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Sailing Little Bird
United States
Приєднався 26 чер 2020
We're Tif and Frank. In 2021, we sailed our performance catamaran, a Balance526 from Cape Saint Francis, South Africa to the island of Grenada in the Caribbean on a 30 day passage. Since then, we've been sailing up the islands exploring beautiful anchorages and meeting great people. Over the next few years, we'll be sailing through the Bahamas, San Blas, Panama, and across the Pacific. With any luck, eventually we'll sail around the world.
We're from Santa Cruz, California and grew up in and around the water. This is our third catamaran (we also had a Seawind 1000 and Catana 431). We love fishing, SUP'ing, surfing and Tif has a yoga/workout addiction. It has been fun to learn to wingfoil, perfect our diving skills, and watch others kitesurf (maybe someday us?).
Little Bird is named after the real Little Bird, Cecilia Rose. If you enjoy our videos, consider donating in her memory at mpssociety.org. (See the video on our channel for more info).
Hope to see you out there!
We're from Santa Cruz, California and grew up in and around the water. This is our third catamaran (we also had a Seawind 1000 and Catana 431). We love fishing, SUP'ing, surfing and Tif has a yoga/workout addiction. It has been fun to learn to wingfoil, perfect our diving skills, and watch others kitesurf (maybe someday us?).
Little Bird is named after the real Little Bird, Cecilia Rose. If you enjoy our videos, consider donating in her memory at mpssociety.org. (See the video on our channel for more info).
Hope to see you out there!
Learning to wingfoil; never too old to get your ass kicked.
You're never too old to get your ass kicked (literally) learning a new sport, and wingfoiling was it for me. I turned 53 this year and am now totally addicted to the foil. Here's a quick reel of my journey. Thanks Olivier at @covewater_paddle_surf for awesome gear. Love my @foneamerica @starboardwindsurfing @jimmylewisboards and @duotone.foilwing kit.
#sailing #sailinglife #womanwingfoil #wingfoil #greenisland #frigateisland #unionisland #performancecatamarans #shorts
#sailing #sailinglife #womanwingfoil #wingfoil #greenisland #frigateisland #unionisland #performancecatamarans #shorts
Переглядів: 996
Відео
Stitches + Balance Catamaran trifecta 442, 482 & 526
Переглядів 3,5 тис.Рік тому
We left the BVIs heading to Saba, St Kitts, and Nevis with a great overnight sail. We did some awesome diving and touring, and then met up with a great group of Cruisers in Nevis which actually included two other Balance Catamarans (Umoya and Catalyst/482). After some great time on the water, we crossed over to Antigua, which we loved last season. During our stay at Green Island, a foil mishap ...
UFO and the Virgins
Переглядів 1,1 тис.Рік тому
Return to the Dominican Republic for a post-Christmas bash through the Mona Passage to Puerto Rico... then on to the Spanish Virgins and an end to the Thorny Path. We still had a couple rough passages getting to the U.S. Virgin Islands, which were a surprise. Then, the full tourist circuit through the BVIs, from Jost to the Bitter End. On the way, we discovered pizza boats and strange objects i...
Thorny or Thornless? Gentlemen sometimes sail to weather
Переглядів 1,7 тис.Рік тому
After dropping our friends off in the Exumas, we explore the Bahamas, Turks and Caicos, and the Dominican Republic. The only thing is... it's all to windward. We continue our bashing between islands along the Thorny Path. Of course we're armed with Van Sant's "Thornless Path" book, but really found it to be a bit out of date. Little Bird makes quicker passages, and I'm not so sure how many reso...
Season 2! The Exumas with Yogi, the Portuguese Water Dog
Переглядів 3 тис.Рік тому
Season 2 on Little Bird starts in Florida as we make our way down through the Exumas towards Long Island. Our pup, Yogi the Waterdog hasn't been much for the water, but seems to be taking to the warmer Bahama waters. Dale and Suzie join for the trip, and we do roadtrips in Georgetown and Long Island. We also go through the boat's new Starlink installation a goofy temporary setup, but it worked....
Eleuthera to Florida: End of the 1600 mile voyage and Season 1 on Little Bird
Переглядів 1,1 тис.Рік тому
Finally got some time to finish the last episode of season one on Little Bird. We complete our 1600 mile sailing passage on our Balance 526 catamaran going from Egg Island on Eleuthera, through the Abacos, and up to St Augustine Florida (thankfully, all was fine for us in Hurricane Ian). Our friends Meg and Pete were still with us for the passage. After making it to Florida, it was hurricane pr...
Exumas -- CodeZero in the Water!
Переглядів 1,9 тис.2 роки тому
After doing an extra night on our last passage (4 nights instead of 3), we find ourselves all the way up in Clarence Town on Long Island within an easy sail of the Exumas. We explore Long Island by car and check out all the sites. Then it's around to Calabash bay before island hopping up the Exumas. Staniel Cay, Pig Beach, Warderick Wells... you get the idea. We get in some wingfoiling and star...
600 miles sailing to Inagua. And a surprise extra night.
Переглядів 2,3 тис.2 роки тому
The episode is all about the sailing passage. No beaches or boat work... just come along on a 3 (spoiler alert, actually 4) night passage from Saint Martin to the Bahamas. This is the first part of a 1200 mile passage to get Little Bird up to Florida and hauled-out for hurricane season. Our Balance 526 Catamaran, Little Bird, did easy 200 miles days as we took it easy sailing up the Caribbean t...
Why add a halyard lock??? And fun Anguilla sailing.
Переглядів 3,4 тис.2 роки тому
In this video we add a Facnor external halyard lock to our Balance 526 Performance Catamaran to deal with the 2 to 1 purchase halyard twist we've been experiencing. We also continue our sail with the kids around Saint Martin and Anguilla with George and Stanley (and Stanley's girlfriend, Ava.) We find some great spots at Sandy Island and Little Bay (Anguilla). Then it's time to drop off the kid...
Kids gone wild? ... Sailing Sint Maarten and Anguilla on sv Little Bird (Ep9)
Переглядів 1,7 тис.2 роки тому
We're back on Little Bird, our Balance 526 Performance Catamaran, sailing around Saint Martin and Anguilla with our sons, George and Stanley (and Stanley's girlfriend, Ava!) The boat's gone a little crazy, as George just graduated from the University of Colorado (film major) and Stanley is back from his first semester of college. They blow off some steam and generally have a ton of fun on sv Li...
6200nm sailing passage on new performance catamaran: top 5 questions answered (Ep8)
Переглядів 14 тис.2 роки тому
We answer the top five questions we've been getting about our 6200 mile offshore sailing passage from South Africa to the Caribbean onboard our Balance 526 performance catamaran. From provisioning to sea sickness and weather, we try to provide insights to the questions we've received. We also cover a little about Lithium Ion batteries, solar power, and our Integrel alternators. Subscribe! Get n...
Exploring beautiful Barbuda and stumbling upon some curious major development. + wingfoil progress.
Переглядів 4 тис.2 роки тому
We found paradise in Barbuda with incredible beaches and perfect emerald water. Then we noticed all the bulldozers and helicopters and a really interesting (and a bit sad) backstory. Subscribe! Get notifications of new UA-cam videos: ua-cam.com/users/SailingLittleBird Updates on Social: svlittlebird svlittlebird Little Bird is named in honor of Cecilia Rose. If you e...
Is wingfoiling easy? Sailing Antigua and Frank makes dinner (SVLB Ep6)
Переглядів 3,3 тис.2 роки тому
We continued up the Windward islands, leaving Guadalupe and sailed around Antigua. I guess that makes us Leeward now. We try some more wingfoiling and meet up with some very cool Norwegians (aren't they all?) Little Bird is named in honor of Cecilia Rose. If you enjoy this video, please consider making a tax deductible donation to a great cause at MPSSociety.org. @urgeexplorer @sailingcessa #sv...
Sail inventory talk, sailing Guadalupe and the Saints, and some great snorkeling (SVLB Episode 5)
Переглядів 3,3 тис.2 роки тому
A little different with this video... we try to cover what sails we selected for Little Bird and what our thinking was behind it. Plus, some fun sailing in the Saints (Guadalupe) and wonderful snorkeling. Little Bird is named in honor of Cecilia Rose. If you enjoy this video, please consider making a tax deductible donation to a great cause at MPSSociety.org. #svlittlebird #guadalupe #thesaints...
First visitors as we sail Martinique on Little Bird, our Balance 526 Catamaran [SVLB Ep4]
Переглядів 5 тис.2 роки тому
Three friends from Santa Cruz come and visit while we're in St Lucia. We sail North to Martinique and enjoy the French lifestyle. Saint Pierre ends up being our favorite town, and then we head further North to Guadalupe. Little Bird is named in honor of Cecilia Rose. If you enjoy this video, please consider making a tax deductible donation to a great cause at MPSSociety.org. #balance526 #balanc...
Sailing the Grenadines and Grenada on our Balance 526 Catamaran, Little Bird [SVLB Ep3]
Переглядів 8 тис.2 роки тому
Sailing the Grenadines and Grenada on our Balance 526 Catamaran, Little Bird [SVLB Ep3]
Sailing new Balance 526 Catamaran from South Africa to the Caribbean [SVLB Ep2]
Переглядів 32 тис.2 роки тому
Sailing new Balance 526 Catamaran from South Africa to the Caribbean [SVLB Ep2]
In the intro to the video I always admire how your wife breaks a bottle on an anchor) Probably good with a baseball bat? Often used in family life?) a little joke) I enjoyed watching all the videos. Thank you)
Just curious. What would you have done, had it not been for the two dentists/surgeons right next door?
We have the kit to do sutures and could have done it, and also carry dermabond skin glue. But, medical care was only a few hours away, so likely would have pulled anchor and went back to English Harbour, Antigua.
Love following you guys! Were you able to sail Little Bird in the 2023/2024 season?
We're still out there! Wingfoiling Grenada to Barbuda. More water time than video time, though.
What was it like getting back on a Hobie Cat after sailing Little Bird? Fly any hulls?
So fun!
Was just in Anguilla for a few days but decided to stay in Road Bay since the cruising permit was around $200 for a 24 hour period and we weren’t sure it was worth it. Do you think it was? I was able to wing a bit in Road Bay and Rendezvous bay is a great kite/wing beach. We skipped Tinatmarre because there was a big swell. Grand Cass is great but we had problems with the holding this time (gusts to 30+kts).
Anguilla was fun to visit once... Pretty anchorages and expensive beach BBQs... Plus the cruising permit. Once was enough for us.
A year and a half later the lock still good? Any stickiness, complaints?
100% the right choice.
I like your videos, a good combination of sail Tech and pleasure.
You should of had your dumb dog on a leash....
You could pay me no amount of money to have electric throttles on a sailboat.
Pathetic. Learn how to sail!
Holy moly that's a huge asym!
congrats! great job sticking with it. 💪
Thanks...still a long way to go but fun to have a new activity!
Nice work!
Wow yes definitely a ufo
Yikes! And we just got our wing foil gear last month and ready to start learning the ropes, note to self, no kicking the foil! Quick question, so you went with and extra set of the Antal cleats on the bow vs a padeye, is that just for when you pick up a mooring ball? Anything special you need to do when you have to move the tack of the Asym to the windward bow when reaching deep down wind? Do you use just soft shackles? Cheers!
Yep. Mainly for moorings but also use soft shackles for spin guys.
@@SailingLittleBird cool, we are going to go the same route on our build 👍🏻. Hope you healed up and are out foiling again soon!
Ouch! Could you have done the stitches by yourselves?
We were talking about that. We have the medical supplies and some basic training... But none of us had done it before. Probably we would have steri-stripped it and weighed anchor for English Harbor about 4-5 hours away. At sea, we would have tried the stitches I'm sure.
@@SailingLittleBird I think liquid stitches (Glue) would have worked just as well. With less pain,
Lekker man lekker 🇿🇦
indeed
Love it! Best one yet. 👍 sv Edisto
thanks for another beautiful episode. i miss yogi! ♥
We miss him too...hopefully back next year! Thanks for watching!
Whoa!!!
Looks great! Keep them coming.
Lekker man lekker 🇿🇦
Indeed
Great video guys! Any chance you found our poor DJI Drone in Cane Garden Bay? I think is was about 17' down right under where you were moored up lol.
Hah! Having a drone is losing a drone!
That simple explanation of fishing patterns was very good information. Good job and it answered a lot of questions
Glad it was helpful!
loved the episode. i had to keep myself from commenting less than one minute in because i love the footage of yogi prancing along the beach. i hope to see him doing that again real soon, he's so sweet and cute.
Thank you for watching! He is a sweetheart.
Aww poor Yogi. Hope he’s back on the water soon.
1st time viewer....really enjoyed the video - high quality. Where will you be sailing in the next few months?
Thanks much. We'll be making our way back down to Grenada to haul out for Summer.
Great video you two!!
Thanks so much
Nice video! What did you use for the voyage animation showing your path from South Africa to Grenada?
"3D Maps & Routes Creator" on the Motion Array website. It's a template for Adobe After Effects.
yay! welcome back, i've missed your videos!
Glad to be back...thanks for watching!
this was nine months ago. can you imagine the amount of building that has gone on since then? this is very sad and a great loss. what was once a very special place to be shared is now a private enclave of very wealthy patrons. its the destruction of an eco system and paul dejorean and his "peace, love and happiness" foundation are hypocrites and liars. it's not that we have lost a paradise but the amount of building going on there cannot sustain the fragileness of the place, coco point and palmetto point. we need to protect and not project exclusiveness
Fun channel! You all have good energy and we like your music selection.
Thanks much!
Great to see, thanks for sharing! 🐬⚓️🏖🌴☀️😎🇦🇺
Thank you
What were your average daily runs, if you don’t mind me asking? Trying to decide between a performance cat like yours and more cruising comfort cat
We could count on 190-200 a day without pushing.
A+. Need more views? Check Promo*SM.
Thanks for the practical discussion, more about what we need to do than showing bikinis and such as we see on other channels. Looking forward to learning from your experiences going forward. Will add to it when I can
Regardless of the noise, your comment about charging a half hour for a day off your generator alone. Fantastic. And how much is the solar doing on top of that. And why not have a wind vane? All great redundant power opportunities
Solar can handle the recharge most days without running motors. Wind vane would be nice, but comparatively to solar or generator doesn't put in nearly as much...
Almost no one seems to be adding windmills lately since solar is so much more effective now. Particularly on a cat with a big coachroof, but even for monos. That and Lithium ion batteries for lots of storage and power. (In fact some people are removing their windmills after adding more solar.) Also quieter at anchor, no moving parts, etc.
This is awesome, it's great to see a channel with a larger/higher end performance cat! That's a great boat too. My wife and I considered purchasing a 526 but ultimately didn't get along with Phil so we went with another yard. Cheers!
I've never met Phil but he seems like a great guy. He seems to have strong opinions, BUT they're informed by a ton of experience. What didn't you like about him, if you feel like saying? I also think their boats seem very well built, especially the design of the mechanical and electrical systems. Love the very practical and modern styling too. Great sightlines, etc.
@@LoanwordEggcorn No doubt Phil is intelligent and builds a great boat. He however is not a people person and this bleeds into his staff as well. He was a straight up dick to my wife and there is no coming back from that. We went under contract with Neel before realizing they had a crap culture as well so walked away from them and our deposit. We finally came across Windelo who has been great and have a 54 Yachting on order.
more please... .. your help is much appreciated on which boat I might end up buying.
Cool. Our boat was anchored in front of you in Chatham bay. We show up in your video at 5:41. S/Y L’Acadienne Nautitech 441 We were the boat with the live music jam in our cockpit
Awesome! Maybe see ya out there again this year.
@@SailingLittleBird We will be sailing between Grenada and St Martin and back starting in Jan. Perhaps we will meet up again. You were not to far from us in Bequia also.
Y’all are great fun to cruise with. I am very excited to hear more about your experience with the amazing Balance 526. Do you compare it with previous vessel experiences? Enjoy. A little jealous. 😊
We've had a Catana 431 and Seawind 1000. Plus some monos and fishing boats. Obviously the balance 526 is quite a bit more deluxe, but all were great. You learn a little with each boat on what you want on the next!
Great video! What’s on the agenda for season 2?
Likely back down to Grenada and a little more time at some of the spots we liked or missed. Had to get it up to Florida this year to import it to U.S.
@@SailingLittleBird sounds like a good plan and a lot of fun!
My Aunt and Uncle live on Man O War Cay. been several years since my last visit!
Well done, enjoyed the videos
Thanks much!
Could you Show a little Bit More about sailing and Performance of the boat? Fair Winds!
For sure; we need to do a bit better at that. Check out some of our earlier videos from this season on Sail Choices and performance on the crossing.
Hope you guys were safe during Ian`s little blow! Fair winds Little Bird xx
All good for us in St Augustine. Thanks for asking.
😄👍👍👍❤
😄👍👍👍❤
😀👍👍👍❤