/snapshot-01-08-2024-1505-1.jpg) - We bought groceries in Makemo and Fakarava this month. If you go to the shops on the same day the supply ship arrives, you can usually find some fresh fruit and vegetables. We haven’t seen any eggs, but frozen meat options are typically available. If you want bread, you need to order it ahead of time. Beware of shelf-stable packaged food—no telling how long it’s been there! We bought some cookies and found a worm in them. - We ate at our first restaurant since Hiva Oa! It was $50.00 for a burger and fries + a chicken wrap and fries. I don't think the meal itself was worth the money, but not having to cook or clean for the first time in months was a wonderful treat! ### Seeking Seclusion URL: https://svsabado.com/seeking-seclusion/ Last updated: 2024-07-21T18:53:53.000Z *A Week Aboard S/V Sabado: 7/14/2024 - 7/21/2024* **Good morning!** *Did you see our latest YouTube video? Watch it [here](https://youtu.be/DYkE8psBsSw?si=6WyeWSFeu0LjQmyC&ref=svsabado.com)!* We spent last Sunday recovering from our Saturday night [anchor-dragging drama](https://svsabado.com/a-dreamy-sail-a-nightmare-on-anchor/). We took naps, iced our aches, and discussed the could have/would have/should have scenarios regarding the ever-changing and often unpredictable weather here in the Tuamotus. With no natural protection aside from clusters of palm trees, all you can do is be prepared to jump into action. Monday morning, we ventured to shore in search of nutrients. We’d been out of fresh fruit and vegetables for a few days and were eager to restock when we saw the supply ship come in. We beached the dinghy and walked to the local store. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/snapshot-21-07-2024-1423-1.jpg) It was bigger than we anticipated, with a pretty good selection of shelf-stable products from soap and toothpaste to rice and cake mix- although most were 3X the price we’d have paid in Panama and were covered in a thin layer of dust. Thankfully, our hygiene, dried, and canned goods stash was still plentiful. We made our way over to the line of freezers and produce baskets against the back wall and began digging. We purchased a couple of bags of chips, some frozen meat, and at least one of every fruit/vegetable they had (cabbage, carrots, tomatoes, apples, and bok choy, to name a few). We winced as the cashier read us our total- grocery prices are high here! We spent the rest of the day at home, washing and putting away our produce and researching the best place for our upcoming refit. When it comes to making significant changes to Sabado, we’ve learned that location can make or break you, so we’re searching for a sweet spot- somewhere we can source quality supplies *and* affordable labor. We still have over a year to go, but the planning starts now to ensure we’re in the right part of the world when the time comes. If you have any experience with boat work in Australia versus New Zealand, we’d love to hear about it! Tuesday was my birthday! Ray usually makes me an omelet on my birthday (he makes *the best* omelets, but I think the secret is half a stick of butter). Unfortunately, eggs are few and far between here, so instead, he squeezed me a glass of fresh orange juice and toasted up some homemade sourdough bread. We went snorkeling shortly after, but the smoke from the locals burning trash on the beach and the loud industrial noises of who knows what ashore killed my zen. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/snapshot-17-07-2024-1615-1.jpg) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/snapshot-19-07-2024-23-1.jpg) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/snapshot-21-07-2024-1435-1.jpg) We’ve become accustomed to life without a building in sight. It was surprising how easily we became irritated while anchored near this small village—we’ll need to get a grip before we sail to Tahiti! We pulled up our anchor and motored \~15 miles away to an empty anchorage with a pristine, quiet beach and clean air. We dove our anchor and then enjoyed a glass of champagne on the bow at sunset. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/snapshot-19-07-2024-25-1.jpg) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/snapshot-21-07-2024-16-1.jpg) Thank you to everyone who sent well wishes for my birthday- I felt the love! I am the luckiest woman in the world. ❤️ We spent Wednesday relaxing at home and weighing our options for an upcoming storm in the forecast. After getting surprised by 6ft waves in our last anchorage, we debated moving behind a nearby reef in hopes of some protection from the inevitable [fetch](https://forecast.weather.gov/glossary.php?word=fetch&ref=svsabado.com#:~:text=Fetch,the%20direction%20of%20the%20wind.). There was one other boat behind the reef, but there was plenty of room if we wanted to move. We took the dinghy out to judge the obstacles around us. We marked a few bommies outside our swing radius but ultimately decided we liked our spot. We were doubtful the reef would make a difference in the sea state anyway. We triple-checked our scope calculations this time, too. Thursday was the calm before the storm, so we packed our cooler and went to shore. We checked out the rainwater catchment system that sat amongst the palm trees on the otherwise empty motu. Since we'd arrived, we had seen a few local boats stop by to visit it. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/snapshot-21-07-2024-15-1.jpg) We picked a shady spot to eat lunch while we listened to the waves lapping against the beach. It was picture-perfect! Cruising here is not without challenges, but the seclusion and undeniable beauty are incredibly rewarding. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/snapshot-19-07-2024-1922-1.png) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/snapshot-19-07-2024-1923-1.jpg) We made it home before sunset, and the wind began to pick up. We watched TV and went to bed early, only to be woken up before sunrise to 30kn winds and bouncy seas. The fetch began to kick up sand, making the shallows a milky white color as the sunlight peeked through the clouds. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/img_5670.jpg) We spent the day hiding from the rain and examining our position. Sabado was holding her ground. We ran the generator, made some water, and roasted a chicken for dinner. As we were getting ready to do the dishes, we noticed we weren’t pointing where we should be given the wind direction and where our anchor was. It looked like we were caught in a weird current or our chain was wrapped around something on the ocean floor… ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/img_5754-2-1.jpg) Of course, these things only happen in the dark! Ray went outside with a headlamp to see if he could tell whether or not it was current-related. It didn’t appear to be. The tension could break our chain if the wind and sea state continue to build. So, we decided to pull up a portion of our chain and reposition our floats. The bottom here is predominantly sand, and we were not near any bommies, but there were a few small rocks/short coral clusters around that we might’ve caught as we swung. Sabado pulled back into position as I leaned over to remove the bridle. The problem had resolved itself. We let the bridle back out and observed for a while. Ultimately, I think we need another float or two, but for now, we must make do with what we have. When this storm blows over, we’ll search the shoreline for more. The rigid floats we’ve been using are from the French Polynesian pearl farms, and you can usually find some washed up on the beach. We have 3, but if we had more, we could place them closer together, keeping the chain higher off the ground. Every anchorage here has new challenges- we are still learning! The wind continued through yesterday and into this morning. It’s chilly, but the sun is out! ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/snapshot-21-07-2024-1426-1.png) We’ll stay put until conditions calm down, then we’ll figure out our next move. I hope you had a great week. ❤️ ### A Dreamy Sail + A Nightmare on Anchor URL: https://svsabado.com/a-dreamy-sail-a-nightmare-on-anchor/ Last updated: 2024-07-14T22:49:01.000Z *A Week Aboard S/V Sabado: 7/7/2024 - 7/14/2024* **Have you seen [our latest YouTube video](https://youtu.be/itxLooAxnas?si=7p6DbGNjitmqzUZb&ref=svsabado.com)? :)** Last Sunday, we assisted our friends as they pulled up their anchor. One of their engines was out of commission, so we tied our dinghy to their starboard side and used the extra horsepower to give them the maneuverability they needed to get their ground tackle up. All went smoothly, and we waved goodbye as they set sail toward an island with a mechanic- we’ll see you later, friends! We spent the rest of the day relaxing at home, hiding from the rain. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/snapshot-14-07-2024-1629-1-1.jpg) Monday morning was gloomy and overcast. We are growing tired of this weather! The clouds parted briefly that afternoon, and the sun illuminated the turquoise water. We couldn’t resist a quick trip to shore to stretch our legs. We waded through the shallows toward the windward side of the atoll, checking out everything we deemed “potential treasure”: anything from a clump of rope to fossilized coral qualifies. Unfortunately, we found nothing to help fund our next haul out. ;) ? Tuesday was the first nice day we’d had in a while. The sun was out, the anchorage was practically empty, and the water was calm. We packed our cooler, dug out our beach gear, and headed to shore. We picked a spot near a large sand bar, set up our tent and chairs, and turned on our speaker. We ate lunch, sang along to Shania Twain, and swam with the reef sharks. It was the perfect day! ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/snapshot-09-07-2024-2107-1.png) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/snapshot-12-07-2024-0058-2-1.png) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/snapshot-13-07-2024-15-1-2.png) We topped it off with dinner and a movie at home. We spent Wednesday lounging around the boat. I was nursing a shoulder injury, and Ray was learning how to use a program to make models of boat parts for 3D printers. Maybe that’s the secret to remote cruising—being able to print parts! ??‍♀️ We ran the watermaker, baked a loaf of seeded sourdough bread, and defrosted another chunk of that yellowfin tuna our friend had caught a few weeks ago. We tidied up and got the boat ready to move again. We hadn’t yet felt that *pull* to move, but we had heard rumors about a takeout pizza shop at the next atoll, and the thought of a meal that I did not have to plan and execute was very appealing. Plus, we needed groceries, and the store there was supposed to be better. We pulled our anchor up at 9am Friday and motored toward the pass. We wove through the maze of bommies between our anchorage and the open ocean. It was calm, and the visibility was excellent. We exited the pass with the help of an outgoing tide. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/snapshot-13-07-2024-25-1.jpg) We hoisted the mainsail and brought out the code zero. We were cruising along at 6-7kn, which was way faster than we had anticipated. We knew we’d have to slow down to arrive at our destination during daylight, but Sabado seemed so happy… so we let her fly until sunset. It felt so good to be sailing again. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/untitled-design-1-1.png) There were squalls on the horizon as we began discussing our sail plan for the overnight portion of our trip. We always say, if you’re thinking about reducing sail, you should do it. So, we swapped out the code zero for the jib. Shortly after, the wind dropped to 2kn, and we had to start an engine. We motored slowly through the night, timing our arrival with sunrise. We drifted outside the pass while we checked the local tide station- we had just missed slack tide but should have had a favorable incoming tide. With flat seas and zero wind, we decided to proceed. We quickly realized that the tide station was dead wrong. We found ourselves battling 5kn of outgoing current. Thankfully, Sabado’s two 57HP engines were able to power us through. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/snapshot-14-07-2024-1632-1.jpg) Visibility was poor as the sun barely peaked through a carpet of clouds. I kept watch on the bow for bommies while Ray used the satellite images to guide us from the helm. We decided to anchor by town, just West of the pass. We [floated our chain](https://www.cruisingworld.com/how-to/hands-on-sailor-floating-your-anchor-chain/?ref=svsabado.com), backed down, and stayed up for a while, ensuring we settled in a good position. We took a nap- it’s been a while since we’ve slept in shifts for an overnight sail! We decided to take a quick trip to shore to dispose of our garbage, then returned to the boat. We always like to get eyes on our anchor before night, so I jumped in to take a look. The bottom was littered with coral. Our anchor was set in a small patch of sand, but we decided to add a fourth float to prevent our chain from getting wrapped around the coral. To add a float, we had to remove our bridle, pull a portion of the chain up, attach the float, and then reattach the bridle. During this process, our chain got caught in the remnants of what we think was an old mooring. It was just a matter of completing a series of maneuvers to free our chain: forward, to port, reverse, then forward again. I stayed in the water, directing Ray while keeping an eye on our progress and a few curious sharks that had noticed me. The bait ball forming under our boat was drawing lots of attention! Before climbing back aboard, I did another complete scan of our chain, floats, and anchor. This anchorage was not ideal, but we looked secure. We had a 3.5:1 scope out (all chain). [Here](https://www.sailmagazine.com/cruising/short-scope-anchoring-in-deep-water?ref=svsabado.com) is an excellent article about short-scope anchoring in deep water that has come in handy for us in French Polynesia. We had dinner together and changed into our pajamas, still exhausted from our trip. The wind began to pick up hours early and from a different direction than what was forecasted. We were being blown toward shore. We decided to bring the code zero down in case it continued to build. The sun slipped below the horizon, and daylight vanished as we eased the spinnaker halyard down, coiling the furled sail along our starboard side. Ray was about to detach the furling drum to put the sail away properly when our anchor alarms sounded. Suddenly, the wind speed doubled. I went inside to look at our anchor alarm and heard a bang. Ray had fallen down the stairs to the cockpit. The boat was bouncing around in 6ft seas that seemingly came out of nowhere, and a wave had come over the side just as he had reached the steps, taking him down. I ran to him, slightly panicked at the thought of him hitting his head and being unconscious. I would’ve needed to call for help to reset the anchor in these conditions. One of the boats had their dinghy down before this started- what was that boat’s name? My mind was racing. Thankfully I found Ray sitting on the sugar scoop gasping for air; his butt and his arms had taken the brunt of the fall. He got the wind knocked out of him, but there was no blood, and his head was unharmed. I turned the chartplotter on while he got the engines started. We were dragging toward shore, *fast*. It started pouring down rain. Our chartplotter screen was frozen. I grabbed the iPad and Ray’s phone and turned the chartplotter off and back on. Our backup devices were taking too long to connect. I grabbed a headlamp and got ready to pull up the anchor while Ray tried to figure out our location. The downpour of rain and current whipping us around was disorienting—where even was shore at this point? Come on, B&G! We need you! I began pulling up our chain while the boat's bow bashed up and down. How did the waves even get this big? This atoll is pretty skinny; I didn’t think this much fetch was possible. I got the bridle off but struggled with all our floats. The lines were getting wrapped around the chain as I was bringing them up, making it challenging to unclip them. It felt like each one took forever, and I could feel the tension increasing as the chain pulled on our windlass. I took everything one step at a time, being intentional about every move I made: point to chain, illuminate hand so Ray can see, grab remote, pull up the chain. Get float on board, unwrap the line, and unclip float. Repeat. Hold on because you’re not clipped in. Do not slip. Be mindful of the float lines; the water is coming up through the trampoline and tossing them around. Don’t let them get caught in the chain when it’s moving. Pray the windlass keeps going, or you’re screwed. Ray got the chartplotter working and championed the helm, using both engines to fight the wind, waves, and current the best he could. I got the anchor up and, per his instruction, dumped 200ft of chain when we were over our original spot, where we knew there was a patch of sand. I attached the bridle seconds before the tension became too much, and the chain flew out on its own. I pushed the “down” button in an attempt to preserve the windlass motor. The bridle caught us, and we were holding our position. I took a deep breath and performed my regular post-anchor tasks while being pelted with rain and ocean spray: secure all lines, double-check that there is no tension on the chain, close lockers, etc. We reset our anchor alarm and changed into dry clothes, exchanging sighs of relief and pats on the back. We both grabbed an ice pack and sat in front of the TV, where we projected our position, speed, and wind data. Between the motion of the boat and the adrenaline of the situation, I felt nauseous. Seeing how close we got to shore on our tracks was freaky. Conditions held for a couple more hours before beginning to calm down. We both stayed in the saloon, in front of the TV, monitoring our position and occasionally resting our eyes, waiting for daylight. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/img_5610-1.jpg) Our track where we dragged… Anytime we encounter a problem, we like to discuss what we learned and what we’d do differently. Here were our takeaways from this: - We had pulled up 30 feet of chain after another boat had anchored too close, bringing us below 3.5:1 scope. In hindsight, we think this is what allowed us to drag. That boat moved- in the dark- minutes before the storm hit, but we did not have time to readjust our scope before it was too late. Rather than pulling up chain, we should have moved when we saw how close they were to us. Anchoring here has been a learning experience, and we need to break the habits we developed in the shallow sandy anchorages we’re used to, where we were able to use 5-7:1 scope. - We must be more diligent about taking down the big headsails immediately after a passage. The weather here changes quickly, and it would be incredibly problematic if one came unfurled. - We need to replace our chartplotter. - Maybe we should keep our pfds in the cockpit... We have always found a moment to prioritize safety in the past, but this happened so fast that we didn’t feel like we had time to grab them from the port forward cabin. - We should get a remote for the windlass that I could put on a lanyard and keep around my neck so I don’t have to have the generator compartment open, exposing it to salt spray. - We want to find a way to attach our floats to the chain that is easier to remove in an emergency. We are currently using carabiners through the link, but we would like to try a quick-release shackle in the future. On a positive note: - Our anchor alarms are fantastic. We use [qtVlm](https://www.meltemus.com/index.php/en/?ref=svsabado.com) and our [Vesper Cortex](https://www.garmin.com/en-NZ/c/marine/vhf-ais-marine-radios/?ref=svsabado.com). - Our communication was excellent. Using hand signals and a headlamp to illuminate my hands on the bow allowed Ray to stay at the helm and kept us from trying to yell over the wind and rain. - Our chain and windlass live to see another day! Replacing both have been moved to our high-priority list: the windlass first, and the chain during our next haulout (or earlier if we can arrange it). Anyway, I apologize for getting this up so late- we’ve had a rough 24hrs! Now, all is well. We’re safe, and Sabado is safe. The wind has clocked around and is no longer blowing us toward shore. We’re exhausted and sore, but we went ahead and pulled up a portion of our chain and reattached our floats this morning. Thankfully, we did not get tangled up on anything! We also looked at our generator/fuel polishing system compartment; there’s no telling how much salt water got in there while we reset our anchor. We will wipe everything down with soapy water and spray some corrosionX in there today, but it doesn’t look bad at first glance. Ray has some gnarly bruises developing, but we will persevere. Stay vigilant out there, everyone! I hope you had a great week. ❤️ ### Finding New Ways to Celebrate URL: https://svsabado.com/finding-new-ways-to-celebrate/ Last updated: 2024-07-07T18:17:45.000Z *A Week Aboard S/V Sabado: 6/30/2024 - 7/7/2024* **Hi, guys!** Our latest video was a [Patreon](https://www.patreon.com/HollyandRay?utm%5Fmedium=clipboard%5Fcopy&utm%5Fsource=copyLink&utm%5Fcampaign=creatorshare%5Ffan&utm%5Fcontent=join%5Flink) exclusive, but we plan to get a new public video up next Saturday. *As most of you know, this week, Hurricane Beryl destroyed Carriacou, Petite Martinique, and the Grenadines- the islands we called home this time last year. If you feel inclined to contribute to their rebuilding efforts, follow [this link](https://doyleguides.com/beryl/?ref=svsabado.com) to find which avenue is best for you. We’ve been most impressed with [this](https://www.samaritanspurse.org/?ref=svsabado.com) organization's immediate action in the islands.* Last Sunday, we dug out the epoxy and sealed a crack in our generator exhaust elbow. This isn’t our preferred repair method, but it’ll work until we return to civilization. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/snapshot-01-07-2024-1450-1-1.jpg) We’re still anchored in Raroia, Tuamotus. Since we have a [long-stay visa](https://svsabado.com/applying-for-a-french-polynesia-long-stay-visa-from-panama/), we’re in no rush to leave this beautiful oasis. Although we have gotten used to spending our days snorkeling, picking some sort of local basil variant, and cracking open coconuts, this week has been different. We’ve been hunkered down, waiting out a prolonged period of high winds and passing squalls. The silver lining? We’ve seen incredible rainbows multiple times a day! ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/img_5439-1.jpg) We’ve been keeping ourselves busy at home, cleaning, baking, and occasionally enduring a wet and bumpy dinghy ride to our friends, Bryan and Jen’s boat anchored nearby. It’s been so nice reconnecting with them, and as the cruising lifestyle goes, we’re not sure when we’ll see them next after this, so we’ve been soaking up the quality time while we can. They share beautiful photos and videos on Instagram ([@thedangerz](https://www.instagram.com/thedangerz?igsh=MXUwbjZtbjE2Mmx6Yw==&ref=svsabado.com)), so be sure to check them out! It has also been nice sharing resources as our supplies onboard continue to dwindle. Here are a few of this week’s exchanges: - Two thick slices of banana bread for a jar of homegrown sprouts - Two rolls of toilet paper for a hunk of yellowfin tuna - A container of homemade vanilla ice cream for a jar of fresh ginger shots Additionally, we’ve switched off hosting meals, with everyone contributing components. This way of life has become so fulfilling. Though stressful at times, there is joy and satisfaction in helping others and being helped. The four of us celebrated the Fourth of July together as two American boats abroad. In an attempt to combine boat life with classic American cuisine, we created the dogtopus, or perhaps, the octodog. If you think of a better name, please let us know. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/img_5406.jpg) When you’re in the middle of nowhere, holidays are easiest to celebrate through food. Hot dogs are Ray’s favorite, and we had a package in the freezer. I learned how to make soft, fluffy buns from scratch, and we all had a good laugh trying to figure out the best way to eat them. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/img_5413.jpg) By Friday, we were feeling a little stir-crazy, so we took the dinghy to shore between squalls. We decided to make the trek to the windward side of the atoll. I am fascinated by the geography here. These atolls were formed when volcanic islands sank, leaving behind the ring-shaped reef that had grown around it. Over time, the volcano eroded away, leaving a lagoon in its place. Dead coral, shells, and sand built up atop the remaining barrier reef, creating these small islands called motus that separate the lagoon from the open ocean. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/snapshot-06-07-2024-1345-1.png) We wandered around, searching for treasure. In remote places like this, there is no telling what could be washed up on the beach! We found several old [fish aggregation devices](https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/national/bycatch/fishing-gear-fish-aggregating-devices?ref=svsabado.com), a beautiful purple sea urchin shell, a bunch of eels (and a million crabs!), but nothing that would help fund our next haul-out. ;) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/snapshot-07-07-2024-15-1.jpg) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/snapshot-07-07-2024-14-1.jpg) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/snapshot-07-07-2024-1347-1.jpg) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/snapshot-07-07-2024-1346-1.jpg) A dark storm cloud appeared, and we knew our time on shore was limited. We began the journey back to our dinghy but didn’t make it before the rain started. We huddled under a tree and waited it out while the laundry we had hung out to dry back on the boat undoubtedly got soaked. We call that “an extra rinse cycle.” We popped back up on the lagoon side of the atoll, a ways away from where we had begun. So, we waded through the shallows, keeping an eye out for curious sharks until we reached the beach we had anchored off of. If you plan to spend time out here, invest in a good pair of water shoes! Even the sandiest beach we’ve seen here still has sharp chunks of coral and shells hiding throughout. We’ve been managing with wet tennis shoes and flip-flops, but it’s been a bit uncomfortable. We made it back to the boat just in time to watch our laundry go through another rise cycle. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/img_5464-1.jpg) Thankfully, the rest of the day was extra-breezy, drying most of our laundry before dark. Ray popped some popcorn, and we watched a movie while the wind continued to howl. Yesterday was Bryan’s birthday. You’d think they’d be sick of us by now, but we were invited over for his birthday brunch. We shared eggs, biscuits and gravy, bloody marys, and champagne. Later, we came back to Sabado for the finale: creme brûlée. Bryan mentioned that it was his favorite dessert a few weeks ago, and I have been rationing our eggs and cream since then to make sure we had enough to make some for his birthday. It was a total hit and an absolute treat! ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/img_5465-1.jpg) That afternoon, the weather took a turn for the worse, so we slept off our over-indulgent meals at home, opening and closing the hatches as the rain came and went. We met back up for sundowners at their boat, then turned in early for bed. Today, the sun is shining, but the wind has stuck around. Our friends are moving on, but we may stick around longer! I hope you had a great week. ❤️ ### June 2024: Behind the Scenes URL: https://svsabado.com/june-2024-behind-the-scenes/ Last updated: 2024-07-01T19:08:49.000Z Between our YouTube Channel and our blog, we share a lot of our life on the water. However, there are always things that go undocumented. Over the years, we have met plenty of new liveaboards who feel like they were “duped” into this lifestyle by its romanticized portrayal on social media. In our experience, living full-time on a boat is expensive, it is hard work, and it is time-consuming. Is it worth it? For us, yes. Is it worth it for you? I’m not sure! **So, in an effort to paint a more realistic picture of boat life, here is a bullet-point list of things we dealt with in June 2024:** - After a rough passage from the Marquesas Islands to the Tuamotus that involved a trip up the mast in the dark to fix a broken lazy jack, we noticed our deck light hanging on by a thread. Ray was able to pop it back into place easily once we were safely anchored. We think he accidentally knocked it loose while clinging to the mast underway. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/untitled-design-1.png) - Our generator capacitor failed, so we replaced it with a spare we had on board. - We nicked a rock near shore in our dinghy, and a small piece of our prop broke off. Although still functional, it caused vibration that could have caused future problems. So, we had a replacement flown in from Tahiti along with our grocery order. The replacement was purchased from the Yamaha store in Tahiti for $198, and we were charged an additional \~$30 to have someone pick it up and pack it with our groceries. These props are $45 each in the USA. We’re beating ourselves up for not purchasing a spare before getting here. It was on our list but got cut in an attempt to stay on budget. - We teamed up with another boat in our anchorage to fly groceries in from Tahiti. We hope to stay in the Tuamotus for an extended period of time and supplies here are limited, so we were curious about this as a provisioning option. Although the process was easy through a company called Tahiti Crew, it cost us over $700\. This included fresh fruits and vegetables, one bottle of champagne, one bottle of tequila, a small amount of meat and cheese, ½ of the fee for the person who did the shopping, and ½ of the air freight fee to get it to the atoll. Groceries are already 2-3X more expensive in French Polynesia, so I think we’ll make do with what we can find here and save the shopper and delivery costs in the future. - We noticed a small crack in our generator exhaust elbow. We sealed it with JB Weld and noted the issue so we can properly repair it in the future. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/snapshot-01-07-2024-1450-1.jpg) - I polished our stainless steel once. - Ray scrubbed the teak in the cockpit once. - We’ve learned to float our anchor chain, something we’ve never done before! Floating your chain prevents it from getting tangled around coral heads, protecting both your chain and the coral. We found three plastic pearl farm buoys on shore and attached our own line and carabiners, which we clip to the chain as we anchor. We tried using our fenders at first, but they did not keep the chain up under the pressure. You need the rigid plastic buoys. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/img_5365-1.jpg) *Graphic from Pitufa.at* - We had two packages of boat parts shipped to Tahiti after our Pacific crossing. The packages included a new engine blower, preventer snubber, etc. (things that broke during our passage). To receive the packages, we had to pay a \~$200 broker's fee (per package) to get through customs, plus a package pickup fee since we are not physically there to collect them, and an additional tax for one of the packages that contained parts the customs agent deemed “not necessary for the boat’s navigation.” In total, we ended up paying close to the packages’ value in fees on top of the \~$300 we already paid for shipping. We have yet to arrange for the packages to be forwarded to the Tuamotus, but I’m sure that won’t be a pleasant invoice either! Overall, if we need a boat part here, we now assume it will cost 3-4X its value. Our wallets are hurting. It would have been cheaper to fly to Los Angeles, buy the parts there, and fly back! ### A Beach Day with Locals and Swimming with Manta Rays URL: https://svsabado.com/a-beach-day-with-locals-and-swimming-with-manta-rays/ Last updated: 2024-06-30T18:40:50.000Z *A Week Aboard S/V Sabado: 6/23/2024 6/30/2024* **Hello!** *Did you see our latest YouTube video? You can watch it [here](https://youtu.be/untLDyOQ1-8?si=GQxc4crRuSG2H89M&ref=svsabado.com)!* Last Sunday, we assembled some to-go cocktails for a day at the beach with several locals from the village who had invited us to hang out on shore. We joined them around 10am and swapped stories, skills, songs, and booze. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/snapshot-24-06-2024-1526-1.png) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/snapshot-25-06-2024-2221-1.jpg) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/img_5354-1.jpg) We learned some new dance moves, how to harvest giant clams and weave hats from palm fronds. Soon enough, a hoard of sailors joined us from the anchorage. Everyone was so kind! The party continued into the late afternoon. Admittedly, we had too much to drink and spent the following day in bed- aside from a quick trip back to the scene to ensure no trash was left behind from the previous day’s festivities. Tuesday was bright and sunny. We’d had our eye on an incoming storm, so we took advantage of the solar power and baked two loaves of sourdough bread. We dropped some off to our neighbors and settled in for the night while the second was baking. Typically, we bake in the morning/early afternoon to allow our batteries to recover before dark, so this was a different routine for us. While we were watching our favorite show, we smelled something… unusual. We thought maybe someone was having a bonfire on shore, so we closed our hatches to see if we still smelled it. We did. The toasty smell was coming from Sabado. We leaped into action. Fire on a boat is our worst nightmare. Depending on what catches fire, you could lose your boat in minutes. Ray began unplugging everything while sniffing around. I was about to grab the fire blanket when we realized the bread machine was on. Duh! We restarted the machine and sat back down to finish our TV show, laughing at our overreaction. Better safe than sorry, though! We had teamed up with another boat earlier this week to order groceries to be delivered from Tahiti. We’re hoping to stay in the Tuamotus, where supplies are limited, for a while longer and were interested in our provisioning options. Our order contained fresh fruit and vegetables, two bottles of alcohol, and a small amount of meat and cheese. It arrived on Wednesday, and we received the invoice that night. It was 3X what we’d have paid at a grocery store in the Caribbean. Ouch! I don’t think we’ll be doing that again. We tried to make light of the situation over a grilled meat and veggie dinner, complete with a fresh, crunchy salad! We hadn’t had lettuce since Panama! The wind we’d been expecting began on Thursday morning. We kept our dinghy in the water, knowing the wind would hold for a week or so. This way, we can still go to shore or visit friends if we want. We got some chores done, and Ray worked on his latest tech project: a screen for our nav desk monitor that would show notable metrics while we run our water maker and generator (like salinity and temperature) in hopes of honing in on our predictive maintenance. We want to know if there’s a problem before it gets bad enough to sound an alarm or shut the system down completely! ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/snapshot-30-06-2024-1405-1-1.png) That afternoon, we noticed some spots in the water off our bow. They started dark and then would turn white. We convinced ourselves it was manta rays twirling around as they filter feed. So, despite the high winds, I put on my wetsuit and got in the water. Sure enough, there were four mantas right beneath me! It was a magnificent sight. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/snapshot-27-06-2024-2038-1.jpg) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/snapshot-27-06-2024-2031-1.jpg) Manta rays are my favorite animal; I haven’t swam with them in years! You can hear my excited giggles in the background of every GoPro video I took of them. I was on cloud nine for the rest of the day! ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/snapshot-28-06-2024-23-1.jpg) Friday afternoon, we went over to our friend's boat to help them install our new favorite navigation and weather routing software, [qtvlm](https://www.meltemus.com/index.php/en/?ref=svsabado.com), which has completely replaced our use of [OpenCPN](https://opencpn.org/?ref=svsabado.com)! ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/img_5338.jpg) We plan to post a video with more information about this soon. After Ray had gotten them set up, we shared some sushi and crab cakes before heading home. We spent the day yesterday cleaning the boat and doing some food prep. We had three ripe avocados, so I made a double batch of sourdough tortillas for tacos and chips with guacamole. Then, I prepared some mashed potatoes and veggies for dinner later. We tuned in to several Caribbean weather updates, keeping an eye on [Hurricane Beryl](https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/graphics%5Fat2.shtml?cone&ref=svsabado.com) and our friends in its path. Grenada is considered a “hurricane season safe zone” for most boat insurance policies, making it a popular destination this time of year, but Beryl is heading in that direction. Most folks are currently running south, and our thoughts are with you all! We hosted some friends for dinner, air-frying a whole chicken alongside mashed potatoes and vegetables and a fabulous tomato basil salad. We have gotten in the groove of sharing supplies here. I bake bread in exchange for a jar of sprouts, or we trade tech assistance for a chunk of tuna. We host dinner one night, and someone else does the next! We’re all in this together. The wind is still howling this morning, but the sun is out. We have zero plans, so we’ll see where the day takes us. I hope you had a great week. ❤️ ### This is the life! URL: https://svsabado.com/this-is-the-life/ Last updated: 2024-06-23T18:33:16.000Z *A Week Aboard S/V Sabado: 6/16/2024- 6/23/2024* **Hello and happy Sunday!** *Did you see [our latest YouTube video](https://youtu.be/2EtjWDyRm3c?si=v2Bjj3grb%5FQLAgS8&ref=svsabado.com)? :)* We missed you last week but were craving some time away from our electronic devices. We’ve been catching up with friends, enjoying the views, and getting to know the local wildlife here in the Tuamotus! ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/snapshot-16-06-2024-2007-1.jpg) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/snapshot-16-06-2024-2008-1.png) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/snapshot-16-06-2024-23-1.jpg) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/snapshot-17-06-2024-2253-1.jpg) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/snapshot-11-06-2024-1630-2-1.jpg) We woke up Monday morning to a flat, glossy sea. A few of our friends invited us out for a fishing trip. They had hired a local to take them to the pass to snorkel, spearfish, and [jig](https://www.takemefishing.org/how-to-fish/fishing-with-lures/how-to-jig/?ref=svsabado.com). I eagerly shimmied into my wetsuit to tag along. I’m not much of a fisherwoman, but I’ll take any excuse to swim here, and I hadn’t yet made it to the pass during calm conditions. They picked me up around 9am, and we zipped over to the other side of the atoll. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/snapshot-23-06-2024-1351-1.png) The excursion began with a snorkel outside of the pass. The ocean floor was carpeted with coral! It was deeper and darker than the other snorkeling I’d done here, but it was exciting to see the thriving reef and several new (to me) species of fish. The visibility was pristine, and I was getting more comfortable around sharks. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/snapshot-23-06-2024-15-1.jpg) We had missed slack tide, so we drifted with the current as it ripped through the pass. I kept my head on a swivel, trying to take in all the marine life that was flying by below me! ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/snapshot-23-06-2024-16-1.jpg) Check out our friends on Instagram: [@thedangerz](https://www.instagram.com/thedangerz?igsh=cDgwZ3NrajI1bHQw&ref=svsabado.com) We were on the other side before we knew it. We did a second round before switching gears to focus on fishing. No one had seen anything worth spearing, so we headed to deeper water. We had two fishing rods going, a flasher, and one person in the water with a spear gun. The first catch of the day was a small bluefin trevally, followed by a good-sized false albacore, which we decided to cube up and use as chum in hopes of attracting a dogtooth or yellowfin tuna. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/snapshot-23-06-2024-1352-1.jpg) Without a breeze, the sun was zapping our energy, fast. We re-set in a couple of different spots and were beginning to accept defeat when we got a bite- a *big* bite! Dan started to reel it in; sure enough, it was a beautiful yellowfin tuna. We all cheered when he got it into the boat! ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/img_7367-1.jpg) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/snapshot-23-06-2024-19-1-1.png) We were about to head in when we spotted a tiger shark coming to check us out. The men entered the water, and the ladies anxiously watched from the boat. The huge shark came by to investigate several times before finally coming close enough to touch Dan’s camera lens. It pulled away quickly, but that was a little too close for comfort… We headed home shortly after that, parting ways with our friends. We watched the sunset as we sipped cocktails on the bow. They dropped off a hunk of tuna for us for dinner that night, and Ray cooked it up. This is the life! ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/snapshot-23-06-2024-1354-1.png) The wind shifted the following day, leaving us bouncing around in the fetch on a lee shore. The weather changes so fast here! We spent the day inside, hiding from the rain and tackling some chores. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/snapshot-23-06-2024-14-1.png) The sunshine and flat seas were back by Wednesday. Ray and I spent the afternoon on the beach, finding land crabs and pointing out sharks. The days have begun to blend together: mornings in the water, afternoons spent paddle boarding or exploring new beaches, and cocktails together on the bow at sunset. We are loving it here. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/snapshot-23-06-2024-21-1.png) Last night, we hosted dinner with friends. Given the sparsity of supplies here, it was a group effort. Everyone had something to contribute to the meal! We had fresh sushi as an appetizer, followed by duck confit, mashed potatoes, carrots, sourdough focaccia with olive oil and balsamic vinegar and some red wine. We had a lovely evening swapping stories and laughing ‘til dark. It has been a simple, sweet week here in paradise! There are plenty more atolls for us to explore, but we haven’t found a reason to leave this one just yet. Thankfully, we’re in no rush. I hope you had a great week. ❤️ ### THIS is what we’ve been dreaming of! URL: https://svsabado.com/this-is-what-weve-been-dreaming-of/ Last updated: 2024-06-09T17:50:23.000Z *A Week Aboard S/V Sabado: 6/02/2024 - 6/09/2024* **Hello and Happy Sunday!** *Have you seen [our latest YouTube video](https://youtu.be/SHziysxhVU8?si=HKSWnF%5F5v9zjV6ye&ref=svsabado.com)? :)* Last Sunday, we were in the home stretch of our passage from Nuku Hiva to the Tuamotus. Most of our trip had been rough, and this day was no different. We motor sailed into the wind, regretting not fully filling our fuel tanks before we left. As the sun fell below the horizon, we were surrounded by squalls. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/snapshot-09-06-2024-1324-1.jpg) Unfortunately, they didn’t come with enough wind to turn our engine off. We motor sailed through the night while the rain poured in the moonless darkness. Ray woke me up during his shift- he had gone to drop the mainsail and noticed a broken lazy jack, allowing the sail to spill out onto one side of the boat. This isn’t the first time we have dealt with this issue, but it was the first time it had happened in the dark. Thankfully, there wasn’t much wind- hence why he was dropping the sail- so we brought the sail back up, and Ray was able to stand by the boom in the pouring rain and pull it into place while I eased the halyard from the helm. Once the sail was down, we began to troubleshoot. Daylight was still hours away, and although the squalls had been tame so far if the wind picked up, we wanted to be able to sail/reef when needed. So, with raindrops pelting into my eyes and a headlamp strapped to my forehead, I sent Ray up the mast. He clung to it with every wave that rocked the boat, loudly and clearly communicating his needs to me as I controlled the winch. He got to the spreader, re-threaded the lazy jack, and returned to safety. He secured the lazy jack back at the sail bag; we high-fived, grabbed some dry clothes, and stayed up together, chatting for a bit, decompressing from the adrenaline rush. After all that effort, we didn’t even need the sail the rest of the night. However, we did sleep better knowing it was usable! We arrived at our destination in the dark, turned off the engine, and turned on all our lights to drift until daylight. To get to our anchorage, we needed to navigate through a narrow pass and dodge numerous coral heads called bommies that sat just below the surface as we made our way to the other side of the atoll. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/img_5032-1.jpg) Sunrise came and went, but the visibility was poor, and the wind had picked up to \~25kn. These are the exact opposite conditions we were hoping for. We waited a few more hours until slack tide, which gave us the best chance of maintaining control of our vessel through the pass. We motored forward, pointing our bows in to weigh the risk. We decided to proceed. Using both engines, Ray maneuvered us through the pass. I stood on the bow, getting blasted with salt water as the boat bashed into the waves, pointing out any bommies that may not appear on the satellite images. The wind picked up, but we powered through! We safely anchored in crystal clear water by several beautiful, sandy, palm tree-sprinkled islands. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/img_5084-1.jpg) Only two other boats were nearby, and one was our friends Bryan and Jen. We got the boat out of passage mode, grabbed a few bottles of gin that we’d transported from civilization for them, and headed over. The four of us caught up and shared stories for a few hours before Ray and I finally decided it was time for a good night’s sleep. The next day, the sun came out, and the reality of where we were hit us… the Marquesas were beautiful, but *this* was what we’d been dreaming of! ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/snapshot-09-06-2024-17-1.jpg) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/snapshot-09-06-2024-14-1.jpg) We dropped the dinghy in the water and zipped around, scoping out the best snorkel spots and potential dinghy landing zones. Then, we got to food prepping. We hosted friends for sushi using the yellowfin we’d caught on the way over, so we prepped the sides and sushi rice before they arrived. The four of us spent the rest of the day hanging out, eating, and drinking! ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/snapshot-08-06-2024-1341-1.jpg) We’ve spent the rest of the week waiting for the wind to die so we could go for a nice, long snorkel. But, the universe seemed to have other plans for us… ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/snapshot-09-06-2024-1330-1.jpg) So instead, we ran the generator, made water, did laundry, and completed a small homemade kitchen restock, since we’re far from a grocery store. We made a batch of [yogurt](https://svsabado.com/homemade-yogurt/), [granola](https://svsabado.com/hollys-cinnamon-coconut-granola-recipe/), and some garlic infused olive oil we used for [sourdough focaccia](https://alexandracooks.com/2019/03/22/simple-sourdough-focaccia-a-beginners-guide/?ref=svsabado.com) (recipes linked!). We’re finally feeling relaxed on anchor for the first time since we arrived in French Polynesia. We’re looking forward to exploring more when the weather improves, but we’re thoroughly enjoying this downtime, too! I hope you had a great week. ❤️ ### Pacific Crossing Roundup URL: https://svsabado.com/pacific-crossing-roundup/ Last updated: 2026-07-12T13:25:04.000Z Are you planning a Pacific crossing? Here is a list of all the content we posted about ours linked in one place. Bookmark this page for easy access to heaps of information from transiting the Panama Canal, making landfall in French Polynesia, and everything in between! **Blog posts:** - [Pre-Panama Haul Out](https://svsabado.com/january-2024-behind-the-scenes/) - In this post, we share the details and costs of the upgrades we made to the boat in preparation for our crossing. - [Transiting the Panama Canal](https://svsabado.com/transiting-the-panama-canal-on-our-sailing-catamaran-february-2024/) - This post includes the timeline, experience, fees, agent info, and meal plan we used for our canal transit. - [Applying for a French Polynesia Long Stay Visa from Panama ](https://svsabado.com/applying-for-a-french-polynesia-long-stay-visa-from-panama/) - Here, we share our experience applying for an FP LSV, including the documents we submitted for approval + templates you can download! - [Provisioning for the South Pacific](https://svsabado.com/provisioning-for-the-south-pacific-planning-shopping-meal-prep-and-more/) - In this post, we share our provisioning process from planning to purchasing, storing to cooking, including our provisioning list and favorite passage recipes. - [Daily Passage Diary Posts ](https://svsabado.com/the-wait-is-over-pacific-crossing-day-1/) - Here, you can read a daily rundown of our passage, including conditions, frustrations, our thoughts, and beautiful photos! **YouTube videos:** - [Preparing to Sail Across the Pacific Ocean](https://youtu.be/6%5FC-STQLc78?si=PRbX22vaal8XtdoM&ref=svsabado.com) - In this video, we discuss what we did while hauled out in the Caribbean to prepare for our time in the Pacific. - [Transiting the Panama Canal](https://youtu.be/u8C%5FuclIkZI?si=PTlZUaqttIekkr11&ref=svsabado.com) - This video documents our one-day canal transit, followed by an honest conversation about our experience afterward. - [Provisioning](https://youtu.be/M5UYE0dy574?si=wMnUIav%5FoVq0dxx8&ref=svsabado.com) - In this video, we show you the different grocery store options in Panama and take you along for our dry/canned goods haul. - [Crossing Part 1 ](https://youtu.be/w6WcIqQU6VY?si=Q71DKcEOMb0F3q6l&ref=svsabado.com) - Our fresh food provisioning trip + our departure from Vista Mar Marina. - [Crossing Part 2](https://youtu.be/okrbjG%5FXj4s?si=BBbuG5HJtYoBIYH9&ref=svsabado.com) - Navigating through storms, making repairs, and crossing the equator! - [Crossing Part 3](https://youtu.be/IB-T0utMDyM?si=FSEES6FcJoISmmA0&ref=svsabado.com) - Fighting frustrations through the doldrums. - [Crossing Part 4](https://youtu.be/nVJKtuw-6fU?si=n8MX%5FQJOnB3o88ZU&ref=svsabado.com) - The final days of our passage + arriving in French Polynesia! - [Crossing Q&A ](https://youtu.be/fxOobgPA1B0?si=tfBMlGU9IoqqL%5FSS&ref=svsabado.com) - In this video, we answered some questions about the expectations and reality of our trip. We share our fuel consumption, average and maximum SOG, what worked, what broke, and what we wish we’d done differently. *Did we miss anything? Let us know if you have any additional questions in the comments. :)* **If you found this post helpful, please consider supporting our efforts on** [**Patreon**](https://www.patreon.com/HollyandRay?utm%5Fmedium=clipboard%5Fcopy&utm%5Fsource=copyLink&utm%5Fcampaign=creatorshare%5Ffan&utm%5Fcontent=join%5Flink)**\- it would mean the world to us**! ### It’s Time to Move On… URL: https://svsabado.com/its-time-to-move-on/ Last updated: 2024-06-02T19:37:23.000Z *A Week Aboard S/V Sabado: 5/26/2024 - 6/02/2024* **Hi! Have you seen our latest YouTube video? You can check it out [here](https://youtu.be/AenxifsRHiA?si=iFDRr9UDvpgifABH&ref=svsabado.com). :)** *It has taken us a while to get back into our routine after our Pacific Crossing, but real-time weekly blog posts are back!* Last Sunday, we decided to leave the crowded anchorage we’d called home for the past few days. The Marquesas Islands have not been what we expected. Although the dramatic mountains and beautiful hiking trails are alluring, the anchorages are deep, the water is murky, and the bottom is rocky. When anchoring, it’s not uncommon to let out every foot of chain you have, only to bring it back up and repeat the process again and again until you get your anchor to grab in a safe position. When we first arrived, we were told by several people that it took them over an hour to set their anchor. Then, once you are settled, you can’t see the bottom to get visual confirmation that your anchor is set, and you’re usually only using 2:1 or maybe 3:1 scope, which we’re not used to or particularly comfortable with. We’ve only found one island where the water is clear enough to see the bottom and only one anchorage on that island with a nice, sandy beach. So, we’ve found ourselves returning to this particular spot whenever we needed to run the watermaker or just relax. I guess we aren't the only ones who have adopted this habit because it quickly filled up with familiar boats when we returned. We had scored a great spot in a sandy patch at the front of the anchorage, but as it got increasingly crowded, we decided to pull our anchor and move around the corner. To our surprise, it was empty. We’d heard stories about a local man who owns a house on the beach shoo-ing cruisers out of “his bay” after they had made landfall and stolen fruit from his trees, but we had no intention of going to shore or causing a ruckus. He came out waving his arms while we anchored, but seemed alright once he saw that we had ended up at a reasonable distance from shore. I went for a swim, hoping to find some good snorkeling. There’s lots of sea life in the Marquesas; we’ve had manta rays swimming right next to the boat, seen black tip sharks, schools of fish… but I haven’t found any thriving coral. This swim was no different. I saw two sea turtles, but no coral, just rocks. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/snapshot-31-05-2024-30-1.jpg) We got a good night's sleep and began prepping the boat for an overnight sail to Nuku Hiva, where we hoped to re-fuel before sailing to the Tuamotus, a remote archipelago of atolls that promises plenty of clear water, sandy beaches, and colorful coral reefs. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/img_4944-1.png) We left around 5pm, gawking at the view we were leaving behind. It is undeniably beautiful here! ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/snapshot-31-05-2024-28-1.jpg) Using our main on its first reef and the jib, our SOG was \~7.5kn- much faster than we expected. At this rate, we’d arrive in the dark. We watched the sun slip into the sea and had dinner together in the cockpit while discussing our night shift schedule. Ray took the first 3hrs. By the start of my shift, we had slowed down significantly. We arrived at sunrise the following morning. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/snapshot-31-05-2024-2344-1.jpg) The anchorage was huge and filled with other boats, but everyone was reasonably spaced out, a refreshing change from the cramped anchorages we’d visited so far. The bottom was mud, so our anchor grabbed right away. It was pretty rolly, but we weren’t planning to stay for long. We took a nap and then headed to shore. We walked along the main road until we found the local chandlery and the grocery store. We got a few small parts we needed and some food, but not much. Still, the only fresh vegetables we could find at the store were carrots and onions, but this store had more frozen options than the one in Hiva Oa. We grabbed some ground beef, incredibly expensive chicken, eggs, and a bag of frozen veggies. On the way back to the dinghy, we visited a fruit stand and got some pamplemousse, mangos, bananas, limes, tomatoes, and a giant zucchini! ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/snapshot-31-05-2024-25-1.jpg) We dropped the groceries off at the boat and filled the dinghy with empty jerry cans. There’s no fuel dock in the Marquesas, so I dropped Ray off near a gas station and drove the dinghy around in circles until he returned with full jugs and an ice cream bar for me. ☺️ ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/snapshot-31-05-2024-2343-1.jpg) Ray transferred the fuel into our tanks while I washed and put away our produce. We were ready to move on. We had a cocktail on the bow together and discussed our plan. We left the next day after lunch. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/snapshot-02-06-2024-15-1.jpg) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/a8c13690-1dbf-4d8f-a262-cd0cad89718f-1.png) We had conditions similar to those at the end of our Pacific crossing: sails shading the solar panels and sloppy seas keeping us from running the watermaker. We couldn’t make water in the muddy anchorage we’d just left, so we set sail with 20 gallons, hoping to make some underway… It's a good thing we got so much practice conserving resources on our way over here! We passed an unmarked [FAD](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fish%5Faggregating%5Fdevice?ref=svsabado.com) just before sunset. It was hard to see; we’re glad we didn’t run it over! Seconds later, we caught a fish. I watched closely for other FADs at the helm while Ray pulled in and filleted a yellowfin tuna. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/snapshot-02-06-2024-1449-1.jpg) It was miserably hot that night and too rough to open the hatches. We joked while switching shifts to “enjoy your time at the sweat lodge!” or “have a nice sauna session!” when it was time for one of us to attempt to sleep inside. The next day was uneventful. We didn’t do anything besides eat, sleep, and keep watch. We caught and released a small bonito tuna in the afternoon, but that’s about it! The wind began to die after sunset. When I started my first night shift, our SOG was 3.5kn. We bobbed around in the dark, slowly making our way toward our destination. We chose not to turn on an engine in the name of fuel conservation- it’s challenging to refuel where we’re headed, and although we were going slow, it wasn’t unpleasant. When I came up for my sunrise shift, Ray pointed out a black blob in the lower left corner of our chartplotter- a common indication that the screen was failing. Since it appeared, it has doubled in size. It’s only a matter of time before it takes over the entire display. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/img_4934-1-1.jpg) We lost the last bit of wind and started an engine shortly after that. Thankfully, the sea state had calmed down as the wind dissipated, so although we were bummed about motoring, we were able to get some extra power into the batteries and run the watermaker. We used the engine on and off all day, periodically flying the gennaker or the code zero when we could. Last night, the wind was coming from exactly where we were headed. It felt like a cruel joke! These are the rare conditions people pray for to return to the Marquesas, but we were trying to leave! We begrudgingly dropped the sails and motored into it. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/img_4942.jpg) It rained most of the night, and the sea state took a turn for the worse around 4am. Even with both engines on, our SOG was barely 4.5kn. We veered off course to soften the blows from the waves and decided to reevaluate during daylight. It’s now daylight, and I’m here to report that things have not improved. We sailed for a few hours, planning to tack our way on, but realized it would add days to our trip, and we’d likely end up missing the Tuamotus altogether. The weather forecast for this trip was 180° off. So, now we are burning a ridiculous amount of fuel running both engines to slowly motor into the wind and waves. We’ve also discovered that B&G has stopped making the Zeus MFD, so replacing our failing screen just became a lot more difficult… As I’m posting this, the wind appears to be shifting. Everyone cross your fingers it sticks! ### April-May 2024: Behind the Scenes URL: https://svsabado.com/april-may-2024-behind-the-scenes/ Last updated: 2024-06-02T00:33:20.000Z Between our YouTube Channel and our blog, we share a lot of our life on the water. However, there are always things that go undocumented. Over the years, we have met plenty of new liveaboards who feel like they were “duped” into this lifestyle by its romanticized portrayal on social media. In our experience, living full-time on a boat is expensive, it is hard work, and it is time-consuming. Is it worth it? For us, yes. Is it worth it for you? I’m not sure! **So, in an effort to paint a more realistic picture of boat life, here is a bullet-point list of things we dealt with in April-May 2024:** *Note: we began our Pacific crossing in April, arriving in the Marquesas Islands on May 11\. This list includes issues from April 1 to May 31.* - We repaired our helm enclosure several times. We replaced the front portion a couple of years ago with higher-quality strataglass and UV-resistant stitching but didn’t want to spend the money to replace the back portions at the time. Now, we’re dealing with the consequences of that decision! The thread on the original sections has practically disintegrated, forcing us to hand-stitch it back together when it rips. Maybe it’s time to invest in a Sailrite sewing machine… ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/snapshot-13-04-2024-1724-1.jpg) - The cover on our continuous furling line became loose, allowing it to bunch up and jam the furler. So, Ray cut a portion of the cover out and stitched it back together. - We use [Commoderizers](https://www.commoderizer.com/?ref=svsabado.com) in our heads, and one of the plastic screens/filters broke. Ray made a replacement using a portion of thin plastic cutting board, which has been working just fine! - We lost one of our handlines while fishing underway. Ray was able to repurpose the old band from my pole spear as a snubber to make a new one. - Our starboard engine blower failed. Ray took it apart, cleaned out the carbon buildup, and put it back together several times, but the spacers had disintegrated, and the bushings were shot, so there wasn’t much else he could do. We have kept a close eye on the engine temperature while waiting for a new one to be shipped. We ordered two, assuming the port side will fail sooner rather than later, for €91 each. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/snapshot-21-04-2024-17-1.jpg) - The snubber on our preventer broke after days on end of rough conditions during our Pacific crossing. We have ordered a new one for €29. - I polished our stainless steel once. - Ray washed the boat twice. - I cleaned the bottom of the boat once. After our 27-day Pacific crossing, we had some soft growth around the waterline and minimal barnacles around the sugar scoops. - We had to conserve power and run the generator more than usual during our crossing and these past few weeks in the Marquesas, as either the sails or mountains shaded our solar panels for most of the day. - One afternoon, while running the generator, our bilge alarm went off. We tasted the puddle: fresh water. We were running the air conditioner in our cabin, so we opened the compartment under our bed to look at the unit. The condensate pump had an airlock, making it impossible to pump out the overflowing condensate. Ray whacked it to clear the airlock, and we sucked the water out of the bilge with the shopvac. - During heavy rainfall, we noticed a leak in the saloon ceiling near the compression post. The wires at the base of the mast were letting water through. We identified which one(s) was leaking and re-sealed once dry. This happens every couple of years. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/868c7431-966f-4e62-a34a-bf0fa9f346be-1.jpg) - We got 40 gallons of diesel for \~$230 in Nuku Hiva. There was no fuel dock, so we lugged our jerry cans back and forth from the dinghy to the gas station. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/img_4934-1.jpg) - Last night, we noticed a black spot in the lower left corner of our chartplotter screen. It has grown from the size of a dime to a little larger than a nickel. We’ve been calling it “the tumor.” This is a common indicator that the screen is failing. We will need to figure out a replacement soon… ### Provisioning for the South Pacific: Planning, Shopping, Meal Prep and More! URL: https://svsabado.com/provisioning-for-the-south-pacific-planning-shopping-meal-prep-and-more/ Last updated: 2026-07-14T17:41:50.000Z ***Related Post:***[ *Offshore Passage Meal Prep: 5 Make-Ahead Boat Meals That Save Time at Sea*](https://svsabado.com/offshore-passage-meal-prep-5-make-ahead-boat-meals-that-save-time-at-sea/) The Pacific Ocean is the largest ocean in the world, covering more than 30% of Earth’s surface (approximately 64 million square miles). Our route to sail from Panama to French Polynesia spanned over 4,000 nautical miles and was the longest passage of our circumnavigation. What would you do if you could not go to a grocery store or restaurant for 27 days? This was our approach… **Take Inventory & Maximize Storage Space** *: Remove everything from interior cabinets, drawers, and storage compartments.* While waiting for a weather window on the dock in Panama, I emptied every interior storage space aboard Sabado. I vacuumed and wiped everything down with diluted vinegar to help kill/prevent mold before reloading the contents- taking note of what we already had, checking expiration dates and the integrity of the packaging, and throwing away/donating anything we didn’t need to maximize available space. **Research Provisioning Options at Destination**: *What groceries are available in French Polynesia? What’s cheaper to stock up on before we leave Panama?* Before doing any sizable provisioning haul, I like to research our future cruising grounds to get a feel for what’s readily available, what is grown there vs. what is imported, and what is subsidized by the government; typically, locally grown and government-subsidized products are plentiful and affordable, so I planned to stock up on other items that may be harder to find beforehand. We hope to stay in French Polynesia for over a year, so I provisioned for more than just our time at sea! Here are two blog posts I found helpful about provisioning in French Polynesia: - [Hacking Family: Fr. Poly Provisions](http://hackingfamily.com/Cruise%5FInfo/fr%5F%5Fpolynesia%5Fprovisions.htm?ref=svsabado.com) - [Romany Star: Provisioning for French Polynesia](http://www.romanystar.com/ProvisioningForFrenchPolynesia.php?ref=svsabado.com) **Revise The Big List**: *Our list is at the bottom of this post.* I keep a master list of provisions for Sabado, including first aid supplies, cleaning products, dried/canned goods, and fresh produce, lovingly called “The Big List.” I refer to this list frequently and adjust the numbers according to what we already have and how long we hope to go before restocking. I keep our available storage space in mind while finalizing the numbers. If you don’t have a good idea of your general consumption, track for a month or two: make a note when you throw away an empty tube of toothpaste or open a can of beans. Take those numbers and multiply by however long you’re provisioning for. Chances are, you won’t be buying everything on your list at one store in one trip. So, do yourself a favor and break your list into manageable chunks. This way, you aren’t scrolling through the seemingly infinite Big List in the aisles of the grocery store… Since I provisioned in Panama, where the primary language spoken is Spanish, I found [this](https://svsabado.com/content/files/www-southbayabrams-com/sba%5Fs650.pdf) document incredibly helpful while shopping- it significantly cut down on the amount of time I spent translating labels in the store, especially when it came to different cuts of meat! **Shopping**: *I brought every reusable bag we had with me!* We did the bulk of our shopping at Supermercado Rey. Most of their products have a “buy four deal,” bringing the prices below Super 99, Riba Smith, and even Price Smart if you buy large quantities. Deli Club Market was great for stocking up on sushi-making supplies and Asian sauces. Some stores will let you leave a full cart up front while you continue shopping so you can check out all at once; others will require you to pay each time you fill a cart; ask when you arrive so you can plan accordingly! For fresh produce, I went to Merca Panamá, which had a large selection of non-refrigerated fruits and vegetables (I find they last longer if they haven’t been refrigerated yet) for very low prices! It was a test of my limited Spanish, but everyone was accommodating, and I managed to leave with everything I wanted. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/snapshot-13-04-2024-1025-1.jpg) **Produce at Merca Panamá* ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/snapshot-13-04-2024-1024-1.png) **Produce at Merca Panamá* *Things I couldn’t find in Panama:* canned green chilis, Rice Krispie cereal, whole or speared dill pickles (only sliced and sweet miniature pickles were available), sour cream, green or red Thai curry paste, fish sauce, orzo, and not many canned soup options. --- **Storage Tips** - Remove all cardboard immediately after shopping and get it off the boat to keep your space bug-free. - Remove all unnecessary packaging to limit garbage while underway. We made landfall with only one bag of trash! - Label the tops of canned goods in case the original labels wear off and so they’re easily identifiable from above when in storage compartments. - Place a couple of dried beans in your spice jars to keep them from clumping in the humidity. You can also use rice, but I find beans easier to pick out of your food if you accidentally drop one in! - If storing things in the bilge, keep them in a container so nothing rolls around and blocks a bilge pump. - Freeze all dry goods (pasta, rice, flour, etc.) for several days before storing with bay leaves to prevent weevil infestations. - Soak produce in vinegar and water to clean. Make sure it’s completely dry before storing. - Do not store onions and potatoes together. Onions release moisture, leading to mushy potatoes with eyes or roots. I kept our potatoes in an open basket down below (out of the sunlight). - Some fruits and vegetables emit ethylene gas as they ripen, which speeds up the ripening process of other produce items. Storing these items away from others can help lengthen the shelf life of your produce. Ethylene emitters include apples, avocados, bananas, cantaloupe, kiwi, peaches, pears, peppers, tomatoes, celery… I kept ours in [reusable mesh produce bags](https://a.co/d/aTBtOwf?ref=svsabado.com) away from other produce, checking them regularly and moving them to the refrigerator/freezer as they ripened. - We typically eat meat twice a day, so I filled our Engel freezer exclusively with meat + two bags of shelled edamame as an alternative protein source. I filled the small freezer compartment of our front-loading refrigerator with cheese and butter. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/img_4681-1.jpg) **The cheese and butter grocery run.* - I purchased extra fresh fruit and vegetables and froze them as they ripened/as we made room in the freezers rather than buying already frozen produce. This worked great for us and maximized the food we could fit on board! We arrived in Hiva Oa 27 days after leaving Panama. That’s 81 meals at sea! Upon arrival, we still had fresh squash, potatoes, carrots, onions, ginger, garlic, apples, limes, eggs, and cabbage (honorable mention: radishes, curly leaf parsley, snow peas, and baby bok choy lasted three weeks!). We still had enough meat in our freezer for \~2 weeks, plus some frozen fruit and veggies. Besides shelf-stable milk, rice, and pasta, we barely touched our dry/canned goods. If I were to re-wind to Panama, I would purchase more snow peas and baby bokchoy; I didn’t realize they would last so long, and I would have loved to have had a couple more meals with them! I didn’t anticipate having to conserve power as much as we did, so I also wish I had bought more cereal/granola bars for easy breakfasts. Generally, breakfast is a fend-for-yourself meal on passages since one of us is typically asleep. I usually have homemade yogurt and granola or some muffins prepared to avoid cooking and making noise in the morning, but I couldn’t bake as much given our battery levels, so we were stuck with instant oatmeal, nuts, and fruit for the final two weeks. I wouldn’t change a thing about the meal prep I did before we left. Having easy pre-cooked meal components that I could quickly reheat on our propane stove top or five minutes under the broiler made eating well through the exhaustion, rough conditions, and power problems we encountered on this passage easy! I find slow-cooked/braised meat reheats the best, and since we were on shore power before our departure, I prepared some delicious options using our induction burner and electric oven. **Here are our favorite recipes and how we used them while underway:** [Sourdough focaccia](https://alexandracooks.com/2019/03/22/simple-sourdough-focaccia-a-beginners-guide/?ref=svsabado.com) - Used for sandwiches and a quick pizza crust (cut in half or even thirds to make it thinner). ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/img_4683-2-1.jpg) [Bolognese](https://playswellwithbutter.com/bolognese-sauce-recipe/?ref=svsabado.com) - I made a double batch, vacuum sealed, and froze. I defrosted and reheated it on the stove for spaghetti bolognese and lasagna. Honestly, we’d eat this sauce with a spoon and a slice of bread, too. [Asian Braised Pork Shoulder](https://oliviaadriance.com/asian-braised-pork-shoulder/?ref=svsabado.com) - I shredded and vacuum-sealed this with some of the braising liquid and froze. I defrosted, reheated it under the broiler for a few minutes, and served it with white rice and veggies. [Red Wine Braised Beef Short Ribs](https://wishbonekitchen.com/red-wine-braised-beef-short-ribs/?ref=svsabado.com) *(I added some Worcestershire sauce and rosemary to this recipe)* - I made a double batch, removed the bones, vacuum-sealed the meat with the sauce, and froze. I defrosted and reheated it on the stove, added a cornstarch slurry to thicken the sauce, and served over mashed potatoes with veggies. [Saucy Braised Chicken Thighs](https://oliviaadriance.com/braised-chicken-tacos/?ref=svsabado.com) - I made a double batch, vacuum-sealed it with some of the braising liquid, and froze. I defrosted and reheated it on the stove for tacos with [sourdough tortillas](https://milkandpop.com/the-best-sourdough-tortillas/?ref=svsabado.com#recipe) or served in a bowl with rice and beans topped with crispy tortilla strips. [Basil Chicken Coconut Curry](https://thefoodcharlatan.com/slow-cooker-basil-chicken-in-coconut-curry-sauce/?ref=svsabado.com) *(This is a slow cooker recipe, but I make it in a large pot on the stove in under 45 minutes.)* - I have made this several times and customized it to our preferences. I use one package of boneless skinless chicken thighs seasoned with ½ of the spice blend (1 tablespoon dried basil, 2 teaspoons salt, 3/4 teaspoon pepper, 1 & 1/2 tablespoons yellow curry powder, 1/2 teaspoon chili powder). Sear the chicken thighs in oil on both sides, remove from the pot, and sautee ½ large red onion, diced + 2 seeded and diced jalapeños + 3-4 cloves minced garlic. Add the chicken back to the pan with 1 can of full-fat coconut milk and 1/2c chicken broth. Let simmer until chicken is cooked through; remove and shred the chicken, taste, and add more seasoning blend if needed. I usually use almost all of the blend by the end. Return chicken to the pot and add 1tsp fresh grated ginger, a handful of chopped fresh cilantro, and a cornstarch slurry to thicken. Let simmer uncovered for 10-15mins. Turn off the heat and stir in ½ lime, juiced. - I made a triple batch (we *love* this curry!), kept one in a container in the fridge to eat right away, and vacuum-sealed and froze the other two. I defrosted, reheated it on the stove, and served it over rice and veggies. You could also add veggies while cooking (before freezing) to make it even easier! ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/img_4461.jpg) [Creamy Chicken chili](https://broccyourbody.com/creamy-chicken-chili/?ref=svsabado.com) - Nothing new! This is one of our favorite passage meal prep recipes. I made it using the meat from one whole roasted chicken and put it in a container in the refrigerator to eat right away. We like to have it with shredded cheese, avocado, and tortilla chips! Air Fryer Whole Chickens - I used [this seasoning blend](https://www.allrecipes.com/recipe/45954/roast-sticky-chicken-rotisserie-style/?ref=svsabado.com) and cooked four whole chickens on my air fryer's “Roast” setting at 375°F until the internal temperature reached 165°F (about 45mins). Let cool, then separate the meat from the bones. I made bone broth with the carcasses and whatever veggie + herb scraps I had, which I used in almost every recipe listed above. I used one chicken for the chili, portioned out, and vacuum-sealed the rest to freeze. I defrosted them throughout our passage and used them for chicken fried rice, salads, pasta salads, added to ramen noodles, etc. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/img_4682-1.jpg) BBQ Ribs *(no recipe, I just wing it)* - I baked two racks of baby back ribs, let them cool, removed the meat, vacuum-sealed it with BBQ sauce, and froze it. I defrosted and reheated them on the stove or under the broiler and served them with cornbread, baked beans, and veggies or on a bun as a BBQ pulled pork sandwich. **In addition to these meal prep recipes, here are a few of my go-to recipes while underway** *(I love Asian-inspired meals*?*):* - [Blackened fish tacos](https://broccyourbody.com/blackened-fish-tacos/?ref=svsabado.com) - [Garlic sesame noodles](https://eatwithclarity.com/garlic-sesame-noodles/?ref=svsabado.com) *(topped with seared tuna! These are also delicious cold.)* - [Chinese chicken salad](https://www.eatyourselfskinny.com/chinese-chicken-salad/?fbclid=IwAR2vN3GtjR3KiCECLXgstu0xVNQacmlvgw7e8%5FnpnGiBIioxmNLCXqOIheo&ref=svsabado.com) - [Thai noodle salad](https://eatwithclarity.com/thai-noodle-salad/?ref=svsabado.com) - [Crunchy Thai quinoa salad](https://www.nourishmedaily.com/post/thai-s-the-limit?ref=svsabado.com) - [Cashew chicken and vegetables](https://seasonedbysilvie.com/healthy-cashew-chicken-vegetables/?ref=svsabado.com) - [Kung Pao chicken](https://broccyourbody.com/kung-pao-chicken/?ref=svsabado.com) - [One pan cheesy jalapeño chicken](https://www.thechunkychef.com/one-pan-cheesy-jalapeno-chicken?ref=svsabado.com) - [One pot orzo with sausage, spinach and corn](https://www.skinnytaste.com/one-pot-orzo-with-sausage-spinach-and-corn/?ssp%5Fiabi=1683278565505&ref=svsabado.com) *(I use canned corn, pork sausage, shallot, and add red chili flakes)* - [Sticky Asian meatballs](https://lifemadesimplebakes.com/sticky-asian-meatballs/?ref=svsabado.com#wprm-recipe-container-34021) *(best in the oven, works in a skillet!)* I store all my recipes in the Paprika app so they’re available offline should I need to access them without Starlink. **This was our final Engel freezer inventory:** - Bacon, raw (3 packages) - Saucy braised chicken thighs (2) - Bolognese (2) - BBQ ribs (2) - Roast chicken (3) - Asian braised pork shoulder (1) - Red wine braised short ribs (2) - Kielbasa sausage (2) - Pork sausage (1) - Ground pork (1) - Raw chicken breast (5 portions, 2-3 breasts per portion) - Shelled edamame (2 bags) - Ground beef, raw (4) - Ribeye, raw (3 steaks) - Chicken curry (2) - Sliced deli ham (1lb) - Sliced deli turkey (1lb) --- We went to the grocery store in Atuona, Hiva Oa, after clearing customs and immigration. There was a minimal supply of fresh produce and meat. There were no eggs, no cabbage, or greens of any sort. They did have potatoes, carrots, and onions, but so did we! We purchased some star fruit, pamplemousse, frozen vegetable gyoza, and chicken sausages. We have been here for one week and have traveled to four different anchorages. We have yet to find a good place to restock the freezer and haven’t had much luck fishing. I’ve heard there is a remote shopping service where you can have provisions delivered from Tahiti, so we may explore that option before heading to the remote islands of the Tuamotus! Update: The best place to restock in the Marquesas was Nuku Hiva. Anchor in Taioha'e Bay and you will be walking distance to the fresh produce market and several small grocery stores with the best selection of frozen meat and canned goods in the area. *Have any favorite passage recipes or provisioning tips? Share them in the comments!* Download "The Big List" below [The Big ListThe Big List.pdf239 KBdownload-circle](https://svsabado.com/content/files/2026/07/The-Big-List.pdf "Download") ### LAND HO! Sabado & Crew Have Arrived in French Polynesia URL: https://svsabado.com/land-ho-sabado-crew-have-arrived-in-french-polynesia/ Last updated: 2024-05-13T01:49:44.000Z Our first glimpse of land was just before sunrise. We were surrounded by large, dark shadows. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/snapshot-12-05-2024-2134-1.jpg) It smelled like wet dirt and sweet flowers. We dropped the sails and motored as the mountains blocked the wind. I could hear a chorus of birds and crickets over the sound of the engine. We sat at the helm together, waiting for the sun to illuminate our surroundings. Slowly but surely, we could make out the dramatic shoreline of steep cliffs, dark rock, and lush greenery... *Land ho!* ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/snapshot-11-05-2024-1222-1.jpg) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/snapshot-11-05-2024-1230-1.jpg) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/snapshot-11-05-2024-14-1.png) It was breathtaking. There were tears of joy and repeated shouts of excitement. We have been preparing for this passage for years, and it felt surreal finally crossing the finish line in the Marquesas Islands. We hugged and kissed and high-fived; doing this with just the two of us made it all the more special. We dropped our anchor in Atuona, the official port of entry, to clear customs and immigration, but first, we popped open a bottle of champagne and toasted our achievement— 4,048.7 miles, 27.04 days, average SOG 6.2kn, maximum SOG 14.4kn. *We sailed across the Pacific Ocean.* ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/93a45d92-4f9d-44d0-a82e-24b47120ed0e-1.jpg) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/snapshot-11-05-2024-1233-1.png) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/snapshot-11-05-2024-16-1.jpg) Thank you for your kind and encouraging comments on our daily updates; we loved having you as our virtual crew! We have so much more to share about our passage, but for now, we need a break to rest and recover. See you next week. ❤️ ### Pacific Crossing Day 27: Horizon Gazing URL: https://svsabado.com/pacific-crossing-day-27-horizon-gazing/ Last updated: 2024-05-11T03:49:27.000Z We slowed the boat down this morning, turned on the generator, and ran the watermaker. The seas had calmed down considerably, and we couldn’t wait another day for a shower. We kept our slower pace through the afternoon, delaying our arrival so we’d drop anchor during daylight tomorrow. After pushing for speed this entire trip, it seems odd to dial it back, but I’d feel robbed if, after 27 days at sea, our first glimpse of land was in the dark. I spent most of the day in the bean bag chair, listening to music and staring at the empty horizon. I read a paper a few years ago about the health benefits associated with “horizon gazing.” When you look at something specific, your eyes rotate inwards to focus on it and blur out the background, often eliciting a hormonal stress response (typically in the form of increased epinephrine, adrenaline, and/or cortisol). In contrast, when you look at the horizon, you broaden your visual field, shutting off that stress response. This idea goes back to our ancestral hunter-gatherer days when humans constantly scanned the horizon for threats. Essentially, when your peripheral vision expands and no threat is detected to focus on, your brain understands that you are safe and produces a calming effect. Maybe that’s why I’m so relaxed out here. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/img_4526.jpg) We sailed all day using our main and jib, keeping our speed around 5.5-6.5kn. We both took showers this afternoon, washing away the sweat and sunscreen we’d collected while conserving water. It feels ***so*** good to be clean again. We watched our last sunset of the trip and spotted a sliver of moon off our port side. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/snapshot-10-05-2024-2341-1.png) We should reach Hiva Oa in the morning. ### Pacific Crossing Day 26: What time is it? URL: https://svsabado.com/pacific-crossing-day-26-what-time-is-it/ Last updated: 2024-05-10T03:22:51.000Z We veered off course last night to keep the sails from flopping back and forth as the wind died down in 9ft seas, potentially adding another day to our trip. The squeaks, slams, and groans were unbearable. I tried to distract myself by staring up at the Milky Way, it was the clearest it’s been this entire trip. I sat at the helm longer than usual this morning, knowing the noises had kept Ray awake and he needed sleep. When he came up to take over, I got to work on lunch. Partway through, I managed to knock over the trash can, sending a month's worth of plastic flying around the cockpit. I scrambled to grab every piece before anything went overboard. I stumbled, and the motion of the boat sent me flying into the metal piece protruding from the doorframe. Ouch. Thankfully, it hit my hip and not my head. I gave up on lunch and went straight to bed. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/img_4506.jpg) During Ray’s shift, he noticed our main halyard had chaffed. At this point, we’re just crossing our fingers that it will hold until we arrive. Please cross yours for us, too… ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/snapshot-09-05-2024-24-1-1.jpg) Oh, we’re also down to 14 gallons of water. I’m ready to get on anchor. I woke up at 5pm and began prepping dinner. Ray informed me that he had switched the chart plotter to show local time in the Marquesas: it was actually only 1:30pm. So, we had an afternoon pot roast and mashed potato feast. Since I had just gained three and a half hours, I threw on a swimsuit and parked myself in the bean bag chair next to the helm. I kept watch and enjoyed the sunshine as we sailed at 7.5kn. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/3244b730-ca5b-4ba7-9db2-b4d52cefcddf-1.jpg) As I post this, we’re witnessing another beautiful sunset and soaking up these last few days with an empty horizon. We have \~200 miles to go, and are anticipating a Saturday/Sunday arrival. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/img_4521-1.jpg) ### Pacific Crossing Day 25: It Gets Easier URL: https://svsabado.com/pacific-crossing-day-25-it-gets-easier/ Last updated: 2024-05-09T01:12:46.000Z The stars were incredible last night. I stared up at them as long as my neck would allow, trying to ingrain them into my memory. The bright pink sunrise that came after was just the icing on the cake. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/snapshot-07-05-2024-2249-1.jpg) We spent the day sailing toward our destination using our main and jib; the exhausting days of motoring in the sweltering heat and constant headsail changes a distant memory. Only 350 miles to go! After crossing the equator, we were added to a group chat of boats that departed Panama/Galapagos around the same time as us. The group is predominantly smaller monohulls that only carry a fraction of the fuel that we have, so it’s been interesting to hear about their experiences drifting for days on end through the doldrums. Most of them are far behind us, but I’ve found myself paying more attention to their updates as we near Hiva Oa, cheering them on, knowing now that it gets easier. The wind will come. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/6eeaa6fb-acef-420e-8725-fd95391932bb-1-1.png) Our proximity to land is starting to sink in. I spoke with an agent about the check-in process today and tracked down the bottle of champagne I stashed away for our arrival so I wouldn’t forget to put it in the fridge. \~2 more days… We’ve almost done it! We ate dinner together in the cockpit and discussed generator alternatives for future long passages. The sea state has calmed down, but not enough to run the watermaker, and without the weight of the generator up front, we could carry twice as much water. The boat work never ends, but we wouldn’t have it any other way! ### Pacific Crossing Day 24: Life Underway as a Two-Person Crew URL: https://svsabado.com/pacific-crossing-day-24-life-underway-as-a-two-person-crew/ Last updated: 2024-05-08T01:08:55.000Z We sailed through the night despite varying wind speeds as squalls passed overhead. No thunder, lightning, or rain, but the sea state has grown increasingly uncomfortable since we altered course yesterday, placing the bulk of the swell on our beam. The sun rose around 8am, marking the beginning of our 24th day at sea. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/snapshot-07-05-2024-2027-1.jpg) Sunshine and a cool breeze put us both in a good mood despite the waves pushing us from side to side. We went about our usual routine: switching off resting, and keeping watch. We listen to our podcasts while sprawled out in the beanbag chair next to the helm or fall asleep in the saloon to the sound of the ocean. We check in with each other periodically about the weather or a weird dream we had. This is life underway with a two-person crew! We’re back to conserving water as the sea state refuses to calm down enough for us to run the watermaker. In these conditions, it would suck up too much air. We experimented with weighing down the intake tube for our Rainman, but even a giant jug of boat soap skipped along on top of the water as we pulled it behind us. We’re going too fast. We can’t help but laugh at the fact that we have two watermakers, and we can’t use either of them. Mother Nature does not care how prepared you are. Our new strategy: get on anchor ASAP! If the wind stays like this, we’ll arrive in 3-4 days. Maybe we’ll get some rain before then. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/2682a70a-96b5-4bd3-8f61-000b11d32004-1.png) We’re close enough now to start thinking about our to-do list: the boat desperately needs to be washed, the bottom probably needs to be scraped, we need to do laundry, etc. What is the check-in process like in Hiva Oa? Where can we dispose of our trash? It’s both exciting and overwhelming. I’m looking forward to swimming again. We jibed this afternoon to see if we could get some solar. It was bright and sunny, but our sails had been shading the panels all day. Unfortunately, it didn’t help, so we returned to our original course. Clouds have since rolled in, and it seems like the sea state has calmed down slightly. Only 490 more miles to go! ### Pacific Crossing Day 23: Less than a week from land… URL: https://svsabado.com/pacific-crossing-day-23-less-than-a-week-from-land/ Last updated: 2024-05-07T00:35:24.000Z Last night consisted of hours upon hours of sloppy seas and slatting sails. We made little headway as we jibed back and forth to stay on course. We had been anticipating thunderstorms based on the forecast, but for the first time in a while, we had a beautiful sunrise unobstructed by clouds. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/snapshot-06-05-2024-22-1.jpg) Thankfully, the wind filled in, and we were able to sail comfortably all day using our main and jib. We were heading too far south and riding 6-9ft waves, but as long as the sails are happy, we’re happy! The sun was shining, and the breeze was cool. Our batteries even got a good charge! ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/e5cc8efe-5dc5-45da-b6b1-4bbdf6bedf2b-1.png) Our weather router recommended an alternate course so we wouldn’t have to keep jibing. We plugged it into the chart plotter this afternoon and adjusted the sails. We spent the rest of the day switching off at the helm, thinking about our arrival. It still feels like such a far-off thing, but in reality, it’s less than a week away. It’s incredible what your body and mind can adapt to. Life underway feels completely normal to us now, and after six days, even these big seas feel normal! Being still will be an adjustment. We had dinner together in the cockpit and are enjoying the last bit of sunshine before the sun sets on our 23rd day at sea. ### Pacific Crossing Day 22: Sloppy Conditions URL: https://svsabado.com/pacific-crossing-day-22-sloppy-conditions/ Last updated: 2024-05-06T00:58:49.000Z The sea state has become increasingly uncomfortable as the wind dies down. Without enough wind, we struggle to keep the sails trimmed as the boat rolls, leaving us with loud, floppy sails and fluctuating speed. We noticed the snubber on our preventer had snapped this morning. It seems like our equipment is as fed up with these conditions as we are. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/img_4407-1.jpg) Another overcast morning, followed by our sails shading the afternoon sun, prompted us to run our generator. We hate feeling reliant on the thing, but during a long passage like this, there’s not much else we can do. When Ray went to start it, the battery was dead again. He used the jump pack to get it going before investigating the issue. Both engine batteries and the generator battery use the same charger. Since the charger does not sense the battery levels individually, it seems the charger saw the fully charged engine batteries and shut off, leaving the generator battery low. We’ve been discussing getting some foldable solar panels or flexible ones attached to a large piece of Sunbrella; we could stash it down below when not in use and lay it out wherever the sun is hitting when needed. It would be a nice diesel-free option for future passages. We triple-reefed the mainsail and brought out the gennaker after lunch. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/99498502-ebd6-465d-9f99-da9266b17f7e-1.jpg) We flew it for a few hours before furling it in once the wind speed dropped below 10kn. We brought the main back to its first reef and got the jib out. We’ve begun to feel bad for the mainsail battens as they slam from side to side. Our relatively new sail is getting beat up as Lagoon’s policy requires us to use it in conditions where we should be running headsail only, moving the addition of running backstays to our “high priority” list. This crossing has been a vastly different experience than we’re used to. We’re learning that we need to make some modifications if we expect to continue our predominantly downwind route around the world comfortably. I think having a cup of coffee while I make dinner will be the weirdest habit I’ll have to break when we’re back on anchor. Out here, the evening does not signify the end of our day. I only drink one cup a day, it just happens to be at 6pm. We had dinner together in the cockpit and are waiting to watch the sunset now. After five days of 6-9ft+ seas, things finally appear to be calming down. We’ll see what tomorrow brings! ### Pacific Crossing Day 21: The Companion of my Days URL: https://svsabado.com/pacific-crossing-day-21-the-companion-of-my-days/ Last updated: 2024-05-05T01:02:34.000Z Yesterday was our wedding anniversary. ❤️ We celebrate our love daily but dug out the crystal champagne flutes we used during our ceremony with our wedding date engraved on them and popped open a bottle of sparkling apple cider during the last moments of daylight. In our vows, we refer to each other as “the companion of my days,” nothing feels more true after 21 days of just us and the open ocean. Cheers to the best year yet! ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/img_4398-1.jpg) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/2r4a1033-1.jpg) I started my first watch shift at 9pm. Sitting at the helm with no moonlight in 6-9ft seas is incredibly disorienting. We spend all day watching the horizon for potential squall activity, keeping an eye on the sea state, and analyzing sail shape. When you can’t rely on visual cues, you have to trust your instruments, listen to the wind and waves, and feel how the boat is responding. It becomes more of a numbers game- looking at speed and rudder angle for confirmation you made the right decision rather than tell-tales or luffing. It’s a different kind of sailing. When I was first learning to sail, I used to get frustrated when I saw Ray make an adjustment and asked, “How did you know to do that?” And he’d respond, “I just felt it.” I illuminated the sails with a headlamp all the time during my night watch shifts as a way to “double-check” myself. Over the years, I’ve begun to understand what he meant. I’m still not as in tune as he is, but maybe it’ll come with time. I only used the headlamp once last night. It was still pitch black when I came up for my second shift at 7am. I watched as the sky slowly lit up, turning the clouds from gray to gold. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/img_4362.jpg) We’re less than 1,000 nautical miles away from Hiva Oa. It feels bittersweet, getting closer. Obviously, that’s the goal of this passage, but who knows if/when we’ll ever do something like this again… I think we’ll miss it when it’s over, but I’m looking forward to new, beautiful cruising grounds. We turned Starlink on briefly this morning to download emails and post [our latest YouTube video](https://youtu.be/IB-T0utMDyM?si=Zo3qMccfsdH1YgKF&ref=svsabado.com), then shut it back off to conserve power. These cloudy mornings are killing us! It always clears up once the sun slips behind our sails, though… ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/img_4390.jpg) The water below us is over 13,000ft deep. You can feel the power of the waves as they push our home forward, giving us an extra 2-3kn of speed. We’re sailing at \~7kn, but our SOG reads 9.5-10+ as we surf downwind. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/without-ac-1.jpg) I have a question for my fellow sailing ladies: how are you planning to pee in your life raft?? Looking out at these monstrous waves, there’s no way I’m getting in and out of the water if, God forbid, we needed to use the thing. Is there a device I should purchase and keep in our ditch bag? Are we using plastic bags? Let a sister know. These are the things I’m left to ponder when Starlink is off. We shared our last passion fruit with lunch. We’re down to just apples now, plus some mango and banana that I froze. At this point, I call visiting the freezer below “grocery shopping.” It’s still incredibly well stocked. I pulled out some roasted chicken to have for dinner. The waves are 10-12ft now, but Sabado & crew are handling it just fine. However, I wouldn’t mind some moonlight tonight… ### Pacific Crossing Day 20: Loving Every Minute URL: https://svsabado.com/pacific-crossing-day-20-loving-every-minute/ Last updated: 2024-05-04T02:22:24.000Z We sailed through several storms last night, which continued into this morning. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/snapshot-03-05-2024-2209-1.jpg) These days, the only time our solar panels see the sun is before noon; after that, they’re shaded by the sails. We preemptively shut the inverter and our cockpit fridge off to conserve power through the gloomy, wet morning. We were pointing too far south, so we jibed for the first time since leaving Panama. As the sky cleared, the wind shifted in our favor, and we were able to jibe back onto our intended course. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/without-ac-1.png) We sailed all day, only using an engine briefly when needed to reef. The sea state is still around 6ft, growing temporarily with each squall. After several days of this, I hardly even notice the motion anymore, except when cooking, which still feels like an epic display of athleticism. I spent the afternoon finishing up our next YouTube video and listening to podcasts at the helm between naps. I never really understood those people who sail around the world without stopping. 100+ days of this- what’s the point, other than being able to say you did it? Now, I’m starting to understand the appeal. It’s a vastly different lifestyle than day sailing. We’ve gotten a small taste of it when we’ve done six days here and nine days there over the years, but nothing compares to this. 20 days and counting… I’m loving every minute: the good, the bad, and the mundane. ### Pacific Crossing Day 19: It’s Just Awesome Out Here URL: https://svsabado.com/pacific-crossing-day-19-its-just-awesome-out-here/ Last updated: 2024-05-03T01:32:42.000Z I woke up every 30 minutes last night in a panic, convinced I was hours late relieving Ray at the helm. It was still dark when I started my typically mid-sunrise shift. I’ve never been more confused about the time than I have been out here. Another night of sailing has come and gone. We used our main and jib, the waves boosting our speed as Sabado surfs toward Hiva Oa. The wind lightened up, and, in combination with the sea state, we found ourselves back to dealing with slatting sails. The sound alone is irritating, but the accelerated wear and tear on the sails has us wincing with every slam. There was a period of calmer seas during Ray’s watch shift, and he took the opportunity to slow the boat down and run the watermaker. Thank goodness he did because today was hot and sunny, and we were sweaty and gross. We triple-reefed the main and pulled the gennaker out just before lunch, easing the halyard more than usual per some advice we received. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/snapshot-02-05-2024-2104-1.jpg) It worked great, but we had to furl it in shortly after because of the sea state. We just couldn’t keep it full when the boat rolled. Would this be an issue with an A2 as well? I’d love to know before we spend thousands of dollars on one. We’re pretty confident the root of the problem is Lagoon’s stipulation against flying a headsail without the main up on the boats with aft set masts (42, 46, 50, 52, etc.). We’re discussing adding a running backstay to our rig in the future. Today is my mom’s birthday. She is undoubtedly part of the Sabado crew, constantly supporting our wild adventures and even getting into the thick of it herself. This is a photo of her helping rebuild our generator’s raw water pump while visiting us in Grenada, and handling lines for us through the Panama Canal! ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/img_0058.jpg) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/snapshot-21-02-2024-1403-1.png) She is also the master craftswoman behind our spiffy fender and winch covers and most recently designed these blue bumpers to keep our dinghy from rubbing up against the davits (you can see where we’ve had to patch the chaps in the past!). We are so lucky to have her in our lives, and so is Sabado. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/img_4260.jpg) We FaceTimed her from the helm to wish her a happy birthday. Video chatting from the middle of the Pacific Ocean is mind-blowing; thank you, Starlink! Mom, we love you! We stuck with the jib for the rest of the day, periodically bringing it out onto a barber hauler when appropriate. I did a produce inspection and some cleaning this afternoon before taking a much-needed shower. For all my foodies out there: we’re still eating fresh fruit and veggies on day 19- baby bok choy, curly leaf parsley, squash, snow peas, cabbage, carrots, potatoes, passion fruit, apples, etc. It feels glorious to be clean again. We ate dinner together in the cockpit, chatting about what we missed on land- spoiler alert: there’s nothing! We always hear about people missing bars or restaurants, hiking, or the smell of grass, but honestly, I think we’d be happy out here forever. We thoroughly enjoy the ocean and each other's company, and the challenges we’ve faced have only enriched our experience. To quote Ray, “It’s just awesome out here.” ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/img_4269-1.jpg) ### Pacific Crossing Day 18: Stinky Sailors URL: https://svsabado.com/pacific-crossing-day-18-stinky-sailors/ Last updated: 2024-05-02T01:27:35.000Z Last night was pitch black- no moon, stars, or bioluminescence. I could hardly even see our headsail as we flew through the water at 8-9kn, surfing down steep waves. The sun rose, giving way to a beautiful morning. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/snapshot-01-05-2024-22-1.jpg) 20kn of wind and 6ft seas pushed us along while I watched hundreds of flying fish catapult themselves from wave to wave. I’m thrilled to report that we did not make a single sail change today. We used our main on its first reef, and the jib pulled out onto a barber hauler, SOG 8-10kn. My sore hands and limp arms were grateful to have a break. We switched off resting and keeping watch at the helm. The sea state continued to grow as the day progressed- we were seeing 9ft waves by noon, bobbing around, still \~1500 nautical miles away from Hiva Oa. Conditions are expected to be like this for the next few days. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/e060b86d-817d-4126-93c0-b434353359cd-1.png) Our sails shaded our solar panels all afternoon as the autopilot continued sucking power. We had 64% battery and 10 gallons of water, but we couldn't run the watermaker or the generator in these conditions (they would suck up too much air). If only we still had our wind turbines… We shut off the cockpit fridge and the inverter to conserve power. After dinner, it seemed like the seas were beginning to lay down. It was by no means calm, but we figured it was calm enough to get the generator going. We went to turn it on, but it didn’t start. Ray went up to the bow to investigate. It ended up being a dead battery, and he used the jump pack to get it going. Knowing the generator could run, we decided to give the watermaker a shot. It had an airlock from sucking up too much air when we tried to run it this afternoon, but Ray was able to bleed it and get it going. At this rate, we’ll be taking showers tonight! Oops- I spoke too soon. The watermaker has sucked up air as I’m posting this, forcing us to shut it down. We might be stinky for a while longer! ### Pacific Crossing Day 17: Sailing Through Squalls URL: https://svsabado.com/pacific-crossing-day-17-sailing-through-squalls/ Last updated: 2024-05-01T01:21:54.000Z The sun rose later than usual this morning- did we change time zones again? Squalls surrounded us. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/snapshot-30-04-2024-22-1.png) Sabado was sailing well. We were maintaining great speed in the right direction, and the sails were happy. The waves began to grow, and the sky got dark, so we decided to reef- just in time. The wind jumped up to 25, gusting to 30kn. We were flying! After struggling to find an efficient sail configuration these past few days, it felt so good to kick back and let Sabado do her thing. After the first storm had passed, we decided to bring out the gennaker and cheered as our speed soared! We flew it for maybe 20 minutes before we noticed another squall coming up behind us. So, we swapped it back out for the jib. We used the jib and main for the rest of the day, a nice change of pace from the constant furling and unfurling of our big headsails. The wind was averaging around 18kn, our SOG 7.3kn. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/2034a32a-909d-4cb3-b10f-bc8cdcd74341-1.png) At one point, our port side was swamped by a breaking wave. I immediately checked down below to ensure none of our hatches had leaked. Thankfully, all was dry. I don’t have much else to report today! Despite the bigger seas, we had a nice, reasonably comfortable ride. It was gloomy and periodically rainy, but we relished the break from the sun and heat. We had leftovers from last night for dinner- the perfect comfort meal for a stormy day. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/snapshot-30-04-2024-2111-1.jpg) Our batteries didn’t get much of a charge, so we might turn the inverter off overnight to conserve power. I don’t have a very colorful sunset to share with you tonight, but spirits are high aboard sailing vessel Sabado. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/snapshot-30-04-2024-24-1.jpg) ### Pacific Crossing Day 16: So Many Sail Changes… URL: https://svsabado.com/pacific-crossing-day-16-so-many-sail-changes/ Last updated: 2024-04-30T01:34:32.000Z We sailed through the night last night, using our code zero, then the jib. The moon didn’t rise until midnight, so I got to enjoy the sight of the Milky Way for most of my shift. Listening to the ocean while stargazing is always such a treat. The wind began to clock around early this morning, so we decided to give our spinnaker another try. We dug it out of the forepeak, ran the lines, reefed the main, and brought up the halyard. We had significantly more wind than we did the last time we tried to fly it, so we were excited to see how it would go, and sure enough- it was magical. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/img_4160-1.jpg) We were hitting SOG 7.5-8.5kn consistently, with a couple of exciting minutes above 9kn. Our top speed was 11.2kn! We let it fly until just before lunch when the wind neared the sail’s limit. As we went to snuff it, the sock got stuck. With the main on its second reef, we couldn’t blanket the spinnaker enough to alleviate the pressure. We eased the working lines out, hoping to provide some give, to no avail. Ray was hanging on the snuffer line, and it would not budge. We turned upwind, forcing the sail to one side of the boat and bringing the halyard down a bit. We were able to get the sock moving then, but it was chaos trying to control the billowing bottom of the sail. We had 18kn of wind at that point and were getting our asses kicked. Ray was manning the snuffer while I tried to keep the lines out of the water and keep the sail from getting caught in our rig. I had a brief scare as a line wrapped around my thigh. It could’ve easily taken me overboard, but I was able to free myself just in time before the next gust of wind sent it flying. We got it under control, and Ray returned to the helm to bring out the jib, keeping us sailing while I untied and flanked the lines from the spinnaker. A tidy boat is a safe boat! I threw together some lunch. We were grumpy, dripping sweat, and panting; we needed some calories. We debriefed while we ate, discussing how we could better handle that situation if it happens again: we could pull the guys in to flatten it, maybe put both engines in forward to ease the tension, or even bring the jib out to blanket the sail… This is something Ray and I have always done when something goes wrong. It makes us better sailors. I doubled up on sunscreen and spent the afternoon at the helm. We used our main and jib for a couple of hours before bringing the gennaker out around 2pm to gain speed and hopefully veer closer to our desired course. With the main reefed, we were going 7kn in *almost* the right direction. The sea state was aggravating, periodically tipping the boat just far enough to spill the wind out of our sails and leave them flapping around. We furled in the gennaker, put another reef in the main, then unfurled it again in hopes of keeping the headsail full. It helped, but all these sail changes had worn us out. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/bf2fbd8e-93d6-403e-877d-ba5b224508c5-1.jpg) To improve crew morale, we turned on some music over the speakers. We noticed another portion of our helm enclosure ripped, so Ray hand-stitched it back together. That thing is a real piece of shit. We also noticed one of our lazy jacks came untied. Thankfully, that was a quick and easy fix. Then, we saw a couple of rips in the gennaker. It looks like it’s just the UV-resistant portion, but we'll definitely be keeping a close eye on it. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/img_4182-1.jpg) We dealt with each issue one at a time while Amy Winehouse sang Valerie in our cockpit. Thanks to my freezer prep before our departure, with minimal effort, we had red wine braised short ribs, mashed potatoes, and green beans for dinner. There’s nothing like a good meal and a beautiful sunset to end a long day. Hopefully, tomorrow will be easier, but I guess if it were easy, everyone would be doing this! ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/img_4184.jpg) ### Pacific Crossing Day 15: If you can’t get out of it, get into it! URL: https://svsabado.com/pacific-crossing-day-15-if-you-cant-get-out-of-it-get-into-it/ Last updated: 2024-04-29T01:20:08.000Z We turned the engine off around 2am; our SOG was 7kn with our main and code zero. We don’t usually fly our big headsails at night, but we *really* needed to sail. The sunrise was a show, with dark clouds and rain sprinkled throughout. There was a steady, cool breeze, and we could still catch a glimpse of the moon between the sails. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/snapshot-28-04-2024-1827-1.png) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/f25188c6-a46b-4ef2-94ad-f7ff3301afa4-1.png) We continued until after lunch when we swapped out the code zero for the gennaker in response to the changing wind and sea state. We gained a knot of speed after the switch. Our bodies are starting to show the signs of this new routine. The bottoms of our feet are burnt from standing on the hot teak at our aft winches, adjusting, furling, and unfurling our head sails. Our hands are sore as new calluses form from constantly handling lines. Our lips are chapped from the wind and sun. We’re realizing that we do not have the proper sail inventory to make this an efficient, easy trip. We are physically exhausted, but, in the wise words of one of my favorite college professors, “If you can’t get out of it, get into it.” So, we persist, throwing on our sun hats, reapplying our sunscreen, and donning our sailing gloves. *We’re sailing our house across the largest ocean in the world, just the two of us! How cool is that?!* Ray set up a temporary contraption to prevent chafe where the gennaker line rubs against the lifeline. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/snapshot-28-04-2024-2109-1.png) I baked some sourdough focaccia. This is my first time making it since we left the dock (and the air conditioning). It rose so much faster in the heat and humidity that I may have over-proofed it. The result was more dense but still soft and delicious! I guess I could slow it down by letting it rise in the refrigerator, but who has enough fridge space for that on a boat? ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/137bef06-38f2-4be4-9400-401484c36584-1.png) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/53737ada-0101-4cd3-8ce8-c65bad160e09-1.png) We furled in the gennaker around 3pm and brought out the jib, hoping to get Sabado back on course. Our speed took a hit, but at least we were going in the right direction now. Our weather router gave us an option to keep our speed up and hopefully alleviate the slatting of our main sail. He set two "gate" waypoints along the same line of longitude, advising us to favor the northern point as much as possible. We altered course and brought the code zero back out, SOG 7.5-8kn. Now, that’s more like it! ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/0c318d36-0557-41f1-af46-76937c187692-1.jpg) We caught two fish just before sunset: both bonito tuna. Bonito are very oily and have a strong flavor. They’re not our favorite, and we’re by no means low on food, so we threw them back. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/snapshot-28-04-2024-2108-1.png) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/snapshot-28-04-2024-22-1-1.png) We had dinner together in the cockpit, day dreaming about what it would be like to have an A2 sail… Here is my view as I’m posting this: ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/img_4144.jpg) ### Pacific Crossing Day 14: Feeling Frustrated URL: https://svsabado.com/pacific-crossing-day-14-feeling-frustrated/ Last updated: 2024-04-28T01:15:22.000Z Last night began with billions of stars twinkling overhead, only to be masked by a fiery red moonrise. We were still waiting for wind. We motored through the night with our main up, periodically using the jib when conditions allowed. Ray brought the code zero out at sunrise, giving us a slight .5-1kn boost in speed as we continued motoring. We tapped into the diesel jerrycans for the first time today, putting 40 gallons into our tanks, keeping 10 in reserve. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/snapshot-27-04-2024-2019-1.jpg) We currently have 115 gallons on board and are running one engine at a time low and slow, burning \~0.66 gallons/hr. As is, we could motor for about eight more days, leaving us empty. Hopefully, it doesn’t come to that. Tomorrow we’ll be halfway to the Marquesas Islands. We took advantage of the sunshine and calm seas, doing a load of laundry and hanging it out to dry. We dropped the sails just before lunch, as the speed we were gaining from having them up wasn’t worth the distance we were going off course to keep them happy. If we’re burning diesel, every mile counts! We noticed a new vibration while running our starboard engine. We blasted it into reverse to clear any seaweed from the prop and rudder. The vibrations continued. I popped my GoPro into its waterproof case, laid belly-to-teak on the sugar scoop, and stuck my arm in. Everything looked fine! ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/snapshot-27-04-2024-2014-1.jpg) Out of an abundance of caution, we switched over to our port engine while we brainstormed the potential cause. We heard the same vibration. We’re assuming it was just a result of some funky current. It went away a few hours later, but we’ll pay attention if it returns. We were able to sail for a bit this afternoon. Using our main and code zero, our SOG was \~7kn. We savored the peace and quiet: *Ahhhh, the absence of engine noise.* ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/7a1997cd-446e-4f6d-a594-c69133217bf2-1.jpg) I uploaded [our latest YouTube video](https://youtu.be/okrbjG%5FXj4s?si=fstkM7X7i9IR1Mb6&ref=svsabado.com), and Ray did his daily stroll around the boat, inspecting our equipment. He added a safety line to the boom, where he noticed some chafe, before turning the engine back on around 5pm. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/snapshot-27-04-2024-2015-1.jpg) As I’m posting this, we have our main on the third reef, our code zero out, and our port engine on. We’re feeling a bit frustrated. Lagoon has specifically instructed 42 owners not to sail with headsail only, and we can’t help but wonder if we’d be sailing right now if we weren’t blanketing half our headsail, never mind how rough it is on the main to have it up in these conditions… ### Pacific Crossing Day 13: The Doldrums URL: https://svsabado.com/pacific-crossing-day-13-the-doldrums/ Last updated: 2024-04-27T00:37:55.000Z The wind dropped to 2kn last night shortly after dark. We dropped the sails and turned on an engine. Welcome to the Doldrums. It was disappointing, but the shimmer of moonlight reflecting off the glossy water made up for it. It was still (haha, get it?) beautiful. We turned the inverter off overnight to save power. It’s incredible how much we use between all our instruments, autopilot, Starlink, etc.; combined with partially cloudy skies and our sails shading the solar panels, we knew we’d need to run the generator soon if we didn’t start conserving. Ray woke me up early to help with the sails. The sun had just risen, AWS 2kn, TWS 4kn. We had the main on its third reef to avoid blanketing the headsail. The wind was too light for our gennaker, so we decided to try to fly the spinnaker. Getting it up was a hassle and a half. Dripping sweat, we tied and untied, tangled and untangled the lines. The sun felt brutal, and it was hardly 8AM. We finally got it up, only to be let down as we watched the wind fill the sail and pull the boat along, only for it to counteract all our apparent wind and deflate again. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/590b1c82-c554-4e0a-a25d-66d71ac37a43-1.png) We snuffed the sail and restarted our engine. We’re beginning to feel a bit of fuel anxiety. The forecast changes drastically every day. Yesterday, it looked like we wouldn’t have to start an engine again for days; now it’s saying it will be days before we can turn it off. At this rate, we may need to do some drifting during this trip. We put the fishing lines out and hid from the sun for a couple of hours. Around 10AM, we decided to give the spinnaker another go. It was a smoother process the second go around. We took our time testing different trims and adjusting our heading, trying to make it work. For a light wind sail, it was severely underperforming. That’s when it dawned on us- is this even a light wind sail? It came with the boat and is a bit too much work for the two of us to fly regularly. We’d just assumed its parameters. We snapped a photo of the label and sent a message to the manufacturer, who confirmed the sail’s maximum wind angle was 140° and was suitable for up to 20kn of wind. Shit. We snuffed it and went back to the drawing board. At this point, we didn’t have enough wind to sail, no matter what was in our sail inventory. We were looking for something to give us an extra knot or so of speed while motoring at low RPMs. We decided to dig out our code zero, which I don’t think we’ve flown since we got the gennaker. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/4328b1bc-9c41-4390-9017-0198efc507f4-1.png) It gave us a solid .5-1kn increase in speed, which was all we could ask for, given the conditions. I made us a salad for lunch, shocked to find two still crunchy cucumbers in the back of the fridge. We lost every last breath of wind around 3PM (seriously, 0.5kn TWS) and furled in the code zero. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/snapshot-26-04-2024-1918-1.jpg) So far, this passage has not been what I expected. It has involved more active sailing/sail changes than I’d imagined. I thought I’d be more bored, honestly. I thought I’d be dying for a workout or any activity to pass the time, but I feel like I’m up and down all day making adjustments and coiling lines- I’ve hardly even made a dent in the book I’m reading! It feels good, though. One of the reasons I enjoy passage making and boat life, in general, is the mandatory shift in your priorities. So much time and energy is spent focusing on the essentials: do we have enough food, water, and power? Is the boat safe and functioning properly? Are we moving in the most efficient way possible? We are forced to make do with what we have and roll with the punches. Growing up in the age of convenience has its ramifications. Being able to get everything you need at the click of a button frees up a lot of time for you to think about frivolous things. I was never content with what I had when I knew I could get something new delivered to my doorstep in 2 business days; I always seemed to “need” something else. This lifestyle removes that gnawing feeling of desire and grounds you in the rudimentary. I find it very fulfilling. It’s like a bubble bath for my brain. Our batteries crept up above 80%, and we decided to run the watermaker for a few hours. I sat at the helm in my UPF gear, looking ridiculous for a nonexistent audience, watching the flying fish soar out of the water. We gave the gennaker another chance just before dinner, but it was short-lived. There simply was not enough wind. Ray addressed the excess cover material on our furling line as the sun lowered. The cover was still bunching up in the furler despite the stitches he added last week. So, he is cutting a portion out. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/img_4043.jpg) It looks like we’re in for a beautiful sunset tonight; I’ll show ya over on Instagram. ;) ### Pacific Crossing Day 12: Our New Normal URL: https://svsabado.com/pacific-crossing-day-12-our-new-normal/ Last updated: 2024-04-26T00:17:59.000Z Another full night of sailing is under our belts- that’s over 24hrs with no engine now. We used the main and jib overnight but switched to the gennaker at first light, making SOG 7.5-8kn. The sea state is significantly less bouncy than yesterday but is by no means smooth. Still, it was a beautiful morning! ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/241f5b16-87ae-42e6-98a4-73271dfc233c-1.jpg) Ray decided to saw into our saloon furniture to quiet a squeak. On our boat, most of the noises come from the furniture rubbing up against itself while we’re moving. We typically cut up those thin, flexible plastic cutting boards and wedge pieces between the problem areas, but today, Ray took a different approach: sawing a bit off to create a space. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/snapshot-25-04-2024-2000-1.jpg) He successfully shut it up, and with the cushions in place, you can’t even tell a saw was involved. I spent the afternoon thumbing through the “French for Cruisers” book we have on board, summoning my three years of high school French class knowledge before we arrive in French Polynesia. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/img_3984.jpg) The days are starting to blend together as this becomes our new normal. We messed around with the gennaker configuration to minimize the flogging as the wind spills out of the sail in response to the boat's motion in this sea state. We tried to fly it off the windward bow but ultimately brought it back onto the bowsprit and trimmed it well, which seemed to do the trick. We continued sailing with our main and gennaker for the rest of the day, listening to music over the speakers. I made some sourdough tortillas, and we had beef and veggie tacos for dinner together in the cockpit. Ray and I both just got a whiff of something fishy and are now on the lookout for a smelly whale blowing nearby. We still have the main and gennaker up and are discussing leaving it overnight since the weather has seemingly settled, and we are capable of furling it in quickly if needed… That’s a bit out of our comfort zone though, so we’ll see! ### Pacific Crossing Day 11: Hello, wind! URL: https://svsabado.com/pacific-crossing-day-11-hello-wind/ Last updated: 2024-04-25T00:49:29.000Z Last night was miserable. It felt like we were riding a mechanical bull for hours on end. It’s not particularly better today, but everything seems easier in the daylight. The only thing that would make these conditions worse would be if we had to motor- thankfully, we sailed the entire night. Using our main on the first reef and our jib, we maintained SOG 7.5-8kn throughout the day. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/97b9ea99-9f86-4053-978f-d137a5090808-1.png) Crew morale was high despite the sloppy seas. We were making great time in the right direction! Ray did his usual lap around the boat, looking for chafe or anything out of sorts. Sabado has been holding up well. I participated in the Olympic sport that is putting together a meal in rough seas (I’ve exponentially improved at this over the years), and we switched off resting/keeping watch as Sabado plowed onward through the waves. It was an otherwise uneventful day. Ray tracked down a new and incredibly obnoxious squeak in the saloon, and I managed to get some footage for our next YouTube video edited. For both of us, most of the day was spent in the beanbag chair next to the helm, staring up at the sails. It was sunny and just the right temperature- a beautiful day to be out sailing. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/997d72b9-a510-46b2-9d8c-59cdb2fd75d1-1.jpg) We decided to fly the gennaker for a few hours before dark, boosting our SOG to 10kn. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/6a9645ec-26c3-4e5e-a1d1-478fe614c102-1.jpg) We made our turn west and are heading straight to the Marquesas Islands now. I have one hand gripping the edge of the galley counter as I’m posting this, preparing dinner. Hopefully, tonight is equally windy but less bouncy! ### Pacific Crossing Day 10: From Pollywogs to Shellbacks URL: https://svsabado.com/pacific-crossing-day-10-from-pollywogs-to-shellbacks/ Last updated: 2024-04-24T00:42:04.000Z We crossed the equator at 9:06pm last night. We counted down together in the cockpit, poured some rum overboard for King Neptune, asking for a safe passage in return, and drank some non-alcoholic bubbly ourselves to celebrate the momentous occasion. We have officially graduated from mere pollywogs to mighty shellbacks! ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/snapshot-23-04-2024-2000-1.png) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/img_3872.jpg) Ray headed to bed while I took the first watch shift. Thick fog surrounded us, making for a damp, cold night. We changed time zones a few times and now every one of our devices says something different. Shift change o’clock became a little confusing, but we managed. I woke up to the sound of Ray bringing out the gennaker at sunrise. We had great wind this morning, SOG 6.5-7.5kn. I had some tea and a muffin at the helm while watching a pod of dolphins in the distance. The sunlight was warm, and the water was calm. When conditions are like this, I feel like I could sail forever. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/snapshot-23-04-2024-2001-1.png) A couple of our Patrons sent me messages about missing comments on these blog posts. I did some investigating and found an entire spam folder of comments I’ve never seen before, so if you randomly got a bunch of replies from me, I’m sorry! I’m just now seeing it! Ray helped me change the settings, so this shouldn’t happen again. I sorted through them all, smiling from ear to ear. Sharing this with you guys has been so fun! Thanks for following along; we love reading your comments. :) I did another produce inspection today, freezing some mangos before they spoil and chopping up a watermelon. We ate our last avocado with lunch. We’ve been doing great with our food supply so far, though I wouldn’t mind making some room for some fresh fish… We sailed most of the day, blasting music and just hanging out. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/img_3905-1.jpg) I checked our fishing lines only to notice one was missing. We had a giant squid lure on it, and the swivel was busted, so it must have been snagged by something big! Ray is going to repurpose the old band from my spear to make a replacement handline. The wind dropped slightly this afternoon, and the sea state got lumpy. We were tired of listening to the gennaker flop around, so we brought out the jib instead, lowering our speed. Conditions continued deteriorating as we began battling 1.5kn of current and opposing ground swell. We decided to drop the sails altogether to prevent any damage to the rig and start an engine. A pod of pilot whales visited us just after sunset. I had a brief moment of panic when we first spotted them; I thought they were orcas, and after hearing so many reports of orcas attacking boats, I wanted nothing to do with them! Luckily, we identified them by their unique bulbous heads as they swam right by us. What an incredible way to end the day! ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/snapshot-23-04-2024-21-1.jpg) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/snapshot-23-04-2024-22-1.jpg) We’ve raised the main, brought out the jib, and are attempting to sail again as I post this. It looks like we’re in for another bumpy night, but we’ll see how it goes! ### Pacific Crossing Day 9: Passing the Galapagos URL: https://svsabado.com/pacific-crossing-day-9-passing-the-galapagos/ Last updated: 2024-04-23T00:44:26.000Z We flew the gennaker until \~8:45pm last night. We don’t usually fly our big headsails after sunset, but our speed was good, and the sea state was calm. As the wind crept up, we played it safe and swapped it out for the jib. We were cruising along at 7kn in 11kn of wind. Things shifted around midnight. The wind dissipated, and we were taking a significant swell on our beam, making for an incredibly uncomfortable rest of the night. Usually, the sails act like a car’s suspension would, carrying us over the waves and smoothing out the ride, but since we didn’t have much wind, we felt every crest and every trough. Ray had to turn the engine on. I came up for my second shift at the helm at 7am, feeling like I only got 30 minutes of rest during my 5 hours off. It’s difficult to sleep when you’re being tossed around. The boat groans and creaks, letting you know it’s equally as uncomfortable as you are. We had our main and jib up, port engine on, AWS 6kn. The wind picked up just a few knots, so we turned the engine off and tried to sail. We made it less than an hour before practically coming to a halt, forcing us to turn the engine back on. Thankfully, by 10am, things were looking up. The wind filled out, and we were sailing at 7kn with the main and gennaker. The waves were still on our beam, but the lift from the gennaker minimized the roll. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/snapshot-22-04-2024-1731-1.jpg) We were approaching the Galapagos. This is the first time in days we’ve been going fast enough for long enough to make fishing worthwhile, but the waters surrounding the Galapagos are protected. We’re unsure what the exact rules or boundaries are, so we kept our hooks aboard. I can’t believe it’s already day 9\. I feel like time is flying by! I really enjoy passage-making. I’ve been racking my brain trying to think of something to compare it to, but nothing does it justice. I guess I’ve got 3,000 more nautical miles to come up with something. We passed Roca Redonda this afternoon, the last bit of land we’ll see until we arrive in French Polynesia. We were visited by butterflies and dragonflies- a telltale sign of our proximity to land. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/snapshot-22-04-2024-1719-1.jpg) The wind disappeared as we navigated through the shadow of the islands. We motored on and off as needed, experimenting with a few new (to us) sail configurations while the wind was light and furling and unfurling things was easy. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/snapshot-22-04-2024-1730-1.jpg) Ray woke me up from my afternoon nap. He saw whales in the distance, and I always want to be woken up for wildlife sightings. We stared at the horizon, trying to decipher the splashes in the distance. They were so far away, but we began to think it was more than just whales. As they came closer, we saw a myriad of sea life: tuna jumping, sea lions popping their heads up, dolphins hurdling their bodies high up into the air. It was spectacular! ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/snapshot-22-04-2024-1604-1.png) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/snapshot-22-04-2024-17-1.png) I apologize for the lackluster photos; I desperately need a camera with better zoom- recommendations are welcome! In other news, we finally tracked down the fishy smell we’ve been searching for the past few days… There was a dead squid in the crevice of our top deck. Ray had to pick it out with his leatherman. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/snapshot-22-04-2024-1858-1.png) It’s dark as I’m posting this; we switched time zones at some point today. Fog has encompassed us, and we are both awake, waiting to celebrate crossing the equator! 3 more miles!! ### Pacific Crossing Day 8: Engine Blower Failure URL: https://svsabado.com/pacific-crossing-day-8-engine-blower-failure/ Last updated: 2024-04-22T00:04:04.000Z With 0-3kn of wind, we found ourselves motoring through the night again. We got a taste of the good life early this morning when the wind picked up. Ray turned the engine off, using the jib for a while in the dark before bringing out the gennaker at sunrise. Our SOG jumped to 8kn, and it felt like we were flying! ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/img_3813.jpg) We watched the sunrise, smiles plastered on our faces. Unfortunately, it was short-lived. We switched back over to the jib as the wind began to die. We saw another vessel appear on AIS a few miles ahead of us. They hailed us on the radio, and it turns out it was the family I had shared a taxi with from the marina a couple of weeks prior! They had left the day before us and shared our frustration with the lack of wind. It’s nice to see another boat on the horizon; this is the first one we’ve seen in days. We had to turn the engine back on after breakfast. Ray was sitting on the sugar scoop and I at the helm when he realized the blower for our starboard engine wasn’t working. We switched over to our port engine while he investigated. Supposedly, this is not a serious problem. As long as the raw water is flowing, the engine should stay plenty cool. If necessary, we could even run the engine with the compartment open for ventilation, sea state permitting. However, if something is busted on Sabado, it’s just in our nature to try and fix it. So, Ray took it apart at our cockpit table while I fetched whatever tools he needed and kept an eye on the helm. We still had our main and jib up in hopes the wind would return. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/snapshot-21-04-2024-17-1.jpg) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/snapshot-21-04-2024-18-2-1.jpg) Ray cleaned out the carbon buildup and put it back together several times, but the spacers had disintegrated and the bushings were shot, so there wasn’t much else he could do. We’re running the engines at low RPMs to conserve fuel for this trip, so we aren’t anticipating further issues… We also have a fuel polishing system we could use to transfer the fuel to the other tank if we found we needed to rely solely on our port engine. Still, we’re working out the logistics of sending a replacement to French Polynesia. We were able to sail again for an hour or so before lunch. We were moving incredibly slow… but we were sailing nonetheless! I used up the rest of our ripe bananas in a batch of banana oat muffins, and Ray scrubbed the deck. We were happy to have clear skies and sunshine after these past few gray days. The wind disappeared again later in the afternoon, and the sea fell flat. Our starboard engine pushed us forward while we kept a close eye on its temperature. So far, so good. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/snapshot-21-04-2024-18-1.jpg) Ray cleared the cockpit of the remnants of his blower dissection, and I filled out some paperwork to inquire about shipping options for the replacement. We had a delicious bowl of stir-fried chicken and veggies for dinner and managed to get the gennaker up and turn the engine off as I post this! We’re ending the day the same way we started it. How long do you think it will last? ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/img_3849.jpg) ### Pacific Crossing Day 7: Getting in the Groove URL: https://svsabado.com/pacific-crossing-day-7-getting-in-the-groove/ Last updated: 2024-04-20T22:44:09.000Z I came up to the helm for my first shift of the night last night, and Ray had our bright blue deck light on. He explained that there was a flock of birds following us, and they seemed to not land on the boat as often when the light was on. “If you see them land, give this line a shake to scare them off,” he said, gesturing to a line he had run from bow to stern. They were red-footed boobies, so I sat at the helm listening to their unique call; similar to the sound of pulling duct tape off the roll, you can listen [here](https://youtu.be/arWYlHojC-8?si=jeyWQZcDPK0qvN2k&ref=svsabado.com) and let me know what you’d compare it too. I have a feeling the boat is going to be covered in bird shit by sunrise. Aside from our feathery stalkers, it was a lovely night! We sailed at 7kn in 14kn of wind until 2am, when we lost it all and had to turn on an engine. It was a bouncy ride but not terribly uncomfortable. The sea state had flattened out considerably by 7am. It was a cloudy, damp morning, and the deck was indeed covered in bird shit. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/img_3795.jpg) We motor sailed the rest of the day. I published our first YouTube video in a while, detailing our departure and the first four days of this passage. You can watch it [here](https://youtu.be/w6WcIqQU6VY?si=6wuDvFbyj51thfGa&ref=svsabado.com)! Ray rinsed off our solar panels and scrubbed the remains of last night’s visitors off the deck. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/snapshot-20-04-2024-21-1.jpg) Our day was otherwise uneventful. We sat at the helm, took naps, and tracked down a couple of squeaks. I feel like we’re finally getting in the groove of life on passage; our shifts are getting longer, and the days are getting easier. Of course, it would be nice to have more wind, but we knew it would be like this between Panama and the Galapagos, so we can’t *really* complain. As I’m posting this, we have 5kn of wind, our main and jib up, and our port engine on. It’s still overcast and quite chilly. I’m considering digging out some sweatpants for tonight… ### Pacific Crossing Day 6: Better Than a Cubicle! URL: https://svsabado.com/pacific-crossing-day-6-better-than-a-cubicle/ Last updated: 2024-04-19T23:49:49.000Z Sailing upwind is not nearly as fun as sailing downwind. We both had trouble sleeping between the sound of the waves slapping the hulls and the way the boat shudders when it slams into a trough. However, compared to the previous night’s lightning show, it was not bad. Whenever conditions get rough, Ray always says, “This is still better than sitting in a cubicle!”. I couldn’t agree more. We sailed the majority of the night using our main and jib. There were periods where we were only going 4kn and stretches where we were making over 6kn. The sea state calmed down after the sun rose, leaving us with fairly comfortable conditions for the rest of the day. We both took hot showers. I did another produce inspection, blanching some green beans and dicing up some soft bell peppers to throw in the freezer before they spoiled. If you’ve been waiting on my provisioning blog post, I’ve decided to wait until we arrive in French Polynesia to post it! That way, I can include some info about what lasted the longest/if I wish I would’ve done anything differently. So far, I wish I had bought more pineapples; the ones in Panama are *delicious*! We’ve already eaten two this week! We started the engine for a bit after lunch but were able to turn it off shortly after. The wind has been such a tease! The sun finally began to peek through the clouds later in the afternoon, but after multiple days of mostly overcast skies, it wasn’t enough to give our batteries the charge they needed. So, Ray turned on the generator. We continued sailing with our main and jib in 14kn of apparent wind, SOG 6.5-7kn. It had shaped up to be a beautiful afternoon! ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/img_3755.jpg) Despite the sunshine, the cool breeze had me reaching for my jacket at the helm. Ray was crouched down on our port side, stitching the cover on our continuous furling line. It wasn’t technically busted, but the cover was loose and getting bunched up when in use, so these stitches should prevent it from separating from the core, getting stuck, and causing future problems. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/img_3767.jpg) We ate dinner together in the cockpit and discussed our shift times for the evening (we’re still trying to optimize our overnights). Here is my view as I’m posting this: ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/img_3777.jpg) See ya tomorrow! ### Pacific Crossing Day 5: Squall Central URL: https://svsabado.com/pacific-crossing-day-5-squall-central/ Last updated: 2024-04-19T00:20:55.000Z Sitting at the helm last night was like being blindfolded and thrown into a washing machine. It never ceases to amaze me how quickly things can change on the water. Yesterday’s glassy, calm conditions felt like a figment of my imagination when looking out at the frothing waves that surround us now, squalls coming toward us from all sides. Ray dealt with the worst of it during his shift: wind, waves, rain, lightning- you name it. We were able to sail but didn’t cover much ground while tacking back and forth, trying to dodge what we could. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/img_3710.jpg) Lightning is a sailor's worst nightmare. Even a near strike can debilitate your boat’s systems, the systems we rely on daily for navigation, wind data, freshwater… Growing up in Seattle, Washington, we’d open the garage door and sit in folding chairs, eating popcorn and watching the lightning like a TV show, ooh-ing and ahh-ing. My perspective has shifted now that I live on a boat with a giant metal stick running through the middle! ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/img_3725.jpg) Our SOG was low as we fought the current and waves, determined to continue without an engine to conserve fuel. We’re still several days away from the Galapagos, where we hope to start seeing stronger, steadier winds… We sailed through a downpour of rain for most of the afternoon. Our apparent wind speed readout would occasionally skyrocket, presumably because of the static in the air. We’d hear the low-pitched rumble of thunder in the distance and see a flash of lightning; then, it would return to an accurate number. We never actually had 74.6kn of apparent wind, don’t worry! ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/img_3714.jpg) Eventually, the rain stopped, and the clouds lightened up. I made a late lunch for Ray and me. I haven’t felt seasick in 2 years because I’ve gotten better at eating while underway: smaller meals and lots of snacks (mostly carbs!) help settle my stomach. Before, conditions like this would make me miserable. Now, I just need some Chex Mix. We saw our first glimpse of the sun around 5:30pm; it was nice to have some warm light coming into the saloon after a full day of gray. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/img_3746-1.jpg) Ray stitched up another portion of our helm enclosure that tore during last night’s storms. We replaced the front portions a couple of years ago with significantly higher-quality materials but didn’t want to spend the money to replace the back sections at the time… we’ve grown to regret that decision. We had pasta bolognese for dinner and watched the sun sink below the horizon in a spectacular wash of color. What a way to end the day! ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/img_3750.jpg) As I was about to upload this post, we lost Starlink. It gave us an error message, “Unpredicted location. Please use your Starlink on land or purchase a Starlink maritime product”. The “maritime product” requires an entirely new dish and costs exponentially more per month. There was a moment where we thought we’d be doing the rest of this passage without WiFi (I know, I know, a first-world problem). Luckily, we have plenty of music and books downloaded; entertainment was not our concern, but our tracker and various other daily communications use WiFi. At this point, Starlink is part of our inventory of safety gear. It’s not necessary, but man, is it nice to have! Luckily, it turned out to be a lapse when we switched from the regional to the global plan. It’s back up and running, so you’ll still hear from me daily. :) ### Pacific Crossing Day 4: Searching for Wind URL: https://svsabado.com/searching-for-wind-pacific-crossing-day-4/ Last updated: 2024-04-17T23:25:29.000Z Our first shifts last night were 5 hours on/5 hours off, and I feel like a new woman! It's amazing what a little extra uninterrupted sleep will do. Three dolphins visited me in the dark, playing in the bioluminescence. They acted like they thought it was just as cool as I did, splashing about and twisting around as the water lit up around them. The ocean was otherwise silky smooth; there wasn’t a breath of wind. Our starboard engine pushed us forward at 4.5-5kn. We reverted to 3-hour shifts after sunrise, still adjusting to life on passage. I watched a massive pod of dolphins swimming in the distance. There may have been a couple of whales out there, too, but they were too far away for me to be sure. They didn’t come by to say hello. We hardly saw any dolphins in the Caribbean, so it’s been exciting seeing them multiple times a day now! ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/snapshot-17-04-2024-1502-1.jpg) We altered course after breakfast per our weather router’s advice to chase down a 2kn favorable current. Shortly after, we found a bit of wind! Ray brought the gennaker out and turned off the engine. Ahhhh, peace and quiet! ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/snapshot-17-04-2024-1724-1.jpg) It was overcast most of the day, and we savored the break from the sun. As we continued, the seas became bouncy, and our wind dissipated. We furled in the gennaker around 4pm and turned the engine back on. It was fun while it lasted! I spent the rest of the afternoon editing our next YouTube video and Ray tracked down some squeaks, tightening this and lubricating that (nothing concerning). We ate dinner together at the helm while Sabado bobbed up and down with the waves. I didn’t realize how spoiled we’d been with the comfortable sea state our first three days. We only made it \~120 miles today, but crew morale is high. As I’m posting this, the sun is setting, and it looks like it will be a squally night. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/img_3696.jpg) ### Pacific Crossing Day 3: Finding the Silver Lining URL: https://svsabado.com/finding-the-silver-lining-pacific-crossing-day-3/ Last updated: 2024-04-17T00:15:04.000Z Let’s play a game! Is my headache from lack of sleep, dehydration, too much sun, or caffeine withdrawal? Haha. Day 3 is off to a rough start. I’m sitting at the helm with a splitting headache. The water is smooth and glassy, an engine is on. I’m not the most efficient sleeper. It typically takes me at least an hour to fall asleep. So, our 3-hour on, 3-hour off watch schedule has worn me down. To make it worse, watch shifts are incredibly boring when we’re motoring. I’m trying to ration the podcasts I’ve downloaded, but what else is there to do when there’s zero wind or waves? ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/img_3658.jpg) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/img_3660.jpg) Ray put our fishing lines out this morning, even though we are probably going too slow to catch anything. I went through our produce, seeing what was ripe and moving things to the refrigerator/freezer as needed. It’s exceptionally warm out, but I made an afternoon cup of coffee. I’m determined to stay up later tonight to lengthen our shifts, giving me a better chance of getting some meaningful rest. I haven’t had coffee since we left the dock. One cup cured my headache, so I guess I have a caffeine dependency I was unaware of. Now that I can no longer feel my heart beating behind my eyeballs, it’s been a beautiful day! Sure, it’s hot, the engine masks the relaxing sound of the water and the smell of diesel pollutes the otherwise pristine air, but the beauty of a flat, calm ocean is undeniable. We passed Malpelo, a small rocky island manned by the Colombian Armed Forces. We were too far away to actually see it, but it’s a flora and fauna sanctuary and UNESCO World Heritage Site. I knew we were close because we were surrounded by birds! I spent the rest of the afternoon watching them fly by, nose-diving into the water with incredible force each time they spotted the glimmer of a small fish. A pod of dolphins also visited us, putting on quite the show, leaping into the air around us. Watching wildlife never gets old! ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/snapshot-16-04-2024-1846-1.jpg) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/snapshot-16-04-2024-1849-1.jpg) Ray and I ate dinner together in the cockpit. The sun is setting as I’m posting this, and we’re anticipating having to motor through the night again. Silver lining: all this motoring will make the next time we sail even more magical. ### Pacific Crossing Day 2: It’s a Marathon not a Sprint URL: https://svsabado.com/its-a-marathon-not-a-sprint-pacific-crossing-day-2/ Last updated: 2024-04-15T23:56:59.000Z We took three-hour shifts at the helm last night. The moonlight illuminated the sky, reflecting off the water and making the ocean look metallic. We were hauling ass. With 15-17kn of wind, Sabado was cruising along at 8.5kn, flying up to 10kn+ as we surfed down waves. It was exhilarating. I stood up for most of my first shift, watching the wind and our sails closely, inhaling the cool, clean ocean breeze. I can’t smell land anymore. We switched at midnight, and I sprawled out atop the lowered saloon table for some shut-eye. My second shift felt completely different. By 3AM, the moon had disappeared, revealing glistening green bioluminescence around us. The wind had dropped to 10kn, our speed to 5.5kn. I had to wear a jacket, which felt silly after profusely sweating for over a month in Panama. The wind continued to die during Ray’s next shift. He woke me up at sunrise to help bring out the gennaker. We flew it for a while, but our speed was still dipping below 5kn, so we decided to play around with our sail configuration. We furled in the gennaker, moved it over to our port bow, and brought it back out, gaining less than half a knot of speed. In our defense, there wasn’t much to gain with such little wind anyway. I laid back down, only to be woken up thirty minutes later to furl in the gennaker again as it was unhappily flapping around in the ultra-light wind. We brought out the jib instead, trying to sail wing on wing, with and without a barber hauler… you name it- we tried it. After all that effort, the best configuration we found was simply the full main and jib, no special tricks. We inched along the rest of the morning at 4kn, trying to remember that this passage is a marathon, not a sprint. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/snapshot-15-04-2024-1948-1.jpg) I evicted our first suicidal squid this afternoon. Poor little guys land on the deck during passages and dry out unless we’re lucky enough to notice and fling them back before it’s too late. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/snapshot-15-04-2024-1217-1.jpg) I came up from my after-lunch nap to 12kn of wind! It’s amazing what can change in three hours. Ray had adjusted our course per our weather router’s advice, and our speed was back up to 6.5kn. The cool, steady breeze had put us both in a great mood. I took the helm, and Ray crashed in the cockpit. The first few days of a longer passage are always the most difficult. Adjusting to sleeping in shifts is not for the faint of heart, especially when there are only two of you. All we have the energy to do is eat, sleep, and sail. I like having these updates to write and our YouTube videos to edit; it’s nice to have a project/something to accomplish each day other than just surviving and keeping the boat moving. The wind dropped to 7kn just before dinner, so we brought out the gennaker (you know the drill by now). We were sailing slowly, but we were still sailing nonetheless! The boat was hitting its polar, meaning we were doing as well as possible, given the conditions. Unfortunately, as I am posting this, we have 3kn of wind and our port engine on. We’re disappointed but hopeful the wind will return soon… ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/img_3630.jpg) ### Pacific Crossing Day 1: The Wait is Over! URL: https://svsabado.com/the-wait-is-over-pacific-crossing-day-1/ Last updated: 2024-04-15T00:31:19.000Z **Here we go, folks!** We’ve spent the past month+ on the dock in Panama waiting… waiting for our long-stay visa, waiting for a crucial piece of equipment, then waiting for a weather window. With our departure date finally in sight, we tackled the rest of our to-do list: three days straight of sweaty boat work. Fortunately, our excitement masked the exertion. We took a taxi to Panama City, officially checking out of the country. The time we had left felt like a maddening sprint to the finish line: meal prepping, washing and storing produce, informing our emergency contacts of our plans… We got a good night’s sleep and woke up to 30kn winds in the marina. We sipped our coffee and checked the latest weather reports. It would be a gusty day, but our plan to leave the dock at noon remained. Around 10:45AM, we conducted our pre-departure inspection and realized the entire back portion of our helm enclosure had ripped. With a \~30-day downwind journey ahead of us, we knew we needed to repair it before leaving, or we’d be blasted by the elements the entire trip. So, we got to work stitching it back up. The velcro strip had completely torn off, and the sunbrella flap had detached, leaving us to hand sew the section length three times over (Ray estimates \~26 linear feet of stitching). The job took us 5 hours. It’s moments like this when we wish we would have splurged on a Sail Rite… ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/img_3591.jpg) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/snapshot-13-04-2024-1724-1.png) By the time we got it back up, we were losing daylight. Reports of partially submerged debris along the Panamanian coastline damaging boats made us hesitant to leave without enough time to get substantially offshore before sunset. So, we showered, made dinner, and turned on our favorite show. What’s another day of waiting, right? We checked the weather again the next morning and began preparing for our departure (for real this time). We left the dock just after 10AM and raised our sails outside the marina. We shut off the engines and began our passage with \~12kn of apparent wind, SOG 6.5kn. The seas were a bit sloppy, but nothing terribly uncomfortable. Ray looked at me and said, “Well, wanna sail across the Pacific, baby?” *Hell yes.* ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/img_3610.jpg) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/snapshot-14-04-2024-1956-1.png) The sea state flattened out, and the wind lightened up as the day progressed. We brought the jib onto a barber hauler and eventually swapped it out for the gennaker. It was bright and sunny, and the crew was hot and sweaty. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/img_3619.jpg) As the wind crept back up toward our gennaker’s limit, we furled it in and brought the jib back out, maintaining speed above 5kn. We repeated this sequence before and after dinner, adjusting to the wind as needed before bringing out the jib for the night, jibing as the moon peaked out from behind the orange and purple haze of the sunset. A small pod of dolphins visited us before we lost daylight completely. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/snapshot-14-04-2024-1953-1.jpg) As I post this, Ray has settled into the helm seat for the first watch shift of the night. He’s feeding me some bullshit story about the International Date Line and Coordinated Universal Time in an attempt to convince me that my shift starts sooner than it does, but I’m not falling for it! I don’t think it has fully sunk in that we’ve just begun the longest passage of our circumnavigation; all I know is that it feels *incredible* to be back out on the water. I plan on posting one of these little updates every day in real-time, plus whatever else I can put together, so stay tuned to tag along on the adventure. ### March 2024: Behind the Scenes URL: https://svsabado.com/march-2024-behind-the-scenes/ Last updated: 2024-04-01T13:59:04.000Z Between our YouTube Channel and our blog, we share a lot of our life on the water. However, there are always things that go undocumented. Over the years, we have met plenty of new liveaboards who feel like they were “duped” into this lifestyle by its romanticized portrayal on social media. In our experience, living full-time on a boat is expensive, it is hard work, and it is time-consuming. Is it worth it? For us, yes. Is it worth it for you? I’m not sure! **So, in an effort to paint a more realistic picture of boat life, here is a bullet-point list of things we dealt with in March 2024:** - Ray washed the boat once. - I paid $75 to visit a dermatologist in Panama City for a full-body skin check (all healthy!). - We spent \~$40 per night to stay on a dock at Vista Mar Marina. - While sitting in the saloon one afternoon, we lost shore power. There didn’t seem to be anything wrong with the power supply, so Ray began investigating and quickly discovered a melted breaker in the access panel in our closet. We perform regular inspections of our electrical system, so this must have happened recently despite it being a high-quality breaker running far below its threshold. After a closer look, Ray found a loose connection presumably caused by the heat shrink, which extends too close to the ring (so when the bolt with a lock washer was tightened down, the washer was over the heat shrink). When it heated up (this is the first time we've used shore power since the system was installed), the heat shrink shrunk, causing the connection to become loose. This allowed the electrical current to fluctuate, causing power surges that ultimately damaged the breaker. We purchased a replacement breaker at Abernathy’s for \~$50\. Ray cut back the damaged portion of the wire, trimmed some heat shrink off the new connectors, and installed the new breaker. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/img_6677-1.png) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/img_6678-1.jpg) - Our head’s water intake was clogged by jellyfish once, and our AC intake four times. During an upwelling event, the marina became infested with jellyfish. At any time of day, there were at least ten jellyfish in our slip alone! Ray had to pull them out of the strainer by hand and was stung a few times during the process. - We completed our dry goods provision for our upcoming passage and remote cruising. Including first aid, hygiene products, dried and canned goods, we spent $2,000.00\. Let me know if you would like to see our list in a separate post! ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/snapshot-12-03-2024-0837-1.jpg) - While conducting a routine pre-departure inspection, Ray discovered the block for our mainsail needed to be replaced. So, we spent several days searching for one to purchase here in Panama. Not only were we unable to find the one we were looking for, we could not find a single block *anywhere*. Despite being a popular stop for sailboats, the marine supply stores in Panama are geared toward sport fishing vessels. Luckily, we connected with a fellow sailor who was flying in from the States sooner than it would take to ship one. He was able to purchase the block we were looking for for $500 and bring it to us! - I shimmied out onto the dinghy davits to polish the solar arch. - The curtains that came with the boat are professionally pleated, and as an iron-free household, we have no way to re-pleat them if we throw them in the washing machine. Even if we could get our hands on an iron, we have been told pleating them ourselves wouldn’t hold up in the humidity like professional pleats do. I’ve spot-cleaned them for years, but they are getting gross and need a good wash. I’ve begun removing them one by one, using dish soap + water + vinegar with a scrub brush, working in small sections, and wiping the excess moisture off with a towel as I go to preserve the pleats. It has been a pain in the ass and will take me ages to finish. - We paid $650.00 for one year with a new weather router for the South Pacific. - After going through 3 inflatable paddle boards (one exploded in our cockpit), we finally decided to invest in one rigid board. We purchased it at Plaia Shop in Panama City for \~$1,000.00. - We dropped the dinghy and started her up for the first time in over a month. The spark plugs needed to be replaced, so we swapped them out with the spares we had on board. ### Applying for a French Polynesia Long Stay Visa from Panama URL: https://svsabado.com/applying-for-a-french-polynesia-long-stay-visa-from-panama/ Last updated: 2026-07-12T13:46:48.000Z We’ve been docked at Vista Mar Marina outside of Panama City since shortly after our Panama Canal transit, waiting for our visa decision from the Embassy of France. I’m thrilled to report that after 32 days of waiting, we were approved! ## Background As Americans, we would typically be given a 90-day visa upon arrival in French Polynesia. However, we hope to stay for over a year exploring the region’s 121 islands. So, we applied for a long-stay visa on February 15th, 2024\. Before our appointment at the Embassy of France in Panama City, I remember feeling overwhelmed and nervous. Various sailing forums/blogs have detailed their trials and tribulations with the process and the inconsistencies in what documents are acceptable vs. what isn’t. The wait time is long, and appointments are few and far between during the high season (January-March), so I, admittedly, over-prepared to ensure we got it right the first time! In hindsight, it was not as complicated as everyone made it out to be… Here is a detailed account of our experience, including the documents we submitted, fees we paid, and wait times. ## The Application When you are in Panama and ready to book your appointment, create an account [here](https://france-visas.gouv.fr/en/web/france-visas/visa-wizard?ref=svsabado.com#/) and fill out an application. At the end of the application, it will prompt you to book an appointment at the Embassy of France in Panama City. For us, the soonest available appointment was ten days out. I booked one appointment for each of us based on advice from other cruisers/forums/blogs on the subject. We received an email within 24 hours saying they could accommodate both of us in one appointment, so they canceled one of the appointments for me. *Application notes:* Each individual needs to submit an application. So, we filled out two applications while logged into one account. We selected “visitor” as our purpose of travel and “no profession” under the employment section. We have heard that if you choose “retired,” you are required to show your pension certificate, and if you select “sabbatical,” you may need to present documentation from your previous employer. We used “S/V Sabado, Papeete Marina FC5H+QC5, Papeete 98714, French Polynesia (reservations not accepted)” as our address in French Polynesia. --- ## The Paperwork We arrived at the embassy with two stacks of paperwork to submit (one for each of us, as applications are submitted individually) and a folder with original documents (just in case). Here is what we brought: **Cover letter** (See document at end of post) - A brief explanation of our travel plans and an outline of the documents we included. **Application form** - Printed from the website, signed and dated. **Registration receipt** - Printed with the application. **Passport** - Passports must be valid for at least three months after your intended departure date and have at least two blank pages. - Additional passport photos are required. Photos must meet [EU standards](https://www.ivisa.com/photo/blog/schengen-passport-visa-photo-requirements-and-size?ref=svsabado.com). We brought two photos each, but one was returned to us. - We also brought photocopies of any pages with identification information or stamps. They had no issue with multiple images appearing on one page. **Letter** promising not to seek or exercise any **professional activity** in France. (See document at end of post) - We did not have any of our letters notarized, and that was fine. **Bank statements** as proof of funds to meet needs while in France. - Ensure statements include your name, date, address, and balance. We submitted three months’ worth. They are looking for a minimum of €1,330 per person per month for the duration of your intended stay. **Marriage certificate** - We each brought a photocopy, but one was returned to us. - We were asked to present the original marriage certificate at the embassy. **Letter detailing our accommodation** while in France. (See document at end of post) - We included a copy of our vessel certificate of documentation and proof of ownership (COD says “Sabado LLC”; the embassy wants to see a name). - We were asked to present the original certificate of documentation at the embassy. **Proof of health insurance** for duration of stay. - We bought a 12-month policy through [Insubuy](https://www.insubuy.com/travel-health-insurance/?ref=svsabado.com) that met the requirements. Our plan was called “IMG Patriot International Lite. - Insurance must be valid in French Polynesia, cover medical repatriation, have a minimum coverage amount of $35,000, a $0 deductible, and be valid for the entire time you request to stay. - Our policy came with a letter that we printed and submitted as our proof of insurance, alongside a printed screenshot of the webpage that showed we would be eligible to renew our policy for another year once ours expires. **Passport preference form.** - This form was emailed to us before our visa appointment. This form allows you to request to keep your passport during the decision wait time (4-6 weeks), or you can surrender it to the embassy. We kept ours and indicated that our passports are “our primary form of identification” on the form’s reasoning space. --- ## The Appointment We applied for our visas while staying at Shelter Bay Marina in Colón, a 1.5-hour taxi ride from the embassy. We had just arrived in Panama and weren’t familiar with the transportation options/traffic patterns. Our appointment was the morning of the 15th, so we decided rather than worry about getting a taxi from Colón at 6am, we’d make a trip out of it! We arrived in Panama City on the afternoon of the 14th, checked into a hotel in the historic district (a 5-minute walk from the embassy), and had a romantic Valentine’s Day date in the city. If you want to splurge on an incredible, memorable meal, we highly recommend [A to Z Chef’s Table](https://www.exploretock.com/a-to-z?ref=svsabado.com)! We walked to our appointment the following morning, wearing our government-building-appropriate outfits: closed-toed shoes, nice jeans and a button-down for Ray (no hat), and a long dress with something to cover my shoulders for me. A guard stopped us outside, and we were buzzed into the building after he confirmed our appointment. Inside, we walked through a metal detector and were asked to put our belongings into a locker. I was allowed to keep my wallet and our paperwork with me, but all electronic devices needed to be silenced and kept in a locker. We took a seat in the waiting room, which had a bathroom, water fountain, and a TV, playing something filmed in English, dubbed over in Spanish, with French subtitles. A woman came out at our appointment time and took our paperwork back to her office, asking us to stay in the waiting room. Twenty minutes later, she returned and brought us back to her office. She told us that our application looked complete and returned our originals, passports, and anything she didn’t need (extra passport photos and one copy of our marriage certificate). We paid €99 each in cash and were given a receipt to hold on to. She explained that the decision can take 4-6 weeks, and if approved, we will be notified via email to return to the embassy and present our passports with our receipts to get the visas. We received an email on March 19th inviting us to return to the embassy. We dropped off our passports and they were ready to be picked up the following day with our visas inside! We were granted a one-year stay and were told we could renew that for another year after (I had requested a two-year stay when applying). Upon arriving in French Polynesia, we were instructed to make an appointment with the High Commission of the Republic. We will post an update about the check-in and eventual visa renewal process once we navigate it. *If you are applying for a long-stay visa- I hope you found this helpful!* [LSV Cover Letter.pdf](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/lsv-cover-letter-1-pdf-791x1024.jpg?ref=svsabado.com)[Download](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/lsv-cover-letter-1-pdf-791x1024.jpg?ref=svsabado.com) [LSV Purpose Letter.pdf](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/lsv-purpose-letter-pdf-791x1024.jpg?ref=svsabado.com)[Download](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/lsv-purpose-letter-pdf-791x1024.jpg?ref=svsabado.com) [LSV Accommodation Letter.pdf](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/lsv-accommodation-letter-pdf-791x1024.jpg?ref=svsabado.com)[Download](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/lsv-accommodation-letter-pdf-791x1024.jpg?ref=svsabado.com) ### February 2024: Behind the Scenes URL: https://svsabado.com/february-2024-behind-the-scenes/ Last updated: 2024-03-01T13:11:04.000Z Between our YouTube Channel and our blog, we share a lot of our life on the water. However, there are always things that go undocumented. Over the years, we have met plenty of new liveaboards who feel like they were “duped” into this lifestyle by its romanticized portrayal on social media. In our experience, living full-time on a boat is expensive, it is hard work, and it is time-consuming. Is it worth it? For us, yes. Is it worth it for you? I’m not sure! **So, in an effort to paint a more realistic picture of boat life, here is a bullet-point list of things we dealt with in February 2024:** - Ray cleaned the teak twice. - We defrosted our front-loading refrigerator once. - We spent \~$40 per night to stay on a dock at Shelter Bay Marina. - We replaced our spinnaker halyard with a new dyneema core line from the chandlery at Shelter Bay Marina for $300.00 - I polished our stainless steel once. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/snapshot-27-02-2024-0859-1.png) - We paid the following fees to transit the Panama Canal: - Agent fee: $400.00 - 4 Lines (rental fee): $80.00 - 6 Fenders (rental fee): $120.00 - Cruising permit: $185.00 - Canal fee: $1,960.00 - Inspection fee: $75.00 - Security charge: $165.00 - Bank fee: $25.00 - EDCS: $50.00 - Line handlers: $120.00 per person per day Further details on our transit can be found [here](https://svsabado.com/transiting-the-panama-canal-on-our-sailing-catamaran-february-2024/)! - We spent \~$40.00 per night to stay on a dock at Vista Mar Marina. - We visited Islamorada in Panama City and had them print two small-scale paper charts, one for our Pacific crossing and one for the islands of the South Pacific, for $50 per chart. Although we primarily use our electronic charts for navigation, paper charts are always nice to have! We plan to plot our position periodically, and they will be an awesome keepsake from our journey. ### Transiting the Panama Canal on our Sailing Catamaran (February 2024) URL: https://svsabado.com/transiting-the-panama-canal-on-our-sailing-catamaran-february-2024/ Last updated: 2026-07-12T13:47:47.000Z *We transited the Panama Canal! Did you watch it on* [*YouTube?*](https://youtu.be/u8C%5FuclIkZI?si=OM6cWWnIhT88aEWN&ref=svsabado.com) *:)* ## Background Panama has been experiencing a severe drought. Gatún Lake, the body of freshwater that acts as the canal’s primary water source, has hit record-low water levels this year. Experts say the drought conditions have been exasperated by El Niño, a weather phenomenon that happens every 3-7 years. Typically, trade winds blow east to west along the equator in the Pacific Ocean, moving warm water from South America towards Asia. That warm water is then replaced by a process called upwelling, where colder water rises from the depths. During El Niño, trade winds weaken, and the warmer water temperatures along the West Coast of the Americas disrupt typical precipitation patterns. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/snapshot-24-02-2024-14-1.png) It takes an average of 200 million liters of water to move one ship through the Panama Canal. Gatún Lake also supplies drinking water for the region, so the low water levels have caused concern beyond canal operations. Consequently, the Panama Canal Authority has implemented restrictions meant to conserve water, such as lowering the canal's depth and limiting the number of ships that pass through daily. These restrictions began in 2023 and have continued into 2024. With that in mind, we reached out to an agent at the end of December 2023 to book a transit date ahead of time in hopes of avoiding any significant delays caused by the water restrictions. I have heard that other cruisers have been told they could not apply for a transit date until they were in the country and that the waitlist upon arrival was 50+ days. That was not our experience. Our agent submitted the necessary paperwork on our behalf and asked us for our preferred date. We requested the end of February 2024, and he came back with February 28th. I will include our agent’s information at the bottom of this post and the costs of transiting the canal in February 2024. --- ## The Call We arrived in Panama on February 4th and told our agent we were in the area. We checked into Shelter Bay Marina, a popular destination for cruisers preparing to transit the canal. They have a reasonably priced chandlery on site and shuttles to town to help you provision. Since we had time to kill, we, admittedly, procrastinated our preparations. We came to regret that on February 16th when we got a call from our agent. He explained that the Panama Canal Authority had decreased the number of ships allowed to pass through the canal to a record low number, effective that month. This change caused a shift in the schedule, and we needed to transit on February 20th, or we’d be pushed to the end of March. We eagerly accepted the 20th and found ourselves scrambling to prepare on short notice. We needed diesel, food, and water. We needed to clean, do laundry, and set up our guest cabin... We needed crew! ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/snapshot-27-02-2024-1034-1.jpg) Guest cabin towel animal ready for visitors! That’s a local brand chocolate bar in his mouth. To transit the canal, you must have an advisor (provided by the canal), 4 line handlers, and a captain on board. Initially, we had planned to hire two local professional line handlers, and my parents and I would rotate handling the other two lines if needed. This way, we could switch off, and one of us could enjoy the canal responsibility-free at a time. My parents had booked flights to arrive in Panama on the 24th and leave on March 3rd. We thought this itinerary would give us plenty of wiggle room should our schedule shift- haha! So, I called my dad. “Hey! Any chance your tickets to Panama are refundable?” With three days' notice, I was sure they wouldn’t make it, but my dad has an impressive track record of making shit happen… he called me back a few hours later: “We’ll see you tomorrow!”. He was able to re-book their flights to leave the next day, and their new itinerary was cheaper, so he got money back on both tickets! The following few days were a whirlwind, but we got the boat ready, provisioned, and prepared the meals we’d serve the crew. At this point, we still didn’t know if we would be transiting in one or two days. If you can sustain a speed over 8kn, you qualify for a single-day transit, but it’s common for sailboats to spend the night in Gatún Lake and transit over two days. So, we were preparing for two and hoping for one. The expectation is to serve three hot meals (with meat) and provide bottled water for your advisor and any other hired help. To minimize my time in the galley during the transit, I decided to prepare as many aspects of our meals as possible ahead of time. Having my mom there was a tremendous help during this process! If you’re interested, I have included our full menu at the end of this post. We left our slip in the marina, stopped by the fuel barge to get some diesel, and anchored out the day before our transit. Our agent contacted us that evening, informing us that the lines and fenders we had rented were ready to be picked up along with the two professional line handlers we’d hired. He confirmed we’d be transiting the canal in one day, so our advisor would board Sabado around 4AM (hence why the line handlers wanted to sleep aboard). Ray picked everything/everyone up in our dinghy. There was a language barrier, but we made do with broken Spanish, Google Translate, and caveman-like charades. We stashed the lines and fenders on the bow, served them dinner (we had eaten before we knew they’d be arriving that night), and got ready for bed. We got a call on the radio saying our advisor would arrive on a pilot boat at 4:45AM. We set our alarms and turned off the lights. One of the line handlers slept in the cockpit, the other in the salon. --- ## Transit Day The pilot boat arrived at 4:45AM on the dot. It pulled up alongside Sabado, shining bright spotlights into our cockpit. The line handlers we had hired held fenders in place, but our advisor leaped from their boat to ours before any contact was made. He introduced himself as Guillermo or “William, if you prefer.” He spoke excellent English. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/snapshot-27-02-2024-0854-1.jpg) The pilot boat approaching Sabado in the dark. Ray poured everyone a cup of coffee, and we pulled up our anchor moments later. Shortly after passing under the Atlantic Bridge, Guillermo announced that we would be on the starboard side of a three-boat raft, meaning there would only be two active line handlers on Sabado during the first three locks. My parents and I were excited to kick back, drink our coffee, and witness the engineering marvel of the Panama Canal- but first, it was all hands on deck to raft up. A 60ft monohull pulled up beside us. Their crew looked sharp in matching uniforms but had no Panamanian professionals besides their advisor aboard. As we were securing both boats together, I watched as they looped two lines onto our midship cleat but did not secure the other end to their boat. The lines began to droop into the water. I brought the issue to their attention, but by the time they began pulling the slack, the line had gotten caught under our fenders and was pulling them up. We all worked together to lift one fender at a time and untangle the line while holding another in place to keep our boats from touching. We managed to sort it out and secure all lines before the third boat, a smaller monohull, arrived on their port side. We had heard the third boat had had some trouble that morning, running over a mooring ball as they pulled up their anchor, so we were surprised to see they had freed their prop in the dark and made it in time! Once our raft was complete, we began moving as a unit toward the first lock. A second round of coffee was poured as we listened to the sound of howler monkeys yelling over the drone of the engines. The sun began to rise as canal officials threw two messenger lines each to the outer boats. After seeing the monkey fists (weighted knots at the end of the messenger lines) in person, I was thankful we had covered our solar panels with cushions for the day- one rogue fist could easily shatter our primary power source! The line handlers tied the messenger lines to our rental lines, and before we knew it, the doors began to close behind us. The first three locks (from the Atlantic side) lift ships to the lake, which sits 26m above sea level. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/img_3284-1.jpg) Panama Canal schematic by Dimitrios. Once the doors have closed, water is pumped into the lock, raising the water level by \~2m per minute. We all watched in amazement as the water plumed before us, and our boats seemed to climb up the walls. The two line handlers on our starboard side worked with the two on the port side of the third boat in our raft to pull in the slack on the lines as we rose to the top of the lock. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/snapshot-27-02-2024-0857-1.jpg) Water levels rising in the first lock. Once the lock was full, the doors opened in front of us, and the line handlers pulled until the end of the line with the monkey fist attached was back on board. We moved forward in the wake of Amity, the 176m-long cargo ship transiting the canal in front of us. The process repeated. During the third lock, my mom and I prepared breakfast for the crew. Our advisor said the best time to have a meal is immediately after clearing through the third lock, at the beginning of our trip across the lake. After the doors opened, we detached Sabado from the raft and got breakfast on the table while Ray sat at the helm, guiding us across the lake at the recommended speed of 8-8.5kn. Gatún Lake is larger than I’d realized- it took us nearly 5hrs to get to the next set of locks! Our advisor and hired line handlers knew the drill and took the opportunity to nap while the rest of us enthusiastically kept an eye out for crocodiles and sloths. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/snapshot-24-02-2024-13-1.jpg) Crew intermission (AKA nap time) as we crossed the lake. As we neared the entrance to the Pedro Miguel Lock, our advisor instructed us to slow down. The third boat in our raft could not maintain the necessary speed and was hours behind us. It was mentioned that we may need to wait for their arrival before proceeding. Ray voiced his frustration: we had burned a lot of diesel to make this trip in the time we did, and we’d be burning even more jogging around waiting. Guillermo heard him out and made a call. Moments later, we were told we’d be rafting up with the center boat from our first configuration and a tug boat in place of the third. We watched as the center boat took its place before we approached. The current was strong, so it was important everyone be on deck and paying attention. Ray brought us alongside, and we threw our lines to the center boat. They failed to secure the stern line to their boat. Combined with the current and slow speed we were asked to maintain, that caused us to lose control of our stern, sending us into the wall. Luckily, my dad was right there, ready with a fender. I had been positioned on the starboard bow, so I stepped aft and got a third fender in place before we made contact with the wall. Ray regained control, and our advisor gave step-by-step instructions to the other boat’s crew to keep us in place. The other boat’s captain instigated an argument, but Ray diffused the situation with a few choice words, and we all moved on. The messenger lines were thrown again, and this time, one of the monkey fists hit the deck. Luckily, it didn’t do any damage, but I can see how those things could bust a window or a hatch… or your head! We’d need to detach and re-raft again after this lock, so we devised a better plan with the help of our advisor: we would set the lines up on our boat so that we could hand the end with the loop to them to simply place on their cleat, giving us more control of the situation. This plan, although an improvement, still didn’t sit right with Ray. He spoke to our advisor, and we were able to go through the rest of the locks alone. This meant all but one of us would have a job since all four lines would be on Sabado! We talked through the process with my parents and decided they’d handle the bow lines, the pros would take the stern, and I’d hang out up front if they needed any help. They were so excited to participate! ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/snapshot-21-02-2024-1139-1.jpg) My parents: official Sabado line handlers! We detached from the raft and moved into the Miraflores Locks, the final two-step descent into the Pacific Ocean. My parents did an excellent job adjusting the lines to maintain tension and control of our position in the center of the lock while the folks on the observation deck watched. I had planned on making a sign to hold up in hopes someone would send us photos from their point of view, but I hadn’t had time with the schedule change. Luckily, someone tracked us down anyway! ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/736468f8-ca70-4488-ad5c-2d462a054682-1.jpg) Thank you for sending us these photos, Brent! We cheered as the gate opened and Sabado officially entered the Pacific Ocean- a moment we will never forget. ❤️ ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/snapshot-27-02-2024-9-1.png) Our first glimpse of the Pacific Ocean. The pilot boat pulled up as we said goodbye to Guillermo. Our agent came for the line handlers and rental equipment shortly after that. We dropped our anchor and celebrated with a glass of wine- we were in the Pacific Ocean! ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/snapshot-24-02-2024-21-1.png) Saying farewell to our agent and line handlers! ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/facetune_21-02-2024-15-24-50-1.jpg) A toast to a successful transit. --- ## The Details Agent info: Stanley Scott, navierastanleys.a@gmail.com Agent fee: $400.00 4 Lines (rental fee): $80.00 6 Fenders (rental fee): $120.00 Cruising permit: $185.00 Canal fee: $1,960.00 Inspection fee: $75.00 Security charge: $165.00 Bank fee: $25.00 EDCS: $50.00 Line handlers: $120.00 per person per day *Notes*: If we were to go through the canal again, we would hire Stanley in a heartbeat. After my initial email to him in December, we began communicating via WhatsApp, where it was common to get a response from him in less than 5 minutes. I had heaps of questions and he always gave me detailed and prompt responses, usually including the phrase, “…but don’t worry, I will handle that!”. He also offers payment via credit card for all fees, saving you a nerve-racking walk through the city with loads of cash on you. We gave an additional cash tip to our line handlers and our advisor after our transit, but that is not common or expected. --- ## The Food *Disclaimer*: If you fail to provide 3 hot meals and enough bottled water during your transit, you will be charged an exorbitant amount for supplies to be provided and delivered to your boat. *Drinks*: We kept bottled water and canned Coca-Cola in the cockpit fridge for everyone to grab as needed- the Coca-Cola was a hit! We also periodically offered hot coffee and tea. *Breakfast*: Toast with butter, scrambled eggs, and bacon. I plated everything individually, alongside a self-serve fruit platter, quartered muffins, ketchup, and hot sauce. *Lunch*: [Chicken chili](https://broccyourbody.com/creamy-chicken-chili/?ref=svsabado.com), I used the meat from two rotisserie chickens and eyeballed the rest of the ingredients to get the ratio I wanted. I couldn’t find fire-roasted tomatoes or green chilis at the grocery store in Colón, so I used canned diced tomatoes and salsa verde, which turned out great! I prepared this before the transit and stored it in the fridge. I reheated it in a large pot before serving (you can add chicken broth while reheating to thin it out if needed). I dished up individual bowls and put out self-serve toppings: sliced jalapeño, shredded cheese, cilantro, sour cream, sliced avocado, and tortilla chips alongside a raw veggie platter with hummus! *Snacks*: I kept a jar of trail mix and a bag of potato chips on the cockpit table all day and told the guys they were welcome to any fruit in our hammock. I also baked some [chocolate chip cookies](https://joyfoodsunshine.com/the-most-amazing-chocolate-chip-cookies/?ref=svsabado.com) ahead of time that I set out in the afternoon. *Dinner*: I prepared some garlic herb butter and [bolognese](https://playswellwithbutter.com/bolognese-sauce-recipe/?ref=svsabado.com) before our transit. I used the butter to make garlic bread and reheated the bolognese for dinner with bucatini pasta the day of, served alongside a salad. This meal was fantastic- I’ll make another batch of this bolognese to keep in the freezer for our next long passage! I used bacon instead of pancetta and did not add the chicken broth or cream until I reheated it. *Dessert*: I made a berry compote ahead of time by simmering frozen mixed berries with a little bit of honey, lemon juice, and lemon zest. I served this over [homemade vanilla ice cream](https://svsabado.com/simple-and-delicious-no-churn-ice-cream/) for dessert! *Notes*: In the event of a two-day transit, I had planned on making the same breakfast, [hot ham and cheese sliders](https://www.allrecipes.com/recipe/216756/baked-ham-and-cheese-party-sandwiches/?ref=svsabado.com) with chips and rotisserie chicken with rice and roasted veggies for dinner. In general, I would recommend having an extra rotisserie chicken (or two!) in the fridge before your transit because you never know when people are going to show up or how long things will take, and it’s nice to have a protein ready to go! Our crew was very excited that I had purchased a local hot sauce, as Panamanians like things spicy. --- Overall, we’d say our Panama Canal transit was a success. No damage was done to our boat, and all crew members left smiling with full tummies! Did I miss anything? Let me know in the comments. ### Passage Diary: Saint Martin to Panama (Day 7-9) URL: https://svsabado.com/passage-diary-saint-martin-to-panama-day-7-9/ Last updated: 2024-02-18T12:33:59.000Z **Good morning! We made it to Panama!** *Watch our arrival on YouTube [here](https://youtu.be/63Ix-RYNIBg?si=qEziW454ySY6AECI&ref=svsabado.com).* *These are the final entries of our Saint Martin to Panama passage diary…* **Day 7** The wind disappeared, so we dropped the sails and started an engine at 6am. It felt like we had sailed into summer overnight- it was 85°F by breakfast! Ray dug out our [spinnaker](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spinnaker?ref=svsabado.com#:~:text=A%20spinnaker%20is%20a%20sail,and%20are%20often%20brightly%20colored.) for a test flight- he hasn’t flown it since 2019, and I’ve never flown it. It took a while to sort out how to run the lines, but it was worth it once we got it up! What a beautiful head sail! It will be a valuable asset for our Pacific crossing. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/snapshot-17-02-2024-2024-1.jpg) Unfortunately, we didn’t have enough wind to keep moving, so we snuffed the sail and continued motoring. Having the engines on makes traveling by boat feel like just a mode of transportation. The excitement and awe of using the wind to move your home through the water disappears, replaced by the scent of diesel and the drone of a motor. We spent the rest of the day hiding from the sun and chatting. I was planning to cook up more of the Wahoo we caught on [Day 3](https://svsabado.com/passage-diary-saint-martin-to-panama-day-1-3/) for dinner, but during the preparation process, I dropped an open bag of rice on the floor- tiny grains flew everywhere! By the time I had cleaned it up, I had lost interest in making an elaborate meal. So, we had Mac and cheese with canned chili instead (Ray’s favorite). We motored through the night with 1-3kn of wind. **Day 8** Engines are still on; sails are still down. Sabado was exceptionally loud today, or maybe the combination of heat and the lack of wind has made us more irritable. The creaks of the furniture, the squeak of our worn-out spinnaker halyard, the whine of the fans... Relief came with the sunset. The temperature dropped, and our mood improved. We even caught two yellowfin tuna in the last hour of daylight! ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/snapshot-17-02-2024-2032-1.png) Ray cleaned the fish, and I packed the meat away before dark. I saw four shooting stars during my night watch shift. I wished for wind. **Day 9** Our spirits were high as we raised the sails and turned the engines off first thing this morning. The air was crisp and- most importantly- moving. We had a steady breeze! Even with 1.5kn of current against us, we were going 7kn! The magic was back. We turned our favorite playlist on over the speakers and kicked back, marveling at our situation. *We are sailing to Panama!!* ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/snapshot-03-02-2024-2032-1.png) Somehow, the conditions made us immune to exhaustion. We both skipped our usual naps in exchange for more time at the helm or sitting in the bean bag chair, staring up at the sails. We had plenty of fish to eat, but we threw out the lines anyway, hoping to stock the freezer. As quickly as it came, it left. The wind dropped to 3kn later that afternoon, and Sabado reverted to being a motor boat. Luckily, we were in the home stretch! We spotted land shortly after and put a bottle of champagne in the fridge in anticipation of our arrival. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/img_3036-1.jpg) We were enveloped by the scent of warm, wet dirt a few miles out. The smell of land is so pungent after an extended period offshore. We motored into our anchorage just before sunset, popped our champagne, and settled in for our first proper night’s rest since we left Saint Martin 9 days ago. We woke up the following morning to the sound of howler monkeys. Their loud, aggressive calls echoed throughout the calm, quiet anchorage. We would have loved to stay a few more nights, soaking it all in, but unfortunately, the area didn’t have a very good reputation in terms of safety. We never know how recent an armed boat robbery report needs to be to consider it an imminent threat, but we don’t like to take our chances, so we left after we finished our coffee. We motored over to Shelter Bay Marina, a popular destination for cruisers waiting to go through the canal. We’ll be here until our transit date, preparing the boat for our next adventure! I hope you had a great week. ❤️ ### Passage Diary: Saint Martin to Panama (Day 4-6) URL: https://svsabado.com/passage-diary-saint-martin-to-panama-day-4-6/ Last updated: 2024-02-11T14:05:12.000Z **Good morning! Let’s pick up right where we left off…** *Watch our latest YouTube video [here](https://youtu.be/ESm67SSoSSc?si=QKJNOIAwtTsvBX7H&ref=svsabado.com) to see what a day in the life while on passage is like!* **Day 4** By day 4, we were fully acclimated to life underway. We were taking 5-7hr shifts at the helm, which meant better quality sleep during our time off. I was typically at the helm from 7pm- 12am and 5am- lunchtime: moon and sun rise shifts (my favorite). I watched as the darkness turned to dawn, then liquid gold as the sun peeked through the clouds, flying fish jumping all around. Did you know that, on average, flying fish can “fly” for up to 650 feet- the longest known flying fish flight was 1,312ft! I danced around to my favorite playlist to wake myself up. Ray got up around 10am, and we decided to calibrate our backup autopilot. We had the unit installed in Saint Martin but hadn’t tested it out yet. Since we were motoring with no sails up, we figured now was the perfect time. I hand-steered while Ray set it up, and we both cheered when I felt it take over. It steered the boat in an S formation to calibrate; then we had it steer to our heading using both engines, then using one. It worked! Woohoo! Ray explained to me that the way it was installed essentially makes it a spare full of spares, meaning we can use it as an entire spare system or use components of it in conjunction with our original autopilot if needed. Ahhh, there it is, the warm fuzzy feeling of preparedness… The wind picked up just enough to raise the main and bring out the jib. We turned the engines off but were going less than 5kn. So, we decided to get the gennaker out. We usually fly it off the bowsprit, but this time, we tried flying it off the port bow, allowing us to fly it a bit higher- more like a spinnaker. It took a minute to rig it up, but once we got it, we gained 2kn of speed! ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/snapshot-11-02-2024-0851-1.jpg) The wind continued to build, so we had to switch out the gennaker for the jib, and an hour later, we lost all our wind, dropped all our sails, and started an engine back up. We were bummed to be motoring again, but fresh wahoo tacos for dinner cheered us right up! ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/snapshot-31-01-2024-1143-1.jpg) The moon didn’t rise until 11:30pm that night, so most of my shift was pitch black, revealing millions of stars overhead. I got up for a snack and noticed these huge glowing balls shooting out of our stern in our wake. Some were as big as basketballs! I took a closer look- they were bioluminescent jellyfish! I did my best to take a photo, but it was dark and they were moving so fast. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/snapshot-11-02-2024-0854-1.png) Some were right at the surface, emitting a neon blue glow; others were deeper and dim. I’ve never seen anything like it!! I watched for a while, amazed, then spent a good chunk of time reading about bioluminescent jellyfish. Did you know it’s estimated that 50% of jellyfish are bioluminescent? Most jellyfish use bioluminescence as a defense mechanism against predators. Some can produce bright flashes to startle a predator, and others can release thousands of glowing particles into the water, mimicking plankton, to confuse the predator. Some can even produce a glowing slime that sticks to a potential predator, making it vulnerable to its predators… fascinating! **Day 5** There were squalls on the horizon at sunrise. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/snapshot-11-02-2024-10-1.png) We hoisted the sails and turned off the engines around 9am. We didn’t have enough fuel to motor the rest of the way, so even though we’d be sailing slowly in light winds, we needed to sail. We brought out the gennaker. We tried flying it off the bow again but couldn’t get a good trim. We switched it over to the bowsprit, which was better but still not great… We got tired of listening to it flog and swapped it out for the jib that afternoon, causing us to lose 1kn of speed. We got an update from our weather router as we neared the coast of Columbia, where the current against wind is known to cause rough conditions. We were given an updated route to keep us out of that mess. So, we put in the new waypoints and jibed onto our new course. Ray decided to experiment with the gennaker some more. Since the majority of our upcoming Pacific crossing will be downwind, we wanted to test out our headsail options. Unfortunately for me, this meant furling and unfurling it a few more times using the manual winch. My arms felt like noodles. I kept pulling by hand and coiling the lines until my palms burned, a reminder that I needed to wear my gloves more often. I wish I could tell you it was all worth it, and we figured out the perfect setup, but the angle we were being asked to sail at to maintain the course was just not practical for us. We spent the rest of the afternoon troubleshooting together, a perk of finally being awake at the same time for the majority of the day. That night, the autopilot started making weird noises. Granted, we do have a spare, the goal is to keep it as a spare! Ray climbed into the compartment to try to identify the issue. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/img_3074-1.jpg) Not seeing an obvious problem, we resorted to picking the brains of others on online forums and cruiser group chats. The resounding verdict was that there was air in the system: it would need to be bled upon our arrival. **Day 6** I sat through a miserable morning shift; the wind speed and direction sucked. No matter what we did, the sails sounded like they were getting beat up. Was it the sea state? The current? We were beyond frustrated. Ray thought maybe something was wrapped around the rudders, so I stuck my GoPro in the water. Both rudders were clear. This was supposed to be the last day of this passage, but at this rate, we’d be out here for another five days. My upper body was sore from yesterday, and my palms were raw. A squeaky halyard was nearly my ticket to the loony bin. Shhhhhh!!!! By noon, Ray had called an audible. We altered course. Our new heading would bring us closer to Columbia but at a more favorable wind angle, allowing us to sail faster and shave a few days off the trip. This decision saved our sanity. Sabado was much happier (and quieter!). We were able to sail the rest of the day using our main and jib. We watched another beautiful sunset, ate dinner together, and sailed through the night. *Check back next week to read about the rest of our passage!* ❤️ ### Passage Diary: Saint Martin to Panama (Day 1-3) URL: https://svsabado.com/passage-diary-saint-martin-to-panama-day-1-3/ Last updated: 2024-02-04T13:29:08.000Z **Hi! Long time no chat!** *We’re back on YouTube! Have you seen [our latest video](https://youtu.be/TI-Bqtu6-bA?si=Robrr4F7EsPlKv%5Fv&ref=svsabado.com)?* We have been running back and forth to marine supply stores for the past two weeks, stocking Sabado up for the Pacific while waiting for a weather window to sail to Panama. We got the green light from our weather router to depart last Saturday. So, we enjoyed our last sunset in [Simpson Bay](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Simpson%5FBay%5FLagoon?ref=svsabado.com) before pulling up our anchor and hoisting our sails Saturday morning. **Day 1** Crew morale was high as we motored out of the anchorage we’d called “home” since the holidays. We enjoyed Saint Martin and have befriended locals and cruisers alike, making saying goodbye bittersweet, but it was time for our next adventure! ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/img_2868.jpg) We [reefed](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reefing?ref=svsabado.com) the mainsail using our new reefing system with hooks at the mast. It went smoothly, and we were impressed with the sail shape we achieved. We discussed how the new reefing process would work if we were in rough weather. We reef early and often, and it’s not an uncommon setup, but it’ll be interesting to see how it goes in more urgent conditions when one of us has to go up to the mast to reef. We shut the engine off and brought the jib onto a [barber hauler](https://www.riggingdoctor.com/life-aboard/2016/2/28/barber-hauler?ref=svsabado.com). We had around 15kn-17kn of apparent wind, and our speed over ground was 7.5kn. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/snapshot-03-02-2024-1110-1-1.png) As we continued farther offshore, the seas built. We had 4-6ft waves from behind us for the rest of the day and through the night. The wind held steady, and Sabado was surfing downwind at 8-9.5kn! I always find the first couple of days of a long passage to be the most difficult as you find your sea legs and adjust to sleeping in shifts, so I prepped some food to minimize my time in the galley. I reheated a big pot of chicken chili that we ate for lunch. The wind direction wasn’t what was forecasted, so we needed to alter our course to compensate. We [jibed](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jibe?ref=svsabado.com) later that afternoon and crossed our fingers the wind would shift in our favor soon. In the meantime, though, we were maintaining good speed. The excitement of the journey ahead got the best of us, and instead of resting up for our first overnight, we sat at the helm together, chatting until sunset. We ate the rest of the chili for dinner and, like clockwork, took 3-hour shifts at the helm through the night. Usually, our shifts are more fluid; anywhere from 5-7hrs is the norm for us. We base our “schedule” on mutual trust that the other will keep watch for as long as they can comfortably stay awake and focused. Then, we wake the other up and switch. It happened to fall repeatedly at the 3-hour mark during night 1 as we got in the groove of things… **Day 2** First light came far before sunrise on day 2\. I sat at the helm, waiting patiently for the sun to appear and raise the temperature a few degrees. The cool nights are pleasant when you’re sleeping at anchor under an open hatch, but they’re bothersome when sitting at the helm for hours. We had kept the same sail set up through the night: jib out on a barber hauler and the mainsail at its first reef. I noticed Ray had put a [preventer](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Preventer?ref=svsabado.com) on the boom during his last shift. We had forgotten to turn Starlink off overnight, and since the sails had shaded our solar panels most of the day before, our batteries were low. So, we ran the generator for a bit that morning. The wind and waves calmed down as the day progressed. We added another small line to the barber hauler. Ray called it a “tweaker,” and I thought he was kidding. Turns out, [that’s actually what it’s called](https://www.pbo.co.uk/nautical-almanac/glossary-of-nautical-terms/tweaker-8076?ref=svsabado.com). This allowed us to get a better headsail shape and maintain our speed as the wind subsided. The exhaustion from our first night sleeping in shifts set in that afternoon. One of us kept watch while the other slept for the rest of the day. This is the lonelier part of passage-making with two crew: the initial transition period where you’re never awake at the same time. I kept myself busy at the helm with podcasts and audiobooks, periodically checking our fishing lines- no luck yet. We jibed again before sunset and shook out the reef in the main as the wind settled at 10-12kn. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/img_3026-1.jpg) I knew the squeaks and groans of our boat in motion had already taken their toll on Ray when I went below, and he called down to me, “Careful! I wedged a knife in the wood down there!” … what? A knife? Sure enough, I looked up and saw his leatherman precariously wedged in between the wood trim near our bookshelf. “Oh…Okay, sweetie! Do we have a better solution on the horizon?” “Yes, I’ll fix it later!” ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/snapshot-03-02-2024-14-1.png) Night 2 was calm, with 5-10kn of apparent wind and 2-4ft seas. Sabado sailed comfortably beneath a sky full of stars at 6kn. We jibed again at our shift change around 3AM, an annoying process with the barber hauler + tweaker + preventer. We chatted about what a bright night it was, something that often goes unnoticed on land. The moon illuminated the entire sky, amplified by its reflection on the water, unadulterated by street lamps or city lights. We didn’t get a very good angle after our jibe; the wind direction has not been our friend so far. I went inside to get some sleep. **Day 3** There’s nothing quite like waking up to dolphins playing around the bow at sunrise. I skipped up front, squealing with excitement. It just never gets old! ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/snapshot-03-02-2024-1108-1.png) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/snapshot-03-02-2024-13-1.jpg) It was a magical morning! I felt relatively well rested and settled into the helm seat while Ray fell asleep. Day 3 tends to be when we fall into more of a routine. Typically, I don’t drink caffeine on passage because I have a hard time falling asleep in general and need to be able to nap when I can while underway. Still, that morning, I had a cup of caffeinated tea and exercised while keeping my eye on our instruments, sails, and the horizon. It felt good to move my body. I pulled all of the lines out of the bag and flanked them. We try to stay on top of this as we trim the sails, but we inevitably get lazy, and I hate seeing our lines jumbled up. Plus, it can be a safety hazard if we need to make a quick change and find the lines knotted. I got hungry around 9AM and made a fruit and yogurt bowl. I checked to see if Ray wanted one, but he was fast asleep. Breakfast tends to be a “fend for yourself” meal on passage. Ray got up a few hours later and relaxed on the bow. I was tidying up inside when I heard him yell, “Fish on!!”. I made my way to the sugar scoop while he grabbed his gloves and the gaff. We tried to guess what it was as he pulled it in: “Tuna? I see teeth! Barracuda? Ahh, I’m not sure, that’s a big fin…” Once it was close enough to see the stripes, we knew it was a Wahoo. Ray cleaned it up and handed me a hefty mixing bowl of filets to do with what I pleased. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/snapshot-31-01-2024-0541-1.png) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/img_2899.jpg) I portioned it out, set some aside, and put some in the freezer. Coincidentally, it was lunchtime! So, I made some rice and veggies, and we enjoyed our fresh catch. According to the forecast, we should’ve had to motor all day, but we were still sailing along at 5kn in 8kn AWS. We finally had a good angle toward our destination! Maybe I jinxed it by writing that. We lost the wind later that afternoon and started an engine. We furled in the jib after dinner and motored through the night. *Check back next week to read about the rest of our passage!* ❤️ ### January 2024: Behind the Scenes URL: https://svsabado.com/january-2024-behind-the-scenes/ Last updated: 2026-06-28T19:08:04.000Z Between our YouTube Channel and our blog, we share a lot of our life on the water. However, there are always things that go undocumented. Over the years, we have met plenty of new liveaboards who feel like they were “duped” into this lifestyle by its romanticized portrayal on social media. In our experience, living full-time on a boat is expensive, it is hard work, and it is time-consuming. Is it worth it? For us, yes. Is it worth it for you? I’m not sure! **So, in an effort to paint a more realistic picture of boat life, here is a bullet-point list of things we dealt with in January 2024:** We hauled out at [Bobby’s Megayard](http://www.bobbysmarina.com/?ref=svsabado.com) in Sint Maarten. The haul, launch, and storage cost $1,344.00. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/img_2626.jpg) Additional work was as follows: - Bottom sanding: $628.06 - Bottom painting: $765.54 - Bottom paint (2x Trilux Prop & Drive Spray, 6x Micron 99, 1x Primocon): $2,714.86 - Sail drive seal replacement by info@yanmarsxm.com + purchase of four extra seals and four oil filters to keep aboard: $785.00 - Wash and wax by bunsboatingservices@gmail.com: $1,800.00 - Corrosion repairs by [Peter Hoff](https://thedutchyacht.com/?ref=svsabado.com): €398.00 - Our boat has stainless steel anchor rollers on an aluminum crossbeam and stainless steel brackets attached to an aluminum mast. The proper protection was not used when attaching the fittings, so we had Peter Hoff address the signs of corrosion in both areas and put adequate protection in place. - Spinnaker halyard backing plates: €570.00 - We hope to use our spinnaker for most of our trip across the Pacific. So, we had G10 backing plates installed to strengthen the hardware attachment points. Peter Hoff also did this project. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/img_2650-1.jpg) - Back-up autopilot: \~$8,000.00 - Since we are planning to cross the Pacific with just the two of us on board, we invested in a secondary autopilot and had it installed in our port engine compartment by [Nomad Marine Solutions](http://nomadsxm.com/?ref=svsabado.com). - Rig work: $719.00 - We had [FKG Marine](http://www.fkgmarine.com/?ref=svsabado.com) do an overall rig inspection, fix our squeaky boom, and convert our single-line reefing system. - For the boom, they installed two stainless steel washers on the bottom side of the toggle. The steel surfaces are smooth and should slide between each other without squeaking. - The new reefing system has the tack and clew as independent steps, using stainless snap shackles at the mast. This should help prevent chafe and is a much less invasive solution than changing the fittings on the mast themselves, so we can easily switch back to the single-line system if we find we prefer it. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/snapshot-01-02-2024-11-1.jpg) - We have had problems keeping our top-loading refrigerator cold for a while and finally purchased a new evaporator plate for $427.40\. This, in addition to repairing some holes in the copper line, seems to have fixed the problem. - The macerator pump in the owner's head broke. Ray replaced it with a spare we had on board. - Every snap for the cockpit bench cushion (under the dinghy davits) broke. We replaced them using a kit we had from Island Water World. - Ray noticed our port engine blower motor wasn’t working. He found a relay in the engine compartment with a busted wire and was able to repair it by replacing the wire. We’re assuming the relay was bumped while we were having work done in that compartment. - We spent \~$3,000.00 on various tools/spare parts for our Pacific crossing and subsequent remote cruising. Now, all we need is a spare boat! And a job! ### Homemade Yogurt URL: https://svsabado.com/homemade-yogurt/ Last updated: 2024-01-21T14:48:32.000Z ## Homemade Yogurt ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/fullsizerender.jpg) We started making our own yogurt with shelf-stable milk in the Bahamas, where refrigerated dairy products were hard to find. Now, we prefer it, even when we can find it in-store! After lots of trial and error, here is our recipe: - 1 carton shelf-stable whole milk (UHT) - 3/4 cup powdered whole milk - 1 packet yogurt starter culture (we use [this](https://a.co/d/eVpl6IS?ref=svsabado.com) one) (or 50mL of yogurt with live probiotics) Combine the (room temperature) milk and powdered milk in a large bowl and whisk until combined. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/img_8383.jpg) Add in yogurt starter and mix thoroughly. Pour into a glass jar, cover it with a lid, and place it in your [Bear Yogurt Maker](https://a.co/d/aLN0iDZ?ref=svsabado.com). ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/img_8382.jpg) Select the “yogurt” function, and increase the timer to 10-12hrs for tangy, thick yogurt. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/img_8384.jpg) Once the cycle is complete, remove the jar and let it chill in the fridge overnight. Your yogurt will be ready to eat the following morning! ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/img_8385.jpg) **Eat it Sabado Style:** With fresh berries and [our favorite homemade granola.](https://svsabado.com/hollys-cinnamon-coconut-granola-recipe/) **Notes:** We like to make a batch of plain yogurt and flavor it by individual servings so we can switch it up whenever we want! Add a tablespoon or two of jam/jelly/fruit preserves to a single serving of plain yogurt for fruit-flavored yogurt. For vanilla yogurt, add a splash of vanilla extract and a teaspoon of sweetened condensed milk (or honey). This recipe makes \~6 servings. **If you try it, send us a pic on Instagram @sv\_sabado!** ### Sabado is Back in the Water! URL: https://svsabado.com/sabado-is-back-in-the-water/ Last updated: 2026-06-25T18:43:56.000Z *A Week Aboard S/V Sabado: 1/7/2024 - 1/14/2024* **Good morning!** *Have you seen* [*our latest YouTube video*](https://youtu.be/6%5FC-STQLc78?si=Yh%5Fcde3oRpG5vKQ7&ref=svsabado.com)*?* Most of the island (including the boatyard) is closed on Sundays, so we spent the day relaxing in our hotel room, recovering from the last of our illnesses and updating our to-do lists. Monday and Tuesday were a blur of contractors, coming and going as needed to complete the last of our scheduled work on Sabado before we went back in the water. Here is a list of what we had done: - **Back-up autopilot:** Since we are planning to cross the Pacific with just the two of us on board, we invested in a secondary autopilot and had it installed in our port engine compartment. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/img_2652-1.jpg) - **Corrosion repairs:** Mismatched metal fittings (like stainless steel + aluminum) can lead to corrosion without proper protection. Our boat has stainless steel anchor rollers on an aluminum crossbeam and stainless steel brackets attached to an aluminum mast. The proper protection was not used when attaching the fittings, so we had someone address the signs of corrosion in both areas and put adequate protection in place. - **Spinnaker halyard backing plates:** We hope to use our spinnaker for most of our trip across the Pacific. So, we had backing plates installed to strengthen the hardware attachment points. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/img_2650-1.jpg) - **Rig work:** We had the local rigging company fix our squeaky boom and convert our single-line reefing system to have two reef attachment points, one using hooks at the mast. This should help prevent chafe and allow us to get a better sail shape when reefed. - **Top-loading refrigerator repair:** We’ve had problems keeping our top-loading refrigerator cold for months, and we finally had someone take a look. They installed a new plate and fixed some holes in one of the lines. - **Bottom job:** We had the yard put an extra coat of bottom paint on in hopes of delaying our next haul out… Details, including prices and contractor information, will be in our next [Behind the Scenes](https://svsabado.com/tag/behind-the-scenes/) post. We checked out of our hotel and made it to the yard bright and early Wednesday morning to complete some last-minute projects and start putting the boat back together before going in the water that afternoon. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/snapshot-13-01-2024-1118-1.png) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/img_2626.jpg) Overall, both of our haul-out experiences at [Bobby’s Megayard](https://www.bobbysmarina.com/facilities?ref=svsabado.com) have been fantastic. It’s rare to hear a boat owner gush about a boat yard, but man, our experiences at Bobby’s have been brag-worthy. There aren’t a lot of situations where we feel comfortable leaving the boat for an extended period, but I got regular updates via WhatsApp from the yard manager, Brad, about Sabado. He also helped me find the best folks to complete the work we needed done and told me when to negotiate the prices I was quoted. The icing on the cake came when paying our final invoice, and I noticed they did not charge me the daily storage fee over the holidays. If you’re searching for a haul-out facility in the Caribbean, you’ve got to go to Bobby’s! Anyway, after saying our goodbyes to the staff, we made it to the [Simpson Bay bridge](https://www.visitstmaarten.com/monuments/simpson-bay-bridge/?ref=svsabado.com) before the last opening of the day with 10 minutes to spare! We motored through, dropped our anchor, and marveled at our floating home. The anchorage was loud (right by the airport) and rolly, but we were thrilled to be back on the water! As we got settled, Ray noticed our electric flush head was malfunctioning. I’ll spare you the details, but he was able to fix it by replacing the macerator pump with a spare we had on board. We spent the rest of the evening cleaning and unpacking, watched a beautiful sunset, and got to sleep in our own bed that night. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/snapshot-14-01-2024-0722-1.png) The next day, we took the dinghy to shore for breakfast since Sabado’s food stores were empty. We stopped by a small shop after and picked up some coffee beans, a bottle of wine, a baguette, and a dozen eggs, which carried us through the weekend as we continued to put the boat back together. I went for my first swim in what felt like forever and faced my fear of getting a haircut at a salon where no one spoke English… -4 inches of hair feels much more manageable on the boat! ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/snapshot-12-01-2024-16-1.jpg) We had turned all of our refrigerators off when we hauled out, and the receptionist at the boatyard was kind enough to keep my sourdough starter in her fridge until we splashed. This was the longest my starter has gone un-fed, but I’m happy to report that by Saturday afternoon, SabaDOUGH was back to tripling in size. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/img_2683.jpg) Today is pleasantly calm and cool. We haven’t been nearly as productive as we’d hoped these past few days, but maybe today is the day we finish cleaning and organizing the interior… I hope you had a great week! ❤️ ### Happy New Year! An update from Sabado & crew… URL: https://svsabado.com/happy-new-year-an-update-from-sabado-crew/ Last updated: 2024-01-07T12:20:04.000Z **Hello, and Happy New Year!** *Let’s catch up:* We hauled Sabado out of the water on December 20th and flew out to spend the holidays with our family in Mexico. Our trip was filled with golf, freshly caught mahi mahi, beautiful views, and vicious family card games (have you ever played [Uno No Mercy](https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/399088/uno-show-em-no-mercy?ref=svsabado.com)? It’s brutal!). Here are a few photos: ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/img_0352-1.jpg) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/20231229-bel_3069-1.jpg) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/img_2433-1.jpg) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/img_4447-1.jpg) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/img_0297-1.jpg) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/img_2425.jpg) We flew back to Saint Martin after New Year's and spent a few days recovering from whatever illness we caught at the airport. We’ve spent the rest of the week walking back and forth from the boatyard to our hotel, meeting with contractors and ticking things off our to-do list. I promise I’ll tell you more about it, but I’m still quite sick, and the brainpower it would take to write out the details is beyond my current capabilities. We managed to get a YouTube video out, though, and it’s a fun one! I compiled interview clips I’ve been collecting of cruisers we’ve hung out with while sailing the Caribbean. In the video, four different couples talk about their most memorable moments, what their lives were like before cruising, and their advice for others pursuing this lifestyle! You can watch it [here](https://youtu.be/g5XkGbQkqlw?si=Nl8-ev6IllYQ5W-E&ref=svsabado.com). The yard is closed today, so we’ll likely sit around twiddling our thumbs… We’re hoping to splash within the next few days and resume our life on the water. ### December 2023: Behind the Scenes URL: https://svsabado.com/december-2023-behind-the-scenes/ Last updated: 2024-01-01T14:58:57.000Z Between our YouTube Channel and our blog, we share a lot of our life on the water. However, there are always things that go undocumented. Over the years, we have met plenty of new liveaboards who feel like they were “duped” into this lifestyle by its romanticized portrayal on social media. In our experience, living full-time on a boat is expensive, it is hard work, and it is time-consuming. Is it worth it? For us, yes. Is it worth it for you? I’m not sure! **So, in an effort to paint a more realistic picture of boat life, here is a bullet-point list of things we dealt with in December 2023:** - Unfortunately, the Teflon washers we placed [last month](https://svsabado.com/november-2023-behind-the-scenes/) (at the gooseneck) did not last. We found a piece of one during a rough passage, and the squeaking/grinding noise resumed. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/img_2270.jpg) - During a breezy sail, one of our lazy jacks detached from the mast while we were reefing, allowing the sail to billow out to our port side. We were able to get it under control, drop the sail, and strap it down before any further damage was done. After going up the mast, Ray was able to identify the problem: a missing pin in the shackle. We did not have a small enough spare on board but were able to re-secure it using a small piece of Dyneema. - In preparation for our Pacific crossing and future remote cruising, we purchased a Portable 115V- High Output (cased) Rainman Watermaker from Halden Marine Service for $5,080.00\. We were able to have it shipped via UPS for $585.00 and picked it up at the UPS store on the Dutch side of the island. The shipping process took 12 days. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/img_2231.jpg) - After a night of high winds on anchor, we had to patch a portion of our helm enclosure back together. We stitched what we could, then covered it with black tape. Luckily, it was an edge piece (close to the black trim fabric) near the base of our helm seat. So, although it isn’t the prettiest fix, it’s functional and primarily out of sight. - We hauled out before Christmas but are waiting to receive the final invoices for the haul/storage/splash and work completed. We will compile and post those details in next month’s Behind the Scenes post! ### 2023 Year in Review URL: https://svsabado.com/2023-year-in-review/ Last updated: 2026-07-12T13:49:14.000Z As the year comes to an end, we decided to round up a few statistics, milestones, and memories to share… **Countries visited:** 12 **Maximum Speed Over Ground (SOG):** 11.7 knots **Total** **water made:** 4,000 gallons **Total power generated:** 2,892 kilowatt hours (2,450KwH from solar and 442KwH from the generator) **Number of guests:** 14 **Notable projects/upgrades:** - We had 25 of Sabado’s thru-hulls replaced with Groco bronze fittings while hauled out in Saint Martin in March 2023. - Related content: [Weekly blog post](https://svsabado.com/hauling-out-in-st-maarten-bottom-job-thru-hull-replacement/), [Behind the Scenes post](https://svsabado.com/march-2023-behind-the-scenes/), [YouTube video](https://youtu.be/HYC4UovI-88?si=StDUSkxbaw9aiEzl&ref=svsabado.com) - We made the switch to LiFePO4 batteries in February 2023\. With 900Ah of battery capacity and 1800Kw of solar, we have been living comfortably while keeping Starlink on, regularly running our water maker, and using electric galley appliances. - Related content: [Weekly blog post](https://svsabado.com/lithium-conversion-part-1/), [Behind the Scenes post](https://svsabado.com/march-2023-behind-the-scenes/), [YouTube video](https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLulZzWW05bHc-aIti1N5JEQX31SYpo05n&si=u7y5fEsBdRpqb4U3&ref=svsabado.com) **Social media:** This year, we received 223,063 views on Youtube, made 44 Instagram posts and 28 Patreon posts (we started our Patreon on October 18th! Thank you to our Patrons for your support. ❤️), and one full year of Behind the Scenes posts. **Favorite purchases of 2023:** - We replaced our gas oven with [this](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08PL5FM5Z?linkCode=ssc&tag=onamzsabadoll-20&creativeASIN=B08PL5FM5Z&asc%5Fitem-id=amzn1.ideas.161TGADZZ2SF7&ref%5F=aip%5Fsf%5Flist%5Fspv%5Fofs%5Fmixed%5Fd%5Fasin&th=1&ref=svsabado.com) electric multi-purpose unit after switching to Lithium. We use it all the time and *love* it! - We replaced our Yamaha 20HP 4-stroke outboard engine with a Yamaha Enduro 25HP 2-stroke outboard engine. It has been *significantly* faster and more reliable than our old one! **Favorite memories of 2023:** Having our friends and family join us for our wedding in the British Virgin Islands… Tying our dinghy to the stern of our friend's boat to watch a local band perform in their cockpit… Swimming with turtles every day in the US Virgin Islands… Taking a cooking class in Grenada at a local chef’s home using produce we picked from his garden… Baking our first loaf of sourdough bread on the boat… **Cheers to a wonderful year, and many more to come!** ### Sailing to Saint Martin: 40kn Winds, 8ft Waves, and a Busted Lazy Jack URL: https://svsabado.com/sailing-to-saint-martin-40kn-winds-8ft-waves-and-a-busted-lazy-jack/ Last updated: 2023-12-17T13:14:38.000Z *A Week Aboard S/V Sabado: 12/10/2023 - 12/17/2023* **Good morning, friends!** *Have you seen [our latest YouTube video](https://youtu.be/aHLQzfKCEm0?si=DtevDFAG7dCpw2eg&ref=svsabado.com)? We’re a few days behind but should be back in real-time soon.* Last Sunday, we visited the local bakery in [Deshaies, Guadalupe](https://www.france-voyage.com/tourism/deshaies-2368.htm?ref=svsabado.com#:~:text=Deshaies%20is%20a%20coastal%20town,the%20cultivated%20hills%20and%20woodlands.). We’ve made a point to visit one every chance we get on the French islands! There was a line out the door, and by the time we reached the counter, they had sold out of my favorite croissant jambon fromage, so I settled for something the gal called, in broken English, “flaky brick with cheese”- sounds good to me! Plus, our usual plain croissant (for quality control purposes), espresso, and two baguettes. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/img_2189.jpg) We spent the rest of the day doing computer work and catching up on chores. We listened to [Chris Parker’s](https://mwxc.com/chris%5Fparker.php?ref=svsabado.com) weather report while we sipped our coffee Monday morning. During his update, he advised us to take the current 24-hour weather window to get to [Saint Martin](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saint%5FMartin%5F%28island%29?ref=svsabado.com) in time for our [haul out](https://www.boatus.com/expert-advice/expert-advice-archive/2018/october/boat-haul-out?ref=svsabado.com) next week because the conditions between now and then only worsen. We downed our last bit of coffee and took the dinghy to shore to check out of Guadalupe. The forecast wasn’t ideal, but we had already booked hotels and flights out of Saint Martin around our haul out date, so we had *a lot* to lose if we didn’t make it in time. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/snapshot-17-12-2023-0742-1.jpg) We raised the sails in the mooring field, preemptively starting our trip [reefed](https://twogetlost.com/reefing-a-sail?ref=svsabado.com). Our [SOG](https://www.bandg.com/glossary/?ref=svsabado.com#:~:text=SOG,to%20current%20and%20wind%20etc.) was immediately \~8kn. It was rolly, but not bad. We reefed again just outside the mooring field as we watched the wind speed creep up. As we left the protection of the island, the seas grew. We were putting our third reef in the mainsail when the wind speed hit 40kn. Even over the howling wind, we could hear the sail billowing more than usual. We looked back to see it ballooning out toward our port side. That’s when we realized one of our [lazy jacks](https://www.modernsailing.com/article/sailing-lazy-jacks-and-stack-packs?ref=svsabado.com#:~:text=Lazy%20jacks%20are%20networks%20of,boom%20when%20it%20is%20lowered.) had detached from the mast and was now flapping free in the wind, leaving nothing to hold the sail in place. We stared at it momentarily, trying to understand what had happened. Then, we noticed the reefing lines wrapping around our [Starlink](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Starlink?ref=svsabado.com) dish- thank god we don’t have wind turbines anymore, or we’d have had much more to worry about! We were able to free the dish, and I quickly grabbed the lazy jack where the [block](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Block%5F%28sailing%29?ref=svsabado.com) was still attached and tucked it away, hoping I had caught it before it cracked a solar panel. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/img_2289-1.jpg) We furled in the jib and decided to drop the main. As we released the tension on the halyard, the wind shifted, and the entire sail spilled out. Again- thank god we don’t have wind turbines anymore! We adjusted our heading and evaluated our options while the boat sat head to wind, nose-diving over 8ft waves. We had to do something to secure the sail, but it was too rough to gather and strap it down like this. It continued flapping around, reaching over to the far side of the helm. Ray sprung into action, raising the sail while I grabbed our life jackets (admittedly, this should have been done earlier in the process). We dropped the sail again, this time while Ray was up top, clinging to the [boom](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boom%5F%28sailing%29?ref=svsabado.com#:~:text=In%20sailing,%20a%20boom%20is,the%20centerline%20of%20the%20boat.), ready to strap it down immediately. Once he secured the sail, we devised a plan: turn around and motor until we reached calmer waters. Then, I’ll send Ray up the mast to assess the situation. Hopefully, we’ll have the supplies we need aboard to fix it, and we’ll be able to do it fast enough to still make this weather window. We set our course back to Guadalupe. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/snapshot-17-12-2023-8-1.jpg) We dropped anchor in the nearest bay. It wasn’t calm by any means, but it was an improvement. I sent Ray up the mast, watching closely as he held on while the boat swayed from side to side. He came back down and said my favorite phrase, “I think I can fix that… no, I know I can fix that.” It turns out we had just lost a pin in the shackle that attaches the lazy jack to the mast. We didn’t have a small enough spare shackle on board, but Ray was able to secure it with a piece of [Dyneema](https://www.sailingchandlery.com/blogs/product-information/why-you-should-consider-dyneema-rope-for-your-boat?ref=svsabado.com). I made some food, knowing this would be the calmest it would be for the next \~16-18 hours. We inhaled it and got right back out there. Having already seen what it would be like, we started our trip reefed way down- main and jib. We were flying despite how little sail we had out! It was bumpy, and the salt spray had us both soaked, but we sailed through the night. The moments on my night watch shift, after I stopped complaining about the sea state in my head, were beautiful. The clouds had cleared, and the stars were beaming down from overhead. I counted four shooting stars, but there was no moon. These were typically conditions I’d feel seasick in, but I felt fantastic. Chunky green bioluminescence lit up our wake and the breaking waves around us. It got cold enough that I dug my sweatpants out from the back of my wardrobe. After, Ray let me sleep an extra hour, and I woke up to a beautiful rainbow and the coast of Saint Martin in the distance. We had made it! ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/snapshot-16-12-2023-14-1.jpg) We dropped anchor around 8am, raised our [Q flag](https://asa.com/news/2021/09/07/what-flag-are-you-flying/?ref=svsabado.com#:~:text=The%20%E2%80%9CQ%E2%80%9D%20flag%20is%20flown,Flag%20Etiquette), and went to bed. It was blowing 25kn in the anchorage, so we waited until the following day to go ashore. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/snapshot-17-12-2023-0744-1.jpg) That afternoon, we went into Customs & Immigration. Halfway through the check-in process, their computers went down, so they told us to just “come back tomorrow.” Since we were already ashore, we stopped at the UPS store to pick up a very exciting package… our [Rainman Watermaker](https://www.rainmandesal.com/?ref=svsabado.com)! ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/fullsizerender-1.jpg) This is a vital piece of equipment we are looking forward to having aboard for our upcoming Pacific crossing, as fast and reliable water desalination is critical on long passages and for long-term remote cruising. We’ll post in-depth about our chosen unit and how it works soon! On Friday, as promised, we returned to the Customs & Immigration office to finish our check-in process. Afterward, we decided to dinghy over to [our favorite cheese shop](https://lecomptoirdesfromages.fr/?ref=svsabado.com) for lunch despite the ominous dark clouds looming over us. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/snapshot-17-12-2023-9-1.jpg) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/snapshot-17-12-2023-11-1.jpg) Of course, we got caught in a rainstorm. We stopped into a ship chandlery with a dinghy dock to wait it out and, naturally, found a few odds and ends we needed to purchase for various projects. We made a run for it during a break in the rain and happily spent the afternoon sampling different cheeses with freshly baked bread and dried fruit. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/img_2263.jpg) We picked a few favorites and bought portions to take home with us, then visited a nearby bakery for dessert and an espresso. I had my first ever eclair, and it was so good I forgot to take a picture! Yesterday, we got to work. The boat was a disaster after our trip here, so we put everything that had accumulated in the cockpit away (life jackets, raincoats, towels, tools, etc.), rinsed the salt off the boat, and began categorizing some of our spare parts. Ray has been working on creating a digital inventory of everything we carry on board. It has been a long process, but it will be worth it in the end! Later that afternoon, we got a new neighbor: [Sailing Yacht Hemisphere](https://www.sy-hemisphere.com/?ref=svsabado.com) dropped anchor at our stern! Hemisphere is the largest sailing catamaran in the world, at 145ft long, and is available for charters starting at $260,000.00 per week! We watched as their crew, looking like tiny dolls atop the massive hulls, went about their duties. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/img_2271-1.jpg) Ray has spent the first few hours today repairing a part of our helm enclosure that ripped in last night’s high winds. Thankfully, it’s not the portion we need to see out of when sailing, but regardless we’re bummed at the thought of paying to replace it… Anyway, although breezy, it is bright and sunny! We’ve got some more work to do today to prepare for our haul out, and then I believe we’re meeting up with some fellow cruisers for sundowners later. What are your plans for the day? :) I hope you had a great week. ❤️ ### Sailing on a Schedule URL: https://svsabado.com/sailing-on-a-schedule/ Last updated: 2023-12-10T12:45:51.000Z *A Week Aboard S/V Sabado: 12/03/2023 - 12/10/2023* **Good morning!** *Have you seen our latest YouTube video? You can watch it [here](https://youtu.be/CqFB1uQ4nWI?si=44a0F08d2Cljn5Fg&ref=svsabado.com). :)* We spent last Sunday relaxing at home, eating fresh local fruit and swimming off the stern. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/snapshot-09-12-2023-13-1.png) We watched a beautiful sunset that night, with calm seas and cotton candy clouds. Watching the sun disappear over the horizon never gets old! ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/snapshot-10-12-2023-7-1.png) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/snapshot-10-12-2023-0633-1.png) We took the dinghy to shore Monday morning to do some sightseeing. We met up with our driver, who planned to take us on an island tour, stopping at the market on the way back so we could pick up some provisions. We knew there had been a miscommunication by our first stop: a waterfall with a line of at least a hundred tourists waiting to see it. We turned right around and got back into his car. We explained our aversion to crowds and how we hoped to see some less touristy spots, if possible. He explained that, unfortunately, with multiple cruise ships on the island that day, it’d be challenging to find what we were looking for. He took us to several viewpoints and the botanical gardens instead- look how huge these leaves were! ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/snapshot-09-12-2023-1507-1.png) I’d be lying if I said we weren’t disappointed. There is so much to do in [Dominica](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dominica?ref=svsabado.com), and this was the only day this week we would have good weather to explore! It was out of our control, though. To make it up to us, our driver went the extra distance so we could go to the bigger market and the nicer hardware store, ensuring we got what we needed. When we told him we got everything except for eggs, he pulled over and knocked on someone’s door… a few minutes later, we were back on the road with 30 fresh eggs in our lap! I’m happy to report that despite coming in a plastic bag, they survived the dinghy ride back to Sabado without a single crack. It rained all day on Tuesday. We watched from our [saloon](https://www.discoverboating.com/resources/parts-of-a-boat?ref=svsabado.com#:~:text=Saloon%20%E2%80%93%20A%20room%20in%20a,living%20room%20in%20a%20house.), pointing out every rainbow we saw in between computer work and chores. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/snapshot-09-12-2023-14-1.png) We decided to leave Wednesday morning. We have a [haul-out](https://www.boatus.com/expert-advice/expert-advice-archive/2018/october/boat-haul-out?ref=svsabado.com) scheduled this month in [Saint Martin](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saint%5FMartin%5F%28island%29?ref=svsabado.com), so we needed to start making our way North. We ditched our mooring ball and set sail toward [Guadalupe](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guadeloupe?ref=svsabado.com), escaping another day of rain in Dominica. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/snapshot-09-12-2023-1226-1.jpg) It was a speedy, downwind sail with 17-22kn of wind. We dodged fish traps left and right as we made our way toward the mooring field- some strung together with >30ft of line that we were lucky enough to notice in time to avoid. We arrived in [Terre-de-Haut](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Terre-de-Haut%5FIsland?ref=svsabado.com) that afternoon. The mooring field was packed! As we approached an available ball, I noticed it had a short, stationary eye. So, I put the [boat hook](https://www.dictionary.com/browse/boat-hook?ref=svsabado.com) down and laid on the trampolines. Ray got me right up to the ball, and I got both lines through the eye, laying on my stomach, reaching below the lifelines. I initially felt silly, but after watching a few other boats, I’d say our approach was the quickest and smoothest! We put the dinghy in the water and went to shore to check-in. We were instantly impressed by how nice the dinghy dock was: long and sturdy with large rust-free cleats. The water was clear, and the beach was lined with colorful fishing boats and cute restaurants. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/img_2117-1.jpg) The main street looked like every coastal European town I’ve ever been to, with open-air bars/restaurants, customers spilling out onto the street, shops selling linen dresses, and a myriad of languages being spoken all around. We stopped for a beer and returned that evening for dinner at [Au Bon Vivre](https://www.aubonvivre.net/?ref=svsabado.com). The quaint French restaurant is known for its “menu surprise”: a multi-course meal that changes daily based on the availability of local ingredients. We chose the four-course option and took the waitress’s recommendation for a wine pairing. It was a lovely evening! ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/img_2104.jpg) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/img_2109.jpg) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/img_2112.jpg) The following day, we walked around a bit more. We stopped at a cafe for coffee and a late breakfast. The espresso was strong, and the bread was fresh. We returned to the boat to read up on what to see and do here. We had paid for four nights on our ball and were eager to explore. Unfortunately, the mooring field was unbearable. The swell had us stumbling around as though we were underway! We checked the weather and read some reviews on the mooring field, hoping to hear that this was out of the ordinary, but the reviews confirmed with a blunt overarching message: “The town is charming if you can stand the heaps of roll in the mooring field.” It got worse overnight, and we were fed up by morning. We, and a slew of other boats, had left by 8 am. I wish I had taken more photos for you because the town is adorable, but in my defense, I thought I’d have five more days to do that! Anyway, we hoisted the sails right away, and it was far more comfortable sailing than it was in that mooring field. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/snapshot-09-12-2023-17-1.jpg) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/img_2183-1.jpg) Sabado flew over to Guadalupe, and we cheered her on from the helm! We sailed with a SOG 8.5-9kn until we reached the island's West side and lost our wind in the shadow of the mountainous terrain. We were feeling a little under the weather, so we dropped anchor for the night in [Bouillante](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bouillante?ref=svsabado.com) and went to sleep early. Yesterday, we decided to head to [Pigeon Island](https://www.snorkeling-report.com/spot/snorkeling-coral-garden-pigeon-islands-guadeloupe/?ref=svsabado.com), a nature reserve and highly acclaimed snorkel/dive spot. We had no wind, so we motored the short 4 miles. The anchorage was packed. Any space available was either too deep for us to anchor in or was littered with fish traps. We took several laps around trying to make it work but ultimately decided to continue North. The wind and waves picked up, reaching 25kn as we turned into [Deshaies](https://fr.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deshaies?ref=svsabado.com). Luckily, there was a mooring ball available. It was similar to the one in Terre-de-Haut but even shorter! Sabado does not have an exceptionally high [freeboard](https://www.seabornboats.com/what-is-nautical-freeboard/?ref=svsabado.com), but to reach the metal loop, I had to scoot my hips over the crossbeam, digging my knees and squeezing my toes into the trampoline for support. From there, it was quick and easy; Ray held the boat steady despite the strong wind. I bowed to the group of people in front of us who had been watching me from their cockpit. Are these types of pickups common in France? Is this why we see so many French boats back up to mooring balls and pick them up from the stern? Maybe we need to give that a shot… Although we did watch a local tour boat get on their ball using the lay-on-stomach-and-pray-you-don’t-fall-overboard method, and if the locals are doing it, it must be alright! ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/snapshot-10-12-2023-0636-1.png) Ray made a couple of cocktails to soften the disappointment of missing out on yet another thing we wanted to do. From the island tour of Dominica to the charming town of Terre-de-Haut, and now skipping Pigeon Island… we couldn’t catch a break this week! Several factors are at play here: weather, the influx of boats traveling with the [ARC rally](https://www.worldcruising.com/arc/event.aspx?ref=svsabado.com), and our scheduled haul out in Saint Martin. The first two could be mitigated by slowing down, but we have to keep trekking North to make our haul-out date… schedules always ruin sailing! All was as well as it could be until a friend reached out and told us he was moored where we are now just the other day, and his ball broke loose. Thankfully, he was getting back to the boat when it happened, but if it goes unnoticed (maybe at night or while you’re ashore), it can cause severe damage or total loss of your boat. With high winds in the forecast, I decided to get in the water and look at ours. The current and swell were strong, and the water was murky, but I took my time and dove several times to examine the [shackles, chain, and anchor](https://support.jamestowndistributors.com/hc/en-us/articles/360052013434-Mooring-Basics-How-to-install-a-permanent-mooring?ref=svsabado.com). Although there was rust, there was no sign of thinning that would indicate a weak point. Hopefully, our neighbors look the same… With newfound confidence in our ball, we decided to go to shore for dinner. We pulled up to the dinghy dock and realized half was missing! ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/img_2168.jpg) Someone told us that earlier that day, the swell was so strong it popped the wooden panels off the dock. We were careful not to drink too much at dinner so we could navigate the obstacle course to get back to our dinghy. Customs and immigration are closed today, so we’ll be here until tomorrow at least. The only thing on our agenda so far is to try out the local bakery… ### Au Revoir, Martinique! URL: https://svsabado.com/au-revoir-martinique/ Last updated: 2023-12-03T12:32:43.000Z *A Week Aboard S/V Sabado: 11/26/2023 - 12/3/2023* **Good morning!** *Have you seen [our latest YouTube video](https://youtu.be/wIsUTHB6QI0?si=i7XJmjSJ6wIIyQTD&ref=svsabado.com)? Let us know what you think!* Last Sunday, we went to shore to explore the city of [Saint-Pierre](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saint-Pierre,%5FMartinique?ref=svsabado.com). We walked up and down the cobblestone streets, poking our heads into shops and stepping into a cafe for lunch before finding Rue de la Prison (Prison Street). After reading up on the story of [Ludger Sylbaris](https://www.atlasobscura.com/places/the-prison-cell-of-ludger-sylbaris-saint-pierre-martinique?ref=svsabado.com), I had to see what was left of the cell that kept him alive! Ludger was a local drunk who was known for instigating fights. He had been detained and thrown into solitary confinement just two days before [Mount Pelée](https://www.britannica.com/place/Mount-Pelee?ref=svsabado.com) erupted in 1902, wiping out the city of Saint-Pierre. He was found by a rescue team four days after the eruption. He described seeing the sky turn black through the small slit above the doorway. He removed his clothes and shoved them into the opening to block the ash from coming in. He was severely burned but was the only person on land to survive. Today, you can visit the ruins of the prison and see his cell! ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/img_2037-1.jpg) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/img_2013-1.jpg) After being rescued, Ludger was pardoned for his crimes and began touring with the circus, telling his story as “the man who survived doomsday.” We also visited [the memorial museum](https://www.memorial1902.org/?ref=svsabado.com), where they displayed the names of \~7,000 of the victims that they could identify, as well as some of the items they recovered after the eruption. It was interesting to see the little details of what this city once was… ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/img_2023-1.jpg) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/img_2024-1.jpg) The coastline of Saint- Pierre is littered with shipwrecks from the subsequent tsunamis. So, on Monday afternoon, I decided to see what I could find. I grabbed my snorkel gear and jumped in! Unfortunately, the remaining wreckage was pretty deep, and the visibility was not the greatest, but I enjoyed the swim and even saw a [Spotted Eagle Ray](https://oceana.org/marine-life/spotted-eagle-ray/?ref=svsabado.com)! ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/img_2028-1.jpg) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/img_2029-1.jpg) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/img_2030-1.jpg) We took the dinghy back to Sabado, showered, and were relaxing in our [saloon](https://www.discoverboating.com/resources/parts-of-a-boat?ref=svsabado.com#:~:text=25.,living%20room%20in%20a%20house.) when Ray noticed another boat practically on top of us- they were dragging anchor, and no one was aboard. We sprung into action: Ray started the engines while I quickly put some fenders on our port side. We pulled the anchor up and put some distance between them and us. Just then, we saw a dinghy heading our way. We waved them down. It was the owners of the dragging vessel. We let them know what was going on, and they were able to board their boat and gain control of the situation before anything else happened. We moved to the other end of the beach, re-anchored, and high-fived each other for quick and efficient teamwork! We poured ourselves a glass of champagne and watched the sunset from our bean bag chairs. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/img_2007-1.jpg) We decided we were ready for a change of scenery, so we went to shore Tuesday afternoon to check out of the country. We stopped by the market to grab one last French baguette, then went home for a good night’s rest. We hoisted the sails Wednesday morning and headed to [Dominica](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dominica?ref=svsabado.com). The wind was light and finicky until we got out of the island’s shadow, but we had a great sail from then on! With TWS 17-20kn and a SOG of 7.8kn, we bridged the gap between Martinique and Dominica. I completed the ceremonious currency exchange, cleaning out the Euro from the bottom of my purse and swapping it out for the sandwich baggie of [EC](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eastern%5FCaribbean%5Fdollar?ref=svsabado.com) I had kept from Grenada. It feels so good to be back on the move! ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/snapshot-03-12-2023-0651-1.png) We lost the wind just 30mins from our destination, so we started an engine and dropped the sails. We hopped onto a wimpy-looking mooring ball near [Roseau](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roseau?ref=svsabado.com) for the night. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/snapshot-03-12-2023-0652-1.png) Our batteries were fully charged, so we pulled out the ice maker and threw in a load of laundry. Just before sunset, another boat came in. They got on the ball in front of us, and we were too close for comfort. We kept an eye on them as we spun around the rest of the evening; at times, we were just a couple of meters away from each other! It didn’t help that we didn’t trust our mooring and had no idea what theirs looked like. We set a tight range on our anchor alarm that night but struggled to sleep, frequently going upstairs to survey our surroundings. The next morning was dark and gloomy. It rained off and on, and the air smelled like sewage. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/snapshot-03-12-2023-8-1-1.png) We decided to move along. The little wind we had was right on our nose, so we motored for a couple of hours to get to [Portsmouth](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Portsmouth,%5FDominica?ref=svsabado.com). I managed to finish some chores while we were underway and was pleasantly surprised with the extra large, foam-rimmed mooring we grabbed upon our arrival. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/snapshot-03-12-2023-9-1.png) We were warmly welcomed by a slew of [boat boys](https://blog.leopardcatamarans.com/boat-men-of-the-caribbean?hs%5Famp=true&ref=svsabado.com) selling us fresh fruit, inviting us to BBQs, and offering to take us on tours. I've always gotten the impression that the people of Dominica genuinely enjoy having sailors visit, and anytime we mention that this is our favorite island, locals are eager to encourage us to stay and pursue citizenship! We bought our fill of fruit and organized some sightseeing, then ventured to shore for dinner. Ray had found a spot within walking distance with good reviews online, but when we arrived, we were the only people there, and it looked nothing like the photos. We sat down, confused, and ordered a beer. After some more research, we realized the reviews we read were for another restaurant and had been accidentally posted under this restaurant's Google listing! With our hearts set on the photos we saw, we grabbed a taxi to the *actual* restaurant and had a fantastic evening chatting with locals and a couple of other travelers over rum and lobster. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/img_1988.jpg) We spent the day Friday working from the boat while squalls passed through, one after another. When we woke up to sunshine and clear skies Saturday morning, we decided to head to shore for a walk. We walked down to the market, gawking at the mounds of fresh produce. Dominica is nicknamed “the island where no one starves” because of its fertile soil and favorable climate. We were told it’s not uncommon for people here to live to over 100 because of the abundance of produce in their diet! We didn’t bring grocery bags, so we shopped with our eyes this time. We stopped by a cafe for breakfast and happily enjoyed our meal with a sleepy puppy at our feet and this view: ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/snapshot-03-12-2023-0653-1.png) We returned to the dinghy dock and spent the afternoon swimming and eating fruit. That evening, we attended a BBQ hosted by the Portsmouth Association of Yacht Services ([PAYS](https://www.sailopo.com/Dominica%5FPAYS.aspx?rd=1&ref=svsabado.com)). For 60 EC per person (\~22 USD), we were served all-you-can-eat/drink rum punch, grilled chicken, rice, and salad! We met a few other boaters and swapped cruising plans, then danced and watched karaoke before calling it a night. This morning is calm and quiet. We don’t have any plans, so we’ll see what the day brings! I hope you had a great week. ❤️ ### November 2023: Behind the Scenes URL: https://svsabado.com/november-2023-behind-the-scenes/ Last updated: 2023-12-01T11:52:58.000Z Between our YouTube Channel and our blog, we share a lot of our life on the water. However, there are always things that go undocumented. Over the years, we have met plenty of new liveaboards who feel like they were “duped” into this lifestyle by its romanticized portrayal on social media. In our experience, living full-time on a boat is expensive, it is hard work, and it is time-consuming. Is it worth it? For us, yes. Is it worth it for you? I’m not sure! **So, in an effort to paint a more realistic picture of boat life, here is a bullet-point list of things we dealt with in November 2023:** - We bought a new pump for our dinghy for \~$75.00 from Sea Safety Service in Grenada after our old one broke. - I polished our stainless steel once. - Ray repurposed our old mooring lines to make a new anchor bridle. - As Sabado ages, we’ve noticed many lower-quality odds and ends breaking. So, we spent an afternoon with some epoxy and superglue repairing busted cabinetry buttons and the thin plastic tachometer bezel. - We blew a capacitor after trying to run the generator without enough fuel which caused surging and fluctuating output. It got so hot it melted the wires and the plastic box it lives in! We trimmed the wires and swapped out the capacitor with a spare we had on board. The generator ran fine once we re-fueled. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/cc04fdfa-bc64-4a26-a85f-66fa3de8bbcc-1.png) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/b89bab83-7fa6-4a23-a052-b544c8eb796f-1.png) - We paid $12.00 per night to stay on a mooring ball in Saint Lucia. - Our front-loader fridge/freezer began acting up. It was running twice as much as usual, acting like it needed to be defrosted, but it didn’t look like it! Ray removed the tray under the freezer compartment, which solved the problem. The refrigerator now maintains temperature for longer, running less often. We’re not sure what the purpose of that tray was, so we’ve stored it away in case we need it again! - We noticed a squeaking/grinding noise when the boom moved during our sail up to Martinique. Upon arrival, we purchased some Teflon washers for \~€3.00 and sandwiched them between the metal washers in the mast connection. We noticed an immediate decrease in noise that has held up during subsequent sails. - We bought one bottle of two-stroke oil for our outboard engine for $15.00. - The zipper on our Mack Pack sail bag broke despite being less than two years old! This is not the first time we’ve had an issue with it, so we decided to take it to a seamstress. The seamstress at the North Sails shop in Martinique said the zipper was 1/8th the size she’d recommend for a sail bag. We had her replace the entire zipper and add some fabric to make it easier to close. The repairs cost us \~€650.00. - We paid $15.00 per night for a mooring ball in Dominica. ### Exploring Martinique: Sailing to Saint-Pierre URL: https://svsabado.com/exploring-martinique-sailing-to-st-pierre/ Last updated: 2023-11-26T12:24:32.000Z *A Week Aboard S/V Sabado: 11/19/2023 - 11/26/2023* **Bonjour!** *Have you seen [our latest YouTube video?](https://youtube.com/@HollyandRay?si=6x6XCO20CNSgvliN&ref=svsabado.com)* I apologize for not writing last week; I felt a bit overwhelmed. Along with the freedom this lifestyle provides come lots of decisions. With something as serious as an ocean crossing on our horizon, the pressure is on. It would be easier to delay or give up entirely, and admittedly, we’ve considered it. Our timeline and budget are tight. We need to be safe and responsible, and we want to be confident and comfortable. So, what spares do we really need, and how many? What’s the most reputable brand? What boats ship things to what island, and how long does that take? Who is the best installer? What can be done in the water vs. what must we haul out for? How much will all of this cost? Where do we want to be in 2025? because I need to apply for the appropriate visas now… Does this even make sense anymore? Is it worth it? My brain hurts. We are anchored in the beautiful French Caribbean island of [Martinique](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Martinique?ref=svsabado.com). Tuesday night was the first night in months that it was cool enough to sleep with a blanket. After a summer in [Grenada](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grenada?ref=svsabado.com), it’s a privilege not to wake up in a pool of sweat. We took the dinghy to shore the next morning to get off the boat and get some perspective. We visited a nearby bakery for coffee and croissants, then ventured out on a hike. We marched our way up a steep trail to an outdoor Catholic Church. Catholicism is the main religion on the island, and there seems to be a church everywhere we turn! It was closed when we reached the top, but the view was beautiful. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/img_1745.jpg) We walked back through town and stopped by the store to pick up a couple of bottles of wine, a block of butter, and a fresh baguette before heading back to Sabado just in time to catch another spectacular sunset. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/snapshot-25-11-2023-0808-1.png) We spent the day Thursday tackling some boat projects. I worked on organizing the purchase and shipment of some equipment for our crossing, and Ray made us a new [anchor bridle](https://www.sailorsams.com/anchor-bridle-snubber-system?ref=svsabado.com#:~:text=Bridles%20%28Snubber%20Systems%29-,Anchor%20Bridles%20%28Snubber%20Systems%29,on%20your%20entire%20anchoring%20rig.) out of our old mooring lines. We both did some cleaning then got dressed up for date night! Rather than cooking a Thanksgiving feast in our tiny galley, Ray arranged for us to have a chef’s choice meal ashore. We went to a restaurant called [Kube](https://kube-restaurant.com/?ref=svsabado.com), where the only decision we had to make was how many glasses of wine we wanted. There were five tables in the entire restaurant, so if you want to go, make a reservation beforehand! We were served eight courses made with a variety of locally sourced ingredients. Here are some photos: ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/img_1885-1.jpg) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/img_1886-1.jpg) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/img_1887-1.jpg) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/img_1888-1.jpg) We went home feeling very thankful (and *very* full). Friday afternoon, we made the long dinghy trip into [Le Marin](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Le%5FMarin?ref=svsabado.com) for provisions. We stopped at a large grocery store for fruit, vegetables, and dairy. I’m assuming we went on their restocking day because every single aisle was half-blocked with stacks of boxes and crates. As a result, no one could bring their cart down any of the aisles. It was a disaster, and we got out of there as quickly as possible! We stopped by a butcher shop on the way back to the dinghy to get the last of what we needed. I was so proud of myself for ordering entirely in French! The hardest part for me was the beef. I didn’t know how to say the different cuts, so I just asked for “filet de boeuf” and crossed my fingers. I’m still not sure what I came home with… By Saturday morning, we were ready for a change of scenery. We pulled up our anchor and set sail toward [Saint- Pierre](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saint-Pierre,%5FMartinique?ref=svsabado.com). Our trip began in calm conditions, with \~12kn of wind, and a pod of dolphins paid us a visit! ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/img_1890-3-1.jpg) As we made our way up the coast, the wind started to pick up. We reached 20-25kn as we passed [Forte De France](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fort-de-France?ref=svsabado.com); our [SOG](https://newportkat.com/2018/05/20/apparent-and-true-wind-boat-speed-sog-and-cog/?ref=svsabado.com#:~:text=SOG%20is%20made%20up%20from,such%20as%20current%20and%20wind.) was 7.5kn! We were having a blast and enjoying the sunshine. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/img_5859-1.jpg) We sailed within a mile of our destination before we lost the wind, started an engine, and dropped our sails. We anchored off of Anse Turin Beach, at the base of [Mount Pelée](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mount%5FPel%C3%A9e?ref=svsabado.com), and watched in awe as the clouds turned pink over the volcano while the sun went down. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/img_1880-1.jpg) Saint- Pierre was known as the most economically and culturally significant city in Martinique and was commonly referred to as “the Paris of the Caribbean” until [Mount Pelée erupted in 1902](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/1902%5Feruption%5Fof%5FMount%5FPel%C3%A9e?ref=svsabado.com). The eruption was one of the most deadly in recorded history, killing \~28,000 people over three years. The eruption triggered mudslides and tsunamis, making escaping the city virtually impossible. One of the only survivors turned out to be a prisoner who had been kept in a windowless underground cell and was later discovered by rescue workers. This morning feels unreal… the water is still, the air is cool, and it smells so strongly of flowers here. It’s like someone sprayed air freshener in the anchorage! We’re enjoying our coffee while staring up at the volcano. I’m not sure what will be open on a Sunday, but we’re eager to get to shore and explore! ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/img_1882-1.jpg) I hope you had a great week. ❤️ ### Simple and Delicious No-Churn Ice Cream URL: https://svsabado.com/simple-and-delicious-no-churn-ice-cream/ Last updated: 2023-11-15T18:10:12.000Z ## Simple and Delicious No-Churn Ice Cream ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/img_8381.jpg) A recipe given to me by a fellow cruiser… Thank you, Elizabeth! - 2 cups heavy whipping cream - 1 14oz can sweetened condensed milk - 1 splash vanilla extract - mix-ins of choice (chocolate chips, peanut butter, crushed-up cookies, fruit preserves, etc.) (optional) Combine the heavy cream and vanilla extract in a mixing bowl. Whip until stiff peaks form. You can accomplish this by hand, with an electric mixer, or a blender. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/img_8380.jpg) Gently fold in the sweetened condensed milk (plus optional mix-ins) and transfer to a container. Freeze for at least 24hrs before serving! ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/img_8381.jpg) **Eat it Sabado Style:** A scoop of vanilla ice cream topped with fresh passion fruit. **If you try it, send us a pic on Instagram @sv\_sabado!** ### Sailing to St. Lucia URL: https://svsabado.com/sailing-to-st-lucia/ Last updated: 2023-11-12T13:03:34.000Z *A Week Aboard S/V Sabado: 11/5/2023 - 11/12/2023* **Good morning! Happy Sunday!** *Check out our latest YouTube video, we loved making [this one](https://youtu.be/L80X1zLz46I?si=vyj-yXGpBBe0oOIb&ref=svsabado.com).* ⛵️ Last Sunday, we lounged around and got some boat work done. As Sabado ages, a few lower-quality bits have busted (i.e., tachometer bezel/trim ring, cabinetry buttons, etc.). So, Ray dug out the epoxy and cracked open a fresh tube of superglue… Later that afternoon, some friends came by to invite us snorkeling. I never turn down an opportunity to swim, so off we went! We snorkeled the same spot I explored [last week](https://svsabado.com/goodbye-grenada-hello-cruising-season/), but there’s always a new fish to see and coral to identify. Check out this beautiful [stoplight parrot fish](https://reefguide.org/stoplightparrotfish.html?ref=svsabado.com): ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/snapshot-10-11-2023-0715-1.jpg) We parted ways for showers, then met back up for dinner and drinks at [Paradise Beach Club](https://www.puregrenada.com/product/paradise-beach-club/?ref=svsabado.com#:~:text=Paradise%20Beach%20Club%20is%20Carriacou's,lunch,%20dinner%20and%20yacht%20provisioning.). Monday morning, Ray and I took the dinghy to shore and waved down a taxi to take us to Customs and Immigration. The office is in a boatyard, so we filled out our paperwork with a chorus of hammers and drills in the background. Once we had officially checked out of the country, we returned to Sabado, ditched our mooring ball, and headed up to [Anse La Roche](https://www.puregrenada.com/product/anse-la-roche/?ref=svsabado.com). We motored the short distance, dropped our anchor, and got the boat ready for the next leg of our trip: I prepped some food and cleaned up, Ray did engine checks and planned our route. We had one last lobster feast with friends at [Tim’s Sunset Beach Bar & Restaurant](https://www.facebook.com/TimsSunsetBeachBar?mibextid=PzaGJu) and left the next morning. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/img_1525-1.jpg) Using our main and jib, we happily sailed along most of the morning at 5.5kn. The sun was shining, and the crew was excited! As we neared the narrow cuts of [Tobago Cays](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tobago%5FCays?ref=svsabado.com), we kept our eye on an ominous storm cloud off our port side. It was creeping up on us, so we preemptively [reefed](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reefing?ref=svsabado.com#:~:text=Reefing%20reduces%20the%20area%20of,termed%20shaking%20out%20a%20reef.) the main. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/img_1359.jpg) When the storm arrived, it brought far more rain than wind. We dug out our foul weather gear, started an engine, and motor-sailed while it poured for the next hour. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/facetune_07-11-2023-14-38-19-1.jpg) The storm made it increasingly difficult to see the other vessels around us, so we kept a close watch. If anyone has any insight as to why these six-figure boats don’t have AIS, we’d love to hear it! It seems like an insane oversight to me. There are three boats ahead of us in this photo… Can you spot them all? ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/snapshot-11-11-2023-0719-1.png) We dropped our sails and anchored in [Bequia](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bequia?ref=svsabado.com) for the night. Our batteries reflected the lack of sun that day, so we started the generator and made a couple of [hot toddies](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hot%5Ftoddy?ref=svsabado.com) to enjoy while we dried off. After a day of gray skies, the clouds parted just in time for a spectacular sunset! ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/snapshot-09-11-2023-0706-1.png) We departed Bequia for [St. Lucia](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saint%5FLucia?ref=svsabado.com) bright and early the following morning. We started the day with light winds, [AWS](https://support.garmin.com/en-US/?faq=e5LwusViLZ95VTDwn2Alt7&ref=svsabado.com#:~:text=%28Apparent%20Wind%20Angle%29%20The%20wind,the%20movement%20of%20the%20boat.) 9kn, [SOG](https://www.bandg.com/glossary/?ref=svsabado.com#:~:text=SOG,to%20current%20and%20wind%20etc.) 4.5kn. We thought about rigging up the gennaker but were ultimately too lazy (and in no rush!). A flock of [boobies](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Booby?ref=svsabado.com) frolicked around us all afternoon, diving for fish. We took their queue and threw our fishing lines out. We desperately need to replenish our inventory of lures, but we figured there was no harm in trying with what we’ve got! As we passed [St. Vincent](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saint%5FVincent%5F%28Saint%5FVincent%5Fand%5Fthe%5FGrenadines%29?ref=svsabado.com), our wind died. Although the mountainous island was beautiful, its elevation blocked the breeze we needed to keep sailing. We reluctantly started an engine and motor-sailed the rest of the way. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/snapshot-12-11-2023-0642-1.png) Our approach was incredibly beautiful. We had skipped St. Lucia on the way down, so I had never seen the famous [Pitons](https://www.atlasobscura.com/places/gros-piton-saint-lucia?ref=svsabado.com) up close. They became even sharper and more dramatic as we got closer, and I was ecstatic when we picked up a mooring ball in Soufriere, right at the base of one! ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/snapshot-10-11-2023-0711-1.png) Although the view was undeniably magnificent, a stench lingered in the air. I don’t know what was happening (or if the area is always like this?), but it STANK. I’ll spare you an attempted description; just know it was not good. We made dinner at home and watched the sunset. Suddenly, we were the only boat in the mooring field. We couldn’t squash our sense of uneasiness. There was [a series of break-ins here](https://loosecannon.substack.com/p/crime-against-cruisers-in-st-lucia) last year that has deterred a lot of boaters (including us) from visiting. A group of men were boarding boats in the night wielding guns and machetes, robbing and traumatizing folks. The local police have since arrested the group responsible for these violent crimes, but we were still wary. You’re so vulnerable on a boat, especially in remote or empty areas. We were close to a beach that backs up to a road. We could see men just beyond the tree line standing around small fires. No one was doing anything threatening, but we let our fear get the best of us. Ray, a notoriously light sleeper, slept in the saloon with our chosen self-defense equipment. I slept down in our cabin. Given the circumstances, neither one of us got any sleep, and no one bothered us. We chugged some extra coffee the following morning, feeling a bit silly for being so scared. It’s unfair to let a few incidents dictate your attitude toward an entire island! We raised the sails and headed out. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/snapshot-12-11-2023-0641-1.jpg) We decided to make a short hop up to Rodney Bay, one of the more popular anchorages in St. Lucia, where we would stage for our sail up to [Martinique](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Martinique?ref=svsabado.com). The wind started light, but picked up quickly, gusting up to 25kn as we moved in and out of the island’s shadows. We reefed the main, and Sabado performed great! We [tacked](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tacking%5F%28sailing%29?ref=svsabado.com) back and forth, taking our time and enjoying the trip. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/snapshot-11-11-2023-8-1.png) We arrived in Rodney Bay that afternoon. The rancid stench from Soufriere was replaced with the enticing smell of fried food. We were in tourist central! The beach was lined with rows of matching lounge chairs and blue umbrellas. Sunburnt vacationers zipped around on jet skis, and hoards of people packed aboard day trip boats clogged up the channel. We set our anchor and struggled to stay awake until nightfall in an effort to maintain a reasonable sleeping schedule. We slept better that second night. We woke up Friday morning to gray skies and a strong breeze. We checked the weather forecast: high winds and 8ft seas. These conditions were nothing we couldn’t handle, but it wouldn’t be the most comfortable ride. It was a \~20-mile trip to Martinique. We decided that we could manage 3ish hours of discomfort and planned to leave after breakfast. We were finishing our coffee when we saw a small boat with palm fronds fashioned into a sunshade pull up to our stern. Ray recognized the boat as Gregory’s, a local man who sells fruit, herbs, and juices made by his daughter. He sold to Ray when he was here with Sabado back in 2018! ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/img_1527-1.jpg) We passed him a bucket and an empty water bottle and held a line for him while he hooked us up! We purchased some lemons, limes, pink grapefruit, plantains, baby bananas, passion fruit, cucumbers, some grapefruit juice, orange juice, two bottles of rum punch, and some coconut water. After paying and tipping, he gifted us two coconuts and two bags of “coconut cookies.” ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/img_1520.jpg) It took me a while to wash, dry, and put everything away. By the time I was finished, we’d decided to stay another day. That’s the beauty of cruising: you get to do what you want, when you want (weather permitting)! So, we cozied up and did some computer work. As the sun went down, the music from shore got louder and louder- it was Friday night in St. Lucia! This area is full of overpriced bars and restaurants catering to tourists, so we opted to stay home. Saturday morning, we noticed some newly placed yellow buoys. We watched as four small monohulls raced around them. It was exciting to see them come within inches of each other when rounding the buoys! I’ve never participated in a race before, but it looks exhilarating. ⛵️ ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/img_1539-1.jpg) Later that day, we turned on the generator. It ran well for a little while, then began to die. We were nearly out of fuel, so we pulled our anchor and headed to the fuel dock, anxious to ensure that was the issue and not something mechanical or electrical. We arrived, tied off, and were told they were closed. We explained our situation, and they agreed to let us stay the night on the fuel dock so we could get fuel first thing in the morning. Since we were there, we decided to walk around town! We found a waterfront bar and a steakhouse and turned the evening into a date night. ❤️ We are fueling up as I am posting this, so keep your fingers crossed our generator runs properly after! I hope you had a great week! ### Goodbye Grenada, Hello Cruising Season! URL: https://svsabado.com/goodbye-grenada-hello-cruising-season/ Last updated: 2023-11-05T12:00:52.000Z *A Week Aboard S/V Sabado: 10/29/2023 - 11/5/2023* **Good morning!** *Check out [our latest YouTube video](https://youtu.be/stSiFj-qefY?si=zaZlSQJSi2DnjRIm&ref=svsabado.com). :)* Last Sunday, we helped a friend dock his boat at a nearby marina. He was solo sailing and was assigned a tricky slip. We met him outside the channel on our dinghy. I boarded his boat and helped set up his lines and fenders. Ray met us at the slip, still in the dinghy, to make sure he was clear of the boat next to his spot, opposite his helm. He expertly maneuvered the boat while I tossed the lines to the staff on the dock, and we had everything secured shortly after that- no drama! The three of us had some cold beers to celebrate. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/fullsizerender-1.jpg) We went from the beach bar to dinner, paying some local kids in Coca-Cola to keep our dinghy safe while we enjoyed the evening… ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/img_5664.jpg) Monday morning, I went grocery shopping. I did a big haul at [IGA](https://www.realvalueiga.com/?ref=svsabado.com), then spent the afternoon washing, drying, and putting everything away. We had decided to leave Grenada on Thursday, so we spent the next couple of days running errands and saying goodbye to the friends we’ve made here. It’s strange to call an island home for a season just to leave. We’ve fallen in love with Grenada: the people, the culture, and the spectacular views. Leaving feels bittersweet! We watched our last Grenadian sunset from our cockpit on Wednesday night. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/img_1188-1.jpg) We left Thursday morning. We started with 15kn of wind just off our nose, so we didn’t bother hoisting the sails. We were disappointed we weren't sailing but happy to be moving regardless! About an hour in, we encountered a squall that brought an additional 10kn of wind and choppy seas. Unfortunately, the angle still didn’t shift. So, we continued motoring into the wind and waves for a couple of hours. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/snapshot-04-11-2023-0806-1.jpg) As we approached our anchorage, the sea state finally flattened out. We cruised into Ronde Island and dropped our anchor. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/snapshot-04-11-2023-0805-3-1.jpg) The holding in that area can be tricky, so I jumped in to dive our anchor. It was buried! We enjoyed the quiet afternoon until a storm rolled in that evening. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/img_1329-1.jpg) It got pretty breezy, but everyone held strong. As we were sitting down for dinner, a catamaran came in with its sails still up. It was dark, and they were overpowered. The wind carried them within a boat length of another anchored vessel. They were able to maneuver away and get their sail down, but it was nerve-racking to watch! We decided to eat our dinner in the cockpit so we could keep an eye on them. We watched as they tried and failed to anchor several times before finally settling in a spot at the front of the anchorage. We cleaned up after our meal and started watching a TV show. We looked up and saw the same boat dragging anchor. They were coming close to hitting the boat in front of us. We saw headlamps turn on and heard them pull up their chain just in time. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/img_1330-1.jpg) They reset their anchor back in the same spot they had dragged from. We stayed up for a few more hours, making sure they held. When we woke up the next morning, we realized they didn’t have an anchor bridle, and they had thrown out their emergency anchor to stay put overnight. Thankfully, they left first thing in the morning because the wind and rain worsened shortly after. We tried to wait for the weather to subside, but we ended up pulling our anchor and motoring in the rain to Carriacou. We anchored off [Paradise Beach Club](https://www.puregrenada.com/product/paradise-beach-club/?ref=svsabado.com#:~:text=Paradise%20Beach%20Club%20is%20Carriacou's,lunch,%20dinner%20and%20yacht%20provisioning.) and ate tacos in our PJs while the rain continued. The cool air gave me goosebumps for the first time in months. Is this what fall is like?! I’ve forgotten! The heat returned by morning. The sun was out, and my jaw dropped. Look at this view! ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/img_1316-1.jpg) After chatting about how we are two of the luckiest people in the world over a few cups of coffee, we saw a mooring ball open up at Sandy Island, so we hopped on. Sandy Island is a small sliver of perfection, with glowing white sand and lush green palm trees. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/snapshot-04-11-2023-1429-3-1.jpg) I spent the afternoon snorkeling the diverse array of coral off the northeastern point. I saw lots of [lobed star coral](https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/species/lobed-star-coral?ref=svsabado.com), [lettuce coral](https://reefguide.org/carib/purplelettucecoral.html?ref=svsabado.com), a large [colpophyllia](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Colpophyllia?ref=svsabado.com) or [dyploria](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diploria?ref=svsabado.com) (some sort of brain coral), and some [sea grapes](https://www.inaturalist.org/guide%5Ftaxa/239584?ref=svsabado.com#:~:text=Caulerpa%20racemosa%20is%20a%20species,shallow%20sea%20around%20the%20world.)! ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/snapshot-04-11-2023-1409-1.jpg) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/snapshot-04-11-2023-1425-1.jpg) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/snapshot-04-11-2023-1411-1.jpg) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/snapshot-04-11-2023-1416-1.jpg) You can see the effects of coral bleaching here. Coral bleaching occurs when the water temperature is too high. The coral releases the algae that live in its tissue, leaving it white. This doesn’t always kill coral, but it puts it under more stress and can often lead to death. I took a stroll along the beach before taking the dinghy back to Sabado. Ray washed and hung our clothes out to dry and spent the evening fixing up a few busted odds and ends and tracking down some parts we needed to order. We had made reservations at the Beach Club for dinner, but 20mins before we were meant to leave, dark clouds enveloped us, followed by a steady downpour of rain. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/img_1331-1.jpg) We decided to stay home (and dry!) instead. So far, today is still pretty gray. I’m planning on taking advantage of the cooler temperature and doing a deep clean of Sabado, and maybe we’ll make it over to the Beach Club later! I hope you had a great week. ❤️ ### October 2023: Behind the Scenes URL: https://svsabado.com/october-2023-behind-the-scenes/ Last updated: 2023-11-01T11:41:59.000Z Between our YouTube Channel and our blog, we share a lot of our life on the water. However, there are always things that go undocumented. Over the years, we have met plenty of new liveaboards who feel like they were “duped” into this lifestyle by its romanticized portrayal on social media. In our experience, living full-time on a boat is expensive, it is hard work, and it is time-consuming. Is it worth it? For us, yes. Is it worth it for you? I’m not sure! **So, in an effort to paint a more realistic picture of boat life, here is a bullet-point list of things we dealt with in October 2023:** - We paid $15 per night to stay on a mooring ball outside St. George’s. - We bought three bottles of two-stroke oil for our outboard engine for $41.85. - I polished our stainless steel once. - We purchased 55ft of floating line for $46.50 to make new dinghy painters because our old ones frequently sank enough to get caught in our props/sail drives. Since switching to the floating line, we haven’t had that issue! - Ray made two new soft shackles that we will use to attach our anchor bridle to our anchor chain. We removed our Mantus chain hook and switched to soft shackles a couple of years ago after a line got caught under the bridle while we were furling in the gennaker, launching the heavy, metal hook through the air right toward Ray’s head... The soft shackles have been great for us, but over time, they have warped, becoming harder to open, close, and get through the chain links. So, Ray made us some new ones using a different technique that should hold up better with our chain. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/fullsizerender-6-1.jpg) - We searched the island for supplies to turn the remains of our damaged mooring lines into a new anchor bridle but couldn’t find what we needed. We’ve had our bridle for five years and are noticing increased stiffness. Typically, for active cruisers, bridles need to be replaced every 2-3 years, so we are past due! - We paid $2 several times to dispose of our trash at Port Louis Marina. - We had Palm Tree Marine rebuild the water pump for our generator for $190.00\. They included some extra parts for us this time so we can rebuild it ourselves in the future. - We defrosted our front-loader fridge/freezer once. - We paid a diver $200 to clean the bottom of Sabado. ### Island Life URL: https://svsabado.com/island-life/ Last updated: 2023-10-29T12:15:25.000Z *A Week Aboard S/V Sabado: 10/22/2023 - 10/29/2023* **Good morning!** *Have you seen [our latest YouTube video](https://youtu.be/puJCo2J7SgY?si=CoaxlhUZk55ovium&ref=svsabado.com)?* Last Sunday was uneventful. The weather has not yet aligned with our sailing plans, so we are still in Grenada. We spent most of the day doing computer work but stopped in time to watch a stunning sunset over our mooring field! Even when we’re glued to our devices, the beauty that surrounds us never goes unappreciated. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/snapshot-25-10-2023-1322-1.png) Monday morning was *gorgeous*. The water was as clear and smooth as glass! I decided to go for a swim. There isn’t much sea life around us, but I took a nice photo of Sabado! ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/img_1025-1.jpg) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/fullsizerender-1.jpg) Storm clouds quickly swallowed us. The air cooled, and the rain began shortly after. This weather pattern continued all week, with hot, still mornings and afternoon storms. It put a damper on our power supply, so we ran the generator for a few hours that evening. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/img_1009.jpg) On Tuesday, I went to charge my GoPro and noticed the battery had puffed up like a balloon! This can happen when the battery is overcharged and/or overexposed to heat. I use my GoPro every week but had never thought to purchase a spare battery. So, we ventured out in search of a replacement. We stopped by four different stores with no luck. We switched gears and tried to track down some supplies to make a new anchor bridle (our latest project pursuit). Our taxi driver took us all over the island, but again, we had no luck. Although Grenada is well equipped compared to other islands in the Caribbean, there are still times like this where we miss the luxury of Best Buy and Amazon. We went home empty-handed and watched the rain pour from our cockpit. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/img_1041-2-1.jpg) Wednesday was Grenada’s Thanksgiving. In October 1983, Grenada was occupied by the US military, who were attempting to extinguish the civil unrest that erupted in the wake of their Prime Minister’s execution and restore democracy on the island. On the 25th, locals invited US soldiers into their homes and served them turkey, canned yams, cranberry sauce, and potatoes (traditional American Thanksgiving foods) to show their appreciation. [Here](https://www.legion.org/magazine/217617/thanksgiving-grenada?ref=svsabado.com) is an interesting account of the first Grenadian Thanksgiving written by a retired US Army Colonel, in which he describes speeches given by locals during the meal. The message was along these lines: “We don’t know much about this thing you call Thanksgiving, and we don’t understand the food. But we know that it is important to you and want you to know that our Thanksgiving is the day you came. Thank you.” Businesses were closed island-wide, so we celebrated on Sabado with roasted chicken and potatoes. :) Thursday morning, we took a taxi over to [Clarkes Court Marina](https://www.clarkescourtmarina.com/?ref=svsabado.com) to help one of our friends. He had hauled his catamaran out of the water for hurricane season and was having some power issues now that it was back in the water. Since he has the same batteries as us, we figured we might be able to help! We showed up toting our tools and got right to work. Ray climbed into the engine compartment (where his batteries are located) and began testing each one. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/img_1055-1.jpg) He has four batteries, each containing four cells. Three of the batteries were operating as usual, but one was not. Ray was able to use the benchtop power supply we had on board to try and charge the fourth battery. Unfortunately, one of the cells had gone bad. The battery would need to be replaced. However, the other three batteries were fully functioning, and there is a generator on board. So, the vessel is still fully operational while the owner sorts out a warranty claim for a replacement battery. The three of us had lunch together that afternoon, and he gave us his GoPro battery as a “thank you”! So, the next time you see some underwater footage from us, know it’s because of him! ❤️ Friday morning, we lugged our trash to shore, then headed back to the marina to follow up on the battery issue and pick up our tools. On the way there, our taxi driver gave me a bunch of bananas he grew in his backyard, including a mutant twin! ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/img_1093.jpg) I’ve never seen anything like that! Have you? I read online that these are called “double-finger bananas” and are pretty rare. Experts say around 5% of bananas grow into double fingers. Anyway, we hung out for a while before heading home for a quick shower and then going out to dinner. Our departure date is on the horizon, so we’re using that as an excuse to visit our favorite restaurants one last time before we leave, and [Carib Sushi](https://caribsushi.com/?ref=svsabado.com) is at the top of the list! ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/img_1133-2-1.jpg) Yesterday, we both woke up feeling a bit under the weather. With headaches and sore throats, we spent the day at home. I managed to do a bit of cleaning while Ray worked on creating a landing page for all of our systems. This landing page will be a one-stop shop for everything we need on Sabado: power info, data for the log book, audiobooks, etc., and will be accessible on all our devices. I’m not nearly as tech-savvy as Ray, so I’m excited to have everything in one place! We’ll show you when it’s done. ☺️ Today, we’re both feeling better. I’m hoping to put together a grocery list and go for a swim. What are you up to today? ❤️ ### Hurricane Season in Grenada: A Week in the Life URL: https://svsabado.com/hurricane-season-in-grenada-a-week-in-the-life/ Last updated: 2023-10-22T15:33:08.000Z *A Week Aboard S/V Sabado: 10/15/2023 - 10/22/2023* **Hi!** Last Sunday, we found ourselves in possession of an obscene amount of fruit! The night before, one of our favorite taxi drivers had arranged for some fresh fruit from a local farmer to be dropped off for us at the marina. We picked it up, not realizing just how much it would be! We came home with a giant box of [star fruit](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carambola?ref=svsabado.com), a sack of passion fruit, and a hefty bag of limes. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/img_2171.jpg) So, we portioned some out to give to fellow cruisers and found a place on Sabado to store the rest. Later that afternoon, we bought some fresh coconuts from the [boat boys](https://www.morganscloud.com/2014/04/17/us-and-them/?ref=svsabado.com), juiced a bunch of our limes, and made a couple of delicious cocktails using our favorite local rum: [old grog](https://clarkescourtrum.passionspirits.com/clarke-s-court-old-gorg-rum.html?ref=svsabado.com)! ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/img_0909-1.jpg) We spent the rest of the day relaxing. I made some homemade vanilla ice cream, so we had a bowl with passion fruit on top to beat the afternoon heat! ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/img_0886.jpg) I’ve started experimenting with no-churn ice cream recipes thanks to my friend Elizabeth, who gifted me two reusable quart-sized containers and a scoop! For this batch, I whipped two cups of heavy cream, then folded in one can of sweetened condensed milk and a splash of vanilla. Freeze for at least 24 hours before serving. It was delicious! I think next time, I’ll use the same base recipe but add some caramel or peanut butter… Monday was more productive. We stopped by the US Embassy to pick up my new passport, went to [Island Water World](https://www.islandwaterworld.com/?ref=svsabado.com) and [Budget Marine](https://budgetmarine.com/?ref=svsabado.com) to get supplies for this week’s boat projects, did our laundry, and put a sticker on our new outboard engine. We named our dinghy “Tinky Winky,” after the purple Teletubby, back in 2020\. Our old outboard had a sticker, so we figured it was only fair to get something for the new one! What do you think? ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/img_0970.jpg) We spent the rest of the week on our computers. [Our most recent YouTube video](https://youtu.be/S9hHBXGgp7Q?si=EbKwsu5lGZXwz4Sa&ref=svsabado.com) drummed up lots of questions, so we spent some time commenting, messaging, and emailing everyone back. It’s been fun having people show an interest in our navigation and monitoring system, but it took us nearly two years to figure out how to set it up this way, and we quickly realized how much time and effort it was going to take to explain it thoroughly! So, we decided to set up a Patreon page where we could put everything in one place. We combed through past requests and are creating checklists, wiring diagrams, and expense reports that answer the questions we most commonly receive about our life on the water. We’re also making some fun, casual content exclusively for Patrons! If this sounds like something you’d be interested in, you can join [here](https://www.patreon.com/HollyandRay?utm%5Fcampaign=creatorshare%5Fcreator&ref=svsabado.com)\- your support would mean the world to us! ❤️ ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/img_0957-1.jpg) We had hoped to begin sailing North this week, but [Invest 94L](https://www.foxweather.com/weather-news/tracking-tropical-storm-sean-atlantic.amp?ref=svsabado.com) strengthened into a Tropical Storm Wednesday evening. So, we decided we were safest staying in Grenada a while longer. Thursday was a public holiday commemorating the 1983 killings of former prime minister [Maurice Bishop](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maurice%5FBishop?ref=svsabado.com) and several cabinet members. These deaths led to the collapse of the left-wing [People’s Revolutionary Government](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/People's%5FRevolutionary%5FGovernment?ref=svsabado.com) and the resulting invasion by the United States. The cultural administrator unveiled a monument that incorporates the names of all Grenadians who lost their life on the 19th. He hopes this monument will “…become a symbol of peace and healing”. This is the first year the 19th was recognized as a public holiday ahead of the 25th, Thanksgiving Day. We heard some drumming from shore but couldn’t find any information about holiday activities… so we stayed home and ate our fruit. The following day, we began feeling the impacts of Tropical Storm Tammy. We spun 180° around our mooring ball, and the swell picked up. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/img_0958-1.jpg) It’s difficult to capture in a photo but trust me, masts were movin’! We bounced around all day, feeling grateful for the extra stability our catamaran provides compared to the monohulls in front of us. We got off the boat that afternoon in search of stability. We had lunch and a rum punch at a nearby restaurant and dropped our trash off at the marina. Yesterday was just as bouncy but pleasantly cool. It was the least sweaty I’ve been since we arrived in Grenada four months ago! I took advantage of the temperature change and did an extra long workout and some chores I’d been procrastinating while Ray worked out the logistics of making a new [anchor bridle](https://www.sailorsams.com/anchor-bridle-snubber-system?ref=svsabado.com#:~:text=Anchor%20bridles%20reduce%20strain%20on,on%20your%20entire%20anchoring%20rig.) out of the remaining usable portions of the [mooring lines](https://www.decks-docks.com/all-about-mooring-lines?ref=svsabado.com) we chafed through last month… but that’ll be a project for next week! Unfortunately, thunder and lightning kept us up all night last night. One of the most anxiety-inducing things about living on a boat is the possibility of a lightning strike. Lightning strikes can be catastrophic, especially if they cause a fire or loss of electronics. So, we got out of bed, opened up all the curtains in our [saloon](https://www.discoverboating.com/resources/parts-of-a-boat?ref=svsabado.com#:~:text=Saloon%20%E2%80%93%20A%20room%20in%20a,living%20room%20in%20a%20house.), and kept watch until the storm passed around 4am. I’ll be having an extra cup of coffee today, for sure! Right now, the water is calm, and the sky is clear. Let's hope that's the last we see of Tammy! ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/snapshot-22-10-2023-9-1.png) I hope you had a great week. ❤️ ### Sourdough on a Boat: Cultivating a Starter + Our Favorite Recipes! URL: https://svsabado.com/sourdough-on-a-boat-cultivating-a-starter-our-favorite-recipes/ Last updated: 2026-06-25T18:45:02.000Z Sourdough has always intimidated me. The idea of growing and maintaining a starter without a daily routine as a nomad seemed impractical. However, after switching to lithium batteries and consequently upgrading the oven in our galley, the idea of baking fresh, nutritious goodies was far too tempting! I like to pick up a new hobby/skill every hurricane season to break up the monotony of being “stuck” in one place. So this year, I experimented with sourdough. Let’s go ahead and get this out of the way: I cheated. I bought [this](https://www.amazon.com/shop/hollyandray/list/3D36H4IHLLQQJ?ref%5F=cm%5Fsw%5Fr%5Fmwn%5Faipsflist%5Faipsfhollyandray%5FKVC1VXTTGDGFX5HB6SCP&ref=svsabado.com) dehydrated starter off Amazon and reconstituted it rather than growing my own from scratch. Using one that was already established gave me a stronger, more resilient starter that was able to thrive despite the high heat and humidity here in the tropics. I followed the instructions it came with for the first four days, using growing proportions of bread flour and water to increase the volume over time. If you’re unsure what type of flour to use in your starter, [this](https://littlespoonfarm.com/how-to-feed-maintain-sourdough-starter/?ref=svsabado.com#:~:text=All%2DPurpose%20Flour%3A%20All%2D,compared%20to%20all%2Dpurpose%20flour.) article has some great information to help you decide! I fed it each morning —> 24-hour feeding periods, using a rubber band around the base of [this](https://www.amazon.com/shop/hollyandray/list/3D36H4IHLLQQJ?ref%5F=cm%5Fsw%5Fr%5Fmwn%5Faipsflist%5Faipsfhollyandray%5FKVC1VXTTGDGFX5HB6SCP&ref=svsabado.com) wide-mouth jar to mark the starting level and a piece of plastic wrap loosely covering the opening. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/fullsizerender-4.jpg) I stored it on the counter in a shady part of the galley. After day four, I noticed a small amount of clear liquid forming on the top layer of my starter between feedings. This is called hooch and is an indication that your starter is hungry! I’m assuming the high humidity here caused this, so in response, I decreased the amount of water I used when feeding my starter. For me, the magic proportion ended up being 1/2c starter + 1/2c bread flour + 1/4c and 2tbs water. With this adjustment, my starter began rising (doubling in size) and falling within each 24-hour feeding period. This indicates your starter is ready to bake with! ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/img_5250.jpg) I began saving and baking with my discard after day ten while still feeding daily. I made a conscious decision to keep my sourdough supplies to a minimum since storage space on our boat is limited. Initially, I was worried about not having a scale or a proofing basket, but I was always able to find recipes with workarounds for those things. I switched to feeding once a week on day twenty. So, in the afternoon, while my starter was still rising, I would put the lid on the jar and stick it in the refrigerator. I’d let it sit in the fridge, unfed, for a week at a time. The night before I wanted to feed it again, I’d take it out of the refrigerator, remove the lid, and cover it loosely with plastic wrap, allowing it to come to room temperature overnight and feeding it as usual in the morning! My starter became even more active, regularly tripling in size within \~4-6 hours of feeding. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/fullsizerender-3.jpg) Several months in, I switched to feeding my starter with unbleached all-purpose flour. In a perfect world, I would have continued using bread flour, but I couldn’t find it at the shops where we were anchored. I used the same proportions of flour and water. At first, my starter peaked much later in the day and was lower in the jar than usual. I stuck with it, and things returned to normal after two more feedings. Overall, I’ve enjoyed dabbling in sourdough this hurricane season, and I plan to continue. I was surprised at how active my starter became, and I am confident in its longevity on the boat moving forward! I feel like it needs a name now. Do you have any ideas? I’ve been thinking “GrenaDough” since I started it in Grenada. The heat and humidity in the Caribbean have prevented me from experimenting much with active starter recipes, though. I don’t have enough space to proof dough in the refrigerator on the boat, and my dough doesn’t rise properly at an ambient temperature of 85°F+. Hopefully, I can try again once it cools down! Here are a few photos and links to our favorite sourdough recipes: [Sourdough Cheddar Crackers](https://heartscontentfarmhouse.com/discard-sourdough-cheddar-crackers/?ref=svsabado.com) - I’ve made these with cheddar, pepperjack, and parmesan cheese- they were all great, but cheddar is our favorite! [Homemade Sourdough Tortillas](https://milkandpop.com/the-best-sourdough-tortillas/?ref=svsabado.com) - I use avocado oil instead of olive oil and a little less flour than the recipe calls for, so they’re easier to roll out thin. - I also use these to make tortilla chips by cutting them into triangles, spraying them with avocado oil, and air frying at 350° for 8-10mins (flipping halfway). We sprinkle them with flaky sea salt once they’re done! [Sourdough Sandwich Bread (in a bread machine)](https://www.cravethegood.com/bread-machine-sourdough/?ref=svsabado.com) - On our bread machine, I select the French setting, dark crust. [How to add sourdough discard to any recipe](https://www.pantrymama.com/how-to-add-sourdough-discard-to-any-recipe/?ref=svsabado.com) - Aside from the above pantry staples, I use discard in any baked goods I make following this method. Some that we’ve mentioned online are my [Healthy Banana Nut Muffins](https://svsabado.com/hollys-healthy-banana-muffins/) and our favorite [Double Blueberry Oatmeal Muffins](https://broccyourbody.com/2023/04/11/double-blueberry-oatmeal-muffins/?ref=svsabado.com). I typically add 1/2c discard, subtracting 1/4c flour and 1/4c liquid from the recipe. - I also use discard to thicken gravy/sauces in place of cornstarch or flour! Let me know what your favorite sourdough recipes are in the comments. Happy baking! :) ### 15 Obscure Things Full-Time Cruisers Say URL: https://svsabado.com/15-obscure-things-full-time-cruisers-say/ Last updated: 2026-09-13T21:42:08.000Z ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/fullsizerender.jpg) 1\. **“My bottom needs to be cleaned.”** The hulls! We mean the bottom of the hulls! 2\. **“Hollywood showers,” “Princess showers,” “Spa showers”** We’ve heard it called a few different names; it refers to a shower you take on land, typically in a marina, where the water is hot, and you can leave it running because it is not the limited resource that it is on your boat. 3\. **“How wide is she?”** Don’t fret! We’re asking about the boat’s [beam](https://www.boaterexam.com/boating-resources/boat-terminology/?ref=svsabado.com#:~:text=Beam:%20The%20width%20of%20the,point%20of%20a%20boat's%20hull%20.). 4\. **“What do I need to know before I use your toilet?” “Can I flush…everything?” “How do I flush your toilet?”** Ahhhh, the lovely world of marine [heads](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Head%5F%28watercraft%29?ref=svsabado.com#:~:text=The%20head%20%28pl.,or%20bow%20of%20the%20ship.). 5\. **“Did you leave her on the hard?”** “Her” is the boat, “the hard” is land. Get your mind out of the gutter! ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/snapshot2008-08-2021200704.jpg) 6\. **“I need to put some chapstick on my zipper.”** Rusty zippers are always a concern; chapstick helps. 7\. **“Want us to bring over some ice?”** Ice is often a luxury on boats, and you don’t want to deplete your host’s supply when invited over for [sundowners](https://www.fit2sail.com/countdown-to-cruising/vocabulary?format=amp&ref=svsabado.com). ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/img_1695.jpg) 8\. **“Do you hear that?” “What was that noise?”** Cruisers tend to be very in tune with the sounds around them. The faintest beeping noise might be an important alarm, a squeak could indicate that something is loose, and if the generator starts sounding different, you better investigate! 9\. **“Boat yoga”** This refers to all the crazy ways we contort our bodies to fit ourselves (and our tools!) in small spaces to service equipment. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/fullsizerender-1.jpg) 10\. **“Did we close all the hatches?”** A cruiser’s version of “Did I forget to close the garage door?” 11\. **“Is there enough water to wash my hair today?” “Do we have enough power to use the oven?” “Is it okay if I plug this in?”** Being hyper-aware of your water and power consumption is a way of life on boats. It’s common to know how many gallons of water you use to shower and how many watts your kitchen appliances take. 12\. **“I forgot my shoes.”** After a few too many barefoot shore excursions, we’ve resorted to storing our shoes in the dinghy. 13\. **“There are those who have run aground and those who lie about never running aground.”** It’s happened to everyone… or has it? 14\. **“Slow is pro!”** When docking your boat, a slow approach is a safe approach. 15\. **“You have a nice dinghy!”** We all have dinghy envy sometimes… Did we get them all? Let us know! ### September 2023: Behind the Scenes URL: https://svsabado.com/september-2023-behind-the-scenes/ Last updated: 2026-06-24T15:24:15.000Z Between our YouTube Channel and our blog, we share a lot of our life on the water. However, there are always things that go undocumented. Over the years, we have met plenty of new liveaboards who feel like they were “duped” into this lifestyle by its romanticized portrayal on social media. In our experience, living full-time on a boat is expensive, it is hard work, and it is time-consuming. Is it worth it? For us, yes. Is it worth it for you? I’m not sure! **So, in an effort to paint a more realistic picture of boat life, here is a bullet-point list of things we dealt with in September 2023:** - Having recently purchased a new outboard engine for our dinghy, we decided it was time to upgrade our lock. So, we purchased some stainless steel chain, a new lock and shackles, and a chafe guard from Island Water World for $410.85. - The case for our life sling broke. It appears the sun had deteriorated the fabric straps. We could not get a new case for the one we had on the island, so we purchased an entirely new life sling for $250.00. - Ray changed the generator oil and oil filter. - I polished our stainless steel once. - Ray installed a couple of new fans in the battery compartment under our bed to combat the Caribbean heat for \~$75.00. - I noticed some corrosion on our solar arch where the aluminum rods settled and were touching the stainless steel. Luckily, we caught it before serious damage was done. We were able to scrape through the corrosion and place duct tape and thin strips of plastic between the two metals to act as a barrier and prevent future corrosion. - Over time, our dinghy chaps have stretched out and had began to flap around and expose the tubes. Rather than get new chaps made, Ray was able to put strips of Velcro on the underside of the chaps! This has stopped the slipping/flapping. - The generator capacitor failed, we replaced it with a spare we had on board. - Both our mooring lines shredded while we were on a ball in St. George’s. We replaced lines for $120.00 and purchased chafe guards to use for the rest of our time there for $60.00. - Ray redid our dinghy’s fuel system (installed fuel filter/water separator and bought a longer fuel line) for \~$200.00. ### Boat Work + Snorkeling an Underwater Sculpture Park URL: https://svsabado.com/boat-work-snorkeling-an-underwater-sculpture-park/ Last updated: 2023-10-01T11:53:46.000Z *A Week Aboard S/V Sabado: 9/24/2023 - 10/1/2023* **Good morning!** *We posted a [new YouTube video](https://youtu.be/0YF1NREpnow?si=st-vXugYAV0Y%5F3vl&ref=svsabado.com). Have you seen it?* Last Sunday, the mooring field was calm and quiet. Ray gave himself a haircut off the stern while I marveled at the water clarity. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/snapshot-30-09-2023-24-1.jpg) We hadn’t seen the water this clear in a while, so we decided to take advantage of it and go snorkeling. The [Molinere Underwater Sculpture Park](https://www.underwatersculpture.com/projects/molinere-underwater-sculpture-park/?doing%5Fwp%5Fcron=1525984549.9457681179046630859375&ref=svsabado.com) has been on our radar for a while now, but every time we’ve tried to go, the water has been too murky to see the sculptures 5-8m deep. So, we zipped over in the dinghy with our fingers crossed! ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/snapshot-24-09-2023-1326-1.png) We could see the bottom from the dinghy, so I excitedly jumped in! The park is listed as one of National Geographic’s 25 wonders of the world and has 75 sculptures over 800 square meters, but I think I only found 20\. You can hire a tour guide to take you out if you’re committed to seeing more, though! ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/snapshot-24-09-2023-1244-1.jpg) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/snapshot-24-09-2023-1316-1.jpg) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/snapshot-24-09-2023-1249-1.jpg) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/snapshot-24-09-2023-1251-1.jpg) The sculptures are made from textured cement with a neutral pH, allowing coral polyps to attach and proliferate. The sculptures have played a major role in rebuilding the marine ecosystem after Hurricane Ivan hit Grenada in 2004\. Somehow, I had the entire place to myself: no tour boats, no other dinghies, just me, Ray, and the fish! It was stunning. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/snapshot-24-09-2023-1340-1.jpg) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/snapshot-30-09-2023-1525-1.jpg) Once I was all snorkeled out, we dinghied home and spent the rest of the day relaxing before enjoying a home-cooked meal and watching the sunset. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/snapshot-30-09-2023-0853-1.png) Monday morning, we made our rounds to Island Water World and Budget Marine, collecting supplies for another week of projects. Last week, we noticed our [mooring lines](https://link.springer.com/referenceworkentry/10.1007/978-981-10-6946-8%5F213?ref=svsabado.com#:~:text=Mooring%20lines%20provide%20the%20connections,a%20combination%20of%20the%20three.) hanging on by a thread. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/snapshot-30-09-2023-1528-1.jpg) We were lucky to have seen it in time and were able to switch out our lines with another pair we had on board, but we went ahead and picked up some chafe guards and replaced the damaged lines to be safe. We examined the [eye](https://www.boatus.com/expert-advice/expert-advice-archive/2015/december/picking-up-a-mooring?ref=svsabado.com#:~:text=As%20the%20pickup%20buoy%20is,a%20cleat%20on%20the%20boat.) and didn’t notice anything sharp that would’ve caused them to shred like that, but we felt more comfortable after putting on the chafe guards and knowing we had backup lines. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/snapshot-30-09-2023-1530-1.jpg) We also purchased a longer fuel line and a filter for Ray’s latest dinghy improvement project. He installed a [fuel filter/water separator](https://clearflowsys.com/blog/do-i-need-a-fuel-water-separator-on-my-boat/?ref=svsabado.com#:~:text=Boaters%20may%20assume%20that%20all,solution%20for%20addressing%20this%20situation.), ran the new fuel line under the dinghy floor, and put our fuel tank in the forward compartment. This opened up lots of space for more groceries/jerry cans in the future! ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/snapshot-30-09-2023-16-1.jpg) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/snapshot-30-09-2023-18-1.jpg) We spent the rest of the week cleaning the interior of Sabado and taking care of some administrative tasks (like taxes and passport renewals). It’s been hot and sunny all weekend, so we reaped the rewards of our power system and got out our appliances. We made some ice, water, *and* ran our big fan for *hours*! I decided to try making a loaf of sourdough in our bread machine, a far less labor-intensive process than kneading/shaping/baking one myself. I wasn’t confident it would work out, but it turned out great! It’s tough to get a brown top in the bread maker, but the loaf is still the perfect balance of crisp and chewy. I’ll put together a list of my favorite sourdough recipes soon to post here! It's calm this morning and a bit overcast. Hopefully, that means cooler temperatures for the day! I’m looking forward to eggs and sourdough toast for breakfast… ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/img_0615.jpg) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/img_0625.jpg) I hope you had a great week. ❤️ ### Enjoying the Passage of Time URL: https://svsabado.com/enjoying-the-passage-of-time/ Last updated: 2023-09-24T11:50:35.000Z *A Week Aboard S/V Sabado: 9/11/2023 - 9/24/2023* **Good morning!** *[Here](https://youtu.be/fhutnQZegDY?si=xfdR7z%5FWPSLyLJqd&ref=svsabado.com) is our latest video!* Last week was pretty uneventful. We kicked things off with a few days in bed after coming down with a summer cold. Once we felt better, we got to work on some projects we’d been procrastinating… Ray installed a few new fans in our battery compartment to help combat the Caribbean heat. To do it, he carved out a rectangular hole in the cabinet. I protested in the name of cosmetics at first, but the final product looks quite nice and, more importantly, serves its purpose. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/img_0491.jpg) When our chargers get above 40°C, they produce less charge. So, on a bright sunny day, we wouldn’t get as much power as we should because of the temperature. Now, we don’t have that problem! I got to work on polishing the stainless, a chore that is constantly on my to-do list. While in the cockpit, I noticed some corrosion on our solar arch. The arch itself is stainless, but we have two aluminum rods supporting the panels. A quick chemistry refresher: when aluminum and stainless steel come into contact and are exposed to a liquid, there is a risk of [galvanic corrosion](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Galvanic%5Fcorrosion?ref=svsabado.com) because electricity is conducted between the stainless steel cathode and the aluminum anode, weakening both metals. Salt increases the electrical conductivity and, therefore, the corrosion rate. So, aluminum + stainless steel in an environment frequently exposed to salt water is a big “no-no.” When the panels were installed, the aluminum did not touch the stainless, so we thought we were in the clear. However, over time, the aluminum must have shifted because there were several points of contact that were now sealed together by a white crust. Luckily, we caught it early enough to avoid damaging the structure's integrity. We were able to scrape through the corrosion and use duct tape and strips of thin white plastic to put a barrier between the two to prevent future corrosion. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/img_0493.jpg) Regularly polishing our stainless has alerted us to multiple issues in their early stages that we’ve been able to address before irreparable damage was done. So, as much of a chore as it is, it’s worth it! We spent the latter half of the week on our friend’s boat. Ray is helping manage some generator and air conditioner repairs while they’re out of town. Technicians came and went, and Ray made sure the issues that needed attention were getting addressed. While he handled that, I dealt with some household tasks: I defrosted and scrubbed their refrigerator and freezer and cleaned a compartment where a juice can had exploded… Boat sitting is a labor of love! ❤️ We’ve also spent a significant amount of time this week on our computers, tinkering around with our navigation/ monitoring software and ordering supplies for our haul out in December. As the end of hurricane season approaches, we’re getting more and more excited for our Pacific crossing… We sold our electric scooters to make more room for spare parts and picked up our [newly serviced life raft](https://youtu.be/n1SFinb3iiU?si=Y4zG30wP0u9T2veY&ref=svsabado.com) from the service center. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/snapshot-23-09-2023-0752.jpg) In general, we are just enjoying the passage of time! Our insurance allows us to move on November 1, so we only have another month in Grenada. We’ve grown very fond of this place, so we are soaking up every last second! ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/snapshot-23-09-2023-10.png) I hope you had a great week. ❤️ ### No Bake Coconut Peanut Butter Balls URL: https://svsabado.com/no-bake-coconut-peanut-butter-balls/ Last updated: 2023-09-13T18:11:11.000Z ## No Bake Coconut Peanut Butter Balls ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/fullsizerender.jpg) The perfect grab-and-go snack! - 3/4 cup creamy peanut butter - 1/4 cup honey (or maple syrup) - 1/2 cup unsweetened coconut flakes or shreds - 1/2 cup quick oats - 1/4 cup hemp hearts - 1 tbs chia seeds - 1/2 cup chopped nuts or other desired add-ins (raisins, chocolate chips, etc.) - 1 pinch salt (omit if using salted nuts) Combine wet and dry ingredients in a mixing bowl and stir thoroughly. Depending on how runny your peanut butter is, you may need to add more oats or coconut flakes. The mixture should be sticky but not too wet! ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/img_8377.jpg) Roll into 12-15 balls and store in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Allow them to get cold before eating! ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/img_8378.jpg) **Eat it Sabado Style:** During overnight sails as a night watch snack that feels like a dessert. **Notes:** These are easily customizable! I often cut back the amount of oats and add almond flour or ground flax seed instead. You can definitely add protein powder, too! I used walnuts in these photos, but I prefer a mixed nut blend (almonds/cashews/peanuts) or just peanuts. **If you try it, send us a pic on Instagram @sv\_sabado!** ### Grenada Island Tour: Coffee, Chocolate, Spices, and Rum! URL: https://svsabado.com/grenada-island-tour-coffee-chocolate-spices-and-rum/ Last updated: 2023-09-10T12:31:49.000Z *A Week Aboard S/V Sabado: 9/3/2023 - 9/10/2023* **Good morning! Happy Sunday!** *Have you seen [our latest YouTube video](https://youtu.be/CtomqOsNl2s?si=G2UQz-OFb619ZhgZ&ref=svsabado.com)?* Last Sunday, we sailed back to Grenada with my parents. It started out gorgeous, with calm seas and steady wind. We had the engines off, our [main](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mainsail?ref=svsabado.com) and [jib](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jib?ref=svsabado.com#:~:text=A%20jib%20is%20a%20triangular,headsails%20on%20a%20modern%20boat.) out, and were cruising along comfortably at \~6.5kn. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/snapshot-07-09-2023-1534.jpg) We all crowded around the helm, reminiscing on our trip through Carriacou and Tobago Cays. The sky quickly turned gray, and the wind picked up. Then, a downpour of rain began. We found ourselves in quite the squall! ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/img_0299.jpg) We reefed the main and sailed through it, taking advantage of the boost in speed. It shaved about 45 minutes off our trip, and we made it to the [mooring field](https://www.fortmyersbeachfl.gov/DocumentCenter/View/15656/Frequently-Asked-Questions-About-Mooring-Fields?ref=svsabado.com#:~:text=What%20are%20mooring%20fields?,activity%20within%20the%20mooring%20field.) outside St. George’s a few hours before sunset. We pulled up to a ball in the front row. I [picked it up](https://outchasingstars.com/mooring-ball/?ref=svsabado.com) and got the port side line on. The wind was howling, and I struggled to pull the ball back up to get the starboard line through the eye. My parents were trying to help, but I think having the three of us up there was confusing for everyone. Ray couldn’t see the ball. I was down on my stomach, reaching under the lifelines, and my parents were pointing in two different directions. No one could hear each other over the wind. Eventually, I got the line through the eye and back to the cleat. Of course, the wind immediately ceased once we were finished. This was probably my most challenging mooring experience in a while (second only to when I dropped the boat hook in 25kn wind and 3ft waves in Miami). Anytime something doesn’t go as smoothly as we’d like, Ray and I have a little chat after to determine what we’d do differently next time. He advised that anytime we’re mooring in high winds, I pull up as much slack as possible from the first line I get on. That way, I don’t have to worry about pulling it up high a second time, and he can maneuver the boat better because he’d know the ball's position. I suggested we stick to the balls closer to the back of the field with longer/easier pendant lines. We cheers’d our beers and explained to my parents that we call this “Captain advice, not spouse/partner advice,” an important distinction in our relationship to avoid feeling like we’re criticizing each other. We spent the rest of the afternoon lounging around the boat, then took the dinghy to shore for dinner at [Aquarium](https://aquariumgrenada.com/?ref=svsabado.com), a beautiful beachfront restaurant where they’ll grill up anything you’d like on Sundays. The next day, we arranged an island tour from one of our favorite taxi drivers: Don’t Worry Be Happy. That’s how he introduces himself, so as far as we’re concerned, that’s his name! He is actually [Green Man](https://svsabado.com/the-story-of-the-green-man/)’s son and has a lovely air-conditioned van. He picked us up from the marina and drove us around the island, explaining the history of Grenada as we went. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/img_0258.jpg) Our first stop of the day was [Spice Isle Coffee](https://grenadacoffee.com/?ref=svsabado.com). Ray and I are always searching for good coffee beans, and finding a local roaster is such a treat! We sat down for a cup while they roasted and bagged some for us to take home. We left with 5lbs of beans! ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/img_0296.jpg) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/img_0297.jpg) Our next stop was a rum distillery. The signature drink of the Caribbean is rum and rum punch. Although Grenada is not known for its rum to the caliber that Jamaica and Barbados are, it still has a heavy presence on the island. There are four rum distilleries in Grenada. We toured the factory at [Clarke’s Court Distillery](https://www.clarkescourtrum.com/?ref=svsabado.com) (complete with hard hats!) and did a tasting that included some of their aged and blended rums. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/img_0225.jpg) Ray and I’s favorite is their [Old Grog](https://www.clarkescourtrum.com/products/aged/clarke-s-court-grog-rum?ref=svsabado.com), which is aged in a bourbon barrel! We climbed into the van and headed to lunch at Andy’s Soup House, a small side-of-the-road spot with a line of locals out the door. For dessert, we made our way over to [Tri Island Chocolate Factory](https://triisland.com/?ref=svsabado.com). They let us fill molds with toppings to make our own chocolate bars! ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/img_0227.jpg) My favorite combination was sea salt, cacao nibs, and shredded coconut. The staff talked us through the chocolate-making process while we assembled our bars. Here are a few fun facts we learned: - It takes nine months for a cocoa tree to produce a pod. - Cocoa pods can take on the flavor of plants around them! For example, a pod grown next to a mango tree tastes different from one planted next to nutmeg. So, it’s important not to mix and match pods from other trees when making your bars (it takes \~2 pods to make one bar). - Once the pod is harvested, the beans are left to ferment for one week, then dry for another week before being separated, ground, and tempered into chocolate. Our next stop was a small spice shop. The owner told us about the harvesting techniques and various uses for the native spices. His shop also happened to have one of the best views of the island! ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/img_0286.jpg) Before this, I had never seen a whole nutmeg. Did you know it looked like this?! ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/img_0232.jpg) The yellow outer portion splits and falls off the tree when ripe, and the red waxy part is [mace](https://www.thespruceeats.com/what-is-mace-1807031?ref=svsabado.com)! I’ve been seeing nutmeg everywhere, thinking it was an unripe apricot or a [water lemon](https://www.tradewindsfruit.com/content/water-lemon.htm?ref=svsabado.com#:~:text=a.k.a.%20Bell%20Apple,%20Yellow%20Granadilla,and%20very%20underrated%20passion%20fruit.). By this point, Don’t Worry Be Happy was concerned about our sobriety levels. So, he took us to a bar that served, in his opinion, the best rum punch on the island. He brought out a few different things for us to try, including the famous “under the counter” rum. Spoiler alert: It wasn’t my favorite. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/img_0244.jpg) Under the counter is made from a local white rum, typically 140 proof or higher, infused with locally grown seeds, nuts, and spices. It varies from bar to bar, but it always seems to be in a mysterious glass jug with heaps of twigs and leaves in it… Per his instructions, we all took a sip, held it in our mouth, and swallowed it with a bit of water. I think I'll stick to rum punch. Our last stop of the day was [Annandale Waterfall](https://www.puregrenada.com/product/annandale-waterfalls/?ref=svsabado.com). It’s set up as a tourist trap with an entrance fee, a big multi-story restaurant, and people trying to sell you things along the trail, but it was beautiful nonetheless! It was a lovely conclusion to our island tour. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/img_2193.jpg) Tuesday afternoon, we took my parents to shore to catch their flight back to the States. We said our goodbyes, then revisited the never-ending list of boat projects we had put on the back burner in the name of family fun. Since we had just purchased a new outboard engine for our dinghy, the first thing on our to-do list was finding a more secure way to lock up. So, we walked over to [Island Water World](https://www.islandwaterworld.com/?ref=svsabado.com). We purchased a piece of chain, a sleeve, and a new lock. Previously, we had just been using a cable, so this was quite the upgrade for us! We spent the rest of the week cleaning and catching up on chores. We checked on our friend’s boat since they were out of town and took care of a few things there as well. Friday afternoon, we went to shore to pick up our lunch. We had roti delivered by the chef who led [our cooking class](https://svsabado.com/life-raft-service-the-best-cooking-class-in-grenada/)! He sells roti on Fridays with a pumpkin talkari and cucumber chutney- and it is *delicious*! If you’re in Grenada and want to place an order, here is the info: ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/73937f52-93d9-4a3e-81c4-aba6385bb7f2.jpg) On our way back to the dinghy, we were invited aboard a motor yacht on the dock. The owner let us look around and then offered us a drink. He was up here from Trinidad, where he owns a boatyard/marina. He told us stories about his family and life there for the rest of the afternoon! After a few drinks, two of his friends, also from Trinidad, joined us. As we all continued chatting, their accents became harder and harder to understand. This was my first time hearing the [Trini dialect](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trinidadian%5Fand%5FTobagonian%5FEnglish?ref=svsabado.com#:~:text=Trinidadian%20and%20Tobagonian%20English%20%28TE,and%20Tobagonian%20Creole%20in%20Tobago.). I was amazed at how quickly and casually they communicated while Ray and I were working overtime trying to decipher what they had said. We left his boat a bit tipsy and decided to keep the party going with cocktails and dinner at one of our favorite restaurants. Naturally, we got a horrible night's sleep and moved noticeably slower the following day (the consequences of our own actions). I finished our latest YouTube video and treated our helm seat with UV protectant while Ray did some computer work and changed the oil in the generator. Today, I’m planning on cleaning out our refrigerator so I can go grocery shopping soon… I hope you had a great week. ❤️ ### All Aboard! Our Caribbean Family Vacation URL: https://svsabado.com/all-aboard-our-caribbean-family-vacation/ Last updated: 2023-09-03T13:23:52.000Z *A Week Aboard S/V Sabado: 8/27/2023 - 9/3/2023* **Good morning, friends!** *Have you seen our [latest YouTube video](https://youtu.be/PrBvlRiSBo4?si=jx8Zi%5FxIQwSuw192&ref=svsabado.com)?* Last Sunday, Ray, my parents, and I piled into the dinghy and headed to shore… *slowly*. Our outboard engine had been acting up for a while now and was struggling to keep up with all four of us aboard. We couldn’t [plane](https://www.boatsafe.com/boat-plane/?ref=svsabado.com#:~:text=In%20technical%20terms,%20planing%20means,in%20a%20displacement%20hull%20vessel.), making every trip to shore long and wet. It frequently died when approaching the dinghy dock, forcing me to take a “leap of faith” more often than I’d like. We needed to get it up and running reliably before we left Grenada. We called the mechanic who helped us [last time we broke down](https://svsabado.com/engine-maintenance-friends-aboard/), whom locals call “the outboard doctor.” He agreed to miss his morning gospel to help us out. He was able to get the engine to stop stalling but wanted us to meet back up on Monday when the shops were open because he needed to replace a couple of parts to fix it completely. So, we spent the rest of the day relaxing and swimming in the [mooring field](https://www.fortmyersbeachfl.gov/DocumentCenter/View/15656/Frequently-Asked-Questions-About-Mooring-Fields?ref=svsabado.com#:~:text=What%20are%20mooring%20fields?,activity%20within%20the%20mooring%20field.). Despite our outboard troubles, it was all smiles aboard Sabado! ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/img_4105.jpg) The following day, we reconvened with the mechanic. After a couple of hours and a trip or two to [Island Water World](https://www.islandwaterworld.com/?ref=svsabado.com), we determined that the amount of money it would cost to order, ship, and import the rest of the parts we’d need, plus the time it would take to get said parts, outweighed the cost of replacing our outboard engine. So, we rode with the mechanic to the Yamaha shop to pick out a new one. We went with a Yamaha Enduro 25HP, a notoriously reliable, powerful engine. Luckily, the shop had one in stock that we were able to purchase on the spot. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/img_0054.jpg) The mechanic installed it right then and there and helped us [break it in](https://www.tohatsu.com/marine/na/tech%5Finfo/break%5Fin.html?ref=svsabado.com#:~:text=2-STROKE%20OUTBOARDS%20%28CARBURETED%29&text=During%20the%20break-in%20period%20you%20should%20use%20a%2025,formulated%20for%202-stroke%20outboards.). We took it on a joy ride around the harbor before heading to our favorite lunch spot in St. George’s for a bite to eat. When we arrived, the waitress told us they were dealing with an island-wide power outage. It had gone out just a few minutes ago, so the refrigerated food was fine, but we’d need to pay cash- no problem. After lunch, we walked up to the [House of Chocolate](http://www.houseofchocolategnd.com/?ref=svsabado.com) to see if we could get some ice cream before it all melted (they have the best chocolate coffee ice cream!). We got a few scoops and ate it in the dark store. That evening, we discovered our generator’s raw water pump had failed. Fortunately, we had a spare, so we spent some time cutting out a new gasket and installing the spare. My parents didn’t seem to mind all the boat work; check out my mom- totally in the zone! ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/img_0058.jpg) Tuesday was my dad’s birthday, so we made banana muffins for breakfast and watched the rain come down. They’ve had quite the dry spell at home in Texas recently, so he was happy to relax and read a book while the rain poured… ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/img_0181.jpg) That afternoon, we attempted to sail to Ronde Island. Unfortunately, about halfway, we decided to turn around. The sea state was too rough to be enjoyable. We were motoring into 25-30kn winds, and it felt more like riding a mechanical bull than the peaceful Caribbean sailing vacation my parents were hoping for… We pulled into a protected anchorage that evening, thrilled to be still. My mom and I set up a couple of yoga mats on the bow for a quick workout before dinner. A small fishing boat came by and greeted us by shouting, “Wow… You are so white!” We chatted briefly and gave them our leftover muffins. They inhaled them and headed back out to sea. We watched the sunset, grilled some steak, and baked a chocolate cake for the birthday boy! ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/img_0196.jpg) The following day, we headed out (again). The waves had subsided, but we had no wind, so we motored the whole way. Conditions were perfect for a cup of coffee and a good book in the bean bag chairs while underway, though! ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/img_0070.jpg) We dropped our anchor and went out for a snorkel. The water was calm and clear. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/snapshot-02-09-2023-0857.jpg) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/snapshot-02-09-2023-0856.jpg) We swam until our fingers shriveled up, then headed back to the boat. On the way back, we saw a couple of turtles. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/snapshot-03-09-2023-0723.jpg) That night, we all sat on the bow and watched the [supermoon](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Supermoon?ref=svsabado.com) rise over the mountainous silhouette of the island. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/img_0194.jpg) The next morning, we decided to venture up to Carriacou. We hoisted our sails and turned off the engines for a few hours until we reached the mooring field at Sandy Island. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/img_0193.jpg) We stopped for an afternoon swim and walked on the stunning white sand beach, then continued to Anse La Roche, where we anchored for the night. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/snapshot-03-09-2023-0757.jpg) My mom came with me to dive the anchor, and on our swim back, we were stalked by hundreds of [blue runners](https://animals.net/blue-runner/?ref=svsabado.com)! They were not scared of us at all; we could practically reach out and touch them! Just as we approached Sabado’s swim ladder, three small rays darted by. They had the classic features of [manta rays](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manta%5Fray?ref=svsabado.com), but I’ve never seen a manta ray that small or moving that fast… Of course, I didn’t have my GoPro with me, so you’ll just have to take my word for it! We went to shore that night for a beach BBQ to celebrate my parent’s 38th wedding anniversary. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/img_0152.jpg) The following day, we had a gorgeous, peaceful sail to Tobago Cays. The trip took us around 2 hours. We used our [main](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mainsail?ref=svsabado.com) and our [jib](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jib?ref=svsabado.com#:~:text=A%20jib%20is%20a%20triangular,headsails%20on%20a%20modern%20boat.) and averaged \~6kn [SOG](https://help.fleetmon.com/en/articles/5338877-difference-of-speed-over-ground-sog-and-speed-through-water-stw?ref=svsabado.com). ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/img_0192.jpg) We picked up a mooring ball in front of Romeo’s Beach Bar & Grill and took the dinghy in to celebrate the first day of lobster season! We ate rice, potatoes, salad, plantains, avocado, rum punch, beer, and piles of grilled lobster. It was all delicious! ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/img_0121.jpg) After dinner, we made our way back to Sabado. We kept hearing something splashing off our stern in the dark, so we grabbed a headlamp to take a look. Sure enough, we were being circled by squid and stingrays! ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/img_0177.jpg) My mom and I sat on the [sugar scoop](https://www.jordanyachts.com/135?ref=svsabado.com#:~:text=A%20sugar%20scoop%20stern%20is,which%20has%20such%20a%20stern.) and watched them for a while before finally heading to bed. Yesterday, we motored over to Salt Whistle Bay. We spent the afternoon swimming and relaxing. It’s a picturesque place! ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/img_0180.jpg) We left late that afternoon, motored back to Carriacou, and made it to shore in time for dinner at Paradise Beach Club. It was their last night open before a month-long closure for renovations, so the restaurant was packed, and they had live music! We ate, drank, and danced. This morning, we’re preparing for the \~5-hour sail back to Grenada. My parents have a flight to catch, and we’re due for a grocery haul! I hope you had a great week. ❤️ ### August 2023: Behind the Scenes URL: https://svsabado.com/august-2023-behind-the-scenes/ Last updated: 2023-09-01T19:40:04.000Z Between our YouTube Channel and our blog, we share a lot of our life on the water. However, there are always things that go undocumented. Over the years, we have met plenty of new liveaboards who feel like they were “duped” into this lifestyle by its romanticized portrayal on social media. In our experience, living full-time on a boat is expensive, it is hard work, and it is time-consuming. Is it worth it? For us, yes. Is it worth it for you? I’m not sure! **So, in an effort to paint a more realistic picture of boat life, here is a bullet-point list of things we failed to document in August 2023:** - Ray changed the generator impeller and replaced it with a spare we had on board. - I polished our stainless steel twice. - We defrosted our front-loader fridge/freezer once. - Ray changed the oil in both engines. - We replaced the bean bag chair we lost in a storm last month for \~$250.00. - The generator compartment ventilation hose detached after the plastic grate underneath the boat broke off. Its location is hard to access (behind the generator, underneath our water tanks), so we temporarily reattached the hose with a clamp and adhesive. We plan to repair it fully when we haul out this winter. - We had our 6-person Plastimo life raft serviced at the Sea Safety Service Center (Clarkes Court Marina) for $1,300.00. - Our dinghy davit system was squeaking when we lifted and lowered the dinghy, so we replaced one of the blocks for $126.40 and upgraded the line for $120.00\. It doesn’t squeak anymore! - Our dinghy outboard finally bit the dust. We replaced it with a Yamaha Enduro 25HP for \~$2,800.00\. We were able to sell our old outboard for $1,000.00. - The water pump for our generator failed. We replaced it with a spare we had on board and are planning on having the one that failed rebuilt to keep as a spare. This is the 3rd water pump we’ve gone through on this generator, which is very frustrating given how sparingly we use it! - The pressure guard on our windlass snapped off. We’ve used the anchor since and haven’t had any issues, but we will be looking to repair or replace the windlass soon. ### Life Raft Service + THE BEST Cooking Class in Grenada! URL: https://svsabado.com/life-raft-service-the-best-cooking-class-in-grenada/ Last updated: 2023-08-27T12:40:52.000Z *A Week Aboard S/V Sabado: 8/20/2023 - 8/27/2023* **Good morning!** Last Sunday, we caught up on chores, did some routine maintenance tasks (changed engine oil, polished stainless, etc.), and set up our guest cabin for our family’s arrival later this week. Anytime we have guests aboard, I like to make sea animals out of their bath towels [like they do on cruise ships](https://svsabado.com/content/files/www-royalcaribbean-com/content/dam/royal/special-mkgt/virtual-of-the-seas/towel-folding-booklet-updated.pdf). This time, I made a lobster, since they will be here for the beginning of lobster season, and a tiny little octopus! ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/img_0025.jpg) Tuesday morning, we went to shore and took a taxi to [Clarkes Court Marina](https://www.clarkescourtmarina.com/?ref=svsabado.com). To prepare for our upcoming Pacific crossing, we had the Sea Safety Center service our life raft. We carry a [Plastimo 6-person life raft](https://www.westmarine.com/plastimo-transocean-iso-9650-1a-isaf-offshore-life-raft-with-canister-P015689433.html?ref=svsabado.com) on Sabado, and the manufacturer recommends servicing it every three years. We were invited to see it inflated, and a staff member talked us through the best protocols in case we ever needed to use it. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/img_9918.jpg) It was valuable information, and I’d encourage anyone who carries a life raft to see it inflated if you can! We caught it all on film, and you can check it out in [our latest YouTube video](https://youtu.be/n1SFinb3iiU?si=XrmyBqKXjDvjuNBX&ref=svsabado.com). On our way home, we ran into two of our friends (and former Sabado Crew!) who had just hauled the boat they worked on out of the water for hurricane season. We popped open some bubbly to celebrate and went out for lunch together. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/img_0643.jpg) Wednesday morning, we climbed aboard [Southern Charm](https://whatthekingsdidnext.com/charter/boat/?ref=svsabado.com), a luxury charter catamaran we’re helping manage a few projects for while the owners enjoy some time at their land home. The boat needs some generator and engine work, so we recommended they hire [Palm Tree Marine](http://palmtreemarine.com/?ref=svsabado.com). The contractors arrived, Ray explained the issues that needed to be addressed, and they got straight to work. We hung around there most of the day, editing video footage and answering any questions the contractors had. The next day, we ran around the island, getting cash, boat parts, and groceries. We had just returned to the boat and put everything away when Ray found daylight peeking through in the generator compartment. See that bit of bright green there? ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/img_0026.jpg) …that’s the ocean. The ventilation hose for the generator compartment had detached. We looked underneath the boat, and it appeared the plastic grate on the outside of the hole had broken (likely from a strong wave), and without that protection from the water, the hose had broken loose. Ray used the shop vac to suck out any water that had accumulated in the compartment. Unfortunately, this hole is in the least accessible location possible. The blue tanks above it are our water tanks, and the white box in front of it is our generator- not equipment we can move out of the way ourselves. So, Ray dove in head first- literally. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/img_9935.jpg) I stood back, allowing him to latch his feet around my calves so he had some support when getting in and out of position. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/img_0027.jpg) After feeling around to get a clear idea of the issue and lots of back and forth on how to fix it, we decided to execute a band-aid solution to make the boat usable until December, when we are scheduled to haul out. We decided to fit the hose and the hose clamp back around the hole as best as we could, given our lack of access, and seal the deal with adhesive for good measure. At this point, we were losing daylight, so we decided to wait until morning before beginning. We got straight to it the next day. Ray dinghied to shore to grab a fresh tube of adhesive while I did a speed clean of Sabado since my parents would be arriving that afternoon. Once Ray had returned, he got back into the compartment. I stood nearby with tools, rubbing alcohol, and paper towels. It was a messy job! It took several hours, but he was able to successfully reattach the hose and apply the adhesive from above and below the opening. We had just enough time to shower before heading to shore to pick up my parents! We welcomed them back to Sabado, relaxed, and took them to our favorite sushi restaurant for dinner. Saturday was their first full day on the island. I had arranged for us to take a cooking class through [Home Hospitality Grenada](https://hhgnd.com/?ref=svsabado.com), so we headed to shore around 11am. Ariel, the chef’s daughter, picked us up from the marina and drove us to their family home, pointing out where she went to high school and sharing stories about life in Grenada along the way. We were greeted with cold lemongrass towels and fresh coconut water upon arrival. Chef Kennedy made us feel right at home! We started with a crispy fish cake appetizer using local saltfish and grated carrots (the secret to extra crispy cakes!). ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/img_0029.jpg) Then, we learned his Rum Punch recipe and headed out to the garden. His house is on a large piece of land with lush greenery. He took us through his crops: corn, cabbage, tomatoes, coconuts… we smelled fresh bay leaves, cinnamon, and lemongrass while snacking on guava and [star fruit](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carambola?ref=svsabado.com). He even let us harvest some to take home with us! ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/snapshot-27-08-2023-9.jpg) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/snapshot-27-08-2023-0725.png) When we returned to the kitchen, we got started on the [Roti](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roti%5F%28wrap%29?ref=svsabado.com). Roti has been one of my favorite Caribbean dishes, so I was excited to learn how to make it from scratch! We made the curry paste, added chicken thighs and potatoes, and let it all simmer while we worked on the skins. Roti skins are essentially tortillas with seasoned ground lentils rolled into the dough. We cooked them on a [tawa](https://m.timesofindia.com/most-searched-products/kitchen-and-dining/cookware/roti-tawa-recommendations-for-perfect-rotis/articleshow/97978968.cms?ref=svsabado.com), oiling each side between flips. It was a more complicated process than I had thought! ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/img_0033.jpg) Shortly after that, we reaped the rewards of our work. Kennedy and Ariel set a beautiful table for us overlooking the garden. They picked an avocado to enjoy with our roti and coconut water. It was silent as we chowed down on what was easily the best roti we’ve ever had! ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/img_0031.jpg) We finished the meal with cinnamon + bay leaf + lemongrass tea and a homemade mango sorbet topped with chopped lemon basil. I love taking cooking classes when traveling, and this was, hands down, the best experience I’ve ever had! Being taught by the chef in his home with ingredients from his garden felt authentic and uniquely Grenadian. Kennedy and Ariel are such warm and welcoming people. The personal stories they shared throughout the afternoon made us feel like friends, not customers. If you’re looking for an activity here in Grenada, we 100% recommend Home Hospitality! We headed home with big smiles and full bellies. We spent the rest of the day swimming, lounging on the bow, and topped it off with a fantastic sunset! ❤️ ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/img_0032.jpg) The only thing I’d do differently next time would be to schedule the cooking class for the end of their trip because how am I supposed to top that?! This was just the beginning! I hope you had a great week. ❤️ ### Grenada Carnival: Spicemas 2023 URL: https://svsabado.com/grenada-carnival-spicemas-2023/ Last updated: 2023-08-20T12:31:01.000Z *A Week Aboard S/V Sabado: 8/13/2023 - 8/20/2023* **Good morning!** *Check out our latest YouTube video [here](https://youtu.be/RKMrsJrBXXU?ref=svsabado.com). :)* Last Sunday, we spent the day at home, relaxing and catching up on chores. Our once peaceful mooring field quickly filled with boats flocking to St. George’s ahead of [Carnival](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/List%5Fof%5FCaribbean%5Fcarnivals%5Faround%5Fthe%5Fworld?ref=svsabado.com). We sat on the bow and watched the chaos unfold as everyone tried to squeeze in wherever possible! ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/img_9832.jpg) We were coaxed out of bed around 4 Monday morning by the sound of beating drums. Carnival had begun! We could see the flashing lights and torches ashore. We made a pot of coffee and waited until first light to join the party. Historically, Carnival is very similar to [Mardi Gras](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mardi%5FGras?ref=svsabado.com#:~:text=Mardi%20Gras%20is%20French%20for,Tuesday%2C%20Shrove%20Tuesday%2C%20Pancake%20Tuesday); a pre-[lenten](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lent?ref=svsabado.com) festival to reflect, celebrate, and indulge. While the wealthy threw extravagant parties, the slaves “played mas” (“mas” is short for masquerading). Using whatever materials available, they would dress up in mockery of their masters or as folklore characters like [the Blue Devil](https://www.insandoutstt.com/articles/the-blue-diables-of-paramin?ref=svsabado.com), [Fancy Indian](https://www.ncctt.org/new/index.php/about-ncc/departments/regional/trad-carnival-characters/322-traditional-mas-characters-fancy-indian.html?ref=svsabado.com), and the [Midnight Robber](https://www.ncctt.org/new/index.php/about-ncc/departments/regional/trad-carnival-characters/340-traditional-mas-characters-midnight-robber.html?ref=svsabado.com), to name a few. After slavery was abolished, people still participated in masquerading as a means of celebrating their freedom and remembering the past. After Grenada gained independence in 1974, it was decided they would celebrate Carnival in August to differentiate themselves from the Trinidad and Tobago Carnival and allow expatriate Grenadaians/those with Grenadian roots to return to celebrate during the European and North American summer. As the event grew in popularity, they began calling it Spicemas, a nod to the island’s nickname: [Spice Island](http://caribbeanauthority.com/how-grenada-became-known-for-being-the-spice-isle/?ref=svsabado.com). Spicemas is now one of the largest Carnival celebrations in the Caribbean, with participants from all over the world. Monday morning was “J’ouvert,” (pronounced joo-vay) a Caribbean/Creole word derived from the French term “jour ouvert,” which translates to “daybreak” or “dawn,” marking the official start of Spicemas. It kicked off around 3 or 4am but was still going strong when we took the dinghy to shore at 6. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/snapshot-19-08-2023-1347.jpg) Thousands of people took to the streets, dancing through town to the staccato rhythms of [Soca music](https://artsandculture.google.com/story/the-birth-of-soca-notting-hill-carnival/ewUxSVEB2-zBVg?hl=en&ref=svsabado.com) blaring from trucks piled high with speakers. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/snapshot-15-08-2023-1238.jpg) The most popular character seen during J’ouvert is [Jab Jab](https://caribbeanentertainmenthub.com/the-ascendance-of-jab?ref=svsabado.com), a horned devil dripping in used motor oil or burnt molasses, carrying chains to symbolize the years of bondage and suffering during slavery. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/snapshot-15-08-2023-1237.jpg) Despite the dark history and striking costumes, the energy at J’ouvert is high. We were stopped multiple times by locals telling us they were happy to see us there, wishing us a good experience, and encouraging us to dance with them. Everyone was respectful and asked permission before putting paint or oil on us. We felt welcomed and safe. If you plan on attending J’ouvert, I’d recommend wearing clothes you can throw away after and leaving your phone/jewelry at home. We brought a tiny bit of cash and our GoPro in its waterproof case, but that’s it! You can prime your skin like the locals with a thin layer of shortening or Vaseline before heading out to help the paint and oil wash off easier after. We dinghied home through pools of oil, reflecting every color of the rainbow. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/snapshot-20-08-2023-0808-1.jpg) Other islands have banned the use of motor oil in their Carnival celebrations, but Grenada remains loyal to the tradition. After J’ouvert, the locals bathe in the ocean. We washed ourselves down with dish soap off our stern. These practices don’t necessarily sit right with me as an environmentally conscious person, but it is a complex issue with cultural implications I can not understand. Rather than criticize, we did our best to control our actions by steering clear of the oil as best we could! The festivities continued through the night. Tuesday morning was eerily quiet as everyone rested up for [Fancy Mas](https://spicemasgrenada.com/speaker-item/fancy-mas/?ref=svsabado.com#:~:text=Speakers%20Fancy%20Mas-,Fancy%20Mas,VEHCO'%29%20and%20much%20more.). The familiar sound of thumping bass resumed just before noon, somehow sounding even louder than the day before. As we were getting ready to head ashore, the wind picked up, the sky got dark, and the rain began. We decided to stay aboard Sabado, keeping an eye on the boats illegally anchored in the mooring field. It rained heavily most of the afternoon; we even got thunder and lightning! ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/snapshot-19-08-2023-1349.jpg) Though still gloomy, we climbed into the dinghy once the rain stopped to see what was happening on shore. Fancy Mas, sometimes called Pretty Mas, is a display of freedom. Men and women parade through the streets in extravagant costumes- showing as much or as little skin as they please. Many of the costumes include sparkling gemstones and brightly colored feathers. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/snapshot-16-08-2023-1002.jpg) This portion of Spicemas felt more relaxed than J’ouvert. The parade was broken up into groups, called “bands,” that were spaced out, breaking up the crowd. Although it is advertised for tourists to join bands and purchase outfits to participate, from what we saw, tourists were predominately onlookers. As the bands moved through the streets, participants danced and posed for photos, typically clutching large cups of rum punch and grinning from ear to ear. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/img_9872.jpg) We got home just before another wave of rain began. We decided to run the generator to give our batteries a good charge. The rainbow film of oil from J’ouvert had cleared out of the mooring field, so we made some water, too. I’m not sure what happened to the Fancy Mas participants during the rain storms, but the music didn’t stop until Wednesday afternoon! We spent the rest of the week crossing some things off our to-do list for the upcoming cruising season. We are planning to cross the Pacific, so we’ve been working on organizing insurance, visas and arranging for our safety equipment to be serviced beforehand. Friday, we went to shore to run some errands. We stopped by [Spice Isle Coffee Company](https://grenadacoffee.com/about-us?ref=svsabado.com) and chatted with the owner over a couple of espresso shots. He went from being a computer programmer in the USA to roasting coffee beans in the Caribbean! We bought a 5lb bag of beans and hope to return to check out their roasting process soon. Yesterday we stayed home, anticipating a storm forecasted to bring up to 30kn winds. We took our sunshade down, secured our bean bag chair, and kept ourselves busy with chores. We got a bit of rain, but nothing close to what we were expecting! Today we’re planning on doing some routine maintenance tasks and cleaning. What are you up to? ❤️ ### One Last Group Dinner URL: https://svsabado.com/one-last-group-dinner/ Last updated: 2023-08-06T11:44:15.000Z *A Week Aboard S/V Sabado: 7/30/2023 - 8/6/2023* **Good morning!** *Did you watch [our latest YouTube video](https://youtu.be/eWvf%5FmLgQug?ref=svsabado.com)? It’s a fun one!* Last Sunday we decided to go for a sail. The wind was light, but we wanted to try regardless. We ditched our mooring ball, hoisted the sails, and shut off the engines. We were moving slowly, but we were moving nonetheless! It was all smiles for Sabado & [crew](https://youtube.com/@TheOKellys?ref=svsabado.com). ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/snapshot-06-08-2023-8-1.jpg) We had \~6kn of [apparent wind](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apparent%5Fwind?ref=svsabado.com), and our [SOG](https://www.bandg.com/glossary/?ref=svsabado.com#:~:text=SOG,to%20current%20and%20wind%20etc.) was \~4kn. We were too lazy to rig up the [gennaker](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gennaker?ref=svsabado.com#:~:text=The%20gennaker%20is%20a%20specialty,to%20collapsing%20than%20a%20spinnaker.), but the [main](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mainsail?ref=svsabado.com) and [jib](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jib?ref=svsabado.com) were able to carry us for a couple of hours of fun on the water. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/snapshot-06-08-2023-9.png) Eventually, we lost the wind, dropped the sails, and got back onto our ball. Playtime was over! Without a breeze, the afternoon heat quickly became unbearable. We took the dinghy to shore and camped out in the closest air-conditioned cafe. We ordered smoothies and kicked back until we all got goosebumps. We returned to the boat that evening and introduced Nick and Megan to [It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/It%27s%5FAlways%5FSunny%5Fin%5FPhiladelphia?ref=svsabado.com). Shortly after the sun had set, loud music filled the anchorage. We’re still a ways away from [Carnival](https://www.officeholidays.com/amp/holidays/grenada/spicemas?ref=svsabado.com), but the celebrations have already begun! We stayed up late that night to welcome Ben and Ashley on [Nahoa](https://youtube.com/@SailingNahoa?ref=svsabado.com) back to Grenada. Coming off of an Atlantic crossing, their midnight arrival officially marked the completion of their circumnavigation. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/snapshot-06-08-2023-12-1.jpg) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/snapshot-06-08-2023-13.jpg) We turned on our deck lights and cheered as they got onto a mooring ball in front of us. What an accomplishment! They sailed the same boat for eight years through a global pandemic and the birth of their two children. If you haven’t been following along on their adventure, you’ve been missing out! The next day we ran some errands, then swam all afternoon to combat the heat. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/snapshot-06-08-2023-11.jpg) That evening, Ben and Ashley invited us over for happy hour. The six of us hung out in their cockpit and chatted about their journey, swapping tips and tricks about routes, insurance, and safety. Tuesday morning, I decided to execute my next sourdough experiment: blueberry oatmeal muffins. [This](https://broccyourbody.com/2023/04/11/double-blueberry-oatmeal-muffins/?ref=svsabado.com) is my favorite go-to recipe! I used coconut oil instead of butter in the batter, and this time I added 1/2c sourdough discard (subtracting 1/4c flour and 1/4c water from the ingredients). They turned out perfect! We ate the entire batch that day. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/img_9593.jpg) Ray decided to put our sunshade up on the bow that afternoon. It’s a chore to set up, but it is *so* worth it! With the added shade, it doubles the amount of usable space on the boat while the sun is up. It also shades the [saloon](https://www.discoverboating.com/resources/parts-of-a-boat?ref=svsabado.com#:~:text=Saloon%20%E2%80%93%20A%20room%20in%20a,living%20room%20in%20a%20house.), making the boat's interior significantly cooler! We spent the rest of the day rotating between the water and the bow. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/img_9601.jpg) Nick and Megan’s flight was scheduled for Wednesday afternoon, so we went out that night for one last group dinner. The four of us have been living together aboard Sabado for two weeks now, and the time has flown by. There have been many pots of coffee, late-night chats, and laughter. If you guys are reading this: you’re welcome back anytime! ❤️ We picked a beachfront restaurant, watched a fantastic sunset, and promised to reunite again soon… maybe in the Pacific? ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/img_9612.jpg) Megan went for her last swim in the Caribbean Sea the next morning before we took them to shore. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/snapshot-06-08-2023-14.jpg) Just as we were about to put them in a taxi to the airport, they were notified of a flight delay. We sat down in a nearby restaurant to wait it out. Their flight kept getting pushed back, so we brought them back to Sabado for a while longer. Everyone sat around, chatting, while I addressed our abundance of ripe fruit. Remember [last week](https://svsabado.com/the-story-of-the-green-man/) when we were given 27 mangos? Well, they simultaneously became perfectly ripe, so I cut up what we couldn’t eat to freeze. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/img_9665.jpg) I cooked everyone one last meal (“one last group dinner” #2!), and we lounged around on the bow until we reluctantly took Nick and Megan back to shore to catch their flight later that evening. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/img_9676.jpg) We woke up Thursday morning to a message from Nick: their flight had been canceled, and the airline had put them up in a hotel until Saturday! Ray and I spent the day catching up on the chores we’d neglected, and we all agreed to have “one last group dinner” #3 the next night. We met up Friday evening at [our favorite sushi spot](https://caribsushi.com/?ref=svsabado.com). Those two are notoriously optimistic, so we laughed about the situation and celebrated the opportunity to hang out again. We parted ways that night… for real this time! Their flight finally took off Saturday afternoon. Ray and I were planning on sailing back toward [Ronde Island](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ronde%5FIsland?ref=svsabado.com) today for a change of scenery, but with how quickly carnival is approaching, we’ve decided it might be in our best interest to hold on to our current mooring ball. The population in Grenada increases by \~40% during carnival, and we’re not sure if we’d be able to find a spot for Sabado if we were to leave and return… so today might just be a boat project day! I hope you had a great week. ❤️ ### Holly’s Cinnamon Coconut Granola Recipe URL: https://svsabado.com/hollys-cinnamon-coconut-granola-recipe/ Last updated: 2023-08-03T14:51:12.000Z _No content available._ ### July 2023: Behind the Scenes URL: https://svsabado.com/july-2023-behind-the-scenes/ Last updated: 2023-08-01T13:50:01.000Z Between our YouTube Channel and our blog, we share a lot of our life on the water. However, there are always things that go undocumented. Over the years, we have met plenty of new liveaboards who feel like they were “duped” into this lifestyle by its romanticized portrayal on social media. In our experience, living full-time on a boat is expensive, it is hard work, and it is time-consuming. Is it worth it? For us, yes. Is it worth it for you? I’m not sure! **So, in an effort to paint a more realistic picture of boat life, here is a bullet-point list of things we failed to document in July 2023:** - Ray scrubbed the teak in our cockpit twice. - I polished our stainless twice. - We defrosted the front loader fridge once. Despite the heat here in Grenada, our refrigeration has been performing well! - We noticed some chafing on the line that lifts our dinghy davits, so we purchased a replacement for \~$50.00. - Palm Tree Marine performed valve adjustments and a coolant flush on both engines. We also had them rebuild our old raw water pumps (one for Yanmar engines and one for our generator) to keep as spares. We paid \~$1300.00. - We paid $1.65 per foot per night to stay at Clarkes Court Marina while the engine work was completed. - We lost one of our bean bag chairs in a storm, so we ordered a new one for \~$150.00 - Our dinghy outboard failed to start. A local mechanic serviced it, and we paid him $111.00. ### The Story of The Green Man… URL: https://svsabado.com/the-story-of-the-green-man/ Last updated: 2023-07-30T12:22:33.000Z *A Week Aboard S/V Sabado: 7/23/2023 - 7/30/2023* Last Sunday, we lounged around Sabado. Our friends are still aboard, so we edited video footage and talked about our respective camera gear. [Nick and Megan](https://youtube.com/@TheOKellys?si=GSegftDJBVVn4abi&ref=svsabado.com) produce YouTube videos for a living, so they are much more knowledgeable about videography than I am! It was fun to hear about their creative process and the gadgets they use. That evening the four of us did some internet sleuthing regarding the for-sale catamaran they had flown down here to look at. Unfortunately, we developed some concerns. After some back and forth with the broker, they sent in their official rejection of the sale. Somehow, those two still put a positive spin on the situation: they dodged a bullet! On Monday, we decided to head ashore. We walked around St. George’s and ended up at the [House of Chocolate Museum](https://www.houseofchocolategnd.com/?ref=svsabado.com). ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/snapshot-29-07-2023-1931.jpg) Grenada is famous for its “bean to bar” chocolate, meaning the farmers are involved in every step of the process, from harvesting to roasting, grinding, and molding. I’m on a mission to taste and rank every Grenadian chocolate brand while we’re here, so we picked up a few new brands to add to the list! So far, [Jouvay 60% with cocoa nibs](https://www.jouvaychocolate.com/60-cocoa-content-with-nibs?ref=svsabado.com) has been my favorite, with [The Grenada Chocolate Company’s “salty-licious”](https://www.grenadachocolate.com/products/?ref=svsabado.com) as a close second… ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/snapshot-29-07-2023-1931-1.jpg) We went home, and Ray grilled up some ribeye steaks for dinner. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/snapshot-29-07-2023-20.jpg) We watched a fantastic sunset while we ate around our cockpit table. Having friends aboard is always a treat! ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/snapshot-25-07-2023-1421.png) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/img_1628.jpg) We deemed Tuesday “do nothing day.” After the emotional rollercoaster Nick and Megan have endured on their boat-buying journey, everyone wanted a relaxing day of sweet, sweet, *nothing*. We tied the floaties off the stern, swam, read, edited videos, and chatted in the warm sun. I embarked on yet another sourdough experiment that evening: tortillas. [Here](https://milkandpop.com/the-best-sourdough-tortillas/?ref=svsabado.com) is the recipe I followed, but I used avocado oil instead of olive! They were phenomenal. I was able to roll them thin between two sheets of parchment paper with a glass bottle since I don't own a tortilla press or a rolling pin. I cooked up some mahi mahi filets and made a spicy cabbage/carrot slaw. Served with some chips and homemade guacamole, we had quite the meal that Nick, the famous taco critic himself, approved of. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/img_1638-1.jpg) Wednesday morning Nick and Megan returned to scouring the internet for a boat. I cleaned the interior and did an online pilates class. That afternoon we all dinghied to [Sails](https://sails-restaurant-bar.business.site/?utm%5Fsource=gmb&utm%5Fmedium=referral), a local waterfront restaurant, for an [O’Kelly’s Patreon](https://www.patreon.com/theokellys?ref=svsabado.com) meetup. We watched as they greeted their patrons, and everyone shared stories about their sailing adventures over food and drinks! ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/img_1665.jpg) Ray and I are a bit introverted, so we were excited to decompress when we returned to Sabado. The boys smoked a cigar on the [sugar scoop](https://www.yourdictionary.com/sugar-scoop?ref=svsabado.com), and the girls sipped tea and sampled chocolate in the [saloon](https://www.discoverboating.com/resources/parts-of-a-boat?ref=svsabado.com#:~:text=Saloon%20%E2%80%93%20A%20room%20in%20a,living%20room%20in%20a%20house.). Thursday morning, we all got some computer work done on the boat. We decided to head to shore to try out a new restaurant for lunch. After sitting at a table for over an hour, one person’s food finally arrived. After a few bites, we knew something was off. We decided to leave and took a taxi back to the marina, where we all ordered pizza instead. We made it back to Sabado in time to watch another beautiful sunset, followed by popcorn and a movie night. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/img_1695-2.jpg) Friday was similar: computer time with intermittent swims and lots of laughter. We made an early dinner reservation at our favorite sushi restaurant and were driven there by a green man in his green van… ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/img_9477-2.jpg) During the ride, Ray asked him where the best place was to buy fresh fruit on the island. The man laughed and said, “The trees I planted in my backyard!” We ate our dinner and didn’t think much of it. The next day we walked by the same taxi stand and saw the green man again. He waved us down and gave us three bags overflowing with fruit! ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/img_1705.jpg) He refused to let us pay him for it, so we asked if we could pay him to drive us to the grocery store, then out to our friend’s BBQ in Prickly Bay. He agreed and even gave us his discount card to use at the grocery store. Our interactions with Grenadians have been overwhelmingly positive, and we feel lucky to call this island home for hurricane season! We sat around with friends at [LTD Sailing](https://www.ltdsailing.com/?utm%5Fsource=adwords&utm%5Fmedium=cpc&utm%5Fcampaign=ltd%20-%20s%20%28new%29&gclid=CjwKCAjw8ZKmBhArEiwAspcJ7uL4N6R%5FzBXzwVD5MAEQq1be0DKi-tGMYYQApJrx3jBeRhQn1GAU1hoCmpUQAvD%5FBwE) all afternoon, celebrating the students that passed their tests that week. LTD offers “liveaboard cruise & learn classes” where students can spend the week living, learning, and sailing on one of the school’s boats. At the end of each week, they host a BBQ to celebrate. Antonio, a local chef, cooked up a taco feast for all of us, including lettuce and tomato (which have been impossible to find at the stores lately). The food was delicious, and nothing beats the excitement of a newly certified sailor! ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/img_9478.jpg) We, of course, called the green man to pick us up and bring us back to our dinghy. We went for an afternoon swim, washed, and put away our fruit! ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/img_9489.jpg) I counted it all: we have 27 mangos, 10 star fruits, 1 bunch of bananas, 1 papaya, 12 limes, 1 [soursop](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Soursop?ref=svsabado.com), and 4 bundles of [guaya](https://www.princess-hotels.com/en/blog/8-exotic-caribbean-fruits-you-should-try/?ref=svsabado.com#:~:text=Guaya,usually%20eaten%20fresh%20when%20ripe.). YUM! We spent the evening lying on the trampolines. The reprieve from the heat once the sun sets is something we look forward to every day, and there’s no better spot on the boat to enjoy it than the bow! We discussed past and future sailing plans and only turned in for the night when the rain forced us to. This morning is off to a rocky start. One of the vacuum-sealed bags of chicken we had in the fridge leaked raw chicken juice everywhere. So, I’ve been elbow deep in our fridge, sanitizing everything. We had also planned to go for a sail today, but there’s currently only 3kn of wind… So, we’ll see where the day goes from here! The good news is, it’s sunny, and the water is beautiful. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/img_9460.jpg) I hope you had a great week! ❤️ ### Engine Maintenance & Friends Aboard! URL: https://svsabado.com/engine-maintenance-friends-aboard/ Last updated: 2023-07-23T14:00:46.000Z *A Week Aboard S/V Sabado: 7/16/2023 - 7/23/2023* **Good morning!** *[Here](https://youtu.be/7xxRJBx5cQw?ref=svsabado.com) is our latest YouTube video*. Last Sunday, we took the dinghy to shore to grab some cash from the ATM. We pulled up to the dinghy dock, tied off, and walked to the bank. In classic island fashion, it was out of service! So, we climbed back into the dinghy to head home; only our [outboard](https://www.uti.edu/blog/marine/outboard-motor-anatomy?ref=svsabado.com#:~:text=An%20outboard%20motor%20is%20a,the%20interior%20of%20the%20boat.) wouldn’t start. Ray pulled and pulled, popped the cover off, tinkered around with it, and pulled again, with no luck. We had decided to start paddling when a local on a boat nearby saw us struggling and came over in his dinghy to help. He offered to tow us, but we told him we had no money to give him in exchange. He chuckled and said, “Don’t matter. How’d all that money work out for [those guys in that submarine](https://www.ndtv.com/world-news/titanic-submarine-charging-tourists-250-000-missing-at-sea-4136025/amp/1?ref=svsabado.com), eh?” ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/snapshot-22-07-2023-0849.jpg) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/snapshot-22-07-2023-9.jpg) He towed us over to the marina and told us to wait while he walked to the local mechanic’s house to see if he’d come to help us on a Sunday afternoon. He returned a bit later with Patrick, the mechanic. Patrick pulled out his tools and got right to work. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/snapshot-22-07-2023-10.jpg) Watching him, it was clear he knew what he was doing. He was able to get our engine up and running but wanted to make sure we were properly taken care of. He said to come back Monday morning so he could perform a full service on our outboard. After all that, we decided to grab a late lunch on shore then head home for a movie night. ❤️ Monday morning, Ray met with the mechanic for the remainder of the outboard service. I stayed home to take care of a few things in preparation for the next few days: I cleaned the boat, made a provisioning list, and set up our guest cabin for a couple of our friends who were coming to stay with us later that week. Be honest, how do my towel animals look?! I was going for a crab and an octopus. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/img_9319.jpg) The next afternoon we motored around the island's South side to [Clarkes Court Marina](https://www.clarkescourtmarina.com/at-the-helm/?ref=svsabado.com). ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/snapshot-22-07-2023-11.jpg) We got a spot on their dock and grabbed a snack at the marina restaurant before wandering around the property. The marina has a boatyard/haul-out facility, a large marine chandlery, and several storefronts for various marine service centers. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/snapshot-22-07-2023-0851.jpg) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/snapshot-22-07-2023-13.jpg) We dropped off our laundry at the laundromat and took a taxi to the grocery store to provision. The next day the mechanics from [Palm Tree Marine](http://palmtreemarine.com/?ref=svsabado.com) arrived. They flushed our coolant system on both engines and examined the valves. Valve adjustments are a critical yet frequently overlooked maintenance task for diesel engines. [This](https://boattest.com/article/importance-valve-adjustment-keeps-diesel-running-smoothly?ref=svsabado.com) is an excellent article if you’d like to dive into the mechanics and importance of engine valves. Although ours weren’t particularly out of whack, they recommend adjusting them every 1,000 hours, and we’re at 1,400 hours. The mechanic talked through the process in [our latest YouTube video](https://youtu.be/7xxRJBx5cQw?ref=svsabado.com)! ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/snapshot-22-07-2023-14-1.jpg) We noticed a difference immediately! The engines sounded significantly smoother (less rattling) after the adjustments were made. We had checked another task off our to-do list. Our friends, Nick and Megan, arrived Wednesday afternoon. They sold their boat a little over a year ago and have been searching for a new one. They’ve had their eye on a catamaran for sale here in Grenada and flew down to check it out in person. So, the four of us spent the afternoon walking through the boat. Deciding whether or not to buy a used boat is a lengthy and complex process. They’ve been doing an excellent job of documenting the ups and downs of their journey on [their YouTube channel](https://youtube.com/@TheOKellys?ref=svsabado.com)! The next day the last of my provisioning order arrived. We did most of our shopping in person at [IGA](https://www.realvalueiga.com/?ref=svsabado.com), but I decided to try a meat delivery service this time to help stock our freezer. I ordered from [Meat & Meet](http://www.meatandmeetmarket.com/?ref=svsabado.com), and they delivered it to the marina that afternoon. Everything arrived individually vacuum sealed and labeled. I was impressed with the quality considering the price they charged! ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/img_9399-1.jpg) We’ve since eaten some of the deli meat and tuna, and it was great. I will be ordering from them again! Nick and Megan spent the day further inspecting the boat they were interested in. We all met up that night for dinner at [Carib Sushi](https://caribsushi.com/?ref=svsabado.com), our favorite sushi spot on the island! ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/d6060008-b4da-4b36-8602-ca8e4092793b.jpg) After dinner, we stayed up late chatting. The four of us first met in the Bahamas a couple of years ago and instantly clicked. Despite our different backgrounds, we have nearly identical outlooks on life. We discussed everything under the sun, only stopping out of sheer exhaustion. The following day I baked my first batch of muffins using my [sourdough starter](https://www.breadandbasil.nyc/sourdough/sourdough-starter?ref=svsabado.com). I like to pick up a new project or skill every hurricane season. It helps break up the monotony of being “stuck” somewhere for months. Last hurricane season, I got my Captain’s license; this season, I’m learning how to bake sourdough. I started cultivating my starter a couple of weeks ago, and it began doubling and falling last week, indicating that it is ready to bake with! So, I made some sourdough banana walnut muffins using honey, olive oil, local cinnamon, and those teeny tiny ultra-sweet bananas. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/img_9353.jpg) They turned out perfect! We ate the entire batch in 2 days. Baking a loaf of bread still seems intimidating… but we’ll see what next week brings! We left the dock Saturday afternoon. We had planned to anchor nearby but decided to sail back to [St. George’s](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/St.%5FGeorge%27s,%5FGrenada?ref=svsabado.com) instead. We hoisted the sails and shut off the engines. With steady wind and following seas, we had a beautiful trip! ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/img_9397.jpg) Nick and Megan were smiling ear to ear the entire time. It was a good reminder for them of what all the boat-buying shenanigans are for! ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/img_1796.jpg) We picked up a [mooring ball](https://www.lifeofsailing.com/post/slip-vs-mooring-ball?ref=svsabado.com#:~:text=Mooring%20balls%20are%20small%20buoys,bowline%20and%20tie%20up%20securely.) and immediately jumped off the stern. The water was calm and crystal clear. We blew up our floaties and relaxed for a while before having dinner in the cockpit and watching a movie. I’m not sure what the plan is for today, but there has been talk of a quest to find some tacos… I hope you had a great week! ❤️ ### Storms & Snorkeling at Ronde Island URL: https://svsabado.com/storms-snorkeling-at-ronde-island/ Last updated: 2023-07-16T12:18:39.000Z *A Week Aboard S/V Sabado: 7/9/2023 - 7/16/2023* **You can watch this week’s YouTube video [here](https://youtu.be/DwLqg4odmQQ?ref=svsabado.com). :)** We spent last Sunday relaxing. We were anchored off of [Ronde Island](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ronde%5FIsland?ref=svsabado.com), a private island between Carriacou and Grenada. The sun was out, and the water was calm. In 2007, Ronde Island was listed for sale at $100,000,000, making it the most expensive island property in the world at the time. It is still for sale today! We spent last week exploring more of Carriacou, but I couldn’t bring myself to write or edit a video. I think the heat here has dramatically impacted both of us. Our energy levels have been *incredibly* low! So, we took some time to care for each other and recharge. We had breakfast, did some yoga, and went for a swim. The sand was dark, a different backdrop for snorkeling than the white sand I’ve grown accustomed to. Honestly, it felt kind of spooky! ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/snapshot-15-07-2023-1624.jpg) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/snapshot-15-07-2023-1624-1.jpg) In place of established coral heads, there were fields of moss with chunks of bright coral throughout, something I hadn’t seen before! ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/snapshot-15-07-2023-1625.jpg) On my way back to the boat, I saw a small octopus. I’d never seen one outside of an aquarium; I was so excited! It seemed to be holding onto (or maybe eating?) something long and white… any ideas as to what this could be?! It looked too smooth to be a piece of coral, and I couldn’t find any information online! ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/snapshot-15-07-2023-20-1.png) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/snapshot-15-07-2023-1626-1.jpg) A few other boats arrived that afternoon. We were anticipating some bad weather that evening, so we got our chores done before it began. Ray did our laundry, hung it out to dry, and I polished our stainless steel. The clouds rolled in just before sunset. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/snapshot-15-07-2023-21.jpg) It was relatively calm until 2am when we were awoken by rain pounding on the fiberglass and wind howling through the rigging. Ray jumped out of bed, ran up top, and noticed that one of our beanbags was missing from the bow. In the dark with 30kn winds, it was a goner. He carried the other one back into the [cockpit](https://www.discoverboating.com/resources/parts-of-a-boat?ref=svsabado.com#:~:text=Cockpit%20%E2%80%93%20A%20protected%2C%20somewhat%20enclosed,boat%20is%20controlled%20or%20steered.). We scanned the anchorage. Luckily, no one had anchored in front of us, so we didn’t have to worry about someone dragging into Sabado. We saw several other boats turning on their lights and checking their positions. We stayed up until the wind died. The clouds hung around Monday, so we stayed put and did some pre-Pacific planning. We’re hoping to [cross the Panama Canal](https://www.lifeofsailing.com/post/can-sailboats-use-the-panama-canal?ref=svsabado.com) and head over to French Polynesia next year, and we want to make sure Sabado is in excellent condition for the trip. So, we put together a list of projects we want to complete beforehand and began making the necessary arrangements to start checking things off! Tuesday morning, we left Ronde and motored back to Grenada. The current was strong, and the wind was light, so we didn’t bother putting up our sails. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/img_9273.jpg) We motored to St. George’s, hopped onto a [mooring ball](https://www.lifeofsailing.com/post/slip-vs-mooring-ball?ref=svsabado.com#:~:text=Mooring%20balls%20are%20small%20buoys,bowline%20and%20tie%20up%20securely.), and went to shore for a late lunch. We returned to the boat, did some chores, and lounged in the heat. We watched the nearby resort’s fireworks show that night and went to bed early. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/img_9272.jpg) Wednesday morning, we defrosted our fridge/freezer. We intended to go grocery shopping that afternoon but ultimately got too lazy. I’m telling you, our energy levels have been LOW lately! Every task feels like 10x the work, and my limbs feel like they weigh 100lbs each. Grocery-less, we decided to head to shore for a dinner date! We went to [Sails Restaurant & Bar](https://sails-restaurant-bar.business.site/?utm%5Fsource=gmb&utm%5Fmedium=referral) and had a fabulous waterfront meal. Thursday morning, we walked to the grocery store. We’ve decided to try prioritizing more protein/fat and cut back on carbs in hopes of increasing our energy levels, so we attempted to shop accordingly. Unfortunately, the store closest to us seemed to be having some refrigeration issues… we picked up what we could and made plans to do a more thorough re-provision at a larger store next week. We spent the rest of the day cleaning and organizing the boat while scattered storms rolled through. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/img_9247.jpg) The past two days have looked like this: ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/img_9274.jpg) We’ve been trapped on the boat by rain. We ran our generator yesterday to give the batteries a good charge and have been passing the time with TV shows and computer work. However, I’m happy to report that the sun has returned for my birthday today! I woke up to its warm, familiar glow and breakfast and coffee made by Ray. ❤️ ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/img_9270.jpg) When I first moved aboard Sabado, I thought birthdays and holidays would be difficult being so far away from friends and family, but this is my fourth birthday as a [liveaboard](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Liveaboard?ref=svsabado.com#:~:text=Liveaboard%20can%20mean%3A,people%20to%20live%20aboard%20it.), and Ray has made each one so special. ❤️ I hope you had a great week! ❤️ ### Exploring Grenada and Carriacou URL: https://svsabado.com/exploring-grenada-and-carriacou/ Last updated: 2023-07-02T12:56:46.000Z *A Week Aboard S/V Sabado: 6/25/2023 - 7/2/2023* **Hi! Have you seen [our latest YouTube video](https://youtu.be/4HdEAQNjdvM?ref=svsabado.com)?** Monday morning, we took the dinghy to shore to explore Saint George’s, the capital of Grenada. We walked around the entire horseshoe-shaped harbor, checking out the fishing boats that were rafted up six ships deep! Nicknamed “Spice Island,” Grenada’s key crops include nutmeg, cocoa, cloves, vanilla, cinnamon, and ginger. Consequently, the air smells sweet, and quality spices are easy to find. We picked up some dark chocolate and cinnamon while we were out and stopped for breakfast before returning home. We spent the rest of the day catching up on boat chores and relaxing. We hadn’t had much sun since [Tropical Storm Bret](https://www.nytimes.com/article/tropical-storm-bret-hurricane.html?ref=svsabado.com) had passed, so we kept an eye on our power consumption, hoping to get by without running our generator… Tuesday morning, we met up with an old friend (and local taxi driver) to go grocery shopping. He took us to several stores: [Le Boucher](https://lebouchergrenada.business.site/?utm%5Fsource=gmb&utm%5Fmedium=referral) for fresh meat and cheese, a local fruit and vegetable market, then a proper grocery store for any last odds and ends. We picked up the usual, plus a few fun items, including a new fruit to try and some cinnamon + bay leaf cocoa balls (used here for hot chocolate!). We washed our produce and put everything away, then headed over to the fuel dock. We needed some diesel after our trip down here and wanted to fill our water tanks so we wouldn’t have to use our limited power supply to run our watermaker this week. The guys on the dock at [Grenada Yacht Club](https://www.grenadayachtclub.com/?ref=svsabado.com) were so friendly! They were excited about our YouTube Channel and asked if they could put our sticker on display. ☺️ We spent the day Wednesday taking care of Sabado. We did some chores and routine maintenance and FaceTimed our friends who are still in the USVI. We’ve accepted that long-distance friendships are a consequence of our chosen lifestyle, but we were spoiled spending *months* in the same waters as them this year!! We had dinner at home that night and watched a fantastic sunset from the boat. We left Thursday morning for Carriacou. It was a great day for a sail, with \~15kn winds and calm seas. We used our [main](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mainsail?ref=svsabado.com) and [jib](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jib?ref=svsabado.com), [reefing](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reefing?ref=svsabado.com#:~:text=Reefing%20reduces%20the%20area%20of,termed%20shaking%20out%20a%20reef.) periodically to handle the gusts between mountains. As we approached our destination, a strong current dropped our speed and changed our angle. We decided to drop the sails and motor for the final hour of our trip. We arrived in Tyrell Bay after lunch, surprised by the number of boats… Since 2019 (when Ray was last there), a few locals have installed a slew of unauthorized, un-maintained mooring balls. It seemed like boats were packed into every square inch of the place! We took a few laps and eventually found a spot to drop our anchor. Shortly after, we had a negative experience with a local who approached the boat. Nothing too serious, but he was rude and aggressive. We tried to brush it off. We went to shore, spent some money at the local businesses, and reminded ourselves that everybody has bad days! Unfortunately, after joining the local boaters’ Facebook page, we learned that others had had issues with the same man, and in some cases, he had gotten violent. The following day, after hearing he had forced another anchored vessel to leave by installing a mooring ball right next to their boat while they were sleeping, we decided to go. *\*\*\*Since we left, the local government has begun encouraging boaters in Tyrell Bay to attend “consultation sessions” to communicate their concerns and hopefully improve their experience on the island.\*\*\** We motored over to a small, quiet cove nearby with a beautiful white sand beach! We had the place to ourselves, so we enjoyed the sunshine and went snorkeling. This was the first time I’d swam since Antigua, and I’m happy to report that our pet fish made it to Grenada with us! This fish has traveled with us around our prop/sail drive for two months!? I also saw a puffer fish and thousands of minnows. ![](null) ### June 2023: Behind the Scenes URL: https://svsabado.com/june-2023-behind-the-scenes/ Last updated: 2023-07-01T10:50:44.000Z Between our YouTube Channel and our blog, we share a lot of our life on the water. However, there are always things that go undocumented. Over the years, we have met plenty of new liveaboards who feel like they were “duped” into this lifestyle by its romanticized portrayal on social media. In our experience, living full-time on a boat is expensive, it is hard work, and it is time-consuming. Is it worth it? For us, yes. Is it worth it for you? I’m not sure! **So, in an effort to paint a more realistic picture of boat life, here is a bullet-point list of things we failed to document in June 2023:** - We soaked the line we use for our dinghy davits in fabric softener to quiet the noise when we lift/lower the dinghy. - One of the corners of our helm enclosure ripped during a gusty sail. We replaced the front sections last year with thicker/higher quality strata glass and have not had problems with those, but we did not replace the aft sections. Over time, they have become thin and brittle. Ray stitched it with the UV-resistant thread we had on board. We plan on replacing the remaining sections in the future. - I polished our stainless once. - Ray replaced the raw water pump for the port engine with the new one we purchased [last month](https://svsabado.com/april-may-2023-behind-the-scenes/). - The zipper on our sail bag broke, despite it being less than two years old! The company offered to send us a new one if needed, but Ray was able to repair it for now. - We noticed some chaffing on one of our reefing lines. It was just the cover, not the dyneema. The line was long enough to cut and whip to repair ourselves. - One of the tiki torches we keep on the stern died! Ray took it apart to try to fix it but couldn't. We’ll order a replacement on Amazon and have it shipped to whoever will visit us next. - We tested our new power system (900Ah LiFePO4 batteries + 1800W solar) through Tropical Storm Bret. We had about a week of high cloud cover, so we kept an eye on our power consumption to see how long we could go before we needed the generator. We returned to cooking with propane, turned the inverter off when we went to sleep at night and were able to make it through without running the generator! Our batteries never dropped below 30%. - We had several unplanned night sails this month. Whether it was getting kicked out of our anchorage in the middle of the night by angry fishermen, choosing to leave after a boat anchored irresponsibly in front of us, or not getting a secure anchor grab at our desired destination, we were forced to adapt. Being flexible (even when you’re tired!) is a vital part of this lifestyle. - We noticed a leak when cleaning our top loader fridge. The lower section had separated, allowing water to seep through the seam where the two pieces connect, pooling on the floor in the salon. This seems to be a common issue for this refrigeration unit. We are planning on placing something underneath to support the lower section and applying sealant along the seam. - Our custom monitor system crashed after a Windows update. We could still monitor our batteries on our phones, but it got us thinking about future spares/backups! The [SimplyNUC](https://simplynuc.com/mini-pcs/?gclid=Cj0KCQjwnf-kBhCnARIsAFlg491gfoorG70aLVfNNsiEJ1xgQWwDXtmWrffmXxBzfsjjqoSgn7tp1A4aAuqmEALw%5FwcB&ref=svsabado.com) tech support was quick to respond, and Ray was able to get things back up and running later that day. ### Out-Running Bad Weather URL: https://svsabado.com/out-running-bad-weather/ Last updated: 2023-06-26T12:53:12.000Z *A Week Aboard S/V Sabado: 6/18/2023 - 6/26/2023* **Gooooood morning!** I apologize for being a day late this week. I wasn’t feeling well yesterday but am doing much better today, so let’s jump right into it- *[Here](https://youtu.be/6BuF9rOV9tg?ref=svsabado.com) is our latest YouTube video. :)* Last Sunday, we took the dinghy to shore, walked to the Customs and Immigration office, and officially checked into Dominica. Ray fell in love with this island in 2019, and I instantly understood why: it was stunning, and the people were unbelievably kind. One of the locals affiliated with [Portsmouth Association of Yacht Services (PAYS)](https://dominicapays.wixsite.com/pays/who-are-we?ref=svsabado.com), named Andrew, picked us up that afternoon to take us down the [Indian River](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indian%5FRiver%5F%28Dominica%29?ref=svsabado.com). Historically, the river was used as an access route to the Caribbean Sea for locals to transport goods for trade with sailors along the island chain. Now, it is a protected freshwater swamp home to various species of crabs, iguanas, birds, and plants. No motorboats are allowed, so Andrew rowed us down the river. He told us about the impacts of Hurricane Maria and shared stories of driving a boat for the production team while filming [Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pirates%5Fof%5Fthe%5FCaribbean:%5FDead%5FMan%27s%5FChest?ref=svsabado.com). We got to see the famous Witch House from the movie: At the end of the river was a small bar, so we stopped for a few drinks, and Andrew made us three woven figurines out of palm fronds to take home. Doesn’t the last one look like the little fish that has been living in our sail drive? ![](null) We returned to Sabado, only for another PAYS man to stop by with a bowl of mangos that Andrew had picked from the tree at his house for us! We had planned to stay in Dominica for *at least* another day, but when we saw the updated weather forecast the next morning, we knew we needed to move farther South. [Tropical Storm Bret](https://www.nytimes.com/article/tropical-storm-bret-hurricane.html?ref=svsabado.com) was expected to hit the islands beginning Wednesday. We reluctantly left. We hoisted our sails, shut off the engines, and set our course for Bequia. We planned to sail through the night, anchor there, and then decide if we wanted to travel the final stretch to Grenada based on the latest weather projections. The wind was steady, and the sea was calm. We averaged a [SOG](https://www.bandg.com/glossary/?ref=svsabado.com#:~:text=SOG,to%20current%20and%20wind%20etc.) of 7kn for the majority of the trip, and we saw three different pods of dolphins, just after I had been complaining to Ray that we haven’t seen many this season! ### Excellent Sailing and Fresh Produce: Traveling Down Island URL: https://svsabado.com/excellent-sailing-and-fresh-produce-traveling-down-island/ Last updated: 2023-06-18T12:49:55.000Z *A Week Aboard S/V Sabado: 6/11/2023 - 6/18/2023* **Good morning!** *[Here](https://youtu.be/UAsFBoN0%5FS8?ref=svsabado.com) is our latest YouTube video!* Last Sunday, Ray replaced the [raw water pump on our port engine](https://oceannavigator.com/elements-of-engine-cool-raw-water-pump-and-pressure-cap/?ref=svsabado.com#:~:text=Raw%2Dwater%20pump%20This%20pump,circuit%20using%20a%20rubber%20impeller.). It’s a job we’ve had on our radar for a while now, and we were able to find a replacement when we were in St. Martin, so we decided to install it now while we wait for a rebuild kit for the original. In classic boat project fashion, it took the entire morning and required twice as many tools as we anticipated… Later that afternoon, as we sat down for lunch, two men dinghied up to our boat. They didn’t speak much English, but the second Ray made out the word “help,” he climbed in, and they zoomed off. I kept a close eye on them from Sabado. They pulled up to a small [monohull](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monohull?ref=svsabado.com#:~:text=A%20monohull%20is%20a%20type,hulls%20connected%20to%20one%20another.) that was dragging anchor. The three of them boarded the boat and got the engines on and the anchor up. They moved the boat and reset the anchor. It was only a few hours later, with the help of Google Translate, that we discovered the two men were from the catamaran next to us. The boat that was dragging anchor belonged to a local, who stopped by later that day to thank Ray. Monday afternoon, we decided to go to shore to figure out our trash disposal options. Liveaboards are always looking for four things: laundry, trash, groceries, or propane. We sorted it out, then wandered into a little waterfront bar for an afternoon beer. ![](https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/pcvesjBPcdbW0psMidAyY_19ZW8KMQQcseenh9FkUmzLcvNLBrGfkaR5nd2fiAgvN1G--beLrOGPMxitzRiH0OyEUssk8Xw71CAhiDs3UoQ_Z0IWzUHQEvTxIB82Ypd8bxwqxkgDWL-cY68PlWUWXxc) We returned to Sabado and got back to work: Ray repaired a portion of our [helm enclosure](https://www.powerandmotoryacht.com/.amp/maintenance/enclosures-exposed?ref=svsabado.com) that had ripped during a gusty sail last week, and I did some cleaning, polishing, and UV protecting. By Tuesday, we were ready for a change of scenery. We had our eye on a weather window to continue South later in the week, so we just moved to a quieter anchorage around the corner. We had the entire place to ourselves, exactly how we like it! We made some water, did our laundry, and swam off the back of the boat. ![](https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/xb3E9kHKJqks5cTyqZjEWitqYVVIbuRQzjQj78tpvHGzv1SlbSYmfsj_ExYOraoUw3iKK8sjYfRBrmjU5ajh-hD7q4vgqNUelVswf9uCdDRPct6OM9Ztti6n-L4amehCVUK4P8VaRpuwoZcnOVI6HWo) ![](https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/7IKkD8hT_Timynd_3uABLvwx8EWKflHgNU56HW07p65z7qY37rUdS1xg7CCrnHh3MJjiwXyLSCvj_GlpFQXzcBPLXp-HNmUuM2wwiyXto8OfqM_u1xF6aU2CLqgHtgjt-HckHc2Mz2HMGrexIgmxD7c) The next day we decided to take the dinghy to explore some caves we saw on our way in. We had heard that the snorkeling in Antigua wasn’t great because of the suspended sand in the water around the island, so my expectations were low. Although the visibility was poor, and most of the coral was coated in white silt, the rock around the caves was beautiful, with purple, red, and yellow veins throughout. Some caves had shallow white sand interiors, and others were dark and spooky. ![](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/YGY_g8ITRvnImg-gaHXvXBRiSicxUX_AaBJvqwmNjKhdBAC9ts8VhLvxVyfWEhAVIAnERA7oljK2lrfpnzfUN6R09Y3yP9qp0bLSewa6Dps2t0TX6G2gzACxBmEgL91WTrJqHXY4rtO9txNaY3aCNjY) ![](https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/Erl6W0dIKJLWA-3qtazDbOgzUZpDr3xe6h09kjnMHszPj9NvB7Rnny38297w60jHqIZnbZLP3EcA1yqdbWs5sXB6dxNK9t9SqfKawHLg0IaV8mIJO3XcqRO0BL8QPZGg5k13L7b0wNsH2Yw-xs_MCyU) ![](https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/3u8S_9VrZ5S3IT7PBxbvWIt31-569YeAnCioogVc5szR-K9TcY4A93J2_m3TinWfPtBQSFm_Z27h0SIpJ8cDvIcpUlgpR5z0cKZVwI9p_GSW7rgaJOa34w7B-E_i2KY-2q3oqffjS4Yl_c4cY6ScXWs) After I had poked my head into every one, I climbed back into the dinghy, and we headed home. We spent the day Thursday preparing to move. We stopped by the grocery store and visited the lady selling fruit on the side of the road. We checked out of the country, put away all the boat project supplies we’d used this week, and went to sleep early. We left first thing Friday morning. It was a little bumpy, but since we weren’t sailing close to the wind, we weren’t bashing into every wave, so it was pretty comfortable! We used our [main](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mainsail?ref=svsabado.com) and [jib](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jib?ref=svsabado.com), sailing the entire way to Guadeloupe. ![](https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/lBwPDPUTd2keAQx3HsFe7_YbOiCaK_ERzd1zZHYyxQrheGcVhBVTy81IBSuoc5DCDftt3pgZm29R1xkdBm7Y68W_Ook_BLdndIhRYqKtzXMZ2wQ3m9GuaAh3MGlsEiL3osPHZ1edOLEoq0_GdVsg2bY) ![](https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/ow509gU-TLgenoPNlyk72I2t12XOiMKSHdm-7Wy0ds_6tkn5g6HPqlAxsHi8lmJev7-Vlnp9fcYL2pFCfuPPGQLImtcnmDN2sydk_QZCH1sPXgyfzkD4VfdBlV7K1ZgvjOqH2JAv5Q9qqQdZsCNTuLc) Sabado performed well, and we cheered her on as our [speed over ground](https://help.fleetmon.com/en/articles/5338877-difference-of-speed-over-ground-sog-and-speed-through-water-stw?ref=svsabado.com) headed into double digits. We had a blast! Within minutes of dropping our anchor, two small birds tried to move into our [boom](https://www.discoverboating.com/resources/sailing-basics-10-nautical-and-sailing-terms-to-learn?ref=svsabado.com#:~:text=Boom,the%20direction%20of%20the%20wind.). ![](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/PDKc9XlAYXjnZzZ_VOlpVzEr9epKIU_tDYpsse4tcrSDbCvFEtGRPyg-9RU4AyiANR6NUwex25SwE4be_K0RQFUhwsSmiVzauYcJEUouVJrkrV7rYMeeoMUEpcX62BPqBAA5AiEr3YKm_wgatzlvwMo) They were relentless! After repeatedly shooing them away, I resorted to taping the opening shut. ![](https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/B1CG6r8eauKTgLQzr6RTDFSw9BjJJ5j68HUuEgA4Cp-UCkRmzuBkrvV06ijnTlNPdgCY6sGcoSw6pXlRFgoDDGcUawaoy7p9wFamltN9PI28rAvK5fRtELzFCYEtEI7PHWg7MHMkVDLFVo4hnmBap34) This confused them, and they spent the rest of the evening perched nearby, tweeting at the tape. ![](https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/1jk_N4rKiuSm5IdlrS4Y_dePDupsYFzq9BXNXRqSyb6l_UPEkTC_eFgzaEJCClpF3O7EOgJ2MRjJJly8jzVop8EdQauIneWmuU96-4pDheJSOuUvhu6q6Qdu6gKwe-TTAXRHaGce8lQ_S_xhpr5tPQA) I chopped up the mystery melon we got in Antigua that night. I had asked the lady if it was a cantaloupe, but she shook her head no. It smelled sweet and was a great price, so we had brought it home anyway. It turns out it’s a [Galia melon](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Galia%5Fmelon?ref=svsabado.com): a honeydew and cantaloupe hybrid. It’s white and green inside, the white part being the sweetest! We cubed it up, filled four containers, and popped them in the fridge. Once cold, we ate it by the bowl-full with a bit of flaky sea salt on top. ![](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/F_1ZLUbdduf6x-H1zA15kfvpta5Kykx-YVUJtzKb1b8CormD0a81Pq6lJGgJMOKElegtCrsjJXKw4QsCTXKo7jWEjxt8G8uqP7e_zEIucRUXrf8a1UaWJR0jKzOQt7BjmpeqBjKQlNsr16-Lcrol0kw) ![](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/12tolVgQLnHwQXAsQhOlKJrBy3dtAG09FeqcTf1kdi1r5wmNVE6tUGJPdvJ2Hv9KFknwOtjctjqCFn8gGnhKgHEwT-dTK884s7N_0zcLQkh7F6J7BqX7kWPpY9aG3frrWlrbwDzLF3C5xg31GLpfvOU) We continued on Saturday morning. We started off motoring through glassy water without a breath of wind. Thankfully, the wind filled out as we left the island's protection, and we had another lovely sail. We used our main and jib, starting with one [reef](https://www.lifeofsailing.com/post/how-to-reef?ref=svsabado.com#:~:text=Your%20Boat's%20System-,What%20is%20Reefing%3F,much%20wind%20it%20is%20overpowered.) and going down to 2 as the wind gusted up to 30kn. ![](https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/_fIVdvz8I91va-9DpzWCGGGEaoI7EF59tMXtqRuQFkO55hP0bSN0mve9em65VXb6VEDcEjnT99ASEoK1ijwwazus0pUIGGZ9YLeFvMQLs7dxM7VxUkqP9vnHRs06HBVgLczXqMVn9aA-raUvF6bV5vo) ![](https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/MFhGxGm9btcgEbzkq0-roYo0x_A-qSmXKi3LC7nWg5NuQlZX9cr-DvBMQ5X9jH0tYyMLMulCS9I6KYxsHXdD9faHMN3iI-F5Btq115Bs9gMQM_Z5cux86sROZ4lF8gZilWmtmKzIQ-oA30AFcbQK3KU) During the last hour of our trip, we started hearing a new squeak. We’re pretty obsessive when tracking down noises on Sabado because, in our experience, a new noise is likely an early indicator of a larger problem. So I took the helm while Ray worked on it. ![](https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/VlNgH5Wc_PvUOkmOujrHK8GfW9jBZkfr6ZUF4GUeR5P2-YIx2MN3wWKAqP_awDXFuJ-e6-nrCvtRhnHqiJjF4DLUUswp2yX-maUOjqOWN6gu6zVVod4pUpwHuHxTOlb2DuMPD1erQLSHJEhl4i-X7EI) We sailed into Portsmouth, Dominica, as far as we could. We’ve been a bit lazy this year, dropping our sails early and motoring into most of our destinations, but the past two days of excellent sailing have reignited our desire to sail as much and as far as possible! It’s been a while since I practiced hand steering under sail, so I took the helm and guided us in while Ray gave me some tips to maintain our speed. Ray says he isn’t a good teacher, but I learn *so* much from him! We dropped the sails and were met by a man on a small motorboat with the letters P-A-Y-S painted on the side. The island has a non-profit organization called Portsmouth Association of Yacht Services (PAYS) that provides security, mooring, and delivery services to cruisers. The PAYS man led us to our mooring ball and even looped the lines through for us! We paid him 30EC (\~10 USD) to stay the night and a few extra bucks for him to bring us a bag of ice for our arrival cocktails. ![](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/oeX5ucqbapJimHEDbcNaGeMfOSpafCwV8l82Ce923bzffx1U0XDc6nTE84wagfCmnCT7bIrcu_BJBXYIy5OmajsewThgVPmmaGQN21lu6IotHtKRKsBKrrnckAwLq5uZCxLUh7E_MleYGVy_qnN__qM) Later that afternoon, a man paddled up to our stern with a crate full of produce. He set an assortment on our [sugar scoop](https://www.pbo.co.uk/nautical-almanac/glossary-of-nautical-terms/sugar-scoop-7125?ref=svsabado.com#:~:text=A%20transom%20that's%20extended%20or%20hollowed%20out%20to%20incorporate%20a%20bathing%20platform.), and we gave him some canned food and a bit of vodka in exchange. ![](https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/mvo82-Oief6RuRg0T7MdWk_GHO90rl2bpEyhOUkPps6kTFXXqOEBeyv6TexOxPJGtdVj3mkm_D2MX9ykfT8w9weDA3V3l8J4zEai3QZlD6zIqO51z9N9Ycm6jjVxkj_qx8CR4N87E8_QiyeKMzTMmaw) A lot of the guidebooks encourage you to ignore these guys, but we never do, especially if they’re willing to trade for food! Even if we get ripped off, we’d rather be kind to a local than assume the worst. Plus, I’m confident we will enjoy the fresh fruits and vegetables he gave us much more than we would a can of tuna! We gave everything a thorough wash and went to bed. I’m not 100% sure what it all is, but I’m excited to cook with it today! We originally planned to leave this morning, but I think we might stay a while instead… I hope you had a great week! ❤️ ### Plans Written in Sand at Low Tide… URL: https://svsabado.com/plans-written-in-sand-at-low-tide/ Last updated: 2023-06-11T12:50:22.000Z *A Week Aboard S/V Sabado: 6/4/2023 - 6/11/2023* **Hi hi!! Happy Sunday!** *Have you seen [our latest YouTube video](https://youtu.be/HapAMyhUJ7E?ref=svsabado.com)?* Monday morning, we decided to hike up to the fort overlooking our anchorage. We’d been anchored on the French side of Saint Martin for a bit longer than anticipated due to some irregular weather patterns, and we were beginning to go a little stir-crazy. So, we took the dinghy to shore to stretch our legs. For the past week, we’d been staring up at Fort Louis, but it had been unbearably hot, making the thought of a hike repulsive. The heat hadn’t subsided, but we felt we’d acclimated. We made our way up the trail and were rewarded with a beautiful panoramic view. ![](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/D-ZDwctOFZ7Xexf1Hn5Z8uBlK2UFfrVtW8FURMGJKjyk68qv-bSW9zYaPQ3nyPiO60OuHldtLgGZt_t_E6X331WlrmaD0r-_T18YSa-CXhUNio1AUEAChhvQH-Bg1B1AH2nhkcO2QEzkxavhgKS1lsk) ![](https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/076ikatyUjstvJGL9Pb5DuCAlPwn1L5AJJNHTr_O8udLCZuW0kEsJ4ymwhQyavvPYGWXeghZwKxDnVccF6c4KnoGob4hYhCTEv5ivw6hOrv8Ljb-DOHeI0U44QkROu9Ib7YthfMmGcdzLBzYi6R4diA) [Fort Louis](https://www.visitstmaarten.com/monuments/fort-louis/?ref=svsabado.com) was built in 1789 to protect Marigot Bay, where they stored most of their harvested goods from Dutch and Spanish pirates. It was a sweaty trek to the top, but it was worth it! After our hike, we wandered around town. We stopped at a grocery store to pick up more shelf-stable milk for our yogurt maker, then had a fabulous lunch at the yacht club. ![](https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/TFhmLzVs3hIXBIf6_X_2Zn4Q6I04Vzv9jcGAVdOO0yNQS0T_XaRT9p00jMnE1HkFdA9xeSc-FmtsM3h7fGDAi-zVLo3RnSj580xu4MuQSSAJTVgJp37iBcdFM0v4-6JbWZsPNklr3jjbUNlsEUMrNME) The next day we decided to revisit our favorite cheese shop. We discovered [Le Comptoir Des Fromages](https://lecomptoirdesfromages.fr/?ref=svsabado.com) when we were here a few months ago and haven’t forgotten it since. They sell a small but excellent selection of oil, vinegar, salt, and cheeses, but the best experience by far is taking a seat and ordering a curated cheese board. The gal who works there will ask you a few questions about your preferences/how hungry you are and bring out custom tasting boards with fresh bread for you to enjoy. We *had* to order some wine to go with it, too. ![](https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/2iwof7TgZRsyG7zSYQGiN_B_-CT5055IUNSo9ylJZfmnhvL9ap66saOYWF3YSa8eX6uFVPu7m7iqyJ4dMu9ZtJYPTQi8vsTJMUU79Jerb6G5i20RxtRKVtn7MH5fO-AT2ATbWIvQQccuRZtBR4sMncQ) We took our time, munching our way through each option and discussing. Our favorites were the goat cheese rolled in vegetable ashes (round, bottom of the board) and the herbed sheep’s milk cheese from Corsica (to the left of the goat cheese). We made it back to Sabado just in time for a beautiful sunset! ![](https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/7pI_XHzcxAKyprg7vkl5C3Jx4Hdxst9Do6c5IAJ7Ue6Fkl6_n10-SbtpfKmGqBnUDkceGbyWVJwKYm2yrnfwVcA3OPEiIoze1dKBw6wq9xUalJ3k2Nn25Nh5cJ1sojpN05Od1d2SQikh0EvAxqJ88SI) By Wednesday morning, we were ready for a change of scenery. The weather didn’t allow for a substantial move, but we decided to pull up our anchor and make a small hop South to Saint Barts. It was sweltering when we left, and the lack of wind only amplified the heat. We were sweaty messes. We motored through the flat, still water for a few hours before arriving at the packed port. ![](https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/uEBebTdIbLia59cet9NzwewLRN_pP5ggbxmUIaWOvtAz3HVlW_EY_MqMcUOqEY3nLCakc50OBJpAFiShQA1MU9osl6rxANRTa7kPGbgQHJq3EwAXayDEFccePzIR_3Scvc2b_r4Ze8ny7JutyzFasIo) ![](https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-GQU1gcCHMXy2tr8WI_l0Bp4r4OFLVjkgPPgl2sCwTirr06N4ynHOIc6xWb3utdTizl62FoK35UuBxmow97SvoAtkZOnlZ2LJnW5u8-vvDgGGi2lt3xWoEHk8N4UXMeGHrXYB7oWsHXb4XWQMDrW2ks) We took a few laps around, looking for a spot to anchor, but the only available space was too deep for us. We decided to continue on. Unfortunately, the places we had planned on going to next were too far away; we’d be arriving at night in unfamiliar waters, something we do our best to avoid. So, we headed out without a real plan. Luckily, the wind filled out. We raised our sails and went where the wind wanted us to: Saint Kitts. We found a side-of-the-road type anchorage on our charts, good enough for an unplanned one-night stay! We used our [main](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mainsail?ref=svsabado.com) and [jib](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jib?ref=svsabado.com), sailing the entire way with a [SOG](https://help.fleetmon.com/en/articles/5338877-difference-of-speed-over-ground-sog-and-speed-through-water-stw?ref=svsabado.com) of \~5.5kn. It was quite a treat considering our original plan was just a short motor. ⛵️ ![](https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/lHl3_46UtzQzgwi6SqDMJEVGC-jvAU7bw6lhs3Z7DqhIiiFJdEOF5Jqkz-5Ghp7zaMJB0NV5jdT17iz8ZxTdfu8k1NdsvUx46hOnV6K3243WMxfpUD0gVmtwmMZNbSoDRXnCz-ZZ4XaW5EPsBTD0dkU) ![](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/X3RPdLlpBNIcUMyHDrCgm7ZNaAMie6UoYURr6jONIR34PXEUoltdPUosUOKZSiQBg06lDvdi8at_xA8RX7sCv7PXA4fHkBi83_zNzqit4gfijGnpC5rxIHBs2XSxcqTZpZh15I6kVUazbtaAu4eaqow) We approached Saint Kitts as the sun was setting and dropped our anchor just before dark. ![](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/qoM1IyZIK6zBjN1Tn4UDZpxHZfo0V2EyP5Gs7cD5RYhLED3GVgmdR6nxW6ZGGMDD5CtpR6lNna0EgppDRyjrYFKrhjRgDjzfWYaC77liqJXP-wig-PtqYBLHcwathQtLcaXoPzBjdqvgtkfwmDig5Tk) ![](https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/XFTMWojGK8dowDK0_9uvC6WsHLNhhlHWmTeYV4ABHDv5XhOWvG-270eqrxXpXrCTUja29ejxCzq1XYaWH1HZvnuM3uIBsdecVbDrlGjFOr-x5S_dQvIobK-OvVX1bxs-x_4NQkPQgj4sBDK2ltIbglU) ![](https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/2G5alc1ZH_0RByGX50SEPIBGAdXTuLnfksxA9UObabo9YgGqhhKC1pFTRUpf1YBInqyN9upwE54dhDL8U-2KjnWUQqougIO8LrjlVqQflSs2uv1OiaCL6tJgICOpAYUm2t0mnyrToD94GaceCLnCAeE) We settled at the base of a large mountain covered in lush greenery. There were only two other boats around, a yacht and a fellow sailing catamaran. The downside: it reeked of burning garbage. We could see the fire ashore, and the wind was blowing the stench directly into the anchorage. We cooked ourselves some dinner and poured each other a glass of whiskey, cheersing to a day well spent. The fire stopped just before we went to bed, and we had a fresh, steady breeze throughout the night. We left first thing in the morning. With [hurricane season](https://www.sailingeurope.com/blog/sailing-in-the-caribbean-during-hurricane-season?ref=svsabado.com) upon us and the deadline set by our insurance to be in Grenada rapidly approaching, we wanted to get down to Guadeloupe. It was a bit rough leaving the anchorage, we were motoring directly into 25kn of wind and 4ft seas, but we hoped things would flatten out once we reached deeper water. ![](https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-6ZDqKr1zBNvkgeVMG0pbJGtHOYfic6Z77ZDHrZElrAID-Juwi_Lqkn791CSo8Uoa9-YqnHaNTNDVQBwhALlUGCA1ST0ZA1HS13iK_NrY3E83ovEca4J5lZB8K_FbnrQ5onw40G4QZBLoLBck_8CMFI) ![](https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/nST5rFV0mURLlG9_B9iLO4HvyGWhAay88BE-OngJ1_Xsfyg4-xniOQ_Er_cu4b3yrBS1wWM2A-S7QmPbvRURKSN74A7-dzhrkLz2Kh_9lwLC8XtXWAZVIImSP-71huIx-JTVUeW9vs782hzCvghhsxU) Despite our high hopes (and 2-3ft following seas in the forecast), we were met with 6ft waves coming from two different directions across our bow, resulting in a pretty miserable day. It was nothing we, or the boat, couldn’t handle; it just wasn’t fun. We were able to sail, but the wind was forcing us in a different direction than we had planned *again*! So, we went with it. We dropped anchor in Montserrat later that afternoon in a beautiful, serene anchorage flanked by limestone cliffs. It smelled better here. ![](https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/XVuJEr3ZTm-eORGZ1kdy6MlL8e-feUNXaeNQiMVtNaf_jeQfggTmC7yPuIW8suHh_Wk610kAL9nb7uHw3WOM9mlS8-nsaNM9gp4zrpm56cbg0G2J7PPw8XEOxjMbGS4o1tW7geG5hf_t1FzipZuyrAA) ![](https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/bRLTV2gN6nyKrjvqe3UQAylAhOy3EdJUhELhg--3m3KS0A9aqfrx6Jg-tC4-S8BL1uWKBXrBldItptwUuOdE3ILd4da9t6KbEM8WFoXiH57bSVMzgRlh034PCjc8FwwsukhnYl-LoDsT3XpHGDlmDbs) We were exhausted, so we had an early dinner, watched the sunset, and went straight to sleep. We left again the following day. We found ourselves bopping around in 6ft+ seas and 30kn winds. We laughed at our complaints from the previous day, as this was *much* worse. We got the sails up, but Ray had to hand steer to guide us over the waves in the least offending way. I didn’t even bother to pick up a camera. We pulled into the closest destination we could: Antigua. We arrived too late in the day to check into the country, so we anchored in an empty cove. Although the past couple of days had been rough sailing, I’ve really enjoyed the empty anchorages we’ve found; those are few and far between in the US/British Virgin Islands! Saturday morning, we moved over to Jolly Harbor and went to shore to check-in. Customs and Immigration was a lengthy process but very organized. There was no line, and all the agents were incredibly helpful! Jolly Harbour is usually packed, but since it’s officially off-season here, it’s just us and four other boats. Once we cleared in, we walked around in search of brunch. Most restaurants were closed, but we found a tiny cafe and grabbed some food. I saw a breakfast [roti](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roti%5F%28wrap%29?ref=svsabado.com#:~:text=Originating%20in%20the%20Caribbean%20with,eaten%20widely%20across%20the%20Caribbean.) on the menu, which I had never seen before. It was a typical roti skin filled with spiced eggs, bacon, sausage, cheese, and peppers. It was delicious! After brunch, we went home, finished editing, and posted [our latest YouTube video](https://youtu.be/HapAMyhUJ7E?ref=svsabado.com). We rinsed the salt off the boat from our bumpy passages and cleaned the interior. We checked the weather forecast this morning, and it’s looking like we’ll be hanging out in Antigua for a while, so today, we’re going to research what to see/do around here! Overall, this wasn’t the week we had planned, but it was a good week nonetheless. ❤️ ### April- May 2023: Behind the Scenes URL: https://svsabado.com/april-may-2023-behind-the-scenes/ Last updated: 2023-06-01T11:48:36.000Z Between our YouTube Channel and our blog, we share a lot of our life on the water. However, there are always things that go undocumented. Over the years, we have met plenty of new liveaboards who feel like they were “duped” into this lifestyle by its romanticized portrayal on social media. In our experience, living full-time on a boat is expensive, it is hard work, and it is time-consuming. Is it worth it? For us, yes. Is it worth it for you? I’m not sure! **So, in an effort to paint a more realistic picture of boat life, here is a bullet-point list of things we failed to document in April- May 2023:** *We had our wedding the first week of May and forgot to post our list from April. So, we have included it in this month’s list.* - I polished our stainless twice in April and twice in May. The boat got extra salty moving to and from St. Thomas/St.John/BVI so much; I found things got rusty quickly, despite our best efforts to rinse the boat often. Usually, I polish once a month. - Ray recharged our top-loading fridge once. We have a refrigerant leak that would require replacing the entire cooling system to fix, so for now, whenever we turn it off and back on again, we recharge it. We keep all supplies needed on board, which initially cost \~$100. - We noticed our generator was emitting more exhaust and less water than usual. We replaced the impeller but saw no improvement. I dove to check the intake thru-hole, and it was clear. Ray discovered a small filter right before the heat exchanger that was completely clogged, a lot of carbon buildup in the exhaust elbow, and the anode in the heat exchanger had become white mush. He cleared the filter and exhaust elbow and replaced the anode with a spare we had on board. The generator has been fine ever since! \* *knock on wood*\* - We changed the starboard engine impeller while underway after noticing the engine was getting less water than usual. The old impeller looked fine, but we tore one of the fins during the removal process, so we went ahead and replaced it with a spare we had on board. The water flow issue was a sargassum clog in the raw water intake holes. - We changed the filter on our water maker once. We haven’t had to do this often since we’ve been in the Caribbean! - Ray added sensors to our propane tanks, allowing us to see how much we have in each tank. The sensors cost $30 each on Amazon. - Ray scrubbed the teak in our cockpit once. It’s been two months since we had it refinished, and it is still looking great! - We replaced one of the blocks on our dinghy davit system after it started squeaking, and lubricating it did not help. The replacement block cost $40 in St. Martin. - The fan in the owner's cabin finally died (we started having issues with it in [January](https://svsabado.com/january-2023-behind-the-scenes/)). We replaced it with the newer version from the same brand, Caframo. The replacement cost $120 at Island Water World in St. Martin. We’ve noticed a significant difference in the performance of the new fan, as it sits farther away from the wall, which seems to increase airflow. - We accidentally left a hatch open in rough seas and spent two days cleaning the salt water from our port forward cabin. - We helped a fellow cruiser get their watermaker up and running using our spare boost pump. So, we purchased a new one for $431.95 in St. Martin. The folks we gave ours to said they would replace our spare, so eventually, we will have two backups on board. - The raw water pump for our port engine has a seal that’s leaking, so we bought a new pump for \~$450 in St. Martin. We hope to get a rebuild kit soon, so we will keep the old one as a spare. ### Keep the People In the Boat, Keep the Water Out of the Boat URL: https://svsabado.com/keep-the-people-in-the-boat-keep-the-water-out-of-the-boat/ Last updated: 2023-05-28T13:13:03.000Z *A Week Aboard S/V Sabado: 5/21/2023 - 5/28/2023* **Hi hi! I hope you’re doing well!** *[Here](https://youtu.be/MfGgLDpPLrk?ref=svsabado.com) is our latest YouTube video if you are curious.* We spent last Sunday relaxing at home. We had a few rainstorms blow through, so we stayed inside and read/did some computer work. Monday afternoon, we pulled up our anchor and motored over to the fuel dock. We filled up on diesel and gasoline in preparation for our next move. We’re beginning our journey to Grenada, where we will spend [hurricane season](https://sailingbritican.com/about-hurricane-season/amp/?ref=svsabado.com), this week. We plan on island hopping our way down, so the first leg of our trip will be motoring from Saint Thomas to Saint Martin. We went to shore for groceries and canceled the mailbox we’ve had here since December. On Tuesday, we ran our last few errands and got the boat ready to move. Our friends invited us to dinner that night, so we got cleaned up and danced to 80s music before taking the dinghy to [Oceana](https://www.oceanavi.com/?ref=svsabado.com) for steak and martinis. ![](https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/OEwLvUj9fuULts-EhEAU1OznAiKDUxrhnHMuu9rDCU4FvvgD8GiRrCrOZh2SQM9auUynFlHqzxmVIJliEZeu9SO89_rUMTN1jmyF094j3MpCEjl-caR5qqiV0uyhnRiHfo6UUOu08W-uhltUaQx0Uf0) ![](https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/QBXFxtj2s6p3Zi6POJVtNJ8OO9VLxeWcYSgYuNXT29BSjNe0BQxBDk4fx4JeHdyjwUH9Om-rTCHD6qgEWbHVmY9NUHPirmOi5plV74Ex7PM6C_yHCn42bB4oKEtiprxOBKXo0KnhP32n5OrDmYwtmo4) The next day we decided to move over to Christmas Cove to stage for our departure. We had dinner from the [floating pizza shop](https://pizza-pi.com/?ref=svsabado.com) and watched some massive tarpon have a feeding frenzy off our stern as the minnows congregated around our underwater lights. ![](https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/RmkJl_CoL26vBxEDlbkuAhUDdoClmu8JE3y9YRKREoyBVH0LfqShDFR8Zy6e6118ytcSpEaUtzryXsTTiejxgwMZvLh41krQTgMLAob_gTldy1b6zZJ3KGoZKoYEtzQHq27vOgX5VtR6dX5A5nVvBLE) We left the following day for Saint Martin. We were instantly reminded how lucky we were the [last time we made this trip](https://svsabado.com/successful-lithium-conversion-return-to-boat-life/) when we had no wind, and the sea was flat calm. This time, we experienced the usual conditions of traveling East in the Caribbean: battling the [trade winds](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trade%5Fwinds?ref=svsabado.com). We were motoring directly into the wind and waves. It was bouncy but bearable for most of the day. The current was not in our favor, so we had to use both engines to maintain a reasonable speed. We pushed through a few squalls, but without any sails to fuss with, it was pretty uneventful… ![](https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/j2IRywum7JNZNbVlMJLHoDwi3r2K9pFnrInCAN_ZMrK2bS7yd3NhjsTfeRLUtVD4EtLgpnLzWEVqaW6l-Mm8rjnMA_HdyUwPO-f7U0hZxrHMeV1Sbu5eSD-RyDHNir0zmmuBFGhyIOvXtmIyL68KIho) Until sunset, that is… The [sea state](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sea%5Fstate?ref=svsabado.com) had been building all day. I was making dinner, holding onto every ingredient so it wouldn’t go flying off the counter when I heard a slew of curse words coming from the cockpit. I looked up to see Ray running to the helm. He shut off our starboard engine. I plopped dinner into the sink (where I knew it would be secure) and took the helm while Ray climbed into the engine compartment. ![](https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/LI6M6mvKIevZd_-2nbBrdEEQtP1fHmqFxmvz_UlwpgP6f7uEc-ywjBpaqbH2noma7ES37IuZFwieaZRisPYURH_gkk_25JQ-FG5B6236VVM9O2egs_90v8MUkC7bqQYIcuVgNf-cFTJPv4s-940Ekv8) Our engines suck up seawater to stay cool. Ray had noticed our starboard engine was getting less water than usual and didn’t want it to overheat. With just our port engine operating in these conditions, our [SOG](https://help.fleetmon.com/en/articles/5338877-difference-of-speed-over-ground-sog-and-speed-through-water-stw?ref=svsabado.com) was only 3kn. So, Ray started troubleshooting right away. First, he checked the filter, which was relatively clear, so he changed the [impeller](https://sweetruca.com/7-reasons-your-boat-is-overheating-how-to-fix/?ref=svsabado.com#:~:text=The%20number%20one%20cause%20for,cause%20damage%20to%20your%20engine.), too- neither solved the problem. We switched positions. At this point, we had both engines off and were adrift halfway between the USVI and Saint Martin. We were rapidly losing daylight in over 7,000ft of water, being tossed around by the waves. We try to follow the golden rule while underway: “Keep the people in the boat and the water out of the boat.” So, I stuck our GoPro overboard to look at the raw water intake for the engine underneath the boat. I saw a clump of sargassum that could be causing the decreased flow. The sun was now below the horizon, and it was getting dark fast. I had to break the “keep the people in the boat” part of the rule. I grabbed my fins and dove down to clear the clog. Being underwater when the boat is bouncing so much is nerve-racking; you want to be careful not to hit your head and risk losing consciousness, but you want to get the job done as quickly as you can… Plus, there’s something psychologically troubling about swimming alone in *such* deep water… I stayed under just long enough to be confident I had cleared as much as possible, then quickly climbed back aboard. Ray started the engine, and we both examined the flow. It had noticeably improved but was maybe still a smidge lower than it should be… We reversed hard to try and “blow” any remaining sargassum out, which seemed to solve the problem. I was covered in salt water and Ray in sweat, but we high-fived and returned to our posts: Ray to the helm and I to our sink dinner. As I was finishing up in the galley, I heard the [bilge alarm](https://distantshores.ca/boatblog%5Ffiles/bilge-alarm.php?ref=svsabado.com) go off. Sure enough, our port bilge was completely full of salt water. I guess we’d broken the “keep the water out of the boat” part of the rule, too. Ray came down to investigate, and I once again took the helm. We are still unsure how this happened, but one of the hatches on the side of the boat had been open while we were underway. ![](https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/VHViRx-cnSQAwTAKveKTy5rU_64sJfWNW2Gdb4c-Bi6tGJUWX6uRs6ZtXM63ElVdnRfdtxPfpSgS67UZe4QcQSyPDg4nmsBXwa8yj3p4U8h1973eTgLX19qrAxSFF8hnwA9YiPR7pVRhhEEqIllMUes) A wave slapped the hull, flooding the forward cabin with salt water that seeped through the compartment cracks, ultimately collecting in the bilge. If you watched [our boat tour](https://youtu.be/V8JdSyzNST4?ref=svsabado.com), you know we use that cabin to store tools and spare parts. So, to open that hatch, you’d have to climb over towers of plastic containers and tool bags; neither of us can remember the last time we opened it! I guess there is a slight possibility that we were bouncing around just right, and whatever we had stored up against the hatch moved enough to unlatch it, but who knows. We closed the hatch and monitored the bilge pump for a bit. It was pitch black, with no moon in sight. The sea state had gotten worse, and we were getting beat up. We were tired. All the tools and expensive spare parts in that room were soaking in salt water. Dinner was still in the sink. We motored for another 6hrs, annoyed, salty, and sweaty. In reality, it’s not a big deal. A lot of our things in that room were protected in plastic containers, and I’m sure this happens to a lot of people… it just doesn’t happen to us! We have a tried and true pre-departure process to avoid mistakes like this! We were frustrated. We arrived in Saint Martin a few hours before sunrise. We’d been here before, so we followed our old tracks into the anchorage. We moved some things around to get a better feel for the mess we were dealing with from the open hatch and decided to wait until daylight to address it. We slept for a few hours, then jumped into action. Ray emptied the forward cabin, started the watermaker, and washed the outside of the boat while I wiped down every nook and cranny of the room with soapy water three times and did the same with the freezer and every bin/bag we stored down there. Ray washed out the compartments and the bilge, sprayed his tools with WD40, and loaded the room back up. Every time we passed each other while doing our part, we’d crack a joke about how relaxing and easy boat life is. I deep-cleaned the rest of the interior since we’d tracked salt water everywhere during the cleaning process, and I’m happy to report that Sabado is now salt-free. It took us two days, though, so today will be our first *actual* day in Saint Martin. Overall, it hasn’t been our best week, but it definitely wasn’t our worst! Boat life is full of highs and lows; the only constant is who you choose to do it with. Our compatibility always shines in situations like this, and I can’t imagine doing this with anyone else. I hope you had a great week! ❤️ ### Back in the Swing of Things URL: https://svsabado.com/back-in-the-swing-of-things/ Last updated: 2023-05-21T13:22:12.000Z *A Week Aboard S/V Sabado: 5/14/2023 - 5/21/2023* **Hi! Happy Sunday! You can watch our latest YouTube video [here](https://youtu.be/DD9V%5FQ2CqW4?ref=svsabado.com)!** We took last week off from writing/editing while we enjoyed our first week as newlyweds. ❤️ The remainder of our guests departed, and we spent a few days catching up on the chores we’d neglected. By Sunday, we were back in the swing of things. I did an extra-long online pilates class and went swimming while Ray mixed up his latest cocktail creation using the blood oranges we had picked up from the supermarket. ![](https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/x3aw1mZ3zqY2kCbCiWaXrgcvu8OrYx1Vwyf6hTjtfbnBMSlm0vWYHEzO7fenxOw8DQUoOXtUV5fpY868kNngwH0by_glXO8FKmW1KfE7uKcnxOPdvzVfiUmBCPZG0E3PtUIj8l0dMOt-rS9B-v_-8DM) We spent the day relaxing on the bow, discussing our next move. It’s about time we start heading to Grenada for [hurricane season](https://sailingbritican.com/about-hurricane-season/amp/?ref=svsabado.com), so we decided where we’d like to stop along the way and started the weather window waiting game… ![](https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/Kb0PFnmU7PH-8mGoBNA0KqfP2dlBEwS8xhrvm-GrrsdKFABSe5rjNetGcwXBA8x8zMtlzr5xl45tC3-vo7hbUG6e9Ea2UVVrDksLEx9tuQCsYjZi-AOFQVbi2tDazPrGC6X3-lLZt8nsw0v2tLZHM2Q) To kill time, we tackled a project we’ve been procrastinating for quite a while: properly running our [Starlink](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Starlink?ref=svsabado.com) cable. We’ve had the cord piled up in our cockpit since we started using it because our permanent install plan involved drilling a hole, so we wanted to be sure it was something we’d use long-term before making that commitment. I was a little alarmed seeing Ray so confidently cut the wire and begin drilling while precariously balancing on our dinghy davits in a rolly anchorage… ![](https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/ZpD8kW5CvmRqbwoemfNdu7xp2AZJmWd-I1TkxdQHEErakTKHOzziwuGAR1zoFekudOtenmrngjKRvaQVwjFQgQ_VLGw6og081LYQnim8CYa84zhnITLDooTX0xGbsT18EA744JCA4h8wqHeo1tEY9VI) ![](https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/hzr6m0PiwgTGWE50rvHKSGohM3LBBcszheGWpNkJlUR2r1fl2rEIRjkU9rMxPHkEO8BNlxBI_H0iDTwpLqhUGFrrqFg_P9-DAOIkvsyKPRD0zIlVBQ2c67oQ3R8Odg4Ht1xuObb3rKiFPms8ngqXrQQ) Together, we stuck our limbs into various compartments, pushing and pulling the cord from one engine compartment across to another, into our cabin, under our bed, and up through the walls into the salon where the plug is. ![](https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/G3j07NCFWLhoAxmwoO2bgJ-kqCAKnI3zp6n5wwOm2Z6NSS9Cbh-HPVzT3qJCYirC9iYJ0ZrIk1LpDdJ_8Ask_OgXPAD8v5Sj-iCvxcVUT50cciKR9MNBIF2QINiJH9YnjzEt2Z7Qj-lb1Lb_1TSAT3M) Ray spliced the wire back together, plugged it in, and we crossed our fingers it would still work! Sure enough, Starlink kicked back on, and we celebrated with pasta and wine in our PJs. Tuesday morning, we realized how big of a mess we’d left behind after that project, so we spent the day putting the boat back together. One of the more frustrating aspects of boat life is the lack of easily accessible storage space. To get the supplies we need to complete a project, we usually have to move 5 or 6 large, heavy containers out of the way, get what we need, then move them all again to put the supplies away. To access the spaces we need to complete the project, we usually have to move more bins, couch cushions, maybe a mattress or a wooden compartment cover, and contort ourselves into strange positions. Typically, preparing for a project and cleaning up after takes far longer and is more physically demanding than the project itself, but that’s boat life! We threw a couple of loads of laundry into our washer and vacuumed the interior while we were at it. ![](https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/KLKplgUUO7jh6rWYeL0WYLbz-b8MsFnD8OtUAvVPNwmq7qSGq9AzL9F2eusaBd22d4yNJNJlBtcXprp_afn86FXDuCTJQCfz0taBXsCXkddgsMMhKeUqxzOvKwZSeEU05EYL4fxwiSbWhL1wviongFs) Wednesday afternoon, we checked our mail, then pulled up our anchor and motored over to St. John to meet up with a couple of family friends that were in town. We had a delicious dinner together at [Extra Virgin Bistro](https://www.extravirginbistro.com/?ref=svsabado.com). It’s always nice when our schedules align and we get to see friends while they’re on vacation! ❤️ Gus and Dawn, thank you for a lovely evening. We hope you have a great rest of your trip! ☺️ ![](https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/fITP9Xy54uurdilnRd_hvnHq9VMAHpPOWvZIFiFlPoKLs-SzH0dvqnVrCV6GUuahnqP5GdWQrPw-k1Cb8OBF27ObyAYmGE2zxi7OpqI-5ckylTTSG73Jo2RkEUsqUHRKtP75Ia5KZ8PIOynbE3-rk2I) That night just before we went to bed, the wind died. Our [mooring ball](https://outchasingstars.com/mooring-ball/?ref=svsabado.com#:~:text=A%20swing%20mooring%20ball%20is,or%20buoy%20%28the%20actual%20ball%29) began slamming against our hulls. We tried adjusting our lines, but there was nothing we could do. We laid in bed, eyes wide open, and listened to it for hours. The sun rose, and we chugged a few cups of coffee to counteract the lack of sleep. The wind and current still had us atop our ball, so we started the engines to head back to St. Thomas, where we could anchor. Just before we turned around, we noticed an available mooring ball that seemed to be better positioned for these conditions… We decided to hop on and give it a try. It seemed perfectly fine! We spent the majority of the day trying to take a nap, watched a beautiful sunset from our [sugar scoop](https://www.pbo.co.uk/nautical-almanac/glossary-of-nautical-terms/sugar-scoop-7125?ref=svsabado.com), then headed back to bed. ![](https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/fDw20k0wlXWoN6NNFz4jVy4CknEbi6YRgzMRiYqnI5Y-ylo3JVl5VEuC90PSg1aKZvLhsR0mY0j_mLUQhspbPbjPmjJ3mvn2v3vLP7PF8pnKUkSh9t6fGBgvT3PCXNujvJw44pq4DXlIlRdCvmw_yn4) 30mins later, we were awoken by a familiar thud…thud…thud… Our mooring ball was hitting the boat again. We reluctantly got up. Ray started the engines, and I got us off the ball. Leaving and arriving somewhere in the dark are two things we typically try to avoid, but we were in familiar waters and had our previous tracks to follow. Ray stayed at the helm while I sat on the bow as an extra lookout. There was no moon, so it was pitch black aside from the glowing lights of St. Thomas ahead. ![](https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/AmD4ZNjCoDdKwot9lmo_oC1OaKb4J-YRz1nfjy276BxEG4vGG2N2tZw1MeMe-RBgob8G6HWqzF-SRpTKd8-LYHs44XRKthuMKET7EUySdUMTo_8cSUaa7pNfvueFr7rrnwyoKU2lJJZgYKeUcMKkh0E) We motored the whole way and dropped anchor in a spot we’d been to many times before. We waited up for a while, set our anchor alarms, and made sure we were in a good position amongst the other boats. Once we were satisfied, we went to sleep, and it was silent. The following day I was practically launched out of bed. A southerly swell had taken over last night’s calm refuge. I went upstairs, looked at Ray, took a deep breath, and nodded. We were moving again. At this point, we were starting to feel like Goldilocks: this mooring field has too little wind, this anchorage has too much, where can we go that will be just right?! We scoped out several different spots before settling on [Brewer’s Bay](https://virginislandsthisweek.com/st-thomas/st-thomas-beaches/brewers%5Fbay%5Fbeach%5Fst%5Fthomas%5Fvirgin%5Fislands%5Flocal%5Ffavorite/?ref=svsabado.com). We dropped our anchor, made some pancakes, and spent the rest of the day editing our latest YouTube video and scrubbing off the marks the mooring balls had left on the hulls. ![](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/H4qVPr5Z3CVFZdrI1W--9Y7F5cQ1E0h8oPBMLJCBAPc-J3LY9JrcGMZfAw44y_lX-vTAjz4RQ0ngzaQ0oHNfADcv01RJz4Pc3vthSJ1a2TOBIuk081nAkeLKfqBnmwlHTWATYP1ohxRiEko3TxTbFqg) Today seems breezy but calm. We’ve got our eye on an upcoming weather window, so we’ll likely start preparing for our departure soon. We’ve spent most of this season in the USVI, and although it’s been lovely, I’m looking forward to something new soon! ⛵️ I hope you had a great week! ❤️ ### The Best Week Ever! URL: https://svsabado.com/the-best-week-ever/ Last updated: 2023-05-07T13:22:59.000Z *A Week Aboard S/V Sabado: 4/30/2023 - 5/7/2023* **Good morning, we got married this week!!** ❤️ It took eleven planes, three sailing catamarans, and two ferries, but twelve of our favorite people arrived in the British Virgin Islands by Monday afternoon. We had a welcome dinner at [Bitter End Yacht Club](https://beyc.com/?ref=svsabado.com), which was full of ear-to-ear smiles and gushing speeches. ![](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/e-w-76LL7-CHTPZ34OMisfBaT3SJxcsbKH9JrOnyHn7h5Yi-DHeUYUre4eqlDzaTj9psevhN3LIVPmtARnSH685vZc1nZRqjp_8sw6j5fS9WM-s-N898aDKqC3itWo-m6KqIWjFjarqCQ8vW7QS6Zdg) ![](https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/RpcCgF_-lAWyStkEtIwkNb8wZ-owxG20kxVUDU9KwBALxCy5ujhsce29MVvXUuoYCXLIMRvHvmEauYRJlPi6PkAqNlHLfbxb6IzOwdU67wP3ErIX1k93_itI2VqKGOlmOei89vqvsx7yAkxJd2CIHEQ) We ate some phenomenal food (including a lobster pizza with truffle oil, lemon ricotta, and arugula that I am *still* dreaming about…) and concluded the night with cocktails, dancing, and a beautiful sunset. It was a celebration we will never forget! ![](https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/6LQbt-9F2viffpbrsB774aZw4_TXB3PJdrzRbfhnAKkXTUx-w1zQJRPerQK0pjN9hylNKT-zX_JeEQv1sYwfBGYAzsyP2fdVfcDz3Ij9GbPM9bvRk7_YUOnq_Zbi1ABtCc7T2UtSuUjX5OXY0PiHHgo) ![](https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/COxvXPYvaayNzEblL5xd4N80e7LEhjhFrFrHhitc37aVr-WtsG5K3wmVUmCZG45_OVHzikGO1nozqleDh_KXkGBZP_rhhlQYDrW5j5ADKJCmR3VP9Nz0inQWHyxxRRkYeuYGk4hq69GG0Sx1MOR2FCA) The next day was my mom’s birthday, so I planned some activities at one of her favorite places: [Saba Rock Resort](https://sabarock.com/?ref=svsabado.com). We started the morning at a yoga class with a perfect view of all three catamarans that were hosting our guests: Sabado, Southern Charm, and Delana Mae. ![](https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/wViH0ysNR06saXcwSOLnyBaaaW2TlMjUS5zU081iHem_7rC41F2aZ1YwWPX93FUkRuKwQmhjkSxghOOGwFp8Ka9gSjwrIxDWOQvupPwvIJIqCqyYrKDaoSDQU8WuYRvxIVOZ-MD8bBRawrAtY2xjWps) We spent the afternoon at the spa, getting mani/pedis while we sipped champagne, followed by waterfront massages. It was a relaxing day full of pampering! Later that evening, our friend Emmanuel, who specializes in cutting hair in exotic locations, cut my mom’s hair on the resort’s helipad. ![](https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/lVUKytZaENBSOHppYneRfj0aLHz0rpw3LiJfqxXkDrE7iPfLv17H6tJ6gZJQXzjswy1Sy6J-FfyJgQ9SHdusiUm0Z_PWXUbJedoVafVtw20Wbn4p7lzh-FnzfQdL63KS0UPZq--Rkd1T5o3228Oo0g8) He did a few really cool cuts for our guests this week. You can follow him on Instagram to see more [@onecreativityanddesign](https://instagram.com/onecreativityanddesign?igshid=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ==&ref=svsabado.com)! While we were doing that, the rest of our crew explored [Virgin Gorda](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Virgin%5FGorda?ref=svsabado.com). They drove around the island in open-air trucks, stopping at various lookout points, and visited [The Baths National Park](https://www.bvinpt.org/the-baths?ref=svsabado.com). ![](https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/iizOmSAxBlRC1zjT71xO2DG3PpW5tS54-2T33mply8QFndnghA38hbIN9FiWZY2kixfZVAitdRiy94Rd1KpMM6NIjIOLqWKxVpigGHX3Yy9cSO5milPh-KZDWNNZ-bwq12khMmDjfKlzootTlX9yonI) ![](https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/HNoh7wE9P31mEAfW4G391MFc4bVR_9D8Ao0_I0hngkhYMULSS_nXjLVuRgsuotAaR7RHRs9fASWq56w8J1TaEeoCyx9uG8OvRkCw2L5VE97OYfkZL6HqOihneUaXGwD-AzglKwbpG5YD8KI3xxYa6Wg) ![](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/O2IODKriP7dj-7hsmLXMIX8HgoVWV0oC390au1dyiVm7-Ah0YVi7rGE7zYQ8LvFX7e_x-b4Tl3V1Hxj-nAGaYXNdNrkrlU6gTSfI-HWzWRE6o7t_q82zk-fxHpHID4Cg2BYZRTj_YxqLKP68zftJmDY) ![](https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/5qGWZe349iZIgFzUMFPoZ8CAdbWb-Cfaj0pXJlXd6pYfbqtlkppUUz0p5k5cfPF7iZaJLOoVh4CuUoWuXUA0UNVD5hrXCzjwV_LxAP9Q5XkWfYlkFPmCalsAPQNKN-35tLYPmr5YzDY_3XfP_ZoFCEg) We all met back up that evening for my mom’s birthday dinner. The theme was “62 years old, but only 17 in Celsius!” ![](https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-6FDBMVW4yhxwyc94r6AWT20Lu6u4veMddq64WJFf2kEUIeiCxSaeAKwQPPHk-F5E7ryjj01FSfczaRDt_v8F1C0OZfm9JteG1QxiPa_XONFeJTbW07GugEvMrUtbELq5WZxONofs1xw8wI2pbGexkA) ![](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/7v80IkqjLFlk1h-G38gCzh0qOD9pRf3I65eZbJAx1A2RfO2Hk_62F3f0Ul9dBsHsrFMWjD90HD23xg9HSfzVxAOcBTNkJBdCV0E0MAkG1INYs7PZ0IyF6iyKhEksqAuTUj5ImVz5AyHaQWMfOUoS7z0) My parents got together when she was 17, so they shared stories with everyone about their early dating days over some wonderful food and wine. ❤️ ![](https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/ZFN3OYgTUKbHmxqsTDGABPBNCAhzo-YrhIK7IbgYDdo1FICM7sILzweUxs6ccohf4a3OVjgPBATJi-YY4CgNJw7ljDWNxiv78vD-5zTYMT0odsnFRQhHHCJC8K08GA-_Fcjo_q2buuNOnsP4fARvMvc) The morning of our wedding, we moved Sabado over to [Leverick Bay](https://www.leverickbayvg.com/?ref=svsabado.com). It was a short trip, but we took our time and put the sails up. ⛵️ Being able to sail our home to our wedding destination with all our loved ones was an experience we will cherish forever! ![](https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/kp4VYkJ3pFnu5LEH5C_mXb_-nrq74GXaEy7kSZlmZcCZd1FXP-LvKZHuRI0rxJVBpodDFsPmyeXa956gXDZLyQxhy9yGCDbiXG_rEf8TTI5zw-r8SsROOe0DeFS64GsxWpyN3fpjXL0WEcQACtgI6Jo) ![](https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/XmPLFjyERmePHy0TsuyEfxtYbCIRVZ_lRq1KV8YUcE1soLx2-D_9rMzikucUFD_uwMWxd8O0CRrq7DAu5RnWR3or8YWD-JhX2krq6IxApO-atu9ZPvOFHLTDUftNQZQ3e65F4R0f1n4rRJeJoJmS4Wk) ![](https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/NOrxTwisM-7LDeis8QFH22G4CIX5HrNy-Wg4O6qfhibSHVtqZyWiEURzcNzaqJd5ucmMOI9FE7ITyP5faCUHGS7ajw2R52StJCgTA3Sx9lwlxpM2r-42A4YdH-o7z4mzU0feA8BB4wFWvg0rUhNsK3g) All three boats picked up [mooring balls](https://www.marineinsight.com/marine-navigation/what-is-a-mooring-buoy/?ref=svsabado.com) next to each other; then, we boarded Southern Charm for brunch. Our friends Kevin and Elizabeth created the most spectacular spread for everyone, including custom cups for the occasion! ![](https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/AVyvl3XDx-GSRE08v-QhuxRuQsbkSsZ9NvPzf829KuiaHDRyV2rc7Ykpc6TCXTIiyPIvk4dk07gjbuNBw9g-bTLSxD3xrtR0ip7E0rui7DT47mGrdf1_j9YbhnWarkdX762q3LMGjcSNiz9jyLZHc6E) ![](https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/vSm80eUic6C7WIGwGzoZWDmPmaKwur3e9lDw1vhMTj1yczf3oHKFCDW7l6t2c6hnG8LbxenR_EQ7RfhKylB8QF8B9cuC6L-Tr3S9GKjn0wFXSv4w72dbjgRBe40WdaZ_PWolzSue-rcZEjcW5j8yUa8) ![](https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/m3LUXFvWn-TC85gi6JjkgabvVuSO70J9NSBDT_Hx3HLCRzXmlA6KnUGQ4cYm0Dqq1mYx1FHNjfxlG3BuxoT8TpldYxM5fuQ8Qblu1Bq0JC7u_VziIm9DRAFVnkovENbgaQmrlM0zIDOwl24Sb8CLU3E) The food was excellent, and sharing the pre-wedding excitement with all our guests the morning of our ceremony was so fun! ☺️ Elizabeth and my mom set up one of the empty cabins with all of my wedding attire so I could get ready aboard Southern Charm after brunch. ![](https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/S7lkk1pAOSsudwKdGcIR1A0MOKGVHrSGYuy9NIks1sUwFo-ODkEukXZSBMVywRpkLXH-5WKYuKQ0-7qfw8tUir1T641lrQJL5Trh3QSp3Swa191x6QHLviDGbBkn6FHNBH8YtrKrHYIgrn1Xl4734P4) I did my hair and makeup, then, in true boat life fashion, dinghied to shore in shorts and a t-shirt while my sweet friend Jenna leaned over to block the salt spray for me. ![](https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/5Zd1JtKHRWtcX6q9m3ztiCw30E-lRsW7VyCRmZ-TvNMDBEs0YGXgwbokmPV5I4sD-2nEDVyUatzy116Qg16_g1wtTJf2SyPxePqZupV9gddMltSiTEGanHv1b4_3cb5NvAkaBqRmOrzWZtMGY6WMiNI) We walked into the closest store and asked the woman working there if we could use their fitting room to put my dress on. Thankfully, she said yes! ![](https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-lHUhHAc4KQ0-mbUSZaePJ6iGwP83n6erSmeB2BMO2ZBw1XU6-ul67fnq8b8Npl4Sli5cmYBuHcrvGS_nTQgUO5Ujd4rcIE4otnBHm7KsMCX0jUnAhxgM4M4pHhiLQrKx69tP0xo2otv1iv2FflBfGs) We drove to Savannah Bay (it wasn’t intentional, but it’s worth noting that I first moved aboard Sabado with Ray in Savannah, Georgia, AND our photographer’s name for the wedding was also Savanah). We had a breathtakingly beautiful ceremony officiated by our dear friend, Shahin. There wasn’t a dry eye on the beach! ![](https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-9aaW_NShGxKPKhbXkodlrQ0Up3tQAXne2y4hwGk9aM5NTsN0t5QF4bvjxA3ZWBt5wXIIWHD-sbYpacuiSEARv0EO4WUdX2opiuPRbClGftw7EzCRqDf5NpPY6HDUk8io9-QxENy5ZGkunOS40xm3VI) ![](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/vzld-dhOi51aOG-O9a8OYgDRI9k5cCNvtP8kxvn1Kew2jSv0jONnBv5aY_WUUR2LL3xtQ7V43GM-3mHWX_j1m8CiktVEYCamBo0UWqxjOcvSg5kEIhrO8Sd4I_8B2tqdf_ko8xpKexpk1jkIQvCtVvg) ![](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/A9JMhoBl1qHbeWDomc8rDHqIl8-Ov9yDPz0zRXeO1oNuMJlRWWCdmo0AyPimjfFd41K8O5-jeQosYaOdZ0tdtWdngNbARv9afAXLKYGfDTBNh8fG9DkPN64mJpf-ssPniyUeDOMgvaydiuOHqaAcIEU) ![](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/i7TwdIkVdvkFGLUNDq8JEmMUTVlwODGkoqz1ORYTi06nnxuPjPiNBw6epw7QEFnYpMrT_AMwYKlo5HRHQB1bGjiuy7laP7FeIg4FAni5106ZjtW2lNAhmE-KqbOjhvrpDuf2UX1I7O0yjpfD-ksxuKo) We popped open some champagne and took in the moment. We are so fortunate to have people willing to take time away from their lives and travel thousands of miles- on relatively short notice- to be there for us. We felt like the luckiest people in the entire world. ![](https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/Xnzgr1HxYJs7NQLsFIXkfi-3pSCh2aT0xX1UnhRxxIw9t3ESaTO9ipK9l5NHJnF2xaoU5ihWzr-TgadYT0oX5eOijJ91R4RtkcdF7nqktxR8UgAyeTVdSHcrj2LZ7J1vWpRx6jIAge6bbao5bouzJU4) We all piled into trucks and headed to [CocoMaya](https://www.cocomayavg.com/?ref=svsabado.com) for cocktails, beach games, and dinner. I can’t imagine a more perfect day! ❤️ ![](https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/tnbX7Cm_aslBu58W8QHa1W9NVQ96DkICDkWePjKEPsmAccBEYXA-Sgh1fp2xecv_4txUlOSWwApO9xnAJ0IHBTckpZZ2wYbfDn4igAmJEPe8FBXcMPYuT7YPQUObfb2eP-rL5PAGYp4RFtR2N62Pbsw) ![](https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/TnPhaaeKXJyztH1C-9mtzsl9jFIqJp0lPThKb5MnImTgNgFKUoIsbnbYz6Vt7fNutRqnN0hD_omeeKCNZQIiTNrU0hO9I0ebMwvxBVwoFw34SqWLzT0lf2T09bD2zB90PwXfIRiVVhyRFTGLNwjb-K0) The following morning we said our goodbyes to the guests that needed to leave, then sailed with those who remained to [Trellis Bay](https://www.bareboatsbvi.com/beef-island/trellis-bay.php?ref=svsabado.com). We spent the day relaxing, sharing photos from the wedding, and snorkeling a sunken sailboat nearby. ![](https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/T3byKy8kGBWzoA3Hv3IXSVq321fErz6sVXXTarquf8zvTKw3EY3vmwogfLBcnyRlExO0yP0ByXcClVO82Oovd667M_xIN7OD1W9eDQGd0JepJzguydAZK4LZwpNmXSc7p2nOqaDuvfCBHlLE-K4AK-Y) ![](https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/FZUIMb3KXos2qu8B8dHh6LuRgRFbm20Cg9bWyERpD2FLkzcXhhuFrAX0vRPQ-MTi7K7NDeFeWRErJtNMtXWVoaO7GEABXDOmD5uaBKHC9UN0E0IyG2UkRRZ4Xdz8gPcYcWBxj4kHGHjjuVj2620BYHU) I was surprised to see the entire sail still on the ocean floor! ![](https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/6YmGp6y_4hiwhOUUQCslIyL4EaxtebJNZdcjMOe9JYmUGLriOXeBYutjkgsAEhedq8j-NHR8hEyZQ734DFYgf75FCoObtFCYgxbv17M_farqN1QnCWL_dlpoQ6adusTBZLdmJgfLZhKiPRzP6ubx9Fg) We opened a special bottle of Oregon wine to continue the celebration and grilled some steaks for dinner on the boat. ![](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/rbsx1kLut-WVDIr7lTiPNtmkIXCuWZC_jBQfe8jTKGoXSaI6clFaE6YOTdNINBVTSfRTPzF-Re8-4wjODqW7PTz-azm0TVjnYkihMijAe9vB6Bk9sv8K8yPHUZftt_qdv5Io1ASwKZ6DHtTu3wIvt70) The next day the seven of us attended the Full Moon Party at [Trellis Bay Market, Bar & Grill](https://trellisbaymarket.com/?ref=svsabado.com). We ate our fill of jerk chicken and grilled Mahi Mahi, sang along with the live band, and watched various performers dancing on stilts with fire while the moon rose! It was quite the production for what had been a quiet little bay just hours before… ![](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/aLoZJeIDdiSgPERjBbpsgIBVh7mQzBbPiF4_3_Np8oHf2aN_m8Ik8JjcOgICznqdFnhsfam5rdYqTE88uFQ15FPqkMoNbVn8MaEMI3aFB0NsaeXdq2tiIRonMbS6w5KUd5dXFykXwrppB9eJt_Q6Bbw) The next day another chunk of our guests departed, and we sailed the remaining two over to Norman Island. We had a beautiful trip, the winds were light, and the seas were calm, so we hauled out the [gennaker](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gennaker?ref=svsabado.com#:~:text=The%20gennaker%20is%20a%20specialty,less%20expensive%20than%20a%20spinnaker.)! Using that sail is always a treat; our [SOG](https://www.bandg.com/glossary/?ref=svsabado.com#:~:text=SOG,to%20current%20and%20wind%20etc.) was just over 5kn in 8kn of wind! ![](https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/CmZcnmeyWQL1wu-97Z88qYEOszBfmFxM7RivBzSWJiULggtAYZVvx4UcPu4tsOys6WQAGnrza2Up3VxS__75F2x5DqGmnACWH8v0D4usz8RVvd5yKf3ZehWopMtev2mxQDO4CzKNDcC9L43Tmp783C4) Ray and I had a blast at the helm while our guests enjoyed the sail from our beanbag chairs on the bow. We arrived just in time to make dinner, watch a beautiful sunset, and grab a few drinks at the [Willy T.](http://willy-t.com/?ref=svsabado.com) ![](https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/3HSaYUUjTZyHAE_larj7iGa0Rxu8whWexkxfgiPdHKMrgNH1e3cOT-7hUN82j-7pKoq7rNWa6nzBuXtjf1lVVWtbXL7VagGcaTFn-d3_doY1S6H55lWDV1plYjxfvn2FPDzSigb6SQIt-3qJSPJDm8M) Looking back on this week, having such a small wedding allowed us to share so many special moments with our loved ones that we otherwise wouldn’t have been able to have. Being able to eat dinner all at one table, stay on boats owned/operated by our friends, and have after-parties every night in our cockpit created so many memorable moments… ❤️ Our entire week was full of love, with no stress! It was sweaty, casual, and slightly salty, just like us. We wouldn’t change a thing. Thank you to everyone who came and those who sent us loving messages from afar. We are planning to honeymoon on a beautiful boat in the Caribbean for the foreseeable future… ### Boat Life: Generator Problems, Relaxation, and a Storm URL: https://svsabado.com/boat-life-generator-problems-relaxation-and-a-storm/ Last updated: 2023-04-23T12:35:14.000Z *A Week Aboard S/V Sabado: 4/16/2023 - 4/23/2023* **Hi! Have you seen [our latest YouTube video?](https://youtu.be/T19hu6gRF5U?ref=svsabado.com)** Last Sunday, we stayed home. My back was still hurting pretty badly, so we lounged around, watched TV, and chatted about our future sailing plans. Thankfully, I was feeling much better Monday morning! I cleaned our hull and polished some stainless before climbing into the dinghy to meet up with our friends on shore for lunch. We hit a few waves on the dinghy ride, a not-so-gentle reminder that I was not fully healed, and went to [French Quarter Bistro](https://www.frenchquarterbistrovi.com/?ref=svsabado.com) for lunch, where we troubleshooted our friend’s latest generator problem over gumbo and poboys. After, we carpooled to the grocery store to stock up on provisions. Later that day, we decided to run our generator. It had been cloudy, and we needed to make some water, so we fired it up and noticed more exhaust and less water being emitted than usual… it was acting like it was going to overheat. We shut it down and replaced the [impeller](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Impeller?ref=svsabado.com) but saw no improvement. I got in the water to look at the intake thru hull. Since we’ve seen an [incredible increase in sargassum](https://earthsky.org/earth/massive-seaweed-bloom-sargassum-florida-and-caribbean-2023/?ref=svsabado.com) lately, we thought it could be clogged. It looked clear, so Ray started taking the generator apart. He discovered a clogged filter (one we didn’t even know existed) after the raw water pump and a lot of carbon buildup in the exhaust elbow. ![](https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/cgRgc4TRY--5pC8ZSFRgHc21XTEndcbQj2prVOY4ARHzCvE5oHpf57rfDPeGpMf68LN-7J6W5egb5R0l2q2jHM4uDakWNawgSiuF-g-wwh5KBMStnegOd4Md4DilWmqr2OxI19uXOSGRhUu92taC1lo) He cleared both but quickly ran out of daylight, so we put the project on hold until the next day. I woke up to the sound of Ray's tool bag being set down on the fiberglass. I got up, saw my freshly brewed coffee waiting in my spot in the [saloon](https://www.discoverboating.com/resources/parts-of-a-boat?ref=svsabado.com), and gulped as much down as I could before joining him, crouched over the generator compartment. He found that the anode in the heat exchanger had become white mush. That, in combination with the clogged filter and exhaust elbow buildup, had significantly restricted flow. By lunchtime, Ray had the generator up and running again- my hero! Now that we’ve experienced this, we will update our maintenance plans for the system. Running it with a higher load (that our new power/charging system provides) and checking the filter as needed should prevent a repeat of this problem. We celebrated the repair by making and heating water for hot showers (yes, we’ve been in the Caribbean long enough now to *want* hot showers). We ran to shore to pick up our mail, then spent the rest of the day relaxing. The [swell](https://www.nsw.gov.au/driving-boating-and-transport/using-waterways-boating-and-transport-information/conditions-weather-and-tides/waves-and-swell?ref=svsabado.com) in our anchorage Wednesday morning was unbearable. We decided to pull up anchor and move to Brewers Bay, a reliably calm spot. We got settled, set up our sunshade on the bow, and made breakfast. We didn’t do much that day; we read and edited footage in our beanbag chairs, periodically jumping in the water to cool down, and closed out the day with a beautiful sunset and an episode of our favorite show. ![](https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/07i5Avk5kHMI7djFCDIv4AJmR6XMABNb7hk5IA4K674zjWCVNXhEFx_-hNls-R800xci_Bac37yLzxb6fT1wgtr3MR6uB2LXGOmMdaj_-FAfqLo7DAVehTdZfOvZP4Hgfw7z5Jhdrt5iRBK0gPCgDgk) Thursday was gloomy, it rained on and off all day, so we spent the day inside and tried some new recipes. We’ve been having fun playing with our new galley appliances since upgrading to lithium! It’s been so nice not having to worry about power, even when we don’t have full sun. We made eggs benedict, blueberry muffins, and an orzo salad with ribeye crostinis for dinner. I’ll remember to take photos next time, sorry! Friday morning, I finished editing our latest YouTube video, did an online pilates class, and jumped in the water. Ray did two loads of laundry and hung them to dry while I sat in the sunshine for a bit with my book. We ran the watermaker for 4hrs. Still, our batteries were at 99%. I chopped up a fresh cantaloupe, and Ray made a gin spritz by blending it with lime zest and juice and topping it with bubbly water and fresh mint. It was delicious! ![](https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/0ZpmTWKJf1wiwzTKRgSTLD08oJh4sTM6G0lrOjYQEzPSlhIx3S0ALvUMZfkX2gKBiVX9aGqs_z9oOS1fwx8qg5emcY3uP-92WPbhP29KR7ATd2hTwaptf0N4zEpc_tqBpzFO-c6w-GVeE3NHrkoPfgI) The water Saturday morning was calm and crystal clear. ![](https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/wi0A1QqMzATrYIHdg8kOEGTBA1SYjTl1TZo1JqO4U5qO9jQR3Dq4O5V9FEvSsOTtSB22_2XyK82IozgNxOdtmeToCUPXiVlX_iu8pibvAfZUM8T6C5hcRc91RlOI_IkpWZJ-C3HnonDvBqqPabScgLQ) I published our video and grabbed my snorkel gear. I convinced Ray to drop me off in the dinghy at the far end of the anchorage, and I would swim back to the boat. The water was warm, and I was the only one out there- just how I like it! I saw lots of fishies and some cute squid! ![](https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/o5dRl9B9ETWDeyMm1AoFPWyJkYunSxY7MQRHPTQkaD400smSk3C_v2De1WdEkHsi_TF3m9eWEQ5taotRNRE_oII-ax2qRi8-12iTcTDIqGPv_XTA7KgL7klyzPuz25EnO-skk5AccIOHo7mOlQUy54Y) ![](https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/Z-9IemqGea2_iX91WLq2U3chzPKhpEi9o6oHsN_CyQClW7PnXLS4K6pOR2CWpd5cL8DycKoM9olganeLd3RRv0AOvR4KbQVm-7NpDTfuDKLnFYB23LVRpmM5RI92eOSIc_whC_M9K38fnaJUFdwISBc) By the time I got back to the boat, I was starving! We ate some lunch, made a couple of cocktails, kicked back, and watched the Saturday shenanigans… sport fishing and charter boats hauling loud partying guests around, rowdy groups of beachgoers, and the consistent bass beat of who knows what on shore. That evening a storm blew through. The rain poured, and the wind howled. We hadn’t seen this in the forecast, so as the wind crept up to 30kn, we realized we needed to go up on the bow, grab the beanbag chairs and get our sunshade down… it was a hectic and wet task. At least we got an all-natural shower out of it, though! We changed into dry pajamas and watched the boats around us until the wind subsided. We still have some gray clouds hanging around this morning, but hopefully, things will clear up soon. I hope you had a great week! ❤️ ### Island Hopping in the Caribbean URL: https://svsabado.com/island-hopping-in-the-caribbean/ Last updated: 2023-04-16T12:51:03.000Z **Hello!** I hope you had a lovely holiday weekend if you celebrated. I took last week off from writing, so let’s catch up! Watch *last* week’s YouTube video [here](https://youtu.be/Z91NdtGdkh8?ref=svsabado.com)! Watch *this* week’s YouTube video [here](https://youtu.be/8LiXRW70t%5Fg?ref=svsabado.com)! Last week we sailed to St. Croix for a change of scenery. ![](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/pZ5LWbwtylcKRlEVFIjH7tppj6kqVIjZuTCaDcW1rCXX8AGtkrrypY5xJ6yFLUEpvdRjG4vxe6kavcGKjTFwO3iZLpRjwsBecaEtWn05IN5Kp1YJM6DPb7ioe3hfY1U-YB39GqqRaveZyAqXlHLrnEs) It was a beautiful \~5.5hr sail with 15- 20kn of wind. Our average [SOG](https://www.bandg.com/glossary/?ref=svsabado.com) was 7.5kn! Unfortunately, we were welcomed by a storm that hung around for the next few days. We kept ourselves entertained with chores and boat projects. We woke up Saturday morning- the day we had planned to leave- to blue skies and sunshine. We had heard the pier we were anchored by was a great snorkel spot, so we took the dinghy over for a quick look. I was skeptical; there weren’t any other people there, and a giant man-made concrete pier didn't scream “great snorkel spot” to me. I had low expectations but was pleasantly surprised when I jumped in! The water was crystal clear, and the pilings were covered in healthy, colorful coral. Thousands of fish were around me, plus several turtles, 4 spotted eagle rays, and a huge barracuda- I didn’t know where to focus my attention! ![](https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/6z-GD7kPI3VuFqkdHpNsOwZtulx7JsaeP0i0G4MHGppm64Vpd8bx-QXOXQCeZ2ZziWU30sPXULmziVCqBlcB1ChGbmp_N8c3ARXcK15acppW0X1LGC2BOoYZ-pbzhzO6oIdsyI333kr_x11LrDqLGRk) ![](https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/1jTcXmrrHWxYmNkJKqg8f2WAh-j8qKKodXsr9aiYwhbyyue1FmnOPv6znjrzl7kFK3aIDWIvmrSXgSB6Bng6RPu21Wx13CVuCSplNeRwlWAztNjG6tNEgedBDOEqWxZA6Ay5sfrfXW0ltAwLELAAEzQ) ![](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/g56DSij5mdg0wrcB-z-6BONfs3pFeaMgkqIizQj_6A7vCoCRvA6KelCSMSUbEZSNNHrhEAAo-IoxFYYHJTT61f-3x6FyuxbQoe9Kx60egJBgu2eQirlH4kvgiqnXQ4QU7-N6cDOolSr7_7oezgkUnUc) We pulled our anchor once we got home and set sail for the British Virgin Islands. The trip started peacefully, with flat seas and 12-15kn of wind. We hoisted the [main](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mainsail?ref=svsabado.com) and brought out the [jib](https://www.vocabulary.com/dictionary/jib?ref=svsabado.com). As we left the protected side of the island, the wind picked up to 20-22kn. The seas got rougher, but we were flying! Our SOG was \~9kn, and we were having a blast. We cranked up our music and jammed out for the remainder of the trip! ![](https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/xqRA85E5O3lHPmB9H_BmhqIwE9FHY_nqixMcnL2LKBzMNPbO_RxVMo7OEO0XPYQ9RMLb6LaguKk_PK0_uGO3nis8z8DgNUnchl5dGlceLM_SNmMCg5WGRQZ3OkH-6uHzQa1o6oJRA56EfF46rABDCrY) We arrived in West End late that afternoon, picked up a [mooring ball](https://www.marineinsight.com/marine-navigation/what-is-a-mooring-buoy/?ref=svsabado.com), and dinghied to Customs and Immigration. After we had checked in, we were exhausted and starving, so we headed over to [Omar’s](https://www.omarscafebvi.com/?ref=svsabado.com) (our favorite spot for Indian food) and fell asleep shortly after. Sunday morning, we decided to motor over to Norman Island. Ray rinsed the salt off the boat once we arrived while I dove our mooring ball, and we spent the rest of the day relaxing in the sunshine. ☀️ ![](https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/g3NWPWhrTiaDBxQETAh-rtpUF-kEA7UiJYEsBWXqC5cBfylxOxOUd3k2ljqB4kPDSa6-hp3GTv_cZsOSNJwHjkbi2eM9sn52w0RrCl6pGG6OO93yxGnbHJThzfSeuTUhjzEMXvWXiJpgtmQuR8qWmts) Monday afternoon, our friends joined us on the two mooring balls next to Sabado. We all climbed into our dinghies to explore nearby caves you could swim into! ![](https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/MLHcjPUORLluEdOtK0r2GWlEOf_7Wv6jTpNSu-He4ni6kQcE_GFYAj-ujPxkcruOwWDQ-3pQ-OsQAUv5pH3X-JBQ0FjkNwOxRj0msj3KVWvblGxYAizchzxpxOk-xFJzUtKQhyaCjOfM4kKVbUfL9Bg) ![](https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/rs_83JmANOn_t7lRVLASQ9uIBMHckB6L6c09S88TmXnQT-8HDnz2bmj5S43hgpHhZpDBeQFCAY4a4YBh0rtr4lYpyp52MpdztU1N56qIBcFRX2yYUk2UPXmEaUD4r12QOgTw3undtLuyVXYCOBqiv_8) We went to the [Willy T](http://willy-t.com/?ref=svsabado.com) after for dinner and a few drunken shenanigans. Photos taken at Willy T will remain confidential, though, sorry! You had to be there! The following day Ray and I went for a swim off the back of the boat, then met up with our friends on shore for lunch. Lunch became a group snorkel trip, which turned into sundowners, DIY haircuts, and family game night… ![](https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/zlcpOyJreoijQcRxTQdQKzQkQ-glYcqtLxXIj4uCJfrw9q0bLmoTFmaC19XSY81OhMWLLw4-FaiiW9jswKWNS23J6LsJn9FHrfTdZOK4Jg3hiZMBCaH_ckh8H44rOGnIUQypn19p5h3dEhxgYAEAsWQ) ![](https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/jY0q4I_l54LTT2owSubh263WaIAYSts29mU3rA2RlNjv1UthOqHWuMtaXob2_bCViRxFMGhdq5pPy8_dRB2V_KkuGxHiVXReFZfxM2TTXY28r_4rpuwwETkPgGfRmdsW9q3pubCK3QR7NATgq73IgCA) ![](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/aSvb3TpgQq3Tj-khiMsG0MLVQekxi4WrRe6RDDHvir2tTNH98TwJ8r7siPR0YvCwPgsINhpXV-uwy8qor8r0DjXAhYSpHetNjDcF1i78ZvpF8LC6mPb4tWY_mQsTOowuBAOJxQ1oJytz_xVqmijSN3Y) *(There were fireball shots involved for the losers, hence Ray’s face in this photo)* Wednesday morning, I managed to get through an online yoga class and make breakfast before we left Norman Island. We stopped through West End to check out, then headed back to St. Thomas. We sailed for a while but needed some assistance from our engines to make the trip. ![](https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/RfM4ZVVFCJXFiDkmpbTpYZs9nHIQD4xLeViBAF5k7CCSGS9V8XsHFZJ04Y_3RxNjycV9NPqQtnuLLYylmi3d8L9ou5qJI85L5jL2HXlM8eg69WTu94bY0zUrmn82zfQunNOhZq3BN-SMwggVdrvcK5I) We anchored just outside Crown Bay Marina for the day so the guys at [STT Marine Services](https://sttmarineservices.com/?ref=svsabado.com) could make a few changes to our generator’s wiring. Nothing has been acting up. The changes were for our safety/ peace of mind! They finished before 3 pm, so we moved to an anchorage closer to town for the night. The following day we met back up with the STT Team. They had gotten their hands on an old [Kilovault HLX](https://kilovault.com/kilovault-hlx-series/?amp&ref=svsabado.com) battery and wanted to open it up. Since we’re nerdy and have Kilovaults on our boat, they knew we’d be interested. So, we grabbed a mimosa and brought our cameras! It was interesting to see; they had some difficulty getting through the plastic box to access the cells, but once they were in, it looked very well-made. ![](https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/x_n6esLajKHQ1CzlhJckkJu7ieJMDr-ZggBb890-vcZSaMo3lSLfXfD80ASqELd8Q7rONV7tieXmM6H1NU5_b7MNXkHP_WVtMUtX0Yab6HIftEkktaaCJbQztsn5u7uIbXc7pLQOt_KxfH0YI5OJiXE) This battery isn’t the exact kind we have, but the difference between the size of its [BMS](https://www.synopsys.com/glossary/what-is-a-battery-management-system.html?ref=svsabado.com) compared to other brands was telling. ![](https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/jel5Ke78WNm6BvHPwpixwDMRcDWyL0iwpaKjeuszfCJ0Dq3d0iRUSdR0AYHKtauASr2S9cMSfZTlncY3NErxIvlwS4ZLmC--Bq6n8AziNPyFwQv8fgpIkSH06uUGIVbrmF3NZOCPZ0iGKV3vpQAbJq0) I haven’t taken a look at the footage yet, but I’m hoping to include it in next week’s video if you’re curious! After the tear-down, the four of us had a few drinks at a local bar, then parted ways for the afternoon. We met back up that evening for dinner and margaritas and somehow managed to stumble into a second location for dessert cocktails. Man, sailors can DRINK. It’s been so fun getting to know those guys, and we love hearing about their work on other boats. Saturday morning, I woke up with a sharp pain in my back. I assume it was from the long, rough dinghy ride on Friday. It only got worse as the day went on, and admittedly, my hangover didn’t help! Consequently, we spent most of the day horizontal. My back is feeling \~10% better today, which is less than I was hoping for. We need to go to shore to pick up groceries at some point, and we’re hoping to move anchorages today, too, but we’ll see how much of that happens! I’m going to try some light stretches + some pain meds. I hope you had a great week! ❤️ ### Snorkeling Adventures, Boat Projects, and Fun with Friends URL: https://svsabado.com/snorkeling-adventures-boat-projects-and-fun-with-friends/ Last updated: 2023-04-02T12:51:33.000Z *A Week Aboard S/V Sabado: 3/26/2023 - 5/2/2023* **Good morning! Happy Sunday!** Last Sunday, we cleaned, worked on a couple of projects, and swam off the back of the boat. We were anchored at Frenchman’s Cove in St. Thomas, USVI. The anchorage was a bit rolly, and the water was murky from the swell, but we were happy to be there nonetheless! That afternoon we heard from our friends: they had a few days off from work and were nearby, so we made plans to meet up the following day in Brewers Bay: a bigger, calmer anchorage by the airport that is supposed to have a spectacular snorkeling spot. We spent the day playing in the water. The guys had an epic [E foil](https://strangfordloughactivitycentre.com/outdoor-activities/e-foiling/?amp&ref=svsabado.com) booze handoff (which ended with one person fully submerged, but he saved the booze!!) while the gals went for a nice, long snorkel to the airplane runway and back. ![](https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/PaumeyrXAORWmh0pkwwVA1-ncd5u22NwQDikwFGIW8aH2HwHfkp4oBRJZ7rgsFpO-RYvRnRHlQ0vRhcA8ev7XqxejnKy8TbV4aeLPULP8dj4cipICyKddcTkY8K89DU_LkyFqZhv4yAY10CaApKul0I) ![](https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/Cd4uTv_nEDumlpM-VSVjwwynkbemj4l9leTK7RHy6NcwD-YaXX8ixkDn4PLRGWZLlu9cZk27EckY-mFXBj1GwxdFzmljstv2zDVGWIYPDgKBNOVtNfHxMo-QAewdjYjfc8-Emr1lYr_I7ZaHO1lC-Yw) I wouldn’t say it was a particularly great snorkel; the most coral we saw was growing on a skillet we found on the ocean floor… ![](https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/ShQ2Z_RvFQ_wGcfsVYlkIrAt03X5XJff7boxMvVhZlRpA2essBASXJz2Z5nRzyc2zYrbLNstjyF3h8LGVTkQqrtEogAZ9T0Nnj-neSbFLZH7VGggqlz1jnLc6plGa2VUX9oxGE2cblll8m2SJe8V6cI) My guess is someone had a galley fire, panicked, and threw their pan overboard. By the looks of that growth, it must have been sitting there for quite a while! We didn’t see much else, but just after we decided to turn back, we saw a [spotted eagle ray](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spotted%5Feagle%5Fray?ref=svsabado.com) swimming below us! ![](https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-yknNRQqE83RNH8XRMa34ac0mIc3pO1fvLCevn0gjyZKgRAoGuYuVDl9TVqlpnjjR71hIutU3ymPhyFwNTLFMVCHcS5Ezu4ZdDjZCggENtjqoR0eE_uPhLcQV7KVlyVEgBnQEj8nHIwLiN3a9SdmX7g) That night Ray and I decided at the last minute to host everyone for dinner on Sabado. We dug through our fridge and turned groceries for two into dinner for five. Ray grilled up the tuna steak and cod filet we had, and we served it with rice and veggies. ![](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/bV0llR3g4nrl4d1tfLhW4H8b3iJM9w2bDNgLuxVQFNHoaJSsYSAERVfBGd2T_Z_wQoNiktqxVzUpXlap1nR_DHd9txlcOL95g29BNhSv5JPuLfKuJFcwf8-IvMbgNAIzbpEdicJp0b-rpZVDSdVDKGI) If there’s anything we can do on Sabado, it’s make something out of nothing! Our friends stayed over for a while after dinner, drinking and reminiscing about when we all used to live together. It’s been so nice to be in the same area again after two years of opposite cruising grounds! ❤️ Tuesday morning, another one of our friends arrived in the USVI. We hadn’t seen them since November in the Bahamas, so when we looked out our window to see them dropping their anchor behind us, we were shocked! We ran out to our stern to greet them, cheering and jumping up and down. Unfortunately, they had some prop/engine issues on their trip over, so Ray climbed aboard to help them get on the dock nearby, and we all promised to meet up again once they were settled. The next day Ray and I went for a morning swim off the back of the boat. The water was calm and cool, a perfect way to wake up. We sipped our coffee, made breakfast, and did some boat work. Ray redid the monitor at our nav desk, so now we can see the status of all our systems on one screen! ![](https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/9B6hFLAiIU3P8YBzzUL4gAzr6xN3215ejeikF5iHGYqxvMTsn8kW6VwIJD_87AOJrwQp0M8-4VXTIu7Ah2z2GHUAm-ilaGvsokeMz8HO1rL_VH3pPfOgiDWxX9xQ--I4EVClYFAftPlGIhhxck8zge8) He even color-coded it, so the values will be yellow or red when not in their preferred range. In the photo, our top loader fridge is turned off (hence its high temperature), and our friend’s boats are away! This makes it easy to determine when we need to run the generator or make water, and helps us identify potential issues quickly. I polished some of our stainless before our friends picked me up for a second snorkel attempt. We dinghied out to a rocky point opposite the runway, and I was instantly excited. This spot had way more coral than we saw on Monday! Within the first few minutes, we saw a lobster (not one big enough to eat, though), a starfish, and a multitude of reef fish and coral heads. ![](https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/A45VMedk4TjAC939CWdXlaXAbtIgU8QbDO9fQXsgXh0UKt4Yc8DqPr0XzX_B6pCJKoIt7nvHD7RFGjDL7W50F7tsykw3CEONAiC9DpiabmDjvKULeR54KkQFJ0ma9E_NFDcrnLoYMMnluBkMXLitmoo) ![](https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/7E2j_fhMDhyopDN_q-6i4qouAEvsKBBF5jasXVdmpZ9gPyJmRlFvTW9KNcu9h_hVBqfVeXPHaC4U4UrR_GlXeNGDt7TPr74_60kXOvegTmaaZ24Z4rLqSncO_jfsjQzUEnxb0MQlliV2Z8cL7SBFKKw) There were 5 of us in the water, swimming upwind. We all drifted in different directions but continuously kept an eye on each other. At one point, I guess I snuck up on something because 15-20 little blobs raced around me out of nowhere! I followed them for a while, studying how they moved. I couldn’t see any fins, but they were moving faster than jellyfish… the sun came out from behind a cloud just as they swam into shallower water, and I could finally see clearly- they were squid! I’ve never swum with squid before; I didn’t know they moved in groups like that! I followed them around for a while in awe. How cute are they?! ![](https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/enuANZN75zXJBnC_xgkcDJRXsVOJjrdoLtO2dVk-Zmw37RvBSzoGgXVMB9bye2nhR9E2GSc0srNj4YaUvnx8fuyiswUIHytzmRnH5DBm3mZuaPWZYNfNWUlPITjrbGIlWWBrI28kVUBGXlfBa1jsPqQ) To top it all off, I saw a turtle before climbing back onto the boat! ![](https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/cedMR7KMJdgc2p7W3DFVJdSGdIBuvbq92EmzrFSGe70ddHn6EXs9OD9GjWu_SiEshFIPMwHpxL6hXU0PTZugWORJXQ0pWN9Y7IFcgLX-h0Za4LbB9V1tOsUmRw3diaRnHj5cToBV_CHxBKqft3bXGSU) What a perfect afternoon! It ended up being just over a quarter mile of a swim, but it was against the wind and current, so we were all pretty spent. I showered and changed into pajamas immediately after. Ray and I had dinner together, watched a movie, and went to bed early that night. ❤️ Thursday morning, we woke up to the sound of singing from shore. Every once in a while, the local church performs baptisms on Brewers Bay Beach at sunrise. I watched from the bow as several dolphins swam through the anchorage towards the men singing. Can you spot the dolphin fin in this photo? I am not the best camerawoman that early in the morning, but I tried. ![](https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/goZiv1YGuZxnzT-NaewXjY-4Qf55uWmc1ehDfIDUq0zNMkhFMb_GkbS04XU2Id7gW4SdYrc5nAXGa-VQHXGTqnpDkKlPIhick8cFkaH8k9HnMOHJVjDUoXmANTaDC3TJuFgc7HJg6_AhJebgzdeAq1s) We moved Sabado later that afternoon to be closer to town, then met up with our friends. The ladies got dropped off at the spa for facials while the gentlemen enjoyed cigars and cocktails at the nearby bar. We all reunited for our dinner reservation at [Oceana](https://www.oceanavi.com/?ref=svsabado.com). I’ve never had a bad meal there, but the branzino I got this time was out of this world!! ![](https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/IQFAHhdVmNT-Ob-nz0FzMkr5EGVCIp3vqDI6Hgx7rmccbqeO6owujsnuoZxtU7DDbifBlAjqDo0CdAg_PYmLH4jWrnaq1MvtqK2dIXhyrGKmbaBIf8MUWJ7JWqXtQXXhTXLlSjhXecEUZbqwCcAYgco) Friday morning, we made some water, did some laundry, and edited [our latest YouTube video.](https://youtu.be/ofM0CvTikZ0?ref=svsabado.com) I've been a little bored with YouTube lately, so I ordered two new tripods that arrived this week. I love editing our videos, but I hate filming, so I've been searching for anything that might make filming easier so that I’ll have more footage to play around with. I experimented with my new toys this week. Did you notice some new angles? I think the audio was a bit unbalanced, but I’m excited to work on solutions for that this week! Anyway, we were fresh out of groceries, so we went to shore that afternoon for a lunch date at [our favorite sushi spot](http://www.enkaisushibar.com/?ref=svsabado.com), then swung by the store on the way home (you shouldn’t shop on an empty stomach!). We’re due for a *big* reprovision- like, paper towels, toilet paper, rice, the whole shebang- but navigating the grocery stores in St. Thomas on the weekends is a nightmare, so we picked up just enough to get us through the weekend. We’ll do a bigger haul during the week. That evening we got a message from our friends asking for help on a project. We dinghied over to their boat. Ray helped them hammer out a plan, then went up their mast to execute it. ![](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/DEYcjaaseZh9eNROv5Qj1HyPf_JzP7w0g9krvAi6fh2uqJBCJqhd3kg4KqG2DfziYjhEsJSVTeBIzZOKUVE0W3830LLi_sjA0Gzcu_vusoJoUlceYqnVcQKHxTCkayj_whilTh-CoWsW_cBPvI2jIkw) Unfortunately, as boat projects tend to go, it became twice as complicated and took five times longer than we thought. By 10 pm, Ray had gone up their mast five times. I’m happy to report that they sorted it out in the end, though! Yesterday I posted our video and caught up on some chores while Ray helped another boat in our anchorage diagnose a problem with their watermaker. Since our arrival in the USVI, word has gotten out that Ray loves puzzles, so it’s not abnormal for him to get a text from a stranger, grab his tool bag, and dinghy off. Usually, I like to tag along to help however I can and learn along the way, but after all the socializing we did this week, I opted out of this one. Our friends dropped by that evening to say hi, and downright twisted my arm, *forcing* me against my will to join them for *another* snorkel! I threw on a suit and climbed in their dinghy. My GoPro was dead, so I can’t show you, but there were some beautiful larger fish and colorful coral. I might go back today for another look! What are you up to today? ❤️ ### March 2023: Behind the Scenes URL: https://svsabado.com/march-2023-behind-the-scenes/ Last updated: 2026-06-24T15:26:00.000Z Between our YouTube Channel and our blog, we share a lot of our life on the water. However, there are always things that go undocumented. Over the years, we have met plenty of new liveaboards who feel like they were “duped” into this lifestyle by its romanticized portrayal on social media. In our experience, living full-time on a boat is expensive, it is hard work, and it is time-consuming. Is it worth it? For us, yes. Is it worth it for you? I’m not sure! **So, in an effort to paint a more realistic picture of boat life, here is a bullet-point list of things we failed to document in March 2023:** *This month we had more hired help than usual, so I’ve included who we hired where applicable.* - Our professional solar upgrade and lithium battery installation were completed. If you are considering a project like this, expect to pay $35-45K. We hired [STT Marine Services](https://sttmarineservices.com/?ref=svsabado.com). - The windlass lock failed, Ray repaired it with materials we had on board. - We hauled out at [Bobby’s Megayard](http://www.bobbysmarina.com/?ref=svsabado.com) in St. Maarten. The haul and launch cost $1,674.20. - Bottom sanding: $722.36 - Bottom painting: $923.51 - Prop and drive painting: $191.90 - Paint: \~$2,500.00 - Teak resurfacing by bunsboatingservices@gmail.com: $800 - Fiberglass wash and wax by bunsboatingservices@gmail.com: $1,800.00 - Thru hull removal and replacement by [Peter Hoff](https://thedutchyacht.com/?ref=svsabado.com): \~$3,500.00 - Rig inspection by [FKG Marine](http://www.fkgmarine.com/?ref=svsabado.com): $210.13 - Ray changed our zinc anodes with spares we had on board, and we replaced those spares for $101.90. - I polished our stainless once. - One of our fans in the salon started making a weird noise. This is the second fan to do this this year (the first was in [January](https://svsabado.com/january-2023-behind-the-scenes/)). Ray took it apart and lubed it up, which seemed to have fixed the problem. We will likely replace all our indoor fans in the future, but for now, we carry one spare that was gifted to us by a fellow cruiser. - Ray installed two small fans behind our new electric oven to improve airflow. He hooked the fans to a temperature sensor so they automatically turn on when needed. The equipment for this project cost \~$100.00. - We paid $24.99/month for a mailbox at Island Mail in St. Thomas. ### We’re Back in the Water & Back on the Move! URL: https://svsabado.com/were-back-in-the-water-back-on-the-move/ Last updated: 2023-03-26T12:41:30.000Z *A Week Aboard S/V Sabado: 3/19/2023 - 3/26/2023* **Good morning! You can watch our latest YouTube video [here](https://youtu.be/UX0MgY9xRvk?ref=svsabado.com)!** On Monday morning, we checked out of our Airbnb and lugged our stuff back aboard Sabado. Over the weekend, contractors had finished [resurfacing our teak](https://www.practical-sailor.com/boat-maintenance/how-to-restore-teak-wood-on-boats?ref=svsabado.com), and by the looks of it, they also hosed down the entire boat! It was hard to take photos with all the shadows, but here is a before and after of the teak: ![](https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/ttIF7gfKsGt9WrMZKYe1I4_Ka0pbdEj4WbyqmB9xNwcMpiKFAtPO6LTpLUJo4VW8ZMVPKwY9emRcFM1q-I_0NyejpNJ2ueDuEU2EXdOzL45VIvVuHXo8QUCgswzuC9p4qFjNgyDjEdY_YZalf54gJ8o) ![](https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/MGNXjgZYebEMehPydm-GxpD9DAGNyfeP4BLnzuu3-z4ONhh5VHC3UAS3D-3MW_Zi4-RsYpYWj1Qe5c_bCew1oZs-HHO_gcgqRWLuljHgHywxhJhKHsBzpSbAZWFrG3ch5BI_-YVHW6jfwoPo0GidUtU) You can see the discoloration from stains/general wear and tear in the first photo, but it looks brand new now! We went into the office to sort out our splash time and swapped stories with the manager about wildlife encounters at sea. I guess my phone overheard us chatting about swimming with whales (my dream!!) because while we were grabbing coffee later that morning, I had a “suggested post” about a fellow sailor who hit a whale while crossing the Pacific, sinking his boat in under 15 minutes. It’s a remarkable story; if you’re interested in reading about it, [here](https://amp.theguardian.com/us-news/2023/mar/21/sailing-crew-rescue-giant-whale-pacific-ocean?ref=svsabado.com) is an article, but what I find more interesting is [this](https://www.facebook.com/groups/sailingandcruising/permalink/5962635577183707/?mibextid=S66gvF) first-hand account from the Captain. My biggest takeaway was to never skimp on safety equipment and to discuss your emergency plan with your crew thoroughly (and frequently). My heart goes out to S/V Raindancer and her crew! That is one hell of a story, and I’m glad everyone is safe. ![](https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/2LBrXsCO3SFgSWAiDWBseqT9JtM0DYoeEA_HFK8-C61krvkPbeGJ_LpU8KdxU7QLvDvsUXo2AiRP_6KGvpt0H518Ogj1OCWRZqYf5cKqX4luqALrq347hxGOkjsvEy1rR6A9JTzNN7aUq3TiBLnOjL0) Anyway, we had breakfast at local boater hotspot [Lagoonies](https://www.lagoon-marina.com/companies-on-site/lagoonies-bistro-cafe/?ref=svsabado.com), where we had our favorite ham and cheese croissants and met a couple of people who watch our YouTube videos (thanks for saying hi!!), then went back to the boat to meet the [rigger](https://work.chron.com/become-boat-rigger-10509.html?ref=svsabado.com) who inspected Sabado. Recently we’ve heard a few concerning reports regarding Lagoon standing rigging, so we hired a professional to make sure Sabado was good to go. She complimented Sabado’s condition and said she did not find anything problematic. If you’re looking for a rigger in St. Maarten, we used [fkg](http://www.fkgmarine.com/?ref=svsabado.com). We splashed later that morning and made sure the [bilges](https://www.vocabulary.com/dictionary/bilge?ref=svsabado.com) were dry before leaving the slip. ![](https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/0BZ1LDm6qBgxlMC5H8cuFFRXswr3cSwsajhlDIGqvfmu1KprDqEHm39vod0UEr7nlhm79aoBEyEae46CVWxD914PvezjgGyZU2Od8XKHkAuU1y5IztmxaeUz87NghnXF7LxbYbknBWkS34shftic8ZE) ![](https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/GAHVVgO8jQLMmD5VL7wFSq9ZwvmYqOQLX9QNvzY7Eqt8P2aqP5ZQsnFhWv_a90ZAMgm1_BW6Ad0JcUhOdf4NxxQotMwgr_mmRP_AlpYZVENVvpmW_IMM6yObe1XwWxfei6NUMiXlR44re59xI72Swo8) We anchored in Simpson Bay and spent a couple of days putting Sabado back together because when we left the yard, she was a disaster: ![](https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/9Vf4rMhz2-2gz85zRf78pd7nuPBNWxKQHUltaQKOgewpkOQ5YjE31fyftfYdPMSkxUYLE8ko_MLZnNfMLnzGnrUbLteS_FZ1CjhC0U0ktp9TS_IktEZkp6rU7maTuZiE4WrLWoe2b_W5L-5eB4xdRDY) Unfortunately, the anchorage was *rough*. We scoured our charts for another option but couldn’t find anything we were interested in with good holding and adequate protection. We had planned on staying in St. Maarten for at least another week, but after being tossed around for a few days, we decided to check out on Thursday afternoon instead. We pulled our anchor, hoisted the sails, and had a peaceful overnight trip back to the USVI. We were thrilled to be moving again! ![](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/em6ZKQkkTv4AqEafJGMLQA6IhrM-52W_AQ3p6liQpJJYEC5p7PGDTphHSrrdU-Zzcg9jeBxPIbRW1CARKuljZkdkr33O4tuERhpq6Vs_XoYzYscrsgrHIm9VEdRb3RtvU7dEKblxICQLWibhRhwzKg) ![](https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/ltcw0rk9Og3XsrgO98CKaokHFH0D5z0LTihbrDfehX70gchDW0ITORRZ56Pk7OVzZFFX4HNRsQ61mzXKhV2IA7L9BAX2dwzNOGbnPwe5aVoEtkmmT4GZzhFytPTvPqROojPkgFLzoTfA-MwatBDEBLM) We had favorable wind the entire way, and with our new [bottom job](https://www.barlettapontoonboats.com/blog/what-is-bottom-paint-for-a-boat?hs%5Famp=true&ref=svsabado.com), we were flying! Despite going against 1kn of current and having our [main](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mainsail?ref=svsabado.com) [reefed](https://www.lifeofsailing.com/post/how-to-reef?ref=svsabado.com), our [SOG](https://help.fleetmon.com/en/articles/5338877-difference-of-speed-over-ground-sog-and-speed-through-water-stw?ref=svsabado.com) was above 7kn the entire way! ![](https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/frjlZrJZjJaSSm5Il-9E2LTdCA93kzQW4XSN3DNUB8uvqcQG9RjupXXE93uOBVAW1Resx7WqZYFwUI6wHPmxYbj4p52dPrvR_s31x_itZFpulekMX-rl2dFegKNqu3-DhFhFhIxCWRG5gHKBvZj1qTI) I still haven’t figured out how to take photos of the stars, so you’ll have to trust me- they were magnificent... We dropped anchor in St. Thomas at sunrise on Friday. We picked up our mail, got rid of trash, provisioned, then headed to Frenchman’s Cove for the weekend. ![](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/pfFE8chR2pWcipukwW-hWBCf4aDcyeGBkZUAHuk_GV8GSBnn4REIc3ksRujX5D-M3NxGLUX3C8Hn69FRu7Ry3fER63SkNskefCfjohNiPMFWHO4e36kwJZ4gHKqfqLkNvPDeJHp124i8AFhddU_7SQ) We’ve sort of been “based” in St. Thomas this season, which is out of character for us, but it has been incredibly convenient given the work we’ve been having done on Sabado and the guests we’ve had visit. We have one more day’s worth of contracted work to do here and some friends visiting in a month, *then* we’ll move on. For now, though, we aren’t upset to call the USVI “home.” Frenchman’s Cove is one of our go-to anchorages in St. Thomas for some serenity. There’s only enough room for a few boats, the water is clear, and there’s nothing on shore but a lovely beach. Typically, a couple of charter boats will come in for the afternoon, but we usually have it all to ourselves otherwise. So, we spent the day relaxing. I did lots of swimming, and Ray experimented with our monitoring system. ![](https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/Oa9bO8Pb5cuTr9EoEFt1Pr0QJDNPp9S6NR8cBPhf51wlQF9AGqc7koUy_WocFNpRGf4r4OlvrRf8igutj_lxifstxDF6wur_yj-47epHgdMdCd5Av_V-VJLE5WjIBLjecW_U_G00WKV8s6CorzTlZA) I found a sea cucumber nearby, which I have since learned is good to eat? They’re a [delicacy in many Asian cultures](https://www.americanoceans.org/facts/can-you-eat-sea-cucumbers/?ref=svsabado.com) and are incredibly nutritious. However, only certain species are good to eat, and I didn’t trust my identification skills in the moment… Ray said harvesting red sea cucumbers was a big industry when he was growing up in Alaska. He tried some a long time ago and remembered sautéing it in butter. They’re supposedly pretty gross to grab though, because they [excrete a portion of their guts to scare off predators](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Evisceration%5F%28autotomy%29?ref=svsabado.com). If I had to guess, I’d say this one was [Astichopus multifidus](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Astichopus?ref=svsabado.com). ![](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/fP7LfoCAVVZQ5t9ZOc7nBEu8TxSPhgyQLWn0TRy7IqKgRh9brSKYzty4fINzVqJAzm014HhXZKDybC-XV7xRiLNOy126e3GuIBRO5wPs-UpHeu4fKvgT07PSVWt_rHiNhDG_CBW9eZT9QW6c056ivw) Anyway, we made some water, did a load of laundry, had an easy sheet pan dinner made in our electric oven, and watched a beautiful sunset. Life is good! ![](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/QuggMh_dsdYt7eGJ9AJKosv8FhznbWo0ZnayxWuMs7hHTVuUFj13N-navAQu9gCu6dVhKBRTdDgI9DZHCdeNiyyLXG2SbCgXjArB4s3jPsuZc72BRk9wj_yF2Z8Jg23iLXlp_4driki0JjstL8R3Qw) Today I’m hoping to get back into my usual cleaning routine (it really never ends on a boat!) and maybe finish the book I’m reading. What are you up to? ❤️ ### Hauling Out in St. Maarten: Bottom Job & Thru Hull Replacement URL: https://svsabado.com/hauling-out-in-st-maarten-bottom-job-thru-hull-replacement/ Last updated: 2023-03-19T14:39:54.000Z *A Week Aboard S/V Sabado: 3/12/2023 - 3/19/2023* **Hi! Happy Sunday! Check out our latest YouTube video [here](https://youtu.be/HYC4UovI-88?ref=svsabado.com).** Last Sunday, we worked on our [haul-out ](https://www.boatus.com/expert-advice/expert-advice-archive/2018/october/boat-haul-out?ref=svsabado.com)to-do list and checked out a local bar. Monday morning, we pulled up our anchor and put out our fenders. The boat yard scheduled us for an 8 am haul out, and they were ready to spring into action the second we pulled up at 7:45\. The haul-out slip was about 30ft wide, and Sabado is 26\. We put on our headsets and slowly made our way in. Ray maneuvered us perfectly into the well, no lines or fenders were necessary, and the yard guys lined the [travel lift](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Travel%5Flift?ref=svsabado.com) straps up with our [bulkheads](https://maritimepage.com/bulkheads-in-ships/?ref=svsabado.com), which we mark with painter's tape when we haul out to make them easier for everyone involved to see. ![](https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/ZwYErvaZ9YMEwqHI8V9BfUDU_ugJAIPmMQr4cZCUOHyBn06Vr4Y4Nb-Mn9Tf-3Qr_gmwQ1AaFE8JXJUHEzN-dT4EslFlF3Sy0JkSDkKm501hdxQ2oRkjFaHPlM5TwY4Y5pt2WVF5qe45EyU8H4zoRQ) ![](https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/r9HOd8_s7abZPD-yas-W4qALGDqeYheQC1etQ_pOClr233NA-s9BdOG42kYvR7J5VaOuAjrwDY__w0_FGIK-BvsTj-S_nTDN4MKkGBYO1XSY3rWqZeDNwt3ozSpTj-V_OEwlMOejafzEGLEHJQ3Lgw) We gathered our things, jumped onto solid ground, and watched anxiously while they lifted our home out of the water. ![](https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/FFzNLxHbzS0Oi_WU5FXr_j30aiisuazSZhZWXPvYBLlgZrls9xRXjsN_22ltIQ138_6sP-eWY_WP_ltPBOoXF1jmtpvvqkTSs1Knhm0UpL94Dy5TyAWJxNUDkzii1QYw5hrUG9RAthla5AE-bO9hPg) We were immediately pleased with how the bottom looked. The yard guys even commented that it looked like we haul out every six months! This isn’t an ad for [Micron 66](https://www.interlux.com/en/us/boat-paint/antifouling/micron-66?ref=svsabado.com), but maybe it should be! This is after two years in the water: ![](https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/04Kao1Bw8hxD_YqkwVB_6oJtOs26Tle_za9359zASizuimQp2NkyFOuD97aV3fby7kIWo04eOA_E_HrPEJHVEl5zEDGeBoWch30kzqJ4Qegz5497KoI-bYwKdLM8PLuJM3k7QytSgQDiTfh0GmzVkQ) ![](https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/1CpZxR3kujSHM3gkSV3xc58ZsmtY5SnOPiw32TahpLDcQBeomGWA03DaAqBzJwZeCistQ3x60cJsahMBLGBb87DbCw81b4h0ZqFFLnObnm5wsQGcDZ3w_yLx8BTnJ9LdIWoGoem_sCgEvF6h_uaQxA) We are still having a fresh bottom job done while we’re out of the water, but we’ll definitely be using the same paint as last time! We filled out all the necessary paperwork and then walked over to [Island Waterworld](https://www.islandwaterworld.com/?ref=svsabado.com) while Sabado was being power washed. We purchased all our paint (Micron 66 for the hulls, Propglide for the props, and Trilux 33 for the sail drives) and arranged for it to be delivered to the yard the following day. We returned to the boat once she was out of the straps, sprayed all ground contact points with bug repellent to keep any creepy crawlers from climbing aboard, and packed a bag to bring to our Airbnb. We ventured out for a date night at a strange little restaurant called Balls & Wine, where you could order different types of meatballs and “crown your balls” with a fried egg or “seat your balls” on some pasta or vegetables. Tuesday morning, we walked to the boat. The yard had already started sanding the bottom, and the other contractors had coordinated their schedules so no one would be in anyone's way. There wasn’t much for us to do, so we gathered up our laundry and lugged it over to the local laundromat. We quickly realized we needed a rental car. In this heat, besides the short walk from our Airbnb to the boatyard, we wouldn’t be able to do much else without a vehicle. The rental cars were reasonably priced, so we picked one up for the remainder of the week. Wednesday morning [Peter Hoff](https://thedutchyacht.com/?ref=svsabado.com), who specializes in Lagoon 42s, started working on replacing our [thru hulls](https://chsmith.com.au/Wiki/Thru-Hull.html?ref=svsabado.com). He labeled and removed each one and eventually had an overflowing box of fittings. ![](https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/419r-1qCAzji67T4Gb-CTknkCxoP7zJ4rBEg5h3aCJ2ebozy_RwJ0mTMgKQLPtyBPNq9NmFgw56yt8ZQvzQrL8iYFtE16spQr0jiF5n0cwFJCQaLuhbckVlesqAExx1wBXvSmTjxt5jNaFVZ5YKu6A) To stay out of everyone’s way, Ray and I drove over to the French side of the island for lunch. We went to a fabulous wine and cheese shop, where they curated a nice spread for us. ![](https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/dKCnqBh5waJtiJB_wN7GWuFw6PmeLYX_UnMywOfWU7CQoJrhekkdTVS1fLPEJPvY-BETFe-IEf9tJW0QBGj6OcX5w-5cgAznELgNoUXP0sRoPO8qAt-Z8-LCNAbwxLckbw77XWm7pTuN-Lr3UdH9sQ) We took home a bottle of wine and watched TV in our PJs that evening. By Thursday, Peter had removed all 25 (yes, 25!!!) thru hulls on Sabado and taken them to his shop. Upon inspection, he discovered many brass and some stainless fittings in pretty bad condition. ![](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/IWz661P_ocx93lGlOOmX_s1-4QZRGkDa3Esnhevys0pQYo9GwthC9Jb-_zfqZfbjmn0jHBLx239bLMRsWUyKZ9P1KLfuux_lql7ur-tJkGFRqWmtWyf3NKb6oCb7uMaQ59rV1EM0fJAg9pErqR8_3w) ![](https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/aJQ9J-pUSHWBugk1QhSqMV6NZyIgZm1bJ86-Bu99fmrPsz4xcF_5Lk-6ef-cUmszcMgX-8-z_p0gHnTXDvcqO4TrLJiKKRS-t1APp0_RRVBal5dFEc9okCbdtBSLuxqsISDs76-5S-4zcHAUzS6Nwyc) ![](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/m_3X9dSifbf1kgITMH-U6XtfgqSq2QRKDuIOMD6lcLdmx0F-cAInaA5CevzxfCB8BeQfJJ5JVuH9qnZg3mukqOpIkYHvOwcxFtIfCIoSD4EVa8R-fXhqYJL90vS33AUJ_vIQB7Y3R0a416CW_oj0iIo) The pink color on the threads indicates dezincification, which is when the zinc dissolves out of the brass alloy, leaving it weak and brittle. He’ll replace all the brass and stainless with [Groco](https://www.groco.net/?ref=svsabado.com) bronze fittings for us, which should last 10+ years. The yard guys began painting the bottom so we’d be ready to go back in the water on Friday. ![](https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/o1ySvXFtlkOGbY8zM8cQK0Inl8s9C4pu5fc55uKQuQdjhcw0W8NKl3s8op-BNHHtSvyOb4dpvRoP-bvqvVzndG-rKh1dcLazGvlw20f5mp9N_xSCyfRWvAxed6usjURrYKDxo3xMr3JbbPRj_qsL2w) As the day progressed, it became obvious that splashing on Friday would be rushing it. In addition to the insurance survey, thru hull replacement and bottom job, we had also arranged for some fiberglass polishing and teak resurfacing to be done- all standard, routine maintenance. Though it could be completed by Friday, the last scheduled splash was at 3:30 pm, and we didn’t want anyone to feel like they needed to rush through their work. We spoke to the owner of the yard, and he was very understanding; he waived the fee for the weekend stay and scheduled us to go back in the water Monday morning to ensure all our work could get done correctly without anyone having to race the clock. We thanked him, extended our stay at our Airbnb nearby, and headed out to explore for the afternoon. We had every intention of having lunch near [the famous beach where the planes fly overhead](https://www.thenexttrip.xyz/maho-beach-one-day-in-st-maarten/?ref=svsabado.com), but when we pulled up, the entire place was flooded with tourists. I’m sure it’s a beautiful beach, and the planes are cool, but spending the afternoon shoulder-to-shoulder with hundreds of sweaty strangers wasn’t the experience I was looking for… We opted for a more secluded lunch and a margarita with a view instead. ![](https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/7a5BMCYO7ZT7xCJr6B3Uj67XNIy4IbhrObjzD0Zgx8z08CG8sZKo3UpgDw3kDObM86vgHoi2O7EoWp8HDRwqf7xNFNhBzP4vZMeVLBeLZdIVVufMEnqUJ2pW8yf_P3fujMFyKNAevpbDZUd3VQJTJg) Friday morning, we returned our rental car and spent the afternoon with Sabado. Most of the contractors were finishing up, so we got a good look at everything that had been done. The hulls looked glossy, the thru-hulls looked shiny, and the bottom job was nearly complete. ![](https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/Rr99U5zyfOhJL4beWrskHxHHftfm1GjIqAwWvdAHPjhiYCRn_5EELMxfHcWXfOuavdjV1qj5uMuurC7OE3V6JMWfu3kkOYhZHsPrl8nqqkqsR5ed18eghM4kDAIX1uYlpkB7WBAwEmi86SPhsHcmxw) ![](https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/d7l8yIUUZVPNBXaEc9ysR2HWwO_YIhUoRTksbP84k_b19eN8NVJ--gfBEct7f__vbW6JRP1ooebJ5BDvCHaC9NWJZwH7P8YTKFI7Q3oJlVZnv5dlgCuMJqLiLayNanL9DzoukVgsA1pn6s3KGNMZbg) ![](https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/Zp7EWwDrNq2_zWYxEdukClUfRS9mo3tDZKOi48EcPDFM0Ua3lDSi48PlF86Ej0uyfeVIjqi90JNJR_eVnvQ8-BUgo-NlxIRQ_LtKXLitO8xQZXn6CB0wgEseGHa9m7cPRiRvdhW1gs3CcX7X0ruSiQ) Our baby was looking GOOD! We’ve been impressed with [Bobby’s Megayard](http://www.bobbysmarina.com/?ref=svsabado.com) and the contractors. Everyone has been very communicative and efficient, a stark contrast from our experience at our last haul-out facility… Yesterday they began the teak resurfacing process, which should be completed today. I’m posting this from our favorite breakfast spot that gives you a piece of KitKat with your coffee (only one, but Ray always lets me have his❤️), then we’ll walk back over to check on Sabado, but we’re on track to move back aboard our home tomorrow! ![](https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/3z5_Xwg9sM9Urt2u4Krw3-WAVpfctBdTX-rmD0wh_rfX_glGUZn5QLfbhUs4GRwd7c6PqsSjZn48HLa6_O3YQceSn0rmyxNdXcFhXYW3LuyhvjBth3XPpFOf6HzKEdpck8uh88-0oUfPtFIwXVsyKAc) I hope you had a great week. ❤️ ### Successful Lithium Conversion & Return to Boat Life URL: https://svsabado.com/successful-lithium-conversion-return-to-boat-life/ Last updated: 2023-03-12T12:23:49.000Z **Hi! Happy Sunday!** *Long time no chat! Let’s catch up-* We spent the past two and a half weeks on the dock in St. Thomas while Sabado underwent a few major upgrades. Living on the boat while the work was going on was… stressful. There were a couple of days when we had no power, and the boat looked like a construction zone. ![](https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/__-3h4J-aU6EymM2FvSXo-h1NBQYO9MdDLrsgzKSL-zr-kigEQGVIq5ozyZ9_nC1guF8_UqINXazMv8yPYlKOtdGnPLwJCzbvwlFujJrggZ0GmqBLgVsdpKze9KZ8gN8fXqqHUxMfS9blL-nJeGN0xg) ![](https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/P0GuYq7_n6MUDvmooegN3NTr62x_W07dNY1fYesHlP6pn0ffAXdqJjhepX-OMnN1KWcoEoMBS8egOc4VvgVHDjsgCc4Zidi-Ycey54IOLnbwxXm2kNOtat2FzxvHQEfH11-J1ICEBzPrNzyqOGTUy2o) ![](https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/ElQKiyl_dfw1AuL_CR3cm60ym_k9xLPm6NZIe-j-XtOYLG65JcoSn9uya5AcYr48-vBd2ubFbMeVvk8t7jHA9yxj6X0bhRAdWk0BxatNFouqPLbjyPloibqvjrrI469FDZQhOTDLCMkWDmXyu8oX1N8) So, we spent a few nights living out of a grocery bag (our backpacks were buried in the rubble) in hotels and on friends’ boats. We were able to sleep in our own bed for the first time last Tuesday, and we left the dock on Wednesday. We spent the rest of the week on anchor nearby, testing everything out. We used our new [air fryer](https://www.amazon.com/shop/hollyandray?ref=svsabado.com), [induction burner](https://www.amazon.com/shop/hollyandray/list/161TGADZZ2SF7?ref%5F=aip%5Fsf%5Flist%5Fspv%5Fofs%5Fmixed%5Fm&ref=svsabado.com), and [electric kettle](https://www.amazon.com/shop/hollyandray/list/161TGADZZ2SF7?ref%5F=aip%5Fsf%5Flist%5Fspv%5Fofs%5Fmixed%5Fm&ref=svsabado.com). We kept [Starlink](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Starlink?ref=svsabado.com) on all day, did our laundry, heated water for showers, and watched movies on the big TV. Our batteries and new solar panels handled it all with ease. Once we were confident everything was working as it should be, we decided to take Sabado on a weekend trip to St. John! The wind was on our nose, and the seas were choppy, so we motored the entire way Friday morning. Despite the suboptimal conditions, we were excited to be moving again! ![](https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/5hHfSyjUkzMPNSsY1iD983-m6H0eKqK3lpj5MHWPbBx3b549-7t57TOZ9CtbMlcDsQ9E9VPxojo1bhA3DlAEmp5vWUnmsD3oek_qE-HbKAC6Oi5E-c1OB3slPtRzkyinPAsICpE_6CK5Tbr8sHAwNj8) ![](https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/BhclpqO0xIp7LHkyzZNLm1sWfksh0OrU-HnMcO36SLG1atLh9h-sunnE6QlIl6vU-Ce4D1cEI5BCjWICBUAx8aWH8IeD1B6T94Y2ox-4WVyC1vxwtCdWuU3CrhUHZxvvxKnR8ccWk4OSkREfVggBSYU) As we were approaching the [mooring field](https://www.martin.fl.us/resources/mooring-fields-faqs-pdf?ref=svsabado.com), we came across an empty vessel, adrift. It was a small inflatable with an outboard engine. Given the sea state, it looked like the passengers were ejected from the boat, and they were nowhere to be found. We grabbed our binoculars, called it in on the radio, and worked with several other boats to search for people in the water. Without divulging too much about these people’s awful day, I’m happy to say they were located and rescued. We grabbed a mooring ball in Caneel Bay and jumped off the stern for a swim to cool down. Shortly after, our friends picked us up in their dinghy, and together we headed to shore for [Jam Fest](https://vijamfest.com/?ref=svsabado.com), a local live music event held at [The Windmill Bar](https://windmillbar.com/?ref=svsabado.com). We spent the evening drinking and dancing with our friends, and had a gorgeous view! ![](https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/ymJgR_NQLp7gFR8ZhkpHjrF6MpfsyfhHJz-7WT0hyWCynoMXVbE_9cejvdtzJh5Hn5HQL8swa9iBpSn9PJby-YvHv-VVxjn042SXiEKvEDPWlqj2r4SZ2UrVZo62GBDr-_zuxstoXRGY-ZXW7UcwUpw) ![](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/ymmdYQ14iihCoHyMlO127TJn_ISOD0uAUF4KsPHPdkbcJChgg5DjIJupWaZVllTIfqQVgZFqfg7FSFst9NeQsMubOkiKbFyyCaQGVrUgihk_Ff79f3Uo_GQ5AUj_mZyNZ0i9qzUyF4Yl0CVJ0ZW9_9I) That brings us to this week: On Sunday, we sailed back to St. Thomas. It was a beautiful day, with \~15kn of wind and calm seas. We used our [main](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mainsail?ref=svsabado.com) and pulled the [jib](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jib?ref=svsabado.com) out onto a [barber hauler](https://www.riggingdoctor.com/life-aboard/2016/2/28/barber-hauler?ref=svsabado.com). It felt so good to sail again after spending so much time on the dock! ![](https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/Oxt6Ssb4ev0UefRBld6xHPE6smygvJM8deCFg2CL_oYP3l9txlfY9KEXInGZDzVwweevY3MhSoo8pVgLe1wOmuaA_7SrGFXC62LLOPYEnO7Fo22787Ips-8HvBNomQePUtKHEKZD3cYvKY56NrXqXV8) ![](https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/OtHx2A3Z-p1f1bRNpUKGVoaFGsnvCh82_wzl37dcuDB77pLEyflGQJscl_9EF00jnGvw9AF374PXhCltGHvk4uyPdp4Estq48skbqE5I-58Xz0ERiAT3LqseucrpTR_U7Xb2eSer5fumhMDJchl-hT8) Monday morning, the guys that installed our batteries ([STT Marine Services](https://sttmarineservices.com/?ref=svsabado.com)) came aboard for a final systems check. They turned everything on, ran a few tests, and walked around with a temperature gun to ensure all the new equipment had adequate ventilation. They made a few minor adjustments, then gifted us a very nice bottle of tequila to celebrate the end of the project! Since we already had the ice maker on… we poured everyone a glass and spent the rest of the day emptying our liquor cabinet and chatting with them in the cockpit. We’re thrilled with the work they did and the equipment they installed. If you’re curious about the details, we documented it all on YouTube: - [Why We Chose Killvault Batteries](https://youtu.be/szgcUQSQuDM?ref=svsabado.com) - [Install Part 1](https://youtu.be/DCoEbinDxx4?ref=svsabado.com) - [Install Part 2](https://youtu.be/GS-ZkFcxAOM?ref=svsabado.com) Jesse, Patrick, and Tom- if you’re reading this, thank you for everything!! We left St. Thomas Wednesday morning and headed toward St. Maarten. [Because of the trade winds](http://www.yachtibis.com/caribbean-weather/?ref=svsabado.com), going East in the Caribbean can be rough, so we chose a weather window with no wind- it seems a little counterintuitive for sailors, right? We motored all day through flat seas and blue skies. ![](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/7zoLU0VPCCCciLE6AR42-__6d3bnjUMyFe5zhiiXE0QStq2oAYupPjx4ijMhGaJX9hlUiN5a5416pRqU5MgxBKVRyBB_Ty8KkWQImPEYRw_syDZKnTp33No6mkr5OiqJt2vAlyNzv7QOvAox7_0VnjU) We had an uneventful overnight (the way we like it) and arrived just before sunrise. We slowed down and waited for first light before dropping our anchor. ![](https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/caj9BvQh74HP31f0IKiGay5Cfm6q--5wo70CP_GLmo03YvO59wfZUgypRAkab-BIGCg3r221cbKl5WP9ak_WV5AOnyg-qOqJbqryOyLyMNBpjGrzcwEZupzkZM6kGSQW4J6yj9MRiNlQ-xKrlt0I4P8) The island is divided into two parts: the French side (Saint-Martin) and the Dutch side (Sint Maarten). Although the division is roughly 60:40, the Dutch side is more populated than the larger French side. We have a survey scheduled for our insurance company on the Dutch side, but after a quick Google search, we learned that the Dutch side requires exit documents from your last port to check in. Since we were coming from the US Virgin Islands as US citizens, we didn’t have exit documents. So, we decided to check in on the French side, spend a day exploring, then check out to obtain exit documents for our appointment on the Dutch side. Customs and Immigration on the French side was a desktop computer inside a random store filled with barefoot men speaking french and stray cats, where you fill out a form, print it out, and give the store’s cashier $1\. While we were ashore, we decided to grab a very authentic French breakfast of espresso, carbs, and carbs, then stopped into the grocery store to buy- you guessed it- more carbs. ![](https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/HA07dL5fMdh8boFKtiJ13TosXBHBFqbd1D1iDnCBzMHo1aONzsLFAmt1OMJYOniTQ8_rV5arqD3hM9QAWqN9NRp_8RcpEt95TLUrYf7xaC-R7KTRRZ5v-xcQLH2DcjsCbwcLAYzUXq9v6drr-W6KtW8) ![](https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/RkpzFJnRDRAta-lu-qAid3XDT3DRqWOw0-5vE9-TMZ3bPbW1xv32bINoRdqT_bmhJr7C7frbXZeHrfAQ1iDfM_2iFO04H3T-sYzd70JBjPjGLyN4V9N2Xg8HO_Q0Vz1u8dR6XcNtX2f-cwmSh4n3At0) I also scored the most indulgent treat… wafer bread sticks filled with Nutella?! ![](https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/1r18MmLyqP9hO82yTSiCjNCAeRVzfuKxOQDuWYNeiE00NudmtiHf0-0K1gwfE7DYOczIKOZFJKl0Xzk8sMLbPFWmURrsLlkCqEeQ3XN5xvYcJzZGGNoJHHSwh07KvFjujJqQ-Pa8BeoyYX388Y_Cem4) ![](https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/oBpElxKFcDNQZLMtxQ4TWz3qWDRky5E61XLGRh6jaFZYZrrmzuf6QM-w6Mk3WulcJVqW0U-N8vHhqPNqCYGE-DOf-HwGjIOgY2c8U1CqH6OayIvBSC5N9G8xRudG4dhUqakbJPoYkKdiIMDm9_UnxFk) I’d rate them a 10/10. As you can imagine, after motoring through the night and then eating all that bread, we fell asleep the second we returned to Sabado. We woke up the following day to the most obnoxious [swell](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Swell%5F%28ocean%29?ref=svsabado.com) in the anchorage. It became unbearable, so we left and headed to the Dutch side. We found a much calmer anchorage and settled between a handful of stunning yachts. This 350ft sailing yacht named [Black Pearl](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black%5FPearl%5F%28yacht%29?ref=svsabado.com) takes the cake, in my opinion. ![](https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/p6GJG0rkpRZUrichAbHhLbPYZqf0ERcx3Os3BU7FeNwl26fxM5ryEO6Gr3EYKbAfMscbw5IPXbQFKBh5yTGPSo2lULlear4fWDI-6w7_8Axqz5kpu-g5cICrZAhNGOm4nmmSh-cc231RXBaLsYLFNIw) Here’s a photo I found online of her underway: ![](https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/L2RlWeITqYkfucSKsRQB4YhnuGjG5zZjLaaz3mhzd3aXI3yZp4uSSsZ4ie5mRlxLmH4SBpWCJ9tmWRehHHrlRWzLS7SQJXoSUbpTK9IjrYZIem_R6IuV2BG2F9MPDgzkY37QOCy0E6WNTehOl4huLEE) She has a sail area of 31,215 sq ft! The yacht is owned by a Russian billionaire’s family, as the billionaire himself is recently deceased (though there seems to be [a bit of drama surrounding his death…](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oleg%5FBurlakov?ref=svsabado.com)). It’s been built to prioritize regenerative technologies and is estimated to be able to cross the Atlantic with only 20 liters of fuel! How cool! Anyway, we dinghied to shore and checked in at a proper Customs and Immigration office, then decided to walk around town. We found the flagship stores for [Island Water World](https://www.islandwaterworld.com/?ref=svsabado.com) and [Budget Marine](https://budgetmarine.com/?ref=svsabado.com), so we killed a couple of hours walking up and down every aisle, playing eye spy with parts we’ve been trying to track down for ages that were sitting on the shelves in abundance here! It was like Disneyland for boat owners! We headed home and spent the rest of the day cleaning in anticipation of our in-water survey. We picked up the surveyor Saturday afternoon. He poked around Sabado for a while, took tons of pictures, and asked us a bunch of questions. It was painless, but it’s not over. He’ll return next week to take a look while Sabado is out of the water. Since she’s five years old now, we’re going to do a few recommended maintenance tasks while she’s out, too. We haul out tomorrow morning and plan on being out of the water for five days- everyone, cross your fingers that the plan holds true! I hope you had a great week! ❤️ ### February 2023: Behind the Scenes URL: https://svsabado.com/february-2023-behind-the-scenes/ Last updated: 2026-06-24T15:25:50.000Z Between our YouTube Channel and our blog, we share a lot of our life on the water. However, there are always things that go undocumented. Over the years, we have met plenty of new liveaboards who feel like they were “duped” into this lifestyle by its romanticized portrayal on social media. In our experience, living full-time on a boat is expensive, it is hard work, and it is time-consuming. Is it worth it? For us, yes. Is it worth it for you? I’m not sure! **So, in an effort to paint a more realistic picture of boat life, here is a bullet-point list of things we failed to document in February 2023:** - The bottom of our cockpit fridge has rusted and crumbled. The entire drawer needs to be replaced, which will cost around $1,000\. We will likely wait and take the opportunity to upgrade to a freezer/ice maker combo unit later. - We paid $7.04 per foot per night to stay at Crown Bay Marina in St. Thomas for our lithium installation + solar upgrade. - The headsets we use while docking stopped working. Ray was able to take them apart and repair them. They’re not even two years old and were $400.00, so we were disappointed to be having issues with them. - Our top-loading fridge in the salon needed to be recharged; Ray was able to do it himself with supplies we already had on board. The supplies initially cost \~$100. - We broke 13 drill bits trying to get a bolt out of the pole that our dinghy davit blocks are attached to. The blocks fell off last month, but we didn’t have the tools we needed to properly extract the bolts at the time. - We paid 24.99/month for a mailbox at Island Mail in St. Thomas. ### Beginning Our Lithium Conversion URL: https://svsabado.com/lithium-conversion-part-1/ Last updated: 2023-02-19T12:37:27.000Z *A Week Aboard S/V Sabado: 2/12/2023 - 2/19/2023* **Hello and Happy Sunday! Let’s jump right in-** *[Our latest YouTube video](https://youtu.be/DCoEbinDxx4?ref=svsabado.com) is out, and it’s a long one!* We spent last Sunday preparing for our pending boat work. If you’ve missed our [last few posts](https://svsabado.com/generator-repairs-new-batteries-and-a-floating-concert/), we’ve been gearing up to make a big change to our power system on Sabado! We are finally making the switch to [lithium batteries](https://dragonflyenergy.com/lithium-marine-batteries/?ref=svsabado.com), something we’ve been considering for years. After plenty of research, we decided to hire professionals to perform the installation, and having technicians on the boat makes both of us nervous. So, we wanted to do as much as we could ahead of time to help things run smoothly. Since our new batteries will be installed under our bed, we cleared out our cabin (mattress and all!) and moved a few of our things into the guest cabin, where we’ll stay for the project's duration. ![](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/6HjHIPncJHdolJIwWx2Mp4p7ZeUFzlc8W7BSex2oNxGdTNMwPMB5og2HoP-uRc9LzTh6UN0Yt0KbyPBiZgoO0JJuwC6CFtmyJOrKf5t3nPly3zO4u9U4UlIZJnglVqqiJERaBLPZ28PQ6lvF3G7rRsg) We’re also planning on removing our wind turbines to make room for more solar, so Ray climbed into the engine compartment and did some preemptive work disconnecting them so the removal process would be quicker. Monday morning, the [STT Marine Services](https://sttmarineservices.com/?ref=svsabado.com) team showed up bright and early and got straight to work. Within minutes, our boat was covered in equipment! ![](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/hJFzQhtiYgdCRkuf0eJw6zFYBBRB9GB-wU4aXU7fAStyo_1xeVPyNMpvMCphbVOK4q3DasL05eESj4PlYkhRCF4rzVgbq-OOQUYgRvep5PWUiFd_FD_5tX2GePtGD09GaLwbwOs7K72rMC8pFiwN1V8) ![](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/VzKFuYVZGjhRurumsXOy-I9s2kHwz4g0ebe3FhyyBog8hAe79mAol28LpA1WFs1jiN5hp2cC9MZE8o10-OoIgEkIqrKgrwKEnFaEOOF4ctMFu2O246zxXKWAEhsuItPUnrxLj8ztgsoDJuynRFzzgAk) We’re very grateful to be working with STT Marine Services. They’re a unique company based in St. Thomas specializing in marine off-grid operations. They focus on lithium conversions, solar upgrades, and watermaker installs. Their team is comprised of full-time liveaboard sailors who live on their boats while working on others. You can see the influence their lifestyles have on their work: there is a clear emphasis on safety, redundancy, and longevity. When we first reached out to them inquiring about this project, they sent us a questionnaire to get a better understanding of our boat’s needs and, specifically, what we were looking to get out of switching to lithium. Some boats undergo other significant changes when they make the switch. It’s not uncommon to want a fully electric galley, more refrigeration, or to run your AC off your batteries. We have relatively basic desires: to use what we already have on the boat whenever we want and buy an electric oven- no AC, no full galley conversion. We just want to be able to run our watermaker and turn on more than one of our refrigerators! From there, they sent over an estimate with a custom wiring diagram that outlined everything they recommended to create a power system that would meet our needs and support our new batteries. ![](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/q1mtYwMnZ1IpbSmbLATSsIL8V7fP9O-USIyilhXfFry58DiZNGgkw1Td4ykfAE98ymbPeAS4-w7wvlXE4u3g6AOso6TbZwOKZO--tZzXGLGTu-RGmbUNV_fqPKR_3ur2Sb_Y9_r8vZThRRn15nAl5Lw) For us, this included a solar upgrade. They began by removing our wind turbines right away and sending the support poles off to be shortened, making more room for our new, bigger solar panels. The carpenter also immediately got to work modifying the compartment under our bed to accommodate 3 [KiloVault HLX+ 3600Wh Lithium Deep Cycle Batteries](https://panbo.com/kilovault-hlx-batteries-serious-quality-and-value/?ref=svsabado.com). These batteries will nearly double our capacity! ![](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/XzBUqK4LBqby1-sIKpQB3WguXSkrCAGRyZqHCWITm84yr7NgrR8eHkzOafoW9cRJ1EwroLwigIp5dVyPNlCkJS36Ea61N5vkYX03fsyi-D0kdQgBx2FUUx7-Iak_Fmlys4fSPmhjsQRKqsnEsOqpLLU) ![](https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/5UCh_PtajhTWx2-MNkBLSQ_8xC1J_tOCH4ZJlKne4P9DY975QZkhmxI9Za1h5hRL9FLkyBuECh-FEUy9lEZ6zGMf8iBXrXTXCBuk9w7DyKR5eYdAl5hUxCHHP66mTqjEOKL__kPmj4GCiagOKfihZdI) Ray and I hung out for a bit before deciding it was in everyone’s best interest if we got off the boat and out of the way. We walked to the nearby restaurant for breakfast, then stopped by the grocery store on the way home. We were planning on spending the afternoon on a friend's boat anchored nearby, but once we dinghied outside of the marina, we realized it was too windy to make the trip, so we turned around and shut ourselves in the guest cabin for a few hours. When we emerged, the boat had transformed! Our old solar panels were gone, the arch was supported by our halyard and a couple of pieces of wood, and the compartment under our bed had been expanded. ![](https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/CkKS5_fFBht0XDExN3iYOdUK8WlENyBgVkOqKIUIUUDeCtP73mODNdqg19RYDlp0gIpncmpEGyavEhNp7akTeZfbrjhLKDD2Xlcpfu7OGCIxwWqZ_uqSpLWOwFjPtOJGlvYL19sW-dNTeD2o2ljsIEI) ![](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/1S3cFdvLFu4aChZBEzE6S7vvN1KiN6WzILA4NM4xgbo6eKPLYilXDsZdUpg94RMdDTfqNzNoTYfaX52eGfePk1pso9iS38j0aGO76pwydtUALroVjduMNAXNWJi5LMJGgduCGjrMUxXUzx1F9qBEBT4) We watched the sunset from our cockpit and headed to bed, excited for the project we’d been dreaming about for ages to continue. ![](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/9SjrYqR96PniI4OTWPOok5oEqX7Hl6QBQc5BcY99QGVDZn1DPE6I9iPGGTCyM046xZc7nE6QVJQpJW8AeFBiPx8PVymQG6oHBGBT4xsi_TblbbjWHvHZnzNdeG-1ub1IwcR7tqjMbOMcE3Gh3Zcyopc) Tuesday was mainly a delivery day. People came and went, bringing along with them 4 new solar panels, more tools, and various other supplies. Ray and I stayed downstairs, reading reviews for electric kettles and air fryers to lower our propane usage since we’ll finally have enough power to do so! That evening we went to the marina bar for “just one drink” before we were meant to meet up with friends for Valentine's Day dinner. We ended up having more than one drink while enjoying the live music and decided to stay put for dinner, then went home and had a movie night instead. ![](https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/GCIMRdHUvezm6FYYsLRnEA9bG8bnnehgAFMyU5hZEd2zQi76BF-ypM7oNltlcMYaaWOcUUSMrLgdoxUDXjgN9lq-VJBDhz6kJ-qDrEennBP9xtXhYKeIRSf2fWQDkM_ClxwAuaQEnAPbHEaa1DFqzp0) Every day is Valentine’s Day with you, Ray! ❤️ I was happy to see our newly shortened poles get reinstalled on Wednesday. I’m sure it was fine, but you can’t convince me that two pieces of wood + a strap attached to our halyard were an adequate replacement for two hefty, stainless steel poles… The modified storage space under our bed was also completed, and the carpenter did an excellent job. The goal with modifications like this is to make it look like that’s how it came from the factory, and I’d say he nailed it! ![](https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/ey-n8vV1Hc0A-3mI_ZO2X1cbYdiAO6pkvcH7PSfJbgV6tW9PoCJSNyKvfzVsRUSawPa8dQuZ-Cdpdo3k2sEfYdPS0HaQ4xWj4cPIn6YUeogVKhnLBb8PI1txBjQPs6E_8W3MypEem92i_IFfFLrhqgU) That evening we got drinks with a couple from the boat docked across from us. They ran charters on a beautiful (and HUGE) catamaran that had pulled into the marina because of battery *and* generator issues. It always amazes me to hear that no matter how expensive or new the boat is, we all seem to deal with the same problems. That night was open mic night at the bar, so we got to listen (and dance) to various local artists! My favorite part of the evening was asking the older gentleman sitting next to us how he was doing today, and his response was, “good, I guess, another day upright.” Our new solar panels were supposed to be installed on Thursday, but there were some delays caused by a wiring job we had done in Trinidad years ago. To make a long story short: our stern light had been wired in a way that made it unserviceable. So, the STT Marine Services team spent most of the day troubleshooting since our new solar panels would intrude upon where our stern light was mounted. They ultimately decided to saw off the current setting of the light, install the panels, and replace the entire light later. This was my view Friday afternoon while editing this week’s video (note the balancing contortionist with the power tool and the wires hanging down from multiple holes in the ceiling): ![](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/Lud55MQWBCTQtxRrtmi-Bffxsa1DFVCZj78xkBocKc0DY-vkT7Ltr63Z6UY3WhVNbMkiYEvYxpAnLAybRErfEmqYi4qc2NIjgz1nzrySXPnP1suVTEGLzoUnstK13wGnwBCp7wN1WThBCnGwReBJ7RU) Once the solar arch was completed, we all had a margarita to celebrate and chatted about their plans for the next week. We’re hoping to be out of the marina next weekend, which seems feasible (pending any surprise delays). Once the workers left, Ray and I finished our YouTube video, hosed down the outside of the boat, and wiped off the thick layer of sawdust that had accumulated on the interior surfaces. We grabbed an early dinner and went straight to bed. We spent the first part of the day yesterday struggling to get our video to upload… longer videos always seem to crash while uploading, voiding my attempt to have it process overnight. In this week’s video, we take you along on the hectic adventure that is living aboard during a major project, and Ray sits down with a professional to talk about why we aren’t doing this install ourselves, his professional opinion of the KiloVault batteries, and some of the details of our design. ![](https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/rcUjGUAMne5cgPPBrx-Wg-5d4SqY6FIgKXSWB3NB-dcblnHX_hAhT0iC7RDsYQNqoiJIyU5QkQGbkEGkFyR1ooeFub5e16UBror6unY9nJQagPGW-2emEIQcasTRw7yvH2vVDNk6bNqCF9szkbp_p4s) Once we got it uploaded and published, I went back to bed. I don’t sleep very well on the dock… there are lots of strange noises, and I’m always nervous about how easy it would be for someone to board us (no matter how unlikely it may be), and I haven’t been feeling good as a result. This was the first day in a while that we were alone, so I took the opportunity to relax in my pajamas all day. Ray ran a few errands before joining me. Today I hope to finish some chores before another week of boat work begins. I hope you had a great week! ❤️ ### Bad Batteries, Good Food, and Great Friends URL: https://svsabado.com/bad-batteries-good-food-and-great-friends/ Last updated: 2023-02-12T12:31:43.000Z *A Week Aboard S/V Sabado: 2/5/2023 - 2/12/2023* **Hi! Check out our latest YouTube video [here](https://youtu.be/pYzybLGWUUE?ref=svsabado.com)!** Sunday morning, we got a gut-wrenching text from our friends… “Our dinghy is missing! Clipped it on the starboard side last night”… a fear every boater shares. Our dinghy is our car; it’s how we get to and from shore. It’s what allows us to live off the dock! We try to be as diligent as possible, using two [painters](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Painter%5F%28rope%29?ref=svsabado.com), locking it up, and raising it out of the water at night. Still, sometimes we get complacent. We come home a little tipsy and don’t feel like raising it, we forget to use the second painter, we think we’ll only be gone for a few minutes, so we don’t bother with the lock, etc. Most boaters have a story to share about their dinghy breaking free and/or being stolen. Ours broke free in Boston and was almost run over by a ferry! Luckily someone saw it and helped us retrieve it. Our friends weren’t so lucky. Their dinghy was nowhere to be seen. Ray picked them up in ours and started searching. They checked the shoreline, the mooring field, and the marinas, hoping to see it tied to the back of someone’s boat or returned to the dinghy dock. No luck. They posted on the local Facebook page and boarded Sabado. We pulled up our anchor and headed around toward the far end of the island to continue the search. Ray steered the boat while the 3 of us stared through our binoculars. ![](https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/8rVBxBo3puS0odMObsklLVsjeeJQRM6roh6u0mh_4M2a7U-ioQ9Uyox7NSoWgn086m0NbA6VqclvzPOaKUrdauVBmsVZViiBHfENuSzG5hkCO1A0UeR8ABSbwfVWi_3uZ28VFJqTcGCi-6-AJCKBMw) We never found it. Feeling defeated, we returned to our anchorage and brought them back to their boat. We spent the afternoon cleaning Sabado while they sorted out how to get a new dinghy. They’re inherently positive people, so they’re considering taking this opportunity to upgrade to something bigger! We met up with them later that evening for dinner at a local restaurant we’ve been dying to try since we got here in November, [Blue 11](https://www.blue11vi.com/?ref=svsabado.com). It’s a chef’s tasting menu, so you only order the number of courses you want (7, 9, or 11), and you have no control over what they bring you. We decided to go all in and do the 11 courses with the wine pairings- it was amazing! We were there for several hours and got to try a variety of dishes, from scallops and snapper to wagyu short ribs and jerk chicken served with unique accompaniments like plantain gnocchi and cassava foam with passion fruit butter. ![](https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/uYYRFBCy489EKrPSWhiUNmJKJgfeDPgHcxzGvnaiu2jyhX5k26_LjvlWAbb0-35nD3QLym3Ma2vGE948fKXFU_uHR5OxFey9eylwqwKeWRHZL5ustyZuidaKw7gQSGohtznHFTbHmEEVT3toLNP0k70) Pictured: New York strip with green banana and white cheddar mash, tamarind reduction, and a seasoned pepper jam. This is the best group photo we could manage after all that food and wine… ![](https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/Wfimwv0H_nuFZO5lPYFtuJgXv4AIcwbbmO_JzCW96WHip5pwT-hS3ArHLX5O5fqNQu0jVDnQ9kfRDi2w_JG0PWUJure0EMnUPtyTBejKV_K2T7BcC1JEU6n9yFGgFqYKvmSB4NuVXO8c0SksnSaiuP0) We woke up the following day and noticed our low-battery alarms were about to go off. We were frustrated and confused. We had run our engine for 2hrs the day before and had only one refrigerator plugged in! Our current batteries were becoming more and more challenging to live with. We sent a message to the marine electrician asking for an estimated timeline for our new battery installation because it needed to happen sooner rather than later. The way our current batteries were behaving, we’d either need to burn a lot of diesel running the generator, or we’d need to get to a dock and plug into [shore power](https://clearseas.org/en/blog/shore-power-why-does-it-matter/?ref=svsabado.com) ASAP. We turned on the generator while I called the nearby marinas. I was horrified at the outrageous prices quoted for a week-long stay. At this point, we still didn’t have an estimate for the work, so factoring in a $2,000+ marina stay seemed… stressful. By lunchtime, we realized we’d been aggregated all day! Something about that damn generator noise and our pending expenses had put us in a bad mood. So, we turned up the stereo and danced it out! You can’t hear the genny if you have Bob Marley turned up! We opened a case of [Love City Hard Seltzer](https://stjohnbrewers.com/pages/love-city-hard-seltzer?ref=svsabado.com) and went for a swim off the back of the boat. ![](https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/aX4NlNsF25dpz1uDPf0Nlfw9wNKifXTVyPsXA7Qnv1w5MAMUlhQOoCxd6nctuVa3LRtlCHSHJz7P-yO4EOdzUN9afrkSozcLHC0npqi76oZZSXBpD7pUmtAjbaiYZZL_2N8lLYs1uGOhF3ipFZk82Q4) ![](https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/gi6nGrOjqRM9Q6rPehZZhc4qywfTU40p2sVGrs3nMGtYFfDd5kPminsekPSfgljOH-Gv1_cHzDm5DZrzp_7UfLmtU1s3VbnBefnEv82meIlmiLz7VxD0EeDhlBT6lW5BzZfLYYeQcYoK9qyaqHOD5Q) Every little ting… is gonna be alright! That evening we had friends over for drinks, takeout, and a movie night. The boys ordered the entire menu… ![](https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/zvYIqUz5YCp3QBwAiZYU656qlCEn8em13YyFNRrGyy6M5JWA8bTuXxeLo0DDOCleIX1n_8HhjsTEsbjFl5XrkCxQME4vlR3ReLTCl0afWovc0ShgNfFa_64pWUrwApajYHpLDiZ6hxC2bej2Wm60aYU) … and we watched [True Spirit](https://m.imdb.com/title/tt2353868/?ref=svsabado.com) on Netflix, a documentary about Jessica Watson, the youngest person to sail solo around the world nonstop. She was at sea for 210 days straight at age 16!! Can you even imagine what that must have been like?! The next day we did some chores, ran some errands, and ate some leftovers. Despite having run our generator for 5 hours the day before, our batteries were low (again!!!). So we spent the afternoon with everything turned off, continuously moving the [boom](https://www.discoverboating.com/resources/sailing-basics-10-nautical-sailing-terms-to-know?ref=svsabado.com), so it didn’t shade our solar panels while refreshing our email inbox, anxiously waiting for our new battery install quote. On Wednesday, we had to run the generator again. We tried to take advantage of the positives though: we threw in a load of laundry, made some water, and did some work inside while the AC was on. We received our installation quote and made some arrangements for a marina stay to get the job done. I reorganized the storage space in our [cabin](https://sailchecker.com/what-is-a-cabin/?ref=svsabado.com) to accommodate the new batteries and cleaned up to make it as easily accessible as possible for the workers. Thursday morning, we focused on our [galley](https://anchorsupcarolina.com/boat-galley-what-is-the-function/?ref=svsabado.com) options. We want to get rid of our current oven and potentially the microwave, too. Our new batteries should allow us to use more appliances, like an air fryer/electric oven. This would minimize our propane usage and release less heat into the galley when cooking, a valuable consideration for cooking in the Caribbean. We took some measurements and read a million appliance reviews. Do you have something in particular you love? If so, let us know! That afternoon we got a message from our friends: they would be sailing by our anchorage shortly, and we agreed to bring the dinghy over and board their boat while they were underway, what we call “navy seal style”. ![](https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/JLUwtJL2Et5x2Xb5muB0b3frmQg5NiQUKxE4cnAaH9UEkslFYcGadWBD4XvZVo7qlCFyGLizzwybbGxyibvBqFdb24qRniD8ZacVWyh804ywPGwnwEWlEEubuq5X3Ew_bFhFl-vN-HtNZvSPw87DwOg) Shockingly, no one ended up in the water! I probably won't do it again, though. We helped them get on the dock and hung out the rest of the evening. The next day it was our turn to get on the dock. Our batteries were driving us nuts, and we’d spent too much money on our boat to have it feel like we were camping, but with practically no power, that’s what it was feeling like! We reluctantly reserved a slip in an outrageously overpriced marina. 2 weeks on the dock = 2x my monthly rent at my last apartment in San Diego. Our friends helped us get on- stern in, starboard tie, with the wind blowing us off the dock: our least favorite combination. It’s always nice to have a few extra hands to help with lines and fenders! We got Sabado settled and then stopped by the nearby bar to buy our crew a round. Shortly after, the oh-so-familiar anxiety set in… Ray and I hate being on a dock. Sabado hates it, too. History has shown that the dock is where most of her problems start, and everything (aside from our batteries) has been running so smoothly lately… The idea of having other people aboard doing major work on her, too, is nerve-wracking. We sent a quick text to our friends and moments later were packing a bag to sleep over on their boat, on anchor. One less night on the dock is in the best interest of our mental health. Together, we had a game night… ![](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/JC3rRismulq22ZCztcZle8wNuwrNOc5IoxpMhqcSkH7OGc-rhe55qI7j34VlG0ldF5LwOekY6MbAhyG6xHIBR0QJmt-FbaX_j2AQNAiy2RYMrfOODDA9VTIn1-RC4vhmpb2lLB9hlQdzR3K5FF_TpXg) …which quickly turned into a lot of wine, a midnight swim, and a dance party; not surprising for this group! We slept in, then dinghied to shore for brunch before returning to Sabado, feeling incredibly grateful for our friends. ![](https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/R22wOTuLiW3_ocZ2J4n-C2DSrYE61NY1w84_Gc00-leIRque0RpwmuE-1-oDN_v6knK62tgS9LMUgfooGh5hjLGm1pJENEYQhQss0ul6pd-CDimpiiMCGVYYr0Zy-QzeLCCPMVJG3LrxQVD4_jxZ4Tc) Once we got home, we started planning out what we needed to do to prepare for the work we’re having done on Sabado next week. Today, we’re jumping into action. Hopefully, the installation will begin tomorrow. I hope you had a great week! ❤️ ### Generator Repairs, NEW BATTERIES, and a Floating Concert?! URL: https://svsabado.com/generator-repairs-new-batteries-and-a-floating-concert/ Last updated: 2023-02-05T13:01:31.000Z *A Week Aboard S/V Sabado: 1/29/2023 - 2/5/2023* **Hello and Happy Sunday!!** Last Sunday, we did some chores: we put away our laundry, reorganized some of our storage spaces, cleaned and [treated](https://a.co/d/h39TigV?ref=svsabado.com) the helm seat, etc. once we decided we’d done enough for the day, we opened a special bottle of wine, made some homemade guacamole, and enjoyed the rest of the day! ![](https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/SlkFvF_d8hXxwZ4dnuvCHZ4iWV4hF4k5aUXx07Tl1SVpNmrrrty9AXtV1YXYrUU0VpOMogL5bLLmRrplpoXVNr4WJZetA-BVe9X7aqqEComPUZ8IF7ILLaoGgjdL4izzwMC6jM71gTY5hNC2Ty7Zbxg) That night I woke up to footsteps above me. Ray had gone outside to pee but was walking around more than usual. I saw him turn on the outside lights, so I got up to make sure everything was okay. We had left the dinghy in the water overnight, and one of the [painters](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Painter%5F%28rope%29?ref=svsabado.com) was stuck on what we assumed to be Sabado’s propeller. We got the boat hook out and tried to free it, with no luck. If something were to happen and we needed to use our engines, we’d be in trouble. So, I reluctantly changed out of my pajamas, put on a swimsuit, and grabbed my snorkel gear. I jumped in to take a look. The prop was clear. The painter was stuck between our rudder and the hull. Our underwater lights weren’t illuminating the area well enough, so I had Ray bring me our dive light. Just my luck: the battery was dead. I blindly tugged on the painter, but I wasn’t willing to force anything when I couldn’t see clearly. Ray moved the rudder hard to port, allowing the underwater light to reach the outer hull. I could see! I dove down once more and freed the painter. Ray pulled the dinghy up while I rinsed off and put my pajamas back on. I will now charge our dive light every week, just in case. The next day the marine electrician we’d been working with for our lithium install let us know that our new batteries were ready to be picked up. We met him on shore, and he drove us to the pickup location, then to a warehouse to open, examine, and store the batteries until we were ready for the installation. ![](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/wsp3lEuR5uGyE74aSPon3v_lomo7Rq3vWWE66i6lE0OVsCjAR4Tq8n0NWy-MlsmM1_LlExK3pwvT1j4kLqOyJ76J3nLk-gJfbdAgPVVEAXtEnlGlNSBaW_mlIIK3Yzzvrr3c-GP-_3HpV1-eya13lrc) We did a lot of research before choosing [KiloVault](https://kilovault.com/kilovault-hlx-plus-series/?ref=svsabado.com) LiFePO4 batteries. In [this week’s YouTube video](https://youtu.be/szgcUQSQuDM?ref=svsabado.com), we discuss our decision-making process in depth if you’re curious! KiloVault invited us to be partners and has given us these batteries for free in exchange for documenting our experience. The best way to support us during this project is to thumbs up and comment on our video!❤️ That night we checked out a Mexican restaurant in the area and had a few margaritas to celebrate! YouTube is just a hobby for us. We started making videos to share some of the blue water and sunshine with our friends and family during COVID, and it’s been fun to see strangers tuning in! We’ve met some incredible people because of YouTube who have given us a place to stay, let us use their washer/dryer, their car; one couple even drove us an hour and a half away, over state lines, so that we could go to Costco! It’s been such a cool way to connect with people, but we never thought we’d get to partner with a company to upgrade our power system… Woohoo!! We spent the next few days catching up on cleaning and spending time with friends. Thursday morning, we moved Sabado over to Christmas Cove, about an hour away from our anchorage. We had gotten an SOS text from our friends who had paying guests aboard… their generator had died, meaning they didn’t have AC (a necessity for vacationers who aren’t used to the Caribbean heat). We hopped onto a [mooring ball](https://www.marineinsight.com/marine-navigation/what-is-a-mooring-buoy/?ref=svsabado.com) and dinghied over to their boat with our tool kit in hand. The guests went snorkeling, so we boarded and got to work! Ray got their generator started back up, and they invited us to stay for a concert they were hosting that afternoon. Sure enough, [the band](https://afterirmaband.com/?ref=svsabado.com) and all their gear showed up in a dinghy shortly after. They set up in the cockpit, and a crowd quickly gathered in the water to listen to the performance. ![](https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/nJt8TC3zImmcbHrfckrymkx4zEIjfBaKRyElcRkHN9iljnFtGei8oxviYgKGUoYmfCOGWZFMnreCRS2FriNLtLarRDrkTOcF7wXaGgi5GQqWoE7gP4qTy3RTjyr0u8mc6mHtShNK_wPIrJKgLUtnQIo) ![](https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/1rmdAisuIM0h7upkSGcUkOGzouIb-x_EKfdCzgC1O0ZrGy0NOOTThdahRSe9aB1MBBJdeGuWg4tvv16Bbgmsj0KZOVWnWiV2g6vE0XeQTzDbXUgpkxyV0_ps5_dBvIkO1uq30XaPLM3Xtgy2slLWEhM) How many people can say they attended a concert in the ocean?! This lifestyle never ceases to amaze me. That night while we were cleaning up after dinner, we got another text: the generator had died again. Ray did a bit of brainstorming while I finished tidying up, then we headed back over. In between serving their guests, they were troubleshooting with Ray. ![](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/1Hg2XInKz1AdjNkUq5oz2niF9VL0DCDPlTGPXomeDu7UraiGVYVoqkLxccTn6XfWYJenKBM4ivbQ8NtnnWyMDStI0CBfp87YdhluzQGYTk5zUoZ_aK4aRfHMVMLxoEBvDEWFT0p33OlFCMPiXhw5nP4) Together, they got the generator up and running, and it ran through the night just fine. We left Christmas Cove the following day and anchored in Brewers Bay. We finished filming and editing our YouTube video and relaxed in the calm anchorage. Our friends dropped their guests off at the airport Saturday morning, and we all got together for lunch, which turned into drinks, which turned into a party… Safe to say, we’re moving a little slow this morning. I hope you had a great week! ❤️ *\*\*\*This post may contain affiliate links, as affiliates we earn commission through qualifying purchases.\*\*\** ### January 2023: Behind the Scenes URL: https://svsabado.com/january-2023-behind-the-scenes/ Last updated: 2026-06-24T15:25:38.000Z Between our YouTube Channel and our blog, we share a lot of our life on the water. However, there are always things that go undocumented. Over the years, we have met plenty of new liveaboards who feel like they were “duped” into this lifestyle by its romanticized portrayal on social media. In our experience, living full-time on a boat is expensive, it is hard work, and it is time-consuming. Is it worth it? For us, yes. Is it worth it for you? I’m not sure! **So, in an effort to paint a more realistic picture of boat life, here is a bullet-point list of things we failed to document in January 2023:** - The block for our jib sheet broke and caused the line cover to chafe. We replaced the block and repaired the portion of the affected line. The replacement block was $120, and we had to sail back to St. Thomas to get it. A friend let us borrow their car, so we didn’t need to pay for a taxi to pick it up. - The furling line for the jib got pulled down into the drum so that we couldn’t furl in the jib. We had the full sail out, so Ray pulled and re-spooled the line while I steered the boat. - The toilet seat + lid in the owner's head broke. It looked like the plastic hinges just gave out and crumbled. So, we bought a new one for $70\. We installed it and inspected the other heads on the boat for spider cracks: all others look fine. - Ray scrubbed the teak in our cockpit three times. We need to find a protective mat to lay over the teak when we’re using the grill because we get drippings everywhere when we use it! - Our Navionics chart cards locked up our B&G chart plotter. This has happened to us (and others) before. We notice it happens less often when we’re using C-Map charts, but either way, turning the system off and back on again usually fixes it. We’d love to upgrade to a Furuno chart plotter one day… - We ripped a hole in our screen door for the salon, so we ordered a new one off Amazon for $30\. We pay $24.99/month for a mailbox at Island Mail in St. Thomas. - We filled one of our 7lb propane tanks for $15 and purchased a small tank for our grill for $8. - We purchased 65ft of 10mm Dyneema core line to replace the line on our dinghy lift for $87.75. - Ray replaced the impeller on the generator (general maintenance) with a spare we had on board. - I scrubbed the bottom of the boat once. - One of the sections of our helm enclosure ripped during a gusty sail. The factory enclosure was not sewn with UV-resistant thread, so this is not the first time the sunbrella portion has torn. We repair it by hand with UV-resistant thread we keep on board. - On three separate occasions, our planned anchorage/mooring field was full when we arrived. It’s always smart to have a plan B! - The fan above the bed in the owner's cabin started making a loud, strange noise. Ray took it apart and lubed it up, which seems to have fixed the problem. We will likely replace that fan in the future. ### Returning to the USVI & Planning Our Next Boat Project URL: https://svsabado.com/returning-to-the-usvi-planning-our-next-boat-project/ Last updated: 2023-01-29T12:55:37.000Z *A Week Aboard S/V Sabado: 1/22/2023 - 1/29/2023* **Good morning! I hope you’re doing well.** ❤️ *We fell behind on editing, so [here](https://youtu.be/MwCpbHU3wkE?ref=svsabado.com) is the video from our BVI adventures I wrote about [last week](https://svsabado.com/welcome-to-the-bvi/)!* Anyway, last Monday morning, we moved Sabado one bay over to be closer to our friend's boat. They had lost their ability to reverse on one side of their catamaran the day prior, so Ray went over to help diagnose the problem. It ended up being an issue with their propeller. Once they were safely underway, Ray and I ate breakfast and chatted about our next destination. We decided to check out Great Harbor, so we motored on over. It was quiet and far less crowded than the places we visited last week, a welcomed change of pace, and we were on a [mooring ball](https://www.marineinsight.com/marine-navigation/what-is-a-mooring-buoy/?ref=svsabado.com) next to the founder of BlackBerry’s yacht, [Artefact](https://www.nobiskrug.com/fleet/artefact/?ref=svsabado.com)! ![](https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/elb7kN7I3lNmeViKC6vVyHQ0jlirzyzkSbxu1eeaSZIaCnexEAcLJyWt38T-Lcw3PZjkQcVCJvW9itZEB4YBAlLdZ-Y3-lhbAPAJy2MNGxwSwt_xzemVhdkOBK4LucRGXFn-kcaQJDUkPXFxDmy75voDVfXyelX3Dvq_i4FjWkpGKYHb1h1xkBrgPNDNYA) We lounged around all afternoon, then headed to shore to meet up with two other couples for dinner. We went to the restaurant at [Oceans 7 Yacht Club](https://www.facebook.com/oceans7yachtclub?mibextid=LQQJ4d) and had a lovely meal, despite them being out of half of the menu items. After dinner, we dinghied to one of their boats for a few cocktails before bed. We had steady wind all night and woke up to fully charged batteries Tuesday morning. We turned on [Starlink](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Starlink?ref=svsabado.com) and had a productive morning of internet access. Ray spent his time communicating with a marine electrician about our potential [lithium battery conversion](https://www.powerandmotoryacht.com/.amp/maintenance/switching-to-lithium-batteries-on-your-boat?ref=svsabado.com) while I caught up on editing and finally got around to setting up our [Amazon Storefront](https://www.amazon.com/shop/hollyandray?ref=svsabado.com)! Later that day, I was recruited to use a charter boat’s newest toy: a clear paddleboard! It was so cool to see as if you were snorkeling without getting wet; I even saw a squid! I paddled around while they followed me with a drone for their website/social media: ![](https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/3u42k1sKsiyK3Qi9yoxNBtaU5tuQYAQE0c1mDalGM7EyeBm8AQr-nZN0_7tVbEX3DEosWlcw4CXybdm7hIhediTWmiKuzBrmMx_ZMtbn_fsSjUvcb6F9p1u4ckbtnAD3gSRSP9vOIrvvMPaYg3vy1PibtFqn-WKN_LixNVhtupaSvi4UA3Azz6WfRnXmaw) ![](https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/gsP_OOat35ioPzUAfPRasWWoySaK_mxlTdbZMUfzngi7-H5N1eVPIDvryrgO9Id7p2jiaPacvhg11IrVRAB4DaNfwlPEz8Qdw7h80sVROOd8Q3nyvHdfXLb-I_JkS8_i-HT1UoGY9IhiX0hZaP1jURhkQ8-Pe4dQrPXL1_bc_rPDZzqeoCa-T5Eq9fwybA) Ray and I had lunch on their boat, then continued our computer tasks while our batteries were behaving. I’m embarrassed to admit we didn’t even eat dinner that night because we fell asleep before 6 pm. The following day we woke up extra early, feeling very well-rested. We discussed the details of our upcoming battery upgrade over coffee: to keep the wind turbines or get rid of them? To install two new batteries or three? Under our bed or somewhere else? Should we do a solar upgrade as well? Ray always makes sure to get my opinion on these things, which, when it comes to batteries/power/wiring, requires an hour or two of me reading articles and asking him questions before I can make an informed decision, so this was a long process. Once we had a better idea of what we wanted to do, we were eager to get moving. We conducted engine checks, then headed over to West End to check out of the BVI. Overall we had a great time in the BVI- and we’ll head back again later this year to hit the spots we missed- but it is *expensive* to stay, and there are *sooo* many boats! If you have any roomy anchorage recommendations, though, please let us know. We checked out and wandered over to [Omar’s](https://www.omarscafebvi.com/?ref=svsabado.com) for lunch. Omar’s has an Indian menu with a Caribbean flair. We ordered a paratha, vegetable samosas, and palak chicken with basmati rice- all delicious- and had plenty to bring home and reheat for dinner that night! We left the next morning and motored back to St. Thomas. We hardly had any wind, but the calm seas allowed me to do some much-needed cleaning inside while we were moving. ![](https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/M06vAEKvqm46bKyhQlzneQhYbo1bnmqrphQWT8GgWrBAeewAn3a0_xxw9PRM4hb-lXpbYtVcknOoOk_h1V348JqwG5Uv_MAnlKvUhmkkcKos43lphHzU5ttlkQXc1_kCFvg6kMCK1KoNXTDz8EkkL4MufcaRmMQBNhFXeWXCXKEMQ4y46FCze6Q3YtMiFA) We arrived in St. Thomas, checked in electronically, and dropped anchor back in our usual spot… ![](https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/8MniscaLOc2SOzEMFmlh9kuznE5opguhb9R9fcCuCrHBVxZMpJB1yVe987KBeDG7oveLhiToQWmcccNfqIA4-OLErPTS1_Ex018sScZnVjnwgZRiSV40pDvRePObR6GdnmAgeZ_Fo_b8sl4rJpq5WYkw2FyEHcGNGDyTsYk7QnbtxbdFnZBHNgf6s3wWXg) We took the dinghy to shore to get our mail. We received an exciting package: an [Igloo cooler!](https://www.amazon.com/shop/hollyandray?ref=svsabado.com) ![](https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/aIavuNt8drjESa4_lFw81YOCJznm8cVGIkH0x6mmDwt9vvC3a4jIb4-Ki156J7FoA56lfuNZf4sso8e0AlGyt6jotvQbToj1a42_iYALIbMkynCORt6EKl0WzrPdSW_cW7mK8VgJ-r7XVQCNWIhoxTPMVqqwEvpi6j9JiNee643H24JO0Mn6_C6U3Nbiew) We plan to use it as a bench for our cockpit table (hence the cushion on top) and storage for our snorkel gear. It’s the perfect size! We’ll need to reupholster the cushion with [sunbrella](https://blog.shadowspec.com/blog/what-is-sunbrella-fabric?hs%5Famp=true&ref=svsabado.com) at some point… but we’ll see how long the vinyl holds up. Gladys, if you’re reading this: thank you! This is the perfect addition to our cockpit! We love it!! Later that afternoon, we pulled up the anchor and moved onto a mooring ball owned by the marine electrician we’d been chatting with about our battery install. The ball had a bridle setup for catamarans (two long lines from the top of the ball). This sounds nice, but the lines were tangled when we arrived. I picked up the first one and brought it to our [cleat](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cleat%5F%28nautical%29?ref=svsabado.com) before realizing both lines were knotted around the base of the mooring ball. We dropped the line, and Ray maneuvered Sabado back up to the ball. I attempted to untangle the lines with the [boat hook](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boat%5Fhook?ref=svsabado.com), but I couldn’t get the leverage I needed to make any progress. Ray and I debated putting the dinghy in the water. I even volunteered to jump in with goggles and untangle it by hand. We decided to give it another go with the boat hook first. At this point, I was frustrated. I hooked the first line and pulled it up into my reach. I yanked it up with my hands, pulling the entire ball out of the water to see what was happening at the base. I lassoed the ball a few times and looped the first line around the second to undo the knot, then pulled as hard as I could until the line came free. I was sweating and was now covered in smelly slime from manhandling the line. Ray clapped for me. I repeated the same process for the other line. Ray rinsed the residual grime off the bow while I changed clothes. The electrician came over shortly after that. We showed him what we were working with and discussed our options over beer in the cockpit. Once he left, I made a quick dinner before meeting up with friends for a drink. The first thing the following morning, the electrician was back aboard Sabado, this time with a carpenter. We all crowded around the chosen installation location and devised a plan. I promise I am not being deceitfully vague about our battery install. We are waiting to see the estimate before we publicly discuss the details because we’ll likely make some changes to fit our budget. Once everything is finalized, we will be posting about the batteries we chose, our installation plan, modification details, and the professionals who will be doing the work. Our updates are all real-time, so you’ll know more when we do! That afternoon we got annoyed with the sea state in the mooring field, so we ditched the ball and moved over to Frenchman’s Cove, a quiet, calm, empty anchorage with clear water and a lovely beach. We spent the afternoon swimming and relaxing. ![](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/uQueMEMGhBINLH6ZLf1v8FgTfQuDYLejdaj5NLo5m-QUow17bIkDMcS0t1bD0cX7xZ_f9Z2FZ1ltyV6KozMZ3V77CQ6axEs_Ye8nH6BFo6efJvsl66-lmHYeciy31cWZbYGS-IGpK9KY4Fa7czbV7yDYBi1zDSild-pmdt_Mug_lercRKe0KYeNqv_HQpw) Saturday morning, we dinghied over to our friend’s boat. They needed a hand making some changes to the lines at the top of their mast. We boarded their boat and talked through a diagram they had made depicting what needed to be done. Once everyone understood the plan, we sent Ray up the mast to execute it. ![](https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/rmTyo3LSJkFfT2m9i7UCSvItvX1ZHtxoEAw2SIOYakdkUJoOY-VVtg61CzV3gFonZtYr4g_1675WNsdVcF3mutGr8RtnpodkiSrvdfWmcFCzk-osqP8udco1ePF8eMIuL46559YgIl-oeZS9pjLnNOHc9Vgc47gHfMAxUEsym3AfPpAqwwLdYz8Hrtl_ZA) We were paid in coffee and compliments after the job was done. ❤️ One of our favorite things to do is help other boaters. Ray gets to flex his engineering muscle, and I always learn something new! That evening we grilled some steaks and watched the sunset. ![](https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/PUryy6itmpRtcm8GBoj03S_6dZHmHAlZkZJl2t-Pql_q_kkV1fXDtqDgjdPxtnB7CY8jQmSbFRY0lMjQ_nslxpNZZNuGV_lV9iUTMk8YjFJ-bs3jDdhAwZIK3q2Om64ikgYXoriSpSgDPVJ0fAJzt_tdDmNMj1JLuJg46Uw9UgUA4udKNFzGxWbzO0rv5g) ![](https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/GHVfNvJ8CTUSFv-AfXCNNQd-Q4OQKpLmcdAIz6VhplZ_wUOzmwaZ_VJSW3dA7vvPPLlqGdbV52qnMEjjwHlWx-C82NnBavHaTs_3T9S_6aA_tnCCXelzhED6EO90pue1SEqLqbXW4vwgxaJcGf8ezP0IZN1s6r0cmRsDkVgRrGcfi3sW0cqoLgR9_JP9Ng) Today I’m planning on catching up on chores. I need to polish some stainless, scrub the nonskid in the bathrooms, and do some reorganizing- exciting, I know. Hopefully, we’ll get the estimate for our battery project in the next few days, and I’ll be able to fill you in on our final decisions next week. ### Welcome to the BVI!! URL: https://svsabado.com/welcome-to-the-bvi/ Last updated: 2023-01-22T21:35:49.000Z *A Week Aboard S/V Sabado: 1/15/2023 - 1/22/2023* **Hello! I’m a bit late getting this up this week, so let’s jump right in.** On Monday, we sailed to West End, BVI, from St. Thomas, USVI. Well, we motored. Our batteries needed a good charge, and we wanted to make some water, so we opted to run the engines for this \~3hr trip. ![](https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/b3HBjFXE-_VTOvzkL9zxPYDXPyZI968UVKx_8htLZdUnvnpUZTvOay725DBQ6ELsSt-vwAZO91e7nwLpZme_ooxgsVTh3XeIkRQ88n9qWmtTJ4PyTzuoElocBUcBge8u90bsqKQGxnURfO7VqiM-0pGb97KJ7d_8KmeI0fWE9JiPxmVsKIK6jbClNqGq6Q) We completed our [SailClear](https://www.sailclear.com/index?ref=svsabado.com) arrival notification while we were underway and printed out the confirmation. The mooring field in West End was packed when we arrived, but most of the balls were being used just long enough for people to check in, so we snagged one as someone was leaving after about 15mins of hovering. We took our dinghy in and walked to the blue and white Customs and Immigration building. The process was disorganized and confusing, but everyone was very helpful. If you’re going, go to immigration first! Next time we go, I won’t bother printing out the SailClear confirmation; all they need is the number which you can read off your phone. Once we checked in, we left West End and motored over to The Bight Bay. We hopped onto one of the many available mooring balls around [The Willy T](http://willy-t.com/?ref=svsabado.com) for $30 per night. ![](https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/19EMptDcJnGLabhHPzvWsfoFRLs_Y5gI_TYh5nUkw7AOlWpsY6kkdLSBkRR3ZifR7fNK1SclPnUAKTdaTDcStgBa-9gaenf1_4hPmlMcmWphKsV9My0LgmH_xUYpKwcWPcEivSU0jite0JlxtmFHQE4DOTGGx47hkUnDo4iZEeoOeB9QPofX-lb_MVgtBg) We spent the rest of the afternoon relaxing and having cocktails with friends. ![](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/s42JBkN_36IVYxo-0hbreOC57tIGOejeXaabvt6MYUr-utC8IN3MzYRQ-iMCUMJUeHDRsAfYkmZaGAVX3gJSFwjgYvnvlsztqF-kJzgis4Zl0XEAEBW87nEAoQStcNAq_5_Uvnn99s0hYNUNqT0rA7132jWWI2C74kGJZyhg8L2noBIwgvWdu-OpHXatTA) That evening two of our friends moved aboard Sabado for the week, and together we went to The Willy T. I won’t be writing about all our shenanigans, but I will say we did (and drank) all there was to do (and drink). To everyone who saw us there: no, you didn’t. With absolutely no context or explanation, here are a few pictures: ![](https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/ZNqSlMRasbIBgOgW6bMifbX3C1eAsaX_KE-jmhRS5dv5udzkOyoUpUg_AluAu-4UVKbdyg7ae63Y7pB0u9QW2h2xv6dB29wkFxEyLK9h_wF85oRtYhBbxce5Xp9NiHmRHXTxgNAOrGTSYL1b1k6q467ZK2zy6BRfal6PRpRubva9SvQJ54uuFyeIx51usA) ![](https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/Mc4PM518qSPEdHQqegSAmpLeeMBpZOgovZCngHsTpGt-ZDzm9TgcR3obSk1VMZviOizW8tcdcpj3Zt3Tn9papmTuzOuZXN02hkHCtoSJj6wSSVyIr1B1eHNBN9N9xiHyuSljAGpXYmnIVoyrzEUgdBxRg5mf46s6Xot4HX5ewnFQRuKVSLJfIUTV01FfMw) ![](https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/bmY0phQu3pGrgKFrHEG62wdO83yRjWQ_DPLkXvRnZMRr3cTPKujgJ8WBZa1yAJpZDmPAAkpFBK4Z8BO9Sp1gL-BtEw-wYqY7sihfoIFMMJEuD1m93aBF6_iQr7lj-aQ0-mGWtCSYKAM7G1WMKXV7hAYjzDKgEpWY1_N7KcRgWMN30_-SuvQP9W58fwhsIA) The following day we were moving pretty slowly. We went for a swim off the back of the boat and nibbled on some bagels while a steady stream of friends dinghied over to Sabado to chat and piece together what had happened the night before. We made it to shore for lunch at [Pirate’s Bight](https://www.piratesbight.com/?ref=svsabado.com), then mustered up the energy to move the boat to Cooper Island. We were nervous about finding an available mooring ball since all the ones you could reserve in advance were booked, but we picked up a first come, first serve ball easily (there were four open when we pulled up!). That night we watched an epic sunset from the boat. ![](https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/XWwl9oQAw4uPzKEwDd3PmtHbMYTEr-F_tSWO-Ekq8v3ou__RFA-sedIt8LX4kKiPlX12GVTNqWi6X6uq59qmuc4JMrMUg63cUwYZUtB_zmYy_UZ2ed5nN5Fdi9mkdpmUdpQM29KjX2eaftw3h65rYcV3QEFdX0VKeb9MzEMf5LTTv2oiPQuVV3-9hk7lmw) We all took showers and naps, then went to [Cooper Island Beach Club](https://cooperislandbeachclub.com/?ref=svsabado.com) for a late dinner. I should’ve snapped a photo of our food. You’ll have to take my word for it- it was fantastic! The next morning we listened to a goat on the cliff behind us scream its head off while we sipped our coffee; how relaxing! Ray and I took the dinghy to shore to check out the beach club during daylight hours. We stopped by their coffee shop, browsed through the boutique, and bought some ice pops on the way home. We both picked the [soursop](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Soursop?ref=svsabado.com) flavor, a tropical fruit I'd never tried! It tasted like pineapple mixed with apple, and a little herb-y too… maybe basil? It was different but delicious! ![](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/nBn55AXcNsKfv9aGHw0KQ_Ax3kp92g4OCwYHHhapIgycJwyhEZOgQGQA7JbO6Qut65P5tZYVm112zuPfIqiwTaBiFcQ2iQgZjlrFFCPFy6G36O6Q9VTZvOYAm9XQEyhrNTSPXXDyO5Wn5S8836tOYg4gG3bALqWdJ49DVQEUAOh-ORnRMEYrVV7dnmEn-A) A rainstorm blew through that afternoon, but I was itching for a swim, so Ray took me to the nearby reef for a quick dip. It was a tad gloomy, but I saw some parrot fish, gar, and yellow head jawfish! ![](https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/tMH9IQNcGoUJ3QX-dQjh6bOnrSc5JTKrw--zgAH6inUG8KHEAmsmCXarGdAdR_Opjtu4zL3XjZMD-EK0F8S65_heBRpuvr_UzLDkFjYFfGycQYMrMe9ReaS5Wbt-jHJUQV0aOkWo-IC1bJ4ATLEkiaVYmF5sCqz6OeLMzkKT8o3WZiVlbvc_9k2FTDT13Q) ![](https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/MlQcuM_yupjVeGnCOCcL6YUA43Zpfa3QNyA3wgZk_hJHJpFdnycuKeCRPQnW8lSsgY_5_CA98tvbofOn32kHXBE9RuZT_8LaQntfcjBtNhBkM_BN-6kZ3oHLleDgwBEwGFJGbQRqGqTh8dRNTCrKCC6P8u_ZqPak2nZ8oibCt652rp-BTN5h6PRRKCLBPw) Shortly after my swim, we left Cooper Island and motorsailed to [Saba Rock](https://sabarock.com/?ref=svsabado.com). We used the [main](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mainsail?ref=svsabado.com) and [jib](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jib?ref=svsabado.com) the whole way but kept our engines on to help make up for an unfavorable wind angle. The boys loved being back at the helm together (the 4 of us spent months sailing together in 2020)! ![](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/2an6EeSRhgaeO16Wi8oWVgB-JGAmXol4OpVRXPf9xUhs3P8RjRAD-eD7ERGdAcvaTKdZITrPFU23Ge5YqPtv4-e6RdmewEOJJQURSuy-LvwQkd8hzf6m7E_kiSCjDlOeLEbd_fH55bxbUAVn5OJlvkYSa_yQq8n2_EdQ-08ZOZob-hPSu_VegGTxGSxHrw) The trip took us \~2.5hrs. We hopped onto a mooring ball and blended up Ray’s latest cocktail creation: The Caribbean Smoothie. He uses Coco Lopez, vodka, ice, lime juice, topped with a dark rum float. ![](https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/RW4NxkgSWcJCnx8hUmlCWhc-aKYga9vBmv-U87p8ohZQQPNe8n19Q-bTNNhzpH6GMnbCzIFy1GC8Upj7J86dJdlBcdwVGw3zPBrVp3uR8gu7iXeGLxTVBpETAN7X42X-xcRdFFgetrZRz7RV2yectKxACljbNqajOuHtuQ6FjRHgKbEdnzXJu1aR6qPinw) ![](https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-ni4nBRJmVIr4QO0FvVp3FWtejwkgO2j8rzTPLUL_Zz138qK4lTGLP2zcX6X6RlZM4o2xq-SMo1peOml4RRzNqErpR_Sr2jwgrEfjx__U3m2Gisaid9VHlAq_rncDgcikTWMHrr_wh4Z8Me2_k2yg37IhdAjHx46nHHVQCWkPEwIWN1KEDtdpZjjTMx_UQ) We tidied up and headed to shore. We stopped in the Saba Rock gift shop to pay for our night’s stay and were pleased to hear the $30 mooring ball fee included a bag of ice and a few gallons of fresh water! We checked out the bar next, and two drinks in, we found ourselves surrounded by friends. ![](https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/rVBGdiM0I1BwME5scs5zdsoNB7mBkMCfUPVm7kmBlAb1FoSGrFUORHgG7fjifB9Enf1SlqbvlOkjwcarMUjFFjZhWQ6Jm8lIA2--8OnaCsIle9vV2Kps48HVcOHTWPc3ZQFVuvEmCefEtjOIUt3J7C8JPNVAJy0ItXOivh048meAEayr3977Dr-Q4qzHrQ) ![](https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/hCZIdIvx9-6ieqJNQddD8InVUV2aBPorJd3gbv7RJX4ijw_ucphm7EOLd70tGmt3OYfEG-n9eDvVLJzb0xrw7UZ_iwzenhsLyHXtX-pVSlBpuk-1ClSDl_C7FrhVIpgQ5CRlfSsm8QmFMvlUH68hDnaAr_Fvj9JqozaYgDqdY-px-RvTKdfUbClu5WmlgQ) The rest of the night is a blur, but I recall it involving lots of laughs and an excellent meal. The next day we moved Sabado over to Leverick Bay. We rented safari trucks and drove around the island with everyone. ![](https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/hmaDY2JCd9gQ9QPec1kbv9EVsEb-_2bRADWBbrF6pK2bWhfj0YNBW4On5_ogkpxfEa7z0agyZoArtYHGxSsIViZMgzqHlQ7pghxon8GrdS7RoPicTf1jdDnZU0HxgYjnploJMsGn1f9npWcMQ-negD76nGfvXyJq5RgIceYoZRuzhgogPviGXO7N-0y7-A) ![](https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/ppmqGvQrdO1VOHGqjkll6c8Khw6jr_OaLVqKKwXLzAh0ojHizDFXiKca543DCm6eUdobnPnhFxp0sIEAjzbH2JrcdFTKEKBlOGHhebSAdrtX-_b91iDG1ox6gD1KQyxonVlKzemRE9wqNGVc5WPqBPzyFZm12f0dwrSQ9NH02vzxkYefbBn0pOsD9_LOpg) After lunch, we headed back to Sabado to move again. We settled in for the night at [Bitter End Yacht Club](https://beyc.com/?ref=svsabado.com) and went to our friend’s boat for happy hour. Ray and I went home early to decompress. This week’s itinerary was faster-paced than we typically prefer, and the large group activities zapped us! We woke up bright and early the next day to sail to Anegada. The trip took us \~2.5-3 hours, and Sabado performed so well. We flew the [gennaker](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gennaker?ref=svsabado.com) almost the entire time and our average speed was 7.5-8kn! Ray and I had a blast. ![](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/GxHV3XBBRHj-FI8qMPXTBCQiY6G97k7zpcqw0DOaiLQedkRp_DNYnWqD1G7Brvskv6UycgSeLl9t9K3RBdyaRRsv17MnO-wl2FD1kURFP4tv8I0vmcPksB4PZtePVNoHTwAHAe--1-UbxprOqDS8Mr9sSYt5kpO1p7rLejkR18h24y9qX8EeYv6kpHl5Lg) Once we arrived, we rented a [moke](https://mokeamerica.com/?ref=svsabado.com) for the day. We zipped around the island, checking out every beach bar we could find! ![](https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/AYlv-ajU3elRtpQUM9QrsgGCf2MQkXHo7XpWJTmPGiOOq63JziF5T_od09HnQv7AeTq8GocfCtXO59b01HyziIwyZg-V09UBmNCVdNXRHrfUkj_erL4V-W23yxgxmZ27vwcsQpVMO_uuwXfLdkGlL14POYGTJXhacN-0eAZIDjDxCT_ETXzagzEDcT1wkg) ![](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/RXw6YbOoV_oHwUvPi0o770RB7IZLRzXHcOptc9kI-IAVmgZIZRUtURcZXxl6LcVDXJCXHtcL1BudaqgRyxR9xe0kLLj_VzOv_2LVcvuZQ_R8XjHfx-ZgBF8LjqFTTyTGqqPrRUg-BoeT3uO42lUsJrc8VBnPMOKcwkqWZMd8VpMR-_CwDIDvPhRyTOElPQ) ![](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/2wqc9D7bBMhH-77PM4BNE-OcveYDlZ4OhZ5jx8x-v5au_C9LxwZCGPFza8b9BjTO6NP_0GA4tM4qcT_MPVtTBW_wcTlJBda7uNa6aOpcwxydvZTQzvW4583JcaYSGVvtQzz7jJ9fqGZv1g4QlRghyfMd75m1d3OCJhN67hp9rK7xmvA27bgiuccp2F1VzA) ![](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/_-XfQ03nnq-bn9py4UonYmh2Ak0jj1pbYVzYGkaOwLA7ARp_wWTLJ0J4GXA7SWTBYP0U9R5IQtBjkI509jg4Kot3eptGNJE8G9Wtw5M0CPUCFFXe95fPK0p7wbX4zAhCmBxjIPQ3HFHgrJ2IMwkMQY6tjcbhj1iARW2QPs0utRwL3KfTs2Wgft9qsSLLhA) That brings me to today! We left Anegada this morning and sailed for \~4hrs to Great Harbor. So far, Ray and I have been hiding out on Sabado while the big group explores the nearby bars. We’ve hit our limit on social interactions. We’ve been relaxing, eating chips and queso in our PJs, and, well, writing this! We’re planning on venturing out for dinner soon; then, our friends are leaving us tomorrow. It’s been a hectic but FUN week! ❤️ We hope you’re doing well! ### Enjoying Brewers Bay and Preparing to Head to the BVI URL: https://svsabado.com/enjoying-brewers-bay-and-preparing-to-head-to-the-bvi/ Last updated: 2023-01-15T12:53:47.000Z *A Week Aboard S/V Sabado: 1/8/2023 - 1/15/2023* **Hello hello!** *Have you seen [our latest YouTube video](https://youtu.be/7jRfkvpL%5F0Q?ref=svsabado.com)?* Last Sunday, we said our goodbyes and dropped my parents off at the airport. Norman Family- you are welcome aboard Sabado anytime! ❤️ We returned to the marina and swung by our friend's boat to say hi. We ended up tying our dinghy to their stern and riding along while they moved their boat from the dock to our anchorage. I hadn’t slept well in days, so I showered and went back to bed the second we got home. I woke up in time to make me and Ray some dinner, watch an episode of our favorite show, then head back to bed. Monday morning, I woke up feeling like myself again. We headed to shore and saw one of the coolest yachts I’ve seen yet sitting on the fuel dock. ![](https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/rcdFoq98n3dlLAf2sdad-1EZrqZ_e9uM9bHGIv8wlQwma9hbk3Z-DqiZTOXjU5M2zngtU9vf2eoX75ej9hskhKLK3ZyJbOv2UfmCQ81lA_griMdrNsQywpNi2OCv5QmUUQEmmfLcKig-jofyWapG6KLhL9l9KWLDQyVV449hzwA4iH62hW2lnT_M_VXchA) I did a quick Google search and discovered it’s currently owned by Mark Getty (the Getty Images guy), but it served as a patrol gunboat for the US Navy during World War 2! You can read more about it [here](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Talitha%5F%28yacht%29?ref=svsabado.com) if you’re curious. We dropped off our laundry at the local laundromat, picked up a few things from [Budget Marine](https://budgetmarine.com/?ref=svsabado.com), reprovisioned, and checked our mail. Once we made it back to Sabado, I started the deep clean she so desperately needed after 2 weeks of fun in the sun with our family aboard. The next day Ray scrubbed the [teak](https://www.marlinmag.com/all-about-teak/?ref=svsabado.com) and organized the garage (what we call the port forward cabin that we converted into storage for tools and spare parts). We went to shore that afternoon to pick up our laundry and stopped by the store for cocktail-ing supplies. Ray had gotten some tall glass bottles in the mail and wanted to use them to store batched cocktails. For his first batch, he made an old-fashioned! This bottle holds 10… which is more like 5 for us. ![](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/v-VzHlqLKu4ti0VIDeizSXYq5skpnQCx6GtzzqnjSnvhe7075p6oCFdjdxZv49a-NsJhWWsQb1oi4QJDGJI-lt0SVmxoCrzkV0IzARtUQsVNGZxWxg_ypeqwYy8YCJCACGZbqFFYynrvrbfjNXIaFcijmVmAqATt6e43Y-PlZu1X43_-vbVQVHCFV20v6Q) Wednesday morning, we woke up to a ridiculous [swell](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Swell%5F%28ocean%29?ref=svsabado.com) in the anchorage. It felt like we were underway! We quickly got sick of it and decided to pull up the anchor. We motored around the island, hoping to find a spot in front of Honeymoon Beach, but it was too crowded when we got there, so we headed toward our second choice: Brewers Bay, right by the airport. Maybe I have a preconceived notion, but “right by the airport” seems like it would be the least peaceful spot on the island… Boy, was I wrong! Not only was it flat calm, but the water was crystal clear, and the view was amazing! ![](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/WdTz9pzWhHHXlHLo90RX3zwkX5NXwNUSzMsFWK02aPZp9EsrZ_xcLQxLNprFmsn7RGZiqy1B00eo90lEQ1UDCtVa2CNSaIo3YVwm52GFxf-1XYJofsNY4dAzC9EDHGW4_fMLj2IlSKOHe-sGHjjurUZQUnZLevpD5T9SAkLCOumJ0_aUfKBL2ljipi8yBg) I blew up my [waterbed](https://amzn.to/3ZzKQEF?ref=svsabado.com) and jumped right in. Ray brought me a cocktail, and I stayed in the water the rest of the afternoon. ❤️ ![](https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/Ga8Z31V64scjKbqB4XATs871T4MIsHnGj6rwKkRq6Ptsy7tXRuJ1ssqQlMTYb1S-ztMUM_gW4P7k5Q26dyntonPb8WKqeduw5UXVs4jkek8hoRcm35nXHb9xmGzyfSozQJCpucI67TAmdpXB07kTF71UmrkCXyjufb-8IQojDRRGvyV8LPxfb0ATWLoKhw) That night we decided to grill up some steaks, open a bottle of wine that my parents had left for us, and watch the sunset while dancing around to early 2000s hits. ![](https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/fj9dpkb9ChAsyAZ0DUHhLbK8C_5IKur8_V3_-GtOUvWadc0b3ybDVmGGDwpLelX1BAQpytjUb3xpqZ6c0syfBEdj9MEKLbljcMpjnw-z2kWfplJhIbAMczM1FCBBWi3mqP5LggpFpA4j5ekKSueL61ug_h3sJbCS998eSBMFAixFniCnqcyQ2vkHsWWK4g) The next day I heard a sound off our stern while cleaning up after breakfast. I went out to take a look and was greeted by two turtles swimming right alongside our boat! I called Ray over, and we both stood and watched them until they dove back down. ![](https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/vXmvTTcLHdK-dAlQ3szyNeasR3bEj-5aqWHF2vZgGGgRTM0k83Gz8CHjAw1ShDD2X3IWWWw2kdlGivapjzqPNMEpeHPADUPg13O_R5Xny3Ejubb57XxR9jc_pltpt2Lf3x_BWj87-69bSvf-J0xZci8SbICDfC7iKcWuHLPWQAYKeAXdwehwGASnTfhHyw) Ray wasn’t feeling well, so I spent the rest of the morning cleaning and studying while he rested. That afternoon I took my final exam to upgrade my Captain’s License to Master (I passed!) and worked on our YouTube video while several rainstorms passed overhead. ![](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/YvIMJp-gon81rVBiXGamfMSnALBMSsfI5MfCqjPrir3vTOHd8x1dm-fsfG1KzXiXw8AATQ66bGaIoQzWjzEPm0EBJrWk-wXQQCUo4UWaRPV1S4uNwJbT8gLsw_d4vEBcOyO8XkOwS5mv6CZLrgsF9Km14wa7Is5rG5siwDdnv_rNqMiBMdXe96C5j54xBg) Later, a [monohull](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monohull?ref=svsabado.com) dropped its anchor a bit too close to us. We looked in the binoculars and saw that their bow had taken quite a beating (they’d clearly been in collisions before), and their “Captain” was shotgunning a beer. So, we decided to move to the other end of the anchorage. The wind and rain picked up again shortly after that, and we were thankful we had moved because that monohull was already dragging. The following day our anchor chain was making a strange noise. The spot we had moved to was pretty rocky, but we weren’t dragging anchor, so we assumed a portion of the chain had gotten caught around a rock. Ray pulled up and re-released about 20ft of chain, which did the trick. ![](https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/0YbOHZT4_ov8iwIL4YdcmgC33y-ZbHDucBvpcDrnQUuF-BSV-I7mGpJb9S2VmoEn4siscV3qwMagTZkh2WL5l_966b0ZJTsaYZh7DgitUGc5p5TNJTjwgq-Mcw3J9wmbb0PY6s5Dsr3Ly1mKRTHgFzb5mVY3rGV0S9-sv01OzdX6NbDhlMhcIhqJ08M7GQ) We sipped our coffee and discussed our plan for the next few days. There was a weather window to get to the BVI that we had our eye on, and we needed to get some stuff done before leaving St. Thomas. So, we moved to an anchorage closer to town. We had every intention of tackling a chunk of our to-do list that day, but Ray had made a batch of martinis that we just *had* to sample… Saturday, we hit the ground running. We got up, had breakfast, published our video, did a little workout, then headed to shore. Our first stop was the dumpster- we finally gave up on our inflatable paddle board and threw it in the trash. This was our third one. The first one sprung a leak that we could never track down to repair, the second literally exploded- bursting at the seams while lying in our cockpit- and now the third one had a leak that we were just too annoyed to track down at this point. We bought all 3 on sale at a boat show, and we have a feeling they had been “refurbished.” Anyway, if you have a rigid paddle board brand that you love, let us know! Our second stop was to fill up one of our propane tanks. We have two onboard, but I prefer to keep them both filled after one holiday weekend in Maine where everything was closed, we were freezing and propane-less… We stopped to put gas in the car our friends graciously let us borrow, then drove back out to Budget Marine. We picked up some new line to replace what we currently have on our dinghy davit system, then drove over to Home Depot to pick up some parts for a friend. We swung by the grocery store on the way home to stock up for our upcoming trip and spent the rest of the day putting things away and doing some computer work. We originally planned to leave St. Thomas today, but you know how we are with plans… Maybe tomorrow! I hope you had a great week! ❤️ ### Hiking, Swimming with Turtles, and an Injured Captain URL: https://svsabado.com/hiking-swimming-with-turtles-and-an-injured-captain/ Last updated: 2023-01-08T13:21:36.000Z *A Week Aboard S/V Sabado: 1/1/2023 - 1/8/2023* **You can watch our latest YouTube video [here](https://youtu.be/cm6XC3gAZ9c?ref=svsabado.com)!** Sunday morning, we were rudely awakened by our [mooring ball](https://outchasingstars.com/mooring-ball/?ref=svsabado.com) banging against our hull, an annoying consequence of a calm morning. I reluctantly got up and watched the sunrise from the salon. ![](https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/FQAXxtjfjxeIcY-MA12SJT8Y8dmHkJmoi77Xy9ha4Shnri_pgYBXgkjgtN-Vqvrj6QVX44s8gu4xGY3BAQ7igGU6zn8Go1OZCAyV9zJJdDjF7IAzQBAr-amRkeUMCPZNqN2qgiT8BJpIB2gJ_6qoAIiEmxweGYFDKQElU6Yl6DUE4B-RObcwZKf37LWfwg) After breakfast, we ditched our mooring ball in Caneel Bay and motored over to Lovango Cay. We were able to purchase day passes for the [Lovango Resort + Beach Club](https://www.lovangovi.com/?utm%5Fsource=GMB), so we dinghied to shore and pretended to be fancy resort guests for the day! We shopped and drank bubbly while we lounged around in our beach chairs/took the occasional dip in the pool. ![](https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/2KzdgdmRC8btvKCmSiBOKhplp9PpwD4TedI0EMczNT5szZDzWnFEggDz3Q8v3eyBCJzky8xjThXQOTZooZwTok-Y8b6uKxLk8_43pwACjBxPW04MYKlxDZZg0ztjub17IjDcgT3u_NklN3iNLETK-OLWAO-W4L1Ak3E1CFqfLPF9ZxuAvrrq_R09nYdpmw) We watched a spectacular sunset, then ordered quite the spread for dinner at the resort while listening to a local performer play guitar and sing Coldplay covers. If you ever find yourself here, you MUST get the lobster guacamole- I’m still dreaming about it. ![](https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/zCFupGQQ5zemRH7lPsyAXd3P7TsC5xL_yjzkRomtlqF_i3kC4LljQmB6yY_FlE_1NrzQs4WDOePehaXd97EZv5T1f1tnEezwYX2xfeavaOBjkN9Jdiff_Yiamfje2nGiEL7dCkheSEqTsg_GJJxDx-X8IEPiKgQnKEXJLFDgS7hGKM7PkHMcE-WmQ5j3ZQ) ![](https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/VjJ2Y_BjsoKTCwdyCwD3R9MsSnsyrKOf5gQSLGliApWzhSzDbU5BoYZhCrx99uheCW8kl7P1IaH8LV_lvD7Jkmlkp70zeYQvqWD1W-uXqM0AV6apTXJmE6vEO8F6-u5KbIz8McNhZbbOk1EkFn5bvvi2dOm7Hs1SM27zZ-5E4Pdygee9k-NzIbvL-JgY8w) Lovango is known for its [coral reef restoration project](https://www.lovangovi.com/uvi-coral-restoration/?ref=svsabado.com), which provides an excellent snorkeling experience right off the back of your boat! We jumped in on Monday morning to check it out. It was beautiful, but something stung my face while I was under, so I called it quits early and dug out our hydrocortisone cream. We left Lovango Cay shortly after that and headed over to Maho Bay. Just within the time it took us to get onto our mooring ball, we saw at least 5 turtles! Once we got settled, we jumped in to see if we could swim with one. Within 10 minutes of swimming around the boat, we saw a turtle on the ocean floor, munching on seagrass! We all hovered around it and watched… After a while, he propped himself up on his flippers and began swimming up for a breath. As he moved toward the waterline, the [remora on his back](https://oliveridleyproject.org/blog/sea-turtle-hitchhikers-symbiotic-relationships-of-sea-turtles?ref=svsabado.com) moved around to his belly, then back again as he returned to the ocean floor- it looked choreographed! ![](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/sBaZd_WZDzi_XeICGVYGXpwEP1sQUKRB-RbixqBu4mZVGA1bMW9q24011UT4sIYly4I8m_msIadS2-04EnXJPo7t3Pl0wleV_qWF4ODinMseUPrcJCmP-3Z2UZuMrx9-ZeEP8e4lP2QdOcfeUy5mS1ObI8j8FeNWEqXo_nguDYUvFfimjlVuumqOq9QQUA) We climbed back aboard Sabado and marveled at the GoPro footage while the mooring field filled up with charter boats. We watched from the bow as the bay became crowded with snorkelers, thankful that we were able to have our turtle encounter without anyone else around! That afternoon we went to shore to hike a nearby trail we saw on Google Maps. It ended up being a lackluster stroll around some swampy pond, but we made it an adventure when we stumbled upon some ruins to poke around in. ![](https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/f3Wo0_HOJeK2zKityVnQ_FpxyUwKKsTwjmXd5Pm4rOmXpkmy-RoNxORR7FHXZ4h1T-HKfyqqpB249RsQJI-A5uFcgHyQTTyTI29XhkBL49i_JL9py5hGxAOsR3XMuPO8bSKvDElQJVvi1Oj78kpl0ICG_DVeTVwIsZebvOJV4n2TRycYuS9Rt307e2D5Uw) We grilled some chicken thighs for dinner that night and watched a movie. The next day we motored over to Leinster Bay. We beached the dinghy and went on a *significantly* prettier hike! We started on a gravel path along the beach and ended at the [Annaberg Sugar Plantation](https://www.nps.gov/nr/travel/prvi/pr42.htm?ref=svsabado.com). We had a great view overlooking the water and spent a while wandering around, reading the signs about the area's history. ![](https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/_v54r8Q1l3DPzqtgl3CnqK_R-G74w70FEF6X_yP-QQcJQ8XZ3jUzQdg0BaNjxHvymtJp6i7DUOm9KglMakybRkaFuvm8TYGODYIPU5Lj3Bu95LhVcLFfZTzM8LGO16Fuc2u0ytIesiCS7SuIvSww0Yq0Gsz7oC12EqeU1L0YgEFIBxZs4RXpWzvYeawwTQ) On our way out, we stopped by their garden, where we learned about and sampled some of the local medicinal plants they grew. I’m surprised my parents didn’t yell at me when they caught up and saw me eating strange berries that “the man over there” gave me. *“He said they were medicinal!!”* We made the trek back to the boat and mixed up some margaritas. After the evening rainstorm had passed, we “ooh’d and ahh’d” at the rainbow that had appeared over the moon. ![](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/NF1NqkqOGNMu7uv8W8PnavumeitsuO7dXOAkm7bz3Bdjss4MoR5u5SpZIWWJM3uVhrWERYNpUl34dJ8lmp-Bffv_NIKDkmki_8yzmbRa0XKS6_sT54QIlIIRi6fNPIJwYeZ4BHseyZio7cJwA0iGyXyZvgAqFl36fbNMUL8S30hj-9BbJIpx6fWG8X3Ofg) With a few cocktails in us, we decided to have a game night. We played [Ransom Notes](https://amzn.to/3Goljpk?ref=svsabado.com) and [Cards Against Humanity](https://amzn.to/3Cs4xUP?ref=svsabado.com) until we were all crying from laughter. My dad would kill me if I didn’t mention here that he won- both games. Wednesday morning, we took the dinghy over to Waterlemon Cay. We had heard it was excellent to snorkel, but it had been pretty stormy the night before, so it was too murky for us to enjoy. Plus, we all kept getting stung by something… nothing serious, but it was uncomfortable nonetheless! We rinsed off and left Leinster Bay to head over to Coral Bay. Coral Bay is home to [Lime Out](https://limeoutvi.com/?ref=svsabado.com), a floating taco bar we wanted to visit for lunch. Unfortunately, we made it about 30min into our trip before deciding to turn around. We were motoring straight into the wind in rough seas, and no one was having any fun. So we headed back to Caneel Bay instead. We hopped onto a mooring ball, made sandwiches, and enjoyed the sunshine. Unfortunately, Ray took a spill that afternoon… He was stepping from the dinghy onto Sabado when a wave hit the dinghy, moving it under the lowered [davit](https://www.boatus.com/expert-advice/expert-advice-archive/2014/october/dealing-with-dinghy-davits?ref=svsabado.com) arm and forcing Ray’s foot off. He went down, with his upper body making contact with the sugar scoop and his lower half in the water. Here’s a photo of that portion of the boat, if you can imagine… OUCH. ![](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/zzxp1k-zE1vd4FqSFqPrYMxRBjEZIkan49ejdTx2aDEYNXbP0HUn7-dVf8JUu3AStJzlWQSbBH_BHUa-9FE9sFZUrDHFDoRPIQwXSNXJiMEtFXVW5W9xWoNS_C95nlne-JVRK5DTHZ1L1jrUslBORhk1jmItDuxKjuwIO0E3z2r4-CeHVQbR71kdFcqyyQ) I poured him some whiskey and propped a pillow under his arm. At this point, we were pretty sure he had broken a couple of ribs. For those of you who know Ray, it’ll be no surprise that he still wanted to take the dinghy into town for dinner and drinks that evening. Thursday morning, Ray was hurting. With no apparent bruising, the outlook was good, but that didn’t negate the pain that he was in. My dad (a pharmacist) got him on an anti-inflammatory/painkiller regimen and sent him back to bed. I took my parents into town for breakfast and a grocery/trash disposal run, and we spent the rest of the day relaxing on the boat! I finished editing our YouTube video for the week and did some cleaning while my parents sunbathed. Ray got up later that afternoon and made us all gin and tonics, which we sipped together on the bow. ![](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/gEovG9KqiuUp5RFYtESxWYd0eOr9QZXIPxN6qFc8fnyBN08LW6BZvJWtSV9kOeK1KgM13hSnX_wtVMcluKhxYfIa4sAva75lZRcpQv5ffvIsqWTBSZukzgnzfpewG6A4SFBtXcjcoDG_Zoy3kop_DBL98ZNU5HfYlKCRwxl32mZThSAvmVDuHtm0ck10yA) That night we popped popcorn and watched a movie. Friday morning, we decided to do some sailing! We finally had a workable wind angle, so we hoisted the [main](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mainsail?ref=svsabado.com), got off our mooring ball, and headed back toward St. Thomas. Sabado did well; with \~15kn of wind, our average [SOG](https://newportkat.com/2018/05/20/apparent-and-true-wind-boat-speed-sog-and-cog/?ref=svsabado.com) was \~6.5kn. The seas were choppy at first but calmed down once we made it through the cut. ![](https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/6squ934c0GqPki2PoeW3P-nrXSYNYUcka6fTP9aYCc54sOUo4irIF2_Ei9N_fjLNl4f9DZvki3TRz7_wYkem6h6aLRvpZxvDvBKNWH72Jnr_LXkGrTuD-56xm5Z2XVy7IHTeaWbn4QXpws7JiYBh5puOe64WG-IGbTNEYwbA0ahhpPUz-E2FCDNsuskatA) ![](https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/P0pZIr4vsWxOtIn06K3DfeudBrGOYuLYlLHHi2OoOFCXDvw85qA6xXXhsSCnarC579NvvXiT7NUqDDtLGGYV62VaZtmyuSHlMZRfwT-zxBKjKeEZyoVhpvUkvyfVX2W0Dz96J3bwf1dvVQsODS55WmrZ4ks5mCmksE5DqxXVXfn6jmZjCNPKkdK3Qq65XQ) We decided to drop anchor in Frenchman’s Bay for the night, the first place we took my parents when they arrived! We swam all afternoon and grilled out for dinner. The following morning we moved to an anchorage around the corner to be closer to town and the airport. It was a gloomy day, but we brought the [jib](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jib?ref=svsabado.com) out and shut the engines off just for fun. One last sail before our family left! ![](https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/NqlQurW2XuJ8AUzPiaxPN6KsCC9v0sv4r5XEt0sO_si7JKIZb3yACvol5Pekg1HJ77DQ9rYF2ani4uwFNFYOEen2YF9IOwixATs6GZQ1ArsiVKTHtvWSG0wfQfZV6UwtgSlxIf7lqt6gn5K7CU8A8m30flW20jd3CYpwHt6-aWbRefm_NPjgwYQiVP62pw) We dropped anchor, did a few chores, then headed to shore for lunch. We took my parents to [Ideal Restaurant](http://idealstthomas.com/index.html?ref=svsabado.com), our favorite spot on the island for [Caribbean Roti](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roti%5F%28wrap%29?ref=svsabado.com) (they loved it!), then lounged around on the boat until our dinner reservations. We ate at [Enkai Sushi Bar](http://www.enkaisushibar.com/?ref=svsabado.com), a spot Ray and I have heard everyone rave about since we arrived in November, but we hadn’t yet tried! It was delicious, and we ended the night at a nearby bar with friends. My parents' flight back to Texas is this afternoon, and despite our best effort to convince them to miss it, they’re packing as I’m typing this. It’s been so fun having them aboard, and we can’t wait for them to return. ❤️ Once we drop them off, we’ve got heaps of boat chores and projects to catch up on, so I better go make a to-do list! **PS-** Ray is alright! As of today, he is still in quite a bit of pain, but he’s been good about keeping himself moving (gently) and resting when he needs to. I hope you had a great week! ❤️ ### New Crew for the Holidays: Exploring St. Thomas and St. John with Family URL: https://svsabado.com/new-crew-for-the-holidays-exploring-st-thomas-and-st-john-with-family/ Last updated: 2023-01-01T11:45:26.000Z *A Week Aboard S/V Sabado: 12/25/2022 - 1/1/2023* **You can watch this week’s YouTube video [here](https://youtu.be/WHi7Efed0eU?ref=svsabado.com). :)** Last Sunday, we picked my parents and brother up from the airport. We brought everyone back to Sabado and celebrated with some champagne while we watched the sunset, then headed to shore for Christmas dinner. ![](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/0gZWGsjTKA9U8XoLd5LJ5IU7Euqb7LExWVz3eFpTBNs23m90nzTQa7Fn4uYYi_t8UmkOKtnho3oYcK0kqwmhjsDzhsoVJ8y3eNE-Xx-xpjont93QZlXptU1z-gX4U45k0Vc3vEo5TQtsejONFw0w968I1w_tLnvQDm3OqtD288LmEGkNgW4LlGcVHsZMvQ) Look how cute my parents are! ❤️ The next day we lounged around the boat. It rained periodically but was warm enough to swim, so we took our paddle boards to the nearby waterfall and swam in the clear, blue water before heading to shore that evening for a pasta and wine-filled dinner. Tuesday was similar; we swam all morning, showered, got dressed, and took a new crew photo in front of a rainbow! ![](https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/0pvsY3Wh8nFO2Mj4WoRKoAJtgN7qMMds2yX7cgUh-06qPqyqnt3d6l5dbsjjzbr1bKZnqaGxXRoyi3tbwGpZCUnyeGi7Iy9LX6UqhTQdr4vf0jfzbv739Tv1YrycBIIXDXOZ6b0oekVLr3UIE37oSR_kDoZUAxjY5Lb31ga-B77xdZ_jIjILNM4mCOD00Q) We went to shore to mosey around the local shops, swung by the grocery store to reprovision, and met up with friends for dinner and cocktails. By Wednesday morning, we were ready to get moving, so we decided to go for a quick sail! We pulled up the anchor and hoisted the [main](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mainsail?ref=svsabado.com). It was all smiles at the helm, despite it being a little more crowded than usual! ![](https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/OJxKpkvE8xQhZTxSkzLBPCw76HrEzm8tcZIrTXiXTY2I6ST8hKttU-xOjUHeljVi48EvdM4qyjlXMFa5h0XkTrGPwLCMcvh550Yz4jSecjjjlCHycX7jRHGeBqQWW7E7nUYMYylkKsf9APa4OSIUlZlPJfCT70qVFG0adkPP72IJKAgtTLiYxB5XetVpRg) Once we made it out of the [channel](https://walshmarineproducts.com/channel-markers-what-they-are-and-when-to-use-them/?ref=svsabado.com), we brought out our [jib](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jib?ref=svsabado.com) and shut the engines off. It was a sporty sail; we had about 20-23kn of wind and 4ft seas. We bounced around for a couple of hours but noticed the wind was forecasted to pick up to 30kn, so we [tacked](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tacking%5F%28sailing%29?ref=svsabado.com) back toward our anchorage and dropped the sails. My brother even learned how to furl in the jib! ![](https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/8YSgbQ6CVBU4kqubkst7pY7ZG4lF-JLAg4m7x7nWjkslHbm3bWwx3Nh9_dPMQBTe7NLcEkhl6mSclygCXwVtuZa-8i5PF5ja-ZeTTkrFlzeWDnexk3dBjCK2nv9mHbHO2IxyO2IsAUK5YEXXixDDqQQru_zeiOpHjjwAFLU62X_f6TPX5xhraGO1Y-vI8w) Later that evening, we decided to motor around the corner to Frenchman’s Bay for the night. We got there just before sunset, and it was empty! My mom and I took the paddle boards to shore and found a tree swing to hang out on. ![](https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/dbEU8v_pBwipnp-NNHi5_Sux-EnQt9eOwayVvnJgwQkrCfQaJgsUhqwU5-r4mYbZSvBNMme3rxMbW6Qzty2Lmcw7XvBHVwMZ6mM60v8S64C55voba0234LNdC217ORIz5Z_r31wk8nY-TCgfH0dD0bsaf_Yu5aBJYr9lCkwagTvvaFowkis542MQh65L0Q) When we returned to Sabado, a new boat had joined us in the anchorage- our friends RJ and Jenna with their charter guests. Ray blended up some pina coladas, and RJ flew his drone, capturing some amazing photos of our boats! ![](https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/FFzN8Nz66o57wix7oUzdxFbamS0VrGJqhGmS32ron6pJkVAQASZRIIXWVMFwzH0tw7kMgfTjJ8LAE9Gy5dfY4mRJxqQrMxfy8rmzedfoFNbbEHnhJyFmwxkNP3Mv0_N3kka8cXv4F5EE78UGm2KSZ9fNaMC1tf5-xtSZyaD9YDwjnRXC__046xkA3o5kng) ![](https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/_9C8mOa6AJXIlSjMX2hoMKkCsUMM6MomwDEM1zgn-7xbbwpdHL_21Bj4uoRt-zH-odI_qotzO1q4JfKF_xopKv1Zh58xZLCBCuJyS2dyGeIJ2mk8LV8AyMlHWSmZtl3haI6ixcO8I0u5uj_vjSNmoeBlHVN6RGEEO79tDJovLHftwOTPD-IaIKuF5Ib4-w) My dad grilled us up a steak dinner, and we all went to bed relatively early. Thursday morning, we went for a swim off the back of the boat before sailing over to Christmas Cove. The trip took us a couple of hours, but we had a blast! The wind was strong, and the seas were sloppy, but our family seemed to enjoy the action. We sailed with the main [reefed](https://www.spinnaker-sailing.com/online-courses/lesson-2/reefing-mainsail?ref=svsabado.com) and eventually reefed the jib down too. We tacked a couple of times before pulling into our anchorage late that afternoon. Christmas Cove is known for its resident floating pizza shop, [Pizza Pi VI](https://pizza-pi.com/?ref=svsabado.com). We placed our order and then took the dinghy over for pickup! It’s a novelty attraction, but they really do make the pizzas fresh aboard their boat, and they are good! ![](https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/eEbDtjJpbj7OXI8Ah2tqSnluIlIl4jEATNjDT48KorXMFe_gG_V6TAAeJAGoMJVbIn7d4WmYEo7merMvEd6tUlF46CZEOy8zpMWVAz4I3TFsvYupcaktWivsZThnYk-cpIShiKCIkleSPA5u3osivnYgbBk2tZ4ZbRy2LQ-f3Dw_8XgcTAKMBftu357ODg) We ate our pizza in the cockpit and watched the sun begin to set. Suddenly, we heard a splash. One of the blocks from our [dinghy davit system](https://youtu.be/WHi7Efed0eU?ref=svsabado.com) had fallen off. Thankfully it seemed to be floating, but the current quickly carried it away from us. So, I jumped in, fully clothed, and grabbed it. ![](https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/ahcVjK0I15B_btdi2GziKwPTzYDdS0vfbdS5fY8peGcwgCtsmU62kYe3Tp3EZGmR7CIemadB72tEWlbdRrYHUuEBvdM2Irylvqo8ha5cBYn8aU91h-VUD--2rjj1dGlMhnR5FhXYLBHSgXVULRyvRK2J0todXMKH1_9Drq6ZtTv9PWOj0Fdy7-UU1iGvsg) Ray got his tools out, and he and my dad engineered a solution while I showered and hung my clothes out to dry. ![](https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/fLhmoQFxMh6vSqVtUCBlxdIWW6kxGvS9Utl2dr6zkokIo05YQPYOrc7Lxfe0squOndF9bxDIGPZo9Go_P-i_rQPrpPTYmm9egp43ONx9pufevzRYs06U6orBrWSpVtpgArGQxLhBWegxQsrhtysc6Dpg2eqbpaPFxGZOSlDGD6A0wKk26Av6IZxPRf-dWQ) We motored to Caneel Bay the following day and picked up a [mooring ball](https://www.marineinsight.com/marine-navigation/what-is-a-mooring-buoy/?ref=svsabado.com). The trip took us under an hour. We didn’t bother to raise the sails because the wind was right on our nose. I dove in to check the mooring and got cleaned up for a family photo before dinner on shore in Cruz Bay. We ate fresh fish at [The Longboard](https://www.thelongboardstjohn.com/?ref=svsabado.com), then strolled down to [Mongoose Junction](https://mongoosejunctionstjohn.com/?ref=svsabado.com) for some ice cream. ❤️ Saturday morning, we dropped my brother off at the ferry dock in St. John so he could make his return flight that afternoon out of St. Thomas. It’s always frustrating when our boating plans don’t align just right… We couldn't make it to St. Thomas in time to drop my brother off at the airport, and we missed Ray’s family, who were in St. Thomas for the day on a cruise ship. The uncertainty of our schedule has caused us to miss out before, but it still bums us out every time. ☹️ Hendricks Family, if you’re reading this: we are so sorry we missed you! I hope you had a fantastic time on St. Thomas, and I look forward to our paths crossing again soon! ❤️ While we were on shore, Ray and I stopped by the market and then met back up with my parents on Sabado. We dinghied to the beach after breakfast to explore, swim, and lounge around. Later that afternoon, we took the dinghy to [Henley Cay](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Henley%5FCay?ref=svsabado.com) to do some snorkeling! We jumped in and were immediately impressed with the healthy coral and the diversity of the fish! I took some GoPro footage that will be in next week’s video, but here’s a quick sneak peek… ![](https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/kd2Vk5c7pmDT_N8E39EQJv0vhs5m154fq1h--D77P5JjZfmX1FJPRmB5g61VLJ_lennKcqezSIKBH7atZCkqqaj8kmv_6K0L4pDs7ECVzz3Txbqx6BGa9cXPvKLj7dZVkH_MfhB_tDN0uPVWTHbvAkSwJAoyTVPdlS_jjn7sxLxKT97HwwKvWHhISGdWFA) The best part was- we were the only people there!! We spent the rest of the evening sipping cocktails and chatting while the sun set on 2022. ![](https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/GVTBmsyb7u5OE0nZ4GEmgpsjQ_8Ekx-paewTa_e7jiCWzOOx7FZUENF0gnJlC-qBhz1WYke2smsdj2GoOWQVKT5s6mNbT2inbKNgj2wJ5-v69aD46Rs_mJ0v2-ywemKjbA7dok8t9wZQoeR4NS-brr96UBowYPEdKltX6NnvmZSRGPqwLHPDq4xwqNsIKw) I hope you all had a great week and a happy New Year! ### Trying Caribbean Roti and Preparing for Guests! URL: https://svsabado.com/trying-caribbean-roti-and-preparing-for-guests/ Last updated: 2022-12-25T12:38:39.000Z *A Week Aboard S/V Sabado: 12/18/2022 - 12/25/2022* **Hello and Happy Holidays!** We spent most of last Sunday recovering from Saturday night out with friends. After lunch, I had a spurt of energy and decided to clean the helm and cockpit ceiling, a monthly chore I’ve picked up over the years on Sabado. You'd be shocked how much dirt gets stuck up there, and we never even notice until it’s clean again! We stayed home Sunday night, cooked dinner, watched our favorite TV show, and fell asleep early. Monday was much more productive. I woke up and decided to deep clean the starboard hull. I wiped down the walls, cabinetry, and ceiling and scrubbed the bathroom. Then, since I was already on a roll, I hopped in the water and scrubbed the entire starboard hull! The sun was shining, and the water was calm. I could see all the way to the ocean floor. There was only soft growth on the hull, so I didn’t have to do much scraping except for our [grounding plate](https://www.pbo.co.uk/nautical-almanac/glossary-of-nautical-terms/grounding-plate-7313?ref=svsabado.com), which was covered in a thick layer of [acorn barnacles](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Acorn%5Fbarnacle?ref=svsabado.com). I hopped out of the water and saw a familiar boat heading toward us… ![](https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/uzkJhdBM_CU7etYTNpLd7tLLr9LT_oCLci5JYRbQyeqhqYkMcUwBjm6fFBP7fVQhkCMdYmKiYoOiucNFLTYPqn03lG-9nxhN0-DZzWCpTjCYq2gJHnI-2cyPJVN2sYItO940dk_Z0nU5umrvl84MJbjs9W-lrM1AzSXaVOpBzTw00_fVlqzym0LKiFaU0g) It was our friends (and previous Sabado crew) RJ and Jenna on the boat they work on, [Delena Mae](https://delanamae.com/?ref=svsabado.com)! They had arrived in St. Thomas from the British Virgin Islands. Ray and I decided to go to shore for dinner, then stopped by Delena Mae on the way home to have a couple of drinks and lend a hand while they prepared for their next charter. Tuesday morning, I cleaned the port side. My arms were sore from scrubbing the starboard bottom the day before, so I stuck with the interior for the time being. We went to shore for lunch to try some Caribbean roti. Ray has had it before, but I haven’t, and eating is, in my opinion, the best way to travel! Caribbean roti has South Asian roots. It’s similar to an [Indian naan](https://www.seattleindiabistro.com/indian-cuisine-the-history-of-naan-bread/?ref=svsabado.com), [chapati](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chapati?ref=svsabado.com), or [paratha](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paratha?ref=svsabado.com) served with curried or stewed meat and vegetables. We’d gotten a recommendation on where to go, so we took the dinghy downtown, tied her up, and walked a few blocks to [Ideal Restaurant](http://idealstthomas.com/index.html?ref=svsabado.com). ![](https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/ul09f9-LImyGkDraOjjXBVGX9TV_1gevSJ-VSqOlWilAKnNymoNitUK9rLRAlJaIMcz2zj1Xh-8ULLMLC_qVdP4Z4zvhw4HkAHIH3ghOAOJ5tfuN9cTSa1BXlPQDeL3jKDYJGDRcy-DHenvzrISywklzYF0fyMovDlliTUfZZ24_RNJ8JdsIJOfYTetqtw) We both got the boneless chicken roti, which came wrapped like a burrito! They had curried chickpeas, potatoes, and chicken inside, and they were delicious. We sat right in front of a blue window, so imagine this, but less purple-looking… ![](https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/H5kOMkhwUuPLDXV_m1jPjaDry1scQ8dhNKDyWS2x1NOXPlEz0FBSm7mW3IJlrLBcxVwdk3EAGPP9j0t0A08IHy0ExuQrKACCMEg1vrLyMAF0lJ6rohc97OTQXPzLJC7coBilZOPXE8wJUCmBrEG1pC6D1J-JV_3F6R0a_1PGFAUtaSOAfufZaRA9Dyn2AQ) We chatted with the gal who took our order for a bit, and she suggested we get the goat roti next time with their house-made hot sauce and mango chutney… so we’ll be back! We headed home and made an afternoon rum cocktail. ![](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/JAJ-W2-sSpqR3qeO_DhRvaCqLODqbOG986jEnkeOTr5NiM6zuNltpgw4MBEb7edtjsPJcALlfEpYcyWHnX90skHTsjLvkOvRIkrdTi9vY7_U530k5mUNd3ivgP-onMUyxq2EdvI7LZBFCMBod1PoGcEV2KPWXKKH2A3Va1ID2McNV65m5oeeNenp03IBUQ) Wednesday morning, we realized we had 4 days to prepare Sabado for our family, who were coming to visit on Christmas Day. We gathered up all our laundry and headed to shore. We stopped at the local laundromat, Home Depot, and Budget Marine to pick up a few odds and ends we needed for their visit, then headed home. The second we returned to the boat, Ray realized he’d left his phone in the car. He insisted he didn’t need it, so I started some boat projects while he looked into potential routes/places to take our family. Later that afternoon, we jumped back in the dinghy to fetch his phone. Whoever decided to open an outdoor bar between the dinghy dock and the parking lot is a genius because we ended up stopping for a margarita… and then another… and another… we got Ray’s phone and spontaneously bought two ribeye steaks on our way back to the dinghy (a grocery store AND a bar in such a short distance!! Who would’ve thought!!) We dinghied home, poured ourselves an admittedly unnecessary glass of wine, and fired up the grill. ![](https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/R22CtREovRiOPaEcG0uat73yJh6HUJKFrDKcNf-T_nA9rzlpYu5nLjqWdygUQAxQTC3sVEK0kNTmVtVSJr439o7-JoqSNfwXSnrRt0ICT0x604yPHhlzrLJ7HVDHDtcgbexKuWMEhoXA75QTv6KAx5fGZN2HMMWz3FOMQHXt20OskSQsUlVKfNHm8ApJHg) ![](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/m-X1L7nzfkuBZhEt2DpZbt2rokI132TYw4LPqRZLHww09dCZ2kNvgw3dweBmERuF_m6d-5bxb3BQEmJ8GjuQ3KMWOKuQjT03XGTL1wE4oYliSQK0jx0hMun6OjNWiscfrB_3a6QrqtNdPO5zRqtBrPsc-8pYdK-7nGialxetzqqVAAAvzwVHoQfXkhUK2g) Thursday, Friday, and Saturday were spent cleaning and running errands. We checked our mail, put together the guest cabin, and did the remainder of our Christmas shopping. Thursday was the [winter solstice,](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Winter%5Fsolstice?ref=svsabado.com) so we didn’t get as much solar as we would’ve liked. We ran the generator Friday morning to make some water, and we’ve been fine power-wise since. We do have an inkling our batteries are on their last leg, though, so we’ve started shopping around for new ones. We’re likely going to take the opportunity to upgrade to [lithium batteries](https://whensailing.com/2022/08/16/lead-or-lithium-marine-batteries-for-your-boat/amp/?ref=svsabado.com), but there are lots of brands/options to consider! We’ll keep you updated on what we choose (and why). Our family arrives this afternoon, so we’ll hang out at home and open our Christmas stockings before heading to shore to pick them up. We have a couple of bottles of champagne chilling and dinner reservations tonight. I hope you had a great week! ❤️ ### Boat Life in the Caribbean URL: https://svsabado.com/boat-life-in-the-caribbean/ Last updated: 2022-12-18T12:58:46.000Z *A Week Aboard S/V Sabado: 12/11/2022 - 12/18/2022* **Hi! Long time, no chat!** **Have you seen [our latest YouTube video](https://youtu.be/h6T6-htqba0?ref=svsabado.com)?** Last week, I took a break from filming and writing as we’ve been enjoying and adjusting to life in the Caribbean. We’ve spent our days relaxing and our evenings having cocktails with friends. It feels like a dream! At least once a day, we both say out loud, “I love it here.” We get a little boat maintenance done here and there, but Sabado has been well-behaved since we arrived, so it’s mostly just been cleaning. Life has been good. Last Sunday, we got a text from our friends anchored nearby, who we were supposed to take to the airport later that day. They woke up to their batteries at 7%. Their generator had shut down at some point that night, so they’d unknowingly been draining their power supply for hours! Ray dinghied over and helped them get it started back up. We took them to the airport and camped out on their boat while their generator recharged their batteries. While we were there, we took care of a few things they hadn’t gotten to chance to do before they left amongst the chaos of the generator debacle: we emptied and turned off their ice maker, scrubbed a few coffee mugs, zipped up their [enclosure](http://www.ammarine.ca/product/enclosure/?ref=svsabado.com) to protect their freshly varnished [cockpit](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cockpit%5F%28sailing%29?ref=svsabado.com) table, brought their produce that would’ve otherwise gone bad in their absence over to Sabado, and locked up once we had turned off the generator. We spent the rest of the day on Sabado, polishing stainless, scrubbing the hulls, and watching the cruise ships come by. ![](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/bpyEcPvK9eW1823d6oqqf6efolZKV2UUoWJ5DUiP7K5z_qme1-ISVez63-V0CxxzqzsUPA_oKLS-2J6Fb1w69iJZnfFCDmLonfTeb5iGMHEnpxO_goYAdz7yO1doucGJSn_PGcZDa6Jf08CK7q9s79pkql5UvSyOZAAeVXvlxjuExuVdYXI90pCr65M26A) Monday morning, we dinghied to shore to check our mailbox. That’s right; we have a mailbox here! It’s been nice to order what we need without paying for a spot at a marina, and at \~$25 per month, [Island Mail](https://g.co/kgs/gn9xwY?ref=svsabado.com) is the way to go. We grabbed our packages and headed home. That afternoon we headed out with some friends to hunt for lobster. We’re not too familiar with the area, but we’ve got a few recommendations for where to look. We started in a protected cove near our anchorage, but it was too smooth and deep. Lobsters tend to hide under ledges or in holes, and we were free diving, so we needed to consider our depth limitations. ![](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/mdHY2CSYBD0P37JRmeVnruLSQcxjFzXCOfL4fw_bMhR2LFmI2N0rXvMjbHC5ZS5i9LJjvA1vrKTsDQxl7u8GvaOORJbE-AYpnJOpaFdJGpOPAdPudRGkynznWVphC9Fzc0q6QdkFvHds56dBXldjT1nxW3G2ZfeKdHCZnP4jZmATW5Zy2PAEYtcHxXhXPw) We headed over to a second spot. There wasn’t a good area to anchor the dinghies, so the guys stayed in while the gals scoped it out. It was dark, deep, and murky. Third spot’s a charm, though, right? We jumped in and were instantly impressed with the reef. Toes to the bottom, I’d be up to my eyeballs in coral! The deep trenches were loaded with potential lobster hiding places, so we kept an eye out for antennas while we snorkeled around. ![](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/bnxxYx9FuhWCJfaCNiOW-4rj4ObpKn48POQQ4IaXDfSa9B5FC51-IwB5FN3QfVrhKXZpXdwjZPTLDxGy5eC4lVTCbzaDNx7KjET3hM3HM0_Y_cpmi8VgrALw9MPf06Jv1M3F1O2tapFh7VgcG7pBlcZ2Lqg3_uXsyGf2wDFa4XZOk119IXAtuHKltfjeCw) ![](https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/WS1MlZ6dzWOCwH4YX__TooZyCf9_GOs0GaiTaliIOOa2RY4l4gM6GZt2EVqI3lkzCgr6yCZ-yENRZtBAGjpC7DKuxi0-ox9hkUz0VTubtwqJx2uqJgVzoiLh-KuBoTt1IRmA_0ughIo8g_UVbJFmmkNvoS860OB_HmQlTVXIlWtCrSgJ_DbiAb5cHeuUew) Just before we admitted defeat, we came upon two [spotted eagle rays](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spotted%5Feagle%5Fray?ref=svsabado.com)! They swam right up to check us out before diving back down and swimming away. ![](https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/HyNDoZ-XamHZpC791vGy_puGWFoJYtSWTqHsbiOgWb56vMM1tGMe9cmvaxuC_clriUzWK0QEb_RyyqmBZpEJuQ2FfzC8sxW2SDpMEaK_k0a5EVj-s5thF2JvneHtEUwhEpb8GwjcwTWgQIzDDLMC88-ld7gWqaQ2zfRgmbEfTquWQ0KDhYhGAh25ra1dcA) ![](https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/waMjTC724tLK7dfp77KU4ZVJYERy2lbdGPNM5vMQYy8hkgVnwb0dfrX8pYFUMUZSajRQmHmLs4fW6I6Nbt1eKtPHgQQcVEBEZQU12CHLjVPgmV_6uc4AMY3DlZXOQQ1ytPSu_WFXowajj3RrADdcIKc_DYcWXxBRMke4KSY1YHuGNPritLE7o6d33MBGIg) We were giddy after the encounter and excitedly chatted it over while we signaled for the boys to come get us in the dinghies. We returned to our respective boats for a quick rinse and to change into dry clothes. Then Ray and I headed over to their boat for [sundowners](https://www.fit2sail.com/countdown-to-cruising/vocabulary?format=amp&ref=svsabado.com)! The next day I decided to start the chore I’d been procrastinating… cleaning the bottom of the boat. Sabado had grown a bit of a beard since her last cleaning in the Bahamas, and I wanted to scrub it off before anything more permanent started to grow. I jumped in and got to work, starting at the waterline and working my way down in small sections. The wind and current came to a standstill an hour in, so I called it quits for the day. I like to work when the water’s got some movement to it so that whatever I scrub off the hull moves away quickly enough for me to maintain my visibility. I took a shower, and Ray and I headed to shore for dinner. ![](https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/fMHqdNlZyR4ZFd5EaGBESSAmKwBz8UQgOvtoDnjOgpliAGaPCtrg2LhZHTNBCzEDAw0mTSb4OPSVpukanaJ2_HgR1Qa8hP5heVIg93lgQ19XFvNLxDjegDqg4uIHxusSwU4WuxuxzHc71viliuvCITYwOPe9F5WdPOt2fyTHQOCyeFEBG4JZnqUZBRD_1A) Wednesday morning, we sipped our coffee while sitting in the beanbag chairs on the bow, something I’ll never take for granted after the months we spent up North in the cold! After breakfast, we went to shore to track down some cleaning supplies for a few spots we found on our [teak](https://www.marlinmag.com/all-about-teak/?ref=svsabado.com). We got lucky at ACE Hardware but took a wrong turn on the way home, leading us on an unintentional tour of the island… But, with a view like this, who could complain?! ![](https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/VVmsk7jMXM5BJ_2YQBHHI8BsIz01PpclRcOLLfAHTrkgdcUPfnaSNAncCMscfCmLHhdrfdgueRtjp5av2b9e9veOKNsc3dt-GjCod3844t3rkwLpi5cZ7ni4_FqE6fusaAdKfdDgxIApZUwQr60ThzwGXL7SBZjaRREapaVOTaSTZvbkhJSHBkSOQbo1gA) Thursday morning, we decided to run our generator for a few hours since we’ve been struggling to get a full charge on our batteries… we think it might be time for a solar upgrade, but in the meantime, we’ll use what we’ve got! We took the opportunity to start up another one of our refrigerators so we could defrost the other and charge all our electronics. Once the genny had done its job, we shut it down and headed to shore to recheck our mail. We’d been patiently waiting for a package from my mom, who graciously allows us to ship random bits and bobs to her house for months at a time and sends it to us whenever we have an address. If you’re reading this, mom- thank you!! We love you!!❤️ We picked up our packages and headed home. This collection of mail included a new handset for our VHF radio. A couple of years ago, we switched over to the [Vesper Cortex](https://www.vespermarine.com/cortex?ref=svsabado.com), and truthfully… we’ve had nothing but problems with the thing. ☹️ We noticed the latest issue when we were in the Bahamas. Someone hailed us on the radio, and when we tried to respond using the handset we keep inside (rather than the one we usually use at the helm), the transmit button didn’t work. Ray took it apart, and sure enough, the switch they used for the button had fallen off. Ray tried his best to repair it, but those tiny, delicate pieces were difficult to handle. We looked into getting a replacement sent to us for free, but there was no way we could get it in time and make the required exchange (for it to be free) before our departure to the Virgin Islands. So, we paid for a new one to be sent to my mom’s house and sailed on with one working handset. We’d now finally gotten the new one, and right out of the box, the touch screen didn’t work. With shipping, we had paid $700 for the thing, and it was already busted. Without the touchscreen feature, we couldn’t even do the initial setup! Knowing we’d be hanging around St. Thomas for a while, we decided to go through the free exchange process because there was no way we were going to spend another $700 on this. We called customer service, and they were very helpful. They understood our frustration, tried to do some troubleshooting with us, and ultimately agreed to send us a replacement as long as we paid a deposit that they would refund upon receiving the broken unit. We weighed our options and decided we’d get it quicker if it were sent to my mom for her to bring along on her upcoming trip to visit us (sorry, mom!!). The man we spoke to got it processed and shipped out that night. So, let’s all keep our fingers crossed this one works! We dulled our frustrations with a gin & tonic and another beautiful Caribbean sunset. ![](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/RIL0X8M8AswuJ6T68Xib9Q4NZ_zMM6cVffwcHEZj3BNCT5YoWRnM127_1gW7UWD6vOkmMSG3mCkmWiAwPrm7n_H2XS_t1ZOfVI8jPWal9692XK1SrixL7V5LWi7YGJ7_Ba36jgizGuMAd1JOhvGizTIn_m5pBHq4sYieh5Zf45jOXLrklG-VQZn2J_Mhzg) Friday morning, we heard a couple of our former crew members would be back on the island Saturday night. We’ve been borrowing their car since we arrived, so we headed to shore to get it washed and filled up with gas. We stopped at a new (to us) grocery store on the way home and picked up some fruit, eggs, and bread to hold us over for the week. That evening we turned the [inverter](https://www.fisheriessupply.com/marine-inverter-basics?ref=svsabado.com) on for a few hours. Despite only having one refrigerator and [Starlink](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Starlink?ref=svsabado.com) running, our batteries were nearly dead when we switched it off. We knew then that something was, in fact, wrong. We ran the generator the following day and could hear it quivering like it was about to die. We quickly shut it down to prevent any potential damage. Ray did an inspection but couldn’t find any obvious issues. We landed on it being a fuel problem. We hadn’t filled up Sabado since we got here, so we knew we were low on diesel, and the generator pulls from those tanks. Ray took the dinghy to the fuel dock nearest our anchorage to see if there was a spot for us, only to be told that they had shut their fuel dock down for the remainder of the year to free up dock space for super yachts! So, we called over to a fuel dock that was a smidge farther away to confirm they were open before pulling up our anchor and heading over. We filled up our tanks, returned to our anchorage, and crossed our fingers while we started the generator back up. It ran smoothly for a couple of hours, getting us back up to a comfortable power supply. We’ll revisit the underlying power supply problem later, but realistically it’s a combination of things that will require dock time (or maybe even a haul out) to fix. I spent the afternoon tidying up the boat. Then we headed to the airport to pick up our friends. We went straight to [Oceana](https://www.oceanavi.com/?ref=svsabado.com) for dinner and maybe a few too many martinis… ![](https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/hX3r2EAbAz-xgJadJePyVnGva8Lw-Yg9WCOaOgcECnLTOCZv2vXsh3hQr0rkIIf1arALIDaG6G7z-v-bshMK_phS_M8wsCGXS7AFy-uDQIJky5C6MYqWOlOb0c8i7wxH8oNOc6gx6rLkh9rKEt3SSthjBe_o2UjIXGMkMCv8s84WYp06WWBysSrqCUWzlQ) They spent the night on Sabado and took the ferry this morning back to where they’re keeping their boat. I’d tell you our plan for today, but we don’t have one, so check back next week! I hope you had a great week. ❤️ ### Sabado is back in the Caribbean! URL: https://svsabado.com/sabado-is-back-in-the-caribbean/ Last updated: 2022-12-04T12:28:25.000Z **Hello!** *You can watch this week’s YouTube video [here](https://youtu.be/WbRH0578m5s?ref=svsabado.com). :)* Last Tuesday was a perfect example of the uncertainty of boat life. We woke up that morning to a warning from [our weather router](https://www.mwxc.com/chris%5Fparker.php?ref=svsabado.com): there was an unusually high degree of uncertainty in the forecast. We planned to embark on a seven-day passage the next day, so we took a closer look at the projections and decided that a Friday departure would be better. We went about our day, finishing our chores and enjoying the sunshine. We made lunch and settled into the [cockpit](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cockpit%5F%28sailing%29?ref=svsabado.com) with a cocktail and our books. We made dinner plans with friends for 6 pm. I started researching what we could do for Thanksgiving in [Exuma](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Exuma?ref=svsabado.com) since we would be here until Friday. At 4 pm, Ray gets an email from our weather router, looks up at me, and says, “we’re leaving tomorrow at 7 am.” We both spring into action. I start prepping food for our first few days at sea, knowing they’d be bumpy and we’d want something easy. Ray starts putting his tools away and filling our jerry cans with diesel. Somehow we still manage to shower and make it to our dinner plans on time. Ray stays up late putting together our final route. What a whirlwind. We left [Emerald Bay Marina](https://www.marinaemeraldbay.com/?ref=svsabado.com) Wednesday morning. We brought the sails up as soon as we cleared the marina exit. We knew we’d have a lot of motoring ahead of us, so we wanted to sail for as long as we could while we could! We had about 15kn of wind and 4-6ft seas. I had taken Dramamine that morning to help me acclimate quicker (I learned my lesson [last time](https://svsabado.com/6-days-at-sea/)!). I was feeling fantastic, so I took the helm for the morning while Ray caught up on sleep. ![](https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/k4Hzy2ChmmlBMMD3jYGIBARa7OzRx6PJHrMXqyAM-siMtGkDO7_eZ09dsxasTGr4E0Kqvfk6sHSXyY49A7GIGsndqYbZUlqpd6hDOPdVQ_6jOu2irKv1SyOYCC5rIhqufpRov3r56QTRgL-oFdNEEPSEIXjUPM4FkV2pjvuNiB4OLtzNJOxFshI2UULBkg) The wind started to die that afternoon, so we rigged up the [gennaker](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gennaker?ref=svsabado.com) and flew it for a couple of hours before admitting defeat and starting an engine. We [motor-sailed](https://www.sailmagazine.com/.amp/cruising/the-art-of-motorsailing?ref=svsabado.com) through the night. ![](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/MgVh5_SckIIMT4CtIxH_Uj2_j9Av_Jab_ZaWO5iIl5qytZXmCint2ilGq6YHhh86LLBEBzR3X4528Inb1e9q98J6eGj8JnW4uFdK236MIRxA7BLAL57s5fHhqZfvZTBr7G6ZZkVm99tzB8x1ixjoN2hYK_oCMwJCNsKordp_AEhX_muWorQ-PPBTXdjf7Q) ![](https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/HI-fzpg9C38ddRMakbbRm4lhcWdfsCtVsHEhhO0ED-3b3JliUsNjpCZgoqIa3NBeiso-krmsCJgJaUFy4oC8km524ergCGnQGXzYxjNdV-RRIx3g4iCyFJTpvdmcob5rGND00uDGtIj01ToKSV6NR3sUx9kIBcq5AmCEZ-47GWSIWVfvUORim9T7j6l1zA) Sleeping in shifts felt easier than usual; maybe we were still in the groove from our last passage. The wind had died entirely, but given the nature of our route (going East, against the [trade winds](https://scijinks.gov/trade-winds/?ref=svsabado.com)), no wind was ideal. We made good time/speed while switching off keeping watch, and relaxing in the beanbag chair on the bow. ![](https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/FjpfYdSXmmuDp5qF6_zEthchGbFJ_YRDrTyGFR2nrAyyTjRTxozDTjiHgYiwivwFewb4THfpSaJ25xnuxtAzNWeLBOQ2h-5--qx3q3fgOlKyzjQP3hhp7pya3mYu-R0AO54ocJuybRFpS4s2wHsMss3kIO7isCtfxaBjkmhZVAcyukRIGqYGqoLB6165KA) I decided to throw together some semblance of a Thanksgiving dinner despite the heat, lack of wind, and rolly waves… ![](https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/qwtoq41rh_Mhr9pVaos-wuLOPTat7ibK6v31l62bjSdd1N0eDEY4AoUp9kw2ClatgqrTf7TDo-I_Q4sr-5jAAKxRE4wltfK4WM3jpptvAyW0ClbviyNIlgBy1dM9cEazbnwWIpzCuXKlC8JsFYSQDVEl62JDA8rTwb6L2A3LyqQuV03PYtsX99eRNlVexA) It’s not my best work (yes, that’s a chicken thigh), but it made us both smile. ☺️ We fell into a routine quickly, and the days began to blur together. We kept an engine on and would periodically fuss with the [jib](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jib?ref=svsabado.com) to see if we could get an extra .5-1kn of speed whenever the wind wasn’t directly on our nose. ![](https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/5M2x4IfHMKhctf9ZGKvsi0x0tELCU5kIpyyjts00oBaMPsaAgM1gmxAxZ7Kjn2Cg2DzMQB5Ryesbq5RN6uxaFuXiNLj9pubz7TZMA9JdEEqYpp0XlsN5IVrXC2JZQLe5RF6l3w_2cj3ywRnmIeMYvGATdztWoXAvFmiRE-OfdoEgXYfbp0lWm3eVZPGT-g) Aside from the typical evening [squalls](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Squall?ref=svsabado.com), we didn’t have much wind to work with. We loved seeing the sunrise/set, rainbows, and the occasional dolphin, but sailors would always rather be sailing… ![](https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/fNEYcupX4vI1HENUL8Nr_ePV0v0ZI00q9QPqHEvhhuCzijEgJ15zU3TY-ehZGc0JDUzZz7qZJ3m0ihy4lNgyVnDnerZrAm2caGFWwM_scXUXbLQU2s7ur3plvMekgPo4gqYF6F63xsDmKsfgil_o86J9bbIcUrq0V5PBf3B73Vd2knsGh8vwtgbEHoTfYg) ![](https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/YryHm07-HyZMk-yjLtvwhbMX_3-Ya8Aq_EA4upFgmfkr4cAb0P0Sh8zNLqxx57sCEP0cARnOmR-gT9rmz8J9HwM1PUepqo_E2YNKuB1v8Yq4ATysFDufXK8VXCr8xGMpVtLwpLM28gwialqdqMN2Nh69dwi0UclvfyMthAA1E0UhosFxxY3ADr3uoJAKDQ) ![](https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/nQq7A-HPTWAuM3YekRli9X2bb25JiN6gqtP7sFDpUtG-ICL43-xdlw6ONaM0Xo0smK32CGiqfcYO-sftvTW8zS1gKVGZHMRlXU_D8ggbBZEUtR10L-_1ka8SpH9bedxJl45BZghnK7AuYRh-PEJpRIz16wEaz4jHpO9EGKrAktV6myUFLdkyR_-sZh9Jtw) We tapped into our jerry cans on the 5th day, funneling three into each engine. This brought us back up to ½ tank on either side. ![](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/Q9jHJReMN2rwIJJaGPIZNWQqJCJc3_WRtQ3v-jydHA5uG7QBdmW_Rv0czgJMc30MI6bXAjyH-Z_XtWvZFj62dyQ5kPanhnSNayZXu61URKhSPmqm4y-AEMmzc2Fcvlb_45zrBmaKh_Z41LHWAM2YvyRTH1TaPmjQROj04dMXUb7lRwji8zobsLKiMbm61A) The wind started to pick up that night, and we were able to shut off the engine and fly the gennaker for a few hours the following day. We furled it in when the wind shifted, brought out the jib, and turned an engine back on. Like clockwork, the evening squalls rolled through. The wind picked up as we approached St. Thomas, and we rode a few squalls without assistance from our engines. The sun set and we dropped the sails shortly after that. The current stirred up some waves, which we took on our [beam](https://www.boaterexam.com/boating-resources/boat-terminology/?ref=svsabado.com). It was a rolly 2hrs. We dropped anchor just before midnight and split a bottle of champagne and a sleeve of ritz crackers for dinner. We woke up to a beautiful view… ![](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/_3GAU5MtHfofymg3DVaos5jh3d7bResC2OlSOfXpg8Ru7a4U14vn_Fbn8nkZRnibtqL-ro6hRaZ06slHxu0J3-mTg_bSs858IPy2FXSdrLq409v2p8oE_iWfvnA-t9pVIKc3QgD1dn6Of9jwMSVGlH7KZA_IIcQ0W2XbnHScNA_BAtqSyFrdNWTOAr1obg) …but a messy boat. We spent the morning tidying up and rinsing the salt water from our passage off the boat. Once we decided we’d been productive enough for the day, we changed into swimsuits and spent the afternoon lounging around, drinking gin and tonics, and cooling off in the water. It was a perfect first day in the Virgin Islands. ❤️ ![](https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/SRQ-DKNLVVnmaErfZw1A_Y93BZngxqj5PfLUpRNzI4BhTmsWb3-oYi0fiB_XZ2LkxIb7DY9dwotciVV-xsE9v-G1PU324a4lK-j-fxuTX3bVT0E4OOI6w2Ca2GnpS6kf2wys6pD_zWAvOXrPt13FbKBuxvAQm26pOQw7jsTll8lGMEPHfmnoWyDXMFvpcQ) We spent the rest of the week relaxing, enjoying being on anchor in the tropics, and trying to get back onto a regular sleep schedule. We’ve been ashore a few times to check out the local bars/restaurants but haven’t had the energy to explore. Our friends have left us their car keys, though, so we’re planning on running some errands and checking out the island more soon. ❤️ Overall, our trip from Virginia took us 13 days, \~1800nm, with one stopover in the Bahamas. ![](https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/S8VBPvKJMaPAbd5BDkN6qFjsjXg3Y7S3ZUyTw_GDYT4hLxDGWSxlzkPAItyCgs17hzZe25ONQJANh7qVXkL5rLbFSFstcuKW-WG-AxpzH2Uh07z80hjug-px_CWlwLqhdEZId-OxWLVGKixTLBSMc9goEflFQ5vo_9EIuGEmMV_BoodVPLnJesS5hweQpA) We faced the harshest weather during our Gulf Stream crossing but had relatively good conditions otherwise. Would it have been easier if we had a couple of extra crew members aboard? Absolutely. Is it kind of cool knowing we pulled it off by ourselves? 100%. I hope you had a great week! ❤️ ### 6 Days at Sea URL: https://svsabado.com/6-days-at-sea/ Last updated: 2022-11-20T12:32:28.000Z **Hi!** Surprise! We’re in the Bahamas! **Let’s rewind-** We left Port Washington shortly after I posted our [last update](https://svsabado.com/a-salty-hop-south/). We passed through New York City, waved goodbye to Lady Liberty, and completed an overnight sail to Lewes, Delaware. ![](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/Te7FwmbijoxL37IpnkpvWnFSYF9DmvB2oHx1nkcgJVuWlapetcC-9FKXQ8y8xa39-ESKVH_4U1gN4p2A6WGQyFLU6QntfoM2o8lV0T1WKENkZLVMBfB3ktPzGNhfU7A6pkhZyg7hZYstT0wq7WjXBOxmC8YKjTeHPsX89Y6Z9bomuC0qRfb7ngrmxLAQ4g) We dropped anchor in the fog and waited for favorable winds to continue our trip South. ![](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/LhRo_FydQ3itf_vTgrU01lkBUX3rDLsuXQGOdjp6qrkEnyJHAYCjuizFeE0kWwGuBIHSAeLJ4hDY7qczFpiUl-oYk1vRA17z1zevvaTnqZYAUJjPOWqGg94sq2g8pT-xojndT8M3iM9dDIPWl4yiuB7NE1aNW5V-7EFsLvKafr3NXI6esT4nBpGz_YbLnA) We left Lewes a week later and made a two-day sail to Norfolk, Virginia, where we staged for our [Gulf Stream](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gulf%5FStream?ref=svsabado.com) crossing. This is where [our most recent video](https://youtu.be/phzEEmMNVc4?ref=svsabado.com) left off, in case you missed it. We stocked up on fresh fruits and vegetables and checked the weather daily hoping for an opportunity to get as far as possible. [Hurricane Nicole](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hurricane%5FNicole%5F%282022%29?ref=svsabado.com) delayed our departure but gave us time to finish up a few projects we’d been putting off and do some passage meal prep. ![](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/lSt3Y9fGeEoFdqTsrU61KmwowbPS7Ff7k5Pp4NMaTbUt6z51ZkS9I9OzotUyKpDk4JaOI9uoZla_vTHYbAfRbOXwCeGMZcHzFRS0_04cS7oNv_dDsfnGPsekt4oSOsrUZRqBgDeK3eNXtIbq3AYWFvM4lHP_226Ww2f5fZWLJDo0ifiC6XUbMYPoH8K4) We ended up leaving Norfolk just before sunrise on November 12th, destination: Georgetown, Bahamas. The trip started with calm seas and fair winds. ![](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/Ut_Yp_pNVJUou7awdEZACXh46oFjZAO9oc3QlxlLHK4FvKv-50hxk-4AvsRsST-R5lOx1GX8LAaMxdPsofkTQ0qT8W8U_AgmSyjqyci7ej0J6IT6iPhLM6BWG2uDrdDhoirofzdi_yeAQUMAYmkUF8FCVV_SamIzRTH1NIB0gb0dGVjDNVYkvZ07-WLMEQ) Unfortunately, that didn’t last long. Once we got offshore that afternoon, the clouds rolled in and the seas got sloppy. We motor sailed in 10-15 ft waves through the night. ![](https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/n11XyS3Ur8caa54zY7jPtCMvXQFmJe6dF2-0Yr2olGbH5SBOwq55qaWktd9RzQPP-pULWOZEuu0Q_uhBbn5xEAb9OA7CJGprVegsP1TaxjxqCi7SizT988qZgTQEgLUGFmjnVoXOTdjlaFozrCHKyBpxKkzZGYlL0C1Hds_k4MfnpDwkbABiO5JNXuruKQ) Sabado took a beating, but aside from a few leaky hatches, she performed well! I, on the other hand, was battling seasickness. Typically when I get seasick, it’s nothing a quick nap and a rice cake can’t fix, but this was the first time I’ve felt ill for so many consecutive hours. Since my seasickness is usually short-lived, I hadn’t bothered to take any medication, and at that point, it was too late. I’m not a puker, but I needed to be horizontal to ease my nausea. This became problematic when I was unable to keep watch long enough for Ray to get some rest. It would’ve been a great time to have had additional crew aboard, and with 5+ days ahead of us, we had a serious conversation about turning back. Thankfully though, once we made it through the Gulf Stream and [turned downwind](https://sites.google.com/a/washingtonyachtclub.org/new-member-guide/intro-to-sailing/turning-and-points-of-sail?ref=svsabado.com), I bounced back! I was fully stable by the end of day 2 and was back to eating proper meals on day 3 (no more rice cakes!). I will, however, be popping a precautionary Dramamine before our next leg of the [Thorny Path](https://youtu.be/EAJMJEBjIsI?ref=svsabado.com). The sailing conditions improved. In 20kn of wind, we were going 6-11kn while surfing down waves. We alternated keeping watch and taking naps. We lost the wind on day 5, but our animosity toward running the motors was muted by 75-80 degree weather, blue water, and calm seas. ❤️ ![](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/KCb26HZlZ8y9CHs8Rv4ScRL7w1hxAIEVR_cZ_r6lUd1MbqS88qHdw5m2qmKcehVXklK8z4Vx59VfQUio0MA8DE3oWljerywYuSpxyRNGHZG0ScFfYjelI5-qHyNgb9VsbjuYqbIbolvxTuJNUO0A3rkUfjlIEjuge9k2_9Pyo07nvWxGAnUMfqJ0D9H6Jg) We tossed the fishing lines out, traded our foul weather gear for shorts and tank tops, and made some water. I can’t describe how good it felt to transition back to this version of boat life. The cold weather and murky waters were starting to make us forget how lucky we are to live the life we do. We were able to sail again on day 6, intermittently using a motor to make good time. We arrived at [Emerald Bay Marina](https://www.marinaemeraldbay.com/?ref=svsabado.com) just before sunset, tied up, and went over to a friend's boat for arrival beverages. This was my longest passage yet, so we popped some champagne and celebrated! Here’s what our route looked like: ![](https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/jqXHH7F9Qna7T4mwob7-kZ_wXAd0vzURf4kfGUCMvffDiwbkuFllw9NFM0fXK1HNXW8b56lQmNcrb3vHAMNG6hphnSOiPpfws5553GwRYZh_8ZUfllSBh6owdRABdJH5rNrjHpOdBGNItM5yYg_QgJhrVMUsi4uRM-eurzCxLD3yjfxC5dEr9jgfc3CEjQ) 6 days, 851 nautical miles, highest wind speed 33kn, highest speed over ground 11kn, average speed over ground 6.2kn- what an adventure! ⛵️ We had our first proper night’s sleep in a week and headed over to customs & immigration first thing the following morning. We spent the rest of the day taking care of Sabado since she took such great care of us! Ray cleaned the outside, and I cleaned the inside. We took advantage of the marina’s free laundry machines and washed *everything*: clothes, bedding, towels, and blankets. It felt good seeing Sabado return to her typical condition after a week of neglecting most of our chores. We had a couple of drinks and went out to dinner with our new friends that night, and we fell asleep moments after we got home. I think I’m still a bit used to sleeping in shifts because I woke up at 4:30 this morning, but at least that gave me time to write this! The plan for today is to finish our deep clean of the boat and work on our footage from the trip. I hope to have the video of our passage up next weekend, so keep an eye out for it! I hope you had a great week. ❤️ ### A Salty Hop South URL: https://svsabado.com/a-salty-hop-south/ Last updated: 2022-10-23T12:48:39.000Z *A Week Aboard S/V Sabado: 10/13/2022 - 10/23/2022* **Hi! Have you seen our latest YouTube video? You can watch it [here](https://youtu.be/OxUIkAHvtN4?ref=svsabado.com)!** Last Sunday, we took Sabado over to the fuel dock to top off our tanks (water and diesel). We hopped back onto our [mooring ball](https://www.lifeofsailing.com/post/slip-vs-mooring-ball?ref=svsabado.com), checked the weather forecast, and planned our departure. Monday was the coldest day we’d had in a while. It rained all day, so we stayed inside and did some computer work. Tuesday morning, we left [Newport](https://www.discovernewport.org/?ref=svsabado.com). We had anticipated motoring most of the day, but the seas were supposed to be relatively flat, with low wind speeds. We were tired of paying the daily rate to stay in Newport and were itching to leave, so we were willing to power through if it meant a change of scenery. A few hours into the trip proved the forecast entirely wrong. The waves were twice the height with a quarter of the forecasted [period](https://secoora.org/education-outreach/waves/glossary/?ref=svsabado.com), and the wind quickly picked up to 25-30kn right on our nose. I sat at the helm most of the morning, acclimating to avoid getting seasick. I rarely feel ill when we sail, but motoring sometimes gets me! Once I was feeling stable, I headed inside and heard an unsettling noise: water splashing inside the boat. I ran towards the sound and let out a string of curse words… The hatch above the desk in the [owner's hull](https://www.cata-lagoon.com/en/42?ref=svsabado.com) had been closed but not latched shut, so when a wave came over the side, about 2 gallons of salt water poured in. I was scrambling to clean it ASAP, but here is a photo of the (washed and dried) hatch area so you can get a feel for what a lousy location this was to get wet: ![](https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/7Vkd325742rfG3UGDEruE_zCTyS5nynfO42xnA_D_BQkgwFqJbMRXUoREudLYSQD6BXEGhcizqQppm1ggrw4thNgoa75yDsbwX6dM9zzapjbUGp5K9UlcszqW1IWzDn9ksE9lWw9e5TD2OfgdetBWcpOKwsOYXxTAcOQCk0c693SAwOUib_F0dlS0w) I grabbed a couple of towels and started sopping it up. There was minimal water on the shelves (thankfully, that’s where we keep a lot of our electronic accessories!). Still, everything in the desk compartment was sitting in a puddle of water. Luckily most of it was just pens/markers/tape, but there was also a good amount of receipts and paperwork. I dried everything off and went over the area with fresh water several times to ensure I got rid of the salt. Ray checked the other hatches, and we quickly realized that most of them were leaking. Nothing quite like the unlatched one, but enough to have a couple of salty spots elsewhere. I cleaned in shifts because nothing triggers seasickness like being down below in bad conditions. I had to take a few stare-at-the-horizon breaks, but I got the job done! When it was clear the wind wasn’t going to shift in our favor anytime soon, we decided to cut our trip short and pull into a calm nearby anchorage. ![](https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/DDJR_9JvgDcRuOps-7t4-NxcofvRP8aRpFyaUqy22Nx53Sc0HS2BRq8t5ZbWz_fjC-b5BRfOy1d3U0_V6giKoaZ331QorVbU7CyagcEiyVXlr0_xM4de3C1Au16ZhDZIZJA2sqxii3dR3u710J0LyyGKa6Lep7mD4i5W429Z_cTGtUfAsKCbmdnjmg) Once we set our anchor, it was a race to get things fixed before sunset. Ray worked on the leaking hatches, and I went through our soggy papers. ![](https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/B1Zhp0b9Qz0K3wY10JhJ-E6dRgtxMN4yDELxvI_it2XUjPP6KW2s3E6mAHKORYKqSDA94vJc8DXADuOTj1yZvOTIsmMKcSNTjc8T5jPvglFfPPk2jPiUT75tvT-ZoR_zuiXOaQlMO1sG6P-nxvJCAuuul3C8xlBnxzlgmCDi_APUulyqRuARhVxgsg) We decided to stay on anchor Wednesday and Thursday. The spot we had pulled into was empty and virtually undeveloped- just how we like it! We’ve been spending a lot of time in bigger cities lately, so this was a breath of fresh air. We spent our days reminiscing about our favorite past empty anchorages and sipping gin and tonics. Friday morning, we left before sunrise. We motored to Port Washington and watched the sunset behind New York City as we arrived. ![](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/644n2o2uvYsl8DmnLtpnvv8oI2LMMNj9JgMOrOqQLnsEx-vR7DMhB7mrwOAVfG88vnTAkk5K1ZMN-8IosD86RwEQtB07HyqG2GJWa5-siR81V1sxFJ7z1J1_yQ2Eh7qL-yqOVaUtMR2Q2TfObflu6vkZYsZmso-ju63wsPZDwRbb-9DUtFrnjQHkig) By the time we pulled into the mooring field, it was pitch black. We followed our tracks from our trip here in August. I stood on the bow with a headlamp, and Ray slowly steered us up to a ball. We tied up, had no problems, high-fived, and headed to bed. Saturday morning, we took the dinghy to the town dock. ![](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/C0aVGC7Fti-WJ8GdJ9FZNyet9v-hhOZeI3WT_GCnL0usZAfQZGjxXOfELh-BqUuXvbSmXAWknOrnDpU9B-DDNIrdRkIDLHjtuTuFQKgFpbJ0fpyy6ywPVqsa3EUoIm-zZ_f4RVMqDL0NKtFigubLn_K2pcLzIqgnbOhkMaKe4exX31x4mwZuuEzQFg) I’m not sure what was happening; maybe it’s spawning season? But we dinghied through thousands of fish! ![](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/HZBJMv5ftnczYabZusS03aiQOEHPSjuXbpnEzPYOmq_IbNPZUqAhrgVRf1qwr10W0RLSDDogPyrPAO81kDDQo4S6ugUQ13MafggNe1lU2UB2N1_9DIIdI8PhmR_THGrybltfendrQQgweiLl0tQc7zNOU1bNhmcW0ACIbQXG254XJPA-O-VrRJu3fw) ![](https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/sQha4bQ1iOG7aPAylLOJXrNxGeWS0I1rn5PAM5rtT2mFrL_HvUhtmVd_5MOlsGaHKkUkMkj35UCkiqGIDILiE182qXoqnNjb8oswizoUV5tkf88rKXl8CcqW4OpKIY3zZ7U_joiF0KLLfCf0bSpRVJbZNEHhKKizJFaUMNXu5dQOEPCYQPNHdYuUzA) These photos don’t even do it justice. The entire area had little yellow fins poking through the surface of the water; it almost looked like floating kelp from afar. The massive schools of fish were slowly swimming around in circles. I assumed the seagulls would go crazy, but they were nowhere to be found! We spoke to some locals who were watching from the dock, but they didn’t seem to know what was going on either. We walked around town for a bit, then headed to a nearby laundromat to wash all the salty towels I had used. We checked out a couple of shops while the wash was going and grabbed lunch at a nearby burrito place during the dry cycle. We headed home, did a few chores, and watched a spectacular sunset. ![](https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/urMvUbTRLVT2ThRnLuuISqq0ao6_IdcyviNN6f-IlAay-tSO3H7aezgI4nuXJjgelxfP6MCmlIJzj3OEg8ch53RV-en-kGEsi7KxMzDucXamksTkyqWnIdRPBsNgqdOb7pwHHY-O7w9oslXK7NiFy9VIkr7IzKMn_7VufMcd1TgUQSNcUEZkP2UJIg) Just as the sun was setting, we heard a loud alarm… like, an air raid alarm… we turned on the radio to see if something was going on that we should know about but heard nothing. A few minutes later, we heard two loud blasts, like the sound a cannon would make, then nothing for the rest of the night! We were a little spooked, but figured it was just some sort of test. I can’t find anything about it in the news this morning, which I guess is a good sign. Anyway, we made some popcorn and watched a movie, an ideal Saturday night on Sabado. ⛵️ Today looks grey and gloomy, so we’ll likely hang around the boat and finish some projects. ☁️ I hope you had a great week! ❤️ ### Our Quest for a Dry Bilge Continues… URL: https://svsabado.com/our-quest-for-a-dry-bilge-continues/ Last updated: 2022-10-16T12:59:39.000Z *A Week Aboard S/V Sabado: 10/9/2022 - 10/16/2022* **Hello! Let's jump right into it-** Last Sunday, we spent the day relaxing at home. Monday morning, we finished up some overdue cleaning, organizing, and filming. On Tuesday, we went to shore to shower + do laundry at the [Maritime Center](https://www.cityofnewport.com/en-us/city-hall/departments/harbor-master/newport-maritime-center?ref=svsabado.com) but were disappointed when the doors were locked. A quick Google search confirmed that they should’ve been open. Upon further investigation, however, we discovered that the facility is seasonal, only open from Labor Day to Columbus Day, so we were one day too late. We dinghied home and started the generator to heat some water for showers on board instead. And as happens every time we run the genny, something started making a strange sound. This time, the culprit was the [saloon](https://www.discoverboating.com/resources/parts-of-a-boat?ref=svsabado.com) AC unit. We had switched it on to put a load on the generator, and it rattled like never before, so off the [settee](https://www.benharrisonkeywest.com/glossaryofnauticalterms?ref=svsabado.com) cushions came, and into the compartment, we went. ![](https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/1Nz69HA2RDa0sm1wQfKvpJfYyU5tsVbV90A19VgNSNj4x3RQhKuZKufklYGOHOrqbnrAu4nfB_-aYMRzBHyoM3A02ShVsz2EKfq_F71rGa9VM-IP96gGZDxD3FJ-fMeJCik1zAlO5oBE-Kz0lqokBYC0NLuneUGgL6sqvWcOJmLTnp6_DFk_D2ohlg) We found the rattling bit, tightened everything up, and patiently waited for the water heater to cook us up a couple of showers. Wednesday, I had an appointment on shore, so Ray walked me to my Uber and then headed to a laundromat to take care of the dirty clothes we couldn’t wash the day before. We met back up later that afternoon and took the dinghy home, opened a bottle of wine, made dinner, and watched the sunset. ❤️ ![](https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-VIAIWmJc8qPRAXJz64DrdHLER9QFIavanXRAj7Zn-t0ILXKELHcbccZFVGW4UA26RDocoZmlDCEPeak_ISsFFuELzX6A9zQvI7tlVUcBehnJggD2PpiCIGuMyowRxOKdW-2ACLpXNewiG4KZqmm2aVSm1OoO-sRyKJq4U64BnqQg2eMWXgZq0IsYg) Thursday morning, we were woken up early by the wind. If you’ve never heard the wind whistle through the rigging of a sailboat, it sounds like a cartoon ghost… “oooooooooooohhhh” “oOoOO oOoOO”-get the gist? Anyway, it’s tough to sleep through, so we were both sipping our coffee(s) before sunrise. ![](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/XbpoI0rGz2_pZPCDBXsX41sv7q0wsljZpFOZtawaFi1qpf1aahOyj-CZhYx_8wOLBbdetbQgO2BjQ52T5oIk_Np5e_NuaYLkg6d_Otx_lFP1cjHbOHxDK8NpVUiisqHf8MGSRD2wGvAlM9ai_V9kkfKdkeTGq0QEb9KgLKMjDG81RZ7tdwHgwS9aXg) We tried to make it a productive day by exercising, budgeting, and troubleshooting some of our ongoing projects. Eventually, we succumbed to our favorite stormy weather activity: making popcorn and watching movies. Friday morning, the wind subsided, so we decided to go to shore and get some supplies for our latest attempt to have a dry bilge. We took an Uber to [West Marine](https://www.westmarine.com/?ref=svsabado.com) to pick up some new hose + hose clamps and somehow spent over $150- A typical West Marine experience. We got back to the boat and got to work. **Here is a bit of background info for you:** The bilge is the lowest compartment of a ship’s interior, so any leaking liquids accumulate there. It’s normal to have some fresh water in your bilge from time to time from sinks/showers/condensation, and depending on how the boat is set up, there could also be engine oil, coolant, and even toilet waste in the bilge. On Sabado, we prefer to keep a bone-dry bilge; *dusty*, even. Keeping a dry bilge makes it very obvious when something’s gone wrong. Our starboard bilge is a desert, but our port bilge has had fresh water in it frequently, and we’ve been working towards figuring out the source. We’ve narrowed it down to the shower in our guest cabin (port aft cabin). A few weeks ago, we were sure it was the drain holes on the shower shelf, so we sealed them up with silicone but still found fresh water in the bilge. After thoroughly checking out our plumbing/drainage setup, Ray realized the factory had combined the hose that leads into the bilge and the hose that leads out the [thru hull](https://chsmith.com.au/Wiki/Thru-Hull.html?ref=svsabado.com) into a [header](https://www.eng-tips.com/viewthread.cfm?qid=96514&ref=svsabado.com). On this header, the hose for the bilge is below the hose for the thru hull, meaning that no matter what, a portion of the shower water goes into the bilge instead of out the thru hull. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/401f0cec-be5f-4798-9581-6f5ea7e156a2.jpg) The proper way to fix this would be to swap the positions of the hoses, but we don't want to mess with the thru hull hose until we’re hauled out of the water. So, we decided to extend the hose to the bilge by connecting it to a section of the new hose. The longer length allowed us to feed the hose upwards, so there would be a “hill” for the shower water to climb before it could drain into the bilge… ideally forcing more water through the thru hull hose instead. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/6b82ef1f-b063-4aab-9df0-f00b7c2a858a.jpg) As boat projects usually do, the job took us all day. Ray invented several new yoga poses to access the points he needed to work on, we changed our minds a few times about the approach, failed once, bled a bit (just some tiny finger cuts, don’t worry), and did some cursing. Surprisingly, I attempted to film it this time. We usually avoid filming projects like this because the access panels are so small and dark that I never know where to put the camera! I didn’t have enough time to work it into this week’s video, but check back next week to see how it turned out! Here’s a sneak peek… see what I mean about difficult to film?! (I promise, Ray does in fact still have a head.) ![](https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/kKa8jrg-LW4Dn8fCSN1HnhqFOh6FvzKsyyGfUOKEst9p1GhgDF-RlfrJUoCnM2UPcQ7hx_fs2td2EkQkjcdwp8LL041Ti7i3HbWnd5bXpuYEcfesOvSumxI3gWby2kbZIb6fwsRLpz8dEwzKRqQhM1vEYnGQiTVYAlBF1ITlpiXrRGU3mdSDIYdXIA) ![](https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/j5Vz9tdWGYMqxazZqrwxdJzGRipxNpCPwx5KGOJUJc88weUopsuFXybb64JElMqh7rHFYVDIHYTBZVR1vM_gLY5E0ib0Am7uZ2-e0King7L3kwSqqxCKN3NMXojdVdRDaUSg24bSnp-EKneg0nVEF6fY32Ezes4uZ3m6WYN256hb1RsXlTeJMXyWBw) Saturday morning, we published [our latest YouTube video](https://youtu.be/Ztj%5FL9XIwnY?ref=svsabado.com), listened to the weather forecast, and headed to shore. We strolled around for a while to escape the touristy strip before finding a coffee shop to hang out at for a bit. We chatted about when we’ll be able to leave Newport and where we want to go next- we’re hoping to be out of here early next week, but we said the same thing last week...didn’t we? We found a sushi spot on the walk home and stopped in for a lunch date before heading back to Sabado. Today is looking sunny and calm, so we’re going to go fill up our water tanks and top off our fuel tanks. Hopefully, I’ll have some sailing to tell you about next week! ### Beginning Our Journey South… URL: https://svsabado.com/beginning-our-journey-south/ Last updated: 2022-10-09T12:20:55.000Z **Hi!! Have you seen our [latest YouTube video](https://youtu.be/MpF3efGldcw?ref=svsabado.com)?**❤️ *This is going to be a two-week-long summary, so bear with me here…* (9/25/2022 - 10/9/2022) I’m happy to report I passed all my exams for my Captain’s license last week! I officially completed the course on Monday, and we spent the afternoon celebrating. We tried out a new restaurant for lunch, and I got a long overdue haircut before spending the rest of the evening relaxing at home in PJs, sipping gin and tonics and telling jokes until sunset. ❤️ ![](https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/WUxVWwDGau7PXxbUsfcOxKTZ-VFxG4bSd39e_1rvuD9IWpiczjJgKktbNRlf1ClR4N0trHzkbedeVZX8QBXyAZloubYQpll6zrTzuKrY7jzhyVakMzVVFEetdeTmbHSqwjPhPlvUAMwKfWQxlzeK54eEqTX2B8syVjEUyljziOkZp_t727B0Lpr1hQ) On Tuesday, we attempted to get back in the swing of things. Since the beginning of September, I’ve let my usual tasks/chores fall through the cracks. Ray is an angel and has done his best to keep up with the laundry, boat maintenance, and general tidying so that I could focus on studying, but Sabado really does require two caretakers. So, I started by taking inventory of our [provisions](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Provisioning%5F%28cruise%5Fship%29?ref=svsabado.com). With our journey to the Caribbean coming up soon, I decided to let our food supplies dwindle so I could do a thorough restock while we were in a big city. We rarely have more than one grocery store offering delivery services. However, Boston has Wegmans, Stop & Shop, Aldi, and Costco, so I pulled out everything we still have, wiped down the shelves/cabinets, reorganized, and put together three separate [Instacart](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Instacart?ref=svsabado.com) lists. I like to fill our freezer almost entirely with meat. You can usually find fresh fruits and vegetables on the islands, but we had to search for meat in the Bahamas. When we could find some, it was usually unlabeled and repackaged, so it was hard to tell how well it had been handled… I hear the Caribbean has more grocery options than the Bahamas, but it might take us a while to get there, so better safe than sorry! I like the frozen, individually vacuum-sealed meats from Costco. I refilled our canned and dried goods cabinets from Aldi and got any remaining odds and ends from Wegmans. ![](https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/wtYLHUklt28s4Baw7Ff5qHKNJeSlIGHYeHwLPbESIYDpDDbZGFAt47KCMxkXF3DuOkeuKtTkUcVN2V4gqHSlNOvIJKq2gHAC5WNEyfOxfElDDhrBe6gSZxrbHk8B7WWJ2txq1-893h-2sk6KoGGD8iq1Wgd41Dw4sX7-iopVpIX_p1Kz8saMA-Djeg) Since we’ve been staying on a [mooring ball](https://outchasingstars.com/mooring-ball/?ref=svsabado.com), we’ve had a shipping address, allowing us to stock up on spare parts in anticipation of leaving the USA. So, Ray spent a good chunk of last week unpacking and organizing the parts he ordered for all our main systems: engines, wind turbines, watermaker, generator, etc. ![](https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/bTB-SCkfLWpup1a6oV1Oxs-UAnMUOeOsopYVpvnFWzDc70aUtP4VoTB2oYQM3FHagD2A_AN19sL0xfWR4gCfraePJ_QATZDtG6nWrtHPe3thfOsnBMFYKsFwEX7TV52Vd1sUCjqSZbsqjtjsniO8H91JM1C893quGNe1b6wQyFOvhraQ29fjKl00wg) On Wednesday, Ray decided he’d had enough of our squeaky wind turbine, so (after running his idea by the company’s engineer), he decided to drill a hole into it, spray some lubricant, and reseal the hole. Did I love the idea of him leaning out on one foot 10ft above our sugar scoop while the Boston ferry boats raced by throwing massive wakes every 10mins? Not one bit. I did try to talk him out of it, but with Hurricane Ian heading our way, I knew we wouldn’t be somewhere calmer anytime soon, and the noise was quite literally driving him crazy. He agreed to wear his grippiest shoes, and if he felt like he was going to fall, he promised to fully commit and jump into the water to avoid hitting his head on the sugar scoop below. Against my better judgment, I agreed and stood behind him to hand him tools and give incoming wake warnings. I’m happy to report Ray did not swim in the Boston Harbor that day, and our wind turbine has been silent ever since. Thursday night, we were invited over to a neighboring boat for happy hour. We sipped wine and swapped stories while snuggling with their newborn puppies!! ![](https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/ZnWeMb83MiZaCGS0vcI-4mBVtO7sZGLedf0S6-Yv7tHhGcvh-PdO34C406QSP9WVQ8BJ6kIxp2tqhiJ6BAWbPNXbLddxN3di1roreMQxtc4nv2VPNbgs8A5_lcHm5XAHhOuI_wTGNKIMxnJTRApTmHBldUhDL9cr9AdR7eblRTgiMxH66lQd5Lkupg) The remnants of [Hurricane Ian](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hurricane%5FIan?ref=svsabado.com) made it to Boston over the weekend. The mooring field got breezy, bouncy, and cold, so we stayed inside and finished cleaning and organizing Sabado. On Monday, our new friend Tom, a Bostonian and fellow sailor offered to drive us to get our propane tanks refilled. Refilling our tanks is always a bit of a struggle because most Uber drivers don’t want propane in their cars, and refill facilities are rarely within walking distance. Tom picked us up from the marina and told us about the city's history as he drove us around. ![](https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/8bgUrVhWy46JMu2Um0hMFlTMGCNYIucdDeK1BhOGOqYNGpUmYizCFVxdZlokLJle2Z0Te34jfTt2Esd77lhOvVRm6WGPlAUaJuYjecJAh7qMmavn0MLnKfZxmR8T7bXQALOh6_N0hr7VKQCF7JL4I2gRgZMzez3G7uxSIToEldIafCn1VdLxBOox0Q) Tom, if you’re reading this- thank you so much! ❤️ We headed back to the boat with two full cans. ![](https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/RUHrenJj3QbO_sssxzUHUle8c10JSewYnogCKD1d_v8pPA7BSCY6vmD-j_gcKGp3__PRIvtcHgK1n9tw22X947MWPFcJHFTkdCZlAn7cdwlXuHSjS8KtXcJqLQ6TTex5faKTYh7WeP-Dq0BM7MzrH_z4EBNeNYk1DOTdu9tgPRhd55-BE50DEpYuew) We spent the rest of this week hiding from the wind/rain/cold and planning for our departure. Thursday afternoon, we finally ditched our mooring ball and headed South. It was the first sunny day we’d had in a while, so despite having to motor due to lack of wind, we were happy to be warm(ish) and on the move. ![](https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/6QdtRkeP0WWdCdGlfsOnrwNoqkTHd7xheplQ0Ow74KtyJoAvQUENW-8Z8Qsyc4ZmFPfKHXuAaa1bl5WQCzab3x6dhVROBOc28UyJonQ2EBUXj5XPRDGGSIXjn7JqzL1sUid831IJM8KqyjUNFhzinWb6uTCTmZJpn5OYIFuYpspQB5zeFo8zvxwmfA) While we were in Boston, we had decided to get the front portion of our [helm](https://www.sailwildhearts.com/2016/05/25/what-the-helm-learn-our-sailboat-parts/?ref=svsabado.com) [enclosure](https://anchorsupcarolina.com/boat-enclosures-what-to-know/?ref=svsabado.com) replaced. Over time, the clear vinyl had become cloudy and began to crack near the seams. It had gotten so bad that we had to stand outside the enclosure on our way into Boston to see ahead. So, we brought the front and two side panels to [Allerton Harbor Canvas](http://www.allertonharborcanvas.com/?ref=svsabado.com). The guys at Allerton know what they’re doing, so we took their advice and upgraded to [strataglass](https://chicagomarinecanvas.com/strataglass-vs-eisenglass/?ref=svsabado.com), a noticeably thicker material with a ten-year clarity guarantee. They noticed our original enclosure did not have heat sealed or bound edges, which led to the fraying we were seeing. So, they cleaned everything up, replaced all the stitching with UV-resistant thread and were able to reuse most of the sunbrella fabric we already had on the borders, bringing down the cost of the job. Here are a few photos they sent over of the process: ![](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/kkkLItyuOD4JvXLtFoawtSBAIfTYGzDfbvzTiGnxClSgBMiWoENX1YGuH0XOR53kfJDWJBmtclInO00t3ZXYOhr0Z5idIzfzrvK8-8CvqnErbYULCbgEtbmcGCcDImqkQOyFaUh8GdYbU8ffS7LgtQKPuCBRgiGwA2fuUj4AJ-SRineVg_DtglPBYg) ![](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/i1hNm4bZ1A9frxF82YC9X3Rcq5OS9FfBdfQA-G6BwoXoCBZjLSS6oc-90NFnVqFQ7a8wQReuLj_SZo97VwTEIiyvh9OgJyrX5qV3Qh7pkwyTemEA7-is7bfOCeqofWN-Sg6kPBsYOu2rMiG4NY0R6j89-gWsHONXZEKgHmnnIrJfEB9MBORDBNwb7g) ![](https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/caJ7u5nbZBVZEL-cWEAKOvIbndXiH99CLmn8xDIVsgxspd9Un9LzYdAFQhLbY61gES9FT4OK8xc_WjFPRmHQ8PCaNDDXuhMcr6kPSv-7YVUNMNQdx0UyJ3fwAAyA7ywVfPqvJvb6tv1ef32dJWU8KrbtiO33-66egcu9aujwIN3xSkrDHjQ3qSzPnQ) ![](https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/AQRErgvPQsusENq09gRdjRLeMK6RjWpIk_uTAiQZhg3XJ_BnFyq4WbjNnmLWBMZV3X0xKE8f0q3wxEdz2pUMYBH7Jf6poBHs4QP6M4ln9w2tOzqJ4mdIyDbHA3j5sBwZhNj8i_e_28T4qDy5ie_Xz4ni9fdCUiwQbfT97sNtoUx1zrg7dXpSgRV48g) Pretty cool, right? You can get a better feel of the final product in our [latest YouTube video](https://youtu.be/MpF3efGldcw?ref=svsabado.com)! We were impressed when we got the finished panels back, but this week was the first time we got to use them while moving the boat, and man, what a difference!! We could see everything, and it was crystal clear! We dodged crab pots in rough seas for a few hours before turning into the [Cape Cod Canal](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cape%5FCod%5FCanal?ref=svsabado.com) at sunset. ![](https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/6POb-cVLoribGmMcRm8kia_j5cxsO__q4yi7BNq44UROlHtJ982IaW52S1MSy24oVSOXOWDmKaLY4aX9VqIFBchhZZnlc_4yxv9LPl0jj-f2Q9Fq5wCuSeqg0oj7OSS2RsmARsND9qEkZHHNfWJHmp5fw5pNjOxVbMamePhwg4Ry8QMTjcafcRnO8w) ![](https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/Tp7-NpjWwXi3fDwyn9dI0e-UWVIUfwgNSuz7hsVVXQXtlpkil6e8czL5EeBCiWEacQ0N-xBmj68KPYy_Yzrmm0NvPAsbstIfTcNJ8Z3gaunRGJMfMwK26LRiSln_Tc-jpVATNKueCdqW4VG7eAUWqCGyVdLjxjBhd6NHGqxj-HIriH9tHrJW732-nQ) Once we made it through the canal, we headed toward an anchorage just an hour or so farther. We’d anchored there on our way North, so [dropping the hook](https://www.boatus.com/expert-advice/expert-advice-archive/2021/june/how-to-anchor?ref=svsabado.com) in the dark wasn’t an issue. We woke up the following day to a bit of a [squall](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Squall?ref=svsabado.com). It was cold and wet, but we bundled up and decided to make another small hop South to Newport, Rhode Island. We motored along, periodically popping inside to defrost our fingers. Thankfully, the sun came out just as we were pulling in. We hopped onto a mooring ball and dinghied to shore for a couple of drinks in a heated restaurant. We’re planning on staying here for a couple nights, re-fueling, then getting back out on anchor. We’re trying to move South slowly to obey our insurance restriction (we need to be North of the Florida/Georgia line until November 1st), but it’s getting increasingly cold up here… Anyway, I hope you had a great week! ❤️ ### Studying + Enjoying Boston URL: https://svsabado.com/studying-enjoying-boston/ Last updated: 2022-09-18T19:07:53.000Z **Hi friends!** Long time, no chat! We’ve been [moored](https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/mooring?ref=svsabado.com) in Boston for a few weeks now while I work towards getting my Captain's License. Our days have been full of studying, and nights spent exploring Boston + catching up with old friends and family. I’m in the process of studying for my final exam, but will resume writing/filming regularly after. In the meantime, here are a few photos from the past few weeks + the [video](https://youtu.be/A9Wo08ZBZcQ?ref=svsabado.com) of our trip here! ![](https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/i8Rk2pBpmyj0FGfqM46WOAXu1b8bpGi_0Qo3GnhBfwKDy4ANtzMdbaUeeSFGR4dCse7X_PbWZlgENjaw2ny3-E2kI26ilSyPN6AfVMdnxuRS-1b66f-NrFfxZGZl5BtjP6GgNIUgYSGwkGjzykvksr8BFIxGGdw7bfBz6qiAjprIy87YHXbiggAomQ) ![](https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/v3-pNIyiJtl69jlylDZQReoKz6JlSxYI_T0E1msNDpvj7pFUpwxP9n-zRwgkiUXDRPf7_UmFPRDCdQEw_b8jF4fBgU4pJCAZT45D2dmvSKmqhFnSK9zM92Nt_QiXpVLzRFMTDgGIX6ud4EoBeTpUw1Gf7m0JdlJUXbgfhGfewNZo_d_hStHfQzYeEw) ![](https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/qbbSOStWWNG2r6MLSHyWX6x6Ns14pWynRqe4L_KmgdQihS_7GmG19cHPBgskFTmwjI5tbxyTYVjfvmtaLD5xWVmO04_VVw_iu5dsR1-62JcuwsXwGLixe2AgztzQ_hVo73crRwT8li9vTChvnwOpSShRMOU6acMUg7rvvUMhQ7NPyUkrVhfiGZJEUw) ![](https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/U24C4z20UESX_lDzm8qikQQt_vGTtduU6r_vf6hAkMiUDDjguRozqLhMxsekrEZ0XktNHxTNvkM4I02MaJPKJ5s37PBesjrjBcbLqAWfEjaT3a0leW3HDifdjdoXRkQvz18LMwWRR40aLAUCp4yjw9oFx2I_6JoG54mQQM7huSewVuRKdssACowMNQ) ![](https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/vwYmRy1j0119T8Bzj-2RXGRLqeT4_jCKrN2Wf6rvWqLhQYlSz4ua41vuxwzEL1emHewSfFabJ9hz8CtDliClmZMnoLc8OXhs4rnIZBTfTsAdtnD5zBWeeeNBPa2af5ZBCdnn8_voAJ3Iy254D8AkXdjzR710EMz0tyLduQ_DdrVWDY1rtkpBaqtapQ) ![](https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/qUFWIIlrhX1UQ2pBBr1nkOhCygRH6Sb7Z-vlJahxIs62GOLumSPWN-nFA80-adn9-gvbvlpflWudVexN1Vh4XRfC3NvICG_ucd4uM1-tz722KrV4JbpXT6jl8PSKe_JdP6fHFtY3vygusKTKZzCOJJwW0eYWjbmddBuYkc3TsfOgbk4EbjuzrlDyCw) I hope you’re doing well. ❤️ ### Sailing to NYC! URL: https://svsabado.com/sailing-to-nyc--f0-9f-97-bd-e2-9b-b5-ef-b8-8f/ Last updated: 2022-08-21T12:37:49.000Z *A Week Aboard S/V Sabado: 8/14/2022 - 8/21/2022* **Watch our latest YouTube video [here](https://youtu.be/qNHWMcLt1O4?ref=svsabado.com)!** Last Sunday, we left the dreamy little town of Lewes, Delaware, and headed North to New York. It was flat calm, not even a breath of wind. Our anchor chain was caked in black, slimy mud. We set up a saltwater wash-down hose and rinsed every link as we brought it up. ![](https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/DOsYbxwioRDEtZ1jvTc6E1paFeT600Q6N1bzLCrKyv0w-iwFIC4txxpOLaCp33orek35ZcaKqnqpwtnAKd4ivd2hTW7ZtMtS_W5Rq-QMrl8f_3naPvCzgfhxJR2nuKZ0FBr4GMUWwatzEa6Kb6V6LtM) ![](https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/irzXYbzgnm8c7BOj7NvsbyKCwqI_5t5KogjZi48PMJj2SKTRI6tg8FLuJaupXxtEcp5j9ojocKDLS_ORZLNgO1VKpJMDr6zg-Irjxkm3QtbrV7YpO2H9-6lLzD7FLbf5pugNesIaLoINRLSl1U0-P5I) We gave everything a quick freshwater rinse once we were finished and headed out. I must’ve hit a wave wrong on the dinghy the day before because my upper back was causing me a lot of pain. I took some Advil and laid in the cockpit like a mummy until it kicked in. I took over at the helm after lunch while Ray tracked down some noises inside. As our boat moves and flexes over time, we’ve noticed the interior wood trim pieces come loose and start to squeak, so Ray has been cutting up those thin, flexible plastic cutting boards and jamming pieces in various nooks and crannies to stop the squeaking. It’s a continuous job! We brought the [jib](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jib?ref=svsabado.com) out that evening but had to keep an engine on through the night. ![](https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/I9jr703FnWEmWGJC_ZgK9N-s49BsHDXF4qUZ8l8eNSRj40A4CZB8NsBhckNe5oAkGyJj9oIsf_8hGCo7geAd2FkBo2-KnqiIIkVW8gyEneJvS6LVjMI1419PTCgVK7sWo9YI0kV_FSRo5ONsC7AL9IQ) We’re a bit annoyed with the amount of motoring we’ve had to do lately, but we’re trying to get to Boston by the 25th, so we’ve chosen to keep moving when we can. The moon was bright, and the breeze was cool; a nice uneventful night for us! ![](https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/56MgYsKqN-2HsbGbnkcg7ZRxLdOUwEPLPj3O0UvbtPrs1bvjLLSNmmR6Q307WVT-JweReNvsb0tUORD4lp1s2Otqbap666FZB6wt6_yYprjZw_mOqRFRTORlhgtG_1HXhW0vR5nc4BgG37zjXQehDfU) We woke up the following day to the New York City skyline in the distance. We decided to anchor by Sandy Hook, cutting our trip 2hrs shorter than if we were to go all the way to the Statue of Liberty. We were exhausted, so the closer, the better. We dropped our anchor and headed to bed. We napped the rest of the day and still slept through the entire night. The following day we decided to drive by the Statue of Liberty. We read online that the dinghy dock we used last time we anchored there to get to shore upped the price of a day pass from $10 to $40\. Several boats were already anchored there, and the ferries were passing through, going 30kn, throwing massive wakes every 10mins. A stark contrast to our experience in 2020 during COVID, when we were the only boat there, and the ferries only came by twice a day… Here are some photos from our 2020 trip: ![](https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/NdDvlVpgPCdrJOtf4YDUmjxwldXC5TjooPyqx1lVgdiMoAWajB4-5_b1jPbXL4mg_9BDmMCwhgHzJQomntr9Pupx6SiuRPnJZ0PCQ1AtMxJUhfMvYnmqP4VOzV757V46FckP9mx0s7Bf1-NPhTUaaG0) ![](https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/AstrlKg2ns0T3M-rkxjQ0sjwin2wQ3BUEVWvEes9Kjv3rBv124Zx0CPDiMRalDpc5WVWOmRnT5Xf_edB8iogoYpASv7vyx1OwAs4vWPv4_Fokrx6WDvBp5uvqw6yk9LEPZbExBEKK7hta5DsMv6hZAA) ![](https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/hFnCIESMLMip1bHPIr6tOIKKgjsiC9d60XipMY8CDah-qBIrcSmdfSx9DQm6tAteUjceEwYEHUIOEg7CjLhlw2MHyMSWaGN3Tti7uB4qmaMdMuyJYfKVEn0VBl3-4ze_SMegD9nZ3yhrQT1P5x8GHxI) We decided our experience was too special to taint, so we cruised by, admired Lady Liberty, and continued toward Long Island Sound instead. ![](https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/zewg-opUSSUD2YrWMngJOJhdXUJoPNdBXGeKbzLrvIEgtOtGi1ILu9eCXnbCVgtNZ--Jdz9p5-a5ebUcUfKBabbMx0rbtA6OPiXofZpW8YNbpZHN2Eqzn6_JhCYxUCHVjap-PEDvHlxFFH2cxaQlF-0) ![](https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-2nICldRtdpSfg44kzLN1_HH_qqazZRX8bCXDE-XSBEdM8y6jKfj7FcprL1wprXqvipAGf28RvW7JNMbzshLb3paH_UyI10kR3nYzoG4IkYZSs_16GsZKaOP1X1TUZeLaxiJpSy0B-DxVtJm5Th6r7c) ![](https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/SCey3D97KgUFp999XMigPV6yyFzk39ol3AFYOxAWMYgCaCnScVjpKLvshdssk-b-QH7PlYjMMw6SthIGVAliG6rzTpwJxpCZpIkfrvQwaB0gE04ocmhBWw1JeCUxi4NevT-gpHC4D-9S0jOmkrhaHi0) We picked up a [mooring ball](https://www.marineinsight.com/marine-navigation/what-is-a-mooring-buoy/amp/?ref=svsabado.com) in Port Washington. We’d heard plenty of good things about the area, but it exceeded our expectations! The mooring balls are first come, first serve, are sturdy/seem to be well maintained, and are free for one night! There’s a water taxi that will pick you up and drop you off wherever you want on shore: restaurants, the grocery store, Target, West Marine- you name it! The water taxi was charming, and the driver shared stories about the town during our trip. ![](https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/VdRG7mJWfxQ4bo6YODZRof49PE3tW2Ys8Znmfs4p4cyPfpM10mfSkcLW-rAjp3pCIiwpGPhVrd6IZpmd94LRF3HROLTlCi61uZ27W6L2SglKMg4gmiXdKHwQAxGR3OnFHKJFukZbSqqissG5R4Ev9h4) The area's setup is ideal for cruisers; no need to fuss around with Ubers or delivery services. Everything has a dock for the water taxi to pull into or is just across the street from one! We had lunch and cocktails at the waterfront steakhouse, then strolled through the town until we found a coffee shop. We taxied back to the boat and did some chores while the weather was still cool. I worked on our next YouTube video and did some cleaning while Ray started to tackle the [watermaker](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Watermaker?ref=svsabado.com) project we’ve been postponing… At this point, I feel like that saga deserves its own write-up. We had planned to leave the next morning but woke up to no wind despite the forecast saying we’d have 18kn+ the night before. We checked the updated forecast and rescheduled our departure for late that afternoon, hoping to catch some wind for a nice overnight sail to Newport, Rhode Island. We headed out around 3 pm and excitedly raised the [main](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mainsail?ref=svsabado.com) and brought out the jib, anticipating 15kn of wind once we got further into the Long Island Sound. Unfortunately, we only saw \~2-5kn, with storm clouds in the distance. We gauged the storm as it approached- it didn’t look too bad on radar. We were expecting a bit of a breeze and some rain. ![](https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/upAnIFylVgnMSxTts7gyk3S-LA5ds2zv1iBHdD2ftZpbMmMlQQeHYa4FlOb2Cn7evAmLhoOjt3Gq6IBeq8H7nVUg1MxZui8BhM_ykkx4hT3iqu5V1QvGN9oqasnVOtMi8llq4RBCTfOdPHCP-Brk0-Y) In a matter of seconds, the wind jumped from 2kn to 22kn. We put on our life jackets and started [reefing](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reefing?ref=svsabado.com) the sails. Reefing is always a little more complicated for us since we have wind turbines, you don’t want to get any lines caught in either turbine. We reefed the main and brought in the jib a bit. We shut off the engines and sailed for a few minutes until the rain started. We got soaked. The wind picked up. We put a second reef in the main, and the wind instantly began to die. We rolled our eyes, shook out that second reef, and brought the jib back out. Conditions were changing so quickly that I didn’t have time to put my gloves on, so I rubbed my hands raw dealing with the lines. The rain finally subsided just as the sun was setting, so we left the main reefed for the night. We changed into dry clothes and marveled at how well Sabado was performing- we were maintaining good speed, and the [helm was well balanced](https://sailzing.com/manage-upwind-helm-balance-for-speed-and-feel/?ref=svsabado.com). She sure loves a reef in the main. Ray took the first watch shift, and we sailed on and off for the rest of the night. We watched the most beautiful sunrise and brought out the [gennaker](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gennaker?ref=svsabado.com) once we had enough daylight. ![](https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/awJ0lbSwSPCGvBQxIC5pwh3AlOKFQXr5-AMSI4Agyvln0tUacU7gs_L1FyNMq1ap66rL8NV4vsgITU4osi7h5Hdays-ZcwYhF2sAujmKEpGytecIHjce8cO7bgUDmIrJ1zpMzolaEdppM4_nj37o4po) ![](https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/BSGHLhBslPGM0wi2lu_xnvWumCKe-iYrK5hcFGnBrwfAVdxOQJA9LAEs796rQJZanS7odgwf1ValsGjNRfWt21DtLq9-DkpmoyyfXtF47SeSE4TEe8YOGeiDDp6RP77i-r5bA47COeZ1JsLVRiINduwtx2j1G_YHWs_izQXptaKmOB-XM1FD-XUVBQ) It was a perfect morning! Sunny, blue skies, 70 degrees…, and we were sailing! What a treat. ❤️⛵️ We pulled into [Newport](https://www.discovernewport.org/?ref=svsabado.com) that afternoon. Newport is a fancy maritime town. There is always tons of boat traffic, and every boat is perfectly maintained. The anchorage was packed, so we picked up a mooring ball. We decided to dinghy to shore for lunch and a couple of drinks before heading back to bed to recover from our trip. We took a lap around the mooring field, drooling at all the beautiful boats, before tracking down a spot for our usual: a burger and beer for Ray and a salad and sangria for me! Friday morning, we checked the weather and compared the nightly costs of staying in Newport vs. Boston. It’s substantially cheaper to hang around Newport, and we had a weather window in sight that would still get us to Boston on time. So, we extended our stay with the [Harbor Master](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harbourmaster?ref=svsabado.com) and headed to shore to do some chores. We brought in some trash and two heaping bags of laundry. The [Maritime Center](https://www.cityofnewport.com/en-us/city-hall/departments/harbor-master/newport-maritime-center?ref=svsabado.com) here is great, so we were able to dump our garbage, start a load of laundry, and grab a mimosa right down the street. We returned to Sabado, put away our laundry, and worked on a “to do before we leave the USA” list + budget. The plan is to head to warmer waters in November! We decided to stay home on Saturday. Ray serviced one of our [winches](https://www.lifeofsailing.com/post/what-is-a-sailboat-winch?ref=svsabado.com) that had started making a gnarly noise, and I attempted to make new covers for our [fenders](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fender%5F%28boating%29?ref=svsabado.com). We saw a boat in Georgia using sweatpant legs as fender covers, which seemed like a much more affordable option than purchasing replacement covers. So, I ordered some men's XL long sweatpants after I threw our covers out (they had grown an entire ecosystem while we were on the dock). ![](https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/jLmdxndpqFcqfrwMjwWoea58ax9KLtfO_JL74kwv50IeFk8IMFunlGOlX4rW44jkn8ZCHcyYMWc-bLtnuTh9ozc6qNYgpx2N9lk5Purk60lbbBbdPLZsogw_bIYzMKMsXLotWU9NhloI5AdqCbBJUQE) I guess we’ve got some chubby fenders though, because the sweats I bought didn’t even fit over our smallest ones! I gave myself rug burns on my knuckles trying to make it work before enlisting Ray’s help. Ray strung the fender up in the cockpit, covered it in dish soap, and forced it on, only for it to be too short. I don’t know what extra wide-legged + extra extra long sweatpants that other boat used or what dimensions their fenders were, but this was not the solution for us. I guess we’ll be buying some replacement covers after all. Today we’re thinking of heading to shore to do some exploring. This is our second time in Newport, but we’ve only checked out the main strip near the Maritime Center, so we might try to venture beyond that today! I’ll take some photos for you guys; it is such a cute town! I hope you had a great week. ❤️ ### Sailing The Chesapeake + Re-Visiting Our Favorite Town! URL: https://svsabado.com/sailing-the-chesapeake-re-visiting-our-favorite-town/ Last updated: 2022-08-14T11:55:11.000Z *A Week Aboard S/V Sabado: 8/7/2022 - 8/14/2022* **Hello!** **Have you seen our latest YouTube video? If not, you can watch it [here](https://youtu.be/xy6gVIF7nPA?ref=svsabado.com).** Last Sunday, we were invited to brunch with two other couples who own [Lagoon 42s](https://www.cata-lagoon.com/en/42?ref=svsabado.com)! We swapped stories of repair attempts gone wrong, daydreamed about various upgrades, and shared our route plans for the future. After brunch, the 6 of us grabbed a couple of drinks at the dive bar next door and got a group photo! ![](https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/5rfpQ-OUG2I1o_mjHWvLwjVmEelUPljM_DjyPC9HHK3pLrhd2YeymCrd97gtvKIxmY-2FXRfamKnbu2yWAnDzMoSlBpyV9I-Ow_-QKy29NR9I8ioZrkS3IWIXvl-NuSsQFaPtJlFf3_9OR_cLoinaL4) It’s always so fun getting together with other liveaboards, and if you guys are reading this- thank you for brunch! ❤️ Once we got back to the boat, we decided to run the generator (I know, shocking, considering we never run it). Our goal this year was to use it more often, and the cloud cover, lack of wind, and heat were the perfect excuse to give our batteries a good charge and run our AC. We ran it for several hours before the [capacitor](https://www.britannica.com/technology/capacitor?ref=svsabado.com) died- haha. Something breaks every time we use the damn thing. Luckily, capacitors are an easy fix. We have several spares on board, so Ray was able to swap them out. Monday morning, we got up bright and early, pulled up our anchor, and headed over to the fuel dock. We haven’t fueled up since Cape Canaveral in May, so we were due for a top-off. While we were there, a radio call came into the marina about a catamaran with an electrical fire needing assistance. We saw the boat pull in ahead of the fuel dock and realized they were our former dock neighbors. The boat had smoke billowing around it, every boater's worst nightmare. We called them on the radio and told them we could put the dinghy in the water if they needed us, but the marina staff and fire department were already on their way. We decided to hang out at the fuel dock until things were resolved to stay out of everyone’s way and make sure they were okay. An hour or so later, the smoke stopped, and they were escorted by the fire department to a nearby boatyard. We shouted back and forth as they passed us: everyone on board was safe, and their [inverter](https://www.fisheriessupply.com/marine-inverter-basics?ref=svsabado.com) seemed to have started the fire. The details aren’t my story to tell, and I didn’t take any photos or videos simply because I wouldn’t want someone doing that to me if the roles were reversed. We’re hoping they have a swift and affordable repair! We left the fuel dock soon after and headed out. I went down to check the [bilges](https://www.discoverboating.com/ownership/bilge-pump-basics?ref=svsabado.com) and noticed a small stream of water on our port side. I tasted it: not salty, so not an emergency. I let Ray know and took over at the helm while he investigated. At first, he thought our fresh water tanks were leaking, but luckily, it ended up being condensate from our [salon](https://tipsforefficiency.com/boat-salon/?ref=svsabado.com) air conditioner. The condensate pump was clogged, allowing it to overflow down into the bilge. Ray cleared the pump, and sure enough, the stream dried up. ![](https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/XcW1KJFjKF4EMI2jNYewYUFFFghMTpGKiduxAdSpxukFHNSCmKZ7Idu_2CdEMOBzmdIDHRZzZK7RQuHCYdMNiHqsDA3R2JxFlKssknpeOIW-MMQZrA-D2r9Diuch9dcCW2wwvW_A3lrCVij90nKDew) With that mystery solved, we raised the [main](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mainsail?ref=svsabado.com) and brought out the [gennaker](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gennaker?ref=svsabado.com)! We shut the engines off and made our way North with a [SOG](https://newportkat.com/2018/05/20/apparent-and-true-wind-boat-speed-sog-and-cog/?ref=svsabado.com) of 5.5kn and [AWS](https://www.bwsailing.com/true-wind-from-apparent-wind/?ref=svsabado.com) 8.7kn. ![](https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/1gu6rN8X_DbOjRzgjEPVKGZ83xJY-dBqnQ6FVq25sIwQz9lmBHRpYOz8NlTT3nERuQI7jWP2ad1nZdBHHANnnVi4gejbjamKFiyjHxTaP2VDxzgHqBWSERx9cn_L0gpkx8IeGUWvBG9u3BreGW_qyw0) We were having an absolute blast… until the wind died that afternoon. We dropped the sails and started an engine. Without the breeze, the heat began to get to us. There were two slivers of shade on the boat: one at a corner of the helm and one on the starboard side. So, one of us stayed at the helm while the other sat starboard. The lack of wind allowed a swarm of tiny gnats and biting flies to take up residence on Sabado. Since we were both dripping sweat, they stuck to our skin, leaving us flailing about and yelling curse words every time we felt a bite. Luckily, the bugs vanished just as we turned into our anchorage for the night. You know how when you live on land, the ocean has such a strong, distinct smell? When you spend enough time on the water, you start to smell land when you get close enough. Immediately we were hit with the distinct smell of pine trees. The entire cove smelled like Christmas! We dropped our anchor off the coast of a military base. It was a gorgeous evening! I did some yoga on the bow at sunset and felt extra grateful for the cool, steady breeze. ![](https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/DlUyOfIysCeIBs8zEKUCX9CkKZVNiwx8J9EmtIp_0hX_-tfKkv7kn_aTCXLbac96LNBI4o9ARcdICj8EWRWCTdEPW21tyYXaj1m9P9e9UEIcABh-W9optDimwIwiwpnmEqSkMMqkMi0dUajHAkFk56E) ![](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/1q_e7rVevXsIx6Vq14ONTfViZK-fcdLK0MrNzua9OdKH2TMiuwi1ktOiUDAxYW6ZHixJUBPRbr8W5Mt8eFuTMmvaWXcjfE09t6Nup-y10w8jQ1C-1MG1g05HHMKgDDVz3I17DSTgGqOdYDZ_SwGCerU) We left Wednesday morning at sunrise. ![](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/Memq9fXYIl9MVt4ewqd2P-z3bHN4wyDJAzIdeIFUDh9HsymOjLc8K1g5uFTP2OIJ38AZ-PGjX0nVkm2xogcCl-P-6uTcL9TMqVIi9FwtroNxk_a67hjSIp23s1Z-Z_wsSUoNhMNFLBMJePz_oHBU4A) We’d been checking the weather forecast regularly and saw some nasty thunderstorms headed our way, so our goal was to get as far North as possible that day to dodge the worst of it. Unfortunately, this decision was not supported by the wind- we had to keep an engine on all day. We pulled into our anchorage that evening and were immediately hit by a strong scent… I don't know if the recent heat wave has amplified the smell of land, but this anchorage smelled like blackberry bushes! I was instantly reminded of picking wild blackberries with my mom growing up in Seattle, Washington. ☺️ ![](https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/uJgPDtpnaG8NNyochQ-s0cpODbrAjw48sq0naRVzuxabyVAr_9GnKHZS-0vz_xQEswclx8y62ZNQb_BsfbbNvm0mP9VsnOcXXLR6jNo5RepokCkwTl_Sjg5cEUZIdpflqr7wGvD57e6Qv1GiuN3plw) We dropped our anchor, showered, and ate dinner. The wind began to pick up as the clouds rolled in. We opened up our hatches and cheered on the natural air conditioning. The storm passed us in the middle of the night. We were woken up by heavy rain and 40kn winds, but no lightning, so mission accomplished! The storm lasted under an hour, and our anchor held us firmly in place. We decided to stay put the next day. All this sailing was an excellent excuse to let some of our usual chores fall through the cracks; we needed a catch-up day! Ray changed the engine oil and tidied up the outside of the boat, and I deep cleaned the inside and did some food prep. The anchorage was quiet and calm, and the storm had brought some much-needed cooler, drier weather. ![](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/mbOpTbMZZ3pDp-iQaON3Wz3-6QF4l53ntrum5B3cAxmhLoObFF9-BQYAlr4D5ZJDyL4nQPetiuQsDjjhKnuuApya2U2XcB-9I7cUjLvk3GEilK5IdleN1WrwrIGxHJmrD4-xsr_i2eDbrIZHO-_A9Q) We left at sunrise the following day. ![](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/oLcizzCIZWfZ0DeSzYLyTJm8OJATb07AUYjSjWMEfEQDshvBantxZxYqBuDA0ziANMW9VU47Xxh6npyQ2I2MbyyUtz1vKZwOD3IlJ8Zy8_IvkREZz1WKKIFYGx3pmy8OGbIt7LeQQqRErZ0EthZH2g) The first hour of our trip was rough- we had 25kn winds, but not at a sail-able angle, so we motored through the rough seas, dodging fish traps along the way. Thankfully, things calmed down once we made it into the [C&D Canal](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chesapeake%5F%26%5FDelaware%5FCanal?ref=svsabado.com). It had shaped up to be a beautiful morning, with sunshine and a cool breeze. We went under 6 bridges and waved to the bicyclists on either side of the canal. It became significantly less pleasant once we reached the chocolate brown Delaware Bay. We fought 3kn of current for the first couple of hours. ![](https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/IjUKp1ELdF0CWl-9Rmr5_U4M0eE94p2K5GjK0jRF8oLI3nfxsecEX28WaV8Qgk88aAI2IZEsN77jLAtMkpswMTzAQL4v185UT73JrjN5ZDAJyEBsUNAgz8bVVgeuB3TrXk-4VbaTJGiNAqx66mZ-dA) We had to keep hopping out of the [channel](https://walshmarineproducts.com/channel-markers-what-they-are-and-when-to-use-them/?ref=svsabado.com) to dodge uncharted [moorings](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mooring?ref=svsabado.com) and what we think were [dredging ships](https://www.marineinsight.com/types-of-ships/different-types-of-dredgers-used-in-the-maritime-industry/amp/?ref=svsabado.com) without [AIS](https://www.boatingsafetymag.com/boatingsafety/how-use-ais?ref=svsabado.com)… all with the not-so picturesque background of a nuclear power plant. This is our second time crossing the Delaware Bay, so Ray and I recreated the photo he took the last time we did this: ![](https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/luzZgB79G6O0iNohZk_aDIU283MlYN9EFucK5WE9ruOq4tZF0x1StD0mGmc0e84lhdlYrXhDpmcqMC5KuFmHlRmqoQ08ph4TeOHOyuSbUdwbk-FkdPnKvg4WG9O6zEDv4jkqWcGkJ9MB20ZkGYrseSA) (2020) ![](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/x5SUQpRG2dfF8kxxpNhX_RN2t-AyrVfPLw6Js3I0mj32HH6ZJKSU4571P8wJmleEcLO1xctEsHyRFyIuOEQG5Oa_VhUXeqjsgJoITDKBz140v50-AWix-_8iAR1VNhfgRieQv8dgg7qI2Fd6deADuNA) (2022) We arrived in Lewes, Delaware, later that afternoon. Lewes is a tiny town (population <3,000) that we discovered back in 2020 after an unsafe anchorage left us searching for the next closest option. The anchorage is referred to as the National Harbor of Refuge because of the protection provided by its [inner and outer breakwaters ](https://www.capegazette.com/article/delaware-bay-breakwaters-were-marvels-their-day/235361?ref=svsabado.com)and [icebreaker pier.](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/National%5FHarbor%5Fof%5FRefuge%5Fand%5FDelaware%5FBreakwater%5FHarbor%5FHistoric%5FDistrict?ref=svsabado.com) It was a perfect spot for us at the time, and we quickly fell in love with the town. We’ve spoken fondly of Lewes ever since and made sure to add it to our route this year! We anchored by the lighthouse, watched the sunset and fell asleep. We both woke up a couple hours later to a loud clicking noise. We shot up in bed and heard it again. Unidentifiable noises on a boat are not acceptable. Ray got up, grabbed a headlamp, and started poking around. We were struggling to tell if it was coming from Sabado or the water… Sometimes it was loud, sometimes quiet, almost like it was… moving? But it sounded mechanical, not organic. Ray opened up some panels on the boat and stuck his ear in thinking it was an air bubble in our plumbing, but it was just so difficult to tell where it was coming from. I was convinced the sound was moving, so I started googling: “ocean animals clicking noise?” “Delaware Bay loud clicking noise” “Lewes Delaware clicking in anchorage?” I couldn't find anything. Ray came back to bed and started googling too. It turns out they were [striped cusk eels](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Striped%5Fcusk-eel?ref=svsabado.com)! [Here](https://youtu.be/87MIHnqYilQ?ref=svsabado.com) is a video where you can hear the sound for yourself. Anyway, we decided to head to town the next morning. It was a rough dinghy ride to get to the inlet, but once we were in, it was beautiful! Flat calm and lined with private docks and tiny little boat houses (with their massive main houses just off the waterfront). ![](https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/BgSq62ffXkLRKOtoRI4fsopbyKdOgIH7xWbYr6yzjhpGRNkV6wu_QNZh_q41vaKbmD42O5ftfQbDzof8htOQoc2BpAYGrVohuXfRote7wlUvGgpgFhu9e07MeKm2JEkBl0Ke_oFXHJBLdd8tgC-Bmg4) ![](https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/W57MpUIk6P4fa41i1pugJGHMPKvxpSYk2W3tx4nd6tbI6y6Qt0akj_foT7fW_qs9LdxckDYC8JIJx_EcOMUWWFSyiALaos33Cw1jnftqndqa004GE49Nf2EwDCpjAr4HUjRQPlTQEZzOcCjt12Kbg9o) We tied up at a local restaurant’s dinghy dock and walked over to the farmers market to pick up a bit of local produce to carry us over until our next big provisioning run. I’m so disappointed in myself for not taking more photos of the town because it’s one of the most adorable places we’ve ever been, but my hands were full of farmers’ market peaches! Every street is perfectly landscaped with hydrangeas and some sort of pink blossoming trees, and every home looks like something straight out of a storybook. If you ever find yourself in Delaware, Lewes is a must-see! We grabbed some lunch and headed back to the boat. We spent the rest of the day relaxing, enjoying the perfect weather, and planning our next move. Today we’re heading to New York! I hope you had a great week. ❤️ ### Goodbye, Georgia! URL: https://svsabado.com/goodbye-georgia/ Last updated: 2022-08-07T11:59:27.000Z *A Week Aboard S/V Sabado: 7/31/2022 - 8/7/2022* **Surprise! We left Brunswick!** We ditched the dock at sunrise on Tuesday morning. Unfortunately, it did not go off without a hitch- our [chart plotter](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chartplotter?ref=svsabado.com) didn’t work. We turned it off and back on again and were repeatedly met with a blank screen. We momentarily thought the multiple lightning storms we had watched roll through Brunswick while we were there must’ve impacted us… Just when we were about to give up, turn the AC back on, and scrounge up the cash to replace it, it started working. We’re not ones to look a gift horse in the mouth, so off we went! ![](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-yz9GZoiTfVv3vzLUYgAdSij5Fsld7QRu4Du-cgAjHEdS9xY0R0Y7YqtE4xdjBIezvB8yD-tnYQ3o9kAT9-jFt5K9UFCFtqk0Q4siZ00_wcEb0uVqgrubVXb9h3LYPp4TsuyoAFYG-rPFpBj5Jal_Lg) Once we got out far enough, we turned into the wind, raised the [main](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mainsail?ref=svsabado.com), and brought out the [jib](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jib?ref=svsabado.com). We didn’t have much wind to work with, so we kept an engine on and set our course. ![](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/N_4SsD0DNIttYhwQZtLONISydzDtaN-H-nm2ynb37FA7h7LnaeH_TkkU9FNkhMMYmWa6p96G4HYcwgR54UKxs1pb2AjEHKbTrm6NGL0fTI9UMR0UwpSplI4HLow0fMuN14UlrWeGhjI2GWSURqXy8cc) We motor sailed through the afternoon and decided to throw our hand lines in to see if we could catch some dinner. Within minutes, we caught what we thought was a [skipjack](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Skipjack%5Ftuna?ref=svsabado.com) tuna (fish experts: let us know if we’re wrong!). Unfortunately, those don't make very good meals, so we released it and tried again. Later that afternoon, we pulled in two [barracudas](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barracuda?ref=svsabado.com), and minutes after, another skipjack! That’s 4 catches and releases! It was an eventful yet fruitless fishing day. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/img_2817.jpg) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/img_2818.jpg) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/img_2819.jpg) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/img_2820.jpg) We were also visited by a couple of pods of dolphins, which never gets old. We sat on the bow, waving and cheering them on. At times it looked like they turned their heads up to look at us! Do you think they get bummed when we walk away to trim the sails just like we get bummed when they swim away? ![](https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/VTrbeVD3R3LpF-yvT4qsHe9Rvd1fn5httNG7kcgDt-L2nGx8nFQ8tptbkQOrqXU20Ras0dkAvg8YipMEYBOKtkYegjLU1DKq-jr2VnT95WHOiltb6GZkITJMoVG8SxiMxNIu8r2hY0lMUbdd3U_DRUQ) ![](https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/9pJ3vhie80VaRiWfaPFvD7rxX29vyei2WPAE3Q4DyKQIJ9FTKiQjs_3rkoANdIYH8uWCppciCI7jeBzfVnslOXQAA_0kcYw0uttQMR_EzqXtFhEWwq_wsgALTL6O0EmLX4Z2i7I816N0vDSAC3Yqujc) Anyway, we ate dinner together and then split up for the night. I took the first watch shift, and it was delightfully uneventful. There wasn’t much moonlight, but the [bioluminescence](https://www.environment.sa.gov.au/goodliving/posts/2018/04/sea-sparkle?ref=svsabado.com) was beautiful! It was chunkier than the bioluminescence I’ve seen in the past, but it lit up the wake around us nonetheless. We hit the [Gulf Stream](https://oceanservice.noaa.gov/facts/gulfstreamspeed.html?ref=svsabado.com) around 11 pm and our speed increased by several knots, but we still didn’t have enough wind to shut off the engine. Luckily, the wind filled out during Ray’s shift, and we got to sail through the rest of the night! Using the jib and the main ([reefed](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reefing?ref=svsabado.com)), we cruised along at 11-12kn until just after sunrise. Day 2 was less than desirable… The heat was miserable. We had 1-3kn of wind, so no breeze to cool us down, and we were struggling. It was hot on day 1, don’t get me wrong, but nothing compared to day 2\. We tried to keep things in perspective- we were happy to be moving, we’re lucky to live this lifestyle, yadda yadda- but we had to motor the entire day, and I had to strap an ice pack to my neck to be able to cook dinner! ![](https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/TbHLYqGuivG23u-bIgniERcy0-6uRZEXdPzong01WmdGzBrvrj3AmgFz8p6ZruyU6nD0qYyPgYUktn2f9Zw-gsIJlS-0edf6Bpvb2zBqNLapVNTrIWktaatNgnu8ZtQSEC5zezA8xr-SlJv4mIhHfUE) We rigged up a sunshade at the helm using a towel and some clips and counted down to sunset. ![](https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/mhXrV648hxJYUh2Upc7z6frno5o0a5al80Ela3YDkledmXmyHRgH8aYmUV6Wr4uvxNRZbwQRPVhSP3jP1mscTvdU3F0yKc0EHeo8DB50sRZfendSg5PJcrXixX3DaQHHmwgYwN4S1KJaAvUlP8O8Q64) That night was spent dodging [squalls](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Squall?ref=svsabado.com), but we were rewarded with some residual wind. We were able to bring out the [gennaker](https://www.northsails.com/sailing/en/2021/01/difference-between-gennaker-and-spinnaker/amp?ref=svsabado.com) the next day and do some sailing! ⛵️ ![](https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/C4ioxD8RiBvjQvVJFqeTtM3GpSU21h2jd2Gr_RQsYS7T4YDbBCVo-0rIf3U6xK8Mr_XRLx8h6uBdb_0e8PU23RXb7ASOSPKm4NY7GpNQs6qa_WWGTqQWv3JuzUjYDoF1XKg_oOHSYDZRbGQaBw-k1jU) We rounded Cape Hatteras that afternoon. Hatteras is known amongst mariners as the most dangerous spot on the Atlantic seaboard due to its extensive [shoaling](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wave%5Fshoaling?ref=svsabado.com). More than 2 thousand ships have sunk in what is now referred to as “[the graveyard of the Atlantic](https://www.ncpedia.org/graveyard-atlantic?ref=svsabado.com)”. A lighthouse was erected in 1803 to help mark the shoals, but it was ineffective and replaced by America’s tallest lighthouse in 1870… which also proved ineffective. After lots of back and forth with [The Lighthouse Board](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/United%5FStates%5FLighthouse%5FBoard?ref=svsabado.com), the Senate, Congress, and a few more failed attempts, a new structure called the Lightship was built. The Lightship suffered significant damage from Hurricane Fran in 1996, and its light was consequently extinguished in 2001\. The structure still stands, but in 2012 it was determined to need $2.3 million in repairs and was subsequently auctioned off. [Minnesota entrepreneur Dave Schneider](https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/sdut-minn-man-buys-surplus-nc-light-tower-for-research-2012nov21-story.html?ref=svsabado.com) purchased the structure for $20,000 and announced his plan to make over $1 million in repairs using volunteers to help renovate in exchange for the beautiful views and unique diving/fishing opportunities the area provides. Schneider then wanted to use the structure for various research projects, including his company [Zap Water](http://zapwatertechnology.com/?ref=svsabado.com). I’m not sure how much of this plan he was able to accomplish, I wasn’t able to find any recent information, but I’ve heard it’s back on the market if anyone is interested… We passed it on Thursday afternoon! ![](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/k38GCTecKYB_cDhgRHxDunQG7vNKAKizd8LDnDK8smKx1x3fa44Jb0PabJJC-UYQ-r8U3qjI4cjBb5C4pIqjUZ8Z7_JtQDKulOh28qtRjZFFvu0_0oZktgPkKvQS-9oWWeJT_bJOwWl_1bXMkJZKZXc) We approached Norfolk, Virginia, Friday morning and dropped anchor shortly after that. We tried to get some rest after days of sleeping in shifts, but it was too hot to sleep. Ray got fed up with the temperature and decided to cut his hair for some relief. RIP long-haired Ray! ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/img_2815-1.jpg) We headed to shore after to find some AC and food. Yesterday we picked up our long-awaited watermaker part from a local FedEx office and wandered around downtown Norfolk, gawking at the massive military ships. ![](https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/3bDrwJqh8-LjAD-aRoB0JCe9cRUDWnv_OWDIi5oyu3fJMCwhPeXpNxsEtK7fol15XytAKh4mEMemtkxJzt4NXMgk6fQsg8-pMBZ9IpS8KN_Eaq1cj_NbeA42bt6B_fFQ7UFEp0oEnZ-__hnOwmD-t3U) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/img_2795-scaled.jpg) I promise I’m not intentionally leaving you hanging about our watermaker woes; I just want to get it fully resolved before filling you in, so stay tuned! I’d tell you about our plan for the day today, but we don’t have one. I’ll probably spend some time editing our next YouTube video… I was hoping to get it up before finishing this email, but I got some stunning footage that deserves a bit more of my attention, so it’ll likely go up tomorrow or Tuesday. If you click the bell icon on [our channel](https://youtube.com/c/HollyandRay?ref=svsabado.com), you’ll be notified when it’s live! I hope you had a great week. ❤️ ### What Living on a Boat is REALLY Like URL: https://svsabado.com/what-living-on-a-boat-is-really-like/ Last updated: 2022-07-17T13:56:33.000Z *Spoiler alert:* we’re still docked in Brunswick. *Silver lining:* we’ve been working on Sabado and making new friends! **Let’s rewind to last week when I was too lazy to write-** Monday was the 4th of July. We didn’t do anything in particular, but Sabado had front-row seats to the local firework show, so we ate some red, white, and blue nachos and watched from the bow. ![](https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/MWQsn6wIPJSbujpZiWgokZscawvo9zM6hpXXJs15zPGgGXb4DK_GgUflWeDzOEmFHAAOe5L_u6HBzxCvChcligff6uJQ8Fdr4cEAXSXyolBvRoDIAhypKQcVnFFptcplxiX054T45J4YuXabHok) ![](https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/J_Vu_KpVxFVUWx05LHUFaqDqOhQtIsl0MEJvqsSxoCIsI_5vJ4bGwpKjeBrfe4Pi9ExQ8D6jU-BmA30Ls5clDWSE9Fm23kCD6vFk5OjdvknONb54ZPCoPk0Bxa4QWDkPCJlVAV_CDQNJsYjOdsM) On Tuesday, we noticed one of our air conditioning units had shut off due to low voltage. Since we run our AC on [shore power](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shorepower?ref=svsabado.com), we notified the marina. The marina sent an electrician over, who determined that the marina’s power demand outweighs its capacity. Typically, we’d receive \~120 volts when plugged into shore power, but we were only getting 105 volts. To solve the problem, the marina will need to upgrade all its transformers, which is a long and expensive process. They handled the situation perfectly- they offered to move us to a spot with less surrounding power demand, assured us that since the power is metered, we wouldn’t be charged for anything we weren’t getting, and notified the rest of the marina of the issue and their plan to repair it so everyone could check their power supplies and plan accordingly. Luckily, we could make due by limiting how many of our AC units run at a time. Wednesday afternoon we were lounging around the salon, waiting for the afternoon heat to die down, when we noticed a catamaran making its way to the fuel dock. Just as they passed Sabado, both of their engines died. Luckily, it was flat and calm with minimal current. They drifted towards the dock as several marina staff members grabbed their lines and pulled them in. Ray decided to run over and make sure they were okay/see if there was anything we could do to help. The couple who owned the boat turned out to be subscribers of ours! Thankfully, they were able to get a mechanic to come out and fix the issue while on the fuel dock, but after what they’d experienced, their confidence was shaky. Ray offered to accompany them as they returned to their slip from the fuel dock as an emotional support crew member; if something happened again, they’d have an extra pair of hands aboard to help! They made it back safely and offered to take us out later in the week as a thank you. That evening we were feeling social (a rare occurrence), so we decided to attend the marina happy hour. We ended up meeting the sweetest couple who just bought their [Lagoon 39](https://catamaranguru.com/yacht-sales/new-yachts/lagoon-catamarans-2/lagoon-39-catamaran/?ref=svsabado.com)! The 4 of us hit it off and eventually got kicked out of the marina clubhouse at closing time. We were invited over to their boat to sample their bourbon inventory and stumbled back to Sabado later that night. Thursday morning, we were experiencing the consequences of our actions… Regardless, Ray decided to tackle something that’s been on his to-do list for a while now: switching out the [joker valve](https://www.practical-sailor.com/systems-propulsion/joker-valves-for-marine-heads?ref=svsabado.com) in the guest cabin [head](https://www.history.navy.mil/research/library/online-reading-room/title-list-alphabetically/h/head-ships-toilet.html?ref=svsabado.com). This is one of the more unpleasant jobs for boat owners, but it must be done! Let me get you up to speed: a joker valve is what allows solids to pass through while preventing any backflow back into the toilet bowl (AKA the reason our shit disappears when we flush). Over time, these valves wear out and need to be replaced. It’s a stinky job, so I’ll spare you the details, but we were able to check it off our list by the end of the day. Once the valve was replaced, I deep cleaned the bathroom and came back upstairs to this: ![](https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/Bg-HpmCwwwwyuKGSK8AvVAyoZdsd5p7NIFTnB-fCctCPGsmZfPyYxDBBtypSf4z8IsQgabkBO2IbNonCg8ID14pA7duLG7q6wYTta_N9NT7eauPN8w_E5sX-KARbtVqQifL0wetn1xHZqG4esfA) Afternoon storms are like clockwork here. Every day around 4 pm, the dark clouds creep in, and the rain is quick to follow. ![](https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/yddsZFyTNdQkjWa88HKFPwDn4TTdngi5JpP75VGyEeH1kHQDOBYNWa3CmyWI_JVlAfRsXgOdY6J_Mumr_MQT8xSwtLu9NusjZ0PkkddnpZ6tUfDuKjFxaw_bm6scfazyRL9IAu3jR0FKcXjSqyw) Typically these storms only last an hour or two, but they tend to come with lightning a little more often than we’d like… On Friday, we had some more AC problems. This time they were not power related; they were gunk related. Our AC units use seawater as coolant, and the water here… well… the water here looks like this: ![](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/I6hUaiul_cxyJm0CsbM7QPOsNIgy72H5o6W5xIpuLjlcMWk1WRDjQqJrR4hKE5H_E5Jw837FBmLzOfTvvyDS0803HrPQ5MTTXBckCi0fP7cpWWJuCJflI4J2ashQQc-W2HYEQjdvNKnrmjnmWAE) So, understandably, we’ve been experiencing some clogs. Typically when this happens, we can get away with simply cleaning the [sea strainer](https://www.boatlife.com/boatlife-blog/clean-sea-strainers/?ref=svsabado.com). However, the problem seemed to go beyond that this time. Ray decided to try and flush the lines with clean, fresh water. 4hrs, lots of sweat, and one minor freshwater geyser explosion later, this was what the boat was looking like: ![](https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/0qjnuM0SjDoiQ3lJqqxcrZOO2oJuyCAr-LsvBJfXjnO96W4fMqgpFriopXmjSTL0iITDjVYDgBVNahV0qiN1KkGrfkYvIMIHoKXDE30JmEpqQGrRR_iLI2k24Zngsq5qUYBreSNK-vWEVuHKgKk) ![](https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/QfxpeAYAGhIcHC7cDQ3-ba4AUc1MbHa2k7LdYg0LyNgZ8LjqMhYURUh2xxBJue-pB5YaFuouOdSMao_YfsASsOVY34i1BNElPl5EgmTijMsZ8JXS8q9TLy5RrI4a0e67D-vXhWYMOCCYi1Vp_rg) We eventually admitted defeat. It was time to consider [Barnacle Buster](https://www.trac-online.com/products/descalers/barnacle-buster?ref=svsabado.com). Barnacle Buster is a tried and true solution to these growth-related clogs, but it’s an expensive product and a difficult job. Plus, it involves using a strong acid cleanser, which can damage the system if you use it too often. In the past, we’ve just hired someone to come and take care of it once a year, but in this economy, we decided to order the supplies online and teach ourselves how to do it. We placed our order and headed to the clubhouse for a well-deserved happy hour beverage. We met up with the couple who had been having engine problems and chatted with them about the [cruising](https://www.catamaranfreedom.com/what-is-a-cruising-catamaran-everything-you-need-to-know/?ref=svsabado.com) lifestyle. They both had recently retired and just bought their boat. Unfortunately, their engines weren’t the only thing giving them problems. They were beginning to feel overwhelmed by the number of things that were breaking, despite having a recent survey of the boat say that it was in excellent condition. We were quick to tell them that everything they are experiencing is normal. At any given moment, something on Sabado is broken. Even though we’re the first owners, she’s still a relatively new boat, and we take excellent care of her; she’s still a boat! Imagine tossing your house into the ocean- the motion of the waves, the salt, constant sun exposure, and wind- something is bound to break. And even if nothing’s broken, there’s plenty of routine maintenance work, cleaning, polishing, and UV protecting to do. We’re always working on something! Most boaters say, “if nothing on your boat is broken, you just haven’t looked hard enough,” or “cruising is just fixing your boat in beautiful places.” I don’t know how comforting this conversation was for them; it was probably nice to hear that they aren’t having problems because they bought a crappy boat, but is it worse to hear that you will be trying to fix it forever? The next day we decided to change the oil in our generator. Aside from the heat, it was a relatively easy job. ![](https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/dkQw9sPs3p8LljQSgDxO1KLCTO9hBBgHCPcPKcAEjtUhX3ulboJIe8hkga5M_R40lD6rjhRLCj2JWrB0p_15_Mhps80a158onAjBTZdpqR4WZXtMII_FIqZhjuGsKJB4hcimSmERA1iM7UMnibg) That’s the thing about boat projects, though: the tasks themselves aren’t always complicated, but the number of things you have to take out of storage to use, the yoga poses you have to contort yourself into to access what you need to work on, and the mess you have to clean up after can turn a 1hr project into an all-day activity. ![](https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/Cf9W67uKEzO6KVUn8SbrI4zQiRyZqkGPgPc3xr9xDe5CKtiZ-j5VPKnP2RhOb_8ThomfsWgEHUbe-NMNLIp0SpRftiZGJoylrCfR_KzufpP7dGwdPWYNsG7tAJx3ZC3-Yl0LchogCm_EYAEjZWY) ![](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/_0K9Iebmq4j-2_2azcva_kjB931oZKruOOfBACDjO7sHoHsI3AM6fYIyf8qNqku9JMQFO082wDh_pd1DCdrqRJDJ-ZpFw56wSF_ZP-5XbhUpSEfq7yFj6yrfqH5HWuB4ZNft22Ya_mgtwBNLmP4) Tuesday afternoon, our new friends (from the boat with the engine troubles) offered to drive us to Costco so we could restock Sabado. The nearest Costco is over an hour's drive away, so the 4 of us passed the time by brainstorming solutions for a few of the problems they’re having on their boat, re-emphasizing our previous message about fixing things being a constant but normal job. We ate some hotdogs and grabbed what we needed before heading home and waiting out yet another rainstorm. The next day our Barnacle Buster supplies arrived. See those white spots in that tube? ![](https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/OdMBTE_ADq5b2GWUg16A8G4RTUO4DcvyUv4jQNrwPWb--WIE8mp8IOQ5nyaRlhsRAzqjLgP_DeawH9zx2Uuz35CeyQr42FAQDL4r7sWWbNVa55kQTBDV7XGGkck26EFNmq1TNfY-yk8dHwr0Suo) Yeah, those are live barnacles growing inside the hose. To get rid of them, we set up a system of hoses that deliver the chemical mixture into the lines, then drain it (and anything it disintegrates) into a bucket for us to dispose of. This is what the boat looked like during this whole process: ![](https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/nr-RL2Of2GNAxzMhz1pydW1GmjFdNQe0br3cO5s_7meRvQZDXXAOPO2q4asxLrzcVxI1qY8Y0c0RBU4bziyvz8Dui8P9N0yAaNk-9d9G_fiaOLAP-raWzI3lSrKXzVx9NYMLvlw8eesc2KS-bhY) ![](https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/V9Mdd2EtY1WxAleqCpUocx-Hv4JbqgJgPMPTS2GW4MXMcZSkJxOGYJMIgwbXZ9RBchHUuKgqRaIPZF5uMCZNLoD-NoZOFJ3wUZlXMoe3RptDk_Ols99EWtp_8uPxcmU9dNBqrALUBavIo9OmYyo) ![](https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/pXvdYn5izm74URV7whjwaqRKRDrJCGHdlPcHY1k0dv3xfpaHFUi3xzrDckdHgEeaj1z5_J325vkeNWg4NP6fCPAtQ3UNzfBYvxRo0w06i6HbH8ZwWS4siIccAqQz8myqTwJVQ55u3VbR_7pMnqQ) ![](https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/qv8s7tHWSSx7_6k7lq11agRb--xki55nvQefs4o0ZMUhaihWOI2tTa52h8GA3O7fKnYwAy8jmrd09s3F1XTHe655Oy9_rLgbDkK1w67UQRpNm1OA5-uMTuEJbRTh3r7Nbold8CLdABdia3RI-UY) Yikes, right?! I think this is an excellent time to mention our YouTube channel. We try our best to pick up a camera whenever something breaks or even when we’re just doing routine maintenance tasks, but we still don’t film \~60% of the work we do because of this. When the boat is an absolute disaster, you’re sweating your ass off, climbing into small compartments, etc., it’s tough to find a place to set the camera up, and if you do, it’s unlikely you’ll be getting any good footage. Those compartments are cramped and dark, two of the most challenging conditions for us to get a usable shot that’s in focus. That’s why you usually see us stop posting videos when we’re on the dock for extended periods because this is what we’re up to! One thing we do and will continue to do, however, is write about it. Hearing these new cruisers’ experiences has been a great reminder that sharing the not-so-glamorous aspects of boat life is important. I think it’s very easy to watch a few YouTube videos and get the impression that this lifestyle is all sunshine and snorkeling, but it’s not! So we’ll be more intentional in the future about snapping a quick picture and writing about what we work on each week in addition to all our fun adventures. That said, we spent all day Thursday putting the boat back together and cleaning up. Friday afternoon, we noticed the [watermaker](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Watermaker?ref=svsabado.com) was doing an automatic [flush](https://www.spectrawatermakers.com/downloads/all-downloads/service-bulletins/op-4-fresh-water-flush-ae052616.pdf?ref=svsabado.com) (this happens every 5 days), but it wasn’t making its usual sound. Red flag. Ray hopped into the engine compartment to take a closer look, and it was not actually flushing. It wasn’t doing anything at all. When something like this happens, here is how we approach it: First, Ray takes his [voltmeter](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Voltmeter?ref=svsabado.com) and tests the wires. This usually allows him to pinpoint which part of the system is failing. This time it was the control board, specifically only one of the three channels the board houses- the channel that sends the power needed for the flush feature. Once we understood that, we were able to rig up a temporary solution to complete the flush manually. Then, we open a bottle of wine and troubleshoot potential long-term solutions. This part of our approach usually includes Ray giving me a crash course on any relevant info that I may not know. As someone who grew up on boats and has an engineering degree, Ray tends to have a higher baseline knowledge of these systems than I do. Once I’m up to speed, we pitch ideas back and forth to each other, consult google, email the manufacturer, read up about similar cases posted in online forums, and sip our wine. We found our answer at the bottom of our bottle of Pinot Noir. Unfortunately, what we came up with is expensive and time-consuming, so we’ll be here a while longer. I’ll give you the full rundown next week. Saturday was my birthday, so we tabled our boat problems for the time being. With Ray, every day feels like my birthday, but as usual, he did everything he could to make it extra-special. ❤️ I somehow managed not to take a single picture, but we had a great day followed by dinner and drinks with friends! Thank you to everyone who wished me a happy birthday! I felt so loved and will work my way through responding to everyone today. That’s all I have to report! I hope you had a great week. ❤️ ### Delayed Departure URL: https://svsabado.com/delayed-departure/ Last updated: 2022-07-03T13:49:25.000Z *A Week Aboard S/V Sabado: 6/26/2022 - 7/3/2022* **Hi hi!** This week started out pretty uneventful. When we’re on the dock for too long, we start to feel a bit… out of it. There are plenty of different lifestyles to choose from as a [liveaboard](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Liveaboard?ref=svsabado.com)\- there are people who stay on a dock year-round, there are people who hop from one marina to the next, never staying on anchor, there are people who split their time between their boat and their van, the list goes on and on. Whatever lifestyle you choose, you do so for a reason, and when you dip your toes into a different style, you’re reminded of why you chose yours. We are not dock people. Ray and I prefer remote, empty anchorages. We like being on the move, existing in a constant state of unfamiliarity. We like being self-sufficient, making our own power and water, relying on our anchor and our meticulously calculated decisions regarding location and [scope](https://www.boatus.com/expert-advice/expert-advice-archive/2019/january/how-to-calculate-anchor-scope?ref=svsabado.com). We like spending our mornings working on the boat, our afternoons sitting on the bow in bean bag chairs reading and sipping cocktails, and our nights looking at the stars and enjoying the breeze from the open hatch above our bed. I guess technically we could still do some of those things while tied to the dock, but the background noise would be the cars from the nearby road or the boat next to us having a dinner party which kind of takes the magic out of it; you know? The best comparison I can think of is staying in an apartment complex versus a cabin on several acres of land- they’re two very different experiences, and we prefer the latter. I think we had an exceptionally hard time this week because of the weather. It started out unbearably hot and miserably humid. We were stuck inside the boat with all the curtains closed to keep the sun from undoing any progress our air conditioning was making on cooling things down. We took our scooters to the [Grog Shoppe](https://g.co/kgs/8y81Eu?ref=svsabado.com) one evening to pick up a very cheap bottle of wine and a very expensive bottle of bourbon (life is about balance, people!!) and waited out the heat wave sipping our bevs and flipping through our guidebook, trying to decide where we’ll go next. The package we’d been waiting on arrived on Tuesday, but the weather forecast for the remainder of the week was littered with storms, delaying our departure. So, we decided we might as well tick a few more things off our never-ending to-do list. I applied some epoxy to a few areas where our interior “wood” was starting to peel off, and Ray braved the heat to wax another portion of the boat. By Thursday, we were going insane. To mitigate our cabin fever, we ventured into town for lunch. We grabbed some Thai food and decided to tackle another project together when we got home. While dripping sweat, we took apart our [windlass](https://www.discoverboating.com/resources/windlasses?ref=svsabado.com). ![](https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/K2HRy59aFAGnXOMs8Q84su4DHaftO4jwt_cOa-eO8J0npp3qnpoM6SFuWW4u27L7dtLJT0Tq_RZo4mRbauUiuLB8N3geg_ir4zfybTEx4hFQzw8ZUJkVUX4gGUqIyQZ3d8JtLDLj_Fv5zPydQA8) Our windlass is what deploys/pulls up our anchor, and the manufacturer suggests you service it once a year. Admittedly we’re a bit past the one-year mark… but this boat has a lot of equipment to maintain, so sometimes things slip through the cracks! Still, we were shocked to see just how much corrosion had occurred. See all those craters on the baseplate? ![](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/GeOt47cQeQwiqG6VG-my2C2Jk7J3S8mQ6cpeeORRZKT7wbsVRxm7vPvT_m43rl5ALuQ7e-3UfJRe9imLj8uu2e7M9kCwkSSzihLrWQfJEB6BeY0ly7cpQYKo4hvyWHEQqS2fFWf_QRIDT840e4E) Not good. We spread all the parts out on our [cockpit](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cockpit%5F%28sailing%29?ref=svsabado.com) table and spent the rest of the afternoon scrubbing away at the old grease and grime. ![](https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/BDWm3mZLve8OULM4NeE_xdSV4UXjM4CCK6KRXIwYCgLNjnZ2Lj79oWX1wv7HzyBHXRQCt2XaLNKge12JH0z3s-ku4Ytsud3O56k3pwYQLE9NnPvlkUSbkECdVL6ldRr2fzSoz5zTx1S_-2sQMZc) We decided to put a couple of layers of [J-B Weld](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/J-B%5FWeld?ref=svsabado.com#J-B%5FWeld%5Fepoxy) over the baseplate in hopes of preventing (or at least delaying) the corrosion from going all the way through, before greasing everything up and putting it back together. ![](https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/0lA7kpe2Fgh_FK2UT6SUWdl9uwHFzGCkDJSxsesclcVFLiCfVAma0WeOxOscrsR4xq02WZrPzLrO05SMCd2HbcftAHkroHeu4qw9QZCnRkJj2q-gdlOVOn9aEZBSTvqjqhnHHgO1az_ofhk6N0g) If we’re not doing this again next summer, someone send me a text! On Friday, the storms started. I was able to squeeze in a quick walk through town in the morning before dark clouds swallowed the boat. ![](https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/w5ZZVLJJtOLABy6-3XIodybibEyUw9PTcdEllhGPO-De0NiUb6aVigikAthSu5QgsG0y4un8OaHnSCdwZ1c5maI6jzpgFLRwbz92_BvSqM8002XfGuKfw2oIFyOlJXTBMYJNq6sxdAgxMkzTtBY) We spent the rest of the day at home, cleaning and keeping tabs on the lightning. We’ve heard a few too many stories of fellow Lagoon 42s getting struck recently, so we’ve been extra nervous about it this week. ☹️ Saturday morning looked promising- we woke up to blue skies and a message from the marina saying the ice cream truck was coming by around noon, so we got in line with all the kids to get a little treat! We decided to walk over to the local farmers market after but had to head back to the boat as the clouds crept in. The rest of the day looked like this: ![](https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/FHmYfG-sYnnlRl18ZamhgUmrQSY5ie0syT_pSrUXLBA3C4dOo8IJfxZRpaHEFbTNuJk9IJjwIlS3cJNgOPmTU2-E3A1-lr9nLTTzvR_o-ojWMAwxuDIb6MjEHUvCnooW9U2P2wMkcJ5GkR8Vc-k) Today should be similar: sunshine in the morning and storms all afternoon. Although we’re itching to get out of here, we’re thankful to be in such a safe spot while we wait for things to calm down from Tropical Storm [Colin](https://www.wxii12.com/amp/article/tropical-storm-colin-brings-heavy-rain-and-gusty-winds-to-coast/40489001?ref=svsabado.com). This really is an excellent marina and a great town, but if you have any extra patience, send it our way! I hope you have a great holiday weekend if you’re celebrating! Mayyyyybe next week I’ll have some sailing to write about. ❤️ ### Change of Plans! URL: https://svsabado.com/change-of-plans/ Last updated: 2022-06-26T13:09:07.000Z **Oh, hey!** *I’ve skipped a couple of weeks, so let’s get you caught up-* On June 7th, we headed to the airport- straight from marina happy hour- and flew down to the US Virgin Islands to help deliver a boat back up to Georgia. ![](https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/P4_WQhdAq545iI4yjzqGowZURkbgEm3Irds6JXD--YWPq9btU3OchnIAO1vGZ8PB1cLKQ0RSWR2Sun5piopt96St0vxsnNDp9Q8YDz-8uWhQidfdMr5QH6j9nVeCp-vvA4X1LqUycoGCSrHduQ) Unfortunately, the delivery fell through at the last minute, so Ray and I were forced to make a little vacation out of it. Our friends (and previous Sabado crew) came to the rescue- they invited us over to the boat they work on, which was on anchor in St. Thomas. The 4 of us spent the afternoon swimming, enjoying the sunshine, and figuring out what the heck we were going to do next. Luckily, they were in between charters, so we got to spend the night on their beautiful boat while we sorted out our plan (you can check out their boat/book a luxury charter with them [here](https://delanamae.com/?ref=svsabado.com)!). The next day we decided to take the ferry over to St. John and check into a hotel while we waited for flight prices to go down. We tried to make the best of it- we did all sorts of eating, drinking, and exploring- but we were eager to get back to Sabado. Here are a few photos from this unintentional vacation: ![](https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/4BJecAr6zz-e7i7uHXWYi82q48V72P3ATrIOYd9Uh4cXz-TODAYtvQx5EYmslQKBkceh6Kld2Kcbb3tGGvFGTloCBmM2bDPCx-CmSSzsJL067iEcN5ktEN19Xbt25uVVITlQ87vv4etElEzLng) ![](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/9htBGnHsjqW62eDyD0z0rcggceesbuDk7s-rjHSmjo4-arL4f1wai_82EyhmYTwQJ_J0TB7pE23F2FntDAEkSAQ0bflPb9uwwwqbD8UxT6B0rBrKnX0HAFXob7iY0ywKXgd3hQqjt2uwKKuObg) ![](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/Hxs2vmZw8pAVc4riivmH-15Gc8g6PHcF6W3pXNtfniASEnf7nJmEa5b4HMZHz9ghguce6KUk8q3bj9sfwsMz5MxMhc_NdRRukgAsg_tsupa08o5Qh9uXVxrZRNc99NmU8WhN83YPO6zNWJQ2zA) ![](https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/J3agxg5CoMvfUED_dW8xKLLkrDHuzSOUZ_UR2Rx-bSQI-7zniVk0amlfjgi38Mu3ufYYd8QZ4ERhzaIVn1qDD4_qp-8kk2yEz6MjAnpB-7SQYJNIXeai-644ggWDXzLXYFpAtCPQ-N7lqLcyfg) We flew back to Georgia the following week, and both came down with a flu-like bug. Our COVID tests were negative, so we rested up, happy to be back in our own bed. Once we recovered, we jumped into action. Our last-minute “vacation” had absolutely blown our budget for the month, so we decided we better get off the dock ASAP to save some money. We canceled our dock-reliant plans for July, ordered the last few things we needed, and got to work. Ray taught himself how to put an [eye splice](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eye%5Fsplice?ref=svsabado.com) in our new [halyard](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Halyard?ref=svsabado.com) (saving us the $200 the local rigger charges to do it), and I sent him up the mast to replace the line. ![](https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/ch8Olg8nKDackXtTLrOUVCivSd2fjYTKLtEQhzyLiqGNb23NF874E1rS7NebHOq3OBqcwffZ8sl8TcNwqnDRTDelMcvrXIF8JguxB63xOnzcElkeVbn5gUXroGVJ3oI_h3mXhTVjqNsKCofc0w) Going up the mast is never a fun endeavor, but going up the mast knowing you need to detach the line that brought you up there at the very top makes it… a bit more stressful. However, I’m happy to report that Ray made it down safely, and [our knock-off halyard](https://svsabado.com/we-got-scammed/) has been replaced with the real deal! On to the next project: fixing the wind turbine. We may or may not have dropped a crucial piece of our wind turbine’s guts in the water while trying to repair it on anchor a while ago… so we ordered a replacement part and decided to give it another go while tied to the dock. Ray performed a risky balancing act (see pics below) while I handed him tools, and miraculously neither he nor any wind turbine parts took a swim! Phew! Our wind turbine is back in action. ![](https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/J2IpFJ6hfyKQpJWDXZiRRaSZ-E-Cg2slF6iX_m6dtPjvVDR7koFA-RWBiF03ImoUbb59Z0xZfqp_0xXzCQUN7wfvaAntv1AQfOc29vBl4W28UwEku5is9FtsTwavSnrMgv1lLuXa7Ji_IejnkA) ![](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/K5SOO_Q1uMcnIJeJB4diWYUZSpsGUDiV0MXoQbmQl1F9Dr3mRwZcTIX1c78db3rXdWyZS-lMeM-t2RklCLv2QTo-sD19TsgtOkUYVjFA8rzie26MjejkkvRelIie5MfE6kCAGnVLgm5PNvCZVA) **So, what now?** We’re waiting on one last package to arrive (a breaker for our air conditioner that needed to be shipped from France), then we’ll be on our way! We’re excited to get moving again but bummed to have cut our time in Brunswick short… What's that saying? A sailor’s plans are always written in sand? At low tide? That’s life. Anyway, maybe I’ll have some sailing to tell ya about next week! Who knows! ⛵️ ### Chores, Hot Dogs, and Sharks: Another Week in Brunswick, Georgia URL: https://svsabado.com/chores-hot-dogs-and-sharks-another-week-in-brunswick-georgia/ Last updated: 2022-06-05T12:52:35.000Z *A Week Aboard S/V Sabado: 5/29/2022 - 6/5/2022* **Have you seen our latest [YouTube video](https://youtu.be/CsqbJ3vcaMo?ref=svsabado.com)?** It’s a day in the life vlog + we show you what’s in our ditch bag! This was a typical week on the dock for us: lots of cleaning, polishing, and organizing, alongside plenty of cocktails and local food. ![](https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/pDIjrakk8urRzxDfQufk0aPrutf-nJE1xQA1oDBa7dhDWtZAryBWGhlr2ITzlIYPmDugdKm1or5aGs5sz1SiPz7QuRKUwmRAhZ06jJhvYFx16j9noAtdCQIC5UyCxsW3qjI0o0PzZJM38aTWNA) ![](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/P1rtKfn4W-80wFH_0PHiK0lKKmzRnA8n7ZktGacpPZ2JTX5oSj_RjaKmLXCIOaIRZHGtyJ59BHkm4s2CtMasflUVmmbq10T28N0CsyBeFhbN_xL_XoKGHuZpBl0MhvXd1GQXdv1PJklXgYNNjA) I won’t bore you with the long list of chores we completed, but here are the highlights— - Ray washed and waxed the boat, and I finished polishing our stainless! - I cleaned and buffed some UV protectant into our helm seat. - Ray ordered an outdoor grill cover that fits our helm seat pretty well + will protect it when not in use, saving us a custom cover order and likely lots of $$$! - Ray sanded and applied varnish to the seats on the bow = no more butt splinters! - I took advantage of the marina’s free laundry facilities and washed just about every piece of fabric on the boat. - We discovered a new [isinglass](https://www.sailrite.com/What-Is-Isinglass-Clear-Window-Material?ref=svsabado.com) cleaner that dramatically improved the clarity of our helm enclosure. - We flew the drone! Pretty exciting, huh? Here are some pics: ![](https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/ZRBmmgoisOi4x_xaaKV7I6sxVH30OCn-FPcw4UbI5wnw9-mNRHvUR5jDMiUvT_I224NL4vextk9bHzJ1Rg9JKeRANlyTJm-P4Jxta8kPrazh7WqMsWCqOZIf2kuPcKpBArPcHA1ZOp4kLi6P6A) ![](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/uhx6ZIu12XSxODX5VYgXQG04wQnDZfZpg5UPZsT7_xQEdWSICiaBdAeRuZxcX_ujWeHHFY-vI4aZgkr1AI4o6gYB5BkPCZlcHYTz3kkcmrbOGxjgyc1t4v5XHUXi1sJqTr5XXg3k2IrVO5dqWA) ![](https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/iu5AcCFbxNE35yVLHOxOlai9yZ54AWJltz-_XIcmwCwtuTviBgSuMkXzfIrQZI2HwysRJJHKUkYQPeGddkzz_HWJ6GijOZNVrKLO97ThKo-GKIFI8u7xLzIcshXEPe3CTBj_Uynju63zl3Jd5w) ![](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/8vd2KLUJUzO4_t5CIIiUA_w62fcj-lIG50lsRJXIgFJ-jw7eqwom-Fr0g3OVDoRZqrg3-63NZpr_CroUSCE0uy-t_Qkl0_Qrk7dsTJHiun8ypbIEn3sPZI-4Z54uSgIGeU4TzUrvLuWUPbPoKA) ![](https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/4RFCbJt-b6L8L30_luGwl3tLX2PnWFzDxw7lm4IGRuwhy1MuGd2xLZBNYp0GFmYCiNb4xR0Pwhkq1uxjXV7eWG_lwDJVPiLlS2_zxRztNVw0D96lfeWEJo2DCj_h1o1pJ36go3Hff4VaqhRQPA) ![](https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/3Y-pvhaVts47kMqWiEH8DgentucdcvQd9jgNcWGvGsSYBiJRkloq98VbZLMtA3T2T5wNClMPWgUk88ssGwxRCeAAfr2YCkHHxchA8S_RTvgsE3Gjlyw8PFVmBQ9-MxSCDGmZ7-LKJRvzPczLzQ) ![](https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/suKHyINhEvy8L2AwmmM5ws5ayN149nosoYrUnjf2ehgoHL-nfe5K_La-VCuwK1AuRuMqcGGEkc9fyTWBvEh280TZs3LzPSUNbbdm-3adyxoo69CZ28ktgQhlpmEPMIWvKZiqavWqfCemyqnNAg) ![](https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/3i-whVzACWXtALBosY1uaCRrnXkM7Tdw5UxxQI39yEwGQXhNk4ckQdVQVSTsElytRBM27r9KCJ_2Mfyx1DQdr8DoCP0z3_uFQZnV3VGXmCjEvZQCqhm_tcoHMWdT1tWy0oKyp3wKuYDKdXBimw) We also attended the marina happy hour, and word has gotten out about our YouTube channel, so everyone has been stopping by to say hi, which has been so fun! We ate and drank our way through just about everything on the menu at [Reid’s Apothecary](https://www.reidsapothecary.com/?ref=svsabado.com), tracked down the best hot dog in town (spoiler alert: it's from two dudes with a folding table in a parking lot), and took the dinghy out to explore the area. During our dinghy excursion, we saw the [OCEARCH](https://www.ocearch.org/science/?ref=svsabado.com) ship! ![](https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/8UsLt8apd7GGF5FQSYeLbmPRMHp8Lgld1wyURw8Kwu7_dVBgeuMo7zBzDuPXN0JtkfQm_R9s5GCCwIuqVkBTuvqoIgWZ7Z1Q7iNlGScvKbhhP9cgdXI_svUKcSmlr4MOqwlU1SsoyfhqG9xvKw) OCEARCH is an at-sea laboratory that tracks and conducts research on sharks! They have a state-of-the-art hydraulic platform that allows them to lift sharks out of the water safely to collect samples before releasing them. Their process is fascinating; if you want to check it out, [here](https://youtu.be/evotxXf5ePg?ref=svsabado.com) is a short video of them catching, lifting, and taking samples from a great white shark in Florida. They’re also the team behind the [shark tracker app](https://www.ocearch.org/tracker/?list=&ref=svsabado.com)! I’m choosing not to think about why they might be here in Brunswick, though. Ignorance is bliss. In other news, Ray helped a fellow sailor out this week! A catamaran came in with only one working engine, so Ray assisted them on our dinghy to ensure they could make the necessary maneuvers to get onto the dock safely. ![](https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/oc8dvx4F1iwjhootZ6_pIsI05uGCjgjtqHWHswzB96KATkVnVW6fMpIP81ZgRq-SiEYgyOjrEmGUseEC74GuFGy4AV6oSBGF-TxhzI3O6zXQtBsMZ5vfmrZJhPOjaZyIfgiNPTnNwtGQsTUaWA) Luckily, the owner said they just needed to replace a fuel filter and didn’t have a spare on board, so it should be an easy fix now that they’re here. Anyway, that’s all I have to tell you about this week! We’re getting ready to go on a trip soon, so today, we’re going to pack and eat whatever’s left in our fridge. What are you up to today? ❤️ ### Dock Life in Brunswick, Georgia URL: https://svsabado.com/dock-life-in-brunswick-georgia/ Last updated: 2022-05-29T12:59:14.000Z *A Week Aboard S/V Sabado: 5/22/2022 - 5/29/2022* **You can watch our latest YouTube video [here](https://youtu.be/FcGhMtwHANI?ref=svsabado.com)!** *Parts of this video are from last week, but we’ll be back to real time next week!* **Anyway, here’s how our week’s been** Last Sunday, we did some much-needed cleaning. I tackled the inside of the boat while Ray got started on the [cockpit](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cockpit%5F%28sailing%29?ref=svsabado.com)! I really should’ve taken a before picture, but Ray did a fantastic job scrubbing away some stubborn mold on our mesh sunshades and line bags. Here’s the line bag- ![](https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/QOgF12tNMrB6psB6588si1MwNHfpS4T7UeYeSYTzk-MMQXNV5y7kBiOnaRbBQTmV50IX09GwRHTDeDfJxf5RbL0iMRXNdkU6WXOgGXwCaJuY7_PekkunB53zy4BI2JvtiVY8pstj4A3sUQKa7A) It was NOT white before! It looks brand new now! We decided to venture into town that afternoon for happy hour. We came across a spot called [Reid’s Apothecary](https://www.reidsapothecary.com/?ref=svsabado.com), which, as the daughter of a pharmacist, I appreciated the “Rx” logo and cocktail menu headings “common prescriptions,” “new age prescriptions,” and “non-alcoholic prescriptions.” ![](https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/hs38m_wNEOrxI3sEC57G0lhD4Fiw7_ZeK9Uozhnt6Ob4BaV690imzMqPrRn-7PBnwiMip_UVHIic2UMUsP7Aw6ZA-qojtJ6RZ63dJ2PZ9xceoHN0pSJzV05jdthwbSJHJDzu2FB4cyhd40fBEg) ![](https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/5yPiybe4P1O2TAZmblzL3vPCl1c1_ekrTi3zEbhLE3vWq8Cw-8mFxLIaNRTXmgXkFiQdNmaKpk9j6Oa8alOqv_FBpZz98aAOl9KRhAuGpkHEWgYZccxBTTVqbs8hVOmY4xbXJ1ShlxZem43Jjg) We quickly befriended the bartenders and decided to stay for their “Sunday Supper Special,” which was delicious southern comfort food. I’m certain we’ll be back! Monday morning, I decided to go for a long walk to check the rest of the town out. The architecture reminds me of St. Augustine, but they have trees dripping in moss similar to Savannah. ![](https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/xplxW4RCkcv4IunsHMuShGthPB9NoH65VZjyn7NniuLz5VYMJ-Qf-aWGZy6JPZkkVfJcDZG14JDOHOnfsI2-iDMQVRdbkabpK2WPApXgN8sGwArrQ30vi9emNWdPOuMxdSkXGEam1t-zwg02mA) ![](https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/qQAt_gFpUbVPvlHK5m5DqrOFX5fLDuJQTR34TOknt-26DduqmJ-Ohj4GGMjixd8BJtRA4Bwcf6sBdueS8YpIVYpuPdLxLiwzmQkO8yuvdUSFEE01wGks_XVminsLmiRqgmMeMEANRODTqcRHbg) This town doesn’t seem to be touristy at all; in fact, I turned quite a few heads on my walk, making me think it’s not too often the locals see a stranger here. Overall, it seems very nice! There are a lot of unique restaurants to choose from; there’s a brewery, a rum distillery/tasting room, and a park every couple of blocks. Not a bad place to hang out for a bit! I had big plans for the rest of the afternoon but ended up just waiting around for the refrigerator repairman. He said he’d stop by “in the afternoon” but showed up around 5:30 pm instead. Luckily, he was worth waiting for! He seemed very knowledgeable, and our top-loading refrigerator, which has been busted for a few months now, is currently at 43 degrees. We also found out he works on air conditioners, so he’ll be coming back to look at one of our units that keeps shutting itself off. By the time he left, there were only 30mins left of the marina happy hour. On Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, the marina clubhouse has free wine and beer for guests from 5-7 pm, so we wandered over, hoping to at least grab a free beer before they closed. We made it just in time, met a few other guests, and checked out the clubhouse amenities before heading back to the boat, just as a storm was rolling in. ![](https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/GjoKRr3xVZzzZ0HzLHh2torlpiut52ZGpo-cBEjaDn3ZaLw1gi_Y6QfDz7Ck1Mykt8-k-oabj3Dm-__P3Y3zA5EqDVIx3qqN91ZU3XN0Jfn_rRsnr6Rzx6dgRlFU7wubH9mAuL2SkVMHF58cHQ) We showered, changed into PJs, watched Ozark, and listened to the rain until we fell asleep. Tuesday and Wednesday were pretty uneventful. I went for a couple more walks and polished some of our stainless in the mornings, but it was too hot to bother doing anything else the rest of the day. We hung out in the AC and worked on anything we could do from our phones (travel plans, ordering parts, scheduling contractors, editing videos). Friday morning, the person we scheduled to clean the bottom of the boat stopped by and let us know he’d be working on Sabado that afternoon. We decided to preemptively walk to the ATM to be ready to pay him when needed. About halfway to the ATM, the sky got dark and stormy… We started running but got caught in a downpour anyway. We were soaked by the time we got back to the boat! The bottom cleaner had to reschedule, and the rest of the day looked like this: ![](https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/KgCKOVqxuWlZ0QGCZh5PAiVhem3cewMEDxg7UmzGeY4yKr8hvYnueV7-pjAmopJTcFIx_YZMMlYWvpPKpXeeHuoJyuOvsHktBYNgIXJOkECcUBk-eSI9m9GIfebfI8DZswXPAb84FsOiX0cWJQ) We tried to make the most of it by getting some cleaning done and reading. When it didn’t let up, we called it a night, made some chicken noodle soup, and watched a movie. Yesterday we were excited to wake up to blue skies and sunshine! We poked around town for a bit before settling on a spot for brunch. I spent the afternoon filming a chunk of our next YouTube video, then Ray and I went out for a scooter ride before dinner. Today looks like another beautiful day, so we’re hoping to walk to the coffee shop and take the dinghy around to check out the area out from the water! That’s all I have to report for now, I hope you had a great week. ❤️ ### We got scammed! URL: https://svsabado.com/we-got-scammed/ Last updated: 2022-05-22T13:50:45.000Z *A Week Aboard S/V Sabado: 5/15/2022 - 5/22/2022* **Happy Sunday!** *Have you seen [our latest YouTube video](https://youtu.be/Ji5cGT%5FIvZg?ref=svsabado.com)? I think it’s my favorite one yet.* Last Sunday, we re-visited our favorite diner in Cape Canaveral before stopping by our storage unit, washing the boat, throwing in a load of laundry, and ordering groceries. We treated ourselves to a nice dinner out that night, with appetizers, wine, and dessert- the whole 9 yards. Monday afternoon, we fueled up and headed out. ![](https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/AiDVnXULz3aakxu-mz_FiZb14W8jzyP7u8k4O4MQvHbWuHkJRCn8qbstSsCTZMAvZINVAQREJSWnFnWegXUtVZPdMekJOTrTH_seNOPbvPjrXPYTnXnFWx9C7dn9sAAse701l7kfP-1YVdUUWQ) We had some light- but useful- wind, so we got to work. We raised the [main](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mainsail?ref=svsabado.com) and brought out the [jib](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jib?ref=svsabado.com) but were only going \~3kn. So, we decided to bring out the [gennaker](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gennaker?ref=svsabado.com). Without starting an engine, we brought the jib in, ran to our stations, and unfurled the gennaker. This more than doubled our speed! ![](https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/fSTAIat1BYrC3Z3ESko8_iPlfR5LXLlGrUFjHcuHYmiV98TxSXDDQkVZMMTTVtxmfIwkbPDrZhyHHQ527hB0JgIU9r7-jcaqWnMv55xlGlw0ODU-DfdTzcN8q9WX7AoGgC-dbNEeLOjVr5Jh-g) We were happily cruising along until we heard a strange thud. Ray walked around the boat to investigate before realizing it had come from the helm. Our main [halyard](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Halyard?ref=svsabado.com) had slipped through the [clutch](https://www.sailmagazine.com/diy/know-how-cleats-clutches-and-jammers?ref=svsabado.com). It looked like 4 inches or so of the line (the portion that is usually in the clutch when the main is up) had flattened out, allowing it to slip through. This is obviously not supposed to happen, so we [reefed](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reefing?ref=svsabado.com) (putting a less frequently strained portion of the line in the clutch) and looked into it more. Our new mainsail is significantly more powerful than our old one, but the line we have should, in theory, be able to handle it… unless the line isn’t actually what we think it is. After cutting into the end of the line, Ray realized he’d been scammed! He had purchased this line in the Caribbean a few years ago and was told it was [dyneema](https://www.nauticexpo.com/boat-manufacturer/dyneema-core-cordage-37728.html?ref=svsabado.com) core, but it turns out it was some polyester blend that is significantly less durable. ![](https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/LydGy555yMjnCc7fcgCyBIKUfoQ0LMRD7XbmH3hwXUOk9Zxho2qOuVOyn_cPgrdGxhax7Ybc33DCEdkUUs_wj5bmPY1DJ5RbG2xLTgjJlnj5DkWMeSc3U5DMZbFxTZg4JGVNK_sK4lMMnP2KcQ) Oh well! We were still making good speed, and it was a beautiful, sunny day. We added “replace main halyard” to our to-do list, changed into swimsuits, and spent the rest of the afternoon enjoying ourselves! At sunset, we switched out the gennaker for the jib and continued until the wind died later that night. ![](https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/RbLRlXT_1hko33MY6LOUIXuNEXGIlMBA1ATfUvg64REN34tFe3NWdB6s5y7tT0VIEzq_B_OshFdynT44GRex9ZyXDrextyxZq8I9MGKSzLX0vqRzYVh4TgbtKF65_LvTP5EsTzHeUBoPdii6bg) We motored into St. Augustine the following morning, picked up a [mooring ball](http://bvibound.com/everything-you-need-to-know-about-mooring-balls-in-the-bvi-2/?ref=svsabado.com), checked in to the marina, and walked around until we found some tacos and margaritas. We called it a night pretty early, considering sleeping in shifts does not make for the most restful night’s sleep… The next day we visited [the oldest pub in the oldest city in America](https://www.stgeorgetavern.com/?ref=svsabado.com) and did a little exploring. St. Augustine is an adorable town! ![](https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/Z9ZXwiX--Xa443LpFZ-Abyf5ajQEKg5WIGJVk0HmG-eMkQNRAB_waIKMspH_GnAkuYMbrIhF9N7jotjYvLk230rhop7-CMkII3LwWgRveOQ5GxwK1CEeykVH4kuhCi_jRtmHS8Ocba0sNPunJA) ![](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/tyUpKq6Oiz71NqQn9lRExDSBQUh_HMJdie5NKulb4_ScSnPCZDYY7LnHOQExbhjsrYojO6xsiqsopU7svPtvDKN8N-Y2Fksk7-cfTkAcpJ9SrtxCxlUvhG-6oVC3JZgZWqxyXyDiQxsbOkY0Qw) ![](https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/3K5lOAFTWjvx1wiNLOU07tJCxB_Gy-pA0irKw7jBycRaSeLKWYkdAM6AesZsti2ERNNT0MPG73zNahm3Cmc4AeWKYnNoG4JqC5hhCG9RjRHFqBpCa5_dRGL3SKBWx3-ZXguA4jL3BxqT7DEltw) Thursday morning, we called the marina office to see if we could stay on the mooring ball until the wind picked up for the next portion of our trip. They politely said no, so we had to leave a little earlier than planned. Unfortunately, that sort of screwed us over. We had 3kn of wind but raised the main (still keeping in a reef) for fun. We motored all morning in the sweltering heat. The wind picked up a bit in the afternoon, so we brought the jib out, but still had to keep an engine on. The sun began to set, and we were still hours away from our destination. Rather than try to navigate a new place in the dark, we decided to anchor for the night about 25nm South of Brunswick. We made our way into the anchorage and were surprised to see a massive paper mill appear after a beautiful state park/nature preserve. This is a new backdrop for Sabado, that’s for sure! ![](https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/6MEN0mE_3k_pqdRkf1gUEkVjnaXlo36Z0KnPVUeF71wDbgVqchtkCKVq77fbBWQnAa7hyyVCOyXZX3kY3pxoyw-VIHv_bPuAqvNcuodCd-iBcSdO1lwbTYrL2ySiPGKKUCisQ2eAq8bfC0gWvw) ![](https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/OFrBbcIG9ONlMNU8XNZ0YPgxzpjZ89djvX5AwGobr27ESBBqBXMsu5lzVMM1crdYOY6AxLq5iddV4wf_scAj2yH96ZGGTcdapud8_rNv-l9VdINLomuwnf1JcVYHcI0tNcBPVDMpDfB_RUFiDQ) We set our anchor, made some dinner, and fell asleep to the sweet, mulch-y smell of the factory. We left at sunrise the next morning and motored to Brunswick Landing Marina. ![](https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/Vuq4w3cZz7sIm7qjLzNVhrZF-r9M0DKuGMw8B_nZJbMl6Py2jQpCLK6UcZtj-HsMSnye0_oBzl0Dmn5NRiGxUDZBjiko56fhoknQB2tMOMyVKwHGEoB5J1D5RY6KyqPBE5Pv-zWuioQk8QapVQ) ![](https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/tJPg2uIMFqbQ9J14IuhKC5Zc1Gd38THLX-z8tNaieX6Di7aizIwX8uEs2lVDQedEEqhNSXsN5oiKNU16oqqyKZzNQJZ9N5iLOXkTDhXDQ8tMClAlsuK8jwGQExocunohn7H7YYWZsY44TUJhCA) We plugged into shore power, cranked our air conditioning, and wandered to the local pizza place for a late lunch! So far, we like it here! It’s an odd, small town, but the marina is right in the center, and we’ve been amused with the quirky local shops within walking distance. We’ve got a pretty substantial to-do list while we’re here, so it might be a while before we move Sabado again, but this doesn’t seem like a bad place to hang out! I hope you had a great week! ❤️ ### BOAT TOUR + An Overnight Sail North URL: https://svsabado.com/boat-tour-an-overnight-sail-north/ Last updated: 2022-05-15T12:05:44.000Z *A Week Aboard S/V Sabado: 5/8/2022 - 5/15/2022* **Hi friends!** I’ve done myself a disservice; I’ve waited until Sunday morning to write this, so bear with me. This week was a bit of a blur. We filmed a boat tour, and filming staged/planned videos is not our thing… It took us all week, and the video still has inconsistent lighting/audio and is a bit awkward overall, but we did our best! It’s the most footage I’ve ever worked with at one time, and it took over 4hrs to upload. You can watch it [here](https://youtu.be/V8JdSyzNST4?ref=svsabado.com) if you’d like- Sabado looks great in it, which is all that really matters! ![](https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/OnlEe0ym0nVWBSjcTthHeqgkAkxekZcT_wjcS3_G7-Dh1O-2tH46A3nInVnp6luoh5eezXtCl9T5udWxsYCNU_1iS6wjy9scSYyANG0ZjNLncJSF5lOnTjqcOi1ugV0cqNjqR3QrI7BpigGtLg) In between filming and editing, we did get off the boat a few times in search of air conditioning to escape the afternoon heat. Since we were anchored near a National Park, our AC quests always involved a stroll through some beautiful jungle-lined walking trails before reaching civilization. ![](https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/M4nLf0VVDtSaffeDm7S3IZAouXRqKge3-nDZjTyJDAyAUuw18t02db72MKh19JlNhFJjW35dzcOVerhnS23NMscA0tX7NTetp5jaybLGp8gmegjcTqPmctrJfbICO-d5RvnPOcoOD1WJXl3Esw) We tried out a couple of new restaurants, and as always, Miami did not disappoint. Friday morning, we pulled up anchor and began our journey North. There was no wind when we left, but this was the only weather window in the forecast that didn’t involve 20+ knots of wind on our nose, so we decided to move while we could, even if we’d have to use the engines. We worked our way out into the Gulf Stream and were rewarded with a couple of extra knots of speed courtesy of the current and 1,000 + feet depths of dark, blue water. ![](https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/8vAaietK4ApQ03YVhKYfyAoMgb1FKqAVTSLygU2fzXzpxMuS45AHmI7JLj5dUEBvQVm_Jxf21O4KclgdvYoIVNf0fxQxJxTmcqA2a5rGiDiTWBpFY5kaWErkKRXHp2HJwRxAald2n2friyDlGw) (This photo is not edited!! Look at that shade of blue!!) We lounged around in our beanbag chairs on the bow all afternoon, enjoying the sunshine and solitude until the wind began to pick up. We excitedly hoisted the [main](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mainsail?ref=svsabado.com), cranked out the [gennaker](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gennaker?ref=svsabado.com), and shut the engines off. We cruised along for the rest of the day with an average speed of 8-9kn! ![](https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/QyQytirif0A-w5DChZeV7Rdd2WEsWaFFXl9EY4eD0c54YkCzHPEw5sGOUbEJciyQKoxJW2xkdea-YXQNSaAXOr-ePWa_9vKPk2oT9xGWngTC8EHDgydpgvVdghvqLSVtp-aYiwRGpbLWADMw1Q) ![](https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/vhSsxBubQWbdDvQlTRQiaQTV_lZZByxxAQ4yA79xTDEoOpEe2L1tryFnEOWImWGcSY9HkcABLyQ2a3FixYkwTtqjhmg8Pdd5iRo1-bDuFycxsqCRtMW1eGo4yijZUbzqF3_IbyrCkPwJdnErjQ) Just as the sun was setting, the wind shifted. We swapped out the gennaker for our [jib](https://www.britannica.com/technology/jib?ref=svsabado.com) and maintained our speed for a few more hours. ![](https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/f9q29b1-nXqIk7RAkf6CRLzbe3kNobALHL_b1kodeM0uvUS_W18FDbW5jj4Nw_AdYcD_KIcC0J6ec6JDPotVy0byNq_iCtkpbP2RNmc1x4STE9pL6rRDHTJ5eUtRimlkkxWK2fBZHOC_bCZzNA) Just before midnight, the wind died. We dropped both sails and reverted to motoring. We took shifts, one of us keeping watch while the other slept, a trust exercise I think most couples should experience- believing in your partner’s ability to keep you and your entire home safe as you move through deep waters in the dark- it’s quite an experience. Ray and I do really well on overnight passages. We have agreed upon specific safety protocols that whoever is on watch abides by so the other can sleep without worrying. We wake each other up if anything out of the ordinary happens, if we’re unsure about absolutely anything, or if we need to move outside of the helm station for any reason. Whoever isn’t on watch usually sleeps in the cockpit or salon, so we’re always just a shout away in an emergency. The night went smoothly, and when I took my first morning shift, we were surrounded by jellyfish! I probably saw hundreds during my first hour at the helm. Can you spot all 6 in this picture? ![](https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/BPAASFUmG3E5gc9Gvf2ujB0PzYrgAmIORpHKLVZuXCrKUyK7DPeuYrF3e0KqDRE5I8wqeRdOWFjQUA8aRkMWPivrapbjrmA07dmGcRzG5e2Nt1-BtMLUN076EM2kJXc5JMau3sWC-E5gQMA6kA) We arrived in Cape Canaveral yesterday around noon and were greeted by our friends at Ocean Club Marina, ready to grab our lines and help us get settled. It feels weird to be back after spending so much time here last year… We dragged ourselves out to lunch, had a celebratory beer, then headed straight to bed. We’re planning on leaving here tomorrow, so we’re going to try to be as productive as possible today (after visiting our favorite local diner for Sunday brunch first). The plan is to wash the boat, order groceries, do some laundry, and make a trip to the storage unit! Then we’ll fuel up and head out. ⛵️ What are you up to today? ❤️ ### Boat Life in Miami URL: https://svsabado.com/boat-life-in-miami/ Last updated: 2022-05-08T13:38:11.000Z **Hello hello!** It’s been a while since I’ve taken the time to write. We’ve been in Miami for nearly a month now, simply enjoying life! This is our 4th or 5th time here, and for once, the familiarity and comfort were welcomed. We picked up a [mooring ball](http://bvibound.com/everything-you-need-to-know-about-mooring-balls-in-the-bvi-2/?ref=svsabado.com) at the tried and true Dinner Key Marina, where the price to stay for an entire month is less than it would cost to stay for two weeks- an *excellent* deal. We got ourselves and Sabado settled, grabbed a couple of cocktails at our favorite local restaurant, and came up with a plan. We rarely stay put for this long, so we decided to take advantage of it! I flew to Texas for a couple of days to take care of some healthcare-related things, visit my family, and try on my wedding dress. Ray stayed with the boat, getting to the bottom of our water maker malfunctions and securing some spare parts for us to keep on board. Once we were reunited, we decided to start prioritizing restoring our good boat-keeper habits. It’s no secret that the [beginning of this year was hard for us](https://svsabado.com/tough-times-for-sabado-and-crew/), and we had to settle on our route for this season. We let that disappointment seep into our daily lives and consequently spent too much time moping around and not enough time taking care of our usual chores. So, we picked up some new cleaning supplies + tools and got back to regularly caring for our floating home. We saw a dead cockroach on the marina’s dinghy dock, so we started with an immediate deep clean of the interior and bought some poison to keep on board just in case. We also spent some time testing our safety gear, replacing our deck light on the mast, treating our canvas hatch covers, and learning how to protect our new white vinyl helm seat. ![](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/CX_iNT5ZBE45YMYNP7pHhS0UBmxAwXWqOTGC6v_GCDZ4bjvfnMOgIZy486CEUS_ai5u7866LQV9Tgz6qjCZSeTd-TjN0Kf3akcdx0_9tOgLZ0A1nRJAhTDwoel-fY1Vg0qbPrP5uQW4KP1KVRg) We filmed bits and pieces of these projects, so check out [our latest YouTube video](https://youtu.be/6rTt2Im0-ng?ref=svsabado.com) to see how it went! Last week we had some friends come to town, so we took a break from boat life and rented an Airbnb in [Little Havana](https://www.timeout.com/miami/little-havana?ref=svsabado.com), a part of Miami we hadn’t yet explored, and spent some time with them living out our Cuban dreams. ![](https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/cbjUvX9nT4aG00VtadMXLoaReZl-50x1jRJUS8i9g6v57kxzc_CI53GPGWyXOYbsArpiX9QCe71EUAZozI6kexmDVacq6BYSTbv5BK_oNSkkbeVquhccb6_5oq6w8HwCqFGJn_t3gwzXPyTHlA) We returned to Sabado late last week and spent the first half of this week preparing to leave- we finished up all our projects, did some laundry, got groceries, and returned our marina keys before ditching our mooring ball on Thursday. ![](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/dxBKgLBPKdu-yS9ytQ1Zi8TOicFLl6qBmOCWwTnzzpivTJfQiWTXbF2FmL682ofcEBGUQ9wAGy657KXuC7VkXx-unlhAi61v1k1NCiNpSJh51R7vTV2CZfUAWqSufJx0XKGWdUGf8OxbOyG0NQ) ![](https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/d91Walp9r66X4U2ds3nYpNGItB16PGXtW0HGhCZg4xV2PGLGDI8GYpGTaw6NaV58rFSac2rquX644LVWy4gwEJ3DKTyU7MxDJBKi073Yb57Alos9DSlLb-Ae3BWj7hmliiXHnMlEfSrcIdsmrQ) We motored ever so slowly over to [No Name Harbor](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/No%5FName%5FHarbor%5F%28Key%5FBiscayne%29?ref=svsabado.com)\- a mere 4 miles away- so that we could run our watermaker for a while. We didn’t have any wind, so we dropped anchor that afternoon. It was beautiful and hot, so I figured it would be a good time to jump in and clean the bottom of the boat. The water looked clear and bright from above, but once I got in, it was dark and murky… I could only see a few feet in front of me, and the ocean floor was nowhere in sight. I quickly climbed out and gave myself a little pep talk. Swimming alone off the back of the boat is different from swimming off the beach or with friends, you’re on your own, and after a couple of shark encounters last year, I get easily freaked out when the visibility is bad. I reminded myself that I am not scared of the ocean, and I know how to behave if a shark/stingray/barracuda were to express interest in me (which they most likely wouldn’t). Plus, we’re literally in Miami, so if anything were to happen, I could get help in minutes. I jumped back in and began scraping and scrubbing from stern to bow. Just as I was starting to enjoy myself, I felt my fingers and hands start tingling… I swam back to the ladder and realized my hands were covered in tiny little shrimp! Well, at first, I thought they were leeches, so I launched myself out of the water and began swatting them off myself in a frenzy. Ray saw me panicking and quickly informed me that they were shrimp. Since we had been moored in a nasty, still watered marina water for the past few weeks, these tiny shrimp had populated our hulls to feed on the algae. Once I started poking around at their meal, they decided to start nibbling on me! They’re harmless, but their little bites (plus the freaky-ness of seeing them all over me) were enough to deter me from finishing the job that day. They should move on after a few days in this anchorage. Anyway, we’ve spent the weekend relaxing on Sabado, enjoying being on anchor again, and watching the crazy Miami weekender boat traffic fly by. We were anticipating some bad weather yesterday, but we lucked out! The worst of it missed us; we just had some wind and a sprinkle of rain. We’d love to get out of here ASAP, but the wind seems to have other plans, so we’ll see. I’m sure we can come up with some jobs to keep us busy in the meantime. I hope you had a great week. ❤️ ### Another Watermaker Project + Weather Delays URL: https://svsabado.com/another-watermaker-project-weather-delays/ Last updated: 2022-04-03T13:59:40.000Z *A Week Aboard S/V Sabado: 3/27/2022 - 4/3/2022* **Have you seen our [latest YouTube video](https://youtu.be/qHtdm1fnRSs?ref=svsabado.com)? It’s my favorite one so far this year!** Last Sunday, we hung out at home. I polished some of our stainless steel, and Ray ordered some boat parts to ship to my parents’ house for us to pick up later! ![](https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/BhzWqXPevZDpONwbAbADiwgwIZiiFhytepYhILzv0PC2cTN79hC76yW_lYtKNqznrLZObB1cWEF3bzcQEoelEPi7_W5CfuQjG3-c5yjIdCpGDQ9-_Ad8bh99Kp8xICpLx935SVOa) Monday morning, we decided to head to shore. We dinghied in, tied up, and walked to the nearest [West Marine](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/West%5FMarine?ref=svsabado.com) to pick up a new [sea strainer](https://www.boatlife.com/boatlife-blog/clean-sea-strainers/amp/?ref=svsabado.com) for our [watermaker](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Watermaker?ref=svsabado.com). We stopped by a pub for lunch before heading back to the boat and getting started on yet another watermaker-related project (our 3rd this year). To summarize, our watermaker sucks in seawater and runs it through a series of filters to convert it into freshwater. Recently, we began getting alarms indicating that it was time to change the filter, but when we looked, the filter was fine. After taking the whole thing apart, Ray found a [check valve](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Check%5Fvalve?ref=svsabado.com) clogged with seaweed. It turns out the sea strainer that comes with the watermaker was placed after this check valve. We were always impressed that our sea strainer was so clean… we didn’t realize we had a check valve doing its job instead! After talking to the manufacturer, we were instructed to install a second sea strainer ourselves before the check valve to solve the problem. So, that’s what we did! ![](https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/1-JhyJhLRfBPKL9hnytRfy3PHy6T2mO4xvh78mSWyE-3u54fR8TG66rZXcGhJsoBSKRCeHdQhY9PsSvllvqguUkntlTOoHlk7o8Lbu5GKSSRMSVCCaHY7kpk6LWvQ3geZ3Olb8_w) We made sure we had all the parts and tools we’d need ready to go but decided it was too hot to do that day, so it’d have to wait until the following morning. After breakfast on Tuesday, we got to work! Ray climbed down into the engine compartment and began fitting a new hose into the system while I stood overhead, handing him whatever tools he needed and asking questions. Like all boat projects, it took longer than we anticipated and made a massive mess in our [cockpit](https://www.discoverboating.com/resources/parts-of-a-boat?ref=svsabado.com), but we finished late that afternoon- leaving just enough time to do a little bit of reading/video editing and enjoy some cocktails on the bow before sunset. ![](https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/lHG5xKn1OEhqUQ7zbtygRdTBS14PK_vz-_-3ytlnP73qdchZ0ktvhSC80gU8SpTNmYSYxfH1xwueDoqMloGtS2gnlPI5X6e2RA3s73mnzOpPRb9fCsvt1QuFa0KI9p_6SsU2xiVP) Wednesday was supposed to be our departure day, but we woke up to [white caps](http://www.coastalwiki.org/wiki/White%5Fcapping?ref=svsabado.com) in the anchorage. We checked the weather, and what had been forecasted as “scattered [squalls](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Squall?ref=svsabado.com)” had been revised to a multi-day [front](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Weather%5Ffront?ref=svsabado.com). So, we decided to stay put! We were in a good spot in a large anchorage with good [holding](https://www.proptalk.com/nine-factors-determine-good-anchorage?ref=svsabado.com). There was no reason to leave in suboptimal conditions. We spent the day cleaning up the cockpit and reading our books. By Thursday you could see the impact the wind had on the water- here is a picture from Tuesday (pre-wind) and Thursday morning (post- wind) ![](https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/zUz1JQnyK0PU-T8DiShloYRX56G1IhJageml51QILHiNu26NqdSPQ7shOzcrRL1viyd-MJLQw0CL6VJnxYlWYQQo5Wu7WKCrDcWsR7hCPYSeK69at7r1xQbeyyYAkiu6c8bXcub8) ![](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/CZcnsdq0P1TWIiTKhIvXpaQmcBVmUDoh5KgKVjBoSC_yxdUGy9FJffvaXJB50Fg3ESgxH0lpW_h0NrCtiIzN-5oQBuXMycwC_gJLOWfxAxm4hYTKMYWyj4KNof60iwssp3K-wMkF) The water went from clear green/blue to practically opaque gray from the amount of sand that was disturbed! It was still too breezy to do much, so we kept ourselves busy at home. I decided to clean the ceiling of our cockpit- which I have literally never done- and you would not believe how gross it was! I guess I need to add that into my usual cleaning routine! Ray worked on figuring out how to collect and compile data from our watermaker so that we can identify trends that could help us better understand when something is wrong… because it took over a year for the check valve to get clogged enough for us to notice, and it’s always better to identify a problem as early as possible. Saturday the weather was deceptively nice. We relaxed, laid out in the sunshine for a while, and made a nice steak dinner before heading to bed, only to be rudely awakened around 1am by *lots* of lightning. The wind had picked back up, and we were grateful to not have any boats around to worry about dragging into us. The storm passed us early this morning and it’s looking like today will be gorgeous! We’re hoping to get out of here in the next couple of days. And that’s all I have to report! I hope you had a great week! ❤️ ### Marco Island + Sailing back to Marathon URL: https://svsabado.com/marco-island-sailing-back-to-marathon/ Last updated: 2022-03-27T14:09:24.000Z *A Week Aboard S/V Sabado: 3/21/2022 - 3/27/2022* **Hi friends! Have you seen this week’s video? You can watch it [here](https://youtu.be/IPf2GOBZm-Y?ref=svsabado.com)!** Last Monday took a turn… we had planned on hanging around the marina, deep cleaning the boat (inside and out) and getting all our laundry done. Instead, we ended up ubering to Naples, buying Ray a new phone, and renting a car for two days. By the time we got back to the boat it was happy hour so… no chores got done. On Tuesday we got to work. We took care of everything we typically do when we’re on a dock: we washed the outside of the boat, did all our laundry (sheets, towels, and blankets included), wiped down every interior surface, and went grocery shopping. It was a hot and sweaty, but productive day! Wednesday morning we hopped from hardware store to hardware store until we found a place that would fill our propane tanks. Once that was squared away we drove back to Naples and returned the rental car. That evening we walked around town in search of a restaurant for dinner, and noticed a small roped-off area in what looked like a prime real estate lot. After taking a closer look, we saw a [burrowing owl](https://www.britannica.com/animal/burrowing-owl?ref=svsabado.com)! Burrowing owls are native to Florida, and are the only owl species that nest underground. ![](https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/DknjttHf5ZEFIhEGnSlZi0ZaXhMbccu79QzJT6pY12uY8mBGFTFBu7Ofe3nK2uNMniDq-YuHGBKgjbsbgiHUrdvQ19whtluQg_n56cCO4-ONCJme97hzRqGYQAuovknBgeE_1ooL) It turns out they are a protected species, and are particularly abundant on Marco Island due to their protection efforts. On Marco Island an owl's burrow cannot be removed unless you obtain a [special permit](https://www.escapetomarco.com/learn-about-the-burrowing-owls-on-marco-island/?ref=svsabado.com), because these owls return to their specific burrow year after year to breed. As we continued walking, we noticed several more roped off burrows around town- apparently there are over 500 on Marco Island! Anyway, having completed all our chores and done our fair share of exploring the island, we spent all day Thursday lounging around in our pajamas. There’s nothing quite like a clean boat, full fridges, and hot showers to encourage a lazy day! By Friday we had reached the end of the 5 day allotment the marina had for transients, so we left that morning. Our original plan was to sail up to Sarasota, but the weather had us moving in the exact opposite direction! We decided to take the hint and head back to Marathon instead. Unfortunately, we motored all day. We bounced around in 6ft seas, watched dolphins play in the waves, and dodged lobster pots until sunset. ![](https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/w4aKIYNO9gmWBf4FQpxkTvr-SliWAM77GuINvl-sFsCQ436dL3Xa5Zf0u0kESNFmjoAWQoAk8b09sg3-JztryempPPJ64THUS0lRTpQUpqZyibrhD7X9VDz7__wVFZ4FW63ccRf4) ![](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/BJHvIfuB9RtLwUfeQjNNpDcSKMwyt8M7b2jXycIbsVPdxOxk4E4g3YhGTT5heS9MiuTi-tonwCc2UgUkylzE8YhUhZ-qpYPE5oyY21AgnLAMs4uCMOofJ4JlQN-PSj5m6l4rk7sF) We decided to drop anchor in Key West for the night, rather than attempting to dodge traps in the dark for the several more hours it would take to get to Marathon. The next morning we pulled the anchor up. On our way out of Key West we noticed some houses *inside* the anchorage…. ![](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/V7JA3f1-szXwFdp7arx0-f5MbBiF4uD9ujOcbT-9xlMGmDa0hIw6fV5JOBbum7EZgjZSWiRVrbzX61aw4Htn7npI-Gehfxy60ApAa_nuFJYqvFhutduMvac6EUwa13-VkjJjsCa2) Turns out they’re Airbnb’s you can rent and stay in! However, after [reading about the details](https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/35964328?source%5Fimpression%5Fid=p3%5F1648386550%5FYx2TNnsQtD1fDXrQ&modal=DESCRIPTION&ref=svsabado.com) (only 20 gallons of fresh water onboard, have to pay for and organize a marine shuttle for yourself, etc.), I think I’ll stay on Sabado. The wind and [sea state](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sea%5Fstate?ref=svsabado.com) were much better Saturday, so we sailed all the way into Marathon. Using our [main](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mainsail?ref=svsabado.com) (with 1 [reef](https://www.spinnaker-sailing.com/online-courses/lesson-2/reefing-mainsail?ref=svsabado.com)) and [jib](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jib?ref=svsabado.com), we were cruising along at 6-7kn! Well, I shouldn’t say “we”, Ray actually sailed us the whole way there so that I could finish editing this week’s YouTube video! I only helped pull and drop the anchor. I will say though, we continue to be impressed with our performance since getting new sails. We’d never be going that fast at that angle with our old ones! ![](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/4SGUkxegisnrl_4Uxb6yhnfY35l0EVhbcpJcrGyrQ6J0_YtMBt2L8vLvpnSIY7KDm-0le1qlbM1nzyJ2M9qYgJ5FDLiU3guSL7O0YvxORpnOYGG0wKl_mzv07Sb2VI1yzC-g3TBo) We dropped anchor that afternoon and our traditional “we’re here cheers” turned into several… I threw together a quick dinner and we watched our latest obsession, [The Blacklist](https://m.imdb.com/title/tt2741602/?ref=svsabado.com), together until we fell asleep in the [salon](https://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/f61/salon-or-saloon-45335.html?ref=svsabado.com). We woke up this morning to a steady 23kn of wind in the anchorage, so it looks like we’ll be boat-bound today! Not to worry, we somehow still have some cleaning to do and it’s about time to polish the stainless steel again, so I’m sure we’ll keep ourselves busy. What are you up to today?❤️ ### Refugee Boat Encounter + Exploring Dry Tortugas! URL: https://svsabado.com/refugee-boat-encounter-exploring-dry-tortugas/ Last updated: 2022-03-21T13:31:57.000Z *A Week Aboard S/V Sabado: 3/13/2022 - 3/21/2022* **Hello hello! Have you seen our [latest YouTube video](https://youtu.be/5VKM3vxXHbU?ref=svsabado.com)?** Last Sunday we spent the day on the boat, waiting for the wind to die down from last week’s big storm. Monday morning was still pretty breezy, but things were starting to calm down so we started planning our next move. We mapped out our route to Dry Tortugas, double-checked the weather, and flipped through a couple of guidebooks so we would know what to expect in terms of anchoring options and rules for the National Park area. At some point during all of that, we noticed a sailboat heading towards our anchorage. Curious, we grabbed the binoculars. All we could really make out was that there seemed to be a lot of people hanging over the edges as the boat [heeled](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Talk%3AHeeling%5F%28sailing%29?ref=svsabado.com) in the wind. We assumed it was a team of sailors racing or something, and went on about our day. Once the boat came in a little closer, I grabbed the camera and started filming. The longer I looked at the shot, the more questions I had. The sails looked….strange. Ray was trying to guess what type of boat it was, but nothing he knew of quite matched what we were seeing… The boat was hauling ass towards one of the private residence docks, until suddenly it wasn’t. I’ve never seen a boat come to such an abrupt stop. They had [run aground](https://www.boaterexam.com/boating-resources/running-aground.aspx?ref=svsabado.com). I told Ray and he grabbed the binoculars- there’s no way a race team would run aground like that- I could sense his mood change just before he said “Oh, that looks like a refugee boat.” I put down the camera and grabbed the binoculars. Sure enough, they had a literal log as their mast. Within seconds over 100 people were in the water, frantically swimming to shore. We watched for a minute, shocked. We heard someone call it into the Coast Guard over the radio, and we chimed in with any additional information we could offer since we were anchored just a couple hundred yards away. We decided to take our dinghy over to help. Once we made sure all the refugees were safely on shore, we headed over to the boat to try to pull down the sails and deploy the anchor (to hopefully mitigate any injuries/damages that could occur once the tide came in). At that point, the local police were on shore and a helicopter was circling us. Another boat with a couple of locals came aboard and helped, too. It was a very odd experience. We could hear the refugees on shore cheering and see them embracing one another in celebration, all while we tip-toed around their remaining belongings, emergency water packets, and bags of pasta strewn about this DIY’d boat. The other guy who was helping us poked around a bit checking for bodies before helping his wife climb aboard. It didn’t even cross my mind to do that. The guys got the sails down and tossed the anchor into the water while the other man’s wife and I grabbed any backpacks we saw and filled them with clothes and shoes to bring to shore. I can’t imagine what these people went through to get here. How scared they must have been, especially at night. How awful it must have been where they came from for them to be willing to risk their lives like this to escape. There were men, women, and small children on that boat for who knows how long, in who knows how bad of conditions. We took our dinghy back to Sabado with a newfound appreciation for how comfortable and safe our boat is. We watched as the local police, Border Patrol, and the Coast Guard worked together to tow the boat off the bottom and away from the scene. Helicopters circled for the rest of the afternoon before things finally calmed down. The refugees on shore slowly dissipated, it looked like the police were bussing them somewhere- hopefully to determine their eligibility for asylum. We spent the rest of the evening reading up on the immigration policies in place for situations like this (spoiler alert: they’re not great!!!). If you’d like to know more, here is a [link](https://www.miamiherald.com/news/local/community/florida-keys/article259385034.html?ref=svsabado.com) to an article about the ship we saw, and a similar ship that arrived nearby last week. It seems like the Florida Keys are a common landing spot for Cuban refugees, but the people on the boat we saw were Haitian. Below are a few stills from what I caught on camera, plus a couple I took on my phone once we made sure all refugees were safely on shore. ![](https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/JQan6zzwGI1qrg80-XbL68-akSgvCJyvcL-rFdb_rEweBURRcIQmwawLvf3kPiArZrt02LcBV5nJ_11RGRLpUEqD__Dv7YeLGdAeSYWNydwbKduhBfTX0_Qs1Q_fyxJBBFtjDHcQ) ![](https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/bQxql5kcQfD5Yx82SNNsNwbK6zO0UpZOEGON9n9ANW1KXg4oS6guQL0ycTHRjx-2rK-Lh6LVN5Gvfruv7oHK7LPtfdgGoIWc1YiwgREmsvTWpuairj11vnVGQ8_GXMYiUu6qqnmK) ![](https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/1Q0KfSNI52c48EXJMDAQ0fzrRzcBpCerWPWg9RHQqkYh_LlNrTaDWlW8ijT0rG1sX2HSMLX5rqRcHdBuPxbJpe3PZZ9oyWi5-yEmFhN2rtfuRO-Me9RkhFjgGVfyX6O1wnjOZ_hR) We decided to leave Summerland Key Tuesday morning and head to Dry Tortugas. We were really looking forward to being unplugged for a bit. We motored for a few hours and dropped anchor for the night in Marquesas Key, before making the last stretch of the trip Wednesday morning. I knew we were in for a treat when we lost cell service, and the water started getting bluer and bluer…. ![](https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/166nsm0lkyEwt9aGYRu8JmcPxxQGPsB9BQeNqPidaQgdK16wH6_dZVpjAc2pmavZxrAXVZVCgbVeXCufocQ7Qc1CalrjW6oHiUF15j5DI1R3ao5June8dHoVp_ZvzgvP4y6I57zv) We anchored outside of the typical anchorage, as far away from everyone as we could get, and immediately changed into swimsuits. I jumped in the water, checked on our props and took a look at our zincs, then had Ray help me rig something up to tie a floaty off our stern. It was paradise! We had some celebratory drinks and fell asleep before the sun even set. The next day we set out to explore! We took the dinghy across a huge reef and over to Loggerhead Key. The island is small and undeveloped, aside from a lighthouse and a volunteer house. We walked around a bit, then set up our beach supplies for a picnic. We drank rum, read our books, and took the occasional dip in the ocean to cool off. It was a perfect afternoon. ![](https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/nwj2QvP3UNz_PpWeyk3vsAsNdAXb1WHIw2cLBrovAoLCT5_A_pjsEbCLVg6paB7UTlIyBTX0z5C_JUdlJuxwUqTRZ-FW70L9kQ01HAOe2SEVujuQPw4GZ-e4PsD_KM7IC2GS7KpY) Just before we packed up to leave, we met a man named Robert who was wearing a National Park Volunteer shirt. We introduced ourselves and asked him if he knew anything about the fishing laws around here, then got to chatting. Robert and his wife Alice got approved to live on the island for the month of March. They’re staying in the volunteer house, which I guess is open for many types of people- not just park rangers like I assumed. Robert explained that sometimes scientists take up residence on the island, other times gardeners, engineers, really whoever applies and makes a valid case to stay can be eligible! They’re there because his wife is an artist and has been painting small canvases to use as references for larger ones once they return home. “Home” for them is in West Texas, they are cattle ranchers- talk about a change of scenery! Robert said his wife has never painted so many shades of blue before. Here is [Alice’s website](https://www.aliceleese.com/paintings?ref=svsabado.com) if you’d like to check her out! I know I’ll be circling back to her site in a few months to see what she painted during her stay. ☺️ We dinghied home and spent the rest of the day sitting in the sunshine, listening to music and having the occasional 2 person dance party (gotta entertain yourselves when you live on a boat!). The next day we decided we should do the typical Dry Tortugas activity and go see [Fort Jefferson](https://www.nps.gov/drto/learn/historyculture/fort-jefferson.htm?ref=svsabado.com). The Fort way way bigger than I thought it would be! Ray and I aren’t museum lovers, so I don’t have any photos of the nitty gritty details for you, but here are a few of the architecture and the view from the top: ![](https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/LzJ7H5onwZlV2dUouuZGcm-sxCex2wrRlZNcVPmexhANdtOHAnE5zs24RHRVjMl2WOxabq8qro52_Ji6em_qureeTE7dCUx7gcf4PADVGUhmFm1fcv_YqlvEC5P7SXbLbqjMt6Md) ![](https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/klgShQr4cL9FHw1eQSUkbfYc6qbh6y4IulntWRR1FtoiCvr246iH1CP046Cs45hU_S7FM20rhweRo9JKU9BAjHzAQEkwIRiOYieVPkVVkUlIZtlZYxKosCiCA8GnuQMV1mrhkzZM) ![](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/JZ_ues77-gOQ3PgFgbSYByf9zwYIghlz4hVXBwlCoK_1FcuFDn6dzP0eoBgFd4tnSveVSxSHzssJzPs4FUIZfTtT3swhvJPfEutEaSz4MvLSS91UntblZBnN-bdxIsWv3bwC0YJo) ![](https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/5oDb2uyQKKDGYuPsCQmw7E3gONZnyR-ntSfWFR08XAV4IOveyfl0Lc8XfrKZPwMYOSnH2865LVuzcWxBhCZn30W4dY-mFdw4GMmY0bOoToT36o1Uhc3mQQm9SzEGyTN3PXK2VgcT) We finished exploring just as the ferry full of tourists from Key West pulled up- perfect timing! We climbed into the dinghy and headed home. I was itching to go snorkeling, but the water got pretty choppy that afternoon, so I dipped my toes in and finished the book I was reading instead (I can’t complain). Ray downloaded the weather report for the next few days and broke the news to me that we had to leave on Saturday. Bummed, but grateful for our time there, we discussed where we wanted to go next! We decided we weren’t finished with Dry Tortugas, but there is absolutely no protection from any sort of weather there, so we couldn’t stay. That left us with two options- backtrack to Marathon then come back when the weather allows, or venture up the West coast of Florida and hit Dry Tortugas again when we head North for hurricane season. We chose the latter. We left Saturday afternoon for Marco Island, a barrier island in the Gulf of Mexico, close to Naples, Florida. We hoisted the [main](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mainsail?ref=svsabado.com), brought out our [gennaker](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gennaker?ref=svsabado.com), and made great time the rest of the day. It was absolutely beautiful! We sat up on the bow in our bean bag chairs to keep watch, since being at the helm with the gennaker up is like driving with 3/4 of your windshield covered, and were visited by a pod of dolphins. ![](https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/rGRu0AXP4NNRXdyRU0pcJqJXv7oQeqyig36kI00BjkW5so38vWuqofojytcWh3jiWr7nuCAD0h3t3lkXw5OrLsbfDvqDYPv9d4DwuJ76EJokpLO4iGMhxkoS_UCGuExY5PZLIhf6) ![](https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/MGI9QzNcnW0CssnwuWqWkHM2DAfpofWdyjneChRLkBVrU1wcRp1VwMoio1VY0KkDK69g0zEcCrwBIYAKe0m5qGQJFOCMTe2WzlQiF9iag3rCaKWaEjW4GSvE6lJ47OJI4LqHrDOl) ![](https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/t4K6J-3jeIqst_RHYqw4hHi-mwgm34IJ-4k3z11hBqrlCiSmVJnFqULhpZ6nhrAgYI4utze2ty8CC81k9OaRQmx9UXkRpVUJaK0O86tZ1WCsloE0y_n7tHRCOR122rfxOPd5qnsU) The wind died just before sunset, so we pulled in the gennaker, leaving the main up, and started an engine for the rest of the night. We switched off keeping watch while the other one slept, and motored through the moonlight. We arrived in Marco Island the next morning, several hours earlier than we had anticipated, and carefully navigated our way through the inlet in thick fog. We tied up safely in a local marina, plugged ourselves into [shore power](https://www.fisheriessupply.com/shore-power-101?ref=svsabado.com) and cranked up our air conditioning. We walked around a bit in search of fried food and cold beer, and the area looks cute! The waterfront homes with private docks remind me of Fort Lauderdale or Palm Beach, but then they have these little alleys lined with cottage styled buildings that are boutiques and restaurants. ![](https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/4qMywFw99v1SW3Jp-Yd6a1nXTiTSiV8rFFii3BAYA_fRwbm0Avwxm219yES72uXN846KkoKiJr9UyXu7NSJgm8uwrV_cI_TzSq2F5kAPqWh_n1cJ21SQWM_GuzVrhRkaVYT9wtj6) After lunch we both laid down and caught up on our phones for a bit, having gone several days without service. We ventured out that evening for some Mexican food and fell asleep the second we got home. We’re feeling well rested and ready to be productive today, though! It will most likely be a cleaning day for us (this marina offers free laundry!!), but maybe we’ll make it out to do some more exploring this evening. I hope you all had a great week!❤️ ### Exploring the Florida Keys URL: https://svsabado.com/exploring-the-florida-keys/ Last updated: 2022-03-13T13:11:30.000Z *A Week Aboard S/V Sabado: 3/6/2022 - 3/13/2022* **Hi hi!** *Before we jump into things- we’re back on YouTube! You can watch this week’s video [here](https://youtu.be/wryRXpeY58g?ref=svsabado.com).* Last Sunday we ventured out, despite the wind, and headed to shore. It was a bumpy dinghy ride, but we were excited to be getting off the boat! We dinghied through a massive [mooring field](https://www.fortmyersbeachfl.gov/DocumentCenter/View/15656/Frequently-Asked-Questions-About-Mooring-Fields?ref=svsabado.com) (this photo doesn’t even do it justice- it went on like this for miles!) ![](https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/GF3qIEYf6xgq5_FQY1zq6ZW6A5VofAG_5hRi70BKUJacyR8V92aQRoofTHa6uu8q8h2CfJq2kHndkCB3GRe1rxzzlCdtXvjtBIdon67xwI2pxnlIAttv9Ik0Ht184hX5PXh2A8SH) and pulled into the [Marathon City Marina](https://www.ci.marathon.fl.us/marinaandports?ref=svsabado.com), where we heard dinghy day passes were available. After an unnecessarily complicated sign-in process + a $20 fee, we were free to explore. The marina itself was pretty nice. They had WiFi, showers, etc., and a huge dinghy dock. ![](https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/GZ2LQSvdLFyvkNaY3usz6_owfqvOrsngKpp4GwnYPOdmDE9rCYlxKeX4VgUyGLFpNRJFl_WoPAgE5N_kotvQmb4QhRNzwPblnqHD4WydcXAUw-DMnXKaeLPpczJY1nT2ntbZNWi2) We mooched some WiFi for a bit before deciding to haul our laundry to a nearby laundromat. We dropped everything off for a 24hr wash/dry/fold service, then headed over to [Key Fisheries](https://www.keysfisheries.com/?ref=svsabado.com) for lunch. Aside from that, it didn’t look like there was much to do in Marathon. We decided to head home, knowing we’d be back tomorrow to pick up our laundry and maybe some fresh veggies while we’re at it. We spent the next few days doing nothing in particular. We picked up our laundry, had some beers at the local bar while waiting for our groceries to be delivered, tidied up, and relaxed. We watched a pod of dolphins that came through the anchorage regularly, and it looked like they had some babies with them! ![](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/g3Fx1y5KO2bzNe3hy1MpY0LJjo3d8a0DTrUDXxJxuzJNkRfqqwQ4qWiGH0tBzTonWEbPhHV8SgLxGCjRzxjoWZxVDY3yBzpAw-F0733vDzljplayrL2LlWuHqPL1WZ0GBdB3GrbW) By Thursday, we were tired of Marathon. We didn’t have good sailing conditions, but we decided to make a short hop to Summerland Key for a change of scenery. It was a gorgeous day- sunny and 80 degrees, perfect boating weather. ![](https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/VlP3EtfpFvaFTU-35lqS3i1Tr6FwXJBZgfWZTCkn7TzJuXACcNt-tT0nXz3RIxQJnkD-55ZzR2i4s537uLqw-AApr0hNJr6qX3Xd_bF9qiQnSys5QGRAwjdbCtVxG9rwVRYMQueP) We dodged lobster traps for a couple of hours, then threaded our way through some shallow waters before dropping anchor in a practically empty anchorage! We sat down and filmed a chatty little clip for our YouTube video, then decided to go to shore to check out our new town. This place is exactly how I pictured the Florida Keys- swampy canals, a mix of waterfront mansions and podunk shacks, tiki bars, and shallow blue/green waters. ![](https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/JtrIp6LePtnZbp96pR46ykO_MyNx7lZRdBIdemxPSQ0b3hAlbpw6a9TDL0HwH93fKttZ0TcBWwTng8limaKilLuS-uOfqBhZ4f1DpwP3U5AP9cb2pPiNS8LcXi_7A_gTdgPu7e4t) ![](https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/loAnXbyOrF1qtm7N6P-JXyqXBKIx6K8wgEhf1pZz9OUH_l0MDupMdNxI-r4PTOShW9Ck22kp8ObmUXyB9Z_86gxC192dkFv-1N4H4cp1PYwPEHbS5f3fEZHk62MVHBaL7LiedqLh) We found a restaurant with a dinghy dock and tied up for lunch and a cocktail or two. ![](https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/0MFC_-SbynvbdgVzNNgkHlLLB99VajB2W-M8Ug7EC3ffbFNHOHB3ikUUdGpEab7WM30QC0xZvgGO6Br5-coYbmDmHBDU5XLOSRSPyfUqU-oUxezxq4Y6tUCPnd2l3ZSPNpmXcWGx) I’m happy to report that once it got dark, we noticed the switches on our control panel were no longer glowing (re: [last week’s update](https://svsabado.com/were-back-on-the-move/))! Guess there was some weird radio frequency interference going on in Marathon… The next day a cold front we had been anticipating arrived. One moment it was calm, warm, and sunny, and the next, we were surrounded by dark clouds and 45kn of wind! Luckily the anchorage was still pretty empty, so we weren’t stressed…it was actually pretty exciting! We sat out on the bow and watched the chaos until we started getting pelted with rain, then we retreated to the salon. ![](https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/gdWwqgAdiScHu2nKqUoIY_6lRSX4cuh7PtfbXxJQOLVaZYapKY6DJJn2xr_Hoo59vwejQSTJoUGyKs-X-Pqk2bzXjKNmoEEUhI1w_b_8dO8dcVFq_mhrORQQeEwiiwuAtDIpws9Z) The storm lasted a few hours, with 56kn being the highest wind measurement we saw. It’s still pretty windy this morning, but the sunshine is back! We’ll probably stick around here for a couple more days while things calm down before making our next move. I hope you had a great week!❤️ ### We’re Back on the Move! URL: https://svsabado.com/were-back-on-the-move/ Last updated: 2022-03-06T14:00:17.000Z **Hello friends!** As many of you may have seen on our Instagram (@sv\_sabado)- we made it out of Cape Canaveral! We worked our way South in small hops, stopping in [Ft. Pierce](https://www.google.com/maps?client=safari&hl=en-us&q=fort+pierce&biw=390&bih=664&dpr=3&um=1&ie=UTF-8&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjszq6B1Kf2AhWeTTABHS6pD5EQ%5FAUoAXoECAIQAQ&ref=svsabado.com) and [West Palm Beach](https://www.google.com/maps/place/West+Palm+Beach,+FL/@26.7419379,-80.1290399,10z/data=!4m2!3m1!1s0x88d8d5ccb595adc1:0x15efc7b51fe16bde?hl=en-us&ref=svsabado.com) before settling in [Key Biscayne](https://www.google.com/maps/place/Key+Biscayne,+FL+33149/@25.6922984,-80.1669635,13z/data=!4m2!3m1!1s0x88d9b5f6594fa365:0xecf8e502280e8ed3?hl=en-us&ref=svsabado.com). We spent a couple of weeks on anchor waiting for a weather window to cross the Gulf Stream and head to the Bahamas, after which we planned on high-tailing it South to [Grenada](https://www.google.com/maps/place/Grenada/@12.2598025,-61.5903,8z/data=!4m2!3m1!1s0x8c381789f4877bd1:0x36d8c7015a1f4f8e?hl=en-us&ref=svsabado.com) for hurricane season. Unfortunately, another wind instrument issue derailed our plans. While on anchor, we had a couple of [squalls](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Squall?ref=svsabado.com) blow through, and we noticed our wind instruments reading 800kn when we were actually experiencing \~25kn. Occasionally the data would completely cut out, and we’d have to reboot the system to resume readings. Sound familiar? This is the problem we thought we solved [in January](https://svsabado.com/tough-times-for-sabado-and-crew/) when we replaced our [anemometer](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anemometer?ref=svsabado.com). After a few days of research and monitoring, we decided to go to the Bahamas despite the malfunctions. We seemed only to be having problems while on anchor, which led us to believe the errors were due to miscalculations by the software rather than a bad instrument. It could have also been due to the static electricity in the air from nearby lightning storms… Either way, we planned on heading South, keeping a close eye on it, and replacing it along the way if needed. Once that was settled, we jumped into preparation mode: we scheduled our COVID tests, worked on our health visa and cruising permit paperwork, and put together what we thought would be our last grocery delivery order. It was stressful, but in an exciting way- *we were finally getting out of Florida*. The day before our COVID test (two days before we would set sail), we heard from our insurance broker: we couldn’t get insured for the Caribbean. Supposedly there is only one US-based company writing policies for the Caribbean this year and unless you were already insured through them, getting a policy is difficult. Our broker recommended we consider non-US-based companies, and we agreed, only to be disappointed again when she still couldn’t find anything for us. We reached out to several other brokers and were met with the same results. With Sabado being our biggest asset, sailing uninsured seems stupid and irresponsible, so we decided to pivot. It was a tough pill to swallow; our entire plans for the year would have to change. We spent a few days pouting and trying to adjust our expectations. We missed our Gulf Stream crossing window but decided that if we were spending another season just in the Bahamas and the US, it might be fun to check out the Florida Keys first. So we got out the guidebooks and started to get excited again… until we noticed our house batteries were unusually low… I’m going to breeze through the next series of unfortunate events for you here: We thought our house batteries needed to be replaced. We went to run the generator and it died. We couldn’t get a spot on a dock anywhere in South Florida to get new batteries and/or a new generator. One of our refrigerators wasn’t working properly. Our watermaker broke again (that's the second time this year!!), and one of our wind turbine regulators was busted (even though we had just installed a new one). Now, I don’t know if I believe that the universe gives signs per se… but if it does, WHAT IS IT TRYING TO SAY?! We were spiraling at this point, honestly. Ray was calling and emailing absolutely everyone to try and get some advice/assistance. At one point, we— and I hate to admit this— bought a ticket to the Miami boat show and spoke to a yacht broker about potentially selling Sabado. We felt stuck and helpless. No matter what we did, it felt like doors were getting slammed in our face left and right! We sat down, had a long talk about our situation, and decided to take on the issues one by one and see how it went. Worst case scenario, it’s really as bad (and as expensive to fix) as we think. Ray started by taking apart the generator. He identified the problem (the temperature sensor had failed) and dug through our “garage” to find our spare. Once replaced, our generator was back in working condition. Next up: the watermaker. This one was a bit trickier, but the issue ended up being a clogged check valve before the filters (so it was full of seaweed!). Once we cleared it, the watermaker was fine. We turned off the refrigerator that was giving us problems, and our house batteries have been performing well ever since. We think the [gasket](https://www.etundra.com/buying-guides/refrigeration-door-seal-gaskets/?ref=svsabado.com) on the fridge door was not the right size, compromising the door’s seal and causing it to run constantly to keep cold, in turn draining our batteries. Ray replaced the gasket, but we haven’t turned it back on yet simply because we can’t emotionally deal with another problem right now if changing the seal didn’t fix it. We have two other refrigeration units that we’ll be using until we’re ready to investigate that further. The wind turbine regulator is still malfunctioning, but it’s more of an annoyance than an actual problem- we’re still able to collect a charge from it- so we decided to cross that one off our list for now. Things were looking up, and it was a nice reminder that it’s normal for things on the boat to break. Not everything that fails will be as difficult to fix as it was when we were in Cape Canaveral. Maybe we were being a bit dramatic this time! So, with that, we decided it was time to use our boat. We needed some clarity on why we’ve spent so much time and money on this thing, and what better way to get that than sailing somewhere where we can swim off the back of the boat, right? We decided to head to the Keys. We left last Saturday morning and had a gorgeous sail down to [Rodriguez Key](https://www.google.com/maps?q=rodriguez+key&oe=UTF-8&hl=en-us&client=safari&um=1&ie=UTF-8&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwj%5F2qW7zLH2AhXQQjABHRB0CN8Q%5FAUoAXoECAIQAQ&ref=svsabado.com). ![](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/aAzszPQGcFUEfmEKVHMFHDEpe1Xk5Fc9zuUeCTBcRC6nFOOD0eojxNSZF_oljCjZkad5AdADJ6D8092kDX0HofKcJNWvD7ZKsppSpjdVLqarqr4VH-4ctSHXiXsMqe0sEFj9vdDJ) ![](https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/S2Ic72YSnDfzJG5XUUd2iDLp5zcwMQ7VXEqpzwaovNb6ixBDSE94QXnL_hvPz4fWTLKbwUI_LWwBvLav4X6QL5Fct81eBSF_LKXoEVyEkdaIu1dEq2lqyambjiWiNgUdda1khD7A) It took us about 8hrs, and we averaged a [SOG](https://www.bandg.com/glossary/?ref=svsabado.com) of 6kn in 12kn of wind! Our new sails performed well. Towards the end of our trip, the wind died, and we had to start an engine. We regretted not rigging up our new [gennaker](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gennaker?ref=svsabado.com) before heading out, but at that point, we were so happy to be moving that using an engine didn’t seem so bad! We spent the night on anchor then continued on the next day. We remembered to set up the gennaker before we left this time and were able to fly it for a few hours that afternoon! ![](https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/eGt53optMi90-7Op1USGA26it1jXx3X-fsGAYi5nGdpeQdHpRIplkVX018VUw0-4Mxo3XjHYwd9lNFJKAfQyK1o7vLUZ-0fA4L3gdQA_wnMDzrEqptWPRt4hI6t_rXrS-YjM6vnE) Crew morale was high, *finally*! We dropped anchor near [Marathon](https://www.google.com/maps?q=marathon+fl&oe=UTF-8&hl=en-us&client=safari&um=1&ie=UTF-8&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwiQo5C2vq%5F2AhVVVTABHaTsB2oQ%5FAUoAXoECAIQAQ&ref=svsabado.com) that afternoon and fell asleep shortly after that- nothing like a day full of sailing in the Florida sunshine to tire you out! We decided to stay put on Monday. There was some bad weather headed our way later in the week, so we wanted to slow down to ensure we’d be somewhere with a bit of protection when it hit. We took the dinghy to shore and had French fries and lemonade at the local tiki bar. We were getting back in the groove of cruiser life! On our way to bed, we noticed some switches on our control panel glowing, despite being in their “off” position. We took some deep breaths and started taking everything apart, per usual. ![](https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/9keIFoBoo0Xb-GfmdeE4KhxQoYlhG7p3BRGMEuNq-O3g0UrCDI62c5ANSPVPbouvsNxFhWEnHwO8liR5ggSKUOFRYHp4HvM_U_hq-h-peRrQ75eXBgGh3z-eLjkRUxgy3SMg0Jai) Ray tested all the wires and examined every connection but couldn’t find any reason why they’d be glowing like that. Then our voltage alarm for the engine batteries started going off (which is located on the same control panel), but when we tested the voltage of the batteries, they were fine. We poured ourselves some wine and got to googling. Ray found several forums about similar problems occurring due to radio frequency interference. I know that sounds like a stretch, but it’s the only thing that made sense given what we were experiencing. It was midnight at that point, so Ray did a few last tests to ensure nothing was a fire hazard, and we called it a night. The next day I woke up sick. Knowing we were only heading towards more and more remote places, we decided to stick around Marathon in case I needed a pharmacy or a doctor. This also gave Ray some more time to fuss with the control panel… By Wednesday, we were pretty confident in the radio frequency theory. I felt much better, but it was Ray’s turn to be sick. By the time we were both feeling back to normal, the weather we’d been anticipating had arrived. We weren't in the most protected spot, but the anchorage was big enough for us to hunker down far away from anyone who could potentially drag into us. So, we’ve spent the weekend cleaning and watching TV (our usual stormy weather activities) while the wind and rain move through the area. We’re planning on going to shore today to do some laundry and pick up some veggies, then we’re hoping to get out of here tomorrow or Tuesday and make our way down to [Dry Tortugas](https://www.google.com/maps?client=safari&hl=en-us&sxsrf=APq-WBu28KP5nu2KpfRk-exRyVBUGU86aQ:1646501808006&q=dry+tortugas&biw=390&bih=664&dpr=3&um=1&ie=UTF-8&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjqgdmcwa%5F2AhXYRzABHQPgCC8Q%5FAUoAnoECAEQAg&ref=svsabado.com) for some well-deserved snorkeling and beach days! I hope you had a great week! ❤️ ### Tough Times for Sabado and Crew URL: https://svsabado.com/tough-times-for-sabado-and-crew/ Last updated: 2022-01-30T19:02:13.000Z *A Week Aboard S/V Sabado: 1/23/2022 - 1/30/2022* **Hi friends! Long time, no chat!** Sorry about our little hiatus, but things have been tough for us lately. Let’s rewind a bit- This was the first [hurricane season](https://www.washingtonpost.com/weather/2021/11/30/atlantic-hurricane-season-2021-recap/?ref=svsabado.com) that we [hauled](https://www.boatus.com/expert-advice/expert-advice-archive/2018/october/boat-haul-out?ref=svsabado.com) Sabado out of the water for and although we had a great time traveling/visiting friends and family on land, not being on the water took a toll on us. If you recall, we’ve been out of the water since August, so by mid-November we were going a little bit crazy and hopping from one Airbnb to another was getting old. We began to feel like we were living each day simply to pass the time until we could get back to doing what we love- sailing Sabado. Unfortunately, our timeline didn’t play out how we anticipated. Once we were back in the water we had one thing, after another, after another break. We ended up spending the entire month of December begging customer service departments, contractors, and vendors to help us get everything back up and running again only to be ignored, overlooked, and even threatened. It was an expensive and discouraging month, and it was difficult to pick up the camera or write while we were in the midst of it. In hindsight maybe we were being a bit dramatic, but the amount of time and money we were spending to sit on a dock in Florida was getting to us… By January we had had enough. We cancelled every contractor who hadn’t completed their job and bought whatever equipment we needed to do it all ourselves. It took us ages, and man was it hard work, but we did it. It was a nice reminder that even though we’re in the USA and can easily hire experts to work on the boat, it’s always better to be self sufficient. Lesson learned. \*We’ve decided not to publicly name/shame companies and contractors. If you’re heading to Cape Canaveral and want a list of our recommendations though, feel free to reach out to us via email at [sailing@svsabado.com](mailto:sailing@svsabado.com)\* ANYWAY, I’m ***THRILLED*** to tell you that we had the boat ready to move again last Sunday! That’s right- we finally left Cape Canaveral! It would be a disservice if we didn’t take a moment to thank [Ocean Club Marina](https://oceanclubmarina-pc.com/?ref=svsabado.com). During our most uncertain times, they made sure we had a spot to keep Sabado- even if it was on their fuel dock. Their staff and facilities are top tier, and we couldn’t be more grateful for their flexibility and hospitality. We said goodbye to the locals we’d befriended and pulled away from the dock bright and early Sunday morning. It was a cold and windy morning, but we were bundled up and ready to sail regardless. We motored for a little over an hour before turning into the wind and hoisting our brand new sails. We made a few adjustments and set our course for Ft. Pierce, where we planned on anchoring for the night before going to Palm Beach to pick up my parents for a visit! My parents had yet to see our floating home, and we were excited to have them aboard for a few days. Things were finally looking up for team Sabado! ❤️ Things started off great- we were sailing [downwind](https://www.speedandsmarts.com/toolbox/articles2/smallboat-sailing/sailing-downwind?ref=svsabado.com), [SOG](https://www.bandg.com/glossary/?ref=svsabado.com) 8.5-9kn- until… our [wind instruments](https://www.westmarine.com/WestAdvisor/Selecting-Navigational-Instruments?ref=svsabado.com) cut out. I went inside and turned them off and back on again (a novel, high tech approach I’ve learned over the years), but nothing changed. After acknowledging what a pain it would be to sail this deep downwind without wind instruments, we decided to drop the sails and turn around. We motored into the waves and wind for a couple more hours before pulling back into our spot at Ocean Club. Although we were bummed about turning around, we knew we had already paid for our spot on their dock through the end of the month and it’s always better to have a shipping address when something goes wrong + be tied to a dock when we need to go up the mast. Ray did some research on our wind instrument issue and found it to be a common problem frequently solved by replacing the [anemometer](https://en.mimi.hu/boating/anemometer.html?ref=svsabado.com). He found a replacement online and ordered it. With express shipping, it said it would arrive on Tuesday. We were supposed to pick up my parents in Palm Beach (a \~15hr sail South) on Wednesday. Feeling defeated, we called my parents and apologized profusely. We explained that we could potentially leave Wednesday morning and get in sometime that night but that wasn’t necessarily certain enough for them not to get a hotel, ya know? Luckily my parents took the news like champs. They assured us that it was no big deal, they booked a hotel for Wednesday night and let us know that if we end up not being able to leave that morning they’d rent a car and drive up to us on Thursday. With all of that sorted, we made some gin and tonics and moped around until bedtime. The next day I sent Ray up the mast to take down the malfunctioning anemometer. There didn’t appear to be anything wrong with it, so we were left to wait for the replacement. Tuesday came and went, still no replacement. Consequently, we missed our weather window Wednesday morning and relayed another set of apologies to my parents. They ended up renting a car and driving up to us on Thursday. Our replacement anemometer arrived that morning and appears to be working just fine now! I started writing this because I thought our first sail in over 6 months would be the perfect way to jump back into these weekly recaps, but like a lot of things lately… that didn’t go as planned. We ended up spending the rest of the week with my parents exploring Cape Canaveral from the dock. We’ve got good wind today to take them out for a little day sail, but it would be miserably cold… That’s the silver lining to this whole anemometer debacle: it’s been below 50 degrees (35-40 with wind chill) almost everyday this week, but since we’re plugged into [shore power](https://www.fisheriessupply.com/shore-power-101?ref=svsabado.com) my parents don’t have to worry about taking cold showers or not being able to run the heater in their cabin at night! Maybe everything happens for a reason? Thank you to everyone who has reached out to check on us- we’re okay! Sabado has just been making sure we know how much she hated being left alone on land for so long. Anyway, I haven’t filmed anything new for YouTube, but you can check out a few of the upgrades we made to Sabado on our latest [Instagram Reel](https://www.instagram.com/reel/CYRhcGXFESK/?utm%5Fmedium=copy%5Flink&ref=svsabado.com)! Regular blog posts (with photos) will resume whenever we actually get out of here. I hope you all had a great week. ❤️ ### Boat Work Progress URL: https://svsabado.com/boat-work-progress/ Last updated: 2021-11-21T15:05:50.000Z *Another Week at the Boatyard: 11/14/2021 - 11/21/2021* **Hi hi! Here’s what we’ve been up to this week…** We stopped by the boat Sunday morning to pick up a few things, but spent the bulk of the day working from our Airbnb. Ray is making an inventory spreadsheet of tools/spare parts, and I placed some online orders for the [ditch bag](https://danboater.org/travel-health-and-safety/everything-you-need-pack-perfect-ditch-bag.html?ref=svsabado.com) I’m making us. Monday was similar, we spent a few hours at the boat then worked from our laptops at home. Tuesday was probably our most productive day this week! We got to the boat around 9am and picked up a ton of packages. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/image-4.jpg) The guy from the upholstery shop stopped by to confirm a few measurements and rehash the lounge chair design for our top deck with us. He’s hoping to have everything finished before the end of the month, and we’re so excited! I’ll be sure to post before and after photos once everything is completed. We also had someone come by to put the finishing touches on our [fuel polisher](https://www.powerandmotoryacht.com/.amp/maintenance/what-you-need-know-about-fuel-polishing-systems-your-boat?ref=svsabado.com) plans. We spent the rest of the morning working- Ray has loaded all his tools and spare parts from the storage unit back onto the boat and is working on reorganizing them in our [forward cabin](https://www.boats.com/on-the-water/beginners-guide-to-boat-terminology/?ref=svsabado.com), which we converted into our “garage” last year. He’s keeping everything in the [aft cabin](https://www.boats.com/on-the-water/beginners-guide-to-boat-terminology/?ref=svsabado.com) for now... ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/image-5.jpg) ...and is categorizing and reloading things into the forward cabin as he goes! So far, things are looking great. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/image-6.jpg) I finally finished cleaning the [fenders](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fender%5F%28boating%29?ref=svsabado.com) and fender covers that afternoon, and plopped them onto the trampolines to dry in the sun. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/image-7.jpg) Since we’re basically Florida residents at this point, we met up with a friend (who we met here last year) for lunch! We went to the local hotspot, [Grills](https://www.grillsseafood.com/?ref=svsabado.com), which is just down the street from the boatyard. Both the hostess and the waiter recognized us- we’re becoming regulars. We had a nice time catching up and filling each other in on our plans for this coming year before heading back to the boat to finish up our projects for the day. That evening we grabbed dinner with our Airbnb neighbors. We went to a pizza place down the street for happy hour and compared our life on the water to their weekend adventures in their van. It’s crazy how many similarities there are between the two lifestyles! The next day we pulled up to the boat and realized we had forgotten our checkbook and our lunches, so we turned back around and drove all the way back to our Airbnb. By the time we got back to the boat it was too hot to work, so we decided to have an errands day- we stopped by Marine Pro to pay a bill and check on our fuel polisher progress, picked up a few things from Home Depot, and stopped by West Marine for some extra wire. Friday morning the detailers started working on Sabado. They set up scaffolding around the hulls and use electric buffers to clean, polish and wax the entire boat! The whole boat will likely take them 4-5 days. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/image-8.jpg) Some of the orders I placed for our ditch bag supplies arrived that day too, so I spent the afternoon sorting through everything. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/image-9.jpg) This is going to be the bag we’d grab if we ever have to abandon Sabado. I plan on making a full video about it once we get everything we want, so keep an eye out for that in the future! I kind of feel like a doomsday prepper putting this together, it’s been fun reading up on emergency food rations, multitools, and signaling tactics. Do you have an emergency kit for your home/boat? If so, what’s in it? That’s all I’ve got for you this week, I hope you had a great week! ❤️ **PS**\- I’m running a bit behind on editing, so our next YouTube video will be up later this week. :) ### Another Week at the Boatyard URL: https://svsabado.com/another-week-at-the-boatyard/ Last updated: 2021-11-14T13:23:06.000Z *Another Week at the Boatyard: 11/7/2021 - 11/14/2021* **Hello friends!** **You can watch our latest YouTube video [here](https://youtu.be/yb%5FQFOFPNRI?ref=svsabado.com).** Last Sunday we had a few adult beverages with brunch and ended up watching movies in between naps the rest of the day. Luckily, we were much more productive on Monday! We headed to the boat first thing in the morning. Ray was able to install our replacement faucet in the [port aft](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/List%5Fof%5Fship%5Fdirections?ref=svsabado.com) [head](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Head%5F%28watercraft%29?ref=svsabado.com) (our original faucet had rusted beyond repair), and I was able to finish wiping down and lining the [starboard](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Port%5Fand%5Fstarboard?ref=svsabado.com) cabinets with new non-skid shelf lining (a sailor’s best friend!). We also took off all our [saloon](https://en.m.wiktionary.org/wiki/saloon?ref=svsabado.com#Noun) cushion covers (you’d be shocked how hard it is to do so), and brought them back to our Airbnb for a much needed wash. We spent Tuesday running errands- we went to the hardware store (twice), stopped by Lowe’s, and got all new pillows at Bed Bath and Beyond. We also spent some time at our storage unit, sorting through and throwing things away. Wednesday morning we checked out of our Airbnb and moved into a rental property owned by the couple we met at the boatyard [last week.](https://svsabado.com/our-most-exciting-upgrade-yet/) Their place is in Satellite Beach and they just finished renovating. It's been so nice to be in a place with a fully equipped kitchen and comfy beds! We’re loving it so far. Thursday morning we realized we had just over a week to get Sabado ready to go back in the water since we’re taking Thanksgiving week off from boat work. So, we headed to the boat around 9am with a long list of things we wanted to accomplish, but all of that went out the window when Ray noticed our [bilge](https://www.getmyboat.com/journal/how-to/bilge-on-a-boat/?ref=svsabado.com) was full of oil. ![](https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/e11fhGa0YZ23OVm5pvaBcyhgGtoirVei8MV4jOfqzvc0ieURFpN2RtnHnXoPtKATphyU3wZSo51FKU0nLepmAJjZbJlGrWilSzjJSoPi0akJ-qJ6th3djgtLEM9ZhFNDqJP80Rqe) Turns out the used oil container we had stored in our [forepeak](https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/forepeak?ref=svsabado.com) had leaked. So, Ray spent the rest of the day sopping up oil and deep cleaning the forepeak and bilge. Both of those spaces only have room for one person at a time, so once Ray got set up with all the supplies he needed, I was able to start on another job- washing our [fenders](https://www.discoverboating.com/resources/fenders-bumpers?ref=svsabado.com). Sounds simple, right? I thought so, until I started. You see, when we were on the dock for a month before hauling out, we were in pretty nutrient rich water. That, combined with the warm weather, led to an insane amount of growth- not only on the bottom of the boat, but on our fender covers as well. We let them dry out before storing them for the season so there’s no mold, but the barnacles/seaweed/worms that had grown during that month hardened. Long story short, washing the fenders was like scrubbing cement out of a towel. ![](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/kyVqM8jcEH9w1_TpiCgHnPx5LkCoTAJ-O77-CSDAIzm_mKg2FVW_R1RmzG-JWqLNog7UzUd1stZ1AzO1QhzmfrbaRIS1XBh8CWc_tZI0fjbgSv21ImEEnMVWYvAkUb3X8TWmDw3F) ![](https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/B7NzsMds91AtYIlYmG5S-_jWMhS7gajvMsNOxsoDPM2y-qCRIi3Hf7dJhRV-YXsifJRudqjuwdYiO0NISa08jxZ05MCGz3u1IAK3qXFoyYtyK-cPzCy0p6V1FGG5AnDmb-vuovu3) It took me a couple of hours to make my first pass at all of the fenders, and they were still nowhere near clean. I decided to lay them out to dry overnight and try again the next day. Friday morning we went back to the boat, it had rained (just my luck), so I pushed my fender project back another day. Ray was feeling the aftermath of spending hours contorting himself into small spaces to clean up oil, so we decided to take the day off from boat work. We stopped by the grocery store on the way home and picked up a pumpkin pie and some whipped cream and spent the rest of the day relaxing. That evening the owners of the house we’re renting invited us out for drinks. We ended up chatting for hours about boat work and future travel plans. They’re a lovely couple! By Saturday, we were ready to start putting the boat back together. We sorted through a few piles of stuff and brainstormed some organizational options before deciding to head to Target in search of some storage containers with dividers. We encountered our usual issue though: the dimensions we needed were nowhere to be found. So the hunt continued, we went to Home Depot and still had no luck. We ended up having to drive 45 minutes out of our way to a Bass Pro Shop and are essentially repurposing some fishing tackle containers to store Ray’s tools. The goal today is to put the salon back together and make some progress on organizing the forward cabin (where we keep all our tools and spare parts). I’m also going to make a conscious effort to remember to take photos for these blog posts since I’ve clearly been slacking- it’s a lot easier to remember to take pictures when we’re sailing somewhere beautiful! ;) Anyway, that’s all I have to report! I hope you had a great week. ❤️ ### Our Most Exciting Upgrade Yet! URL: https://svsabado.com/our-most-exciting-upgrade-yet/ Last updated: 2021-11-07T14:09:40.000Z *A Week at the Boatyard: 10/31/2021 - 11/7/2021* **Hi! Let’s jump right in to this week’s recap-** Last Sunday we moved into a new Airbnb. We were excited to see our new place had a large kitchen and a pool table, so we took advantage of both and had a chill Halloween night in. ❤️ On Monday our new helm seat was supposed to be delivered to the boatyard, so we drove over to check it out- only to be disappointed when it didn’t show. We’ve become increasingly frustrated with the delays we’ve been experiencing. The national supply and labor shortage has definitely impacted our schedule and it’s been discouraging having to extend our time out of the water. Luckily, our helm seat arrived the next morning, and we were able to get a welder out to install it the next day! Our welder, Joseph, ended up being a pretty interesting guy- born and raised in Cape Canaveral, has been welding for decades (and used to weld for NASA)! He arrived around 10am Wednesday morning and set up an entire mobile workshop in front of our boat, with a trailer full of equipment behind it. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/image.jpg) We were able to sort out the logistics of mounting the new helm seat to the original stainless steel frame, lifting the seat a few inches in the process so we will be able to see the horizon while seated (which we couldn’t with our previous seat). Ray and I took Joe out to lunch, then the three of us headed back to the boat to finish up the job. We wrapped things up just before sunset, and we couldn’t be happier with how it turned out! We filmed the whole process, you can watch it [here](https://youtu.be/O6cd%5F7mW8YU?ref=svsabado.com), but here is a little before and after: ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/image-1.jpg) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/image-2.jpg) Quite the upgrade, huh? We think so! We spend *a lot* of time sitting at the helm and our old seat just wasn’t cutting it. We can’t wait to actually use this one! ☺️ Thursday morning we headed back to the boat to do a little cleaning, and Ray finished up the cutouts for our final [nav desk panel.](https://youtu.be/TQVWdE4Va6A?ref=svsabado.com) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/image-3.jpg) We spent the rest of the afternoon figuring out the usual: what’s next? We’re set to check out of our current Airbnb on the 10th, but man have we been robbed by these Airbnb prices lately… It just seems so silly to be paying for an overpriced Airbnb, renting a car, and paying storage fees for Sabado in the boatyard. Fortunately, our boatyard neighbors overheard us and offered a solution. It turns out they have a rental property nearby that they’ve just finished renovating that they’d be happy to rent to us until a Sabado goes back in the water at a reasonable price. ☺️ With that squared away, we called it a day and headed home. We continued our usual routine Friday and Saturday: boatyard in the morning, work until it gets too hot, then back to the Airbnb to do any computer work/laundry that needs to get done before cooking dinner and watching a movie. Overall, it feels *really* good to be making progress on the boat. The helm seat was such a fun upgrade, and it has inspired us to keep pushing through our other projects! Hopefully we’ll be getting back to our lives on the water in early December… Anyway, I’m posting this while we’re on our way to brunch. There’s nothing like celebrating a week’s worth of work with bottomless mimosas! I hope you all had a great week. ❤️ ### We’re Back! Life + Boat Work Update URL: https://svsabado.com/were-back-life-boat-work-update-6a38c329c29cf37e00b93b51/ Last updated: 2021-10-31T14:10:24.000Z **Hi everyone!** *We’re back on YouTube! Did you see our [latest video](https://youtu.be/6HV98aPIIhM?ref=svsabado.com)?* Thank you to those of you who have reached out to check in on us these past few months- I apologize for the lack of updates! Let me get you up to speed… We [hauled our boat out of the water](https://www.boatus.com/expert-advice/expert-advice-archive/2018/october/boat-haul-out?ref=svsabado.com) the first week of August and got her settled in the boatyard before flying to San Antonio, Texas to visit my family. After a week of good food, great wine, and even better company, we flew to Miami to meet up with our friends for a weekend trip to the Florida Keys. We drove down to Key West and spent a few days exploring and relaxing before driving back up to the boatyard to check on Sabado. We spent a few days commuting from our Airbnb to the boatyard each morning, doing a few hours of work a day until it got too hot to continue. We flew back to San Antonio in early September to handle some routine land tasks: we visited the dentist, went to a few doctors appointments, etc., before heading up to Austin for a trip down memory lane (Ray used to own a house there). We went to all of his old favorite restaurants and did the usual sightseeing, and Ray proposed!!❤️ It was dreamy and romantic and absolutely perfect. I said yes, and my parents drove up to Austin a couple of days later to celebrate with us. ❤️ Next, we flew to Savannah, Georgia for a weekend getaway that was full of bike rides and cocktails (not at the same time though, don’t worry). Once we decided we’d had our fill of the South, we headed up North. We spent a few days in Spokane, Washington, before driving to Ronan, Montana, where we stayed in the cutest cabin surrounded by mountains. We truly had the best time in Montana- we hiked in Glacier National Park, watched the local wildlife, and just enjoyed some time away from big cities! It was my first time in Montana and it really was exactly how I’d imagined. We ended up spending two weeks there before flying to Portland, Oregon, where we were welcomed with open arms by Ray’s friends! Ray hadn’t been back to Portland in years, so we spent our time catching up with old friends and former co-workers. Here are a few photos from our travels: ![](https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/PoNUAA8g6s7lcJ9VGs8yETkNGsQpqC0d0uEV2RTw800-uCj5oRDnxFJx4ZeUmSs9CzFeJ_dCCnZyrlYhuxCYiCRmuIQvajDaB8wa4_8CVk8U5a9OnqMQYnVYRcKSEZ3a9umURf8c) ![](https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/JtmCj8K5a6bpyLYgaFK5Bc4WbYQ4CFG_6V4jLvz4rg6_msRRRjj61vUFL97hoJdTW_2UF874OvebCpbcSbzcKnRy_YsF0gxz-3KqRPPrIo_e_v3P3MdL28-Qa4uxokHx0VQzB6fx) ![](https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/3eclRcjgNwu9PnwGvMg4rAtO7JmM44uuafy7-qceyyGx21g0rJaOEEJ1DpoJaL7XDHwPUQnxRSoOhxHwBhnQDdFojMfpIbvJpVJo1lXyl6ob5S_EaNzJ3zIXqrf8UC5Q7U3GDNIf) ![](https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/z4ilwTxXtqAWZlrXBmm_l8oqnj-ozBwetHMQ7v8WSPcgszKo3O9WwXvAdG1xhOjkDwi_m7dZx1UzwkFueFrVNQtIedh5bXnVSxgSsE2HUgdYmSm8MObbFaAiZN33yWghgoT5fvu3) ![](https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/LLbVAni0qWKVfHUf9geLIVvTLJO-P4bD-aSy15cV6QHPNL4sMqAcRvoy0YNppwyK1zNlTmzdyoLQeK8eBpkH99ImpFb9U1DWz_IWjqE6wa_LxiAjWixOnIiQb2EHl78q7Q_O8Of-) ![](https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/EenS8PkrgHCJlpX5V3Aklz4qoQMPLHK6OZuRDvP6_cp90MC_islWHkdtMjPs8mgyHLCgQsH_IND6-e7yOqzmgew9Zw51Fix5iibynBfeFetqUZuBEt4Uebm-zFcHaeRy_V7RrcGY) ![](https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/Q-o5nk4XXcE5gUbn8YthxwhU-4ddyPExUxPpzgqnlEQdsMLFtA7aqD3tIEc4wNsZeDAA4K16l4QOp3bWaDk_7OjfjUwNeQoImR5lkQ4s04AaJmzP3lcNgyQs1JsPQRW7DSO38zaE) ![](https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/xVgPsNJ3AIVkqB7A6CYOR4R1ax-9YZqxwm8xJzTw1tsM13D4OG_iOgyVvy8tPgwjnre3omw6TxPvrC2251YELtSPS63Ap9msaGBlKE1KNXN6MIDnfj0JcK_pN71ijYATV3ou-auS) ![](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/AHQ6Dan7wLNpGMmTnhmvDZJ_02ELgsfjvJ9Mjl9WAahhzWTryFsFyXB6xL4QmRPG4dKP74F4NhHC5TFaojnO7MoZfIxV3ObyOeT4rV1ssLLFvzCmdBDXxabRnI1KYPVKbkQ3ROAm) ![](https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/Trt_LTno8z3TAqRVWQRFkmq6cm59n_RWdXlAYCKiIcs9xLGrWZ7rspS9ARf9TtObzVqwpI_U_a3n5w17UIccJX59SUYniwViGjuog96DZIVFqVpNzXTIME2NlXbyYKbkteO0cm3j) ![](https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/5mizcIsCtXjQ-lOR8_-799hIeJwA7tsvEZUrVa5XAMtEqxgolP4YPxfaNz445rwB89Isa2nKMXOA-xoOB7H6U8m_o-pcyLBXzGjxwOhN1mmLOcQm0jozebmdVtEDfo3jYKfVITfs) Anyway, we flew back to Florida this week and although we’re already missing our friends and family, we are thrilled to be back in the heat! We’ve been driving to the boat yard every morning to visit Sabado, but the bulk of our projects lately have been done from our Airbnb’s living room. So far we’ve ordered a new solar panel, updated our first aid kit, restocked our medicine cabinet, designed our [boat cards](https://theboatgalley.com/boat-cards/?ref=svsabado.com), planned out our [ditch bag](https://danboater.org/travel-health-and-safety/everything-you-need-pack-perfect-ditch-bag.html?ref=svsabado.com), and spent hours trying to track down/sort out our new helm seat and sails. COVID has drastically delayed the bulk of our upgrades due to supply and labor shortages, so we’ve been left scrambling. Luckily, we were able to get our helm seat shipped and order sails from a different company, local to Florida, that uses only materials made in the USA (we’re hoping that will keep further delays to a minimum). Our goal is to get everything squared away in time to put Sabado back in the water after Thanksgiving. We’ve loved our land adventures these past few months, but we’re ready to get back to our floating home! **PS:** I noticed the other day that half of the emojis I usually include in these posts convert to question marks on our website?! Why didn’t any of you tell me?! That must have been a pain to read, I sincerely apologize!! ### Sabado’s 2021 Haul Out URL: https://svsabado.com/sabados-2021-haul-out/ Last updated: 2021-08-08T12:32:54.000Z **Hi friends!!** Long time no chat- we spent the rest of July killing time docked in Florida waiting for our scheduled [haul out](https://www.boatus.com/expert-advice/expert-advice-archive/2018/october/boat-haul-out?ref=svsabado.com). Since the last update went out I’ve spent a lot of time dealing with some technical difficulties… Long story short, 12 of our past blog posts lost their photos. It was my fault, something about how I was storing my files, so I went back and replaced as many as I could, but some are still missing. So, if you ever read one of our old posts and think “man I wish she would have included a picture of that”, please know that I probably did. It won’t happen again though I swear!! Anyway, my birthday was on the 16th, so Ray drove us to Orlando for the night! We stayed at the [Grand Bohemian](https://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/mcoak-grand-bohemian-hotel-orlando-autograph-collection/?scid=bb1a189a-fec3-4d19-a255-54ba596febe2&y%5Fsource=1%5FNzM4NDM1LTcxNS1sb2NhdGlvbi5nb29nbGVfd2Vic2l0ZV9vdmVycmlkZQ%3D%3D&ref=svsabado.com), which is a cute, artsy hotel downtown. We had cocktails and charcuterie for happy hour before a nice steak dinner to celebrate (and dessert of course!). ![](https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/a9X3MFlf8WkQ-l7EnXQ7Cjm6gI-EgLV81pe7Bz3OBULMmIPEZv0FQUmzaKDlxl7hWmr09NRjHjRMXeV2tXFlfQwYPmdxcOQqdEnDMqOqIQpuIjfKgiZDE8UB8WEiw0LK5RJ6dhRo) It was a birthday full of love- thank you for all your kind messages! ❤️ We had breakfast at the hotel the next morning before driving back to Sabado. ⛵️ We spent the following weeks finishing up the list of tasks we wanted to tackle while we were still in the water. We arranged for a new cushion for the table in the [saloon](https://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/mcoak-grand-bohemian-hotel-orlando-autograph-collection/?scid=bb1a189a-fec3-4d19-a255-54ba596febe2&y%5Fsource=1%5FNzM4NDM1LTcxNS1sb2NhdGlvbi5nb29nbGVfd2Vic2l0ZV9vdmVycmlkZQ%3D%3D&ref=svsabado.com), lounge chairs for the top deck, and a new sail bag to be made by a local upholstery company, got our air conditioning units flushed, and did lots and lots of cleaning. I went through an entire bottle of stainless polish, and wiped down EVERY interior surface with [Simple Green](https://www.google.com/amp/s/simplegreen.com/cleaning-tips/rooms/hobbies/boats/?ref=svsabado.com). I’m talking about the walls, the ceiling, inside of cabinets, shelves- you name it, I’ve cleaned it. The boat is mold free and ready to be stored on the hard. ![](https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/P30XZ_oZ2s4rGJs5F9RC9WSBlVPpJoj7gJT2qMtKmiI1Y0AjD-Ab9l_X4i2iN2iV7khJE9UwPk-lAl7FGVwfwuLUqNzZG_Xrkfxk2-NEqe4xusy7hN2H58vcAXpd6LycGUw8WHyv) We hauled out this past Tuesday, which was a stressful endeavor. We woke up early that morning and gave the floors one last sweep, the countertops one last wipe, and Ray took one last nap (he’s recovering from being sick, and wasn’t feeling 100% yet). We left our slip and moved onto the fuel dock to top off our tanks before heading over to the [travel lift](https://ushoists.com/why-you-should-choose-a-travel-lift-for-your-marina/?ref=svsabado.com). Ray did an excellent job maneuvering the boat, despite battling a bit of wind. We nearly hit a cement corner at one point, but I was able to get a fender in place just in time so no harm was done! 4 guys helped us handle lines and get the straps in place, then up she went! ![](https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/Nglt6lrzN4EbbbXN6-7DRECKPVuUOaCtU6xo1KVC6-KInix6mPTpAhJPOW7lzS_xRN_nFx6oC172ADNLuHkJhxorzJn371lNb_WypRKM8Qr8x0KwWIe0WS4n6aq1-K3wxcD0CtXg) ![](https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/NMgu27thG2XnyUC8N-ixLqfn059Ct4SXnb1DPUhAW9aLwGL_iC2qKra6gKNTyswcI1Jq4F8m7YyWz0PmouLZrlTVZ17dCXxUX3JGJFfoLtT0-r4nvpTvIYV7sRmZS-i6A9UlnXZu) ![](https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/RiGT_quNVoIUpaP9UY6478O9vA6MmGCNLGoU47UxDaIiaQdXl6Kqa7a7oql_xMdQrDJFHpXDhkxx7U3BJtXA-GCEqOWjFehpClv9SHexFJXA0zg8ppAP4dSU9M7Gam27MCHthZmi) It’s very nerve racking watching your house being pulled out of the water by two big straps… Luckily, nothing went wrong. The boatyard guys moved Sabado off to the side and power washed the bottom. The amount of barnacles that grew on her while we were docked is insane! I’ve never seen the boat this dirty. ![](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/6w7z5g8GjLFn0Wzz0QwCrZDKL4OJp8ADNfTvjGaJDEIRz_K2gIYrkcGSJiFCSWh6BbyjdCXdPzof3nGNJYJ-EC1Hq_3LotC7NE_crmYk1h-6NVZg5AGyXJeGa5NMDY39oki710ru) That evening we checked into our Airbnb- a little house about 20mins from Sabado. We ordered some takeout and watched a movie. We've driven to the boatyard every morning since hauling out. We do a couple tasks a day until it gets too hot to continue. So far we’ve taken the jib down, strapped down the mainsail, stored the outside cushions, set up a dehumidifier in the saloon, and cleaned out the fridges. ![](https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/7apF6axaIVhFhHb2FsWTt1fFOqKr3i3IX6d2dxhRSSbeiGP7FzznyB_iOt50SV3OOZ-N8vRzVjsXBvoCCM3h8e-yvljSSjkmoC2zoNmO_7VdkyqqT4jpMVNJaNtwXFeKaON1_LUU) ![](https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/GXdIrFLhkzIraHf7zW2OXR5Ye6xKJt4wkGGD400N6HFH7Qk7EMZHkqLU43U2NdcTl8gnxAPizK6Fp95aQbsCxL7j6h1pqlwePkOx-_MrINEO4C_INg4laHP37D6dXfi2lyfCKUM0) It’s been very strange living like this… we’re both feeling a bit anxious about the boat being left unattended for so long, and feeling “stuck” having spent so much time in Florida. Our plan is to go visit my family in Texas as soon as we can get a negative COVID test. We haven’t seen them since November, so hopefully that will get our spirits up! I’ve been filming our whole haul out process, so we should have a new YouTube video up on [our channel](https://youtube.com/c/HollyandRay?ref=svsabado.com) eventually! I’m thinking about holding off and including some footage from our land trips though… so stay tuned! I hope you had a great week. ❤️ ### Navigation Station Transformation URL: https://svsabado.com/navigation-station-transformation/ Last updated: 2021-07-11T12:46:51.000Z **Hello! It’s been a while, let’s do a quick recap-** Hurricane season runs from June to November, and this year we’ve decided to stay put for the season. We’re currently docked in Cape Canaveral, Florida, and are using this time to do some work on the boat. The past three weeks have been full of projects for us! To give you a quick run down, here’s what we’ve done: - Deep cleaned and waxed the fiberglass in starboard bathroom - Cleaned up the wiring behind nav desk panel - Redesigned nav station panel + installed new equipment (new stereo, touch screen monitor, new VHF radio) - Drove to Miami to ship a sail to our friends - Drove to Ft. Lauderdale to check out the model of our new helm seat - Delivered doughnuts to our favorite marine service provider - Reorganized the port forward cabin - Refilled propane tanks - Polished some of our stainless steel - Installed bilge alarms - Met with upholstery company about having a few new cushions made In between these jobs were lots of trips to the hardware store (the cashier called us “regulars” the other day) and waiting around for Amazon deliveries. To pass the time we tried out some new recipes ([this one](https://www.halfbakedharvest.com/one-pot-lemon-basil-corn-and-ricotta-pasta/?ref=svsabado.com) was my favorite), started watching Schitt’s Creek (it’s hilarious), and drank a lot of beer… “diet beer” according to [our latest YouTube](https://youtu.be/TQVWdE4Va6A?ref=svsabado.com) comments. Let’s chat about our [navigation station](https://www.cruisingworld.com/modern-sailboat-navigation-stations/?ref=svsabado.com) panel project— This was easily the most exciting project we’ve had so far! Here’s a little before and after photo for you… ![](https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/JUQY9Lt5zf6_eRiNyEQ14gw8CQGE_6v3cHn3f7alA3-Iuv2sAqCFfEBhnFRDt1X8U4SOe1P_wkDZIJd_32kjc-DCmvkjdiqie3t-te9mvsjEAgOLaFU-dT_mMsrqgHT6sCErRIHL) ![](https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/KUpvuaelijMwd5g52H6mXZheIe3Afaw_FeCmOGzc6TWADLwe70XFtzeXrzbRbjWfy80rk-AceL9qcpMRvH-Ugk3ghHYYao4IcSTYgk1Wlu_BUT-PyQZt9bA-u8HHvarV93CDwDUi) We’re still waiting on the new grey panel to come in the mail so don’t worry, we’re not keeping it bright blue… The biggest change we made was adding a touch screen monitor. This monitor connects to our server, and can be used to plan routes and track various metrics onboard. ![](https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/nwf_XWXeeQ_NMq3do7zmrl3_M2PXjvksM0GKFesfYeZ25G1hSHwrpMEv272-kne-MynCE6fJP9ditZGBfHBjb5FiNPJT8n6oE3N1ehEeZCfIonZRpedjFglrKlsPt35gaMJuOfRv) We also replaced our stereo, and upgraded our radio to Vesper. The Vesper system connects [VHF radio](https://www.boatus.com/expert-advice/expert-advice-archive/2012/july/vhf-radios?ref=svsabado.com) to the [AIS](https://www.boatus.com/expert-advice/expert-advice-archive/2018/april/what-you-need-to-know-before-installing-ais?ref=svsabado.com), includes an [anchor alarm](https://www.boatus.com/expert-advice/expert-advice-archive/2014/may/the-ultimate-anchor-watch?ref=svsabado.com), and has an alert system that will warn us if the wind significantly changes or if we get too close to another boat. Overall, we’re super happy with how everything came together, but it wasn’t without its speed bumps. In typical boat project fashion, we discovered several other issues along the way and even broke a few things in the process. So, the project ended up taking us twice as long as we anticipated and made a huge mess… ![](https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/xNOUQuUXj5kGz22q__PJVnuiH_Mdre5RMJMldZlL3TFlbWIFJkFz9LblAyyQXMG5p-jzI6B5EHVLxUG1mS3Dubx2kDoF76QaryTAzC-jOuW9d91C_EGGPBgucHu9Ttq3VEYguKDe) As a whole, Cape Canaveral and [Ocean Club Marina](https://oceanclubmarina-pc.com/?ref=svsabado.com) have been good to us. The people we’ve met here have been so nice, the food has been good, and there always seems to be some drama to keep us entertained. The most exciting bit was probably the SpaceX launch debacle. They restrict areas of the ocean for some of the launches because they never know exactly where a rocket will land. These restricted areas are the talk of the town for days before the launch- the Coast Guard makes announcements about them practically every hour- but there’s always one or two boats who ignore the announcements (or are just clueless?) and end up in the restricted area before the launch. When this happens, the Coast Guard typically hails them on the radio and directs them to a safer area, but this time in particular, a yacht had entered the restricted area MINUTES before the launch. Here’s how the convo went: **Coast Guard**: Captain, what is your safest maximum speed captain? **Yacht Captain**: 18kn **Coast Guard**: I’m going to need you to be going 18kn East immediately. You are in a restricted zone, there is a SpaceX launch currently going on. **Yacht Captain**: No, we’re actually trying to head into Port Canaveral. **Coast Guard**: Negative Captain. You’re going West at 18kn until the launch is complete. \*launch gets cancelled at T-minus 20 seconds because the yacht is still in the restricted area\* Fast forward 30mins- the yacht pulled into the fuel dock at our marina, and was instantly approached by two Coast Guard boats announcing that they plan to board his vessel. Supposedly the Captain got a stern talking to and rumor has it there was a fine issued… ![](https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/zK1Y6pLg5eAwm6VVvWJlkFHR6uJ8gDAemyGtVFGG7owNV4lG8YHvq-dAIhLa1UIAeMd0ZnXftkJuDSaQ9P9mdSLfZhlH-Fe5ZBpHo40qe3JGQd26NDwk3zz0SpTFtTThpIyjVcCB) In other news, Snapper season opened up here this weekend, man was that a show. HUNDREDS of fishing boats left port at sunrise each day, and came back in flocks each afternoon. They pull their boats out of the water at the park next to where we’re docked, clean their catch, and toss the carcasses back in the water. ![](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/_grqZ8HCDTuiX5FvuLuRnmOVKt_EREsdYZY6jpQCMP5yi87aGGsWaPVx7eZS5WYBogmwdW1KjwnGh5IMGRSgTG3Ns7jgw5cxNsIO4jxMpxRl4XDIQE9h6qcQ_Strza34W_JlEFc-) ![](https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/IFferLdXOOA1ILnnIIuZqvl4WamBk9zaHqeKELKceBuedabTnE9fIvfBREcUapji5FkdTi6xgrW9EKS_WYpHVsPZ9d5noVTLS7aPil230-QG_Q3DgjPNkOyTPRJiYOhsNUcgQN_J) They seem to have had a successful weekend! Hurricane Elsa ended up being a non-issue for us. The storm broke up once it hit the western coast of Florida, so we got a bit of rain and some lightning, but nothing serious! Thank you for all your kind messages checking in. ❤️ ![](https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/YnqmYc788-NFFvv3p7VxaTDhyELP9x-kwSWx22CwWL41m_wxCFVBvH2kDj7i3HxSUdXDGCmY5ip3jDPbBZK309zMT5dZ-SyD2GdcVD9rPlK0a1HJ-4H9Fv5qSfwlndJLt_OmeQXQ) That’s all I have to report! We’re still on schedule to [haul out](https://www.boatus.com/expert-advice/expert-advice-archive/2018/october/boat-haul-out?ref=svsabado.com) August 3rd, but the bulk of what we need to do before then is cleaning, so I’m not sure when I’ll have something else worth writing about- stay tuned!☺️ ### Cleaning + Organizing Our Home URL: https://svsabado.com/cleaning-organizing-our-home/ Last updated: 2021-06-20T12:54:07.000Z *A Week Aboard S/V Sabado: 6/13/2021 - 6/20/2021* This week was a blur! We spent all day Sunday hauling bins from the boat to the car, to the storage unit. We made great progress, and got rid of a lot of unnecessary stuff we had on board in the process. ![](https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/yY32leZ6P_ex1-FdyFwEd4sY5VkBP4gfiw5OU7rmNp027LPki_Hn1RzAY1EF0H9EksHCC6Akp6D4RrPh_8PVUExzKTev3aLyIavL1gkbnhToCGguJGPzETcWi3mXe2IzxiSRXN1S) Monday and Tuesday were like Christmas! All the organizational supplies, new clothes, and equipment we ordered seemed to arrive all at once. Having a shipping address is so exciting! I started on the [starboard hull](https://oceanservice.noaa.gov/facts/port-starboard.html?ref=svsabado.com) while Ray tackled the [port side](https://oceanservice.noaa.gov/facts/port-starboard.html?ref=svsabado.com). One of my goals for this hurricane season is to optimize our storage space on board, but our irregular shaped shelves have always made that tough. In the past, we’ve used some trays and baskets, but no combination of those seemed to fit properly. We always had gaps on the sides and tons of unused vertical space, which resulted in us piling things into cabinets, making it hard to get to anything or even know what we have. So, I spent a few hours measuring and mapping things out… literally. ![](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/PVzaWbeRJ3NqOCPgfAa5n5PloZdZ9Ekq-XU6CNDmvbhdF_qUxuhhVFyM0AR5RdeHQF2wTY_vgeVpcKT79h8REetYcbfUHcNJ4I6ORHmmpRzSDdkxxwi5H0_kvkJftN44Fxxy0TqW) It worked like a charm! I was able to reorganize 6 cabinets worth of stuff into only 3 cabinets! Now we have tons of extra space that we can use when we want to stock up on things before we leave the US again. Meanwhile, Ray cleaned out our forward cabin which we have converted to storage space (we call it our garage), and the [forepeaks](https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/forepeak?ref=svsabado.com). He was able to get rid of a lot of unnecessary (and heavy!) things we had held on to, and moved the rest into our storage unit so we can take our time deep cleaning and organizing the space. On Thursday Ray replaced our stereo and finished planning + ordering everything else we need to revamp our [nav station](https://blog.dockwa.com/boating-terminology-parts-boat-common-phrases-first-time-cruising-guest?ref=svsabado.com). I sorted through all our canned and dried foods, and did a little stainless polishing. ![](https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/4UVowSeuyMmYCx5sdBQE6LJ1aFxz-56KjlEadNNHxVaE-CowU4IJoUHJOShbJtuiyRmYTYuzC_GEdWx_Aa6lix2rpmWFZlHpVMYFugGSfY8wDUUg0-cDX-xumM7C7RqJf1kiaEn6) ![](https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/vmElUqaCCKs6hcrZYShdBAxbqSosaXYM1L4GCpCHTICjlJqu5i0CNXFpoYj-l0DUuhMD91XMXXrIY4Xn8OmF2siYb2PfNiZ88r81DA5OXaGa3dheeyWu1fDp9Uxtu2StCckvDEsM) That afternoon I walked right into the prongs of a parked forklift. I was carrying a few baskets so I couldn’t see where I was walking, and I took the metal part straight to my shin. It swelled up pretty quickly, so I spent the evening icing it, eating ice cream, and watching movies with Ray. ❤️ ![](https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/QwX9EwglAUeL6Ng-76H5RqepBu1IGX048DW57ZjNXzhCvzYJLIzXJVYIV3sJdugYfQ7WheNrz2akIC2y1vuDxIdPhZuUkrwn41JGWlYWWjr17rX_tR30StiRNz8Sarg-daAyRUKf) Friday morning we went to get my second dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, and stopped at Home Depot on the way back to the boat to get some tools we need for an upcoming project. I was sick all day Saturday from the vaccine, so I spent the entire day in bed while Ray did a few things around the boat by himself. I’m feeling much better today and am excited to get back to work! We still have so much to do before we haul Sabado out of the water... I hope you all had a great week! ❤️ ### Our Overnight Sail to Cape Canaveral... Let the boat work begin! URL: https://svsabado.com/our-overnight-sail-to-cape-canaveral-let-the-boat-work-begin/ Last updated: 2021-06-13T12:14:52.000Z *A Week Aboard S/V Sabado: 6/6/2021 - 6/13/2021* **Hello! We posted a video this week, did you see it? If not, check it out [here](https://youtu.be/DfmMWeNcID8?ref=svsabado.com), and subscribe so you don’t miss the next one! :)** Last Sunday we left Delray Beach and returned home to Sabado in Miami. We spent the day relaxing and recovering from our weekend of too much eating and drinking. Monday morning we started preparing for our passage to Cape Canaveral. We had a weather window to leave the next day, so we picked up the last of our mail from the marina office, returned our key card, and placed an Instacart order. The next morning we got the boat ready and headed out! We had a great sail, with an average of 11kn winds and a [SOG](https://www.google.com/amp/s/newportkat.com/2018/05/20/apparent-and-true-wind-boat-speed-sog-and-cog/amp/?ref=svsabado.com) of 7.5-8.5kn through midnight, when the wind died to 2kn and we started an engine. ![](https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/9hUX822TUACpoWd1D20diwP-aBShBGftzS9Uih12RA8AyEZ_PsHuXb7OWMHH_hIw1E_eHLJT0UQyQqBt5iQ5eTtaAZNollFpG5yIyYGyztG7ZZyoZpAkMLNKyBqoJacdJ0pScynp) Luckily, we had the Gulf Stream helping us along, so we cruised at 9-10kn until morning, when we had some [spotted dolphins](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stenella?ref=svsabado.com) come visit us!! ![](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/BMwggrWUponJuOeNce6WU0pbHGhAAvwdKJ6zsFeHBLnq5ld_-NPn-zO6fEHbVtT7zdzDHgQUNDkjh6dIOQhsDOsgV0HNe5ZqEYJmfo99NrcrnlXQ7CkORtxm_RqUQjqOBOUKcCAd) ![](https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/raAtNSudlUl3Jp_f6zl_IFQ2Y-Hd2mIQ6qOuQLYx5BsFp6htUZ05S1XeNeyeuBlb3ZgDEEW3r1zs6JVVDyr_8ineILDO71j-Rfch_-VccdCwj8xd-ThTl8ysxmBV9osnOrR_GGIp) ![](https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/9TxnptFXVq8Y9yhZu31rVoUd70136VjWVEFefNm5MAmmm7wpagifqC6wlf0LWrrPg6YuLVAyYsuv36rvECT8PcirgjFRZiwcmS4Yst7DOXnZbIvSkH1QGFU1lBIY98VpD6oQ9UQ8) What a great way to start the day. We arrived in Cape Canaveral late Wednesday morning and backed into a rather tricky [slip](https://renegarconstruction.com/dock-dock-seawall-sytems-construction-blog/difference-boat-slips-docks-lake-house/?ref=svsabado.com)\- with a [starboard](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Port%5Fand%5Fstarboard?ref=svsabado.com) tie (opposite our helm) and opposing wind/currents- we were both relieved once everything was secured. ![](https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/lNUzHSDdACdfNNwtx8CjDUkLThU3yQI4QaoCULGamue3AOSNJ0bsz8Bw-VppFtNGBvSxF0yEl2qkvu1YO_SU_2EGsU_Xv7Q6lLbprBM5oEYMz2fVwAOaXyr235BQMcy-7dTyI_eC) This was the first time Ray and I used our headsets, and they were so helpful! We were able to calmly chat with each other about our lines, fenders, and distance from the dock (since Ray couldn’t see much from the helm), it was a game changer! We will definitely be using them again in the future. We immediately plugged into [shore power](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shorepower?ref=svsabado.com) and turned on every AC unit on the boat- who let us be in Florida in the summer?! ☀️ ![](https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/kj5ZcVW29Pti0VDPWT-ELlgvXlajLEehmyl27YP4QsCftPdOnLyByDcRE21Pbz8BwPnQE9qbvlyhIwW1bcyHCCanTRN8XSoIPbPt_lJ2xEKKqVeaU-UUEzr-D-8tUAMQI-3z6ccB) Exhausted from our overnight passage, we checked in at the marina office, ordered some pizza and went to bed around 6pm. Thursday morning we went and picked up a rental car. We’ve had several friends and even some strangers who watch our YouTube videos offer to let us borrow cars while we’re here, but knowing how bad we are with sticking to a schedule, we decided it would be best for us to rent our own. We got a nice, big, clunky SUV and stopped by Lowe’s, Home Depot, and West Marine (all our usual spots) on the way home. Friday morning I woke up sick. Nothing too alarming, just a head cold, but I was miserable. I think it was just from the dramatic change in temperature we had turning our air conditioning on for the first time all year! I’m not used to sleeping in zero humidity. So, I spent the day in bed snuggled up to a box of tissues. Ray ventured out to pick up some medicine for me and some fresh fruit, but his allergies were killing him so we both kind of lounged around all day. Saturday morning I was feeling exponentially better, so I went for a quick walk to see if sweating a bit would help (it did). Then, we took our first car load of stuff to our storage unit. Our goal is to get everything off the boat before we [haul out](https://www.boatus.com/expert-advice/expert-advice-archive/2018/october/boat-haul-out?ref=svsabado.com), so we’re slowly either throwing things away or putting them in storage. ![](https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/kacDoyz_uhnIGF5IPcauf_Cv7SbmaqsxbL3Z6Orbq6U4YJDwZDI1zQ9BEX2nO68iqX9Djuuiqf14YQ6qE1uSFd1-IRAkSXpGIw7BRTutzymK4qKKdRQomQQWraHhEyKFX_vmBrUV) That evening a storm blew through- thunder, rain, lightning, the whole nine yards. Since we’re on an end slip with our port side open to boat traffic, we were keeping a close eye as all the drunk day boaters zoomed past us in an attempt to escape the storm. ![](https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/dt61VFg1vm3k9ilJxKAqsP7XEeSSH6E4ZxKU6Q84xfQ0HuoQuYA4FkK80G3_wjOK26aP8MBnE8By_451VOiYcYzfnv9SsEvLSbeBtYuV8xUBVCh5zi8fmuYmudEO-DfxL6MlJzcr) ![](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/ZfDADevvEOLqXRO8PYGogiramRf1VHoPuvXuWtYhCRDP_ncBMWst4WGgud9-W1y1nw7Dkw_P6tR8IwT0v6PgQ0_MzE9vKLDVadMw-QyrLEv2yNf_1nwLn4rS8mS9p9qSxHkplppT) Sure enough, a [pontoon boat](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pontoon%5Fboat?ref=svsabado.com) decided to stop near us to help a small power boat whose engine had died. Both “captains” were noticeably drunk, and the small power boat hit us. Luckily he wasn’t going fast, but we’ll probably need to repair the gel coat. Ray and I ran out in the pouring rain and fended him off, since he didn’t have a single [fender](https://www.discoverboating.com/resources/fenders-bumpers?ref=svsabado.com) on his boat. He was not apologetic in the least, and said the boat he was on wasn’t even his. Meanwhile, the guy driving the pontoon had asked one of the guests he had aboard to secure the line they were trying to use to tow the other boat with because he was “way too drunk to do that”. The guest just hung the looped line on the FRONT [CLEAT](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cleat%5F%28nautical%29?ref=svsabado.com) (how are you planning to tow someone behind you when you’ve tied them to the front of your boat???). The moral of the story is: have at least one sober person on the boat at all times. Oh, and buy some freaking fenders!! Just because you don’t care about the boat you’re on doesn’t mean the people around you don’t care about theirs. While you’re at it, take some boating classes and check the weather forecast, too. Anyway, the storm passed through in an hour or so, and Ray and I went to bed early. Today it’s back to being bright and sunny! I woke up to a Starbucks delivery from Ray, and I think our plan is to finish up ordering the supplies we need to complete our long list of boat projects, and maybe clean out a cabinet or two. What are you up to today?❤️ ### A Short Sail + A Crew Reunion! URL: https://svsabado.com/a-short-sail-a-crew-reunion/ Last updated: 2021-06-06T12:17:04.000Z *A Week Aboard S/V Sabado: 5/30/2021 - 6/6/2021* **Hi guys! Long time, no chat! I hope you had a great Memorial Day Weekend.** We spent all of last week killing time in Miami, waiting for our dock space to open up in Cape Canaveral so we can start our boat work. I didn’t do any filming or writing, but this week was a bit more eventful… We kicked off the week by installing a new faucet in our galley. Our old faucet was a bit too small, making it difficult to wash larger pots and pans and, because the nozzle was so close to the edge of the basin, there would be water all over the counter all the time. In classic boat project fashion, the job involved contorting our bodies to fit into small spaces, took three times as long as we anticipated, and made quite a mess. ![](https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/RCmnDiPYIVChf3uLfZoYQxSUXhjrwO1Bspj_id2o9kET0-oiet-4xHmTDSsozPaaU5tuf_g5Z5OEY5jskernq4Xvf97kIOYFQFIdd0WlZHvhHee75cyNGYQsekoh3bpNdL9YhMuf) ![](https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/1pca0m7tIBC7O1Le58QVLMIlFdZI2ol0g8eVLp05K8dBXkYc10QwowTVAjLGgKtj3Ft6F1CUuJM52naXl2YFv-1F302Fq5R0UNLAPpKo4ijXXYowjrNE5S6DWYYBqauliVJ7OM8r) Several hours later, we got the faucet working and decided to postpone all our other projects until we’re on a dock, where we’ll have a dumpster nearby and be able to run our air conditioning. Anyway, being in Miami on a holiday weekend was pretty entertaining. At one point on Monday someone reported over the radio that there was a vessel shooting flares at jet skiers, so for the most part we decided to lay low. We hung out on the boat, did some laundry, and watched a movie, successfully avoiding the crazy crowds of drunk beach-goers. By Wednesday morning we were itching for a trip. We took our dinghy to shore, tied her up, and hopped into our friend Jamie’s dinghy. Jamie is a single handed sailor and needed some crew to help him sail up to Ft. Lauderdale, so Ray and I happily volunteered. Jamie lives on a [Fountaine Pajot Helia](https://catamaranguru.com/yacht-sales/new-yachts/fountaine-pajot-catamarans/fp-helia-44-catamaran/?ref=svsabado.com) named [Saudade](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saudade?ref=svsabado.com). We climbed aboard, pulled up the anchor, and headed out around 8am. After navigating under a couple of bridges, we raised the [mainsail](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mainsail?ref=svsabado.com), brought out the [jib](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jib?ref=svsabado.com), and were sailing along at 6kn. ![](https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/WxlbYA14y1XyX-PXpGu_QUAJ5QByI38CssgRXPoIkgE7N4e4V-o6N3KhyYW3O2Sxpm5uvuFA_kkB7lv53sTt45zXbKdKe348CYL9HsQBcNEwIdt2Upew_NjsXthrDRmZ-9X65OX0) The wind started to die a bit, so we swapped out the jib for a [code zero](https://www.uksailmakers.com/sails-overview-cruising-spinnakers/cruising-code-zero?ref=svsabado.com), and ended up gaining another knot of speed! ![](https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/LX0lYWUuCwnlfMOdp_kP5rt1VjqDGQZXmKypPRGo-VyoQij3FqBgtEfWNNs2iF15rq4tCY7IbXwdmgc2_9zF2CHmbW8S82GuL51c6IQ9hPAoxtSPIKGyB6Ky4XZF7SrwPgI0vSGe) We tied off Saudade around 12pm, and grabbed some BBQ for lunch before Ray and I got a [Lyft](https://www.lyft.com/?ref=svsabado.com) back to Miami to return to Sabado. The next morning our friends RJ and Jenna came to visit! RJ and Jenna lived on Sabado when I first moved aboard, and together the 4 of us sailed from Georgia to Maine. Since then they’ve been [running charters out of the USVI](https://ovcharters.com/?ref=svsabado.com). Our paths have crossed a couple of times, but not nearly enough! So, we rented a car and picked them up from the airport. The boys ran off to get haircuts in the city while Jenna and I drank margaritas and caught each other up on our now separate boat lives. Then of course, the partying began. We started off the crew reunion with nachos, beer, and various other fried appetizers at a local dive bar in Delray Beach. ![](https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/3nF5ZeqSWrWYjWuUtY8v25-PNM_Hdgdy9-qvnUjaVl7RcxPledlShP-UDs3VQS3VVJbN84gNfppuSMVp9_kNs07-cOHO4rYZ_iY4m4pTAkzsZzt4ukyQrD9N8DQn6E311qUM_o8Q) After thoroughly stuffing ourselves, we decided to call it a night and head to a hotel nearby. The next day we explored a little, wandered around the mall, then met up with one of RJ’s friends who works in the food/restaurant development industry. He recently opened up a new spot called [Delray Beach Market](https://www.delraybeachmarket.com/?ref=svsabado.com)\- which has 27 different food and drink vendors. He gave us a full tour, stopping at his favorite spots for cocktails along the way. ![](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/DZytY6D3OjaLrjODsq1lWB9u0YEPsnCl3REvap-MgB_0DncuiSER2d0JhoWNvLF2yZrvNRDy7Hha_mjEZSl_md7DFwNT3EcLJO9DASjopTjgNguHlcsyA3roeCqJCB2s3H4XpfVr) ![](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/AScY7y2vXxWQ_0RBHjoUHK3UBc-7BdeQVG111gLGE0ODnIhiwuDFW-tR1kVBCb5tnrqAKBws5LtpZG7neNcer-kfdb2u3xQG_m1V-NpjIBMOVIOsEzDeF5ixub7xgn-o69bufhnI) All boozed up and ready to eat, we over- ordered from a bunch of different places. ![](https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/iQRTCKSm2YWI0YAYY7dkYNtRBUJBCqKv-4WLc-n6Q6_33g7kI9J0G2IUv2f7N-0R2YBWlooqsv0E6sjbO23Kab5BsQUtbY5Pr7mrmWkP9qfXylmbWYScDK3zCI3swkrAu9RDMuBc) We had fried chicken and green tomatoes with Old Bay ranch, fresh oysters, steak, shrimp and noodles, etc. etc. and topped it all off with ice cream and sake bombs. ![](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/7zFd3EYgT-9T1rK-PsGOsKKe-fi2_DIhK98lPuwmyHlck5kY1l6xoh70fyRFXS3AEueH3qsOmedbZ815FDbfLXblQiF9i93D9dvZSu4RQnJ35P3xjQS01cksiicVhAQutQhvLg4n) ![](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/tzZno1r16dr4mpxTZAh4LAWEP1O_HUEn-VYYDa9Te7-QoveSVZw-Sw2vlT9l5_-KHBxSHsMK3IuHbVNx9E18Om0jsTsJJ5PWvPngOpCcQ-UidxrVwmiBZh0ZnFXmY-3X1SmMQP2W) After our Market experience, we headed back to the hotel for naps and showers before our late night dinner. RJ’s friend was kind enough to pull some strings and get us a 9pm reservation at his other restaurant, [Lionfish](https://lionfishdelray.com/?ref=svsabado.com). For the first time in a long time, all us pirates got dressed up and headed out. The dinner was phenomenal. We ordered two of nearly everything on the menu. My favorite was the tuna pizza- which was a fried tortilla with truffle aioli and thin sliced tuna- but the star of the show was the lionfish. ![](https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/fwMenjjcMZIZ6VIXLz1r35bNIhuACVtRKIRjgCzc4dO_0A_0kSb_UkcmymyfEzSwsHgFijNCV-g7NJoEAIS9vpA04DsSxpvh_uTJZice14bbHkkqqppPRO46ZVcxye-hvSpKdNOv) [Lionfish](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Red%5Flionfish?ref=svsabado.com) are an invasive species in the Caribbean Sea, as well as the East Coast of the United States and the Mediterranean. Since their spines are venomous, they deter most predators, leading to overpopulation and stressed coral reefs. The best way to fight the growing numbers of lionfish is to hunt and eat them! It’s a flakey whitefish, so it was served fried with lemon and tartar sauce- it was fantastic! After dinner we headed back to the Market. They keep the second floor open late with a DJ and a dance floor, so we attempted to dance off our hefty dinner. Saturday morning we had some hair of the dog at brunch, and spent the day relaxing at the hotel before grabbing a couple slices of pizza for dinner and heading to bed early. I’m posting this from the car— RJ and Jenna hopped on a flight back to the USVI this morning, and Ray and I are headed back to Sabado now. We got notice that our dock space in Cape Canaveral is available, so we’re planning on sailing up there in the next few days! I don’t have enough footage for a video this week, but I’m planning on having one up next week for sure- thank you for all your kind messages about missing our videos! It means so much to me that you like watching them as much as I like making them. I hope you had a lovely week! ❤️ ### Our Overnight Passage to the USA URL: https://svsabado.com/our-overnight-passage-to-the-usa/ Last updated: 2021-05-16T12:57:15.000Z *A Week Aboard S/V Sabado: 5/9/2021 - 5/16/2021* **Good morning and happy Sunday! [Here’s](https://youtu.be/CP6FenkTmVs?ref=svsabado.com) the link to this week’s video, I hope you like it!** ☺️ Last Sunday we woke up and got ready to leave Shroud Cay. A squall blew through, so we sipped our coffees and waited it out. Once things cleared up, we pulled our anchor and set sail! We had about 10-12kn of wind for most of the day, so we used our [main](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mainsail?ref=svsabado.com) and our [jib](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jib?ref=svsabado.com) and were cruising around 6.5-7kn. We had to [jibe](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jibe?ref=svsabado.com) a few times to get our course right, but we were able to drop anchor in Nassau that evening. It was strange to be anchored near a power plant and several larger commercial ships, it’s easy to forget that Nassau is much more developed than the southern Bahamaian islands that we spent most of our time in. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/snapshot2016-05-2021209.jpg) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/snapshot-16-05-2021-10.jpg) Monday morning we began our passage back to Florida. The weather was not ideal, but if we didn’t leave then we would’ve been stuck for another week, so we took the opportunity while we had it! Recently, a motor yacht had a [through hole](https://chsmith.com.au/Wiki/Thru-Hull.html?ref=svsabado.com) fail, partially sinking the ship and setting it adrift between Nassau and the Florida coast. It’s last reported location was on our route, so we chose to motor all day to make sure we passed it before dark. Ray had scratched his eye the night before and I didn’t want him staring into the sun that day, so I kept watch. It was *very* hot, but I sat at the helm all day reapplying layers of sunscreen over layers of sweat and watching lines of [sargassum](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sargassum?ref=svsabado.com) float by. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/snapshot-16-05-2021-11.jpg) Just as the sun was setting, we came up on a group of cruise ships that had been anchored out since they stopped operating back in 2020\. We saw these on our passage to the Bahamas back in January too, and learned that while they’re anchored out like this they remain staffed, and the working [conditions for the staff have been a bit controversial](https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.wsj.com/amp/articles/cruise-ship-coronavirus-workers-adrift-home-pandemic-11597160058?ref=svsabado.com)… ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/snapshot2016-05-2021200811.jpg) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/snapshot2016-05-20212012.jpg) We kept motoring (and occasionally motor sailing) through the night, aside from a few hours during Ray’s watch shift where we got to do some real sailing, and had 6 more hours to go once the sun rose. Luckily Ray’s eye was feeling much better, so we took turns keeping watch and taking naps. We arrived in Palm Beach later that afternoon. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/snapshot2016-05-20212014.jpg) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/snapshot-16-05-2021-15.jpg) When we pulled into the anchorage we were surprised to see 3x the boats that we saw here last year, leaving very limited space for us to anchor. We tried to drop anchor 3 separate times, but couldn’t get a good grab. Frustrated and sleep deprived, we decided to leave and keep sailing North to Cape Canaveral. This would’ve added 20hrs to our trip, but we’d rather do that than worry about dragging into another boat in a crowded anchorage. We headed back out to sea, raised our sails, and began making our way North at 8kn! Things were looking up… until Ray decided to call ahead to a couple marinas in Cape Canaveral to see if anyone had a spot for us, and none of them did. We quickly evaluated our options- with nothing really between Palm Beach and Cape Canaveral, if we decided to keep sailing North we might as well go all the way up to the Chesapeake… but that didn’t make much sense because we have reservations to [haul out](https://www.boatus.com/expert-advice/expert-advice-archive/2018/october/boat-haul-out?ref=svsabado.com) in Cape Canaveral in June so we’d have to turn back around anyway. Maybe we should just go South? Biscayne Bay? Miami? We turned around. Our speed dropped to 1.8kn. We started an engine- [SOG](https://www.google.com/amp/s/newportkat.com/2018/05/20/apparent-and-true-wind-boat-speed-sog-and-cog/amp/?ref=svsabado.com) 4.0-4.5kn. We were going against the wind and the current. It would take us 30+ hours (and more fuel than we had) to go South. So, we pulled back into Palm Beach in hopes that a spot had miraculously opened up. Just as we were nearing the end of the anchorage, another sailing catamaran passed us going the opposite way- they were leaving, and we dropped anchor in their spot. Exhausted, sweaty, and starving, we jumped in the shower then dinghied to shore for some cold beer and fried food- an American classic. Wednesday morning we had a mission: find a place to dispose of the rancid bag of garbage we had been carrying around with us for weeks. I’m not sure how it could possibly smell as bad as it did since we throw all our food scraps overboard, but it was *bad*. We did some research and called around, and discovered the [Palm Beach Sailing Club.](https://pbsail.org/?ref=svsabado.com) We took our dinghy over, disposed of our trash, and chatted with the girl in the front office. She said we could ship packages to the club, get groceries delivered- whatever we needed- so we paid for a two day pass and organized a grocery order. That night we were woken up by our anchor alarm around 11pm. We went upstairs to check things out and sure enough, we (and several boats around us) were dragging. It was pouring rain, so we waited, hoping our anchor would re-grab. It did, but we were a little too close to our neighbor so once the rain let up we pulled up and reset farther away. Luckily we had no trouble getting our anchor to grab that time, so we went back inside and kept watch for a while before heading back to bed. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/snapshot-16-05-2021-0813.jpg) The next morning we were keen to leave. The anchorage in Palm Beach was just too crowded for us, and the wind and current always seemed to disagree, leaving us spinning in circles all day and putting us at risk of dragging and after last night, we were not convinced it was a good spot for us to wait until our haul out reservation in June. We decided to head to Miami. Unfortunately, the weather was not on our side. So, we picked up our groceries, brought our laundry to shore, and checked out a few other restaurants around town. It’s looking like we can leave here early next week, so we’re just sort of killing time until then. It’s definitely nice to be back in a place with Ubers and restaurants and shops, but we’re not comfortable leaving the boat for long enough to really enjoy or explore the area, so we’re looking forward to getting to a more comfortable spot soon! I hope you had a good week. ❤️ ### Heading North URL: https://svsabado.com/heading-north/ Last updated: 2021-05-02T11:41:51.000Z *A Week Aboard S/V Sabado: 4/25/2021 - 5/2/2021* **Check out this week’s video [here](https://youtu.be/0GFFa7MvDLE?ref=svsabado.com)!** Last Sunday we spent the day at home, emailing potential contractors for the work we want to get done on the boat in Florida + preemptively filling our Amazon carts. We’ve been in the Bahamas for 5 months now and have loved every minute of it, but as we prepare to head back to the States there are a few things we’re particularly excited for: 1. Coffee shops- We couldn’t even find coffee beans to buy here in the Bahamas, let alone a place that served coffee! I would love to sip on a fancy, overpriced latte and maybe edit a video somewhere other than our salon. 2. Grocery stores- I can not WAIT to go to a grocery store that has more than the absolute essentials. Some deli meat maybe? A baguette? Cheese other than the typical giant block of cheddar they sell here? Sign. Me. UP. 3. The ability to order things- We broke our salt/pepper grinder like 2 months ago, so that needs to be replaced, I wouldn’t mind a couple of new workout tanks, we’ve got our eye some new camera/editing gear, etc. We haven’t bought anything aside from food and drinks since we got here so we’re definitely looking forward to picking up a few new things when we can! 4. Restaurant options/varieties- Ray and I love going to new restaurants and ordering just about everything on the menu (gotta try it all!). The Bahamas haven’t had many restaurant options, and the menus we’ve seen are pretty redundant. At this point Ubering to a sushi restaurant (ohhh or a Mexican place?!) sounds like such a luxury! Anyway, Monday morning we headed to shore in hopes of renting a car for the day so we could visit the island’s ATM. We walked to the rental place, but the gate was closed. We called both of the phone numbers they have listed on their sign and got no answer. So, we popped into the auto shop next door and asked if they knew when the car rental place would be open, and the women at the front desk took matters into their own hands- calling everyone they knew on the island to see if they could get us a car. About an hour later, a farmer from a few settlements North showed up with a car for us. We promised to pay him when we got back from the bank, dropped him back off at his house, and headed to the ATM. Thankfully, the ATM was up and running (it frequently runs out of cash for days). Our first stop post- ATM was the liquor store, then the grocery store, then off to pay our tab from Saturday at the local bar. We ran into some friends there and stayed for a few beers before returning the car and heading home. We spent some time tidying up the boat that afternoon before having everyone over for happy hour! We had Erin and Kara from their boat Vela (we met them sailing Maine last year), Jason and Ashley from Peregrine (who we met in Hog Cay last week), and Ron and Mindy from a boat named Follow Me (who we had just met at the bar). Everyone brought a drink and something to snack on and we chatted in the cockpit until dark. Vela and Follow Me left around 8pm, but Peregrine stayed and hung out for a few more hours- this is their first season cruising after quitting their jobs and buying their boat, so we had tons to talk about! They’re the sweetest couple and we hope to run into them again soon. ❤️ We spent the rest of the week hanging at home, getting some computer work and a couple of boat projects done. Thursday afternoon we went to shore to drop our trash off and get gas for our dinghy, and saw a manatee under the dock! ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/img_4525.jpg) I had never seen one before so I was pretty excited. He was very friendly and gentle- swimming right up to us and hanging out next to our dinghy for a while! Friday morning we decided to continue our journey North. We pulled the anchor up around 8am and headed out. We were almost immediately met with a little squall, which brought some rain and higher winds. All the other boats in the anchorage had decided to leave that morning too, so someone sent us these pictures they took of Sabado: ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/crabcay-08722-1.jpg) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/crabcay-08722.jpg) We sailed through the squall, only to realize we had sprung a leak during! I noticed it when I went into the salon to make lunch- there was a little wet spot on the ottoman- and sure enough, a matching wet spot on the ceiling right above it. I took the helm so Ray could do some investigating, and it turns out the sealant around the wires next to the mast had worn down, so water was dripping into the openings. Since we were underway and everything was still wet from the squall, Ray temporarily patched things up with some [butyl tape](https://xfasten.com/blogs/xfasten-blogs/what-is-a-butyl-seal-tape?ref=svsabado.com), and resealed everything with sealant once we had dropped anchor and everything had a chance to dry out. We had some celebratory drinks in our cockpit that night, and I finished editing + published our YouTube video the next morning. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/snapshot2002-05-20212010.jpg) Saturday afternoon our friends stopped by to say hi, which turned into a 3 hour chat about future cruising and boat work plans. We went to our favorite restaurant in the Bahamas for dinner that night- the Beacon at Kahari resort! The menu changes every few days, so there’s something new for us to try every time, and we always get a couple desserts. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/img_4551-scaled.jpg) We don’t have any plans today, but while we were at dinner last night we ran into a guy who watches our YouTube videos and he mentioned that the best parts of our videos are when we film our typical, day to day tasks like making coffee or just hanging out on the boat, which stuck with me! It’s so easy to think the only interesting thing to film is when we’re sailing or sight seeing, so I think today I’ll do some casual filming and see what I can come up with. :) What are your favorite types of YouTube videos to watch? ### Time to Turn Around! URL: https://svsabado.com/time-to-turn-around/ Last updated: 2021-04-25T13:12:33.000Z *A Week Aboard S/V Sabado: 4/18/2021 - 4/25/2021* **Watch this week’s video [here](https://youtu.be/C2L0XFI5eko?ref=svsabado.com)!** Last Sunday we decided to leave Raccoon Cay. We motorsailed down to Hog Cay, just North of Ragged Island, and instantly fell in love with the place. It’s nothing particularly new- crystal clear waters and an uninhabited island- but it’s just the perfect location to hang out for a while! There’s a gorgeous beach with a little setup for cruisers (fire pit, hut, chairs, etc.), reefs to snorkel, warm water, and Duncan Town is just a short dinghy ride away. On Monday we headed to shore to officially check things out, and we saw a massive stingray and a yellow polka dotted jellyfish right off the beach! We walked around the hut (which is full of little signs with different boat names, acting as a guest book for cruisers), chatted with a couple of people who were hanging out there, then decided to go for a swim to cool off before heading home. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/snapshot2025-04-20212010.jpg) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/snapshot2025-04-2021200753.jpg) Tuesday morning we met up with two other boats in our anchorage and dinghied to Duncan Town together. The dinghy ride was great- the water was flat calm and incredibly clear. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/snapshot2025-04-20212012.jpg) We dinghied through some mangroves and mounds of conch shells before tying off to the government dock, next to a welcome sign. Just beyond the sign, the town was in ruins. We all stood there for a minute, a bit confused… nearly every building was crumbling and it seemed like all the people who used to live there had been replaced by... goats? None of us had realized that hurricane Irma had hit this far South back in 2017\. It turns out Ragged Island experienced 185mph winds during the peak of the storm, and it looks like they have been slowly trying to rebuild ever since. We walked around the remnants of the town then dinghied back to the anchorage. Ray set up our sun shade on the bow, and we spent the afternoon reading on our bean bags and swimming off the back of the boat. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/c068b54f-0df6-4246-ae9c-77c617a04bec.jpg) That evening we were invited to a bonfire on the beach with all the other boats in the anchorage! It was really cool chatting with everyone- there’s something comforting about being around a bunch of people who quit their jobs to travel the world… something comforting about being around a bunch of people who don’t think what you’ve chosen to do with your life is “crazy”, “risky”, or “scary”. It was a nice night. Wednesday morning we woke up sweating! It was the hottest we’ve been this year. So, we set out for a snorkel trip. We found a promising spot and dropped our dinghy’s anchor. It was gorgeous! We snorkeled from coral head to coral head for a couple of hours, dragging our dinghy along with us. That evening the sky was super hazy. We originally thought it was from the [volcano that erupted on St. Vincent](https://www.google.com/amp/s/amp.cnn.com/cnn/2021/04/24/americas/st-vincent-volcano-caribbean-intl/index.html?ref=svsabado.com), but later found out it was actually from the [Saharan dust cloud](https://www.nasa.gov/feature/esnt/2021/nasa-study-predicts-less-saharan-dust-in-future-winds?ref=svsabado.com). We spent the day Thursday relaxing on the boat. 4 new boats had moved into the anchorage, so naturally we started to plan our departure (we don’t like crowds). The next morning we decided it was time for us to start heading North for hurricane season. So, we pulled up our anchor and reluctantly made our way back up to Flamingo Cay for the night. We were working with pretty light winds, so we pulled the [jib](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jib?ref=svsabado.com) out onto a [barber hauler](https://www.nauticed.org/sailing-blog/the-barber-hauler-user-guide/?ref=svsabado.com) and used an engine most of the trip. It took us about 5hrs to get to Flamingo Cay, and we dropped anchor just North of where we did [last week](https://www.nauticed.org/sailing-blog/the-barber-hauler-user-guide/?ref=svsabado.com). I hopped in the water to check the anchor and of course, the one time I didn't bring my spear, I saw a massive shark. I’m not confident it was a bull shark, but I’m certain it wasn’t a nurse shark so I panicked a little and swam back to the boat. Had the shark been smaller/had I not been the only one in the water/had I had a spear with me, I probably would have been fine, but that wasn’t the case! I actually broke my fin swimming as fast as I could back to the boat. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/img_4500-scaled.jpg) Saturday morning we woke up to a squall, despite the weatherman ensuring us there would be “no squall activity at all”. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/img_4446-scaled.jpg) We decided to leave anyway and sail back up to Long Island. We ended up having quite a fun sail! With roughly 20kn of wind the whole trip, we were flying! ⛵️ The sea state was a little rough, but things calmed down towards the end. The trip took us about 9hrs total, and we dropped anchor in Long Island around 5pm. We’ve been out of booze and in the middle of nowhere all week, so once we set our anchor we scrounged up all the cash we could find and headed to shore in search of a cold beer. ATMs in the Bahamas are few and far between, I think the last one we found was 3 weeks ago and we’d spent what we took out on groceries and gas since then... We walked into the bar with $12. We nearly chugged our $4 beers, and went to pay the bartender. He insisted on serving us two more rounds, on the promise that we’d come back Monday to pay and have a few more after having a chance to rent a car to go to the ATM. Everything on the island is closed today, so our plan is to hang out on board and get a few logistical things done in preparation for our return to the States. Monday morning we’ll rent a car, go to the ATM, reprovision, and re-visit our new favorite bartender. I hope you had a great week! ❤️ ### Island Hopping our Way South URL: https://svsabado.com/island-hopping-our-way-south/ Last updated: 2021-04-18T12:05:43.000Z *A Week Aboard S/V Sabado: 4/11/2021 - 4/18/2021* Last Sunday we spent the day at home (still nursing my ankle that I sprained [last week](https://svsabado.com/exploring-long-island-bahamas/)), but Monday afternoon we ventured out to the local grocery store to pick up a few more fresh fruits and veggies for our trip to the [Raggeds](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ragged%5FIsland,%5FBahamas?ref=svsabado.com). The grocery store in Long Island is decent and WAY cheaper than provisioning in George Town, we’ll definitely stop back there on our way North! We left around 7am Tuesday morning. We raised our [main](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mainsail?ref=svsabado.com) and brought out our [jib](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jib?ref=svsabado.com) the second we could, and sailed through the bluest water for a few hours right off the bat! The wind started to pick up after a while, so we threw in a [reef](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reefing?ref=svsabado.com) and kept moving. ⛵️ Unfortunately though, we lost our wind a few hours later. We attempted to keep our speed up by putting the jib out onto a [barber hauler](https://www.riggingdoctor.com/life-aboard/2016/2/28/barber-hauler?ref=svsabado.com), but by the time Ray got it set up, we were down to 3kn of wind. So, we dropped our sails, and started an engine. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/snapshot2019-04-2021200823-scaled.jpg) We motored for a bit before deciding to drop anchor for the night in Water Cay. We pulled into an empty anchorage off the uninhabited island, and were immediately approached by three guys on a small fishing boat. They said they were in need of some cooking oil, rice, and lime juice. We were the only other boat for miles, and there certainly wasn’t a store anywhere nearby for these men. By the looks of it, they seemed to be camping on the beach- presumably for the fishing season- and just wanted to make a nice meal for themselves! So, we finished setting our anchor and tossed them some supplies (plus a few beers, of course). They happily threw us some fresh caught fish in return, and welcomed us to re-anchor closer to their beach if the swell got too bad for us. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/snapshot2019-04-2021209-scaled.jpg) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/3c7cace0-b97b-45aa-86e1-aecf5fcfc467.jpg) \*\*\*Side note: doesn’t the water here look like CGI or something?! I’ve seen clear, blue water before, but never this much of it! This picture was taken in \~25ft of water and it’s still that clear?! Wild. Anyway, we had lost cell service that morning, so we sat on the [sugar scoop](https://www.google.com/search?q=what+is+a+sugar+scoop+on+a+boat&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&hl=en-us&client=safari&ref=svsabado.com), drank some beer, and admired the empty anchorage and crystal clear water for a while before making some fresh seafood curry for dinner and settling in for the night. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/snapshot-14-04-2021-0701.jpg) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/img_4340-scaled.jpg) The next morning we decided to make a short trip to Flamingo Cay. The wind wasn’t quite right, so we motored the whole way, but it was only a couple hour’s trip! We dropped anchor near what looked like a cave and a ship wreck, so we put the dinghy in the water to check things out. Once we got back to the boat, I took a nap on the bow in the sunshine and woke up just in time to make some dinner, watch a movie, and go to sleep. What a life! We continued our trip South on Thursday, heading down to Buena Vista Cay. The trip took us about 4hrs, and we had to motorsail the entire way (the wind was coming from the exact opposite direction that it was forecasted to). But what an absolute treat it was to pull into an empty anchorage, facing a mile long beach. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/snapshot2018-04-2021200729-scaled.jpg) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/9a627ee4-0c71-4617-8c8d-84855a7813f0.jpg) Rumor has it, a 78 year old man named Edward tried to live on this island, which is otherwise completely uninhabited. He built a house and had some animals, and everything was just peachy until hurricane Irma hit. Some say he had no idea it was coming (a down side of living completely off-grid), others say he was supposed to have been picked up and relocated before the storm but no one ever came. He ended up tying himself to a tree to keep from getting swept away by the wind or sea… Can you imagine dreaming of living in paradise, finally making it happen with your own two hands, then watching everything you built get torn apart… all while being tied to a tree? Supposedly Edward has now relocated to Nassau, but the remains of his house are still here, so we dinghied to shore and walked through his old home. I was surprised to see some random household things- like mustard, vegetable oil, and pill bottles- all a reminder that this wasn’t that long ago, and this was a real person’s life we were wondering through, not a tourist attraction. Apparently one of Edward’s peacocks and a few goats still live on the island today. We heard some strange noises but never saw anything. Our friends saw the peacock on the beach though a week prior! We decided to stay a while- after all, we had the entire anchorage and island to ourselves, and it was gorgeous. We spent the next two days swimming, reading, and relaxing in complete seclusion. It was paradise. Saturday afternoon we decided we were ready for a change of scenery, and it was SO hot outside, making the idea of moving the boat all the more appealing. The wind wasn’t in our favor, and it wasn’t forecasted to be for a few more days, so we decided to make a short (5NM) hop South to Raccoon Cay. We were pleasantly surprised when we dropped anchor in what appeared to be a swimming pool. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/img_4359-scaled.jpg) I jumped in for a swim but was promptly told to get out of the water. Turns out the second I jumped in a fishing boat nearby called us on the radio and said they had just cleaned a bunch of fish, so tons of bull sharks were swimming around the anchorage. I didn’t see any, but you best believe I got out of the water. I had already had a shark encounter Friday afternoon and wasn’t interested in testing my luck again! I climbed back on board, only to realize that we had WiFi! I’m surprised that the 5 miles closer we had moved towards Duncan Town (the only real town down here) was enough to give us slow, but fairly reliable cell phone reception (the first we’ve had in nearly a week). All in all, I didn’t miss my phone. Being connected has become far less important to me since moving aboard... I’ve lost contact with most of my friends, gotten used to chatting with my family once a week(ish), and I’ve come to terms with the fact that social media isn’t real, so not being able to use my phone was surprisingly easy for me. However, the perk of having service is that I’m finally able to search online for music for this week’s video! As of yesterday, I have 16mins of edited footage with untouched audio. I think before future off grid adventures I’ll preemptively download some options, but for now I’m just a bit delayed... unless you want to hear 16mins of wind noise. Hopefully the video will go up sometime tomorrow or the next day- make sure you have your post notifications (the bell icon on [our YouTube Channel](https://youtube.com/c/HollyandRay?ref=svsabado.com)) on so you don’t miss it! ### Exploring Long Island, Bahamas URL: https://svsabado.com/exploring-long-island-bahamas/ Last updated: 2021-04-11T11:36:27.000Z *A Week Aboard S/V Sabado: 4/4/2021 - 4/11/2021* **Hello! You can watch this week’s video [here](https://youtu.be/HgtqPXYiNOA?ref=svsabado.com). :)** Last Sunday we waited out the last of the cold front. Monday morning- despite not having great conditions- we pulled up our anchor and headed towards Long Island. We peeked through the binoculars while we were approaching the [cut](https://www.oceannavigator.com/taming-the-exuma-cuts/?ref=svsabado.com) and got a little nervous… it was looking like 8ft breaking waves out there. We decided to get a little closer just to make sure, but agreed on possibly turning around if it looked too rough. Luckily, things mellowed out by the time we got there (a TINY bit), and we decided to go for it! It was definitely a bumpy ride, with most of the waves hitting us right on our [beam](https://www.seabornboats.com/what-is-beam/?ref=svsabado.com), but Ray did an excellent job of maneuvering the boat through it all. Once we cleared the cut, we raised our sails and shut off our engines for the first time in a long time! We were so excited! ❤️⛵️ ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/facetune_05-04-2021-13-40-18-scaled.jpg) We sailed along for a few hours, then dropped the sails and started an engine so we could turn into the wind a bit towards Long Island. Once we made it to our next [waypoint](https://www.nationalgeographic.org/encyclopedia/waypoint/?ref=svsabado.com), we decided to raise the sails again and [tack](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tacking%5F%28sailing%29?ref=svsabado.com) our way into the anchorage. As we were raising the mainsail though, the [halyard](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Halyard?ref=svsabado.com) twisted and got stuck on the [backstay](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Backstay?ref=svsabado.com). Ray got it off as soon as he could, but it most likely did some damage to the line. Luckily, we were able to raise it without any problems after that, and are keeping our fingers crossed it holds up until we can replace it! We dropped anchor off of Long Island later that afternoon, rinsed all the salt off the boat, and called it an early night. The next morning we were eager to explore because it’s been a while since we’ve been somewhere new! We jumped in the dinghy and headed to shore. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/snapshot2006-04-2021201621.jpg) We scouted out the local grocery and liquor store, got gas for our dinghy, and then quickly realized that everything else is a car ride away. Fortunately though, we ran into our friends [Nick and Megan](https://youtube.com/c/NickOKelly?ref=svsabado.com) and made plans to rent a car and explore together the next day. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/snapshot2006-04-20212018.jpg) We picked up the car around noon, and drove down to [Dean’s Blue Hole](http://www.deansbluehole.org/?ref=svsabado.com)\- the second deepest blue hole in the world! It drops from 15ft to 663ft, making it a popular destination for free divers. The platform you see floating in the middle has a line that drops to the bottom, so free divers can track their depths. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/snapshot2009-04-2021208-scaled.jpg) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/snapshot2009-04-2021200738-scaled.jpg) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/snapshot-09-04-2021-0737-scaled.jpg) Swimming over the drop off was such a strange sensation! I wish we had remembered to bring our fins!! We spent the whole afternoon swimming, diving, and chilling out on the beach, and closed out the day with some ice cream from a cute local shop called Moon Glow. You order through a little window and the man gives you basically an entire pint of ice cream in a paper coffee cup. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/snapshot2009-04-2021200910-scaled.jpg) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/snapshot2009-04-2021200911-scaled.jpg) We were the only ones there, so the owner came outside and chatted with us while we ate. It was interesting to hear from a local business owner about the impacts of past hurricanes and now COVID-19\. He maintained a positive and relaxed outlook through it all, and said he’ll continue to serve ice cream everyday “until people stop coming”. We technically had the car until 12pm the next day, so we got up early Thursday morning to squeeze in another adventure. We decided to check out the Columbus Memorial, which was built (or maybe re-done?) in December 2020\. It was strange to see such a new/sturdy/clean structure on the otherwise pretty underdeveloped island. The monument is in a beautiful location with a gorgeous beach at the bottom, and we were the only ones there! ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/snapshot2009-04-20212010-scaled.jpg) We last minute decided to check out a legendary restaurant for an early lunch called [Chez Pierre](https://chezpierrebahamas.com/?ref=svsabado.com). It’s run by a little old French man named Pierre out of his eco-resort. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/img_0236-scaled.jpg) By the looks of it- it’s a one man show. We walked in, met Pierre, and he told us where all the drinks were located so we could serve ourselves while he took our orders, cooked, and served us our food himself. The food was amazing, and the restaurant overlooks (another) beautiful beach. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/img_0237-scaled.jpg) It was all fun and games until my flip flop got caught in the wood paneling of the path back to the car, I tripped and twisted my ankle pretty badly. It swelled up almost immediately and looked like I had a golf ball implanted in the side of my foot. With Nick and Ray by my side, I hobbled back to the car and by some miracle climbed back into the dinghy. I spent the rest of the day with it propped up under ice. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/img_4282-scaled.jpg) By Friday I was able to put a little bit of weight on it while it was wrapped, but I was still not doing great. I made Ray a list and sent him off to the store to pick up a few things, and worked on this week’s video. Yesterday was similar, and the bruising has definitely set in today. Fingers crossed I can get back on my feet again soon! I hope you had a good week. ❤️ ### A Week of Bad Weather URL: https://svsabado.com/a-week-of-bad-weather/ Last updated: 2021-04-04T12:16:13.000Z *A Week Aboard S/V Sabado: 3/28/2021 - 4/4/2021* **Check out this week’s video [here](https://youtu.be/uRmstUx7v-o?ref=svsabado.com)!** Last Sunday we successfully installed our new start battery in our [starboard](https://oceanservice.noaa.gov/facts/port-starboard.html?ref=svsabado.com) engine compartment! The one we bought was a bit smaller than the one we had in there before, so we wedged a Tupperware container and a sponge in the bin next to the battery to keep it from getting slammed around when we move. It’s a little unorthodox, but it’ll do! We’ll replace both of our start batteries with more reliable/higher quality ones when we get back to the US (there aren’t a lot of options here and something is better than nothing in the meantime). We spent the rest of the day celebrating and relaxing. On Tuesday we were hit with a little rainstorm! ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/snapshot-01-04-2021-1041.jpg) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/snapshot-01-04-2021-12.jpg) We hid inside, reading, and watching Miami Vice (Ray’s latest attempt to teach me about shows/movies/music that came out before I was born). The storm continued Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, AND SATURDAY off and on. We had winds gusting up to 30kn, and boats dragging anchor left and right. We alternated between watching zombie movies and watching the boats around us. We even heard several reports of nearby [moorings](https://www.google.com/search?q=what+is+a+mooring+ball&client=safari&hl=en-us&sxsrf=ALeKk00rcFBSKrd3IhO68r7jY98wacr2yg%3A1617536672327&ei=oKZpYOunE47m%5FQbJm7voCQ&oq=what+is+a+mooring+ball&gs%5Flcp=ChNtb2JpbGUtZ3dzLXdpei1zZXJwEAMyAggAMgYIABAWEB4yBQghEKABOgcIIxDqAhAnOgQIIxAnOgUIABCRAjoLCC4QsQMQxwEQowI6CAgAELEDEIMBOgUIABCxAzoICC4QsQMQgwE6BQguELEDOgQIABADOggIABCxAxDJAzoFCAAQkgM6BwgAEIcCEBRQsThYmlFgtlNoAnAAeACAAb4BiAHaGJIBBDAuMjKYAQCgAQGwAQ%5FAAQE&sclient=mobile-gws-wiz-serp&ref=svsabado.com) breaking and boats ending up on the beach, which made us all the more thankful to have invested in a good quality, oversized anchor… we didn’t move an inch! ⚓️ On the plus side, all the extra downtime this week allowed me to learn some new audio editing techniques, so I’m pretty happy with how the sound on our latest video turned out! There’s so much that goes into filming and editing, and I love learning new tricks. It’s always fun to be able to turn a boring week into a cool video! I hope you enjoyed it, too. ❤️ We spent the rest of the day Saturday watching a windsurfer go back and forth across the harbor… maybe we need to take up wind surfing so we’ll have an activity on days like this? Today is Easter, which neither of us particularly celebrate. We’re still seeing pretty high winds, and I’m sure the [sea state](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sea%5Fstate?ref=svsabado.com) around the [cuts](https://www.oceannavigator.com/taming-the-exuma-cuts/?ref=svsabado.com) is a mess from the storm, so we won’t be leaving today but we’re keeping our fingers crossed for a safe + comfortable departure window soon! I hope you had a great week! ### Preparing for The Raggeds URL: https://svsabado.com/preparing-for-the-raggeds/ Last updated: 2021-03-28T12:22:35.000Z *A Week Aboard S/V Sabado: 3/21/2021 - 3/28/2021* **Happy Sunday! [Here’s](https://youtu.be/zx%5FvwdaGpQI?ref=svsabado.com) this week’s video.** Last Sunday we cranked out the rest of our chores: we cleaned the boat (inside and out), did the last of our laundry, finished up our [provisioning](https://www.google.com/search?q=provisioning+definition&client=safari&hl=en-us&sxsrf=ALeKk03eM0fRdusVlYU6ntwTw3eKN5bKKA%3A1616931396642&ei=RGpgYLffJs-awbkPvMC1-A0&oq=provisioning+definition&gs%5Flcp=ChNtb2JpbGUtZ3dzLXdpei1zZXJwEAMyBggAEAcQHjIGCAAQBxAeMgYIABAHEB4yBggAEAcQHjIGCAAQBxAeMgYIABAHEB4yBggAEAcQHjIGCAAQBxAeOgQIABBHUKXFAViOyAFg1csBaABwAXgAgAF8iAHIApIBAzEuMpgBAKABAcgBCMABAQ&sclient=mobile-gws-wiz-serp&ref=svsabado.com), sorted out our hard drive and SD cards, and made arrangements to get fuel on our way out the next morning. We left the dock Monday morning, filled our tanks with diesel, and motored back over to the Stocking Island/George Town area to anchor while we got our ducks in a row for our trip to the Raggeds. The [Raggeds](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ragged%5FIsland,%5FBahamas?ref=svsabado.com) are a small chain of islands in the southern Bahamas that are known amongst boaters for being practically uninhabited. There are next to no restaurants or stores or cell service, just a whole lot of pristine beaches! That being said, we knew we needed to be fully self-sufficient before we headed that way (hence our hefty reprovisioning haul and fuel top off). We dropped anchor right by where we were last week, and decided to have Jamal swing by again to fill up our second propane tank- just to be safe. We realized later that afternoon that our 3 month cruising permit was set to expire April 7th. We were hoping to be in the Raggeds then, so we needed to figure out how to get an extension before we left George Town. Sounds simple, right? Wrong. The rules keep changing (presumably because of COVID), so getting up to date info on the process is next to impossible. The latest instructions we could find was a photo of a handwritten note a customs agent gave someone a month ago on how to request an extension, because supposedly they weren’t allowing anyone to do it in person anymore. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/3fc3d833-4b45-4b39-b28f-44e0100adfdd.jpg) Aside from that, we had Facebook forums of people talking about how immigration was asking them to email over their credit card information for the extension payment or text it to someone if they weren’t comfortable emailing it?! It all sounded suspicious, and we were already going against the protocol by asking for our extension early, so I had low expectations. I sent the email as instructed in the note and waited. When I didn’t hear back the next day, I called the number listed on their website for the customs and immigration office in George Town. The woman who answered gave me a separate number to call, which didn’t work. I called her back and asked if she could just transfer me, but she said she couldn’t “because I needed to speak with someone in another department”. After trying every other number I could find online, I was able to speak to a guy who told me to call 5 different variations of the same number “until one works”... so that’s what I did. When I finally got a hold of someone in the right department, they said I could come in and do it in person. So, after all that, we simply got in the dinghy, went to shore, and walked into the office. It was all wildly disorganized- I wish I could’ve taken a photo of their filing system for you to see?- but the woman who helped us was great and we left with our extended cruising permit in hand. Next up: extending our tourist visa. (cruising permit = boat can stay, tourist visa = we can stay) Taking into account our cruising permit extension experience, I thought maybe everyone was over complicating this process too. So, we just walked across town and into the office that was in charge of visas with our fingers crossed. Apparently this is where the email situation came into play- the source of everyone’s confusion- so, let me lay it out for all my fellow cruisers: Customs office= in charge of cruising permit extensions, just walk in and bring all your paperwork + $500 Immigration office= in charge of tourist visa extensions, email pics of all your paperwork along with your newly extended cruising permit to bahamasimmi@bahamas.gov.bs and include in the body of the email the amount of time you’d like your visa to be extended for. They’ll send you the extension electronically, no need to go into the office. Overall, the processes themselves were not difficult at all, but the lack of access to information about the processes was enough for us to briefly consider going back to the States when our permit expired instead! We salvaged the day with some homemade fresh mango + lime + rum cocktails. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/img_4156-scaled.jpg) On Wednesday, the waiting began… We were ready for the Raggeds, just looking for the right weather to make the trip. We started getting antsy immediately, since we’d already spent over 2 weeks in the area we were waiting in. We spent the day on the boat, which probably didn’t help our anxious feelings. I worked out, FaceTimed my family, played around with this week’s video (did you notice the new ending image?) tried out a new recipe for dinner, and watched a few episodes of Dexter while the sun set behind one massive cloud. Thursday and Friday were similar (sorry I don’t have anything more exciting to report!). On Saturday morning our start battery alarm went off. If you recall, [we replaced our port engine start battery recently](https://svsabado.com/another-battery-problem/), but it appeared both batteries had died this time. Several things to note here: 1. This means the last battery we bought in the Bahamas was bad when we bought it, so we’ll need to bring our tester into the store this time to make sure the ones they’re trying to sell us are good. 2. If none of them are good, we will not be buying them, which means we’ll need to jump start the ones we’ve got and sail back to the States. 3. The only store that sells them here is a very long dinghy ride away, and conditions are bad. It would be risky for us to go, but conditions won’t be improving any time soon and it’s a safety hazard for us to just hang out with two dead batteries. 4. The store that sells them here has a google review that calls it “literally the worst place to buy start batteries” but it’s our only option. 5. There are no business hours posted online and no one picks up the phone when we call, so we have no idea if the store is even open. Taking ALL of these things into consideration, we decided to say fuck it and go anyway. It was a long and rough dinghy ride, but we made it there safely, found one mildly acceptable start battery priced 2.5x higher than it should’ve been, bought it, wrapped it in a trash bag to protect it, and headed home. I can’t wait to see how awful the GoPro footage turns out from all the bouncing. Our poor dinghy was getting air with each wave we slammed into! ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/snapshot2028-03-2021200801.jpg) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/snapshot2028-03-2021209.jpg) We made it home, feeling a bit jostled, and opened a couple of beers. We’re planning on installing the new battery today, and hopefully it’ll last until we get back to the US. We chose not to buy a new battery for our port engine, because it appears to be slightly less dead than our starboard one and we’d rather not spend the money to replace our recently replaced battery, only to replace it again when we get back to the US. Aside from that, we’re making some bread right now and planning a little beach picnic for lunch! What are you doing today?❤️ ### Fighting Frustrations (the part of boat life you never hear about) URL: https://svsabado.com/fighting-frustrations-the-part-of-boat-life-you-never-hear-about/ Last updated: 2021-03-21T12:11:03.000Z *A Week Aboard S/V Sabado: 3/14/2021 - 3/21/2021* **Hi guys!!** We decided to combine footage from last week with this week’s video, you can watch it [here](https://youtu.be/CbwFMH0P2g8?ref=svsabado.com) and let me know what you think in the comments. :) Last Sunday we spent the day at home, napping and relaxing, and got Eve’s [5 day COVID test](https://www.bahamas.com/pressroom/the-islands-of-the-bahamas-announces-updated-travel-and-entry-protocols?ref=svsabado.com) taken care of (she’s still negative!). Monday afternoon we took Eve to shore for her flight home. She grabbed a taxi and we grabbed some lunch while on land, then headed home and caught up on some boat chores. By Tuesday, we realized we’d been in George Town/Stocking Island for over a week, and we felt like we had done all there is to do, and seen all there is to see. So, we spent the day reading on the bow, enjoying the sunshine, and pondering our next move. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/img_4078-scaled.jpg) By Wednesday, we were itching to get going. We were hoping to make it to Emerald Bay Marina that morning to get some projects done that would just be easier to do at a dock, but the entrance to the marina is notoriously challenging. Unless it is flat calm you’ll be surfing huge waves into a narrow channel, which is a chance we aren’t willing to take in our boat. Unfortunately the conditions weren’t quite right, so we spent (yet another) day hanging around on the boat. This is a part of boat life you don’t always hear about- sure some days are full of excitement and adventure, but others are mundane- even boring. That afternoon we noticed a potential toilet clog- a boater’s worst nightmare! Ray has dealt with his fair share of [head](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Head%5F%28watercraft%29?ref=svsabado.com) issues on this boat and was instantly against the idea of fixing it himself, but that would make us completely reliant on one bathroom and if something were to happen to it, we would be shitting in a bucket until we got back to the States. So, after watching a few YouTube tutorials and quizzing Ray about the system (marine toilets are complicated), I decided to give it a look. Luckily, after poking around a bit (I’ll spare you the details), I fixed it. Dad if you’re reading this I hope you’re proud of me!! In all seriousness though, it ended up being way less dramatic than we anticipated and it was quite an easy fix. Plus, [I used to work with fecal samples in a lab](https://www.researchgate.net/publication/330663799%5FGlobal%5Fphylogeography%5Fand%5Fancient%5Fevolution%5Fof%5Fthe%5Fwidespread%5Fhuman%5Fgut%5Fvirus%5FcrAssphage?ref=svsabado.com), so very few things gross me out anymore. That night we took the dinghy over to [Chat N’ Chill](https://www.chatnchill.com/?ref=svsabado.com) to pick up some dinner to go, and ate it in our pajamas with some popcorn and a movie. On Thursday our frustrations escalated. We needed to get fuel before we could leave George Town, but there was some sort of widespread fuel contamination in the area. Apparently the diesel looked like almond milk? Definitely not a good sign. We figured fueling up at the marina could be a loophole, but we couldn’t get a hold of anyone to confirm the fuel quality there. We were also planning on getting all our laundry taken care of there, but heard rumors that there was only one working washer and no dryers. To top it all off, we were out of groceries again, and it was too rough to make the dinghy ride to the market from where we were anchored. We were beginning to feel as though “all the resources for cruisers” in George Town were just a facade, because they seemed unattainable when we needed them most. So, our plans were up in the air and our patience was running thin. In an attempt to turn things around, Ray made us dinner reservations at the resort nearby. ❤️ We took our dinghy through the very shallow channel to the restaurant (I may or may not have had to hike my dress up and push us for a bit since Ray was wearing jeans). We ordered some Prosecco, a couple of appetizers, had an amazing meal paired with a bottle of wine, annnnd every dessert on the menu. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/img_4097-scaled.jpg) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/img_4098.jpg) This was the same restaurant we went to for Eve’s birthday last week, but the menu changes daily so we were able to try a bunch of new things, and we had the entire dining room to ourselves! ☺️ If you’re looking for a good meal in the area to boost crew morale, we definitely recommend the [Beacon Restaurant at Kahari Resort](https://www.kahariresort.com/dining/the-beacon?ref=svsabado.com). Friday morning we headed over to the marina with our fingers crossed! We didn’t have any wind, so we motored the whole way. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/img_4140-scaled.jpg) We were pleasantly surprised when we reached the entrance and it was still flat calm- mission accomplished! We tied off and checked the place out. The dock master made it very clear that we could easily access everything we needed through their facility! Free laundry (4 of the machines were working), access to rental cars for provisioning, a 24hr gym and lounge, pizza delivery, boat cleaners, COVID test for guests if needed, an ATM, etc. he explained that they were out of diesel (our hearts stopped momentarily), but that they were getting more that evening so we could fuel up on our way out. We took a big sigh of relief, and celebrated with lunch + a view. That afternoon the dock master sent over some workers to scrape our hulls for us, we plugged in to [shore power](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shorepower?ref=svsabado.com), did a load of laundry, took hot showers, and slept like rocks in our air conditioning. Now, don’t get me wrong, we’re not even remotely close to roughing it on Sabado; but when other aspects of boat life become difficult and make us feel stuck, the luxuries that come with being tied to a dock are definitely appreciated. The next day we got to work. Our to do list looked a little something like this: - Rent a car - Provision - Laundry - ATM - Scrape the hulls✅ - Wash the boat - Get fuel - Update haul out project spreadsheet - Upload YouTube video - Clean up harddrive and clear out SD cards We rented a car through the marina that morning with Japanese buttons, and headed out. Our first stop was the liquor store, then the grocery store. We went to Prime Island Meats, Deli and Grocery Store and got a TON of groceries for the same amount of money we spent on 1 week’s worth of groceries at Exuma Market. I will say though, their produce selection is limited. We stocked up on meats, cheeses, dried and canned goods, and made a second trip out to Exuma Market for fruits and vegetables. By the time we got everything out of its packaging, washed and put away, it was 5:30pm. So, I worked on cleaning up our hard drive and SD cards for a bit, then threw in a couple loads of laundry before making dinner and heading to bed. Today is our cleaning day! I’m in charge of the inside, Ray is handling the outside. We’ve got a couple more loads of laundry to get done then, weather pending, we’ll fuel up on our way out tomorrow. I hope you had a good week! ❤️ ### Exploring Stocking Island URL: https://svsabado.com/exploring-stocking-island/ Last updated: 2021-03-14T12:44:43.000Z *A Week Aboard S/V Sabado: 3/7/2021 - 3/14/2021* This week’s video will be uploaded late! We have a friend in town so I’m a bit behind on editing. Make sure you’re subscribed to [our channel](https://youtube.com/channel/UC7jYeVhTcQzrEPazXRhFxmQ?ref=svsabado.com) and click the bell if you want to be notified when the video goes up! Anyway, last Sunday the wind started to pick up a bit, and just our luck- someone decided to drop their anchor way too close to us. So, we kicked off the week by pulling up our anchor and moving away from the crowd. We spent the day Monday cleaning the teak and setting up our guest cabin. The wind was still pretty strong, so we couldn’t make a dinghy ride into town to take care of our trash and propane tank that afternoon like we had hoped. Luckily, there’s a local guy here named Jamal who cruisers can hire to do, well, basically anything. We hailed him on the radio and he came to our boat, picked up our empty propane tank and a bag of trash, disposed of the trash and dropped off our freshly filled tank later that day. Jamal has also been known to provide diesel, water, ice, and even take care of laundry! He’s constantly zipping around the anchorages doing everything he can to help cruisers. We were happy to be able to support his business! ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/snapshot-14-03-2021-0828.jpg) We were still stuck on the boat Tuesday, so we binge watched our latest show obsession, Dexter, and bounced around with the waves. Wednesday was the day my friend Eve arrived! She’s currently a grad student living in New Orleans, but she made some time for a last minute trip to the Bahamas to visit me for her birthday. ☺️ So, we spent the morning tidying up, and picked her up on shore that afternoon. We were stuck on the boat all day due to weather, but had a good time catching up over drinks in the salon. On Thursday we went to shore to explore! We hiked up to the monument on Stocking Island, checked out some gorgeous beaches, and enjoyed the sunshine. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/snapshot2014-03-2021200754.jpg) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/snapshot-12-03-2021-0951.jpg) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/snapshot2014-03-2021208.jpg) Friday was Eve’s birthday! We started off the day with blueberry muffins, coffee, and listening to the cruisers net, then took the dinghy over to George Town. We walked around, grabbed some lunch, then decided to head over to Peace and Plenty Beach Club for the afternoon! It was a dream- we were served fruity cocktails at our lounge chairs on a gorgeous beach, what more could you want? We treated ourselves to a fancy dinner that night at a nearby resort. We had fresh caught snapper and duck, wine, and (several) desserts! ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/img_4041-scaled.jpg) The next day we attempted to take the dinghy over to Moriah Cay, but had to turn around because the waves were too rough! So we headed back to the Beach Club, where we had mayyybe a few too many drinks... We’re definitely moving slowly this morning, and will probably spend the day lounging around the boat! I hope you all had a great week. ❤️ ### We FINALLY caught a fish in the Bahamas! URL: https://svsabado.com/sailing-and-sushi/ Last updated: 2021-03-07T12:51:41.000Z *A Week Aboard S/V Sabado: 2/28/2021 - 3/7/2021* **Hey! Have you seen [our latest video](https://youtu.be/9DU16jeW1Uw?ref=svsabado.com)?** Anyway, last Sunday we did absolutely nothing. We stayed on the boat, watched TV, and organized our hard drive of footage/cleared all our SD cards. It was a nice, relaxing day! Monday morning we decided to sail South. We had about 16kn of wind coming from the direction we wanted to go, so we [tacked](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tacking%5F%28sailing%29?ref=svsabado.com) back and forth all day until the [swells](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Swell%5F%28ocean%29?ref=svsabado.com) got annoying enough for us to quit. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/img_3954.jpg) We ended up anchoring back in Black Point- home sweet home! This was our third time in Black Point, so we felt like locals. ;) We went to shore for dinner that night, and took the dinghy home at sunset. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/img_3936-scaled.jpg) The next day we were feeling motivated to do some boat work. Ray did some stainless polishing, inspections, and replacements outside, while I scrubbed every nook and cranny on the inside. Taking care of Sabado is a full time job, and lately we haven’t been treating it like one- it’s tough when there’s always something more exciting to do! So, we decided to get back on top of things this week. The problem with boats is that everything is either salty or moldy. If you don’t wipe down every crevice of the inside regularly, mold grows, and if you don’t rinse every bit of the outside regularly, the salt crystallizes and rusts things (and then things break). So, we caught back up on our chores and made a plan for maintaining things better moving forward! We went to shore later that afternoon and picked up some pizza as a reward for all our hard work. We got back to the dinghy dock just after someone had cleaned a fish, so there were tons of stingrays and baby sharks swimming around us as we left! The next morning I woke up to the boat bouncing around and the moon still peeking through the hatch. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/img_3952-scaled.jpg) The wind had shifted around and was coming from the West, so we had a consistent [swell](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Swell%5F%28ocean%29?ref=svsabado.com) in the anchorage- it felt like we were living in a washing machine all day. That afternoon Ray noticed a bunch of fraudulent charges on his credit card that we had only used at two restaurants here in Black Point. Obviously there’s no way to pinpoint for sure who stole his card information, but multiple other cruisers had the same experience after being in Black Point, so if you’re traveling through the area, maybe stick with cash if you can. It’s a real bummer to think you’re supporting the locals by spending money on land, and then having something like this happen. Luckily we have a friend coming to visit next week, so we were able to cancel the current card and have a replacement sent to her house, and she’ll bring it to us when she comes (thank you, Eve!). The next morning we left for George Town at sunrise. It was a fun, full day of downwind sailing! We had about 10-13kn of wind all day so we weren’t moving very fast, but it was our first time sailing on the Sound side (the bank= shallow, not many fish vs the sound= deeper, lots of fish) so we threw our fishing lines in and ended up catching a yellowfin tuna! ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/img_3966-scaled.jpg) We dropped our anchor just off of Stocking Island at sunset, had some rum, made some dinner, and went to bed. The next morning I got to listen to my first ever cruisers net! Cruisers net is basically just a set period of time on the radio where all the cruisers can chat. There’s a host who kind of drives the conversation to fit an agenda and everyone chimes in when appropriate. I was shocked at just how much was going on! People were announcing water aerobics classes, a dinghy floatilla, ride sharing plans, etc. To be honest I was a bit over-stimulated; this is the most boats we’ve seen in months, there are so many buildings around, plenty of resources, and things to do! We’re not in the middle of nowhere anymore. We decided to head out that day and get the lay of the land. We took the dinghy around to Victoria Lake, which is completely catered to cruisers. There are free dinghy docks and a grocery store, liquor store, gas station, and ATM just a short walk away. We made note of our options, then headed over to the Rusty Anchor- a restaurant everyone here recommends. It was attached to a beautiful resort, so we had lunch with a view! ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/img_3968-scaled.jpg) Later that evening we headed over to the infamous Chat N’ Chill- a beach bar with tons of outdoor seating and games, a favorite amongst cruisers. We grabbed a couple of drinks, but got a little nervous about the amount of mask-less people we saw… so we walked along the beach for a bit then headed home for the night. The next day we headed back to shore to get some provisions. The grocery store here is huge compared to what we’ve seen on the other islands! We picked up just enough to get us through for a week or so, and we’ll be sure to fully stock up again before we leave here. That night we ate the last of our tuna for dinner and watched the sunset. We don’t have any plans for today, but we have some friends in the area we might try to meet up with! I hope you all had a great week. ☺️ ### Boat Repairs and Relaxation URL: https://svsabado.com/seafood-and-stunning-views/ Last updated: 2021-02-28T13:26:12.000Z *A Week Aboard S/V Sabado: 2/21/2021 - /2/28/2021* **Did you see [this week’s video?](https://youtu.be/PT1bA4SF9DU?ref=svsabado.com)** Last Sunday we were still seeing the effects of the cold front. Luckily though, the sustained high winds put our wind turbines to work- we woke up to 100% battery life! So, we made some bread, made some ice, and watched a few documentaries to pass the time. By Monday the wind had calmed down a bit and the blue skies and sunshine were back. I was feeling a little stir crazy having been on the boat for 3 days straight, so when our friends pulled in and dropped anchor next to us, I couldn’t wait to go say hi! We ended up having dinner over on their boat and chatting back and forth about future sailing plans. We even traded some of our canned olives for some dehydrated mushrooms and coffee beans (a very good trade considering we’ve been out of coffee beans and can't find any to buy in the Bahamas, so we’d been drinking instant coffee for days)! Tuesday morning the wind had officially died. The highest we saw throughout the front was 40kn, so it was nothing we hadn’t seen before! Overall, Black Point was a great anchorage for us, we had a bit of wind chop but no significant swells. We headed to shore to get some laundry done, and ended up at the bar in between loads (classic). After a beer or two, we got to chatting with the guy next to us who was a local fisherman. He gave us two fresh lobster tails before he left! We headed back to the boat for lunch and a nap, then met up with our friends for dinner on shore. The next morning I was itching to leave, so we motored to Staniel Cay for a change of scenery and in hopes of picking up our new watermaker booster pump that [failed last week](https://svsabado.com/you-dont-need-a-watermaker-to-make-cocktails/). We dropped anchor just North of Pig Beach, and headed to the yacht club to see if the part arrived. Turns out we showed up a day too early, but we made use of the trip to shore by grabbing some lunch! On the way home we decided to beach the dinghy on cruiser’s beach. It’s a quirky little strip of sand with a bunch of wooden signs with people’s boat names, various chairs and bean bags, and even a swing! We hung out there for a while, chatting with another couple who are also in their first season of Bahamas cruising, before heading home to cook up our lobster tails and watch the sunset. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/img_3868-scaled.jpg) The next day we attempted to pick up our package again, and luckily it had arrived! We stopped by the store and picked up a few things while we were on shore, then headed home. Ray replaced the old booster pump with our new one, and we ran the watermaker all afternoon. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/img_5126.jpg) I spent the rest of the day making a spreadsheet for our planned haul out. We’ve decided to haul out for hurricane season this year. We’re a bit disappointed, but with COVID closing borders left and right, our options are limited. We’ve decided to use that time to get a bunch of projects done though so Sabado will be completely ready for the Pacific, which is hopefully our 2022 destination! So, I transferred the ever-growing list of projects we’ve been keeping on my phone onto an excel spreadsheet, added cost estimations for labor and materials, and found out our dream list is roughly $6,000 over our ideal budget (oops!). So, between now and June-ish, we’ll be going through this spreadsheet together to prioritize some projects over others and figure out where we can cut costs so we can keep sailing around the world unemployed. The next morning we decided to motor sail back up to Sampson Cay to check out the sand bar/shallow area, and we were not disappointed! ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/img_0137-scaled.jpg) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/img_0131-scaled.jpg) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/img_0136-scaled.jpg) We had been to this area before, but had never seen it at low tide- it was gorgeous! We hung out on a sand bar and walked around in the ankle deep waters for a few hours. I rescued some starfish that got stuck high and dry before we headed home and enjoyed some cotton candy clouds and a gorgeous moon rise! ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/img_5125.jpg) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/img_3890-scaled.jpg) The next day we headed back to the sand bars at low tide to fly the drone, and it was definitely worth it: ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/snapshot-27-02-2021-1644-scaled.jpg) I spent that evening finishing up editing and uploading our video, while Ray cleaned our eisenglass and fixed the straps on our dinghy. We’ve got some pretty high winds today so it’s looking like we’ll be staying on the boat- which is probably for the best considering how far behind we’ve gotten on cleaning... but hopefully these winds won’t stick around for too long! I hope you had a great week! ❤️ ### You Don’t Need a Watermaker to Make Cocktails! URL: https://svsabado.com/you-dont-need-a-watermaker-to-make-cocktails/ Last updated: 2021-02-21T13:42:01.000Z *A Week Aboard S/V Sabado: 2/14/2021 - 2/21/2021* **[Here](https://youtu.be/nANX5zMxY0g?ref=svsabado.com) is the link for this week’s video! Anyway, let’s hop right in-** Last Sunday we were trapped on the boat in Musha Cay due to high winds and choppy seas. So, we got some boat chores done and relaxed! Ray ate a can of black olives for breakfast Monday morning… so we knew we needed to get to a place with a grocery store ASAP. So, we decided to go back up to Black Point. We left Monday morning, motorsailed with our [jib](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jib?ref=svsabado.com), and arrived that afternoon! ![](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/M10RUw1iNAadxeAuhXhCU4zkFPdR3aCOXL8s8Qnd3IkFwYPT8xC13_l40B2Ea7NdCDwoZ1LAltt5vP4piMn3h7SFqLWDwnAxGIn90dxDCHU5s747ismD8HP4-hynn6xDkVtDLsxl) We hopped in the water to make sure our anchor was set and hung out on board for a while before heading to shore for an early dinner. ![](https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/wI7aSuD76oAJO3rnm-Q05z2u8j3MO9Krmkrmx-mfMLtsRLopVAFytP4f3XQg8l8m5GEhcxlNQo8F5q_WtNsilJp2wLwIm0AzhGVjXXE9JSAl0HYJrsXZA4OYZ8DEfqk11l9n9isS) The next day we walked around to assess our grocery store prospects. Luckily, the first store we went into had enough to get us through! We picked up a few things, headed back home, and spent the rest of the afternoon cleaning the outside of the boat and scraping the hulls. Here’s a little before and after of that afternoon’s progress (it’s definitely a multi-day job for me): ![](https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/PJxGsY-pUl75R5lPSNQ9OiYbKL48Hsi_sAtMtZAhYNDT7WwBqwkwBadEILQipKETn1X54R5sXPD9iKtFKkr5fgam_tXwKyhjYBYQnXyRwdxScD7UUSOfzu4L-QV-2Tk0C83f_wC-) ![](https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/mSvKi3nb5XUn4zI_XDgPJXXwftVPLw_sF_WjxLy8hHpf2BEBPyHatQxzIp8QtWU58u9IKk7qaKXlCrPpPRdVuQsgAt_Ks3seME_3N5Wpst3b6HKeOXNrE3dEajU8xmepTVlekCtl) That evening we ventured out to the local bar, had a few margaritas, and convinced the bartender to sell us a bottle of rum to take home. ![](https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/FV9xJREMqAdL5VNd94xWl5sYnOD4Bajbphsw2-p47NF08kuXupRFUMnre5bwJmeTjF3r63lKI95vTyzhHk_N5nw9x33-wRo8udUEFmk6Pe2_JHLm_Hc5HQZUW124saRyPMDEXnfZ) On Thursday we went on a little hike in search of Black Point’s blowhole. We didn’t look for it last time we were here, but better late than never! Our hike took us to the other side of the island... ![](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/Sq8rIxOuQF3akOX1MO-cHTuXbFdb4O4dWeE94tgY5Rv3SAjN8vTdJG6wIvS8MkH3tw-uOTgdT6xKf9g8NiaWFs4ok91OQiyGGDC9JUhvX5VVQQ9gMcXzDCkXz1QNL6rL3iSLanMG) ...and after a few wrong turns, we found it! ![](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/FvF79UM-4Bt7OeSbZmlsIw8gANtPvYGyrddTiswCJFH0uJ7FV7Gs9AwyaA4J8euMjeCTyVEuar5c6p-eOV4NHJAFIXfdd9f5qqGQIIFExf5_BVA13N84ECV7VDULBvVWeFpSMxEg) ![](https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/ZlagEBou_LMtuxooBLM-qihsK3wPnWcl6umV0ZvTQGHm0hLemOAAIg2fb1kqPGWOnjOwh3U4zbJyxILaWZxblB1Vn7mzq_1ntxYwOdtbQi5UQ3dXLQkxVqCIgt_NxN20-CXVpNZ5) That night we saw the mail boat come to the island, which means there was a food delivery. So, we made a second stop at the grocery store on Friday to see what we could get. We scored some fresh fruits, meats and veggies- and were very happy about it! Later that afternoon we had some water maker troubles. We thought the problem was the [thru-hole](https://chsmith.com.au/Wiki/Thru-Hull.html?ref=svsabado.com) so both Ray and I dove under the boat and cleaned it up. Unfortunately though, that did not solve the problem. ![](https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/8UHDmD2bgzvWgTzupMqg3tj8S0J0Hh9ynM8bk6zYy9cCQB_9cd6Nqqm8o3hA1dfKGJ77DufsavgAks137YFnUL0yrpi80_AWvJwLdL-C8nCl2zWlkSLKF1-Jmxvt_DrLbbw0HIOV) After tinkering around with everything, it turns out the boost pump is busted. After a brief panic period where we thought we’d have to head back to the States, we made a few calls and sorted out a (very expensive and over complicated) way to get a new pump delivered to us next week. Thank god we don’t need water to make cocktails though. Ray saved the day with a couple of dark and stormys! ![](https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/6kgJ4M54NsqWi0KcjBdYhe4gZOZaQ8FVnHhs1o8h_n_I4SoJhpOh7MS4l22RnwANgAK2sajpOLlzxhLV6Yizh0lxD3u71_0qEFSjW8tq9x-4ADE9LMEVWJjgRuoW4npUaS5iIux-) Saturday morning I uploaded our YouTube video, organized our hard drive of footage, and Ray figured out a way to bypass the booster pump and make some water! We ran the water maker for a few hours, but it’s definitely not a long term solution, so we made plans to wait out this next cold front here at Black Point, then head over to Staniel Cay to pick up the replacement pump on our way down to Georgetown. The front eased its way into our anchorage Saturday afternoon. Things were a bit bouncy through the night, and we’re currently seeing 25-28kn of wind. It’s supposed to continue like this until around 2am tomorrow, so we’re making some bread (our batteries are fully charged thanks to this wind!), and settling in for the day! I hope you all had a great week. ☺️ ### Trying Black Point’s FAMOUS Coconut French Toast URL: https://svsabado.com/clear-waters-and-coconut-french-toast/ Last updated: 2021-02-14T14:09:39.000Z *A Week Aboard S/V Sabado: 2/7/2021 - 2/14/2021* **Happy Valentine's Day! You can watch this week’s video [here](https://youtu.be/sNbJR06vxfs?ref=svsabado.com). :)** Last Sunday we motored to Black Point and dropped our anchor. It seems like every cruiser we’ve talked to about Black Point says you’ve got to do your laundry there, and pick up a loaf of coconut bread for French toast- so that’s what we did. Rumor has it these two little old ladies run the island, Ida and Lorraine, and they hate each other (no one seems to know why). Ida owns the laundromat, and Lorraine owns the bar/restaurant. We stopped at Lorraine’s first, had some fantastic food, and picked up this famous coconut bread we had heard so much about. The bread is sold by Lorraine herself, from the kitchen in her home right next door to her restaurant. We made French toast with it the next morning and completely understand why it’s been recommended to us so frequently. ![](https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/i6YKOJYjFh3kLeezvW9zfffIZ8s8CSP-nRgxSoo_iYb7wkI6uNWNBTiTzA4ayUuAesBMy7bvmqO67_aM85iOc02-yQpUFtvL-tOSeyVWQ7ZeM3taxgxNw0newSB_e-s0pjlcs8zu) ![](https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/cfHSYM-2xHIfQiwW20hefB0t23ZTo5AZLsTb-sNeUSlFE9Ai2G9JIYpCUhlE_unIX2shAvGvaReLMKfxjPoN0TsiJY6_nZyoofOaHZBkCb1W7q8XkwzccQWsCcVM0YHJLcQmjwdN) On Monday we checked out Ida’s laundromat. It’s expensive to actually do your laundry there, but it’s a pretty nice facility, and they offer heaps of other things. You can get your haircut or order a hotdog while you wait for your laundry, buy anything from cleaning supplies to eggs to PVC pipe from the store it’s attached to, or even take a shower and/or rent a room upstairs! Talk about diversifying your income sources. ![](https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/A8g805OsaYC6GMenXBPM-5tI8a6aggGLgjuPRQU-3CcvsDh5uQljzjZLzH8cSrkYeWKscrOkbcNmeBUhh2yQqiLXs5nGOYhkxnlsIq3Tg_QFjAaUcZ2SoFSGI56fAGxo1QMPTU91) ![](https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/kMK0MhD025Rl1P1QND77O4XQhYNCZr9KqedzCPr7veblXxZVDnNtR3UrHeRSbACxGNQapeGsQ1L8ElCtcSQduQp64HaeTCYxBXQar8VYi6smPks8oRsRMkV5t4gpXiuWK7FIRnQN) ![](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/U4kCRsABY_fLjFuUAvP9lVN1ImYStAPR6m7Hss3CxF481IKpmKsPUoxc0DsQPo9D2p67qnDmulHGnlmqpyP3Kk-jNRlsAYNKcpnS4gE5A99xoFZNgFkmTkEi8C9Bu1MGfp2wGGzn) At this point, we had built up too much laundry to do it in our little washing machine on board, so we hauled it all to shore and hung out at Ida’s for the afternoon. Aside from that, there didn’t seem to be much going on in Black Point. So, we headed home and spent the day setting up and hanging out under our new sun shade! ![](https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/eHhDQHE2fNNIP_j6NyYaUltT6DHu2UDkKNfi_NJGG5SXqDbSharXKGAGzs3PgVBqQPxM-aTd_Sk4QG8riIbAlegstSlbt1Oh_vg124G5D-Vvv7ZxLnZaqMokPz6SYv8WmQgz0Siz) ![](https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/fvhuLxvYqGzgbzhEWj_89eNxlyi5N89DhIizW_PDIRvGMd89lTJlb7rsONtTw-JqCmJCD-bFEnzuUTkb-6jLviwVZY4-NYIKsYFWSWgE03GrgjNgmMOtcWjl4gOQEaE7odSD0Qit) This thing is fantastic. It makes the bow and the salon significantly cooler! We loved it. We sat on our bean bags, I edited some footage, and Ray read his book. The next day the wind was practically begging us to sail South... so we did. We used our [main](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mainsail?ref=svsabado.com) and our [jib](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jib?ref=svsabado.com), and [tacked](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tacking%5F%28sailing%29?ref=svsabado.com) our way right up to a stunning beach just North of White Point. We dropped our anchor, packed our lunches, and took the dinghy to shore. ![](https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/3gCwwqklhTXUkMW-ND80HsDOmKMMSywXdfzTQKKAflEF6kCpoIxHHiY_jB2aVUKE8Q8UfudsEhtNAQQp4755eXI6kHsyvC2SsAYJBROCSgO5feCFmvjx8PiY475IS1wG0l6beg79) We spent the afternoon swimming and relaxing, before heading home, watching the sunset, and cooking dinner. The next day we decided to make another small hop South. We sailed for about 2hrs and ended up just North of Musha Cay. We hung out there until Saturday, hoping to check out the sand bars nearby. Unfortunately though, the tides weren’t cooperating with our plans… we’ll have to come back when low tide is lower (aka the next full moon). On Friday we decided to motor South a smidge more. It was a gorgeous day, the sun was hitting the water just right! ![](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/4audaukpxT-JV1hRui0FcxJlL094zPEKoRRTlruKP9zVgagT4X0M2GSPOER37Ichkx1_Pju1hxTD2GNABzdGmnvbm9GP1XHJtARw6L01eXt1q0MiM4nmsaPvQex8UAvLDCAmaVXo) ![](https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/iCipQfWuLh1rPZCUwrED6yhiCo7U5AqQQ3DZ-ki1PQlazPMkQB39Gjz03apjBY4pvskJ9CDqLRpNA9L0Q0z2yYI8fJatcdTpvLZt7p_u7fJlfZu-nkMneKj2PlPL8ks7hcMULlbb) We anchored in Musha Cay, right next to the caves, and spent the day taking the dinghy around checking out all the dive spots. That night we were woken up by our anchor alarm. We went outside to check on everything and- after determining everything was fine- we noticed the stars! I wish there was a way for me to capture them for you, but we saw the most stars I’ve ever seen in my life! We stayed up on the bow for a bit admiring them before heading back to bed. The next day we hung out at home, doing some cleaning and making some plans for provisioning. We picked up some eggs and a few veggies back in Highbourne Cay last month, but we haven’t properly grocery shopped since Miami, and supplies are dwindling on board. We were originally planning on getting to Georgetown soon (there are a few bigger grocery stores there), but the weather has other plans for us... So, it’s likely we’ll head back to Staniel Cay to pick up some things to hold us over until the winds are better for a trip to Georgetown (unless I become a master spear fisher in the meantime, of course). I’ve spent this morning organizing our hard drive of video footage and clearing out all our SD cards. It’s pretty breezy out right now, but hopefully things will calm down soon and we can get our dinghy in the water and go explore some more! I hope you have a great day. ❤️ ### Our First Big Storm in the Bahamas! URL: https://svsabado.com/our-first-big-storm-in-the-bahamas/ Last updated: 2021-02-07T13:25:12.000Z A *Week Aboard S/V Sabado: 1/31/2021 - 2/7/2021* **Hello! Be sure to check out [this week’s video](https://youtu.be/xiqQi65CuH0?ref=svsabado.com)!** Last Sunday we ended up moving to a more protected area in preparation for a big storm that was headed our way. There were tons of boats where we planned on anchoring, but luckily we found a spot past that with only 4 other boats, and settled in there. We actually ended up right next to Greg, [our savior from our anchor entanglement](https://svsabado.com/an-unsafe-anchorage-passage-pets/) a while back! Small world. The wind started picking up Sunday night, and by Monday morning the radio was full of people asking about anchor chains, calling newcomers out for anchoring near them, reporting people who dragged in the night, etc. The worst of it hit Monday night, so we set up several alarms (one to keep track of our anchor, another to alert us if we moved outside of a set boundary, and a third to warn us if the wind went above 40kn) and monitored everything from the salon all night. ![](https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/N1Z7vDrvhsmIS-_GEwehDhy2MYbIxJx_BDl4QvVb87pdOoO77HjknxLBe4BGBWBEULOWtcn3mdMObzqUSaKShmw9h0JdNjoLcb7EHUdcKnxLgpoamhnDh6E2Nb7lo-HCKNtQDi8D) The highest wind speed we saw was 41kn. Only one boat in our anchorage had dragged anchor that night, and they didn’t come anywhere near us, so we were feeling good! The wind continued through Tuesday at roughly 25-30kn sustained. It seemed like everyone around us was getting a little stir crazy, calling each other on the radio to discuss domino games and banana pancake recipes. ![](https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/xrkFbHvnTzE1QCoLb9Gp0KngxoyCw5h7zPAS3nuamnhUFV5E0xn3Clrju0_KbWllqcTooZLXPZCwnezty7FGmXP6j6oqCr1ZY77gjTg8p-5QS1OiOoOr78Ng8s7XDa9K2O7Bbiy2) The wind died down a bit that night and we were looking forward to a full night’s sleep, but we had some drama in the anchorage- two boats nearly hit each other. Luckily they were moving very slowly, and everyone was awake and ready to take action. I snapped this photo (through our very dirty window) as they were moving away from each other: ![](https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/CUxomlBSiAJCyfv_uLIcpcu08u57hcSxI0OMjYOgcvjne-kOs8bgwYmUcLWbTA4OJBEzFZ1mtK5B2hCRDEQwoey8JAUfaQMiV1Pdth_kk_vfENPD4YuUscCYeFwdr_ps6GK7do4A) It was right after the wind shifted directions... It’s possible one of the boats dragged anchor, but we think the bigger boat was actually sitting on the bottom, and therefore didn’t swing around its anchor properly when the wind shifted. Either way though, those two boats, us, and the other boat that was around, all adjusted. We pulled up 20ft of our anchor chain to give everyone a bit more room and so did the other boat, while the two boats that nearly hit each other fully pulled up and reset their anchors farther apart. We really couldn’t have had better neighbors for this storm though, and this event solidified that. Everyone around us was awake, aware, and communicative throughout the entire storm. We felt very safe! In the middle of the night the current began to disagree with the wind- our least favorite condition. So, we removed our [bobstays](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bobstay?ref=svsabado.com) to relieve the pressure our [bridle](https://www.sailboat-cruising.com/boating-terms.html?ref=svsabado.com) was putting on the [bowsprit](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bowsprit?ref=svsabado.com), in the dark while the wind was howling. Luckily though, Ray pulled it off seamlessly. However, those conditions, in combination with the near collision we saw, was enough to keep us on edge the entire night- so much for a good night’s sleep! The wind was coming from a completely different direction by Wednesday, so we ended up leaving that morning and dropped anchor back where we had stopped before the storm. We spent the day napping and tidying up the boat. Thursday morning was the first day this week that I’d describe as “calm” in terms of weather/sea state/wind. So, we took the dinghy out to explore! ![](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/9TvM0yEEaauys1PYgFPaMSrMHr4TuK_avtkQ0g58AjvWNda8In2apd6Y1MjLrdJskJdO3WryrXXJN_Gglcy1PqMS4KDrUGlWQLI1m8EJFXNE2hrCg1wvZFQ6AGxNKkYRhqg9T0rB) The island we were anchored by is called Big Sampson Cay, and it’s actually [for sale](https://www.privateislandsonline.com/caribbean/bahamas/the-exumas/big-sampson-cay?ref=svsabado.com). It is currently owned by [John Malone](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/John%5FC.%5FMalone?ref=svsabado.com), and has a resort and a marina. However, both have been closed to the public since 2013, when John decided to make the island only accessible to himself, his family, and their guests. ![](https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/l4f_NfnCcfNujOcdGEOGW_yzcmIVV_28lQVQksM486U8HnInKBA6uXz-7zhvUBSVz1BFljEvvlQ3-6e5wEOt34RH5PFPHpidQQel5jlf6-ZB4uTcE1p3m9kyybCv5d0U2afd6sCZ) So, we went ahead and took the dinghy all the way over to Staniel Cay, walked around a bit, and cruised by Pig Beach on the way home! ![](https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/Not3F1iduMMTt6f67BexENfrr1fdHLlTEUS5VNpMA2Y8SIuur7h6IJ72mpG-3_-9zB8R31q08REPeZBoOyr06J-a52DO_w6o3wKgslONuEmf-oo8CZRwb1Vx1-2Lj9mn4MFrLtaX) There are rumors that the pigs are there from a pirate ship that crashed a long time ago that had them on board, but we’ve also heard that they disappear for a while every so often, which makes me think that they actually belong to a farmer who figured out tourists would feed them for free if he left them on the beach, and he picks them up once they’re fat enough and takes them to the butcher… I could be wrong though! No one else was there when we stopped by, so we fed them our lunch leftovers from the dinghy and left. The next day we set out on a mission to buy a spear. There are[ a lot of regulations](https://www.myoutislands.com/things-to-do-in-the-bahamas/bahamas-fishing/regulations?ref=svsabado.com) for fishing here in the Bahamas, including only being allowed to use a handheld sling for spearfishing, so that’s what we got. We also have a lobster tickle stick + net! I spent the afternoon reading up on how to use everything, then headed out for my first dive. There were two spots close to us on our charts that were marked as good for lobster and grouper- so Ray towed me around from spot to spot, drank some beer, and watched for sharks from the dinghy while I dove. ![](https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/9etHZ2nyd6xPdiPZHvOkOhC3xRiQxAC1W92XgLLp-NsnOCo4h5KjUsOB13TxesBYG6KlpR_JEmjAfXqkqsQHvfrpCr3Sp6OSIiKtPLqpF2Mijk3snVFqftUzbBQk3TIAWKPFpsCZ) I did a thorough scour of the area and didn’t see a single lobster, and no grouper big enough to eat. I was feeling a bit defeated until we spoke to some more experienced divers who said they hadn't had any luck there either. The plus side of spear fishing though is that even if you don’t get anything- you at least had a fun swim/snorkel! ![](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/TuHQxVfgbrAqqrj5OmnxxZEaNjW0KXQVc1gXNhrK-n4Bxxc4IBXmq8bXygRg81nyO4ce0lZWugGbM7SCY0AYEvFaNzNZ9sa0Z5YBuQ5CIx-q4tUYIIADO6ROVGenyHEyefgETjl9) ![](https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/_eeOpjtzCR-L7j9o8Cqj2NuqJId6gTA6oIN_ydaQM13p6sbXgKKHsW5u1GjSkPKJLAHTkAZe8rUZqiQJhuQPWHN62rWLyc5_SUUb-v9eSS54t571Ntl6t3Xm02gBJcDQx3et8RVC) We headed home and spent the rest of the evening on the bow, enjoying the sunshine and our books. ![](https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/hJnn90U3auJ-C3o6aqGmHMdh6a_IYIMfoA1kU02vnjYKW1dK9iL7sdk1VLgHVqLfBjtnXGOHMtxC1yYD4V2J_cW1tKoJmZNHguyTBLrFqcJCXHIOxIhildLyfu2OhJM5rA_IHs0B) Our new neighbors, Carl and Debi on their catamaran named River Rat, stopped by to chat for a bit, and invited us over for dinner Saturday night! We dinghied over and had linguini with clam sauce, salad, wine, and dessert with them. They’re a lovely couple! They gave us tons of recommendations on where to go/what to see here in the Bahamas, and hopefully we’ll run into them again somewhere down the line. ❤️ Today we woke up ready for a change in scenery. The plan is to head down to Blackpoint to get some laundry done, and pick up a loaf of some infamous coconut bread they have there (I’ll report back on that). Anyway, I hope you had a great week! ☺️ ### Another Battery Problem?! URL: https://svsabado.com/another-battery-problem/ Last updated: 2021-01-31T13:16:11.000Z *A Week Aboard S/V Sabado: 1/24/2021 - 1/31/2021* Last Sunday we spent the day relaxing at home and swimming around the boat. On Monday our video from last week finally uploaded! It took 3 days, but at least we got it up! You can watch it [here](https://youtu.be/is6hPcgUUUQ?ref=svsabado.com)! :) Aside from that, we spent the day sorting out the logistics of a battery problem... **I thought you just got new batteries though?** We did! Don’t worry, those are still doing just fine. The battery we’re having problems with now is the one that starts our [port](https://oceanservice.noaa.gov/facts/port-starboard.html?ref=svsabado.com) engine. It’s not a huge deal, because it’s the same kind of battery you’d find in a car, so it’s not hard to find or install a replacement. Plus, we have an entire other engine we can use if needed, and we have jumper cables if we absolutely had to use our port engine for some reason. However, we’d like to get the replacement before we head further South, just to be safe. Our options were to sail back up to Nassau, or get the battery on a mail boat, which would take it to Highbourne Cay (where we were last week), so we could pick it up there. Sounds pretty simple, right? Wrong. Ray called the battery place in Nassau, ordered and paid for the battery, and requested it get onto the mail boat to Highbourne Cay. The guy asked which boat, we told him we don’t know the names of the mail boats, we just want whatever one goes to Highborne Cay, to which he replies “I don’t know the boat routes or schedules”... So we hang up and call Highborne Cay. They don’t know the vessel name either but they say it should be leaving Nassau at 4pm. That was in 2hrs. So Ray calls the battery guy back and tells him this and he says he’ll try to get it on there, but we never hear back from him. Wednesday morning we decided to leave Shroud Cay to hide from an incoming storm. Taking into account our new battery potentially arriving + needing a small re-provision run, we decided our best option would be to head back up to Highbourne Cay and check into their marina for a few days. That way we’d be protected from bad weather, be there when the mail boat comes, and we can grab some fresh fruits and veggies from their little store. Our sail up there started out super nice- downwind, clear skies and calm seas! We sailed with our [main](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mainsail?ref=svsabado.com) up and [jib](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jib?ref=svsabado.com) out. We didn’t have much wind, so we averaged an [SOG](https://www.google.com/amp/s/newportkat.com/2018/05/20/apparent-and-true-wind-boat-speed-sog-and-cog/amp/?ref=svsabado.com) of 3-4kn, but sailing slow is better than not sailing at all! ![](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/ILOaPBXerR3DmyfYgjnpNSg0IIvWJZJ-oo4OPMg0bT72i9NIW6G__rE8LcbdXD3UXx0F6oLJEU0x8UuRp3H8nlKyzCzsf7wTCpgwGlaL_zvBIBz-RTMCRuw5AUdm8CUdyXRQPI21) Unfortunately, about an hour into our trip we changed directions and needed to turn an engine on, so we motorsailed the rest of the way. ![](https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/NuhIvQC9rCRwDqaS0jiI1wUyj6Kt_PKsSRJo9YDgQJIJ_pll0Z7z8FLiVqJIRisEW6FVhkl1Z8YLfMlyAA7dH4wKAYSOJMB_cZG_t2ScmtR19StAAKOIPELyJRdqwW-nYLD4mNdd) We arrived at Highbourne Cay Marina that afternoon, and squeezed into the “spot” they had for us…. ![](https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-9T3l9_Pl_tUzhyIOCq52_382-EcvOFsADsEo0pRXpf8XxoKMuH6D88UZOscAhbhol43MVBWdad5yi0ndU26pbFN6pA3o39c-iTopt7iaw0XB6RDFmxPCyDg0ITFe8g-i0obWDU8) ![](https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/sHwXLJ8NvHOu-Fn1mBC05rWFyvSigmEhYqV3DHYPrIUgdPxpOt5UeOQyuOBpjgjbHows0bl2Gsib1Rr3VlG-ZJy3rXAg-EZsvhSBH84R8BZihJNxLV4TmWCqA_ow1QYoTp2_hdk_) We were veeeerrrrrryyyy close to our new neighbors, but luckily they were cool. That night we had a fantastic dinner at the only restaurant on the island, got dessert to-go and ate it in our PJs at home while we watched a movie. ❤️ The marina was packed by Thursday, which is when we were expecting the storm, so I guess we weren’t the only ones planning on hiding out there for it! Everyone on the dock was super friendly- we had other boaters stopping by to chat the whole time we were there! I think my favorite conversation was with the woman on the super yacht next to us… she looked over at another sailboat that was docked a ways away, they had sent someone up their [mast](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mast%5F%28sailing%29?ref=svsabado.com) to do some inspections, and looks back at us and goes “do you guys climb up your pole too?”. So if you ever hear me refer to our mast as “our pole” please understand that it’s a joke. Thursday morning we saw the food delivery and mail boat come in right in front of us, maybe even a little too close for comfort. ![](https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/8UWjDEngZxn-KRkUe0hVRg7Hk39eJHXVh4A230AmQJD08aBuOh7C-iWRjC7e19v-l7sJbPogyvbPcW1Zk-UdN7gu_R_rk8TR7eNnsKU5miw_gKzw9zZG1ADoMAjDI0RAjHHE36ic) We were able to score some (very expensive) fresh produce and received our new battery before the storm hit that afternoon. ![](https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/iR1NTGAWMsy-GTK-uwIQq4NW7cx3qfcrW9dwiNBNQxjjvdGXeiV48oHqsif_6F6eNQwr9j9KcCqXYrK6ev8Y3iQ20MQYBI6182lQPQOtbtqH9fX-WmLKKYjqt3PfT4VUgWyXxLNE) Luckily, the storm wasn’t too dramatic. The worst of it was in the middle of the night, and since we were tied to a fixed dock we had to be vigilant about keeping our fenders in place, so Ray took one for the team and woke up every two hours to check on things. Once things calmed down, I went for one more walk around the island. I found a cute little wishing well and some more gorgeous beaches! ![](https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/lGEqNEcJ3jLHSynhTMXCFcvuCpXWUAcNWQjyjEZzxR0wtUzab3HsTncWqfaAEyo6g5w4CP2VFQ_zswsVk11pG4OcShYBqzKvdCIzznE7-pCuv_y-YqiSRQavkUjRhGyAbtU8Ojwv) ![](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/M8emob0LDa-K0KamwmnOgzMyQstfsdqrsQmfFK5AtEnZw3jD66q6uYxB5qRgrJF12Rj7JC52vCLO9VJtia1jiOHZNTQK0m9Ma19s0quBkNZ1EtruN01DUWdFYIz7YsmFegj4FnI1) ![](https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/v3xaQDWkdK5FyIZzRd-Ekw8GHcVy3RYNR0yULSwJY5uiGwr-qOt-dU8fvAnrvJNkx30qSky0weFhl97qegX2SziSOEoQQ6C7fVYxAs5zrgKk2lANeMvsNplEVRBeTJzxL-XTcBSV) I’ll definitely miss this place! We decided to leave Saturday morning. There’s an even bigger storm coming on Monday night/Tuesday, so it was the talk of the marina- who’s going where, what’s everyone’s plan- some boats were even talking about going to Staniel Cay, flying home, and paying delivery crews to handle the boat during the storm. We pulled off the dock around 8am and headed to South in search of some protection. ![](https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/VI78Cy5H6QRwuroB342WAprZNjcSl3lBTocIMPb1PN2B-vL47Ywv3wSuXv5t3u6IuqL2VZQNe-1CpC8W5jTKii-GuyAhPUqHS7_MbFkbK8u8rhSaIqrnhWymW3OMteKLC7mQ1LvK) We changed our mind about where to go roughly 5 times while we were underway, but we ended up dropping anchor in a secluded little cove that afternoon. We took down our [Code 0](https://www.uksailmakers.com/sails-overview-cruising-spinnakers/cruising-code-zero?ref=svsabado.com) in preparation for the storm, and had some friends who were anchored nearby over for a movie night. ![](https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/Mzry4OO25ZvYTIATzV93BS2mhQZLllXFBtO_F9WlcUplo2WLGoapB1RX9QwTm47F7ZnxD1DCuwSQWYT0W0C7QTtFgfhrkb1yZCS0m0Cs0fIZ13VP2k0046hNHddy5Xxqwd1f-RCF) We decided this spot isn’t protected enough from the right directions to weather the incoming storm here, so we’re going to leave today and hopefully figure out a better location to anchor for the next few days. I’ll keep you guys updated on how it goes! ### The Week We Fell in Love With The Exumas URL: https://svsabado.com/the-week-we-fell-in-love-with-the-exumas/ Last updated: 2021-01-24T13:29:10.000Z *A Week Aboard S/V Sabado: 1/17/21 - 1/24/21* Last Sunday we spent the day double checking the weather and discussing our options for next hurricane season (because of COVID-19, our options abroad are limited and we need to plan it out now if we want to make a reservation to [haul out](https://www.boatus.com/expert-advice/expert-advice-archive/2018/october/boat-haul-out?ref=svsabado.com) in the US). Monday morning we said goodbye to the [Remora](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Remora?ref=svsabado.com) that had made our [stern](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stern?ref=svsabado.com) it’s home last week... ![](https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/7i4ZVSrEbxff9EoIkZP_wc1gTw4VGRHF04P6OLiB9r4OF272s9D8o_bu9ahG6Q1y2Qu0P-GllsHJnNaNRqGo4qzzR5h9uv33QG-EhcT1n5TTPTfBulVIW3p8-nO-DxIkOWDibb4A) (I gave him some green onions, he loved them) ...and headed out to Highbourne Cay! ![](https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/fDFtdxaedjcACB_z1dqYO_IhGkzKP7KgjlRdPbT0aWWugtr76NAON3rpl5M4aAH2uXC_qCShcZcdLQTxZQhp1ixMuCHGZCNK3enRwGCddmjynXyaVkb5o-c0QVZE7yziqzkAgNDG) The trip took us about 6hrs, and we [motorsailed](https://www.sailingtoday.co.uk/practical/motorsailing/?ref=svsabado.com) almost the entire way. We’re not sure what’s been going on here in the Bahamas, but every time the forecast projects 10-15kn winds in our favor, we get flat calm conditions. ![](https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/BCUH0I3CN8Voo-10A3igHfgm9wgspkpKA6jJP7G0ReFAMNa87XQcJCWXbTZ895WCJe69jZFu-C2tNXgZvUtBWsjYTIyZPF_HgYiZmHqZbQcovYp_ZLXWj8ZI_Q26qT2qRFYm3ZLa) On a more positive note- we could see the bottom almost our entire trip! We’re loving these crystal clear waters. ![](https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/uSr9UsYNpL-K3ielLj_ibuFKP4nC1wjIy-NqV2_YfYtuxZmL2k1pEb9rq9MCwrtTJ601CoUyGEmQBZWFn-w9NcqdVsVZrxQOQQDJAuNYpAbhqy26bPr5Ebfnl0qQNrsT4bf7M5WA) We arrived in Highbourne Cay around 2:30pm, and were instantly excited. There was only one other boat around, no buildings in sight, and a very appealing beach within dinghy-ing distance. ![](https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/KNOEeITiFAMkb-ayrAqBN81TdIL0HeY4nXsl1TJKNWx_qwCZ829axMLj06bFv0PHNM7ulKWOJPjtGUsit3suerVvFq1DVytHFuUmmymgMRWjTXTCOkDzEK41U4bV7IdgJIOwZZqV) We set out to explore the next day. We took the dinghy to a marina just around the corner, where we had to show our negative COVID-19 tests before being allowed on land. Once we were cleared, we headed over to check out the nearby beach- it was gorgeous! The sand was super fine/soft and bright white, and there were nice padded lounge chairs and umbrellas set out for everyone’s use- we even had a baby shark come visit us! ![](https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/AXOMuhKgNItn19YC4agZpDuamVUkc7ncavBKIPCOfo98yl7WbMc63gVLQbvhQ6VewyN-kjjshUxuHbVaC4oS4B_ONVpO84uR9Jhh05lCfuhDwpQL9OK6LyGSaT0cN6RRHz614Spz) That beach had a bit of a resort vibe though (which is nice, but not our style), so after an hour or so we decided to get some lunch then venture off to find something more interesting. We ended up eating at the only restaurant on the island- check out the view: ![](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/eSAsgnX2JaeUtsSD1h4cApWzbc4ZIQprzxzINgRn2FCpnWepZ_oeV8ofkAl_uPyA0b76jl9hxhGl8lOa1GG-vDndTJ08P6k8uDLT5BrSWFO8QfGK26LpOPzP5M2xpC0QucGs3vZJ) Before seating us at the restaurant, they took our temperatures and gave us a squirt of hand sanitizer… even though we were the only ones there. We split some conch fritters, I had a blackened mahi mahi sandwich and Ray had a burger. Lunch was a bit expensive, but we were two happy (and stuffed) sailors! After lunch we hiked around the island. There were tons of little trails around, so we found a few super pretty spots (and only saw one other person the entire time). ![](https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/Bn_iJdQuaTXRgjP6ilDWT4-I-S5yImrO_pZtIqRmqR9sbwLVwathbqoTVggTQyvtIvZ0Zr2AaGbgKlfvRcI8V0bazZ5ArVhi0VIs1vNKYqyJguPEHRLGnFfRhWyT8cW9T8UwhEVh) ![](https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/TwJqe5TciX4v0CHoa0dAC4QcOc5a86natoerrp1Jmfmvnt8a8twact95PEpf9cx9Z-AQ5Hyp1pU98tXxbffKQMMTFD0XInLwiXNpcRtixEGRDN0SQPsxNFQg_cxfboMMGGXDsLDm) The next day we took the dinghy around the island in the opposite direction in hopes of checking out the [iguanas](http://exuma.online/things-to-do/7-things-know-exumas-allens-cay-iguanas/?ref=svsabado.com), but the waves were a bit too big for us so we headed home, made some dinner, and enjoyed the sunset instead. ![](https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/KaGDfOIf_o8y_6UExQKxXfmJ-yc0m6VUzY-GuZw4ow29yJOLmI6vsgZmOThND7JOBQUB5maK0ZnRD4aQYlsob5K1YYOdg1tLT4WAnWCDXQ3-NLNKA5iFSrhz5zPm5FOMZ-0fx2rf) Unfortunately by Thursday, super yachts had invaded our anchorage... ![](https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/a5A1AGrY4LdFpH_uPCOaOV8ByWa8inIPPczSZGp5mt7DSUW_DWA2umFaWKJVFSpZHlsBF0bpY0szqb3EEWIRSunNS0RrHI6ZEsTR_p-xay1_Su-fPmLw7EOnwktzeaf4YhwbzNY-) So, we decided to head out! We pulled our anchor up around 9am, and headed to [Shroud Cay](http://eclsp.com/cays/shroud-cay/?ref=svsabado.com), which is a completely uninhabited group of islands owned by Exuma Park. The wind finally aligned with the forecasts, so we were able to sail almost the entire way! We used our [main](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mainsail?ref=svsabado.com) and [jib](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jib?ref=svsabado.com), and even got to fly our [Code Zero](https://www.uksailmakers.com/sails-overview-cruising-spinnakers/cruising-code-zero?ref=svsabado.com) for an hour or so. ![](https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/CNVSAEHRAsKCW8ew3rG2HpsPLi0pksRA9LvTaE5JL6dr8U9Mc2_YXT4iZtMPzhivw4fzPH1NBl8lNdDvaN4I8TF_FTX8t5B3kN-W-u6D1R521pPGdKmzTNVIRd0CdF-QFTUHtIK2) We arrived in Shroud Cay around 2pm and picked up a [mooring ball](https://outchasingstars.com/mooring-ball/?ref=svsabado.com). The water was beautiful, so I jumped in for a swim and dove on the mooring to make sure it was secure. Ray flew the drone for a bit, then we took the dinghy around to check things out. We found ourselves in a dinghy route (kind of like a creek/river) nearby that weaves through a bunch of mangroves! There is supposed to be a nice beach at the other end of it, but we came in at low tide so we had to turn around halfway so we wouldn’t end up stuck. ![](https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/DvjzbtFTfb7E6ko3vPQ9b65XJZpDFhurcAgNtSxwPK4x4_r1suMd76NrLmCqcZR4btHKy5JmufdILWoNk97XFXsgwTK3E9yFpopQ3dwKt_MJ4k7J0wmyZfQvH_y9ZMbQFOenm_ph) ![](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-i0djpW2tRU5-gqDWnNNyF5IvynzkuLr5LWf8vWcK18F2bp11eSdtS27wWhfmBTDALs-Aw_HqvBbMrMhKVhFKTxzHBXPZ0rc_PwnBPG8QBhGH04hkTN-8c1wOFGHJ3IOSHWWMHcT) ![](https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/mj6iFsoR5RS0eRyXV4E-7r5-z2buVH06jrgA-G4MAdq6PAqppyJS5VhHfU6VOpBna2PUrLg_CHqzVo3O7CxU7tJS52GzEmg-jvRk8rGeYqx9o7I4y7qChUwtr2ifhDqPMrO0UQfc) We ate dinner at home that night, hung out on our beanbag chairs on the bow, and watched another impressive sunset. ![](https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/0KpHdnM1QsVWzVUYnt1VGJW9--LLhxT7Peu-NGo_zoQYqSpBPViVTutg9xWuvzMbnTiEA5nPtLxdcw0Ioc21LF7MKz1WEpv5nraB11nwsyp-1mmci6NWaBno3Ex2-UiZwKrQcH1S) Friday morning our friends, [the O’Kelley’s](https://youtube.com/c/NickOKelly?ref=svsabado.com) on their boat Clarity, came by to say hello and pick up a package we had grabbed for them in Florida and brought to the Bahamas (getting things shipped here is a nightmare!). They ended up on a mooring next to us, so we decided to check out the dinghy route through the mangroves again- this time at high tide- with them. We made it through and ended up at a stunning beach that we decided to spend the day at! We beached our dinghies, swam, ate some snacks, and chatted the whole afternoon. ![](https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/gqPyLBFTb8fconKUB28QCZyiy-6oZpNU2vc2O4t-nSFmnXgI96WGybW2lxKrOYlE_nxCbe4RVYPMwUBhVCopYOWj8ZqM3atIzJqV6pDCEwmoOck8En2QGJA1C9pneqxpN4MN3BCy) ![](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/S_37Jpf3_pTQC2_BtA6yCywDPZ_xzUL0tW5J0wWNm9cAL1DkFNq-2iGVDsvHxjr6ngzwRsm8y9IbcG6UXbhloszjr5843CLyykOKKhkMjUsGt3-oqJua4uwCL8TnU9ArKy9G2ra7) ![](https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/udNpCsvJrOt86cR3Tl8ntcefZ-ud8TDVmwKalQW302yI7KwoKZY-mMygauz5ISmQFk6FHy0uCqm-W13CSFPv8ONWMFtx9DVa01zFpZrNZ-RGkmXzOY1EHGenk77ASYi4Z2IpYPDz) ![](https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/_6GDla0jBos8BAAPT4dkDiXcvV-qhi6ZSyJoKqi-04fjzNt7wJYO6qnnXeYqvgJAKGAqHOWv00-Zyww_EZsyLc3KJz28o1bvZnmqefoyIoEX6IFRo5o1HPamYrLCO-D4qpihBcL5) Later on, we parted ways for showers but met back up for dinner on their boat. We had some tacos, swapped stories, and wrote down some of their Bahamas anchorage and snorkeling recommendations since they are seasoned Bahamas cruisers. The next day Ray and I decided to check out a different beach, so we packed our lunches and spent the day here: ![](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/OxQVjvYj_-DKOTIMyW--Vt99Ps6fjl181ChbX4GA1mddUMB3BLcYc9w4oMsJT6435jLuSBCltb2z6hxGmQyN0nmEsx6snYWY2KlNUzmbLnWkjMu1GTPqjZM6fcX0So5fvkNktvwT) It was unreal. We had the whole beach to ourselves. When we got home we did a load of laundry, I swam some laps around the boat, made us some dinner and called it a night. This past week in the Exumas has been incredible, and we are so excited to continue exploring all that the Bahamas has to offer! We’re so happy here. ❤️ I filmed a video this week to show you guys everything a picture couldn’t seem to capture, but we don’t have enough service for me to upload it yet (it would actually be impressive if this post goes through), so keep an eye out on our [YouTube channel](https://youtube.com/channel/UC7jYeVhTcQzrEPazXRhFxmQ?ref=svsabado.com)! I’ll upload it when I can. :) I hope you all had a good week! ### Sunshine, Sharks, Sailing! URL: https://svsabado.com/sunshine-sharks-and-a-sail/ Last updated: 2021-01-17T14:28:40.000Z *A Week Aboard S/V Sabado: 1/10/21 - 1/17/21* **Let’s do a quick recap...** Ray and I sailed from Biscayne Bay, Florida to Bimini, Bahamas last Thursday, but spent the rest of the week hanging out at home while a cold front passed through. Sunday was the first day that it really felt like we were in the Bahamas. The sun was finally out, so we walked along the empty beaches and admired the clear, blue waters. I was thinking about taking the paddle board out for a spin too, but Ray saw a 6ft shark under the boat so I decided that that might be an activity for another day. We even popped some champagne and watched the sunset that evening to celebrate! Unfortunately though, we only made it through half a glass before the bugs got bad enough to warrant a walk home, where we finished the rest of the bottle in peace. We had heard warnings about the bugs in South Bimini, specifically the no see ums, but this was the first night they were really out for us! ![](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/as47P4U17FKbZBmzbmHcJV2mdaCQA40lZidRq72qfBr72uIN9Ug9tI8hT3Qwjo9TgnihUnJaiASyOgzR2qwKc7dbSxqzFBHp9Fxtp7pCF3LiCuhdZMnfj90wLtbnDWi3gb60KyLB) ![](https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/nxSNnfZjkoM8cvO2h1CU5qPoeJ1VvVUYr0W1s6aL9g0BE4qELS1TLlE9swyODxMhAOLqpp1KNf5HpI2LOvc9lKDpuFQJ0L_Zw17GaSWsam-JxwfKrmf3hM9dRn10vqBSkQc8LruG) Lots of [these guys](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Portuguese%5Fman%5Fo'%5Fwar?ref=svsabado.com) around! ![](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/jttsJgiL5J15BmzDuSZdKiXs3-8WBEyYmnZfoSGe5HgpycJ5zByYHsovFgym9hdcKZgJSi1PvWlunu_n7En9aAkbN5amhS6DEQsivP5OZUl0ms-Tgvez3UDu10nx3ujNw8VFgYQy) ![](https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/FaX2E4w8bZcqhXnTeg0jS3sOlLaftcAtybrIxQxKriWBMwGHcrZaKZOwvpJrWqACN-69laG9SIvx3WzmLE_B1iv_jbnIjdc2ZxqcOIYfG9aygcJvqYU3-qmGA9rLp90sA7USOptA) The next day we took the dinghy over to North Bimini and grabbed a few beers, some Bahamian jerk chicken, and watched a bunch of [bull sharks](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bull%5Fshark?ref=svsabado.com) swim around in the shallows. ![](https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/LVJqtT3C1goghXSwt0CvHrA1W1LSvPkIMQKsIo2PqWvaI6yfoJtP40BLeRwe4VQnD4jrorzh3RRZNHTLQKN6E_50U6-kEJ62HXUZ0k7ZqABym32mB77C2IKAAtkzb6W0NOf-mmgc) ![](https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/sZU5G8DzT8tqM9HYotID3pMgfie1ud9eucXawBfPLyv8upl4nGdJA6qcCaEC2IL4dpv_d7-eFYA2ALu0rBVnHr0SubadFV8_xYFgUvsIyVPQqw4FQGkx2iWWJ7_daS-wr-Oko46u) Tuesday was our 5th day in the country so per our health visa requirements, we had to go get our 5th day COVID-19 rapid test. There was only one clinic on the island providing the test and that clinic didn’t have an address, just a vague description of its location in relation to a popular marina. Luckily, we found it easily, walked in (without an appointment), filled out a very short form, got tested immediately and were told our results on the spot (both negative!). It was such a quick and easy process I was shocked! Turns out the application fee for the health visa covers the cost of your 5th day test so we didn’t have to pay, and they keep track of all your info based on your health visa ID number/QR code so we didn’t have to do a bunch of paperwork, and sure enough- we got our email confirmation of our test results a few minutes later. ![](https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/qIFu0isBm6zXhbx078vID4uGXm8F6YHM-EeDHU4d0M9smvHlWShvPUXwPxZGSRCs62PM4bj-9CIe0RJwUMfYtd3Wk9qdN-_-bczxv9ep4fVGfWJV3BVpo17CU-n-aLZkTXDMnSkR) As we were leaving the clinic it started raining, so we grabbed a beer and waited out the storm. When the rain let up, we took the dinghy home, and had a relaxing night in. I spent most of the day Wednesday cleaning the inside of the boat and getting everything ready for us to move again. We paid for our stay at the marina, and spent the rest of the evening continuing our attempts to understand the current political climate in America. What’s your favorite news source? How frequently do you listen to/look into news sources that lean the opposite direction than you do on the political spectrum? We’ve been trying our best to stay educated on what really happened and why, but are definitely looking forward to getting somewhere with less cell service so that we have an excuse to check out for a while. Thursday morning we decided to leave Bimini and head South. We had a sporty sail, dodging squalls and cruising at \~7kn with a full [jib](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jib?ref=svsabado.com) and our [main](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mainsail?ref=svsabado.com) [reefed](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reefing?ref=svsabado.com)! ![](https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/WSiI3sMfNyf83QTqgR93yVBbVWSF7DUIGnvchj5TKpTgJ9IkkxO2klYl2GrawgPPVAP6pAodD1GzBrOHWGiFnHSfoeoXoaHrrnksHpU8Ta-cySu6QBcfxT8e2mj2jUje_1MTLVK-) Since we’re new to cruising in the Bahamas, we decided to anchor on a bank for a few hours that evening so that we’d reach our destination during daylight. We dropped anchor just outside of a group of cruise ships that have nowhere else to go because of COVID. It turns out all these ships still have to be staffed even though they’re just sitting on anchor, and the staffing process during the pandemic [hasn’t been handled well](https://www.google.com/amp/s/time.com/5875938/cruise-ship-worker-lawsuit-coronavirus/%3famp=true?ref=svsabado.com). We had some dinner, took a nap, and pulled anchor around 2am Friday morning and motorsailed to Nassau. Unfortunately, the wind had clocked around overnight and was coming from the exact direction we were headed, so we had the main up for as long as we could, but ended up dropping it as the wind picked up and started both our engines to counteract the wind and current we were fighting. It was a bit of a bummer after the great sail we had the day prior, but the sunrise was beautiful and we were in the Bahamas, so no complaints here! ![](https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/Y9HKlFGSVY7zC7FUwFi1MCVAXydqrqj5QhleG_PBy3zQh5_MfUunW3yuVwnoArv54eHpd4s6Kt6UrsGjJCZkDcHPqn9Y_k6Yj-F4K-AFH9V_89aFC2WnMP0ImNwAWCcbJwQUnJUI) It ended up being overcast, choppy + a bit rainy as we were arriving, which [made it difficult to spot and dodge the coral heads](https://www.cruisingworld.com/spotting-coral-beds/?ref=svsabado.com) as we made our way into the anchorage. Luckily though, we made it in safely and dropped anchor around 2:30pm in a sandy patch just off Jaws Beach. ![](https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/IHs1YPb5BJrENgyXrWEOm6NHrq0ykSTr5-jQnwxsfucwuzWnK81tsGlK-z6fpqYlXlQwq7_pzTes26c4DkpM9L7KXKMia3ceYb6ZGhjQtYdZpNx6g0TME30OOjzSZXZ15KOcz7gd) After being in a marina for a week, it was easy for us to remember how much we love (and prefer) being on anchor. There’s just something special about being fully self sufficient… and having the anchorage practically to ourselves is the icing on the cake! Saturday night we had a little visitor hanging out at our stern. ![](https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/vHIHDPCE_YJ_JflnpSGYsNBc-RcQyyZKQ3Y2jbUSygSxcslK_bLieXUYkIGxXqDBftmv6c6P1L_srGFiW8tnLpb6PRKo2GtB8oYDCbEeUpicX7m8Ytyd5l2ND6_y0F6j57y4sYBk) We think he’s a [Remora](https://www.britannica.com/animal/remora?ref=svsabado.com). We fed him some food scraps last night and he’s still hanging around this morning- I think he thinks our boat is a shark that he can just hang on to… Other than that I have nothing else to report! Things are much calmer today so maybe we’ll head to shore, but we’re planning on leaving here tomorrow morning to go to Highborne Cay! Hope you all had a good week. ❤️ ### We made it to the Bahamas!! URL: https://svsabado.com/we-made-it-to-the-bahamas/ Last updated: 2021-01-10T13:26:38.000Z *A Week Aboard S/V Sabado: 1/3/21 - 1/10/22* Last Sunday was quite nice! I cleaned the inside of the boat, took a nap in the sun and jumped in the ocean while Ray relocated the diesel lift pump for the generator and mounted them on vibration eliminating brackets (he hates anything that makes noise so this was an exciting improvement). One of the cruisers a few [mooring balls](http://bvibound.com/everything-you-need-to-know-about-mooring-balls-in-the-bvi-2/?ref=svsabado.com) away from us stopped by to introduce himself, so we held his dinghy line off our stern in the name of social distancing and chatted for a while. He gave us some great tips on where to go in the Bahamas (he’s been cruising them for years), and urged us to start a YouTube channel so he could follow along with our adventures. Just before sunset we saw a familiar boat pulling up- it was Jamie! He decided to head down towards Miami from Ft. Lauderdale, so Ray helped him get on a mooring ball by us and we had a few drinks together before calling it a night. ![](https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/G2mvAB9-bR49yalHQZnVynNW_1F8a9NAA4HUY2seb8w-KLT4vqGvjAtNjCodbszZrVaey2y4308lT__l9nTNMCGMKRKwOcgzDoUzq4O2bC6Rz-IFO3kXf-bxHZ5V3ds9nUc_4Fhq) Monday morning we went to shore for coffee + ended up grabbing some- you guessed it- more Cuban food for lunch. If you’re ever in the Coconut Grove/Miami area, you have to go to Versailles and get their chicken and yellow rice or the Cuban sandwich, and thank me later! ![](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/v1dW0Lh8UnKI9QlxPqzedqeQtR2Maq_OIG5WM6X5EhnR_3ME3HTlRiG4AB0P7ToQVSKdyPNbz2reGh7fzjL1foNxTWP1duCwTp13jFU7dArtjDVfeW-pWCDq4ugczpAFOP3-EDv_) After lunch we stopped by the marina office and picked up the last of our packages, then headed back to the boat to get some chores done. Our Tuesday to do list looked a little something like this: - Get COVID-19 tests - Return marina key card - Get cash for Bahamas customs - Refill propane tanks - Get gas for dinghy - Pick up boat part for our friends already in the Bahamas - Get eggs and salad supplies from grocery store - Place an Instacart order of beer/wine/liquor Luckily, we got everything except our propane tanks taken care of! ![](https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/hbsae_WA59ztm7RTRjxB3tN28Y-RRCruOVA-1Sw5ce4dPQisBfAW7KqLKesWPOiJaHNSmhN99xmDsHjB8EwtrBw8LYAaI949b5U-Z9FR9Sy50ptPp1YZPJIxaU-wQY_nmAzJV_hO) For our COVID-19 tests, we went with [Blue Med Consultants](https://www.bluemedconsultants.com/?ref=svsabado.com). For $250 per person, they met us outside at the marina we were staying at, swabbed us, and sent us our test results via email that night. For us, not having to make an appointment somewhere ahead of time, when we never know where we’re going to be or for how long, made it worth it on its own. Not having to figure out land transportation to an office, or risk missing our weather window because of longer result processing times either was just the icing on the cake! Blue Med Consultants have totally catered to cruisers with their approach, and we had a great experience with them. ![](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/oi-a8muIAyfxm-pwlml773TDf7HadaNi0q8VGIoN1oRHyo3Veye9SfaD5bmGXsPMrWzmr5r6Re5fb7evkon7HuUAh7ukbNbwnq8KO3Op4hGMHQ6T-WRp2hywVptgiC5Sb_eGmCwZ) I uploaded our negative test results to both our health visa applications Wednesday morning and we were approved within an hour of submitting + paying the $60 application fee. Once that was finished, we had some breakfast and headed to shore to take our last bit of trash in and top off our propane tanks. Our Lyft driver on the way to the propane place was a Cuban immigrant who told us about his 3 day journey to the US with his family in a RAFT when he was 17\. He talked about how scary it was, and how he lost a lot of his friends to big waves and sharks on similar trips. He said he arrived in Key West in 1994, and waited a year to get his green card. Can you even imagine what that would’ve been like? Anyway, once we got back to the boat we decided to head back to the anchorage we were at last week just outside of No Name Harbor in Key Biscayne so that we wouldn't have to worry about navigating the shallow mooring field at low tide before beginning our passage to the Bahamas. So, we hopped off our mooring ball and motored for about an hour. ![](https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/duifSOtLNf0dgxrrwpixH4PwCVMmDZgMBVpZiOuHe207X7Q8TK8SobkpJCnrvylPwSzodoBLSnpl7TxofDmrbFbxaoWjeVebASiqBTFepPdNAdvZi237F9L4VzXqdYChK_DxLeCF) We dropped anchor around 2pm and spent the rest of the day trying to understand [what was going on at the Capitol](https://graphics.reuters.com/USA-ELECTION/PROTESTS/qmyvmqewmvr/?ref=svsabado.com), the meaning of it all, and how it’s being reported... all while admittedly feeling grateful to be leaving the country in the morning. We enjoyed our last sunset in the US, made some dinner, and called it a night. ![](https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/PBxlBt_uJPkNtsn7FQZAJWQ2yQ72KqHC8V6NI416jifl2dgFzmMJY0Yb6F-VIJPNugZLHlzNSF9m1p-6n8zCri858Acmh5TXoeT6TWTPltOM3CaE9vYe7mO0VqH04BqOLDPMIHux) We left at first light Thursday morning and motor sailed all the way to the Bahamas! ![](https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/TTfUGU1Bz8DQbe270woMgq7568-ZQLKhAKV3YU81qw-dsM2ur6rjWfB_eky5-ovzgSL9EHbmvnUpozxdI00rHwtyEYQ18M4qSupT4uhZ_4H1iQuBTY_OcvTwi-MUCdYt1TXgIE0S) We had about 10-15kn of wind coming from the exact direction we needed to go the entire time, so we hoisted the [main](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mainsail?ref=svsabado.com) but kept both engines on in an effort to counteract that and the Gulf Stream. We moved pretty slowly, with our [SOG](https://help.predictwind.com/en/articles/2884569-what-do-the-abbreviations-tws-twd-twa-sog-cog-stand-for?ref=svsabado.com) averaging about 5kn, but it was sunny and warm out so we couldn’t complain! I pulled out the camera and filmed, but there wasn’t much going on honestly. So, we chopped up the footage and made a short little video- just a peek into our Bahamas crossing- and posted it. Did you see it? ![](https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/1qX1kZ9_2HMD3plTUK514lG7fxWv0FlB9uHddoNw73AnhDyez_lJ29xIAxH8uUnNk5oceJCUkAIlMs6OdmxOPegE6poPhkLVPr-mvrVs66nodeHI6nkoAoIvGWkxzn_n7360WCA2) I’m new to filming and editing so I learned a lot with how this footage turned out, and hopefully my next try will be better. :) If you missed it, you can watch it [here](https://youtu.be/ocW6RGsWtMY?ref=svsabado.com), and let me know what you think! We arrived in South Bimini around 3pm and tied off in an empty marina. ![](https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/sZtQAWMKrEWtcjnDVaL30rCqj-qocmDPHCiG3sXuPCrm40iqyCjGEF6Hdjr1D1KwC-t44gdvuZLkWwKW5bEevapS3-Oa33axQzOueTbm0tA3dYrQ8APRIpaQllgeLoUWEegeuQ4W) ![](https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/VX2nHQcBei97ZEDDPJNGdZe3vcsNFjOL6qWiaCMdazLnxCa5ICJYyagS-5p1385DDgkusqgvQdWdVuKbFHxPw9VMxVDRfT9m-GM6SIjGTZBi_xYkL6W8pYnC1LFQym2n2wxsYYqK) This marina is in the center of a condo complex/resort, and we have the whole place to ourselves because of the decrease in tourism because of COVID-19\. It’s a bit sad and eerie, but we definitely feel safe! ![](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/z4h1GRpFRq3-Q8xnflAw4sC4SfF5IoWYXXj2ezkNr3pH8Wt6et-txGsI-izc8zT_65kKaz8LI2Q3ZYE7hE1XbydmHm7vMorcDdosRwLPUfPa98j9Iy6-SDJ6lNpvH9Kki0L6Y13D) We checked in and cleared customs that evening, and ventured out the next day to North Bimini. We picked up an Aliv 4G hotspot, which is like a battery operated portable WiFi hotspot that we can use when we’re in less-remote places. We grabbed some fried fish and chips for lunch from a place a local recommended, then took the ferry back to South Bimini. There’s a cold front passing through (by cold I mean mid 60s), so we haven’t explored the beaches yet, but it’s supposed to warm up again in the next few days! Saturday morning was the first day we received a link via email for the health survey- a short questionnaire we’re supposed to fill out and submit everyday for the first 14 days we’re here. It was pretty straight forward, it asked if we were showing any COVID-19 symptoms or if we’d knowingly been in contact with anyone who has tested positive for the virus. We filled it out and spent the rest of the day relaxing at home, editing footage, and looking through charts to help us decide where we want to go next. We have to get another COVID-19 test on our 5th day in the country, so we’re planning on hanging out in Bimini until then so we can get that taken care of easily, but after that we’re itching to anchor out somewhere more remote, and farther South. Today is chilly but sunny, so maybe we’ll go explore a bit more. That’s all I have to update you on this week! I hope you had a good week and are finding some personal peace and joy, despite all the craziness in the news. ❤️ ### 60 Seconds of Sailing URL: https://svsabado.com/60-seconds-of-sailing/ Last updated: 2021-01-09T17:34:28.000Z 60 Seconds of Sailing | USA to Bahamas A 60 second glimpse into our passage from Key Biscayne, Florida to Bimini, Bahamas! ### Christmas on Anchor + A Change of Scenery URL: https://svsabado.com/christmas-on-anchor-a-change-of-scenery/ Last updated: 2020-12-27T16:04:24.000Z *A Week Aboard S/V Sabado: 12/20/2020 - 12/27/2020* Last Sunday ended up being lovely! We hung out at home, I got a nice workout in, FaceTimed a friend, went for a swim, and took a little ocean shower. ![](https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/Eo_7Ik8CWz6JcCwIk_DVNSONAl8jG1h-eIXYDpmm8RxLea3ivfqp6RmPLdPR1LXobvI_RLMTLrCO_5iiBmSFMZ6DB3rq_WkNAHOQdyFpPM0laTGiNiBvgRnWlt1CNnOXjNp_GPtr) ![](https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/18hUajKVYnvvwrSUDYt28c0UsOM24E4ck4G1l8yvyFCG2IMDK8K_lqTLFv09xflL27t7e981OkSmYq7NXAjfbc_tIPlFyaOklF78qPBarDr8adC1l7T2wMqtuGXthEcBaks-jNud) Unfortunately, that evening we had a big power boat plop it’s anchor right next to us and all of the passengers piled into their dinghy and headed straight to shore… they hardly let out any [scope](https://www.westmarine.com/WestAdvisor/How-To-Anchor-Securely?ref=svsabado.com), and they left an engine on. We weren’t interested in hanging around to see what would happen, so we pulled up our anchor and moved to the other end of the anchorage just to be safe. Luckily, the next morning most of the boats in the anchorage had left- it must have simply been lots of weekenders! So, we moved back to our old spot, ate some breakfast, then headed to shore. We took our scooters around town and grabbed some coffee before getting anxious about how many people seemed to be out and about and heading back to the boat. We spent the rest of the week hanging out onboard, admiring how well our new batteries were working, and enjoying the sunshine! I even got the chance to practice my free diving (my depth is good but duration not so much…send your tips my way!) ![](https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/BUibasCEK8YUOgcNJMDJ7dyZK1rK_nmWxCauLn51CBPAVDx4jVqLGnd4fBfLsfk2Prbnk9_hYmIHWvmVd9Nil1lU-F3-UHa7_PTXDEtZpp8qbtytjl536KoSj4LrGM8ATzt-HsJi) Although we were bummed that there wasn’t a weather window for our Bahamas crossing in sight, we were so grateful to be on anchor with nothing to do but relax. Everything (for once) was working fine- it was such a peaceful week! ![](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/3C-ofko3uedkY58C2JwUoVKWexaedkQ3TRHLQL3JGna4QkMAzbWk6fwgl8eWcfh8MwMKq8hsWPU1hUkX-yXXmsXda_bASHL9hIJqzcWY91BTPTU5F4lxXUsyiWN4-oZ4UdjzYC0R) Thursday was Christmas Eve so I baked some fat Santa sugar cookies and we watched A Christmas Story. ❤️ ![](https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/NlJZjVqJ-bSEk0EX3ktPG2HY5mtjnRy_O0HTZTZ1NSsiPMWnLzvRVlUJ8-dSVG7BlRmRKChCbSpkdhaUw3bwrwSXya4Ybls8wnqMO5U4JoWQX3ruQqYgptQYsgEkWdYGjipaZ5ba) A storm blew through around 2am Christmas morning, so we got up and kept an eye on things- making sure ourselves and no one around us dragged anchor. We were seeing 28kn sustained winds, gusting above 30kn. Luckily the worst of it seemed to pass by \~3:30am, so we went back to bed, but things stayed pretty breezy all through Christmas Day. Cameras can ever seem to pick up sea state, but there were white caps in our anchorage all day! ![](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-DhuK_4nCCUrr8gdh6S_FmP9aFTl4STNXf7M3MbsYJ69SotYbGm0f7B1MuGBZNQok8bnnUbCobaSjYqtUEvJ4ippcSEAWOntl6Eaf7zvRu64dwZ7NOBGE1vXfpjFNJD3IxZ_bk-e) Other than that, we had a very chill Christmas. We opened stockings and just spent the day with each other. ❤️ The next day we decided to pop on over to [Dinner Key](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dinner%5FKey?ref=svsabado.com). We left our anchorage around 12pm and motored over. There were tons of sailors out! ![](https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/LvVz5TW1dnrTfDhLaHbdYzzBAUQXZfimX1jnTAVktjtds7WROCOtDEW-fpSlWW6Q50U4nXnMWI9Ktna81-gBniG-abcPgt4Teubo9ZDjUfVklNXTqtAknAF1_TK-CHI3jQ517rNj) The trek to our mooring ball was pretty eventful… we passed several sunken ships while consistently having less than 2ft of water under our [keel](https://www.discoverboating.com/resources/what-does-the-keel-do?ref=svsabado.com) (that screen in the upper right shows our depth in feet). ![](https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/m43b9QYz4idRK7TKY9cceoCln7cGwobIkXRsJiEOZSpjmfNoz6WczOLxVwDi6fgy4oqeIgQcA0S96PGPW2YPYLeH4M2NKxMkGM6qq9NjXGMWtVnBL7GjTnAAW3YbXRcVmFen0PQx) ![](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/J2lGfNTMtquISakPqo4CEKDc8DrNK2oGmkJcJ-Y6GxKj7lqVZWlLfLsgk8iPfgwDEcU8VglHmZjLTYdhdWD-CnIz1yv5_AgAMQyAqY3YAwPEymDCyjvuzyV5l_7h6-mPd7v7Qvmd) ![](https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/N7weiCZ46ZqHweXeoXn_gsFjYv_Gu_XnFhqoU_EAzN453rgkzc87xvT5vaqOI_vl9R78mCI0AEvh68ZYG0ZgrSf94zGBOKuIMbGRrsMVHfZxC443hUKwTu0UCkLROKd6i0YzFi9H) ![](https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/MOPiIyI8d4CK-Mo4VWCOWW5sTf2NcaRs-VHHhJF38opjpS1JM0C2WoNcC6h1VQGDYbYZOkis80Y4ojBMhrrphf0l2uE7mpDJbvl7E5hIv1rKM7BDKpG9To6HgZz2s1WSvIk_OFac) ![](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/xFeYkFeXbHTEiLFkQHbMoCr9PHLV6PD8vOJ4rJWjwjFxCIwELKJj4cG1UnRYfyrTLxVd-efPpsggxbZdoyMuGV0m9Aq272uibR2mx6G3AOEtjvS-F1MU-OD9o5lnkrF2OQfSufw3) Luckily though, we safely picked up our [mooring ball](http://bvibound.com/everything-you-need-to-know-about-mooring-balls-in-the-bvi-2/?ref=svsabado.com) around 1:30pm! The draw to move was mostly because we were getting bored and there was no Bahamas weather window in the forecast. Our new spot is still a great place to stage for our crossing when one comes along, but we’re closer to the city now so there’s much more to do! Once we got settled, we both took showers, put on proper clothes (AKA not swim suits or PJs) and headed out to explore. We ended up going to a fancy cocktail bar for a few drinks, then getting a steak dinner…. with a bit too much wine. Today we slept in and, per usual, have zero plans. Hopefully I’ll have some sailing to tell you about next week! Happy Holidays everyone. ❤️ ### New Batteries + Old Friends URL: https://svsabado.com/new-batteries-old-friends/ Last updated: 2020-12-20T14:01:38.000Z *A Week Aboard S/V Sabado: 12/13/2020 - 12/20/2020* Last Sunday was uneventful, we went to a hardware store and a [West Marine](https://www.westmarine.com/?cm%5Fmmc=PS-%5F-Google-%5F-Text%3EBrand%3EBrand-%5F-west%2520marine&creative=462606636425&device=m&matchtype=e&network=g&gclid=Cj0KCQiAifz-BRDjARIsAEElyGJAUBpngqN-Vjt8sfo1Ol%5F-aKpBhJy5xtMEIZKMr3JPf%5F53SMZUYLMaAmX6EALw%5FwcB&ref=svsabado.com) (we always need something!), then got some sushi and called it a night. Monday was new battery day! We drove to pick up the new batteries that morning, and Andres from [Multitech Marine Services](https://www.multitechmarine.net/?ref=svsabado.com) was waiting at our boat when we got back. Together, Andres and Ray pulled out our old batteries, and put in our new ones! We went with Firefly carbon foam batteries this time- hopefully they hold up better than our old ones. Out with the old: ![](https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/iA2KikWbzq2dujydK1drNctx9aAJYwrziImuAe6Q4pr2R0gAA9Vo3KWqdbWNWCrITRYYqGgLFt9J14hTkFeuXxA5blOb_EJmX1lsmR0JxWwHu0Lca77Wj76JruWLQOzOZftWkyBa) ![](https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/FNF_3bmN3F7P3AB_b12Ir6GoeDpRh_miib-g2FLP4IZYEVcZYVIvqFEgPBolpRm4xoZDRvPyaDFMC3ceVb-TUtcyuxqm29z2cD2AwjG1k4kV7GmmWA1wfB_k4hPuJ2PffPxL2_8V) In with the new: ![](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/aSCq6-ywNb5ykSlitQqhO7z-cvlMsMhccKq3wqGdPfH8iDGYx2IgojcCajg0S6YO6_laKj4b_4MAZedsYhoj1DPfP4kZAhQ4TYxReu_hOJOEexUtbY-8EaJR_zYTahgK0nyGN3ht) ![](https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/1vxcuZSwtfGzhH-LCbmXDNN5gDrZ2lMJNdqDZsGR1HBgm-GY6U1hoKPBtgX1_cRmyElOkGp3dfK3umjx0XdGI3hyZkqsenT-qrnm3lMYOnDFcPGtbHlhrC9LEnK2_hxwK9qkbLdZ) ![](https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/OGNnaZWExXBw9D_bTmo1KUo2-d701g6lEK9NEd2kVtk5JaNNGtsCd-rMF-OUGusn5RdW8O48uJo0r2GHyQaskJPBwjmqAi0H4bXCHLjh4DbGmJqqCGhRL7sRJCFxmYtBrk6p5PS3) Thanks Andres! And thank you Henry Saludes for prioritizing our problem and sending Andres out to us ASAP! Andres went above and beyond to make sure our installation went smoothly, he even saw some wiring he wasn’t comfortable with from previous work we had done, and took the time to fix it all while he was down there. Things couldn’t have gone smoother!! As Andres was leaving the boat, he pointed out a connector under our solar panels that looked a little bit off and recommended we look into it. Sure enough, when Ray went to touch it, it completely crumbled in his hand. This happened at about 5pm, so we called the shop we picked the batteries up from that morning to ask if they had a replacement connector we could buy off them. The shop is called [e Marine Systems ](https://www.emarineinc.com/?ref=svsabado.com)and they specialize in marine energy solutions. Luckily, they were still open and told us to take a photo of the connector and come on in. When we arrived, we discovered that they didn’t have a like for like replacement of the connector, but Alex (who we had gotten our new batteries from that morning) took the time to run through a few other options with us. Neither I nor Ray are electricians, so most of our options involved him patiently drawing us diagrams and teaching us about parallel vs series wiring. ![](https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/GJuZc_YE5oGjwEc3NdGEwfAx5rotrSkWzwPvz6dHuzxfJ9OqhoU_o1GlF4jMF1pO9i6yWGNQXJ_RDrtKJF1YXrona_4v9D2IAF-WzjJmgkSzwKnsYBzu0EWdkDhWwZI-xqGMePgQ) Despite all of Alex’s help, we just weren’t comfortable doing the job by ourselves. So, he and Wilmer offered to come out to the boat and walk us through the whole thing! They followed us to the dock right then and there and took a look at our set up. ![](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/ya-k4SQyu5RhuZE5IwYliSgekVgoheI9zBLMl3DhBmeBbiejxu6ZoD9XZ8J5fmkVGabxKEPQU4OE8EQFdA_NLA0PQBfrtpgJTXB2z5i91D_iXBtq1Gsrdr5HyqjHLOkMlN7aNBY-) They checked everything out and identified two faulty connectors in our system. So, they went back to their shop and made us custom length extensions to go with the connectors they had that night!! We were shocked at the level of service they provided. They even came by the next day and took our old batteries to dispose of them for us! If you ever need a marine electrician (or any marine energy products) in Ft. Lauderdale, we could not recommend these guys enough!! What a great experience! That night we were in the mood to celebrate! We met up with our friends Jamie and Vivian for dinner. ![](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/DhQqwIMuPe7s_xjdHu84KzLW9Gh8We6blpgYkgN2oMSVAxy16l0LrSwRwqt15LNgHcKATmVLKWNMr2dNZVi0RF-pqkfx9aPB3Ligo-_PHRXTPCb0LqFi_SqqrQaYhBG3M-QR6Gg3) If you’re new here- Jamie lives on a catamaran too! We buddy boated with him for a while in Massachusetts while he had Vivian on board back in September. Turns out he was in town getting some work done on his boat, too! It was fun to hang out and catch up. After dinner we had them over for a few drinks, and Jamie thumbed through our charts and gave us some Bahamas recommendations. ![](https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/eJz9L-gJ1iHsJqOfT7xa87ZsNXRntWQr5mWl2Ov5kN1zN6MIWu71_YdYQxs3I9GzNo5pduwAj_vQPdr5QFB9OTMYPhsw5novWypZ_fnerR7447XUwwqY4-g1SyBPVvCgL4IDc1ao) That night we got a full night’s sleep, uninterrupted by low battery alarms. The next morning we got straight to work- we had a bunch of jobs we wanted to do in preparation for our Bahamas crossing. Ray sprayed and wiped down the forepeak (where we store our lines and fenders) with a mold remover spray and reorganized most of our storage space in the bow. I polished a bunch of our stainless steel, ran a few errands, and figured out what we need to do to get our health visa for the Bahamas. By the end of the day we were both exhausted. We watched the sunset, ordered some pizza and watched the end of Lost! ![](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/dWN-IGK2BGCw2rtLr26VsQuU5CXnT2GhZnCfZaxTrmBM1ybq6maTpiZAyT8Xo301WvXZPwc7r-vjL3H348j2wh7TRmdGupDYu4Qziake4TifalzF8My16alPEQraZCK1vPky1H5C) Wednesday was our last day with the rental car and our last full day at the marina. So, we ran our last few errands, washed the boat, did our laundry, returned the car, etc.- another busy day of chores. That afternoon, a yacht broker came by the boat and asked if we’d mind having his clients aboard for a tour. He said they were debating between a Lagoon 46 vs the 42! We said yes and had them over that evening. Turns out they were going through the process of moving their stuff into storage so they could sell their house and live aboard their first boat- how exciting! We gave them a tour of Sabado and chatted in the cockpit for a bit. Once they left, Ray and I ordered BBQ and watched a movie. We left Ft. Lauderdale the next morning around 9am and headed south towards Miaimi. ![](https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/Suir7mOuT_0KBT-IYGlJYXkM8UG0z5zTjaEnAZWGnx5qo-HPezjg4zaenYc_dpFAfuBhTm8bD7zVc4ae9sL-C7JNv0M3FcMAvUq1E5xsSiEw9tKhuOJphtlBg0O7m6veZYgmoqmV) We had shifty wind, coming from the exact direction we were trying to go. So, we ran one engine, raised the [main](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mainsail?ref=svsabado.com), and used our [jib](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jib?ref=svsabado.com) when we could. ![](https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/gtF0H14on5Gvx9hQmES3RGcTD52JjRKlAYb8IaaPsQbf2tIOBWqMG1S9ybQc9tJJUKg3uMFJeNYHYEYi1wVVRubjEbTGdRB4jk9O4qrtBhUUetMIM3ZaDcfGXqwZcmHJu3zETtrg) During our trip, we came across what looked like a military drill of some sort- a helicopter was hovering over the water and bringing a person up and down from the helicopter to the waterline over and over again. It was crazy to see just how much water the helicopter displaced! ![](https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/lwQDETYaKavZ3XYbvF82xD8binsfHWluGLzIA2pLY3mmA5NmKjCCkIPbnF3QElfzJ6HTane3EJK7PWfqs-dibkqmYkLdFr5uTKbrQC35kfjTOlJ6Iyl1AdQvEgnIi__nB5wVmDvr) We dropped anchor just outside of No Name Harbor (a bit south of Miami) around 3pm. We anchored by these buildings on stilts out in the water: ![](https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/z499Vq8n5-EtnZmEZDw8zcI5hLsuBB0almk9n3cESh0PK9-LHXQ8VHL_kEbDdIULB5kG8xyA0Sanm83COzrirVKeLNgssEMXtxvf50XB2eC-tdZv_OpUlilCoTN4uk27cfuuGk8g) The group of buildings is actually called Stiltsville! It was built during the Prohibition Era, because once you were one mile offshore, you could drink and gamble. Later they became fancy fishing and boating clubs with invite only memberships, and eventually turned into a party town for bankers, politicians, lawyers, celebrities and other rich Miami residents to partake in “forbidden activities”. A lot of the buildings were destroyed by hurricanes, but the seven remaining ones are now empty and belong to the Biscayne National Park. Pretty cool! The next day we went to shore to explore. We walked around the park, checked out the lighthouse, and grabbed some lunch at a nearby Cuban restaurant (and I had my first ever slice of Key Lime pie!). ![](https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/FtmZ1V_XY53tocjs27vfy2wfq8FUK4i9HphKsrOPPn67KuYTlnAHqOeY9g66DHBf2npqnvpuMLepMxd7bMuMMBQT7JkfFzH0BilEC45xxeby9Y_yquxKdWQgf7E0jYrhGVSGbxVT) ![](https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/vIqdPbYK2x-qB17peJS0O5sKQaA2Nd5uG4IIpu6f0KmYOGgEl9lXA2H7KVa-9g8bby8uxtH8c43FKhOpJPalbzz_QEUUk_mUBy4vnN8k5wGPlGsSqmRLgLaS6ILfvJXh2dBaGsR1) Then we decided to take the dinghy around the inlets! It was very similar to Ft. Lauderdale- the big waterfront houses with their boats tied up and iguanas running around everywhere. ![](https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/jSxkcdspWZby2ooMUzpzvJEplh-AF5P8KG-ZUZacswcRTSC-7KxRccgcXysOpvMx0i4bfrMH3lbOTGHodbjUhddxrbVkUVSLcKPqFdOoA8Wk42zEoOzyBqIQZUMyrIdEYOL-kKcA) ![](https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/M1LD-XrsHYDyC6YzyoPE6G0_4gh0HOpl9vtBSNPIsI5jedKR2qHTgD0dS9V69SldjEJNvIOJd5x69rJcWtZMClcnnre1RcgPcFg8S5h4ZZPsOKbA5Ks8ffTAgrYNkWjFxSSXrBXZ) That evening we found out Jamie was close by visiting a friend… we didn’t realize that friend was also our friend- Mike from the week we spent sailing [OV](https://ovcharters.com/?ref=svsabado.com)! Soooo we threw a little party. ![](https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-eNaFK4jL3630zzn0M-gGssrhqNasi-cZIABnoIOfsMf1iMFRAuMPJFi0sKUWFGMbnt6vUBM3pYgtcfk2wBaeAjju1lxRb9AzLLoQjDj5NOXPhw-7D7c35V4LmPee5cS5D_xdJyl) The next morning we were moving noticeably slower. ;) Jamie had crashed in our guest cabin, so we dropped him back on shore then made brunch at home. We spent the rest of the day relaxing and enjoying the sunshine. ☀️ We have no plans for today, but I’ll fill you in next week if we do anything exciting. In the meantime, keep your fingers crossed for a weather window so we can get to the Bahamas! ### Unexpected Battery Issues While on Anchor URL: https://svsabado.com/unexpected-battery-issues-while-on-anchor/ Last updated: 2020-12-13T13:31:47.000Z *A Week Aboard S/V Sabado: 12/6/2020 - 12/13/2020* Last week we dropped anchor in Palm Beach, Florida and were headed to take a nap when I posted our update… We actually ended up sleeping until 5pm, I guess we were more tired from our trip than we thought! We made dinner at home then realized our batteries were dead shortly thereafter. Although we didn’t have much wind or sun that day, we were still concerned because we had motored all night the night before, so our batteries should’ve been fully charged from running our engine. If you’ve been following our updates for a while, you know we’ve been struggling with our batteries on and off for a few months now. We’ve always been able to blame something on board- the drone batteries accidentally staying plugged in, the ice maker running, our fridge sucking more power than it should- but this time we decided that it’s either the batteries themselves or the alternator that’s supposed to charge them when we run the engine, because we’ve fixed or turned off/unplugged all the other possibilities. We turned on the generator, poured ourselves a glass of wine, and discussed our options. If it was our alternator, we knew we could figure things out, but if it was our batteries, we’d have to get them replaced. We knew we’d need to get on a dock for any sort of battery installation, so we went ahead and emailed a few marinas just in case to see if they could take us anytime soon. We chatted back and forth about possibly upgrading to lithium batteries, which sparked the idea of potentially [hauling out](https://www.boatus.com/magazine/2018/october/boat-haul-out.asp?ref=svsabado.com) and switching our stove and oven to electric while we’re at it so we’d never have to worry about propane again... but if we were going to haul out we might as well repaint the bottom too, maybe get that solar upgrade we’ve been thinking about, etc. etc. etc. The more we talked about our options, the more bummed out we got because we realized that if we had to get our batteries replaced, we would have to delay our departure to the Bahamas. But, I think Ray put it into perspective a bit when he said “it could be worse… we could be going to work tomorrow”. Cheers to that! Anyway, we decided to sleep on it and revisit the discussion the next day. At about 6am though, we heard a strange screeching sound. We went outside and saw our [bowsprit](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bowsprit?ref=svsabado.com) pointing straight down. What a way to start the day! Sabado’s bowsprit and [bobstay](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bobstay?ref=svsabado.com) design has never been our favorite because when we’re anchored and the current and wind disagree like they did Monday morning, our [bridle](https://www.sailboat-cruising.com/boating-terms.html?ref=svsabado.com) pulls on the bobstays, which have little to no give since they’re stainless steel, which then pulls on the bowsprit. Knowing that it could take a chunk out of our boat if it got any worse, we decided to just take the bowsprit off. Thank god Ray is an engineer (I just handed him tools and made sure the parts he took off didn’t fall into the water)! ![](https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/z9kHk0jD22EThvHYH_tlELGuI3uIJyRqZaDFk7j05P9Db_ULwOYJagg0cOHx4g9f-wY1h9B0Jgrl8BrSp0NkLIZz7lqsOCES3soiM1xZvCR2eEncYZZLdF9GhByTx0LhYJNYdJnY) ![](https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/4eQ-rvTaofN5pZeXDc-rWMCvFK1Jlz5v87Y06r6VJNXRN4LZLg5AShnL_Fcnsf4FeN6P8rRgYZh_XwXsKjzz-TguQ18E2CcbaB5_I6KKvDB_pIuw89Kj8UxglPU8L94r63DaaIA6) During all of this, we noticed we had 3 completely corroded rivets in our bowsprit. We were unable to find the right size rivets to replace them ourselves at any store in the area. So, the next day we swung by a rigging facility and the guy took care of it for us for free! After a few days worth of research and tinkering about, we were convinced our battery issues were being caused by the alternator, not the batteries themselves. The batteries were fine all day Monday and Tuesday so we thought we were in the clear. We decided we’d still go to the Bahamas this week, but just be mindful of our charge, knowing we need to rely on the wind and sun. Unfortunately, Tuesday night we were woken up by the low battery alarms. Turns out the only reason our batteries had been fine the past few days was because we had consistent wind, but once that died, so did our batteries. This means they weren’t holding a charge from any source (engines/wind/sun) because after a day of good sun and/or wind and/or motoring our batteries should be fine without anything for days. So, that means that despite these batteries only being a year old, it’s time for new ones. At this point, we were on anchor with dead batteries- which is not a sustainable situation. We started our generator and started emailing marinas to see if anyone could take us ASAP, because we needed to plug into [shorepower](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shorepower?ref=svsabado.com). In theory we could just run our generator for a few hours every night and be fine as long as we get consistent sun and wind during the day, but our generator is not the most reliable thing (and neither is the weather!), so we weren’t super comfortable with that being our plan for very long. Naturally, there wasn't a single marina in Palm Beach that could take us. We momentarily considered heading back up to Cape Canaveral, but a quick peek at the weather (6+ foot seas on our nose, we’d get the shit beaten out of us) convinced us to find a place farther south. Ft. Lauderdale was looking like our only option, but there’s typically a month long wait to get in anywhere there. We emailed around anyways and crossed our fingers. Luckily, some guys who have done work on Sabado there in the past considered our situation an emergency/safety issue, and said they could clear a spot for us on Sunday. So, we spent Wednesday and Thursday conserving power as much as we could, and running the generator a bit every night. Ray did a ton of research and found that this is a common problem with these batteries, and we decided to get a different brand installed in Ft. Lauderdale. In the meantime, we set out to explore Palm BEach. The houses we anchored by were gorgeous, and the city itself was so cute! Lots of cool bars and restaurants, and a fun sand castle Christmas tree. Unfortunately, I did not take a single picture (so sorry!), but I promise to do better next week. We were dissappointed that our exploring time was cut short by our battery issues and all the time it took to organize a solution. On Friday we got a bit antsy- we don’t do well when we feel stuck, and this battery situation definitely made us feel that way. We called the marina we were supposed to head into on Sunday and asked if they could squeeze us in a day early and they said yes! So, Ray put our bowsprit back on while I ✨assisted✨, and we made some plans for our departure. ![](https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/xynqUiUMgHcFdZOpc_gMVPKe03K7oTHvIxoCf6XXvdr3G8Jq1IW6G2e3hQ3iw09Xo4vmfL77XJkb7yZehRdNY07gs3iXkInDZjbDxwZl4JAqbqkhVauK_5sfv1zR_2yPOWIbbq0X) We left Saturday morning around 7am, and ran both engines the entire time. Obviously, Ray and I were both pretty disappointed about this whole situation. So, I took it upon myself to make a list of positives during this trip. Here’s what I came up with: - We have plenty of fuel to run the engines because we fueled up before leaving Cape Canaveral last week! - We’re heading further South, which means it’ll be warmer! - We don’t have jobs! - We have beer onboard! - The Bahamas will still be there after we get our new batteries installed! This was definitely one of our more uncomfortable trips. We found ourselves in sloppy seas with big swells and \~20kn of wind. We motorsailed with our mainsail [reefed](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reefing?ref=svsabado.com) all morning. We were bouncing around a lot. I was not feeling fantastic. Luckily, things started to clear up and calm down as we approached Ft. Lauderdale. ![](https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/T0DQnw7fwRQyLBg6G-0bNjQkMzJNNQsF0O2z_ASg5pKW8ALtemcrGT5NrT-CRA8KxROT46JLTbvQfwh2yc9tfMVcUWcNrwWiXL8WFRIRl8rYHMAH5tORfGWLVh2v2RRusziQMhDK) ![](https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/nQWH7HpIBXrQBYEwNYkxi0c6eOsCdi3Tx_9fN_uog7pFTxhcKi_jm3mvejQGSFehtfzySrQ1lndSKSzLQAp5peiVpp2vJz0uA3-SeIWpy35faUp-aalSlZdMx8pu59LKlCgOpG7H) We dropped the main and pulled into the entrance to Ft. Lauderdale around 3pm. The channel heading up to the marina is pretty cool, all the (huge) houses have pilings on the waterline so they can tie their boats up! ![](https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/kwnbXJBdKN1BXc1YGiAHPZMJuhva8VtOY1LESE92ufmG-92DF6FBfzeW1fCFLtpwZ8sqU6ZNy6UKZ0HS3eTkd1Y3w0YZvepgBoNEGokGeIZBy7XEudPINJECKTrqVwpKSeUy-hu-) We tied off to the dock around 4pm and headed to the airport to pick up our rental car. We’ve got a few errands we want to run today, but we got the car so we could go pick up our new batteries tomorrow (about 30mins away). Although this week put a damper on our Bahamas plans, we’re relieved to be off anchor and one step closer to solving our battery issues. I hope you all had a great week!❤️ ### FINALLY Leaving the Dock! URL: https://svsabado.com/finally-leaving-the-dock/ Last updated: 2020-12-06T14:52:11.000Z *A Week Aboard S/V Sabado: 11/29/2020 - 12/5/2020* We’ve officially been docked in Cape Canaveral, FL for a month. That’s the longest we’ve stayed in one place since I moved aboard. Although we did leave for a week to visit my family in Texas, we are still itching for a change of scenery ASAP! Anyway, I guess I jinxed us last week by bragging about the good weather. It was nice on Sunday so we went on an extra long walk and took care of some outdoor boat chores, but a storm ended up blowing through so we spent Monday inside, eating [homemade chicken katsu ramen](https://seasonedbysilvie.com/homemade-chicken-katsu-ramen/?ref=svsabado.com) and watching Lost, hiding from the rain. ![](https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/MxUvuxEvAxNPNETbIUq7OYfCy0JGOuwH-ACRrN1smv3aikf5qTBKaLEP5KGk9hlQhErdDeegaTmOkvmLsuK-8kqEc9cq1s_Gnf6-f0iolRikEunDKhB4I2e8nhzX5Y6BJJAIG4Jp) On Tuesday I announced my resignation from the only semblance of a job I was willing to keep after I decided to sell everything I owned last year, running the [nonprofit I started in college](https://www.womeninsciencesociety.org/about-us?ref=svsabado.com). It was a bittersweet email to send, but it was the right decision. My staff and Board of Directors deserve a President and CEO who has regular and reliable cell and WiFi service and who can give the position their all, and that is not me anymore! From start to finish, WSS was a whirlwind experience. I’m so thankful for those who helped me keep my head above water in the early days, and those who challenged me to think even bigger thereafter. Together, we’ve accomplished some cool things, and helped a lot of women along the way. It’s been quite the experience, and I can’t wait to continue to watch the organization grow under new leadership. ❤️ We spent the rest of the day Tuesday in the marina lounge doing some computer work. Ray got the new iPad Pro so he went in and installed all our navigation and weather apps, while I answered some emails and figured out Christmas gifts for my family. On Wednesday Ray decided to drill a hole in our fridge before I had even finished my coffee. ![](https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/pVgNhaChn1OOoUE6zuHN7gvE2RIIfCo7cmC64xx2jKU7iV6aTYCmO4BmCszf7wdil7zQWeUre5ImmLcKT_MGQgCccwSlXe3446qzyJnSSRx3pVAUUchO8wCdn3S40G_yfdFss3sM) With this new hole, he was able to hook up the thermostat he made for our top loading fridge to this fridge as well. Once that was taken care of, I made our last (and largest) Instacart order- so we should be able to go 2-3 months comfortably without needing any more groceries (longer if we catch some fish ;)). We spent the rest of the day Wednesday drinking beer in the cockpit and listening to music that came out before I was born (Ray is educating me). On Thursday we dropped our propane tanks off at the hardware store to get filled, went and picked up some Cuban coffees ([Joe please reopen Cuba](https://www.travelagentcentral.com/caribbean/biden-administration-should-be-good-news-for-cuba-travel?ref=svsabado.com) so we can sail there!!) and watched some peacocks in the parking lot (they just run wild here). ![](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/5UzCKujB8-CN-dvsJ3xTsV64R-XrWYeC8shzbyRmTA1MqlMMefpWQlE2K_Bff7EcECQbqzgj1Iwn1hKcNEItJ96hYUI5Mkv4_bD6wi3bfWVL-KJihH2NFndGiWbU3xlaETnmILBm) Friday was spent cleaning the boat, checking the engines, sorting out our new lines, doing our last loads of laundry, etc. in preparation to get the hell out of Cape Canaveral. We got a weather window Saturday afternoon, tossed our lines, swung through the fuel dock, and headed out toward West Palm Beach! ![](https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/yY2kYNW5U6rpHuwAmlUDeBzIC9wRIG5bQUwRBU526L1Jt74t1LKGhdp6_8rwL37_tEA5EiwTLwy_Yiq7psyLFoU2YtxXXybZChJrHvZK4UdcOBFNMsQMtAOyxlVA5Kn1vN7FTQ-N) We started the trip off going way too fast- under full [main](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mainsail?ref=svsabado.com) and [jib](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jib?ref=svsabado.com), our [SOG](https://www.google.com/amp/s/newportkat.com/2018/05/20/apparent-and-true-wind-boat-speed-sog-and-cog/amp/?ref=svsabado.com) was 7kn and we figured we’d hit about 10kn once we turned downwind, making our ETA in West Palm Beach before sunrise… and we were not trying to drop anchor in an unfamiliar anchorage in the dark. So we kept an eye on things, prepared to [reef](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reefing?ref=svsabado.com) to slow us down if needed, and luckily the wind calmed down and we were able to cruise at about 5kn for most of the afternoon. ![](https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/DxC1-SepLxFdWHAAurUtxyhjhlA2OtV2rObM-x6eCwowTMlJ-5WIuOUxJJ3UDEjujPCd59WX7wUrMxfhcHi39RZpVfLcTdpOdCobaOw5WHUR6fKuYQvPzI__Ul2UxglQ1eqO1NPz) Towards the end of the day the wind died a bit more than we’d like, so we rigged our jib onto a [barber hauler](https://www.riggingdoctor.com/life-aboard/2016/2/28/barber-hauler?ref=svsabado.com) and settled in at about 4.5kn of speed for the rest of the day. ![](https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/im_nNsl2OEucSUPmFVXlmxuhYDuHpf6NCq0szNFnb5v81jiW1n4znjxDMKboOPM1ZS2ZnTbbszqc71_BhJr1bFyfMRefu0caq2nn5CQPoKiT4HWRTuS_lhZrW7By5g3GSaQja2lN) Usually I listen to a podcast or an audiobook while I keep watch, but when we were docked in Cape Canaveral the boat across from us had a heinous recording of a squawking bird playing every day- thinking it would keep the other birds off his boat, which it didn’t- so I just enjoyed the peace and quiet during this sail. It was amazing. Right before sunset the wind completely died (I’m talking 2kn/2.5kn [TWS/AWS](https://www.jollyparrot.co.uk/blog/understanding-true-and-apparent-wind-when-sailing?ref=svsabado.com)), so we caved in, dropped our sails, and turned on an engine. We were a bit bummed, but not too upset considering this was our view: ![](https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/yKOwGmzW2iCtliDfxUrtYwOVzto9yPSe5wXj9PMwg9EQyOS467AdX-Es58gaUFFShuq4o6xecziJuztValxsFVABF7sLuk9mv1TMBsSqOMU1oEa3T3BnbvcKrQtaGuuo2w2g-FK8) I made some enchiladas for dinner and we switched off napping and keeping watch overnight. My first night watch shift was pretty uneventful, just the way I like it. At one point the coast guard was relaying warnings about a 20ft piece of floating dock that was drifting around in our area, so I kept an eye out for that as best I could (the moon wasn’t very bright so it was tricky!), but luckily we never crossed paths with it. My second shift was similar, I saw a few fishing boats but nothing to alter course over. I watched the sunrise then headed back to bed while Ray guided us into West Palm Beach. ![](https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/Gr5Ai8Pk3E9f8W0u8bJv5QuC5i1cg8ZY11fuayBS8ZN5nn2HLM0XFCmJ49eWuCLKkbWkUVmrw4O-_RNICY_EVAtDLr1FUri6xEbR-DRbgehfzxirkMTWpYSwSrYidMAeHy0gJcqE) I woke up and dropped the anchor, cracked open a white claw, and am getting ready to make some breakfast and head back to bed for a bit! ![](https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/FCZ9IlxngXOVDui_6-kOei5O5ukREX-6a4CIETJZ41nwLt9rx82DbhM7-aPGDq32XCIxJ9l6cQr5dD8qBL9UQeY9t3i-X2BytUwWjwFXUp43r5uhtmEJz-ZuUJHofsvRPjjtqENc) It looks gorgeous here, I can’t wait to explore! I hope you all had a good week. ❤️ ### Dock Fever and Refrigeration Issues URL: https://svsabado.com/dock-fever-and-refrigeration-issues/ Last updated: 2020-11-08T14:51:24.000Z *A Week Aboard S/V Sabado: 10/25/2020 - 11/1/2020* On Sunday we got Sabado ready to leave the dock in Charleston. After being docked for a week, Ray and I start to feel some type of way… being on a dock is kind of like living on land- you can step outside of your house and go anywhere you want (the grocery store, the mall, restaurants, etc.), and with that comes a sense of convenience and ease, which for us leads to a few things: 1. Dependency: we stop relying on each other and our boat. When we’re docked, neither of us is responsible to keep our home afloat while the other sleeps, making sure we have enough power, or making sure we don’t starve. We’re safe in a marina slip, plugged into shore power, and have plenty of restaurants steps away from our boat. This takes away a significant amount of our independence, sense of adventure, and the satisfaction that comes with living on a self sufficient vessel. 2. Stress: Imagine never having to adhere to any sort of schedule and only having to interact with a few people on a regular basis, but then all of the sudden you have to plan your day around COVID business hours, sit in traffic, deal with unhappy employees/rude people in general, and wait in lines. I know this sounds silly and privileged (don’t worry, we’re aware!), but when you don’t have to do these things on a regular basis your tolerance for dealing with them when you do goes down. I think we’ve all probably experienced some degree of this from quarantine! Anyway, we find ourselves getting irrationally stressed about tiny things like this when we’re docked, and after a few days it starts to bog us down, despite our best efforts to suck it up. ;) 3. Routine: Waking up every morning to fully charged electronics, AC, and unlimited hot water is nice, but we’d easily trade those luxuries for a day full of adapting to what our boat can handle at a remote anchorage somewhere in a heartbeat. This, and little things like waking up to the same view everyday, going on walks around the same streets every night, etc. all start to seem monotonous when your house can (and was built to) move. All in all, people live on boats to be able to avoid these sorts of things, so being docked for longer than a few days bums us out sometimes! That being said, we were stoked leave on Monday. We slipped lines around 11am, fueled up, and headed to St. Augustine, Florida! Unfortunately we found ourselves in a bit of a time crunch. We needed to get to St. Augustine during the day, because the inlet is very tricky- there are uncharted sandbars and the channel markers leave much to be desired… so we motorsailed to keep our speed up, and arrived Tuesday around 4pm. We picked up a mooring ball, and popped open some bubbly to celebrate! ![](https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/dKcdDkGjNVHPJcpregxTchJJZV5YYnyx9mk8BiFJ3gCVd3FvWLLlTtMhGCEzWZ6DK07r5puub3O-RAHZU09xYxr2ZUj496YV3EbFOhP9iPAFj0iJxoKXNTCqb7iIm_f5_ZFemDhK) We took our dinghy to shore that night (sweaty, exhausted from our trip, and a little drunk) for some subs and cheese fries. ![](https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/Ti1O2uTEBgefsktZXneUK7s2y_8T-M8GBl4szhalBxWi1dM_McgQ00l3f9jYtyf1K9pww5qj4rmTSQfgcZ_IXOjJF7iChdZRexGKPSVvHIbsIfx1I4Nyo2-hbxIs7QUrWui4HOBa) We called it a night shortly after that, but were rudely awakened by our low battery alarms the next morning. Our top loading freezer (which we’ve been using as a fridge for the past 6+ months) randomly started drawing 3 times the amount of power it’s supposed to, so it drained our fully charged batteries overnight. We let this consume our time for a while that morning, calling repairmen and looking up what to do, before deciding to just shut it off. Ray and I had a nice chat about how sometimes it’s easy to get caught up in trying to make sure everything onboard is working perfectly all the time, when the reality is our boat is a way for us to explore/a tool for the job/a means to an end/etc. so if something is broken and it’s just inconvenient (vs dangerous), we need to remember to shift our perspective and treat it as such. So with that in mind, we called it quits and went to shore! We explored town, checked out Castillo de San Marcos, and grabbed some lunch. ![](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/dmoIUqsD5EUnFChjIbFaHCfCtYcbfG-9XoeuvRG-z3zDLBF0J_27uv6YuW0RkAnDRYnFPWV-NfxUFUGtiOxbq_iiLBvEaeTLEnAJjft-rR9I0cHsf48QSpAyABs5eYn7qtXy0gY7) ![](https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/4iRiQVB3RVDTWptmLP7hOXy1rttk6-B28sSZABW-hs0EsoESYWCNgI5KH8d-25-KVck2IWv_qKcwAO8uLh7ijS59lyw6HZBpsCzxoqY9k23u1120s4LZVvoJWvkLd6IGjcBIHp_r) When we came home later that afternoon, a repairman called us back and we were able to schedule a day and time next week to get the fridge looked at in Cape Canaveral. Until then, we’ll just keep that fridge turned off! We have 2 other fridges onboard and a freezer, so we’ll survive. ;) On Thursday we got some boat jobs done and ate up some of our veggies that no longer have a home since we turned the fridge off, but we made it to shore for showers in the marina facilities and a few beers at St. George Tavern. ![](https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/aiNHWLoOi3FdzYMOLT4QGdJCbb5a4tivJDXCnv6A1XE0tbR-cjjZQkjhH75-THacNsfqjLv6SGwddmUGs07fryaW5m-WHDNLAbx9yxgMWgCZ7OTGFtENYnyHYbxa7wnB-Ua8bo9B) We were initially under the impression that this was the oldest bar in America, since St. Augustine is the oldest city in America and this is said to be the oldest bar in St. Augustine... but Google says there’s an older bar in a different city in Florida? So I guess we just went to the oldest bar in town, but we had fun nonetheless! That evening Ray worked his engineering magic and got the fridge working again. We re-loaded it and had a relaxing night in. Unfortunately, the fridge never turned itself off (fridges are supposed to turn themselves off once they reach a certain temperature then back on again when needed to maintain that temperature, not run constantly all the time). So, it ran all night and we woke up Friday morning to dead batteries again. We were able to run the generator for a few hours to recharge, but we were a bit annoyed. Ray thinks we can swap out the fridge’s thermostat and that should solve the problem, but we’re keeping our appointment with the repairman next week to double check everything. We decided to leave St. Augustine that day, and made a 22hr trip to Cape Canaveral. We started out motoring, but had a pretty fun downwind sail all through the night! ![](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/k_vkLPpV7-tbZdHm4U7LHQXSjn6v_6Z2Rtoft8epUjEJFWa9xj_IiUz7uiS1dvM5lQHLJMV3Xt1x_HFHZltKrRJN86csHnR-PTo9AKXOH4QNVotnnsBZXIFTlYpD0tzcApvVGCPB) We arrived in Cape Canaveral around 7am Saturday, and I decided to check the place out on my own while Ray caught up on sleep. I walked about 4miles and can confirm- there’s not a lot here. I did however stumble upon a strange looking tower with no sign to indicate what it was, so I went inside. ![](https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/BXA_hUUyiOQQetJumuPr33kGzej06rzZcNP7bfiOZN1LyoZF030ArGWx_OTAAhsMwFAbPpM6a8pOODK6p_hIY-zJY2gH_5Gl00z6eTHO1hT4vyYP1AR2c-OCy7gVu6KdBuK_XNx0) Turns out it’s the Exploration Tower (essentially a big interactive museum), which was pretty cool! It focused a lot on marine life and boat related things since it’s right at the port, so I had fun poking around the exhibits. The tower was surrounded by a pond that apparently has alligators from time to time (we’re definitely in Florida!), and a public park full of solar panels that generate power for their energy grid! ![](https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/3Xh19BrAQLedP6iyX0OwaVKj2hdY9BqUCgTysfvnQkMEzSVrJ25XraeIopNUOF7ZpMOBYjHSCwaIcAbYTuj5q7o_BzBGyhpG6FoUyz_N47H6x-UogvnG497weunw7zeLzfPtJfC_) ![](https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/pVcmvSrfipzLJCmawA3tVo7QWAU3lpjkuCfUIA829h3WuqtXvodnPgFAcfswkeGH-yy2rqNyqCN_ICBy2cPLzT_f1-h8lClcMprV5kBYZ1y50ygdFpUxJ_aXn7tq77qKyrIMlmGU) I turned around and walked back home after that, and spent the rest of the day cleaning the boat and enjoying the sunshine in between naps. Saturday night we had a super yacht tie up next to us for a bit. Turns out the guests on board chartered it to stay away from COVID-19\. Crazy, right? That’s all I have for this week, hope you all are doing well! Thanks for reading❤️ ### A Productive Week in Charleston, SC URL: https://svsabado.com/a-productive-week-in-charleston-sc/ Last updated: 2020-11-01T14:43:49.000Z *A Week Aboard S/V Sabado: 10/18/20 - 10/25/20* This week was very productive for us! We stayed docked in Charleston, where we spent Sunday, Monday and Tuesday running errands and tearing the boat apart. Ray started by reorganizing our forward cabin, which we’ve converted into our garage (it’s where we keep all our tools, spare parts, baggage, etc.), and I worked on consolidating our food storage and reorganizing the rest of the inside. On Wednesday we hired a diver to clean the bottom of the boat and on Thursday a team came to clean the outside + inside, which was such a treat! I was also able to provision and fix up some of our decor (we’re trying to make Sabado more home-y), and Ray replaced our reefing line, serviced both engines + the generator, and fixed up some outside things that had been bugging us (including installing a screen door that’ll keep the bugs out which we’re both very excited about). So by Friday, we really felt like we had it all together. Here are a few photos from the week that make me happy: ![](https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/p_89vDIMcpArlOKaZ1X0x7EGAgOkfCVzz5-ST0focD9yvd6gJut4kuT2fSZoDWWDy3U1Ljn7USCWp6b-7vnVzsNC1oE0BuvudfBPJdQzGh4q5hnEnteqNdPw-Rh8DkbYGkFuxnP6) ![](https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/YiCtC1N4QNdEBY4wwE7Zn4HuUmzFnnw4qsbNDZRWtcsFO1sbhTwFDa4ljffCIlfTczAt4XzsZilAij0081sd4sIZyM2jdaYDHUwYSzXlv7_EY7v-cSQ8OVBUTbthHlgzS1s2TSE_) ![](https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/MOJ-9UN8JajPN0DAw9ZS9JylOqSzvlquI67UIpPwHhsW3MFZOFuo-_LyYqOuHQ8PYF96DnE0j17Y-oV99d-f6f_65oQ6AQQ2Cwr2DXB0RLvYs36wbdHBDc3jfz3Xeimp0agE-vzG) ![](https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/qQOViSnSmGfoKfCj_gPCbD48ldbOTwox3ff7Ls1q61XrBXJW7g-5-FD4skkiBovJ-RKAAAwj3G34zwmZ4IYUqN-2q16I-s9FxahtjzSBYWc1Zs4ZF1-nyg-LplM8nKjXJCFGjCu6) \*Obviously we still need to print some pics for those frames. ![](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/9PRDDhQ4ECudtNGbYV1wiftYoomueWZBtL0PqEq3C1hnTF3VWRNOJtMZOl8Plq7cqvoTMf-NnS_rFfFP1VcNFOhej0Dfd0jqWvn2ZBe1GrClqFhar87YVY_aG9Q6Pbww5P1qo_UI) I also planted some herbs and sprouts this week, which have already started growing!! ![](https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/s9JW8vDgXicNrQj5hy3h3YWIHRdrtmHeD-r5F7Drb7m5vkU2CzuNgTWJRRAm1llKxW45L9fXQY9G7xiF5CABSAvlQVAJLga-4qg1pJDvabDpJBSD9LbwgDjzqkRVghDndu3qdqt5) ![](https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/7n3YBs0VGo8-zbI3riM_7Zi9eAZSzu6TOJ_WQx7heoG147kYbaa-mK6Y8w7veN6uonxYgmriG5Hy9uKofWpcOYQI7QjGCnjf0usR3qwrR9YfrOGRcLDAjD2JyC-PCvNz21dTHGeE) While we were fixing up the boat all week, this was our front yard: ![](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/sL1TdV-Osf8IumESzONR2uCuKsrzQXkZ7Hc1ndzMB4vqvSzn1dauxPpn95ckKiNE9AIrxXXNGCMrc9hj1Grw2mACxUorj8teSSzhsPwDB_PR2wZzVHhCxgj04JybzjX5ijDz8CJi) The USS Yorktown is a naval aircraft carrier that now is a museum open to the public! Ray and I explored it our first time in Charleston, and although I was disappointed that the women's exhibit was in the museum’s cafe, I have to admit it was pretty cool \*this is coming from a museum hater\*. You get to walk and climb around the ship on your own and see all the aircrafts, the crew’s quarters, the healthcare facilities, engine rooms, kitchen, etc. Charleston was the first place we sailed on our way north once I moved aboard, so staying at this marina again, with this view, on our way south is extra special to me. We spent Saturday (and will be spending the rest of the day today) running our last few errands, getting Sabado ready to move again, and planning our route. It’s looking like we’ll leave tomorrow and head to St. Augustine, then we’re planning on hanging around South Florida/the Keys for a while so we can watch how the Bahamas 11/1 reopening goes before we head that way. Have you been to the Florida Keys? If so, where should we go? What was your favorite island? Comment and let us know! That’s it for this week. Thanks for reading! :) ### A 3 Day Passage and a Sabado Family Reunion URL: https://svsabado.com/a-3-day-passage-and-a-sabado-family-reunion/ Last updated: 2020-10-25T14:07:22.000Z *A Week Aboard S/V Sabado: 10/11/20 - 10/18/20* We started off the week at home relaxing and watching the rain. Monday was similar, but we ventured to shore for lunch and spent some time that evening double checking the weather forecasts. We decided to move during a weather window Tuesday morning, so we pulled up our anchor bright and early that day and headed out to sea. ![](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/kXeJ0sO3VDYM6IIzJ8oIwwoRG3-7F7SBuV7tGwQfYGs4AtrKm7dNpRTNLOmI6fJeJQn3BnZeaWudbRi9u5l_9m947VCe8QL8JpWhJY2lY6Ons_uszqUsxGUevgbWF4V6F45GE9Du) We motored most of the morning, but the wind filled out that afternoon and we were able to sail through the night! We averaged \~6.6kn of speed, and safely made it around Cape Hatteras early Wednesday morning. Ray and I switched off taking naps and enjoying the sunshine at the helm the rest of that morning, and fixed our code 0 halyard that afternoon. When we hoisted it the other week we noticed a lot of twists in the line, which caused it to stick at the top. So, we tied another line to the end of the halyard and brought it up, then threw the slack behind the boat for a bit (the ocean and movement of the boat helps untwist the line), which seemed to do the trick! We were able to comfortably bring up and use the code 0 when needed the rest of our trip. ![](https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/PH2VK9GTk_sdxIsds0z-JqMYW8je0_hO4jEJnQ2bi5xu10AqwY1KagxGIqQB9alZdC2W1-DK9KdyfHGbOVZ7jgj0LwXwMtZHixKs5EH-XGfNctA1ed3ik-KKltxbI-ISX2lfLPy0) Later that day the wind started mocking us (I swear!). We’d hoist and trim the appropriate sails and then the wind would die, pick up, or shift in a way that required us to completely change our sail set up. Finally, we gave up, dropped all our sails and started an engine. We motored the rest of the day and most of that night. Luckily, I woke up Thursday morning to a warm, steady breeze and a beautiful sunrise! I changed into shorts and a tank top for the first time in a while, and settled in to keep watch. ![](https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/gaLzPRT2CW2v-iwNBSoUTyxde5Hb4-EOk2514sFWxIdb-3LU9Pzt1DYZuCj0DFUEg1TSthzNews4VmLn5ihxErZ5cVrRrP-fu5xolSsLia3L-WTGddOARZZi_6e-LK0VmVnCgqtj) We had to motorsail, but we made pretty good time the rest of the day. We ran into some rough seas Thursday night, but pulled into Charleston Harbor Marina around 8am on Friday and were greeted by RJ and Jenna (and a bottle of peach bellini to celebrate)! When I first moved aboard Sabado it wasn’t just Ray and I. RJ and Jenna were on board, and the 4 of us sailed together all the way to Maine! ![](https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/plooFAKX88UVb_SQkQaNlltDqNMQLAwR4mxzX1lvGvPmruKMCJlD9g3j24pEnnnxqL2ec2xkgpVAutS40tTvW30lGEbJiAI8a1Pyppu2nR0Xw7n-ul8zjOb38Gv_2iroU115NSvY) During that time, RJ and Jenna became two of my favorite people, and we had a very dramatic crying- at -the- airport- type moment when they packed up and left Sabado in July to move onto their new home, OV, a 2020 Fountain Pajot Elba 45\. In August Ray and I were lucky enough to be able to dock Sabado in Maine and fly to Fort Lauderdale to help them sail OV to Charleston, but that was the last time we were all together. ![](https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/jNhjAvHzAc2EKXPIrE4Lwebxrq5qbPp3gNeHE0mub6FGNoTGEH38ps5d5bV_WxclJt-jkoxwFQxDB5VdzvsL9Uljj8UhuYKBPNROSJslb0dE-LMkB_5K5p3y-jlacmeP8lhTXgs8) Since then, RJ and Jenna have been running charters out of Charleston, and Ray and I have been making our way south with Sabado in hopes of catching up with them! So, on Friday night we all grabbed dinner together at a place that specializes in oysters, fried chicken, and champagne (seriously, it was great)! We caught each other up on everything we’d missed, and talked about future sail plans. Saturday morning we got breakfast by the marina and said our goodbyes. RJ and Jenna left that afternoon to sail south, where they’ll be running charters out of the US Virgin Islands for the foreseeable future. We were a bit bummed we couldn’t get to Charleston sooner to spend more time with them, but we’re excited to meet back up again soon. ![](https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/qnmfszC-QMizGgHDYOjOofgC32qdlaw1iEqFT39yTrzKrhd4hamb9WumRWoIzfcv_p1uEkScg2GUALO1ei2JW5UBU7PVCwL3dTefAIlD0YrZYZAbI9T76ue9gTedqAy2JmIZ9Fip) Ray and I spent the rest of the day Saturday running errands. We have a very long list of things we want to get done while we’re in Charleston, so we rented a car and jumped right in. Since we’re on a dock (and therefore have an address for the week), we placed some amazon orders and ran around town picking up various other bits and bobs we needed. Hopefully this next week will be as productive for us as we plan, and we can keep moving South soon! ### An Unsafe Anchorage + Passage Pets URL: https://svsabado.com/an-unsafe-anchorage-passage-pets/ Last updated: 2020-10-18T13:46:28.000Z *A Week Aboard S/V Sabado: 10/4/2020 - 10/11/2020* This week started off on a bad note.... We collided with another boat. One second we were safely anchored, eating soup in our pajamas and the next we were slinging lines and fenders. It happened that fast. We’re still not particularly sure how it happened... We dropped our anchor at the stern of another catamaran which is usually a sound approach since catamarans swing the same. Unfortunately though, the current and the wind in the anchorage were disagreeing with each other (and frequently changing), so we somehow ended up swinging around each other and getting our anchor chains intertwined. We sprang into action- pulling out our fenders and trying to wake the captain of the other boat. A sailor from another boat nearby came over on his dinghy to help us (Greg if you’re reading this you’re a legend THANK YOU). After about 2hrs of troubleshooting between the 4 of us, it boiled down to our chain being caught on the fluke of the other boat’s anchor. Ray ended up jumping into Greg’s dinghy and manhandling the anchor until the chain came loose, allowing the other boat to pull up their anchor and move away from us. We followed suit, pulling up and resetting our anchor, but we couldn’t find a spot in that anchorage where we felt safe staying for the night after all of that. So, we decided to head over to the fuel dock, fill up on diesel, and head back out to sea to continue moving South. Unfortunately, it seems that that fuel dock was not made for sailboats. We pulled up to the entrance and it was too shallow for us to proceed. So, we turned back around, re-evaluated our plan, and decided to try to make it to another anchorage a ways away before dark. That’s what brought us to Lewes, Delaware. We safely anchored by the lighthouse, and got our first full night’s sleep in days. On Monday, we reached out to our weather router for this trip, Chris Parker, and told him where we were and that we’d still like to get to Charleston, South Carolina, but we’d need to prioritize sailing since we didn’t get the chance to fuel up. He said to hang tight until Thursday, then there’d be a great sailing weather window for us to make another hop on our trip. We spent the rest of the day Monday lounging around the house. Both our bodies were aching, so we relished the chance to recover. On Tuesday we decided to venture to shore. We had low expectations because it seemed like we were in the middle of nowhere, but we hadn’t grocery shopped in over a month so we were on a mission to pick up a few things. The trek to shore ended up being really cool, it took us about 30mins in the dinghy, but we got to go through this canal that runs right through a surprisingly bustling town, flanked by cute houses and private docks. ![](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/Kq4yu3W-eGRMfuSaZknweybD4RJxbJo4c7UwFtkeCMDL2zgO0TObAzrdRZUUrJ8M1dsmEaDOQApRGl4FpGweWTL61xcXvWLNhtkRFRo4LTA0Ez06j32LF6U5mFU6r8Lk4MLEiTrV) We found a place to tie up our dinghy and grab lunch and a few beers. Then we walked across the bridge and checked out the town! ![](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/BUi99NIITx2QwS6BL9F4tUSboaAyNJmYJWXOvhk2-r2DlvL2OWXifQsfSURt15zprKVu2O1pRPHi-xpE_Zr06hEfledz6JJd2D_qeeUc06dilADEXrzn3RgzXgZJKf0ZHisyPiqJ) ![](https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/Nj8X-rw8MHsYIz57VMfoCX2lB_ixF_cKEXsA43_awGYoC45IhWOPTseGM0NzrxKq5LBMZ3KStVW87lk2yHHVeLD2a--yZjV-Kl1IhTyvMP4DJPXj19H886CJ7cFBTuKXT35Y3L9y) We found a little grocery store and came home with some eggs, chicken breasts, asparagus, and smarties- you know, the essentials. On Wednesday we got everything ready to get moving again- we cleaned the boat, prepped some snacks for our watch shifts, took showers, double checked our route and the weather, etc. and left at first light Thursday morning toward Norfolk, Virginia, where we planned on anchoring for a few nights before making our last leap to Charleston. ![](https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/HLsaiYTLtkI4Iji6iS2NgSkh2nSspY8wj4XHhKp5Z_XyS52iztJN33Tw9moPnGiemRl36nt7e276ClHmo65ixLVEPHq0B7bzWxAxXXyUT9OKmXloKYOpYm8RNHiaGumRpBTBcXFN) We were sailing downwind, so Ray rigged up a barber hauler and we enjoyed some sunshine and smooth sailing! Later that afternoon the wind died a bit, so we brought out our Code 0 to help maintain our speed. Our Code 0 has been sitting in a locker for a few months, so it was a bit of a task to get her up, but once we did we gained 3kn of speed! ![](https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/r5QUfci2gfM1w2xah3Hp7ygFKe6cJQRBV4xXJefGp9S1QA_ma3BRvAtAft9CCmNhk30UPA5lLcR_Hltl4dlv7bc59vcRvC1XuC-EYc5pGRj7LpPBCz8MCsmmUcNVBLZHe-YvZgjQ) ![](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/gbmxRzay9xhEVBBOPwIJ1AUqG41dG-09BLWZwlLl7duqFo4kMVNTkusfurtqzkNfBTrM89YRGLHQuuV0VrfMK6wdeQgQ_by2L_oj9P-kxzMbeuHzVdgvafS7uZoeu8Vow6nrX-Tq) I’m sad to report that the bird we had on board last week, Tweety, died. We found his body in our cockpit a few days later. But, we acquired a whole bunch of new friends this trip… ![](https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/qab-vfhEa_1kibpeIMjrmRuSjntzqMKbCRYziNPagpyhuARtFFZGjAEeR1pOWvscjGoj6BNn7hKLquVX-JhHlhA36-dNfxSDYy7-iSqUs1sMDgAujOPJmoeTEPZQBqo21NGEd6U6) ![](https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/fF1NvkBZL4iWgCFy5T-Irtilp2abXjrfnF1D6IBIJbmb6xb3Zj5Ey9pT4Ca82a2o8H_if-vLxVs0hfAy7lZgxGHCH50TzlhkzPjd4tiXlJprHx8f92_Ju8bwwS4jNoqKTJsLGycx) ![](https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/aL6mxquCL797NJH4VSzsfWf_fk1GQN9LDRKvMbouvBR9NH-pjUaztM2IoUHvG4WEJ9Wdn50ISfKrLujqLIOgZ4GkW5Z4DzXjo0igbEGy55FxP6n5ororNyYCSoyaEOuTicH4Mz8X) ![](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/3UiaMyNsIAEG3VLp0FumljxYyXVeFUuQKisUuxQJMvfjp9zEJ_R5LAB55lKmurdvQK2kLPH-6mCacjzZgKXkN7ow442znkdolS_XxkdCuZIw3mPaUe7kLGCH7oVGXxZmyoHA78jT) I tried to feed them our leftover cornbread from the other night, but I guess birds don’t even like the “just add water” mix I found on board (I don’t blame them). We’ve figured out that they’re pine siskins, which have very sporadic migratory patterns. Usually they don’t migrate South, but some years (apparently this year) heaps of them do; this is called an “irruption”, or “invasion”, and usually occurs because of a decrease in their food supply. We think Tweety died of exhaustion, from trying to fly such a long distance when he wasn’t used to doing so and simply not being able to recover. Hopefully these new guys will have better luck! Oh, we also had this fella who hung out on our anchor all day! ![](https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/Qp6l92MdBV7dqcBbE9ryan3sZZnrrOv_MW_6ePXooWUVaqxO7IPBg3qdE8LWw82o4EdIi5tNgHnt6JaJECWMXsUYz0yADRQ45MJUmSxirhivuO9PjoT9CyWsNxn5fLIiO3LLP4No) Not sure what he is, but he looks like he’s got a sharp beak so we made sure to keep him away from our dinghy. Other than all our bird visitors, we saw the usual- dolphins and whales and flying fish- but I can never seem to photograph any of them. Thursday night was quite nice, we were able to sail up until midnight, when we turned on an engine to help get us back on course. We made some water, and switched off keeping watch every few hours. At sunrise we were at the Chesapeake Bay entrance. There was a lot of ship traffic, including military boats that don’t show up on AIS or radar (the Naval Station in Norfolk is the largest in the world and occupies 4 miles of waterfront property), so we kept a close watch. ![](https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/Mt2SNxzDvjZpaNA19tbq6kEpYsk6fYMoKVZAzI69-PGARCbrE_7H8nzGZ-dvV1xJQM_IqY9trS2KcI7JnB2fsHxt2lu2IEpkHQzLiSWicT0laB9Rtp_OBrIxWNRV2501kSiqECQd) We dropped anchor around 11am on Friday, and went straight to bed. There’s another Lagoon 42’ at the marina just next to our anchorage. The owners called us up on the radio when they saw us go by, and offered to let us tie our dinghy up to their boat, and gave us their marina code so we could easily go to shore! We took them up on their offer on Saturday, got coffee, wandered around Fort Monroe, and grabbed some lunch at a Mexican restaurant in town. It started raining, so we headed home and spent the rest of the day relaxing and sorting out some boat projects + plans. We’re looking forward to sailing further south next week, in hopes of getting to some warmer weather and catching up with some old friends. ❤️ ### A Glimpse into Life on Passage URL: https://svsabado.com/a-glimpse-into-life-on-passage/ Last updated: 2020-10-11T13:02:03.000Z *A Week Aboard S/V Sabado: 9/272020 - 10/4/2020* Last Sunday we went to shore bright and early to haul all our belongings to the laundromat. On our way back to the boat, we noticed a familiar boat had dropped anchor next to us- our friends on S/V Vela! We first met Kara and Erin in the hurricane hole we stayed in for Isaias back in July, and have shared a few beers in a few towns thereafter. They’re heading South just like us, so we bump into each other periodically! We had them over to catch up and complain about the cold, and made plans to hangout again later this week. It’s always nice to have a familiar boat in the anchorage. ![](https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/1Dd0_B5vjwo1wccyFlgZWgvTDAdNaXuJvyh6r9-CLCqYr6tKTkfYwunm0X7SUoUemhkLKyU-q4SJjQxLcsZu8sdpS2dderOMCOD-VdHjoCC-8t0l4SXCXB9nwPTF_DQ-I-Ff_rLh) We spent that Monday in the marina lounge taking full advantage of their WiFi to tinker around with our website. We want to get more serious about documenting our adventures and updating the website was the easiest way to start! What do you guys think of it so far? On Tuesday, a repairman came and fixed our generator!! We’re thrilled it’s working, but we’re not super confident in it in terms of longevity, so we’re still contemplating upgrading our solar and potentially ditching the generator entirely before leaving the states… We’ll see! Other than that, we spent the week exploring Newport, Rhode Island, which is adorable. ![](https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/W_813Uv5VIi7enozdNjzmnbXgz3u8s9pjvhGbYvNSwNa0mRKnlp9RPl4JQvOYAuv0-nqDtWiQ3k85nO9uAmRLEGi_q5OmiiKW8reJJPg6T1WoTIJ_5qDHOsYvXSZ-yLj8l60zSst) The whole city looks like a movie set! We had a great time walking, shopping, and eating our way through town. We ended up deciding to stay in Newport longer than we had originally planned, so we were dangerously close to running out of water and didn’t want to waste a filter making a full tank in the dirty anchorage, so to hold us over until we could get water at the fuel dock, we decided to take a tiny break from boat life- we booked a hotel for a night, took hot (and long) showers, and treated ourselves to a fancy dinner with wine pairings in a COVID-friendly plastic cubicle. ![](https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/_-T3r0rgo_riizSpsTK20SZqR2IBGFDDbK8ckcTniCKD1C6fYxFpyO1sdBipsRj4C0ruVRexz2QKrpYaddJ7wQReF6hF46IKSons8uaaHRn8mkSAlaZFWkGIL3UuIOYe15Zchaa_) It was nice to live the easy life for a night, but we went back to Sabado first thing in the morning because at the end of the day, that’s home. It really hit us this week just how tired we were of being this far North. The leaves were changing color and our toes were always cold, so it was time for us to go. After receiving some custom weather routing from Chris Parker, we decided that on Friday we’d make a long haul trip and sail all the way to Charleston! Here’s the day by day breakdown of life on passage- Day 1 (Friday) We had our last meal on shore with Jamie, picked up a couple extra bags of coffee beans, and spent the rest of the day route planning/double checking the weather/getting the boat ready to move. We left Newport at 4:00pm. We had light but sufficient wind, so we had the main up and periodically brought out the jib when we could! After sunset we decided to schedule our watch shifts purely based off of how we were feeling, so when I felt like I could sleep, Ray took the helm, and vice versa. We ended up switching off about every 3-4hrs throughout the night, and tracked Jamie on AIS + checked in with him every hour on the radio so he could sleep in shifts when he needed to, since he’s currently single handed sailing alongside us. ![](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/HH1hfzWjTlnJiVZ2s7igEm7LypdvP2gZPxqBTq7Rc8F4QCkyiqvgZFfp16ZA8dNnUEa6beaXgkCHDH-twglcBHH-XwPCfltbkWc0X0nBmFjPcjLMT3k6dK9q-eTfHUi4T9PCdjiN) There were tons of fishing boats out that night with huge spotlights, and they have the right of way, so it wasn’t the most relaxing night. Luckily though, the moon was bright so it was easy to maneuver without second guessing yourself. Day 2 (Saturday) Things started off cold and hard. Adjusting to sleeping in shifts is tough, so I didn’t feel too great and it was so freaking cold. I was in full foulies and still shivering. Definitely not my favorite morning. ![](https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/uU8xGixJGdGJ0bVzr9TC8m1dmpFZOd8RLE846HmbOa7sYGLLoW6PtWIN4Hq5lBtj_q_pnssURPdAgwFeoKMMptYDPLfRgRXZfCiHYAcJ78VZgjyKlV-8fPFnueZnTO2X76_5d8KR) Luckily though, the sun came out and things warmed up. The day ended up being quite eventful, actually. We caught a tuna (he was too tiny for us to keep though), ![](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/VY1nkUsRGAyhDlFQ9eBhGiW9EyewgC8MOFrDKgX_gFY8rwco9jk8jLjuV088uv3AMAB0qdJ0F77t_VurkrQKLx4yi3YeRS4uxX3-A3pJgRzfODvweOIl_yErhM2NkiFVRXy9iq7U) had a little stowaway join us (we named him Tweety, fed him goldfish and gave him some fresh water. He stayed with us for the entire day, he even got inside the galley at one point!), ![](https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/J5QVEkMr5IbnWFL0Dk3x8XBDySBbmKN7GAdrI1orc2RXufG0KgM0tDZMmTFwKqCMKKnEHWDr7xOY3GSyXg4cLbspvRQvqUTr5z--lHq_qIpVR-Gtc304iQePnpmK0T6h3rioyfqB) flipped off some lobster traps because they deserve it (still dealing with some PTSD from sailing Maine I guess), ![](https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/dtW4hndKGYUOU_Ymhh88m8WgC3ReQDdTzHUDMINqhv3QuiihfMGCGRAdhydMGgEctG9TN5myH-yqL5bOwc6UwSzN96fFqLEZBGocoZNjLQdmPPEx_ZyIoz8E0wqWjaS-JnZaE9NM) pulled a bunch of mylar balloons out of the ocean (please stop buying those), ![](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/laUujRYXCChbZPCsUds4I4JByng1wBmn2PS5wDuOd9aYL2nzPZHAHAuOwOSUmsRc0evrNZsPWN-t7P4JybNxH_5Q4le8TDHrQtQNGud5ptTD8Zi7jEOcehvbSf2kLBHLbDHMl8hM) and we even thought we found a giant floating bag of money (it ended up being a float from a dock, but this is a perfect example of why we always have someone at the helm- autopilot can’t dodge this stuff!) ![](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/wV6K8a4T53pYkXaJYsaHykrGrT-AYnZvRhmep0bn5sNMQ36FzdlRlNYFYwzD0V1-BmzTwtB28xsHB-xQt1PZnSMYTVR6KSJU4pPuX4QTdG902Bqnf8o7OloNJg-aV4Un84GOvppq) Overall, a pretty exciting day! I made shepards pie for dinner and then bundled up for another cold night of dodging fishing boats. Day 3 (Sunday) I slept from 1am to 4am, and woke up to a change in weather reports. The latest showed some less than desirable conditions ahead for us, so we’ve decided to anchor in Cape May for the day to wait it out. We dropped anchor at about 9am, and aren’t planning on leaving the boat, just showering and sleeping all day, so we can head out again first thing tomorrow! We have 3-4 more days ahead of us, so tune in next week to hear how the rest of our passage goes! ### Pajamas and Storms URL: https://svsabado.com/pajamas-and-storms/ Last updated: 2020-10-05T13:48:07.000Z *A Week Aboard S/V Sabado: 9/20/2020- 9/27/2020* We ended up deciding to leave Pocasset Sunday afternoon since there wasn’t much to do and we were rafted up in shallow waters with a significant amount of wind. So, we made a quick 1.5hr trip and dropped anchor in Mattapoisett! Unfortunately, the wind was too strong to comfortably take our dinghy to shore, so we hung out at home and had dinner on Jamie’s boat that night. On Monday afternoon we checked the projections for Hurricane Teddy again- things had changed and it was looking like we were going to experience significant impacts. So, we pulled up our anchor and booked it to New Bedford. We picked up a mooring ball behind their hurricane gate and waited out the storm. We hardly felt anything where we were, it just got a bit breezy, so we definitely made the right choice moving there! ![](https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/WKwa3LDSFY4YpWYlnKzx97DjKBHDn0qBkqtb90V3_HzfsvRm1-I1wUG5NDF3UXCQq_yEew3kw9rGLFfuU6NWI1qWfMZ2fMaBRX4CrQUaLq6q1MU0k611wEEF6YpjRoWQnArzAdHD) The rest of our time in New Bedford was pretty uneventful, it’s a commercial fishing town so there isn’t much to do, and the parts of town worth going to were mostly closed because of COVID so we were left to entertain ourselves at home (which we did). ![](https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/AUFMWx0zdCI_nlhTgNlnSwGuQo-QfIUmPtwJJnn1r8UzLS2U7CWCX9dh5c-o_uQ__d5qxUm4iTB4XZBZj32EYoCkhdih_3iB89TBtqikJH78wiPLENecaeqIfHtJELlqUow3qwhB) We left New Bedford on Friday, and had a 7hr trip to Newport. We motored the entire way, but we were thankful to have had some sunshine and were happy to be moving! Here’s a shot Jamie got of us from his boat: ![](https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/QJ3eQ5Gloq_ucKEUw7QH_IrNyGgNWBPCTOK7ir_ok1IpKVldVq8b-qxseBkxLucCzCrhgtqzz8cD8QttcPwU5US8qOzeNU_Vv1gbS2gYQHdu3_JTv9-sERJ3Zt8IlaWuKciMmviS) We anchored in Newport Friday afternoon and went to town Saturday. Newport is very busy, a welcomed change of pace from the tiny, quiet towns we’ve been in lately! We got lunch and shopped around with Jamie and Vivian. Newport is super cute, and from what we saw it seems to be taking COVID pretty seriously- mandatory mask zones, contact tracing at restaurants, and even police cars driving throughout the city announcing over loudspeakers “you are in a mandatory mask zone, you should be wearing your mask at this time.” ![](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/YEg1HE61MzagwPOPWQzIyo4u0yqJeMSsVQsLkeaBaMiZpy2qQPcIoTCB-Wt0aTLMZCS608NO0pBZOveXy3S2Pri0cZAzIphyv1XhPK21ekFsAPl-a_bVKo0T1fDt8vf3OpsuZvPR) We’ve also found someone to work on our generator here in Newport! He can squeeze us in on Tuesday, so we’re looking forward to that being potentially productive. Other than that, things were pretty calm this week! We’ve been enjoying hiding from the cold at home and hanging out with Jamie and Vivian. We’re excited to explore more of Newport next week, and keep heading South! ### Haircuts at Anchor? URL: https://svsabado.com/haircuts-at-sea/ Last updated: 2020-09-28T17:19:35.000Z *A Week Aboard S/V Sabado: 9/13/20 - 9/20/20* Last week we sailed from Portland, Maine to Boston, Massachusetts with our friend E on board! Once we arrived we rafted up to our friend Jamie’s boat. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/img-1862.jpg) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/43/0b/430bbca4-113f-4e23-b72d-96a7c0bcf98d/content/images/45-79-23-113-8080/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/img-1857.jpg) We spent Sunday checking out Boston, and E gave me a haircut! E is a very accomplished hair stylist who is known for cutting hair in crazy destinations. Here is some of his work: ![](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/KuQ5AuiFUfpy1v4eKJR8R4G98DbPOQs912R5y9TKIa9ptOLbnxkzW6XqWePDL0g6U8AWAAwPlDPLqvrpoWP9cwPRnZUQ47uOICdFOsALoIkRZ0FLAKo-TQfxmHVc8ZvcWdZRX6s) ![](https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/yyHCPy-YkjJxDOuWSCXEwO9nX1mGglpVrQjAhQa_WpA6eI4iddRBEU1dJfdIgWpPNhMMKYqbj0UPlBTTyjztGozn9_QNB54QqmPiow01xUTxRMMZ17sZMQsQNwrbTtG0zbnthHY) ![](https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/cNH2nFORdQ3qTMQgYL9DosoEj7iHGWxJTtySWf8lXji39o34FcqWh02iKUTvmyZoZjhZjqtmIL_20a7fSqscsxlS8S_8mhW2VSX6kibWI-CmBRm0xb3hs3IWjFmDrzvPsIkO8W4) ![](https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/zUs9sa-wy9A6floOCIaTqcy91dNfgUvFE8OiH6oag9RijPUpcPUgR-vB8iyPi-orlJEIRbO4nhQLtWADgSgKww4UStxIsDQQ5GDfzIVl7qojDU4qgRfJLdc_FRWxFExLtjW9qAc) Pretty cool, right? He asked to cut my hair on the bow at anchor in the Boston Harbor and of course I said yes! ![](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/x3D7KIU_ruVv_g2_EN5mZ2mDkQmogXl5OrUPgRmnF-ccl-106swStE2iEWu-24Gqiy_JuorKJCJ6HzfhCkxRbhKwenPAOgWOEfVmLpVvuyXBfweWMTnyMG1rpWHifpf4ygTNDN8) If you want to see all the cool stuff he’s done, you can check him out on Instagram @onecreativityanddesign :) my hair is PERFECT he cut it to just past my shoulders (the shortest my hair has been since middle school) and it looks so effortless and healthy! On Monday the wind picked up quite a bit so we untied ourselves from Jamie’s boat and picked up a mooring ball in the harbor. We spent Monday and Tuesday wandering around Boston, shopping and eating. We felt very safe in Boston, every bar and restaurant seems to be doing contact tracing, stores enforce social distancing and limit occupancies, and people wear their masks here at all times (in parks, while walking on the streets, not just indoors). Ray decided that after dealing with the broken anemometer, shore power cord, and generator last week that he wanted a “fun project” this week. So, he installed colored LED lights in our salon! They can be a bunch of different colors and are dimmable, so they’ll be nice for night sails (dim blue and red light is best for maintaining your night vision), and they’re fun to have on when we’re hanging out in the evenings! ![](https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/_BR3o2M3DBilKImFGI-XLI8q6KVzS1mw1vOGyU4gvUNfokkknB1ewgdHtHSgvF6MQqRnLFuOnMjI-WtL9wnpX4Ylro6cL8wfQFlQNpMkZifmr3o89BUApxAi_q5z1ML8qtIpyTs) ![](https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/QqsFEMRkESdvWsz6LIn2XLWcZtMU7KQYAsEx9ovE68o-x8BHSTTSkBC_RVLZHu_uUyjOr4rqdOUw2pSVcWedlLK4MpfY-Yw1EBo1i5Qw8LycZjtkR_g_XZT9XfHA7ihHrglwQRQ) E flew home Tuesday night and we left Boston bright and early Wednesday morning and sailed alongside Jamie’s boat to Plymouth. The sail was \~sporty\~, we were sailing on a reach with 20-25knts of wind and choppy seas the whole way! We sailed with 2 reefs in our main most of the way and were trimming our headsail nonstop, SOG was 6-9knts. At one point, we hit a lobster trap (couldn’t leave New England without hitting one, huh?) so I hung out on the sugar scoop watching the line while Ray tacked back and forth to try to lose it. Luckily we got rid of it and were able to continue on! Sailing into Plymouth was pretty interesting, there was a very narrow channel flanked by super shallow waters. Here you can see just how close our boat was to land (and just how focused Ray was on not hitting it): ![](https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/K_Zle89TyzW4z5p449HGOXUiMe-ENpieScavkRpl6iR1eMahSoaobQZmah_jmZRQqmsEAyb4HNsp1o0nm5QhHYlIW0MdHCqxJccRokUG86yDCEstmOseoDfe0ZN12Jqz29D1K48) The trip ended up taking us nearly 10hrs when we were anticipating only 6hrs, so we were completely exhausted upon arrival. We picked up a mooring ball, made mac and cheese, and watched The Sopranos until we passed out. The next day we went to shore to check out the Mayflower (which we were stoked to find out actually still sails) and Plymouth Rock! ![](https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/8Dh6SaeVARz6HZ4DySCnwRuC7Q3D4TGJkvjm5WoU-CcscSpE0zFkPno-u3cHQSWARuH7shbXDUtt9R5tcjrXdaklGtEsUKw8mFWLRqH5E6clAGVzkxi4Jr0EiAV826VLHNkBF2A) ![](https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/him7apsp6dpMt1sbZMYlPDoqxQqZ1lL5-GLqo2lOJ-f7gllq3cclJvwi8oOA0G_zDNVV-k5_hzMh1rPlvJwIgrsS-oxPzrM-uO4E52jXL1xm6ZNVKpNGIlumqxZN9GjCR-k5CYA) We also got a good look at Sabado from land, she doesn’t really fit in here… can you spot her? ![](https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/gPre9AZq-BNaPWHWJFk2fbVVqAseKNve132bAymKjTgEO7yKSRGaOxMzupFMpCh08mloUuQztrAC5L4iUe4IfH5UkXGcPqDmPrYhwxStlA7OzTMEPR-EoFkEuAWG0I6hD7QKo-g) Aside from that there wasn’t much else in town- some cute neighborhoods, a few restaurants and bars, and a botanical garden. Some bad weather blew through on Friday so Ray and I stayed home and got a few chores done, then went over to Jamie’s boat for dinner + drinks with him and Vivian! ![](https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/BC7UPga0OX3Q89RbvLIi2cHaTDjOLmmaWXC6K4GeQye5AKiOlaETNkNw8mmDXlMzAD_ZyNo-aCKT9JmW83Zfxy2j8LYuyMgD9fW_-Shnn-ldwFgFqVbbgzppN4TDBOQ1qvU053o) We all left Plymouth Saturday morning and sailed through the Cape Cod Canal to Pocasset, Massachusetts. The trip took us about 8hrs total, and was pretty rough for me. During the sail to the canal entrance we were seeing 6ft waves and it started to get to me- I had to leave Ray to have all the fun at the helm by himself, while I laid down for a bit and munched on some rice cakes. This is the third time I’ve been seasick since moving onboard… luckily for me it happens very rarely and it’s nothing a quick nap and a snack can’t fix! Luckily once we entered the canal things calmed down and I was able to get moving again. Jamie dropped his anchor and we rafted up to his boat for the night. We’re planning on leaving Pocasset today or tomorrow to sail to New Bedford and then on to Newport, and hopefully we’ll have calmer seas! What did you do this week? ### Saturday on Saturday URL: https://svsabado.com/saturday-on-saturday/ Last updated: 2020-02-17T22:50:52.000Z \----------Guest Post---------- Nicknames are given to you by friends, family, and foe for a myriad of reasons. Some are based on character references while others have a personal significance to the givers of said nicknames. Some are meant as a sarcastic satirical view of the aptly named subject while some are logical and to-the-point. My nickname, picked by my father, is Shanbeh. It literally means “Saturday”. I was born on Shanbeh, February 17th 1979\. I adore this nickname because it was always said with loving exclamation. “Shanbeh, tell me a joke!” “Shanbeh, want to go for a drive?” “Shanbeh, let’s go eat!” “Shanbeh, no matter where you go, the sky will be blue.” Moments in life are importantly significant and that concept isn’t truly grasped until much later when they are recognized as fleeting. Much of life is spent in the hunt for recreation of perfect moments. They carve out bits of our personalities and, whether we like it or not, become an integral part of our nature. I have been fortunate that my nickname was followed by wholly significant moments that my sentimental self cherished since childhood as if I knew that none of it was permanent. A night time drive in the back of Dad’s pick up truck, a watermelon cooling down in an icy creek, a farewell with a simple uttered sentence that changed my life, a meal in India, an introduction to an additional fatherly figure, acceptance to a job, a helmet, winning a marriage, a motorcycle ride with a new friend - these are all but few tiny moments in nearly 15,000 days of existence with the innate knowledge that there will be more, so long as there is a willingness to continue and experience; something new, something different, and maybe something similar in the spirit of the constantly evolving spirit. And just like that, a new experience was presented to me with the promise of a few moments of clarity, adventure, and exploration. Mind you, no one can promise such things and if they do, they are trying to sell you something. But I’ve been around this rock a few times and can recognize a self proclaimed promise of a good time to be had. My best friend and comrade completely changed the course of his life and got rid of most of his earthly belongings in lieu of a life on the deep blue seas of the world aboard a sailing vessel. His floating fortress of choice: a Lagoon 42\. A beautiful and highly useful 42’ long dual-hull catamaran sailboat that makes the world a waterfront property with continuously changing scenery and seemingly endless servings of sunrises, sunsets, and stars as far as the eyes can see at night. I was offered the opportunity to help sail this mighty vessel, from the lower Caribbean to South Florida. A new career path and the hardships that it brought along were a major roadblock to the privilege of hopping on a plane from the rainy and cold Pacific Northwest winter to sunny warm Caribbean weather. It’s not fair to leave the person who’s carrying the household behind with intentions of sun, water and seabreeze. Alas, yet again, she held my soul in her heart and wished me farewell so that I would help a friend, feel the breeze, and clear my head of the funk that fear and uncertainty of a new chapter had brought along. I miss the younger self who was too naive to know fear in uncertainty. I miss the younger self who didn’t worry about the pain and just forged forward. Older, wiser self has learned a lot of lessons but has slowed down a tad because broken bones and broken souls take longer to heal as we age. We’ll always be OK, she insists when I’m clouded with dark inadequacy of spirit and gusto and she knows that if she just pushes me a little more, I’ll spring right back into action. She always reminds me of this no matter how dire or scary the situation. “Go and experience something new and reset your head. What good are you, to yourself, depressed and full of doubt? This will do you, and us, more good than not and I know that you’ll come back with a new perspective.” My Valentine, sweet Ann, even neck deep in her own worries always pushes me out of certain drowning first. I always pull her along with me. Maybe that’s what she means when she reminds me: If you win, I win. It’s hard to not well up like an overflowing fountain when I think of her and her sheer strength and perseverance towards our household. So, off I went to experience a new thing: Sailing. I had previously spent a total of 3 or 4 hours on sailboats and had zero notion of what lay ahead in the deep blue of the Caribbean and the mighty Atlantic. After a flight to Ft. Lauderdale, where I had dinner with my mother, I set off to Puerto Rico - the forgotten project car of USA that had just enough work done to it to get the engine kinda-sorta running but was set aside because the roof leaks and and the tires are bald and in need of repair. A beautiful land that was taken just to cast aside and be forgotten like many things an entitled child has taken without repercussion. From San Juan, I jumped aboard an old but functioning SAAB twin prop by the friendly Silver Airways and flew over the islands of the Caribbean to our destination of Dominica: a land of many waterfalls, rivers, jungles and sweet beautiful people. A one hour long, conversation filled, taxi ride through the narrow and switchback filled mountain road took us to the town of Portsmouth where my home for the next 2 weeks awaited me. Sailing Vessel Sabado. Funny thing about nicknames and their meanings to the giver and receiver. Captain Ray, owner and main resident of Sabado has always had a mantra to help him through life: Every Day Is Saturday. Every day spent on Sabado is Saturday and now I was to be onboard this beautiful shining white craft that sat, moored, in the crystal clear bay of Portsmouth, Dominica. Shanbeh on Sabado - Saturday on Saturday. This thought didn’t truly dawn on me until the flight out of Puerto Rico - as if I was somehow MEANT to be on this boat with my best friend and experience something new. The thrill of new experiences has always been the driving force of so many decisions throughout life and there I was, aboard a giant sailing vessel that was named as I once was: with love and hope for the future. What to expect when given the opportunity to be a crew member on a sailboat: Nothing. Stop psyching yourself up because that’s likely going to be the cause of your sea-sickness. Much like any new experience, I find it best to just dive in, head first, and trust the people who have experience and are leading you through the ordeal. The other crew on Sabado were a duo that I will never forget as I grew so fond of them within hours of the initial meeting: Captain RJ and his lovely fiance Jenna. If you are the type that judges a book by its cover, you may assume that he’s a flat-billed baseball cap wearing jock and she is a pumpkin spice latte sipper who thinks that ambition is writing poetry at sunset. He is an established business person and she is a world traveler and they are both rock-steady at life’s many challenges and chose a life on sea because it takes a strong, self sufficient person to sail a boat, feel the winds, know the current and still be able to prepare and eat dinner at 6pm while the ocean rises and falls just steps away from the deck. Their physical stamina, flexible personality and unwavering trust in one-another made me relax, immediately, on this very alien craft. A 42 foot long boat shrinks down to a speck of dust on the seemingly eternal blue waters of the ocean. Trust in the hierarchy of the crew makes for a very easy passage, regardless of what may come, because everyone has their duties and checks on each other continuously to ensure a safe passage. It really is a matter of life and death. Back to the real star of this adventure: Sabado. The “Every day is Saturday” idea personified by a seemingly alive object that has so much attitude, personality, and a happy humming song that comes from her very center when the wind is just right. You can’t just set a sailboat up on a course and walk away - not for long periods. You and the vessel are in constant debate over wind speed, wind angle, which sails to use and how much line to feed, or take away, to help her with that happy song that she loves to sing. It takes a practiced and patient person with a sense of urgency to keep the boat happy. A happy boat is a happy place to live and an unhappy boat is choppy and begging for your attention, so look alive! The four of us split our duties at the helm by 3 hour increments which promised a chance to see a sunset, a sunrise, and everything in between. Bioluminescent algae that sparkle in the water like the vivid stars that are overhead anytime the boat crashes into a wave. The Milky Way, bright and in high definition, overhead, made me wonder about the skills and abilities of sailors past who didn’t have digital GPS and AIS systems that kept things as safe as electronically possible. Fresh caught Kingfish that could feed an army of sailors, so hearty that it kept intact while being slowly poached in a rich curry being cooked over the opal blue waters of the southern Atlantic, 26,000 feet deep below our floating sailboat that suddenly felt like a tiny dinghy with 4 souls onboard. The moments spent, alone, at the helm are forever cherished in this writer’s head as times of peace and self discovery shared with a sailing vessel that has a name in common with me. Saturday on Saturday wasn’t about helping a friend in need or moving an object around the world. It was about gaining perspective on the size of this world and our ability to connect, personally and emotionally, with our surroundings. It’s about learning that no matter where you go, the sky truly is blue. We have so much in common in these distant lands and Sabado afforded us the opportunity to connect the dots and shrink the world a little bit more, 7 knots at a time, quietly and deliberately carving a path through the blue waters and the neurons that can seem so confusing inside of our own heads. The truth is that it doesn’t need to be a sailboat or a motorcycle or an airplane. Get out there, somehow, and step out of the perceived comfort of your home - be that a house, a city, or a State - and talk to a stranger. They might teach you a thing or two by reminding you how similar we all are. You may receive a new nickname and create a new moment that will, undoubtedly, fleet away and make space for another one if you so choose to accept it and move forward. I, for one, can’t wait to see what’s next. Thank you to Ann, Ray, RJ, and Jenna for making this incredible experience possible. I can’t wait to get back on Sabado.