Caribbean Reality
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- čas přidán 2. 07. 2021
- This is a detailed look at the facilities and costs involved with keeping your boat in a Caribbean marina... All shot on location June 21st 2021.
My books are available to download from: www.gentlesailing.com - Sport
I would listen to you talk about paint drying with that lovely tone and beautiful vocabulary... Stay Safe & Fair winds !!
Thank you Bob.... It appears my childhood in Drama School paid off... Glad you enjoyed it
After listening to the England footballers talking on the radio after their win last night I totally agree and proud we still have people like Michael who know how to articulate English ‘no what I mean’. Sniff
@@robertevason6579 Thank you Robert. Those years at the Italia Conti Stage School were not wasted apparently!
Your main concern seems to be being bored at the same place. An alternative is cruising I suppose which wipes out the marina & gardinage fees straight away. That's 4,600 pounds in the bank for a start. Why would you want to spend that much to be based in a place you find boring or being away from your berth for weeks at a time? Personally I find the French coast far more alluring than being surrounded by huge charter yachts and spending evenings in bars that all feel the same.
Raymond hi,
I spent 5 years cruising and in winter or hurricane season you have to lay up somewhere..
I love the French coast but I've sailed between UK and Spain/Gibraltar a dozen or so times and lived in La Rochelle for 12 years with various boats based there.
However what you say is true - it is a wonderful beautiful cruising ground on my doorstep and maybe... Just wish it were not so cold!
Great video and a great discussion/commentary as usual Michael. Personally, having visited a few of the Caribbean islands, including beautiful Antigua, after a couple of weeks I’m always ready to fly back home to Europe... for its history and culture - all rooted in its people, art, architecture, traditions, and cuisine!
Interesting! I think in lots of ways your right Benny. I wouldn't want 365 for ever here,,, The upside is all the aches and pains go away (except the hip) but are replaced by itches and mossies... It is laid back, there is always a wind to sail by, and the rain is warm BUT in a couple of months I'll be booking a seat on a jet plane back to Europe... Then back to the boat 3 or 4 months later!
love all the details of the boat admin, that’s often the missing part of many sailing videos! I suppose for some sailors there’s an attraction to the outdoor activities such as hiking, scuba and snorkelling, but it’s a really good point about history / culture!
Luke, glad you liked it... I scuba dived around the world and ended up preferring to snorkel - difficult decision...To go or not to go..
Your sailing videos are very insightful and honest. Although i disagree about the places you visit lacking 'culture'. That's subjective and without context to history and government manipulation but regardless, your videos are some of the best on CZcams. Thank you for sharing.
So glad you like the videos... I may have been a little harsh about the islands... Can't wait to get back to them!!!
Great video….I Don’t even Sail, but I enjoy listening to your adventures and thought processes about all matters….I hope you find peace and enjoyable times whatever decision you make! Keep up the interesting videos! Cheers!
Thank you so much Jon. I am so pleased they entertain even non sailors..
Good luck with the decision! I'll be around to watch the next one, wherever you end up!
Thank you Donald - Seems to have struck a cord with a lot of folks this video
I truly appreciate your no nonsense evaluation of Martinique and the Caribbean area. You are asking the same question I’ve asked myself about the area. This is one of my wiser decisions to subscribe to your channel and buy some of your books. Thank you. Looking at a boat in UK now. At 67 I need to get sailing quickly. Thank you for sharing your experience and adventure.
Glad it was helpful and thank you for subscribing.... And buying the books. I now do intend moving the boat to Martinique this year if the covid lock down in most Caribbean islands comes to an end ... still a decision in waiting but the season here in UK waters is so short and cold the move seems sensible.. Good you are starting sailing - it is a wondaful lifestyle and I am a lot older than you and still loving it
I just wanted to say that I appreciate the clear, crisp voice quality despite the wind blowing so much.
Thank you but stupidly I lost the wind muffler for the microphone... just ordered a load of spares!
An honest portrayal of the realities of Caribbean sailing. Very informative - thank you!
Glad it was helpful Osh. Thank you for watching
Discovered your channel recently and throughly enjoy it. Keep up the good work it’s worth all the effort.
Thanks, Simon, will do! Glad you are enjoying them!
Very much so, especially your local knowledge entering different ports and marinas. Would you consider doing one on Rye? Beautiful town and long river entry but needs some understanding on tides and currents. Just up your street!
Michael - thank you. Probably the most relevant and thought provoking video with a brutal honesty that I reluctantly admire and raises more questions than I’ve ever wished to ask of myself.
In spite of our dreams, you highlight the realities of the modern world for the silver haired intellectual. We have the wherewithal, the knowledge and abilities, but do we REALLY want to do it?
Then we ask introspectively; what do I really want to do now? My old dreams seem irrelevant, my realities limited.
This line of thinking can become depressing. I’ve seen it in myself and other cruisers. We’re old enough not to fall for our own rhetoric.
I’m wishing you well and am grateful for your honesty, and that rare ability to question yourself publicly.
Fair winds!
Ian thank you for that. I have been accused of over thinking things but reconnaissance is 3/4s of the battle... I have always tried to do what I think is best rather than what others think. Bravely go where others have been before... Normally when incisive I decide against but looking at the wet windy sea here in northern France in July....
Another fantastically informative video, stay safe.
Thank you Mark
Really good video and very thought provoking.
Taking a leisurely cruise around the islands would be good fun I would enjoy that.
Then passing through the Panama Canal would be a real highlight for me.
To be permanently stationed out there in the Caribbean would lose its appeal quite quickly and maybe just staying in the Med is better, with so much culture and stuff to see.
Thank you Michael for the video good analysis.
Thanks Russ.. 20 years ago I sailed there for 2 or 3 years, got bored and headed for Panama -
czcams.com/video/gvbnWZ0_m-Y/video.html
But that was then... I agree about the Med but Brexit has made that difficult....
Thoughtful Vlog , will be so interesting to see your final conclusion.
Thank you for watching - I suspect 'events' like the non availability of cargo ships this winter will dictate the outcome!
thank you for a deep insight in all the different aspects of it. I really appreciate it!
Glad it was helpful Evan
Your video's are the best way to enjoy boating....
Glad you like them Mr Stratau... Thank you for watching
Thanks for the great video once again. I found your profile by watching your Atlantic crossing guide.
Soon I will put all that to practice and experience both the Atlantic and the carribean for myself! I am joining as crew on a boat later this year :-)
Looking forward to more of your videos and best of luck with the decision.
Jan hello,
Well done getting a crew place for a transatlantic... I am sure you will have a wonderful time... If you get to Martinique then keep an eye out for Golden Haze and come and say hello
@@SailingGently Thank you!
If Martinique is on our Carribean itinerary I will look out for you. The plan to head to Barbados first.
Fantastic episode with outstanding details relating to your choices ahead.
Only you can determine where your priorities lie, but (in my opinion) I think you've outlined afew reasons why I would certainly visit and experience the Caribbean...but not full time. Good luck!
Thank you Dennis. Glad you enjoyed it. I thought very few people would be interested but I'm delighted I was wrong
Very perceptive video. I floated around the Caribbean in the 70's ... before the charter companies took over. Was 'living the dream' when it finally occurred to me that I was too young to go brain dead. The world is an interesting place ... the Caribbean is a fun place to visit.
Donald I think you and I were there about the same time and all you say is true... I purchased some video (tape) equipment in Miami and then headed for Panama with a camera in one hand and the boats wheel in the other.... If I had not got the filming project the South Pacific would not have been half so much fun... You are right, sailing and beach bars and shooting the breeze over a rum and coke is not enough
Solid logic... Delivered wonderfully.
Thank you Steve - Glad you liked it
Hey Michael. Another great video from you. These facts video are very useful for the common sailer. Keep it up. I went to the same marina to years ago after sailing the ARC 2018 with Dan Bower and had more or less the same feeling as you have. The island was a bit boring especially after staying at saint lucia. Soren
Soren hi, That's interesting. St Lucia is probably nicer. I was anchored in Rodney Bay for a while decades ago but have good memories of it. Martinique works for me as I am a French Resident and the flights are frequent and cheap from Paris...
Excellent discussion about the Caribbean, and travels in general, I remember Harrison Ford's bar philosophy in the movie 6 days/7 nights, "It's an island babe!, if you don't bring it, you won't find it!" lol.
I worry that the days of adventure and cultural discovery have been replaced by mass tourism thirst for cheap 2 weeks vacation with the same bar/pub, night entertainment and sun and fun activities no matter what destination one picks.
As far as culture, main land Europe may still offer some interesting canals cruises with great culinary and historical experiences.
Of on this side of the pond, the "great loop" by boat is quite popular, up the Mississippi, to the St Laurence river in the Atlantic ocean. But the mast needs to come off I believe. Looking forward to any trip you wish to share with us, Thank you.
Francois hi,
agree with you and Mr Ford and all of what you say. However historically only a tiny proportion of the population are travelers - explorers or there would be no-one to look after 'home'...
I would really love to do the 'Great Loop' but I suspect you need a mobo for the Mississippi part ... Maybe after the Caribbean venture...
I say the best video I ever seen. I am on the same thoughts for coming future...
Arunas hi,
Glad you found it interesting and informative... It was useful to actually go there
Love the beautiful blue sea 💓
Yes... It is just lovely out there and that was only a few days ago
Excellent video.
Thank you very much David
Fascinating stuff as always. I don’t have a boat and don’t know how to sail. I do have that travel lust and the same inquisitive mind as you so I know where you are coming from. Always good to do what you are doing by talking time to think things out and weigh it all up. I spent a bit of time working in Caribbean region so I have a bit of an idea what you mean about the holiday mentality and lack of history. To me the big plus is that it is French and a Departement. The French have their own way of doing things but they are always good at what they do and I believe better than us Brits. Personally my travel lust would be pulling me towards Cuba and then Colombia. Then I am prejudice as that is my love for Hispanic culture and language. Clearly I’m not a sailor just being driven by my travel lust.
Great stuff. Glad to hear you have escaped the tyranny of the UK.
Enjoy your stay. Good luck. I enjoy your videos and never fail to be impressed by what you do.
Greetings from an unusually sunny hot Northern Ireland 👍🇬🇧👍
Foster hi,
Yes Foster the French handle their overseas affairs brilliantly and make the English look shoddy... I agree about Hispanic culture as well.. I sailed around Cuba as well and think it would be pretty hard to integrate except maybe in Havana.. Sailed past Colombia bu spent some time in Venezuela before the problems - visited Angel Falls - loved the country... So sad whats going on
@@SailingGently you have travelled. You make me envious. Sadly the current gangsters in government want to keep us locked up. You did well to make the great escape. France sounds a good place to live whether it be in France or an overseas department.
I was sure that you made a decision a couple of months ago... now I'm surprised that we may not see you in Caribbean... and now I'm intrigued )
Morten hi.
Yes you are right... Doing some hard thinking. Always difficult to admit one is wrong
Hi Michael,
Don't go to the Caribbean, stay here with us in Europe😀
I know you have done it many times but I would love to see you do the canals down to to the Med and video the journey. It would make amazing viewing watching you navigating the canal and your visits to historic sites plus of course to the amazing French restaurants.
Regards,
Paul.
Paul hi,
The French canals is in the back of my head for later but I think a celebrity chef did it already with restaurants....
Thanks for another great video!
I'm a huge fan of Cuba, great island to visit. Check in at Cayo Largo and set out from there.
Me too, I really enjoyed my last visit to the North Coast
We lived in Guadeloupe for 6 months and one of the pain points was the lack of public transport which meant a car was required if you wanted to get anywhere. Due to the lack of public transport, drink-driving was rife so you really had to keep your whits about you when driving at night!
That's interesting info about Guadeloupe Tim, the public transport is better here in Martinique but none the less its 2 bus changes and half a day to get from Le Marin to the Forte de France airport so the taxi drivers thrive.. I think it's drugs rather than drink that is the major problem - and I don't think it's just ganger
Michael, as they say, "be careful what you wish for...." etc
I guess there is a danger that every day might turn out to be Groundhog Day. But on the other hand, you could probably go sailing every day for six months and not anchor in the same place twice.
I love good weather and could quite happily live somewhere with a lot of warmth and sunshine. On the other hand, I am so used to having (very) changeable weather in the UK, that after 60 odd years - I'm actually starting to enjoy the variety.
You could always flip a coin ;)
Paul good to hear from you and I wish I had your varnishing skills and patience & daughter...
There were 60knot gales here in Boulogne yesterday and I put on a leather jacket to go to the pharmacy this morning and its July... Even if the covid stuff didn't restrict my sailing I'm not sure how much I would have been doing this year so far.
After my initial disappointment with my project I am coming round to thinking I might well do it - 'you always regret the things you don't do!!! But I don't have to make the decision yet........
Amazon have just delivered a couple of big mike wind protectors , just like the one you showed on your channel, for reasons you will have been aware of watching my latest offering.
I find the audio really difficult but thanks to your advice , the F2Zoom and the windshield I can do better... if I try
Very nice video as usual. I also like the way you express yourself in your native English easy to understand and entertainig. As for the Carrabien, I guess its the same as everywhere - imagine you had no work to do and you could not leave La Rochelle for three months in a raw... Wouldn't you feel bored about the place? Cheers.
Rafal hi,
So pleased you enjoyed the video... I actually do agree with your statement about getting bored anywhere but you choose the wrong town for the analogy. I lived in La Rochelle for nearly 12 years and loved it... If the dice of life had fallen differently I would be based there now..................
Subscribed, you are such an interesting chap!
Thanks for subbing Claus.. It really does help and I am glad you liked the video
Excellent as ever.....
Thank you.... Glad you liked it
I can totally understand your reticence about committing to spending 6 months a year every year there. I'd love to have a boat there, if I could justify the cost, and if I could still justify the cost if I decided to skip a year or two, if I wasn't in the mood! Beach bars are not my thing; I don't think people are supposed to be 'on holiday' for too long, there has to be more to get your teeth into; boredom plus cheap booze is not healthy. I have found the people in the Caribbean to be mostly lovely, I sometimes think that if people in your position were able to connect more with the locals, that would make it feel like home, rather than being part of the machinery of the tourist industry. But the wealth difference becomes an issue at some point I'm sure. You have some realistic doubts, it's not going to be an easy decision! Good luck.
Thank you so much for the post.. You clearly reflect my current feelings. I don't have to make a decision until September so I am just going to reflect on it. Really glad I flew out there... Brilliant investment -
@@SailingGently Your continued reflection would be of benefit to plenty of us I think, it's precisely this sort of thing that other channels don't go near.
Great information and always enjoyable I would really love you to make your alternative destination the northern latitudes such as Scotland, Norway. Never a bore and always interesting. Fair winds
Maybe one day Robert. I really would love to sail up that way...
@@SailingGently anchorage’s and bolt holes abound off the west coast of Scotland but then as a down side there is Nichola Surgeon and it’s cold and wet.
Yes, come to Plockton Michael and you will love it!
@@grahamsharp5130 Exactly or Bellanock is a lovely little marina with fresh water so no fouling to worry about each year.
Thanks for details.
You're welcome Irfan
Tis quite a conundrum! Hope you come to a good decision soon 😃 great video as always.
Thank you Custard... One thing I learned as a Who director was do not make decisions until you really have to...and by then the decision has frequently made itself!
That was very thought provoking.
I have always thought that the Carribbean looked like just a playground for beach bums and yacht partiers and so not interested. Then I took in your post Brexit med vids. (I'm in the UK) and re-thought my position. Now I'm full circle.
Our feelings and thoughts align perfectly. My thoughts are that you should pass through and onward West through Panama.
But I'm wondering if french territories and health services are playing a role in your thoughts of a new permanent base? I should say, I'm of a similar age
ATB
Bill
@@ratusbagus Bill your right that I appreciate the excellent French medical system DOB 02/1942) but I tend to use the Spanish who are even better.....
No the Caribbean is pretty sophisticated for boating and cruise liners... Main source of income along with holiday all in hotels...
After 2 years there last time I headed off for Panama and went into the South Pacific then on round.... Just going to not make a decision until I must... Then it will probably make itself... Just wish it were not so cold, wet and windy today!
@@SailingGently Decisions don't make themselves. Either they become the only option or a lovely lady snaps you up and decisions become a thing of the past. Above your pay grade so to speak.
All sounds wonderful... fingers crossed
Amazing video again. Great summary with all details we want to know. Thanks!
I guess that main concern here is the habit as people come and go like in a huge airport garage instead of live a 'marine life' as we used to in Europe. Don't spend too much time in these places. How about look for a different island with a different marina as a base for the long run?
Good point Turk... Thing is as a French resident it has advantages as Martinique is a department of France - but I think your assesment may be correct!
Hi,I agree upto a point with you.I had my self build boat in Med and EU for decades and sailed professionally around the world a few times....I think you are forgetting one very important thing and that is the weather.It is crap in winter in Europe and in Carib it is just lovely to sail and be on your boat.I keep mine in Trinidad now after leaving her also in Martinique and Grenada.For me the good weather and easy sailing is the main reason.I do not have to cover big distances anymore and here it just fine by me.
Robert I totally agree with you... The weather is much better and the 'season' is much longer... The Caribbean has so much going for it. I also like Trinidad a lot but Martinique works better for me as I have French residency so can stay with no restrictions... Maybe see you out there
I spent 3 seasons in Antigua / USVI / St. Barts flying in/out of the USA. Before that the boat was in the Med for 6 seasons: Croatia, Montenegro, Italy, Malta, Tunisia, Mallorca.
Marina prices are comparable (but compare my "final thoughts") between Med and Caribbean, parts are more expensive, labor is more expensive (again "final thoughts").
So what are these final thoughts?
It seems Caribbean marinas are detached from the "real" people and life, which was surprising to me because I expected in smaller places like an island one would be much closer to locals simply by geography. The other matter was a quite homogenous culture when compared to the Med. Same goes for prices which seem to vary little unlike the Med where one finds a much wider range and level of amenities and consequently Caribe-level pricing down to more basic options (and cheaper) prices. To me that is a good thing, I do not always want to be in the resort type places, prefer a simple fishing port at least at times. As far as recreation goes: It is again too homogenous for me. Sure you have the English / French and Spanish colonial history and heritage from it. Celebrating Christmas in 28 C temperature is kind of exciting for a year or two and while I would not call it boring, sitting under a palm tree sipping spiced rum drinks on a fine sandy beach became old after a while, as strange as this may sound.
In my opinion nothing beats a base in / around the South of Italy or Sicily and within a day's sail one reaches Pantelleria, Tunisia or Malta, all with their very distinct people, culture and food. Turn North and explore the Croatian islands, Go East and Greece and Turkey beckons within a 2 day sail.
I am going back to the Med for retirement.
Peter thank you for that - I agree with all you say and clearly you know both areas well... My motivation for trying (and so far failing) to locate my boat in the Caribbean is that sailing in the English channel in summer is just too cold and and wet for me... I am happy to spend time in my French home, Fly to Martinique for the winter and mess around out there then head for Spain and the Costa's then back to Boulogne sur mer... I do need to be on the move or I get moss bound!
@@SailingGently
I understand your situation and appreciate you sharing your decision making process which surely helps others (including myself) to consider options they may otherwise not have thought of. I also get your preference for Martinique since you are stationed in France. How about Guadeloupe? One thing you might want to include in your videos is the issue of safety. I do not know the current situation but recall some (political or racial based) riots in Guadeloupe a few years back.?
@@peterhomann2140 Peter thank you for your comments - Normally Guadeloupe is less friendly than Martinique and like St Barts and St Martin is part of the EU and a department of France. At the moment partly due to Covid and of course unemployment caused by the collapse of the tourist trade Martinique (and Guadeloupe) is in throws of considerable social unrest and not a place to visit. Pretty sure this will all calm down once the covid crises stops and tourism starts again - but - Hey - who knows!
Hi, I have been to ‘le Marin ‘ just before COVID and after 5 days I had the same emotions, not much to do so you’re stuck on your boat. It’s good for a week in my opinion, haha. Saint Lucia is about the same, lovely place but after a week you run out of things to do. I prefer to go around the UK and visiting as many pubs as possible and mind you I’m a Frenchman living in San Diego that should tell you something :-)
Phillippe Bonjour,
thank you for that - What all the area has is great weather in European winter and so many anchorages cruising is relatively inexpensive... And you are lucky to be in California - best of both worlds... Nowhere is perfect which I suppose is why we keep looking...
@@SailingGently HaHa, yes the lives of the unsettled but we make the world go forward. I reviewed your video on the ICW and Chesapeake bay, very interesting. we are going to visit that specific region in September. you did not publish a guide from your experience! wonder why. were you affected by the flood? unprecedented. Best regards. Philippe
Good thoughts!!
Glad you found it interesting John
We sailed the Caribbean 2009 to 2012. My only comment would be hard to base a decsion just on Martenique alone. This was an island we apent the least amount of time on and were least interested in. We found all the islands somewhat the same but also subtly different but what we enjoyed was the other cruisers we met and became friends with and think without that the experience would seem a bit bland. One time down and back was enough dor us but we loved the whole experience. When you do it full time you get in the groove with all the other cruisers moving up and down island. I think coming and spending 4 or 5 months a year, it will be a little tougher to tap into this (sub) culture because you may be going back to start every time you come over, if you know what i mean. At the end of the day its the people not the places.
Out highlights were sailing week in Antigua, carnival in Grenada, the lush island of Dominica, having guest and bar hopping in the BVI, climbing the Pitons in St Lucia, touring the DR on motorbikes and a small dose of the Luperon scene (some hate it, some live it), old san juan PR (sailed east coast of PR going north) and of course the downwind sleigh ride going north. Cuba was fantastic albeit tons of paperwork and arcane cruising rules. Bahamas is completely different cruising experience and its own category - scrub islands, beautiful remote anchorages, then hop over to Georgetown to get your social fill. Doing the one down one up pass, its more difficult to meet and really get to know locals and that is something i would love to explore further.
Good luck in your decision but i think you need to go but spend a hurricane season in Grenada - thats the easiest way to get connected into the cruising scene. Buddy bosting is great but you can also (and some times have to) break away for a few weeks and do your own thing.
Your experience and opinions reflect mine from when I did the same thing back in 1998... Up and down the Island chain from Trinidad to Key West.
Loved Cuba, Bahamas, Antigua and Grenada and found Trinidad to be the perfect place to haul for the hurricane season... And I take on board everything you say about the cruising community... But then I was a liveaboard returning to the UK only for the hurricane season..
Now things are different for me - since returning from the Martinique recce at the end of June here in Boulogne sur mer it has rained, blown gales and been very cold... and really not the weather I want to sail in... I agree about your opinion of Martinique as well but as a French resident I have 100% access to it and health care etc and the marina costs are a 1/3 of Antigua or Grenada or St Lucia and because I do not intend to live on board for more than some months a year it works as a base I think...
Thank you so much for sharing your experience and feelings about it. Much appreciated
Nice video matey
Glad you enjoyed it Christopher. Thank you
Great video, thanks alot! :)
So pleased you liked it
I have visited the Caribbean but not as a sailor and dont see the attraction when compared to the med. So many more places to see and cultures to explore in Europe. Many sailors and liveaboards head to the Caribbean but I just don't get it. I am new to sailing and have ambitions to see as much as I can. Your videos are always very informative. Thank you for sharing.
Darren hello,
I tend to agree and have loved my years in the Med but Brexit makes it difficult for Brits... The Caribbean has better weather and a longer sailing season but is probably less interesting in other terms...
Fascinating Michael, another great video. As you say, two weeks of sitting in a bar, eating and messing around day sailing, and then what? Would you enjoy sailing to the other islands' to break the monotony, why did you pick Martinique as your potential base for a year? David
I am a French resident David, and Martinique is part of France and the EU so I have unlimited access and also health care... The problem perhaps with sailing to other islands which I would do is that they are socially and scenically exactly the same... And that's not hyperbole
Hey Michael...
If you're doubtful about the personal value of a few months annually in the Carribean now? It's going to look far more a bad decision after the expense of getting your boat there and then facing the next issue of 'what now'...I'd view it as an 'is it time to reef' question.
The questioning is the answer in itself ;-)
I enjoy all your work immensely. Keep up the great work!
Paul hello,
I would have totally agreed a few days ago but the cold, wet and recent gales here in northern France have made it all seem a lot more attractive... This northern Europe season is so short! I am inclined at the moment by 'you always regret the things you don't do' & 'Life is not a rehearsal' - I really need covid travel to normalize to make it possible...
I had posted on one of your previous videos about the Caribbean and how once you have seen one island you have seen them all. Personally it's not an area I could stay in for six months. I would be bored to tears.
Rob it was your post that partly motivated me to do the recce... I thought you were wrong at the time but you were not - I was.. I am grateful to you for your input
Michael
im 51 now , i really want to start sailing , but this covid is not making it easy :( so ill settle looking at you and try to learn , until one day its back to normal .
Yes Covid really makes it difficult to sail but if you can get out on the water before summer ends I promise you will love it... Messing around in boats is.....
Thank you
You're welcome Barry - thank you for watching
Give it a go & if it turns out to be great...well , well done & if it doesn't , well you gave it a go...there's no loosers...you simply move on....cheers
Peter you have much the same philosophy as me but the money involved makes me a bit cautious...
Michael I forgot to ask who were you going to use for your yacht transport?
I did notice your video showed "Douglas Yacht Services", so just wondering.
Many thanks for this video watched it twice now!
Russ hi,
At the moment my intention is to use Peters & May who have the best offer but still waiting on UK/French travel restrictions....
Very interesting video thanks for sharing, if you do end up sailing her there and you need crew ill be there in a flash
Mike thank you - So pleased you liked the video
excellent ,, ( as others have said ) you can fair tell a story .
Roderick thank you... I see myself as an old fashioned minstrel/story teller travelling round with my little bag of stories and really pleased when anyone likes them
Have you thought of South East Asia? Yet further but not that much more expensive to fly to and from than the Caribbean. I was thinking Thailand for you, tropical, maybe you could live there for 6 - 7 months of the year either on land or afloat amongst and sailing the islands whilst Europe is in winter? Maybe venture south toward the Equator and Indonesia but it does become very hot all the time, and tropical storms. Certainly a lot of culture and beauty in the Thai region or how about right over the other side of the world on East Coast of Australia or further still New Zealand? Just suggestions if you are just seeking to avoid the bitter cold of European winters. As nice as the Caribbean looks and the great facilities, never been, I think I would get bored there pretty quickly after a few weeks I think I would be done, ready to leave, so your analysis seems about right. Good luck with what ever you decide. Hope you continue to post your deliberations. All the best.
It is a thought Alex but I would need to buy a boat out there. I sailed through Asia - Timor to Phuket about 20 years ag and loved it.. And up the Great Barrier Reef...but it is all a long way from France where I currently live... I will think about it - thank you for the suggestions
@@SailingGently I guess flying Paris to Martinique would be an 8 hours flight? Paris to Bangkok is around 11 hours so a little longer. Sydney is something like 18 hours with a stop and New Zealand, well, one whole day plus stops. So maybe as you say too far. Just thinking of warm places and ideally cheap ones. How about the Canary Islands or Madeira or even the west coast of Africa, say the Gambia? Just a wild guess with the west coast of Africa and the Gambia. I don't really know what is there sailing wise or indeed how safe that coast is ......... How about Southern California? Safe, but expensive I should imagine. Just more random thoughts. You could possibly spend 6 months boat sitting in the Bay of Thailand, delivering boats, etc, charter sailing, then come back to France for the European summer then 3 weeks later when it's finished go back ;@). At least the cost of living in Thailand is cheap and maybe boat yard marina fees as well.
@@alexmorgan3435 It's certainly worth considering Alex and I will. The only problem I can see with it the last time I sailed into Thailand I was only allowed a 2 month visa but there are probably ways round that
@@SailingGently Just suggestions. No problem if they are not suitable. I would love to be able to go somewhere warm when the European and especially the miserable UK winter starts and come back for the supposedly warmer drier summer weeks. Don't know what the second hand boat market is like in Thailand. Maybe rent a modest place for one/two months or AirBnB to get a feel for the place/area where ever you chose. Obviously there are many areas and islands, so not sure how one would know necessarily the best place to be with sailing in mind. Phuket, Langkawi? Don't know. My sister has lived in Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur for nearly 30 years and loves it although she's not into boats or sailing. Maybe other ex pat sailors already there would be able to offer advice? I've seen some great sailing destinations in Malaysia, Thailand and Indonesia that other sailing YTers and shown. If on an exploratory visit it didn't seem suitable then hopefully not too much lost as they are relatively cheap countries and you would have a nice holiday. Just crazy thoughts for you. No problem if they don't appeal to you. ATB.
thanks again for the insight on what to consider when picking a port, location to spend time sailing to or traveling to. just a bit of constructive criticism, maybe get a gyro camera holder to use while walking and filming, a bit difficult to watch when you were on the pontoons. take care and wish you well on your decision.
Thank you for watching and really glad you found them useful.. Your suggestion for a gyro holder is clearly good... The walking talking on the pontoon was a first and just evolved rather than planned - I have now got a camera stick which I will try sometime - steep learning curve this DIY filming lark!
I find you so engaging to listen to. Your knowledge on the subject is a given. THe beauty of CZcams is the ability to find a mentor such as yourself, as must be the case for many on here? I share your dilemma in that in the (sometimes vulgar) colonial world, is there enough culture to keep you there? I would say, like JFK, it's not what the place can do for you, but what you can do for the place? What could you 'add' to a place like Martinique? How could you address some of the inequalities you have identified? I think our real sense of purpose comes from realising this? Once, like me now, you were probably clueless about sailing. Then you jumped in. How might you jump in to Martinique, or Granada, or similar? Thinking laterally, you likely have many talents as an educator beyond your sailing knowledge? 'How to plan things' is clearly one of your major strengths! Imagine if you ran short courses in schools/colleges/universities in these locales on 'strategic planning'? Imagine the real impact you'd have? (The equivilent of baking and sharing the bread, lol!). Keep at it man! Connection is everything! Peace, I look forward to keep learning from you! Nathan (Yorkshire, UK, June 2022).
Nathen Good morning,
thank you for your post and indeed your philosophy which I appreciate and take on board. I have the feeling the way is to go forward and try it and maybe indeed there is a place for me in the society there.. Something to think about!
Very pleased you like the videos
Fair winds
Michael
@@SailingGently Hi Michael. Keep up the great videos! I wish you every success, whatever your adventures! N
Working on the next one now Nathen... but I'm in the boat so it takes a while
Should I really do this? Why do I want to be here? I loved this video! You explain what it is your look for while sailing and venturing ashore. Thank you! I hope I may ask a favor: when you post words (titles, etc.) would you please place the words against a still background. When the camera pans, I stop reading, watch the pan, go back to reading, forget where i was, start reading again, repeat. Thanks again! I did like and subscribe
Thank you Christopher for watching and indeed for subscribing... Glad it was interesting... Technically that video was a mess on lots of levels... First time I have done that sort of live narration and there is much to learn... I should know better than titles on pans - it all used to be my trade but I was jet lagged and careless... Sorry!
I agree with you; I would not keep my boat there. I like the Caribbean but not 4 months at a time. What do you think about Barbados, in terms of interesting history, and culture?
Sybille hello,
Barbados is the one place in the Caribbean that I never got to... If you don't stop there on the way across the pond it's a very upwind sail to get back! I hear good things about it and get the feeling they have really majored on the tourist industry and make a good livelihood out of it!
I have found that in my experience, all the people that keep their boats in remote locations run into issues of maintenance (unless you are filthy rich). When the skippers return, they spend a week or more trying to get the boat into some semblance of sea worthiness. I am only in Europe, so can't speak for every country. Obviously COVID and Brexit make this an unusual time but if I wasn't living aboard then I would probably try and keep the boat somewhere reasonably near at hand (to benefit from short sailing trips.)
Robert hello,
Yes, I agree. When a boat has been unused for 6 months either afloat or ashore there is always a lot of remedial work to do not to mention cleaning and polishing to get her back up to scratch... Use it or loose it... However returning from Martinique and sat at home looking at water falling from the sky and cold temperatures and its July!
Can listen to you all day Michael, between your good self and windhippie, every time i want to waste money on gear or an excuse not to go out you guys reset the need and inspire. Faced with same issue now, boat is only 45min away but weather restricts so would i get more use with 3-4 solid weeks a year and leave her down south or west somewhere for next years while i work to retire and go on the loop
Interesting Richie, I have had the same issue...I used the boat less when it was 20 minutes away than I do now it's 2,000 miles away!
I live in the Caribbean (Puerto Rico for the past 3 years and next 14, as it is the singular tax haven for US citizens; Anguilla about 20 years ago) and have the same concerns about "is this a place with enough culture to be interesting?"
In general I think the long-term answer is no, in terms of easy to drop in and find stuff to do. Everything is largely the same, and as you've described it, unless you get to know locals -- socializing and culture are family based, not public/business based.
Puerto Rico is big enough to actually have interesting culture independent of boating (tech, startups, business projects, etc), so that is an exception. Otherwise, the "Caribbean culture" probably could sustain a few years of cruising around, but it's a lot more suited to "friends visit, we take boat out for a few weeks and explore" than solo perpetual cruising, I think. Your French/Spanish coastline videos make it seem a lot more interesting than anything here, and the Med even better than that.
Ryan hi,
I only visited Puerto Rico once and it was different from the other Islands as I remember and very American orientated... What you say about it is interesting.
You are right about Med sailing and there being lots to do and many ancient countries to visit. Brexit has made it almost impossible for Brits to cruise for long in those waters and American flagged boats have a similar legislation problems. Hence my interest in the Caribbean
@@SailingGently There's the Portugal Golden Visa route (residency -> citizenship), but it's either expensive or ties up a bunch of capital for 6 years.
Hi Michael, we are currently in the Grenadines looking to sail north to Antigua . We hope to visit Martinique and Guadeloupe and hoped you could recommend an excellent marina in both. We are a 17m Oyster drawing 2.5m. Our French is not good and a concern for all the formalities. Any advice you can give would be gratefully received.
Kind regards
Colin
Colin hello,
I think you will find that English is spoken pretty universally with all the officials and marina offices - At Le Marin in Martinique, I speak to them in French and they reply in English! (my accent and grammar!) Le Marin is the biggest and best in Martinique and will work for you... Guadalupe is so long since I visited I am not sure but I think you will find all the French marinas are a pretty good standard .
Well as you know I have a house in Portugal I'm the bloke with Mignone but I also have land on Samal island in the Philippines with 23 metres of beach. I will be living between Portugal and the Philippines. My choice would be Horta or Bruce's yard in Faro the big out of the box idea would be the Philippines.
The motto of the Philippine tourist board was "World of Wonder Philippines" then some bright spark must have said stuff that let's just change it to "Its just more fun in the Philippines" I rest my case.
Sounds like a perfect lifestyle David Paul... A friend of mine 'Ted' has a steel boat in Bruces yard and a house up the river but for you to have the Philippines as well sounds really good to me.. Not been to Sami - Sailed up the Java sea from Comodo to Singapore and spent time in Malaya as well as Phuket... I envy you being able to spend serious time there -
Well, however you decide, if (hopefully) this dilemma is the biggest problem on your plate at the moment, you're not in a bad way. Just a thought, but is there some interesting and beneficial activity you could engage in with members of the native population to keep from getting bored - like maybe teaching them to sail as preparation to qualify as crew on one of those charter boats?
Barney your right. I am so so lucky to have these problems... I am not that wonderful a sailor and most of the boys and girls out there have it cracked cos the live on tiny islands surrounded by sea and boats
Purpose?
What do you get from sailing?
Its an experience every time even if it has its routines!
So what is it that you want from sailing or rather what do you want externally that incorporates sailing?
What does sailing facilitate that you do not get with any other form of transport?
What is the culture of sailing and how does it historically talk to our modern world?
All this boils down to purpose, what purpose does sailing serve in your life.
Messing about in boats is absolutely first class Harry.
I have sailed around the world via Panama and Suez. Been to the Marquise Islands and Tahiti and visited Cook islands that are only accessible by yacht. Sailing is far more than enjoying a broad reach it is going to far away places with strange sounding names and meeting wonderful people
@@SailingGently having watched many a sailing video and worked for a marine window company; I am in no doubt that what you say is true!
My comment, may have been a little abstract from its meaning and I'm sorry for that.
You raised a point about whether or not the Carribbean was somewhere other than holiday makers should go. Mainly due to the nature of the islands and its focus on tourism
So the previous comment was more focused on this rather than a global question about sailing.
I've only recently come across your channel and have enjoyed greatly the tales and exploits you have revealed for our viewing pleasure.
Regards
harryb
@@harrybrown4815 Harry I promise you messing about in boats is just absolutely wonderful and the best thing in the world.... if you like boats
I was kinda imagining the same for the Caribbean. But isn't there the possibility of Costa Rica and so on as well, once you get tired of it?
Robin yes, there is but ease of access, cheap/frequent air flights from Europe are not really available... But I am still thinking about it...
V interesting vid. Did I once hear u say u were a cameraman for making professional videos/ movies? Something like that ? So I'm a bit surprised that u never use a Lavalier mic, or a wind muff ...
I was never a techie! Been a steep learning curve.
@@SailingGently Lavalier - small mic clipped to yr lapel for voice recording - good at reducing extraneous noise - £50. Wind muff = fluffy mic cover good at eliminating wind noise - £5.
I'm not sure if I would want to stay in the Caribbean, for the reasons that most like-minded sailors would be passing through and it may be difficult to maintain a stable social network outside the local bars and chandleries. It is a place to explore rather than settle. But I wouldn't know where to stay with decent weather all year round. Good luck with your decision!
Thank you Richard.... As you say I once 'passed through' - up and down the island chain and then headed for Panama... My idea now is to spend a few months a year there 'cruising' and then head back to Europe for the rest of the year...
@@SailingGently That being said, one plan could be to stay in one of the poorer islands (Dominica) and help the local population somehow. That would give a bit more purpose. Please keep posting your videos, I enjoy them very much!
those marina fees are so much better than anywhere in California , even your European numbers where way cheaper.
That's interesting J O - I always assumed they would be higher than California - the only marina I know on that coast is Del Rey... Huge!
It's a really interesting problem to have. If you take the boat over to the Caribbean, for a season , you can always bring her back. Can you disembark from the ship in the south, and re-embark in the north , or something similar? That way you have a passage, a timeline, and a driving purpose.
James hi, Yes it would be perfectly possible to ship her back but the basic cost is $10,000 and a load of auxiliary costs... One of I can live with but $20,000!!!
But your right it would be fun to head her up to Fort Lauderdale and ship her back.. Still undecided!
@@SailingGently yikes! That cost hurts !
Thank you for the fact & figures in you film, too. I found them, and your very real deliberations, really thought provoking
With so many mixed messages about COVID out there what are your thoughts on the wisdom of cruising within the Caribbean and wider Pacific due to the additional restrictions/admin within the next 12 -18 months especially with the rise of the Delta variant?
Great videos and look forward to your next.
Colin Hi,
I certainly would not 'book' anything until all travel restrictions are limited. I hear the South Pacific is very difficult... Cruising boats stuck... The Caribbean will want to open ASAP because tourism is their main source of income - but I am not 100% certain its all over
@@SailingGently ,
Many thanks for your reply. I am trying to obtain as realistic a picture as possible before setting off across the pond. Noonsite is very good and have joined various FB groups too.(Panama, French Polynesia, ~SAN Blas etc. ) Also watching the erratic progress of the ARC WR through YB Races.
@@colinmitchell4786 It's not easy at the moment Colin... Things change so quickly
I would say you'd have better fun around the local areas than sitting in the tourist areas.
I've been halfway around this world, as far as Australia, Singapore, China and two years backpacking around Europe with a 6 month trip to North Africa, what made my 8 year adventure was locals.
I'm just getting into sailing and bought a 20ft bilge keel in the South of England, i can only get insurance for the coast of England and considering buying a 24ft Achilles which i can get quoted for the Med.
Sailing around the Greek islands for a year sounds like much more fun while i decide to buy bigger to cross the Atlantic. Thankfully I'm half Irish and can obtain EU passport. Which brings me on to my next point.
If you look up "Nomad Capitalist" on YT he could help you get visa/residents permits/golden passport for the EU. Perhaps for around the same cost as keeping your boat in the Caribbean for a year. Depending of course on country and buy in options available. Food for thought bud.
Thanks for sharing your insight ; }
Tobots hello,
Congratulations on your 20ft boat. My first one was a Galion 22 and I sailed her to Cherbourg and back to the Hamble 3 weeks after I got her... Super little boat..
I think you will enjoy an Achilles even more.
Yes the Med is a wonderful cruising ground but I have had some 15 years on and off cruising there between Gib and Suez and had wonderful times... Thank you for the Nomad Capitalist tip
Oh goodie !
David I am so pleased it was helpful
@@SailingGently why do I keep thinking of retirement villages for the well heeled………?
There’s a lot to be said for four seasons and antiquity.
@@davidpearn5925 Its my very low boredom threshold.. David. I have to be doing something and boats have always been special for me
@@SailingGently well we’re in our 70s and tour the world on our 65” in UHD thanks to you.
I miss your cultural tours particularly in our Victoria country winter at the moment.
We have wineries and 6000’ mountains if you want our back bedroom for a break some time.
Undecided about the Caribbean? Some of us would give our right nut to get a chance to go there!
Yes I am very lucky to have the chance... But keeping the boat on the other side of the pond is a big decision
there is a lot of pirate history, not sure why they don't play that up. there should be a pirate museum island in the Caribbean.
Your right J O the Caribbean was the home of pirates and museum to it would be very successful I suspect - good idea
You have been there before and I agree with the one who said that they did not like going to the same place twice. But if the poverty concerns you, then do go there and spend your money on that economy. ? YOU might help solve that problem.
Lane that is a nice thought! It is certainly true that tourism is the major economic source of income on most islands - together with bananas and Rum....
Cool
Glad you liked it James
Sounds like someone confronting changing tastes and interests?
Maybe you're actually coming to the end of a phase in life? What about going for roadtrip across/around the USA?
The US has 6 general cultural types, all worthy of exploration. (Cowboy, the south, heartland, west coast, PNW, east coast sophisticated.)
Cruise around, post up, meet people, pack up and head down the road.
Lark I love the USA::: sailed up the ICW from Key West to Washington DC then sailed back down the East coast::: Been to LA stacks of times and once drove with younger girlfriend from San Francisco to Key west for new years party... Yours is truly land of the free. I do Dr Who conventions in LA - before Covid
Most of your points are valid, however, the Islands all have there own character. So for say history Antigua, with its forts and UNESCO world heritage sites or St. Kitts with its Great houses; for interesting shops and high end St. Barts; for going back in time Dominica; for touristy try St. Thomas or Grand Cayman; for family sailing (a bit spoilt here) but the BVI with its multiple islands; you want an island to yourself? the Bahamas have thousands
Good point Matthew and I totally agree with everything you say... I am a bit spoilt by over 15 years in the Med and so many very different places to visit. Now almost impossible with Brexit which is partly why the Caribbean seems so enticing
Quite, there is a lot to be learned about the history of the Caribbean. I’d probably advise skipping St Thomas which is pretty run down and ghetto, for St John next door. If you can grab someone in each place who knows what they are looking at, the history is fascinating but you will find some countries have documented and displayed their history better than others. It suffers from having such a large volume of tourists on cruise lines or who otherwise are looking for burgers and Jimmy Buffet but if you can dodge that crowd, it is rewarding. If you enjoy the ocean then surfing, paddle boarding, snorkelling and diving are fantastic, not to mention the racing season and fun regattas. The summer thins out as it’s more often rainy, although it often passes quickly, and higher storm chances June-November, particularly around September. Many insurers also require you to be down around Grenada as well to have less regularity of storms.
off topic for this video, but do you know, as a US citizen, can I just sail away from the USA coast? do I need permission to leave US waters? thanks. I tried Google but some info is contradictory/unclear.
I cannot imagine you do. You might need clearance papers to show the next country you arrive in like Mexico.. To go to the Bahamas just go but you do need the boats registration papers
I have looked to the south for a winter home. I live in Western Canada where it can be minus40 or close too in the winter. And i do have the same question about all places. After you get use to where you are all warm during the winter. Is there enough to do in these places. You spend your life with certain comforts close to home. And now those things are not there. Yes it is cheap house and cheap cost of living. A problem that i see for some people is that they get stuck with a property in the south. They spend the money form the sale of their house in the north, and spend that money on a house in the south. What they buy is a Gringo house, A house that only a Gringo would buy. Then they spend years trying to sell to another Gringo. Only buy a house that a local would buy.
Kelly thank you for that... I had not thought about it but a house I purchased in Spain from some Brits I ended up selling to a Brit. But part of that is that many Spanish people want new build and I actually prefer old. But I take on board and agree with your interesting observations
No cities, no culture:.Even in a European-influenced part of the Caribbean, there isn't any local culture. No art, architecture, sculpture, theatre, opera, classical music, and so on. A bit of folk music and naive daubs, remnants of pagan rituals, not much else. It was people of European ancestry, not African, who were impelled and able to create these things.
Who would want to live there I don't know.
Thanks for the film, you have helped confirm my plan to continue to the mainland USA.
Your exactly right English Sailor... The trade winds are great, the anchorages superb but...
I'll tell you who loved to live in the Caribbean , your ancestors who enslaved people and made a fortune from doing it.
Michael - I don't know you beyond your thoughtful and perceptive YT videos but think you should first try the Med, oscillating between Turkish waters and EU waters, you'd get a lot of the interesting cultural life you are seeking, proximity to France and the UK and you'd be more likely to do more sailing. Its also safer, access to healthcare is better and I think it makes more sense for this time in your life.
You've already 'done' the Caribbean - and I know you have been to Turkey and Greece, but you can never truly 'know' these ancient places in the same you as you can know one of these islands. There are over 2000 islands in Greece too! I see you as someone more at home pouring over a newspaper in a harbour cafe on an Aegean island than someone getting sozzled on cheap rum in a 'gringo' beach bar in the Caribbean.
Donal I totally agree with you about the Med but Brexit makes cruising there very difficult... I have spent over 15 years based in the Med and cruised it from Gib to Suez and enjoyed it enormously although being in a Gringo bar is not unattractive but perhaps not sozzled as I am very aware of my weakness for excessive alcohol!!!
Wonderful informative video that asks and answers all the questions us would be dreamers have about keeping and sailing a boat single handed in exotic places. However please can you upgrade either your camera and/or the sound/picture quality. The poor image resolution particularly mars your excellent efforts to inform us. I would have loved to have seen the marina and its boats in higher res. Otherwise keep up the good work.
John hi,
Glad you liked it and yes some visual quality is simply awful and the wind noise distracting. I lost the microphone wind muff the first day and had the wrong settings on the camera.. Amazon sending top of the range microphone wind muffs and I'm going to sit down and reset all 5 cameras... Steep learning curve and alone its harder but you are right I must do better audio and vision
@@SailingGently Super content though. I like that you show us the reality of what a sailing dream actually is. For some people though water sports, beaches and that azure sea is enough. Also there is all the fun of boat maintenance etc etc. I sense from you the lingering suspicion here that you might wake up one morning and wonder what you were doing here. You go somewhere wonderful but the worm inside is lost somehow. I think I could do the Bahamas for a couple of years though!
@@JAPBKAYAKER Someone said ' Blue water cruising is repairing boats in exotic places and these days I do not enjoy doing maintenance... I sailed around the world for 4 years doin all that but these days prefer 'to hoist the John D, put down the helm and head out over the Foam'...
@@SailingGently I always think of Marius in the 1961 film 'Fanny' played by Horst Bucholz. He had dreams that he could not ignore of seeing 'the isles beyond the wind'. He looks at all the tall ships in the harbour and wishes to be sailing away from all that he knows and loves. He found it all to have been a foolish dream and he returns to Marseille. Are we all a bit like Marius........Me I sail a 16' sailing kayak trimaran (Hobie Adventure Island) in Chichester Harbour. I dream of my first yacht that I can sail single handed and actually sleep on! Current dream is the Beneteau Oceanis 30.1. What do you think is the best size for the first yacht of a novice yachtsmen who wants to single handed. I take inspiration from Christian Williams channel and his 38' Ericsson 381 which he sails out of Marina Del Rey and sailed single handed to Hawaii and back. I love his take on 'why we sail'.
@@JAPBKAYAKER He found it all to have been a foolish dream and he returns to Marseille. Whilst Gaugin, Jacques Brel, Robert Louis Stevenson all ended up in the South Pacific apparently happy!
Different strokes for different folks.
I love Hobi Cats - sailed one off a beach in Key West in T shirt and shorts and had a memorable experience..
I think around 30 ft is a good size for a first boat and Beneteau are excellent IMO..
I single hand my Beneteau 323... Just before I purchased my first boat a very experienced sailor said 'Just buy it' The proof of the pudding....
Interesting, would Greece or turkey be cheaper that the Caribbean?
Greece is in the EU Ellie - Turkey has two main marinas - Bodrum and Marmaris and their prices are similar to Martinique - Possibly slightly less than Grenada or St Lucia. So the cost issue is air fares - From Paris to Martinique less than to Turkey - London to Grenada more than to Turkey but long taxi ride when you get there.. The Caribbean is a wonderful and big cruising area - Turkey beautiful but limited ---
@@SailingGently ... thanks you , we just sold our Bavaria 29 that was situated in Lake Champlain, NY, and somehow realize that It might be cheaper or the same to have a sailboat in a much more interesting location, the season is so short up here ... thanks for all your great video
as usual, a very good video.
you didn't mention the cost of getting your boat delivered ?
Thank you for watching - The boat delivery is 8,000 UKPounds which is why I am so keen not to get it wrong.....
@@SailingGently thank you.
your wisdom and congeniality is appreciated.
@@SailingGently I will add: your concerns for the Caribbean are the same as mine. repetition of the same. Likewise my quest to venture further, but you've already done that. my thoughts are that in the pacific, if i grew bored with crossing oceans, there are so many various cultures and so much history, with less commercialism, within short sails; although more than a few hours or day.
@@nonyayet1379 I suppose you are right but on the other hand I am pretty superstitious if that's the word... Since I arrived back in Boulogne sur mer it has rained, blown gales, rained and rained and its July!! half way through the season... I do enjoy getting out in the boat and going somewhere and it may be the voyage is more important than the destination - to misquote someone
@@SailingGently i like that misquote, and there are times that your misquote is more accurate (in my eyes, intentional or not).
some superstitious nature might be better worded as 'gut feelings" based on inherent knowledge. and I'm with you on the strange weather patterns this season. We just had that conversation. Heat in july instead of AC's. Rain jackets instead of shorts n sandals. something is brewing, good or bad is yet to be seen, but it is brewing and it won't be in the text books.
When I sailed in the Caribbean my first impression was that it was paradise on earth. But as with you, the level of poverty is terribly disconcerting, maybe we're to sensitive?
Actually since being back here it all looks less like poverty. Clearly still problems but cruiseliner and Airbnb tourism is really helping
@@SailingGently Thanks for your note of optimism. To me they had everything running for them, they only had to work the short season, then sit back and relax for the rest of the year. This was 25 years ago, my 50th birthday to the day, my only wish is that the whole of the Carribbean people realise and benefit from their fortunate circumstance of living in one of the world's most visually beautiful areas. Just the colour of the sea stuns the senses.
Happy New Year 🥳
Why do you need insurance to keep your boat there? Doesn't your UK policy cover you for sailing and mooring outside the UK ?
Maritime (boat) insurance is always for a specific area. For example most most UK boat insurance is for the area Brest (Ushant NW corner of France to Elbe (Germany - river) If you want to go further then you ask the insurers for an extension to the cruising area and that normally is OK, sometimes for an extra fee.
The Caribbean is a high risk area because of hurricanes so there is no way a British insurance company would offer to quote for that. Even Pantaneous who will insure your boat area by area for a circumnavigation, exclude parts of the Pacific and are expensive for the Caribbean... There are a few insurance brokers based in the Caribbean who offer cover with named hurricane exclusions - or you take the boat south to Trinidad, ABC islands that our out of the hurricane zone
@@SailingGently thank you for such a detailed reply. Much appreciated.
Michael si je peux t'appeler par ton prénom.
Ma sœur vient de passer une semaine à cherbourg/ St Vaast, temp gris et de la pluie:-(. Je ne savais pas que le nouveau port de St Vaast avait une porte qui se fermait comme en écluse, intéressant. Pour les marees je suppose!
Michael if I can call you by your first name.
My sister has just spent a week in Cherbourg / St Vaast, cloudy and wet :-(. I did not know that the new port of St Vaast had a door that closed like a lock, interesting. For the tides I Assumed!
Phillip Bonjour - Yes the little quiet and isolated village voted to have a lock gate and built on their harbour entrance and the result was a lot more visiting boats and trade as they could stay afloat in the harbour even at low water - unlike Barfleur just up the coast. Then they voted to install a marina and now the town is a very successful tourist destination and hundreds of visiting yachts each season making all the town much wealthier... Some clever decisions
Enjoyed the video. I think the factor you don't come to terms with is loneliness. Do you have a companion for your Caribbean adventure? Do you have friends in the region? If not then I think loneliness could be a major problem.
So pleased you enjoyed the video.
I have sailed an awful lot alone - for lots of reasons and never been lonely. One of the nice things about sailing is that where ever you anchor or moor you encounter like minded folks
@@SailingGently Yes I've watched a few of your other videos and you seem to be a willing and capable singlehander. And good point regarding like minded folks! If you ever come to the West Coast of Canada (a far better cruising ground than the Caribbean) I'll buy you a beer!
@@sailingowlbear5796 To visit Canada is a real ambition & I think I am interested in doing the Big Loop one day so I look forward to us meeting and the beer!
@@sailingowlbear5796 I'm getting interested in doing the Great Loop so maybe I'll take you up on the beer one day!
@@SailingGently Absolutely. Would be happy to host you and learn a thing or two!
Another thing to consider is will your insurance company cover your boat in the Caribbean between June through November being parked in a marina?
There are insurance companies in the Caribbean Myron, who will insure 365 in the water. I think the trick is to insure out in the Caribbean
@@SailingGently no the trick is to find an area outside of the Hurricane zone where the weather is agreeable with you Virgina isn’t a bad place I was parking in and around Hampton VA for $350. to 400. dollars a month water showers and electricity included. I single hand my 35’ yawl my 1st mate was a dog had a bit of trouble with the winches but would let me know if any one came around…
@@SailingGently my insurance was out of Europe
@@01dumbfrog I agree Myron, Hampton VA or the Chesapeake are brilliant places but the US of A would not let me spend much time there even on a tourist visa I suspect
@@SailingGently You might be surprised, check with the American Embasy in the UK and see what the price is for a six month Visa December to May. The reason I mention this is I can and do buy Mexican 6 month Visas for $16.00 US. And I'm sure the USA would want to be competitive.
Wow that’s cheap. Out here in Hong Kong we pay GBP 900 a month for a 35 footer on a pontoon
Yes amazing! Apart from the Med French marinas are very inexpensive compared to British or Spanish...
You are in the enviable position to choose your universe.
A perennial resort atmosphere. Shallow & superficial, letting the hair down revelers. (Worst parts are the damages to sea bed, as far as I know admittedly limited).
Or a diverse economy, and age range with less spectacular weather.
On land I prefer neighbors who are home owners over the renters. Even tho' you are DIY Light, your gravitas of experience is alot of the beauty of sailing. You couldn't teach a course cuz the renters are not into education.
Joanie thank you for watching another video of mine.
I am so lucky I know... Have been to so many places and done lots of things. Your right I am not really a teacher - and it would probably bore me. Nearly got a job at a University lecturing on entertainment media - TV production which I was quite good at, but got turned down in favor of someone who had never made a production in their life! So I directed sit com in the Netherlands for a few years, made a couple of all film drama productions in the UK then sailed around the world... I am truly grateful to that University for their wisdom!
Put the boat in the Med and jobs a good en.
Could be but difficult with Brexit
brilliant video, but like you i need the mental stimulus
Glad you liked it... Yes there has to be a reason to get up in the morning...
So they have wifi, on a wire? Do tell about this new invention?
I didn't totally understand but I was asking about WIFI propagation which is important to me and they said you can have a cable run to most berths that supports TV, telephone and a better internet/good internet connection... You have to pay extra of course but....
@@SailingGently Aww man, I'm sorry, I was being snarky. WIFI is by definition wireless, it stands for "wireless fidelity". "WIFI" the word is kind of a brand name for what is otherwise called WLAN or "Wireless Local Area Network". Before we had WLAN/WIFI, we just had normal LAN, which is carried on a wire. So saying wired wifi is like saying something is wired wirelessly. I was picking on you because I assumed you just mispoke, now I feel like a jerk. Oh well, cheers.
@@MrJhchrist No problem.. I desperatly need a 10 year old child to show me how to make tech work... I use stacks of technology without understanding how it works and am amazed how often it does not really always do what it says on the tin... WIFI in marinas generally seems to be poor but that could be legislation. Having a good internet connection is v important to me both for my business and Netflix!!!