Sailing South to the Bahamas and Caribbean | Distant Shores | EP 201
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- Опубліковано 26 лют 2021
- Are you dreaming about sailing south to the Bahamas and Caribbean but aren't sure what the best routes for getting there are? In this, our most popular boat show seminar, we show you how to escape to these magical islands! Using beautiful video footage from the Distant Shores television series and UA-cam Channel as well as still images, music and narration, we share experiences gained from over 30 years of cruising and discuss the best options. Will you head for warmer climes down the ICW, jump offshore or take the Thorny Path? Join in to find out what route makes sense for you and will keep your crew happy and safe. We also outline an achievable plan for a successful tropical cruise and highlight destinations not to be missed.
00:18 Cruising since 1989
01:17 Seminar Overview
02:47 ICW Route South Intracoastal Waterway
03:12 Great Loop Mississippi Ten-Tom route
03:51 How to cross the Gulf Stream
05:00 Abacos Bahamas
06:50 Do you need shallow draft?
07:31 Bahamian cruising areas
08:11 George Town, Exumas cruising base
09:20 Shallow water piloting in the Bahamas
10:25 Far out Bahamas Family Islands cruising
12:20 Offshore routes to the Caribbean
12:53 Offshore route to the Bahamas
13:24 Sailing Offshore Bahamas to the Caribbean direct
16:04 Thornless Path Bahamas to the Caribbean in steps
16:51 Weather strategy for cold fronts
18:27 British Virgin Islands
20:44 Grenadines and St Vincent charter sailing destination
22:24 Thanks for watching
Equipment:
Pantaenius Yacht Insurance: www.pantaenius.com/uk-en/?adi...
BRNKL Yacht Security & Monitoring: www.brnkl.io/
Brunton’s Propellers: www.bruntonspropellers.com/
Elvstrøm Sails: elvstromsails.com
Seldén Mast / Furlex: www.seldenmast.com/
Lewmar: www.lewmar.com/
Raymarine: www.raymarine.com/
Scanstrut: www.scanstrut.com/
Navionics Charts: www.navionics.com/
GN Espace Ocean Chef: www.gn-espace.com
Highfield Classic Inflatable: www.highfieldboats.com
Integrel On-Engine Generator: www.integrelmarine.com/
MG Energy Systems (lithium batteries): www.mgenergysystems.eu/
Ultra Anchor (35 kg): www.ultramarine-anchors.com/
Oceanskies Yacht Registration: www.oceanskies.com/yachts/
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About
Paul and Sheryl Shard are award-winning travel documentary television producers and videographers who have been cruising internationally since 1989 documenting their global adventures for television, social media, in books and sailing publications. They have sailed over 110,000 nm including 9 ocean crossings and are the producers and presenters of the Distant Shores sailing adventure TV series which is broadcast to 47 million households in 24 languages around the world (AWE, Nautical Channel, ACCTV, ShineTV). Through their TV programs, UA-cam videos, articles/blogs and popular cruising seminars, the Shards help anyone dreaming of setting sail to get out on the water and experience their own adventure safely and comfortably.
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Thank you for watching!
Sheryl and Paul
Excellent summary of the Bahamas, BVI, Caribbean and the Grenadine islands. Really demonstrates the diverse sailing opportunities available in the wonderful sailing area.
Thanks for this great feedback, Kenneth!
After years of politely declining multiple invitations to sail with friends in the BVI ( I just could not see myself on a boat for a whole week to ten days) it was the best getaway to date. I kick myself for not going earlier.
Just know the BVi is the "Disney Land" of sailing; You are starting in the best cruising area (s) of the world.
Upon returning home I immediately began the ASA certifications up to and including the 114 for sailing catamarans. It has opened up a new mindset of a lifestyle and/or consciousness enabling an new outlook for our family. It even lead to crossing paths with this channel. :)
I imagine ASA is for US side, the UK has the RYA. I am looking at a Cat and need to start planning ahead, need to work out what training I need, also gonna need some Deep Sea fishing training. Come from tech background so I am hoping maintenance will be OKish for me to understand.
Wow, we are also Canadians and leaving this summer for the Caribbean with our entire family. Sold the House, quit our jobs.. Your channel helps us a lot on different aspect of sailing. Just watching this video give us chills...Thanks a lot for all these years! #VoilierGratitude
So exciting, Nick! Glad our videos were helpful in planning your upcoming voyage. We hope to meet you and your family on the water next year. Fair winds, Sheryl and Paul
I remember watching one of your very first broadcasts back in 89 when I was a senior in high school. Everyone was trying to figure out what they wanted to do in life and your program absolutely nailed it for me. So much so that living on a boat became a life goal for me. Unfortunately, I could never figure out how to get "from here to there" and was significantly discouraged by my very traditional parents, such that I set the dream aside for so long that it never happened. Now I am 49 years old with a mortgage and 3 kids. Thankfully I found sailing UA-cam channels like yours and others and it has rekindled the passion in me again. So while I won't be able to live my life on a boat, I am absolutely retiring on one. Early if I can. Thanks for helping me find my dream.
We are so touched by your words, Weary Man. Thanks for your story. Retiring on a boat is what most people are doing and having an amazing time doing it. You will too. There is lots of time and it sounds as if you have had a successful life ashore with a loving family in the meantime. Having both makes you a lucky man. All the best with your plans. We are honoured to be a part of the inspiration that brought you back to your dream of sailing. See you out there!
Great presentation! I attended an earlier version of your talk at the Toronto Boat show over 10 years ago and was inspired at the places one could go in a sailboat. So we bought a sailboat and sailed from Toronto down the St. Lawrence around NS and down the ICW to the Bahamas. It was an amazing trip, and it all started from listening to Paul give this presentation. Thanks!
Thank you very much, to make it easier by viewing your great videos!! We are living through the 5. lockdown here in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia!! I am 79 years old and too old to go sailing on our bays!! I used to sail in Switzerland and also here in my younger days!! Enjoy your life and your life style, believe me, getting old SUCKS!! All the best and fair winds !!!!
About the most informative video I have seen on the subject. Routes to the islands, different ways to experience sailing, what each group has to offer, etc.
My wife is now excited about the possibilities. I want to go full time, but she can't get her feet out of the mud.
Glad you enjoyed it! Perhaps a shorter cruise would appeal and then if it goes well she might agree the route could be extended?
Always like your ability to be calm when explaining how you plan and cruise. Your destinations are just so beautiful. Older now but want to get back to doing sailing full time. Thank you for providing that inspiration!
Thanks for your nice comments, John. Most people sailing full time are retirement age although with so many UA-cam Channels being produced by younger sailors working and who are good with video, that isn't always apparent. We're honoured to be part of the inspiration that is getting you back into sailing. See you out there!
How I wish I had known about your show 30 years ago! It might have saved me from wasting 30 years of my life trying to figure out what I wanted out of it. Now that I'm in my mid 40s I am hoping one day to get down to the BVI to learn to sail and eventually get myself something that can cross oceans and spend the rest of my life exploring this gorgeous planet and all of its wonderful cultures that I can!
All the best with your plans of sailing.
Absolute best sailing and cruising channel available. Now that I’ve been in South Florida a little over a year, I’m very much looking forward to to the Bahamas and the Virgin Islands this coming winter season...
Very informative. Thanks
My favorite of all your videos. Thank you for what you do.
Paul and Sheryl, As you know, we've watched all your TV and UA-cam series over the years. I must say, I honestly believe this was one of your best episodes ever. Combining route planning with weather and destination awareness. Sally and I have sailed the Bahamas, BVI's and the Grenadines down to Grenada a number of times and we thought you did a super job of introducing all three. Thanks again!
Thanks so much, Steve and Sally! ❤️
I've been watching and learning from you both for a few years now. But this has got to be the most compact and informative vid you've done. Congrats and thanks so much from Blighty.
Thanks for sharing this eye opener and inspiration!
Paul. Thanks. Your the tutorial is by far the only one to watch.
This channel is my favorite sailing channel! Thanks for making the jump to UA-cam
Love the videos so much ... I started watching about a year ago .. and have become facinated .. I rushed out and bout a sailboat haha .. 27 foot Catalina .. was not a smart buy but it gave me the opertunity to learn about the boat . Doing fiberglass and the many other projects . 6 months later I had an opportunity to buy another sail boat that has quite a history .. the name is little rascal 21 foot wilderness. Previously owned by any Boyer .. after reading the history on Google of where this Little vessle went . I was amazed .. it's so small .. for anyone reading .. Google this small 21 foot sail boat ... It will blow your mind ...I bought little rascal for 1500$ ... Now she is at home in Calgary Alberta Canada .. in the midst of a total refit ...not sure what or where I will take rascal but .. I do love the little vessle . Would love to talk with amy Boyer if anyone knows her ... So now I am wanting to sell the Catalina and buy a boat perhaps in Florida and make the crossing ... I am just looking for a cheap sailboat ..any help on a place to find a cheap sailboat from anyone is greatly appreciated ..as I'm not rich .. but do want to escape the rat race and make a fun utube Chanel of ( yes u can sail if your poor ) .. once again thank you for the videos and inspiration.. cayenada from Canada ...
three minuets in now, and i have to stop and say that i have found out more of what i was looking for info wise than the past six months of binge watching several to many UA-cam cahnnels, thank you for making this video, going to watch the rest of it!
Fantastic tips on sailing routes. Thank you for highlighting these trips. Cheers 🥂
Excellent video! Been watching you for years and so happy you are on UA-cam! Safe travels ⛵
We are in the BVI on our 41ft Beneteau right now. Quarantine wasn't too bad. We did four days in quarantine on land, and now we're free to roam about the islands. Because quarantine is a challenge in many of the other island nations down here, we're planning to stay in the BVI for the entire winter, which is our cruising season. The quarantine rules are enough of a deterrent to many that we have a normally crowded island chain practically to ourselves! It's tough for businesses depending on tourism income, but it's nice for us to have empty beaches and anchorages.
Congratulations on 31-years of doing amazing videos.
What a great review of the cruising grounds.
Well done and thank you for the clear cut explanations.
I'm jealous! Thx for posting..
Very nicely done, as always. I learned a lot on this one.
Great video folks! Very informative
Glad it was helpful!
tks for the great video, so many super suggestions and sharing your experience…. will be using you experience to prepare our plan to going there from Montreal in a few year👌
Thank you for sharing your knowledge with the rest of us. This was exactly what I needed.
Glad it was helpful!
Great episode .
Thank you.
We enjoyed watching this video, because we plan on sailing down the ICW in a couple of years. We have also chartered in The Grenadines and love the sailing there.
Thanks for the informative video.
Such beautiful surroundings of land & sea. I went to St Bart's a few years ago for a week & had an absolute lovely time. It's a long haul from my Seattle home but it has some of the most beautiful beaches I've been to anywhere. Great informative video! Your professionalism & experience is obvious! 👍
Food for thought 👍
Great Video! To the point and very informational. Your video experience really shows. Excellent!!!
Outstanding summary!
A bunch of good information in this episode....thank you!
So glad this was helpful, Ed!
Love your channel! It gives me hope to return to the Caribbean and Bahamas. 💕
That's great, Marcia! Hope to meet up there someday.
Looking forward to seeing your route out of Panama towards the Windward Islands or north towards the Bahamas and Florida!
Fantastic! 👊👊💥
Nicely done distant shores. Truly inspiring!
Glad you liked the video!
Thanks for the video guys. I’ve always enjoyed your informative videos. You helped inspire me to buy my own boat. I have a Catalina 36 and just about to start my sailing journey and adventure for our first full season coming up! Thanks
Informative and as elegant as always!
Thanks, guys!
fantastic video
Excellent video. You hit two of my main to do list in the near future. One is to get my wife to the USVI, or BVI, and charter a sailboat over a week for her to see what is like. I bought a 35 foot boat 6 years ago, as a retirement gift (planning to retire in 2024) and plan on doing the thornless route, but don't want her to get spooked on that trip, so I rather let her experience the good spots first before introducing the "how to get there". She's helping with the refit, but has never been in the boat while in the water, as we were separated for many years and got back together recently. I lived in the boat for 2 1/2 years so I been in. Thanks for this great videos, which made me subscribe. Fair winds.
Great info. Thanks
Great video. Saving this one for future reference. Well done as alt!
Thank you! Glad it will be a good reference for you, John.
Great video... experienced a charter in the BVI’s two years ago and had a great time on the water...always enjoy/envy your cruising adventures!!
Great to hear! Thanks for your comments, Mike.
Great overview. Trying to get friends on the water. Your charter ideas might just do it after they watch this!
I haven't checked Cornell's book, World Cruising Routes, but I've long thought a spring cruise from the Great Lakes to Halifax and then south to Bermuda, Bahamas and/or Caribbean islands for winter would be pretty epic. That said, I have no real sense of what sailing the St. Lawrence might be like, so maybe that's not such a great idea.
Very well done...my favorite is the saints
Beautiful video! Thanks!
Thank you! Glad you enjoyed it.
insurance dictating our first-year route here, I am not disappointed. Your thoughts match other sailors so I think we have some competency for route planning to the Bahamas now...thanks!
Some day gonna visit them all. 🤞🏼
love it
Epic.
Thanks for a great video. I look forward to sailing these islands one day.
So glad you enjoyed it and found it helpful for planning your future voyage to these islands. We look forward to seeing you there, db.
Great detail!
Thanks, Laura!
Great video Paul! Crew from Mimzy here! I think that our favorite place that we visited in the last year was Guadeloupe and Illes Des Saintes. Great anchorages, and French food and wine! We anchored near the Jacques Cousteau park and could stay there for weeks! FYI - We think of you guys every time we have Chinese. We use the chopsticks from the Chinese place in SXM all the time!
Agree with you. BVI are great first destination. We have sailed these waters three times and always enjoyed it. Exumas are very different magical place. Looking forward to Geenadines hopefully next year. Thank you for your great videos.
Thanks for your comments, Jiri. You will love the Grenadines!
Looks like heaven.
It is a beautiful area to sail, JHK!
Very infomative and enjoyable video! Very good tips! Well done!!!
Thanks! So glad you enjoyed the information.
Excellent
Thanks, Someday we hope to trailer our Seaward 26RK to Florida and sail to the Bahamas. Your video is very helpful.
We're so glad, Brad. Thanks for your comment.
I loved Eleuthera Island in the Bahamas. I was there in 1997 on a Choy Lee 46' Ketch.
Eleuthera is a special place, ting tong! So glad you got to sail there.
Tell me more about the purchase-leaseback of the boat. Do you have a separate video on that? I really enjoyed your video.
Cool channel. I'm hooked.
Yet another great video with tons of awesome information. Something we can refer back to when we are full time cruisers in the area. Can’t wait. Only 3 years until retirement. When we are out there we will hopefully cross paths and have another sundowner together. All the best! Safe Cruising! Craig and Janice
Hey, great to hear from you, Craig and Janice! 3 years will go fast. Hope you are keeping well during these crazy times.
@@DistantShoresTV Yes 3 years will fly by especially since we need to sell our house and everything we own and still find that perfect (most likely used) cat to live on. Things are good here all things considered. We’ve stayed happy and healthy. You look like you are still enjoying life out there blue water cruising and that is great to see.
Great synopsis Paul and Sheryl. We really enjoyed bare boating in Belize behind the barrier reef. Just as safe as BVI with almost no other boats. A little worried about Grenada ever since I read Sam Fortescue's Sail magazine article (Trouble in Paradise, Nov/Dec 2019) about pirates coming up from Venezuela to prey on cruising sail boats.
Wonderful and timely! Can't wait to plan adventures for when we get vaccinated and the cruising grounds start opening up.
Thanks guys, we are chartering with friends in the BVI this coming September. Really looking forward to our 1st Charter.
You're going to love the British Virgin Islands, Kev!
Great overview of sailing to and around the Caribbean. Always appreciate what you guys share and also your seminars. We are now on a landing path to full-time cruising with the house about to be put up for sale, retirement dates firmed up...next step buy a bigger ⛵️. Hopefully borders will be easier to cross soon so boat shopping is easier! Thanks to you two for all the great inspiration you provide! Wish your video was longer while we try to stay warm here in winter land 🤣😅😜
How exciting, Cedric! We are honoured to be part of the inspiration that is leading to the fulfillment of your dream and wish you well with the search for your new boat. Hopefully the borders will open up soon and we'll see you out there! Sending you tropical sunshine. 😎
Distant Shores TV If we win the lottery, we'll buy your boat for sure!
Exactly what I was looking for! Thank you for this wonderful video! We are planning a trip to the Bahamas this Spring and then in June want to get to the lesser Antilles. Is there a optimal season/month to sail due East as you described (before heading South)? Any issues taking this route in June?
Great Video Paul & Sheryl!
Thanks, Anthony. Hope it brought back memories of sailing in the BVI together.
@@DistantShoresTV Sure did and also inspiring us to work on getting back out there.
Siesta Key in Sarasota also has white beautiful sand.
Another great video. Wife and I are presently sailing an Ontario 32 out of Thunder Bay. Although Lake Superior and the rest of the Great Lakes are rich with places to explore I must admit sailing the Caribbean seems to be the quintessential sailing destination. Not to mention a lot warmer to swim in.
My question is: Sail to the Caribbean via St Lawrence or fly down and charter in the BVI? Any suggestions?
Thank you for again a beautiful and informative well made video!👍
You might have covered it before, but have you ever explored the water around and the harbours in Cuba?
Not yet, Torstein. Cuba is still on our wish list. Thanks for your kind comments on this new video.
Great video. Given you have had 3 southerlies, wondering how much real world value you found from the shallow draft? In terms of exploring places,protection, or beaching? I’m a monohull sailor today, but eyeing a seawind cat that draws only 1’9” with boards and rudders up. No sail drives or shaft. Did you use this for accessing interesting places or anchorages that you didn’t show on video?
I guess I know where I am going next once I sail down the coast of Mexico where I live now.
Excellent as always. Great intro to cruising these waters. Thanks!
Are you getting closer to leaving Panama?
Thanks, Tom! Yes, our lithium batteries finally arrived in Panama last week and just cleared customs. They are scheduled to be delivered to the boat on Monday. Once installed we'll be sailing to the Bocas Del Toro and/or San Blas Islands.
New to sailing, will like to try charter cruising, would you recommend any in the Caribbean
Love your work guy's, that definitely revived some great memories including some time spent with you two. Pauls is still the King of twerk Lol
Good memories indeed!
@@DistantShoresTV Maybe one day you will get to sail the South Pacific over to where we live
Excellent video. Have you ever visited margarita island? Someone told me that it is zlso a good destination in the caribbean😎
안녕하세요 수고하셨습니다 감사합니다
I can't wait to retire and live in the Caribbean.
Where would be the best place to go after Bimini,navigation wise..we are new to this and have 47 Cruiser that draws 3’6”?
Congratulations for one more great program. Well done. I saw several anchor testing and now you are using a Rocna. Are you happy? Do you recommend based in your experience?
We had a Rocna for many years and it was great but we worried if the roll bar prevented the anchor from burying itself as deeply as it could. For the last few years we have been using the Ultra Anchor which is brilliant. In our upcoming cruise to the Caribbean islands off Panama we will be testing the new Lewmar Epsilon Anchor with and without the optional roll bar. www.lewmar.com/node/20408 Stay tuned...
@@DistantShoresTV Thank you so much for the prompt answer and clarification. We have been following you since the begging in the Med. We wish you both the best. We will stay very well tuned :-)
I can't wait to go😢
Thanks for this great video..... What are you thinking is the best time for this trips. I´m lokated at St. Lucia... so i will do it in two steps. North and South. Any Recomandations? Lovley Greetings Giulis
So is sailing in the Bahamas and the Exhumas for instance more difficult than the Bvi’s, Grenadines, etc?
👍👍
Paul, when you two first started sailing, how many times did you truly scare yourself before you became comfortable?
Sailing from Florida to St. Martin in Macgregor 26m, is it bad or ok idea.
I can’t find the link for the video on your offshore passage. Can you add it to the description or provide it here. Thanks!
Ah. Found the one sailing from Staniel Cay. Love the channel. My wife and I have been following you for 10-15 years on TV. Your shows to the Bahamas helped motivate us for our own trip in 2019. We are planning another trip this fall to include the Caribbean and will be looking back over those episodes.
Did you stop at Bequia and did you like it?
Inspired by your channel (although scared by Eric the viking) we bought our first yacht last year an Oceanis 51.1. As soon as we get confident enough to leave the solent we will head over to the Caribbean and check it out! That may take a few years ha ha ha 😂. What is the news on your new boat?
Hey, congratulations on buying your first yacht, Darren! The Solent is a great place to learn to sail since there are excellent sailing schools and you are surrounded by very skilled and experienced sailors. We have sold Distant Shores III, conditional on a survey, with closing date in May. We then plan to fly to the Netherlands to visit a few boat yards and if restrictions allow, test sail some of the boats they've produced. We're currently doing a feasibility study on our design ideas. The project is moving forward as you will see in upcoming videos...
@@DistantShoresTV Very exciting times for you. I look forward to following the progress. I have my own design and manufacture business. Although we have never worked on a boat before if you wanted help in visualising your ideas we would be happy to help FOC. Following the progress of a custom build will be very interesting.
@1:52 I have a hesitant mate, gonna need to get her onboard before I fork out our life savings to get a boat and go cruising around the world:)))
I looked into chartering a captained sailboat in the virgin islands, and it's $15k-$20k USD per week for a family with 4 kids. This seems like a cost prohibitive way to see if we like the sailing life, and our sailing skills aren't advanced enough yet to trust ourselves with sailing without a captain. Any other more affordable options?
What about using a dinghy in shallow water?