Man. That moment with the thrashing sea and haunting choir brought tears to my eyes. I long for the days of singlehanding with Palestrina and Bach flowing through the speakers.
Great to see you made it safely...Phewww...Having a crew of three certainly helps if one is ill..for whatever reason..Paragon seems to take the ocean punches OK but as you mentioned, one has to really be thoughtful about weather windows with forecasts that are often quite variable...Awesome Viewing..Hazza, Australia
Drake, really loved this! What a great video, really like the comments you inserted, this was so professional a production. Feel terrible for Mo. You better keep her. Any woman that does all that Mo has is truly in love. My lovely better half would just say, "I'll see you when you get back, good luck."
I think it was the right thing that pushed off and had a bit of "weather" where you did. It gave you practice in heavy weather sailing whilst relatively close to shore and rescue. Much better to have the experience there than in the northern atlantic. Gear is now tested. Can't wait to see what's next. I think you are right to take the watch when Monique was sick. I once spent 36 hrs off shore racing in a gail and 10m swell. Those that weren't sick or too sick, did the watches. Those that were sick, stayed sick and kept out of the way... No one can really be on watch and be that ill.
I really feel for Monique!! Being seasick for days is so bad!! Absolutely nothing compares. Very brave to go into that hell out of free will......Anything over 2 meters wave height and I'm feeding the fish too. But every year I can add 0.5 meter so far. It's really hard to do work with the medicines. They make you sleepy and apathetic
Yeah, Paragon really seemed to be doing doing just fine in the blow. But what a shame MoMo continues to experience sea-sickness. It is such a privilege to be included in such an intimate way in your passage. Thanks so much for your thoughtful videography.
i just saw that you wrote that it was a mistake to leave with that forecast. That was my opinion from the beginning but i watched to see if i would be proven wrong. That forecast was quite serious and not many sailboats on the small side of 60 feet would get through that much head wind without a pounding. I've been there and made the same incorrect decision myself on my 37 foot s&, but with 6 knot current to deal with for a 20 mile crossing. Our speed was 1.5 knots on 3/4 throttle and stasail and triple reefed main. Anchoring in a lee was hellish with 45 knot gusts. As soon as i slowed the boat, we drifted backwards at 5-6 knots and the anchorage got too deep to anchor within seconds. So motor back in under autopilot and dump chain and cut motor at same instant and 200 feet of 3/8 chain went bar tight in seconds and made pinging sounds. Fingers were at great peril and then trying to set a snubber was another headache. Credit to my new crew, both of who were on my boat for only 2 days previously and had little sailing experience except on lakes in europe, and they both concluded that southern ocean sailing under Australia was nothing like European lakes in summer :-) Credit to your videos and the cruising life. Well done Mr Drake and crew. Paragon is a very suitable yacht for your trips. I wish you joy
thank you, thank you, thank you for another awesome video. my body is currently landlocked in the midwest but my heart is always at sea. your weekly videos keep me going. keep up the good work, the time and effort you put into these videos is most appreciated!
Great installment, Drake. The info on the military ships and planes is a nice addition. Only once have I ever felt motion sickness coming on- while preparing a meal in the galley for about an hour in seas that were in the 20 foot range while on a commercial fishing boat. As soon as I made it out on deck I was instantly better. Never mind rolling while in the bunk. But if you try standing without a view of the horizon for any length of time, you're going to feel some form of motion sickness. SO my head does OK. But me being a tall person, trying to keep my balance tends to wear me down. My feet start to take a beating, and my entire spine, back, and shoulders starts to strain from trying to find that ever elusive balance comfort zone. I used to not mind it much when I was a 20-something. But I think I know why ball players retire half past 30. They'd like to stay in the game, but the body just isn't a five tool player anymore.
Been binge watching for the past few days. Part way through season 2 now. Really interesting videos, but this episode was my favourite so far... just wish you had filmed a little while hove to. Easier said than done I imagine! :)
As a person who eventually seeks to venture out in the cruising world, I really appreciate watching what you guys do and how you react to conditions. Just vicariously watching is informative and in this case dramatic. Best episode, evah!
So glad you made it out to sea Drake! It's been a long journey for you for sure and a joy to watch as well. I keep coming back for more. When I found your channel, I was searching how to sail and what it would be like to live aboard with a family. I believe my wife would be EXACTLY like Monique as she is afraid of heights and gets car sick riding through our mountains. I want so badly to be a sailor but with three kids and a wife who gets sick going to the store, I just have to settle living out my dreams through your videos. Thanks for spending the time to film, edit and post to youtube.
Thank God for that enclosure. It would have been much colder and wetter out there. Got to say Mo is awesome to be seasick like that over and over again, and she's still trekking through it all like a champ. Great to see she's hanging in there.
Hi W4ABN. The enclosure is wonderful, but I think it can also give a false sense of security. When we sailed from Greenland to Iceland in heavy weather a big wave hit the cockpit and destroyed the entire side of the enclosure. The Strataglass just shattered like paper. The cockpit got completely swamped with water which took a very long time to drain. Luckily we were all down below when it happened. We are hoping to be able to repair the enclosure before we sail to Svalbard next Spring. In the meantime we plan to sail to the Faroe Islands and on to Norway without an enclosure and are seriously hoping to buy much better foul weather gear before we push off from Iceland.
Always be safe and if you need to heave to and wait the weather out then that's the right decision to make, even if you miss a flight or are late. There is no schedule with sailing. Looking forward to the next video as you move north to our home water.
If you want to reduce those false bilge alarms rig two switches in series so that both have to activate at the same time to cause an alarm, and put them in opposite ends of the compartment in question. When the alarm goes off you know you have a problem and better get after it.
CBBT Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel - always get goosebumps when I come back home and the plane banks over the bridge. Can't imagine what it would be like crossing over it on a boat on my way home :-)
That was Awesome and I really feel for Mo. I have been across the Hampton Bridge and Tunnel many times and have been across the Chesapeake bay when you had to go by Ferry Boat. I don't know how Mo ever made the voyage but The video was Great
Excellent video, as many has agreed below. It does give us the feeling of going along with you folks (sitting on my couch sipping coffee). This video is done extremely well, great job. Thank you for sharing as always. (We have to wait another month to get our boat splashed).
A real intense shakedown. Happy to see that all was well. Have to say the bilge alarm had me nervous. I feel so horrible for Monique! I'm sending her calm vibs. Blessings to you all.
Aww man, I felt so bad for Mo. I am prone to severe motion sickness, too. I have learned much from doctors that specialize in that a good antihistamine will help very much. I take regular Benadryl for it and it works very well. The side-effects of Benadryl are not as significant as with taking Meclizine or similar. It is an extraordinary misery to suffer with it at sea. You guys are wonderful. Thanks so much for making your videos.
On a trip back to Cape May (by car) many years ago, as we crossed the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel, we saw a sailboat foundering with liferaft deployed, and there we were driving casually by!!
Wow, some crappy weather to have to get through! Glad you are all ok. Poor Monique, hope she is doing better. Does she always get sea sick? Looking forward to your next vid. thanks for taking me along..be safe out there! Laurie in FL. :)
Nice shot of the stern of the U.S.S. Comfort man. She was brought to NY following 911 to tend the issues there. Totally awesome capabilities she indeed has. The PHS was started originally under the Army but that was changed and fell under the Navy Dept later. They answer to the Surgeon General whose is referred to and addressed as ADMIRAL (last name). Their uniforms look pretty much exactly as regular Navy and the best to differentiate them from regular Navy personnel is by their inability to salute properly. ;)
Hey Monique, I feel you pain. I suffered years and years with miserable sea sickness compounded by inner ear issues. The good news is though it can still happen I did out grow it. How does it go? At first you are afraid sea sickness will kill you, later on you are afraid it won't!
I seriously saw that Pelican case and thought "What a fantastic idea for a ditch bag! It's waterproof, it floats, great location..." And then Drake opened it. LOL
Our ditch bag is a huge waterproof duffel/backack that we have stored in a locker in the salon along with our immersion suits. The Pelican style case on the cabin top is for camera gear.
howdy Drake, I enjoy your videos. they have been an inspiration for me to seek out another sailboat and I have found one. it is a 30' o'day. I see in your videos that Monique gets sea sick - if you carry some ginger root and finely grate it you can make a ginger tea with it - add just a touch of honey if you want, but it helps a great deal with a queasy tummy. I hope you guys have a great trip
Watching episode 12 we had the idea that you should change plans, and in this episode we were right. Close hauled sailing is not easy at all in these conditions.
Hi thatsmethistime, absolutely. I had hoped that we would have arrived in Cape May and got the anchor down before the northerly winds got too bad. Schedules and weather just don't mix.
Thanks drake, I hope I can handle myself as you have out in those conditions! thanks again, I'm really enjoying paragon's adventures! -theonboardproject
Drake, with that furler, if there is not enough tension, try throwing the line overboard and letting the water add some drag. Simple cheat, but it works as long as the prop is stationary ;-) I have used it for halyards and all sorts of lines over the years.. Thanks for the vids
DrakeParagon's Real Cruising Life I watch a lot of cruising vids, this one is the most epic. First, white sail beam reaching reaching at 7 knts and the shear joy on your face. Then, Hellish Thrash and the crew toughing it out to arrive safely after adjusting plans. EPIC, truly!!! and thx for sharing You have Paragon in excemplary order andthose stairs are something to be proud of. Oh, and the learning too. Thank you guys so very much.
Wonderful videos, I have joined your many subscribers. Do check to see (9:10) if by 54 caliber you meant 5 inch, 54 caliber. USS Stout has a Mark 45, which has a barrel length of 54 calibers (54 times the diameter of the bore). Newer iterations are even longer and she may have had an upgrade since then.
Another great video for the rest of us, but I couldn't help but wonder when the next adventure starts if we will hear MO say "Drake, come see me when you get back."
Another great video, you spoil us. A question if I may; what video camera are you using? When the scene opened on the C.G. Cutter, and then you pulled back to show just how far off it was, well, that was great. Again, thanks for all you do.
Hi Drake, Mo, Yet another superb video from you two. Feel sorry for Mo, only time I have been ill onboard a sailboat was going thru Biscay in a F8/9,, really bad for a few hours. Why did you have to bleed the engine ?? Keep up the good work and await the next instalment. Robert
Dear Drake and Mo and other personel you had on yor trips. I love yor videos because not only sail, you also share your struggles when you are in a new harbor or town. But i have 3 questions. 1. Do you use a 2 stroke engine? when i se your videos and when you motoring, it sounds you motoring with a 2 stroke engine like an old good moped we have here in sweden. 2. why dont you have a catamaran instead of a monohull, is that something you guys have take a decission about earler. 3. When and if you take a decission to come to sweden and (inside the Bottenhavet) Stockholm, let me know.
Hi Bengt-Erik, Glad to hear that you're enjoying our voyaging stories. :) 1. Our engine is a 4 stroke, 85 horsepower diesel. A Perkins 4-236. It's quite loud, but I hope to bring the sound level down by adding more sound insulation in the engine room someday. www.perkins.com/en_GB/company/heritage/products/perkins-4236.html 2. The most important thing to me in a boat design was to find something that was as best suited as possible for survival in worst case scenario offshore storms. I think the Westsail was the best choice I could find with that in mind, within my budget. 3. Thank you! We would love to sail to Stockholm someday. - Drake
I was watching Mo thinking buck up buttercup and get with the program until the ziplock came out. That has to be pretty miserable going on watch knowing you are going to be sick. Way to hang in there.
Adam is definitely a great crew mate, sorry to see your girlfriend so seasick, she's a real trooper though. I myself wonder how I would handle being at sea in a small boat with rough seas. What would be the ideal wind knot and sailing speed if you had a wish you would want every time you take on some long distance sailing etc? Thanks for another great video Drake
Hi Patrick, The swiveling bracket is made by RAM Mounting Systems, Inc and I mounted it to a 1 1/4" thick board of starboard that I bolted to the pedestal. I really wanted the chart plotter to be able to swivel to any part of the cockpit because a lot of the time I'm just lying in the cockpit against a pillow and like to be able to just glance up at the radar.
For your information. That was NOT an AWAC plane. And the white ship with the red cross is the USNS COMFORT, a hospital ship. The AIR FORCE has AWAC aircraft. The Navy has similar planes for coastal surveilence and they are called Hawkeye's. And finally. The Navy has NO Battleships.
Yes, those are props! So that's a Northrop Grumman Hawkeye AEWC aircraft, not the Boeing AWACS AEWC search aircraft. Thank you for the correction. I've made a text correction in the video where we zoom in on the Hawkeye where I also thank you for the correction. I did identify the USNS Comfort by name along with a text description on the screen over the photo at minute 7:49. Did we say anything was a battleship? I couldn't find it. Thanks again for the correction.
We have crossed the Chesapeake Bay bridge tunnel many times on our way from Pa. to Ocracoke NC It is weird knowing that a big ship is above you at the time we are in one of the tunnels I feel for Mo,I've been seasick and I know you wish you could die,but after a few times you get over motion sickness,why I don't know. Love your videos.
Kale Chips My wife bakes in the oven at low temp the Kale until it is crispy, seasons it and eats it like chips. She pre-cuts it with scissors to a size a little larger than she wants. I eat potato chips but I commend her for being resourceful to find ways of getting healthy things into her diet.
I am pretty sure she purchased a bag of kale chips first. She did not want to keep paying $4 a bag because she discovered she could make five or six times the amount herself for the same price. Also, I do not dislike them, I like potato chips more. My brain has a hard time of thinking Kale when using the word "chips". You will need to keep the kale off the bottom of the pan. I am thinking use heavy duty aluminum foil or a thin aluminum pie tin and a hole punch you would normally use for paper. The pie tin could be folded up and slid into a small space, if it were altered to do so..
It sucks you couldn't make it by Sunset... weather turned to shit for sure, but ship seemed to be doing well, except mo... I feel her pain as I can get a bit seasick as well at times... but it goes away when I do things like pilot. Trick is to be doing something not sitting there feeling bad. She will get her sea legs soon I hope. Adam is good crew for sure.
Drake, I watch you video's with great enthusiasm. I have enjoyed each and everyone. I truly hope to be enjoying the cursing lifestyle in the not to distant future. Hey just a note, in this last episode you had a shot of the USS Elrod (FFG 55) steaming past Elrod is a frigate. In your caption you identified her incorrectly as the USS Stout (DDG 55). Stout is a destroyer. I can see where it would be easy to make the mistake, especially if you are not that familiar with Navy warships. I'm a retired Naval Officer, so I kinda notice those things. Anyway, love the channel and the videos. Keep it up! Mark
Mark thank you so much for correcting this. I am extremely embarrassed to have made such an error and will write a correction note in the video description. Thank you for sailing with us! Drake
Don't be embarrassed, it's an easy mistake to make if you are not overly familiar with navy ship types. The hull numbering can be misleading as many ships of different classes may have the same visible hull numbers. On the hull you might just see 55 which could be a DDG of an FFG. The only way to know that is by recognizing the ship type when you see it. I'm sure that is what happened when you mistook the Elrod for the Stout. Again, I enjoy your videos very much and hope you keep adding them often. Thanks for sharing your sailing life with all of us. Mark
Under pressure to get Adam to his return flight in NYC, we pushed off from Norfolk, VA with a less than ideal weather forecast. Ep 13. Sailing from Norfolk to Atlantic City - Paragon's Sailing Adventure
Watching this so well made video sure brought back some warm memories as officer of the watch, thank you. Happy sailing! Did you solve cause of the bilge pump alarm?
The use of a corset (some sort of belt) could help to reduce de effects of the seasickness. having the stomach tight, helps. (from an old sailing book). Your videos becomes always better. It is a pleasure to follow your trip! Thanks for shearing!
Hi Rob, Thank you. I'm so glad you enjoyed seeing Norfolk! Yes, we figured it the bilge pump alarm. This was a really good shakedown. While hove in the middle of the night we switched tacks. This caused Paragon to heel over on the other side. Then the bilge pump went on 100% of the time. We were taking on gallons per minute. After much searching I traced it to an above the waterline thru hull that had previously been used as the exhaust for a generator. I had previously removed the generator and it's exhaust hose, and closed the seacock on this thru hull. I didn't realize that the closing mechanism on the inside of the seacock had rusted away completely. Even with the handle in the closed position, it was still wide open inside. The thru hull was located high enough above the waterline for it to normally not take on water. But when hove to in heavy seas, the thru hull got submerged by waves most of the time. In the engine room I could hear the water bursting into the locker with each wave. I put a with a wooden plug in it. Then in NYC I purchased a bronze cap which I screwed onto the thru hull sealing it permanently.
DrakeParagon's The Real Cruising Life Wow! Scary stuff taking on water that early in the season. COLD WATERS! This will make me check my thru hulls and valves before we launch to check to see that they are closing properly and not corroded.
Boarding Ring Anti Motion Sea / Road Sickness Glasses Hi Monique, have you see the glasses invented for the French Navy, "Boarding Ring" glasses are a visible internal ear. Eye and internal ear transmit the same information to the brain, making the sensorial conflict (source of motion sickness) disappear. The glasses are to be worn from the apparition of the symptoms. after just a few minutes of wear (on average 6 mins) the symptoms disappear. If you wait until you are about to be sick, it will be too late for the glasses to work. The "Boarding Ring" glasses area medical device with CE label (Class1) They don’t look great with blue water in the frame but they do work well.
Hi Garfield, Thank you! The link appears to be working here. We have been enormously humbled and honored by the support that many people have given us via that link. This support is helping us to make necessary repairs to our boat Paragon, offset our production costs, and even help purchase fuel and groceries. Thank you for sailing with us, Drake
like i said in the last video sailors should never have appointments. they will get you in trouble every time but i would have gone as well with that forecast. you did not hit anything that your boat or crew could not handle it was a little uncomfortable but you and your boat will and have seen worse i am sure.
True that. That would be an interesting pole to see what Drake fans would want first: Radar, GPS, AIS, Depth Finder, etc. For Blue Water, I think AIS/Radar combo. What do you think Drake?
Ya know Bro, part of cruising is taking the Good Times with those that aren't so good. While it is terrible that you suffered Damage in one of the Infamous North Atlantic storms, you are alive, dry and still underway. That being said, perhaps its time to make do with what you have and seek part time employment at your next stop. Fair Winds, following Seas, and Bright days ahead for you :)
Great adventure ! Love watching. But why would you sit discussing and wringing your hands about getting him to NY, instead of pulling anchor and GETTING him to NY? And did you not know that your GF was useless on a sailboat ?
Drake, I'm going to disagree with you and say that making that passage was a wise decision. The weather that was predicted and experienced, while unpleasant, was well within the capability of the ship and the crew. And you really needed a heavy weather shakedown. Better to have a leaking boat within rescue range of the Coast Guard than 1,000 miles at sea. My only constructive criticism would be to take anomalies like the bilge alarm more seriously. It should have been immediately investigated by the skipper and not dismissed.
Good adventure. Poor Monique, Sea sickness is a dreadful thing. I really felt for her.
That moment when the engines are off and you are sailing....man that's a good feeling.
Man. That moment with the thrashing sea and haunting choir brought tears to my eyes. I long for the days of singlehanding with Palestrina and Bach flowing through the speakers.
These videos are getting really good! I like the little notes you put in there to explain what's going on. Please keep up the good work!
I really enjoy that Mo has a line to throw in there in most situations that makes everyone laugh.
This might be the best episode yet. Well done!
Great to see you made it safely...Phewww...Having a crew of three certainly helps if one is ill..for whatever reason..Paragon seems to take the ocean punches OK but as you mentioned, one has to really be thoughtful about weather windows with forecasts that are often quite variable...Awesome Viewing..Hazza, Australia
I've been waiting a year for this video. So worth the wait.
Drake, really loved this! What a great video, really like the comments you inserted, this was so professional a production. Feel terrible for Mo. You better keep her. Any woman that does all that Mo has is truly in love. My lovely better half would just say, "I'll see you when you get back, good luck."
I think it was the right thing that pushed off and had a bit of "weather" where you did. It gave you practice in heavy weather sailing whilst relatively close to shore and rescue. Much better to have the experience there than in the northern atlantic. Gear is now tested. Can't wait to see what's next. I think you are right to take the watch when Monique was sick. I once spent 36 hrs off shore racing in a gail and 10m swell. Those that weren't sick or too sick, did the watches. Those that were sick, stayed sick and kept out of the way... No one can really be on watch and be that ill.
I really feel for Monique!! Being seasick for days is so bad!! Absolutely nothing compares. Very brave to go into that hell out of free will......Anything over 2 meters wave height and I'm feeding the fish too. But every year I can add 0.5 meter so far. It's really hard to do work with the medicines. They make you sleepy and apathetic
Yeah, Paragon really seemed to be doing doing just fine in the blow. But what a shame MoMo continues to experience sea-sickness. It is such a privilege to be included in such an intimate way in your passage. Thanks so much for your thoughtful videography.
Outstanding production Drake!!
i just saw that you wrote that it was a mistake to leave with that forecast. That was my opinion from the beginning but i watched to see if i would be proven wrong. That forecast was quite serious and not many sailboats on the small side of 60 feet would get through that much head wind without a pounding. I've been there and made the same incorrect decision myself on my 37 foot s&, but with 6 knot current to deal with for a 20 mile crossing. Our speed was 1.5 knots on 3/4 throttle and stasail and triple reefed main. Anchoring in a lee was hellish with 45 knot gusts. As soon as i slowed the boat, we drifted backwards at 5-6 knots and the anchorage got too deep to anchor within seconds. So motor back in under autopilot and dump chain and cut motor at same instant and 200 feet of 3/8 chain went bar tight in seconds and made pinging sounds. Fingers were at great peril and then trying to set a snubber was another headache. Credit to my new crew, both of who were on my boat for only 2 days previously and had little sailing experience except on lakes in europe, and they both concluded that southern ocean sailing under Australia was nothing like European lakes in summer :-) Credit to your videos and the cruising life. Well done Mr Drake and crew. Paragon is a very suitable yacht for your trips. I wish you joy
thank you, thank you, thank you for another awesome video. my body is currently landlocked in the midwest but my heart is always at sea. your weekly videos keep me going. keep up the good work, the time and effort you put into these videos is most appreciated!
Great installment, Drake. The info on the military ships and planes is a nice addition.
Only once have I ever felt motion sickness coming on- while preparing a meal in the galley for about an hour in seas that were in the 20 foot range while on a commercial fishing boat. As soon as I made it out on deck I was instantly better. Never mind rolling while in the bunk. But if you try standing without a view of the horizon for any length of time, you're going to feel some form of motion sickness.
SO my head does OK. But me being a tall person, trying to keep my balance tends to wear me down. My feet start to take a beating, and my entire spine, back, and shoulders starts to strain from trying to find that ever elusive balance comfort zone. I used to not mind it much when I was a 20-something. But I think I know why ball players retire half past 30. They'd like to stay in the game, but the body just isn't a five tool player anymore.
Awesome, Drake! Great footage! I'm hoping the whole journey will include the exciting, as well as, the mundane. It tells a true story!
Been binge watching for the past few days. Part way through season 2 now. Really interesting videos, but this episode was my favourite so far... just wish you had filmed a little while hove to. Easier said than done I imagine! :)
+Stephen Day I envy you. i used to come home from work when they posted these vids. Loved them then, still do!!!
As a person who eventually seeks to venture out in the cruising world, I really appreciate watching what you guys do and how you react to conditions. Just vicariously watching is informative and in this case dramatic. Best episode, evah!
Dam interesting voyage to this point. I enjoyed Norfolk, was in the Navy stationed there from 1962-1966. Big changes now. Love your videos.
Great episode! Can't wait to see the next one :)
So glad you made it out to sea Drake! It's been a long journey for you for sure and a joy to watch as well. I keep coming back for more. When I found your channel, I was searching how to sail and what it would be like to live aboard with a family. I believe my wife would be EXACTLY like Monique as she is afraid of heights and gets car sick riding through our mountains. I want so badly to be a sailor but with three kids and a wife who gets sick going to the store, I just have to settle living out my dreams through your videos. Thanks for spending the time to film, edit and post to youtube.
Thank God for that enclosure. It would have been much colder and wetter out there. Got to say Mo is awesome to be seasick like that over and over again, and she's still trekking through it all like a champ. Great to see she's hanging in there.
Hi W4ABN. The enclosure is wonderful, but I think it can also give a false sense of security. When we sailed from Greenland to Iceland in heavy weather a big wave hit the cockpit and destroyed the entire side of the enclosure. The Strataglass just shattered like paper. The cockpit got completely swamped with water which took a very long time to drain. Luckily we were all down below when it happened. We are hoping to be able to repair the enclosure before we sail to Svalbard next Spring. In the meantime we plan to sail to the Faroe Islands and on to Norway without an enclosure and are seriously hoping to buy much better foul weather gear before we push off from Iceland.
Always be safe and if you need to heave to and wait the weather out then that's the right decision to make, even if you miss a flight or are late. There is no schedule with sailing. Looking forward to the next video as you move north to our home water.
My all time fave Drake Paragon Vid.
If you want to reduce those false bilge alarms rig two switches in series so that both have to activate at the same time to cause an alarm, and put them in opposite ends of the compartment in question. When the alarm goes off you know you have a problem and better get after it.
Great as always. Couldn't help but feel like I was playing Kerbal Space Program around 32 min in. Which is of course to say, nice music selection.
How you ever got Mo to Iceland I cant wait to see. Excellent video as usual.
Good job keeping everyone safe Drake.
Beautiful video, thank you very much!!!
CBBT Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel - always get goosebumps when I come back home and the plane banks over the bridge.
Can't imagine what it would be like crossing over it on a boat on my way home :-)
That was Awesome and I really feel for Mo. I have been across the Hampton Bridge and Tunnel many times and have been across the Chesapeake bay when you had to go by Ferry Boat. I don't know how Mo ever made the voyage but The video was Great
Excellent video, as many has agreed below. It does give us the feeling of going along with you folks (sitting on my couch sipping coffee). This video is done extremely well, great job. Thank you for sharing as always. (We have to wait another month to get our boat splashed).
All I can say is AWSOME!
I really enjoy your videos and look forward to watching more. Thank you
Love your videos! Thanks so much for making them and sharing your adventures:)
A real intense shakedown. Happy to see that all was well. Have to say the bilge alarm had me nervous. I feel so horrible for Monique! I'm sending her calm vibs. Blessings to you all.
Aww man, I felt so bad for Mo. I am prone to severe motion sickness, too. I have learned much from doctors that specialize in that a good antihistamine will help very much. I take regular Benadryl for it and it works very well. The side-effects of Benadryl are not as significant as with taking Meclizine or similar. It is an extraordinary misery to suffer with it at sea. You guys are wonderful. Thanks so much for making your videos.
deanxxi Thanks deanxxi!
On a trip back to Cape May (by car) many years ago, as we crossed the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel, we saw a sailboat foundering with liferaft deployed, and there we were driving casually by!!
Amigo Marinheiro:
You'r the man.
But I envy Mo's courage!
Well, a big thanks, heyyy!
Alvaro Jose
Bradford, Ontario, Canada
awesome video ...real cruising , perfect name keep them coming .
I'm happy you made it to Cape May, but that was insane! There are flights from Norfolk to NYC
great video, I especially appreciate the subtitles and graphics
Wow, some crappy weather to have to get through! Glad you are all ok. Poor Monique, hope she is doing better. Does she always get sea sick? Looking forward to your next vid. thanks for taking me along..be safe out there! Laurie in FL. :)
Nice shot of the stern of the U.S.S. Comfort man. She was brought to NY following 911 to tend the issues there. Totally awesome capabilities she indeed has.
The PHS was started originally under the Army but that was changed and fell under the Navy Dept later. They answer to the Surgeon General whose is referred to and addressed as ADMIRAL (last name). Their uniforms look pretty much exactly as regular Navy and the best to differentiate them from regular Navy personnel is by their inability to salute properly. ;)
Poor Mo.. I hope she gets her sea legs.. As far as the time to leave, thats how we learn right??? Love your videos Drake, am learning a lot.....
Hey Monique, I feel you pain. I suffered years and years with miserable sea sickness compounded by inner ear issues. The good news is though it can still happen I did out grow it. How does it go? At first you are afraid sea sickness will kill you, later on you are afraid it won't!
I seriously saw that Pelican case and thought "What a fantastic idea for a ditch bag! It's waterproof, it floats, great location..." And then Drake opened it. LOL
Our ditch bag is a huge waterproof duffel/backack that we have stored in a locker in the salon along with our immersion suits. The Pelican style case on the cabin top is for camera gear.
wow drake....this episode was even more like being there.....i hope you are getting lots of donations...with all the views...i'll see you soon....
howdy Drake, I enjoy your videos. they have been an inspiration for me to seek out another sailboat and I have found one. it is a 30' o'day. I see in your videos that Monique gets sea sick - if you carry some ginger root and finely grate it you can make a ginger tea with it - add just a touch of honey if you want, but it helps a great deal with a queasy tummy. I hope you guys have a great trip
Watching episode 12 we had the idea that you should change plans, and in this episode we were right. Close hauled sailing is not easy at all in these conditions.
Hi thatsmethistime, absolutely. I had hoped that we would have arrived in Cape May and got the anchor down before the northerly winds got too bad. Schedules and weather just don't mix.
Thanks drake, I hope I can handle myself as you have out in those conditions! thanks again, I'm really enjoying paragon's adventures!
-theonboardproject
Drake, with that furler, if there is not enough tension, try throwing the line overboard and letting the water add some drag. Simple cheat, but it works as long as the prop is stationary ;-) I have used it for halyards and all sorts of lines over the years.. Thanks for the vids
"AWESOME"!
THANKYOU for sharing Drake, love it
My fave. Look on Drakes face=priceless.
gkarjala It's really hard to focus on filming when in challenging situations, but when we do manage to we're always glad we did.
DrakeParagon's Real Cruising Life I watch a lot of cruising vids, this one is the most epic. First, white sail beam reaching reaching at 7 knts and the shear joy on your face. Then, Hellish Thrash and the crew toughing it out to arrive safely after adjusting plans. EPIC, truly!!! and thx for sharing You have Paragon in excemplary order andthose stairs are something to be proud of. Oh, and the learning too. Thank you guys so very much.
you're my hero man =D we have a Formosa Island Traider 41, but I don't have any time to sail =/
Wonderful videos, I have joined your many subscribers. Do check to see (9:10) if by 54 caliber you meant 5 inch, 54 caliber. USS Stout has a Mark 45, which has a barrel length of 54 calibers (54 times the diameter of the bore). Newer iterations are even longer and she may have had an upgrade since then.
Another great video for the rest of us, but I couldn't help but wonder when the next adventure starts if we will hear MO say "Drake, come see me when you get back."
Another great video, you spoil us. A question if I may; what video camera are you using? When the scene opened on the C.G. Cutter, and then you pulled back to show just how far off it was, well, that was great. Again, thanks for all you do.
Hi Drake, Mo,
Yet another superb video from you two. Feel sorry for Mo, only time I have been ill onboard a sailboat was going thru Biscay in a F8/9,, really bad for a few hours. Why did you have to bleed the engine ?? Keep up the good work and await the next instalment.
Robert
It worked from my desktop, just wasn't able to send via iPhone. Safe Travels to you both!!!
Nice videos ......
I was just wondering why insurance did not cover
the damage to the boat?
Or motored up the Chesapeake and thru the c&d canal across the mouth of the Delaware bay to cape May.
Brutal! Poor Mo looked miserable. Does she bounce back once the motion sickness passes? I've never been seasick, thank god.
Dear Drake and Mo and other personel you had on yor trips.
I love yor videos because not only sail, you also share your struggles when you are in a new harbor or town.
But i have 3 questions.
1. Do you use a 2 stroke engine? when i se your videos and when you motoring, it sounds you motoring with a 2 stroke engine like an old good moped we have here in sweden.
2. why dont you have a catamaran instead of a monohull, is that something you guys have take a decission about earler.
3. When and if you take a decission to come to sweden and (inside the Bottenhavet) Stockholm, let me know.
Hi Bengt-Erik, Glad to hear that you're enjoying our voyaging stories. :)
1. Our engine is a 4 stroke, 85 horsepower diesel. A Perkins 4-236. It's quite loud, but I hope to bring the sound level down by adding more sound insulation in the engine room someday.
www.perkins.com/en_GB/company/heritage/products/perkins-4236.html
2. The most important thing to me in a boat design was to find something that was as best suited as possible for survival in worst case scenario offshore storms. I think the Westsail was the best choice I could find with that in mind, within my budget.
3. Thank you! We would love to sail to Stockholm someday.
- Drake
@@drakeParagon A big thanks for your answer. ;)
Enjoyed the video...
I was watching Mo thinking buck up buttercup and get with the program until the ziplock came out. That has to be pretty miserable going on watch knowing you are going to be sick. Way to hang in there.
I hate the word WAR...good luck with fund raising....all the best you two !!!!
your the girl...GIRL...Moniique......hey Drake she be a keeper
Just was viewing prev. videos and found you had a valiant 32. I am buying the same boat next week or so. any true check points that I need to look at.
Adam is definitely a great crew mate, sorry to see your girlfriend so seasick, she's a real trooper though. I myself wonder how I would handle being at sea in a small boat with rough seas.
What would be the ideal wind knot and sailing speed if you had a wish you would want every time you take on some long distance sailing etc?
Thanks for another great video Drake
hmm that polyphony that I hear at 39:00, is that Luis de Victoria?
+John Consiglio It absolutely is Tomás Luis de Victoria. (✿◠‿◠) Lovely composer. Cheers ⚓-Monique
Hello Drake,
How come insurance will not cover the repair cost of the
cockpit?
Mike
Hi Drake,
What is the swivelling bracket that your plotter is mounted ? it looks like it is very well built and robust ... Any comments ?
Rgds
Patrick
Hi Patrick, The swiveling bracket is made by RAM Mounting Systems, Inc and I mounted it to a 1 1/4" thick board of starboard that I bolted to the pedestal. I really wanted the chart plotter to be able to swivel to any part of the cockpit because a lot of the time I'm just lying in the cockpit against a pillow and like to be able to just glance up at the radar.
"No...I used our cucumber..." Classic response from a lady love it lol :)Good captain! "In general wake me up..."
For your information. That was NOT an AWAC plane. And the white ship with the red cross is the USNS COMFORT, a hospital ship. The AIR FORCE has AWAC aircraft. The Navy has similar planes for coastal surveilence and they are called Hawkeye's. And finally. The Navy has NO Battleships.
Yes, those are props! So that's a Northrop Grumman Hawkeye AEWC aircraft, not the Boeing AWACS AEWC search aircraft. Thank you for the correction. I've made a text correction in the video where we zoom in on the Hawkeye where I also thank you for the correction. I did identify the USNS Comfort by name along with a text description on the screen over the photo at minute 7:49. Did we say anything was a battleship? I couldn't find it. Thanks again for the correction.
We have crossed the Chesapeake Bay bridge tunnel many times on our way from Pa. to Ocracoke NC It is weird knowing that a big ship is above you at the time we are in one of the tunnels I feel for Mo,I've been seasick and I know you wish you could die,but after a few times you get over motion sickness,why I don't know. Love your videos.
Jerry Kelley Monique always acclimates to being offshore after a day or two.
Kale Chips
My wife bakes in the oven at low temp the Kale until it is crispy, seasons it and eats it like chips. She pre-cuts it with scissors to a size a little larger than she wants.
I eat potato chips but I commend her for being resourceful to find ways of getting healthy things into her diet.
enerZise That sounds lovely. I wonder if that's something I could do on the stove to save propane...perhaps with a dutch/omni oven.
I am pretty sure she purchased a bag of kale chips first. She did not want to keep paying $4 a bag because she discovered she could make five or six times the amount herself for the same price.
Also, I do not dislike them, I like potato chips more. My brain has a hard time of thinking Kale when using the word "chips".
You will need to keep the kale off the bottom of the pan. I am thinking use heavy duty aluminum foil or a thin aluminum pie tin and a hole punch you would normally use for paper.
The pie tin could be folded up and slid into a small space, if it were altered to do so..
It sucks you couldn't make it by Sunset... weather turned to shit for sure, but ship seemed to be doing well, except mo... I feel her pain as I can get a bit seasick as well at times... but it goes away when I do things like pilot. Trick is to be doing something not sitting there feeling bad. She will get her sea legs soon I hope. Adam is good crew for sure.
Adam was fantastic crew. We're always looking forward to him sailing with us again. It was so great to arrive in Atlantic City!
Watching again. Sure it wont be my last.
wonderful.............except for Moe getting seasick..............
Monique tried plugging one ear trick yet? I would be interested to know if it helps her sea sickness.
Drake,
I watch you video's with great enthusiasm. I have enjoyed each and everyone. I truly hope to be enjoying the cursing lifestyle in the not to distant future. Hey just a note, in this last episode you had a shot of the USS Elrod (FFG 55) steaming past Elrod is a frigate. In your caption you identified her incorrectly as the USS Stout (DDG 55). Stout is a destroyer. I can see where it would be easy to make the mistake, especially if you are not that familiar with Navy warships. I'm a retired Naval Officer, so I kinda notice those things.
Anyway, love the channel and the videos. Keep it up!
Mark
Mark thank you so much for correcting this. I am extremely embarrassed to have made such an error and will write a correction note in the video description. Thank you for sailing with us! Drake
Don't be embarrassed, it's an easy mistake to make if you are not overly familiar with navy ship types. The hull numbering can be misleading as many ships of different classes may have the same visible hull numbers. On the hull you might just see 55 which could be a DDG of an FFG. The only way to know that is by recognizing the ship type when you see it. I'm sure that is what happened when you mistook the Elrod for the Stout.
Again, I enjoy your videos very much and hope you keep adding them often. Thanks for sharing your sailing life with all of us.
Mark
Under pressure to get Adam to his return flight in NYC, we pushed off from Norfolk, VA with a less than ideal weather forecast.
Ep 13. Sailing from Norfolk to Atlantic City - Paragon's Sailing Adventure
Watching this so well made video sure brought back some warm memories as officer of the watch, thank you. Happy sailing!
Did you solve cause of the bilge pump alarm?
The use of a corset (some sort of belt) could help to reduce de effects of the seasickness.
having the stomach tight, helps. (from an old sailing book). Your videos becomes always better. It is a pleasure to follow your trip!
Thanks for shearing!
Hi Rob, Thank you. I'm so glad you enjoyed seeing Norfolk!
Yes, we figured it the bilge pump alarm. This was a really good shakedown.
While hove in the middle of the night we switched tacks. This caused Paragon to heel over on the other side. Then the bilge pump went on 100% of the time. We were taking on gallons per minute.
After much searching I traced it to an above the waterline thru hull that had previously been used as the exhaust for a generator. I had previously removed the generator and it's exhaust hose, and closed the seacock on this thru hull. I didn't realize that the closing mechanism on the inside of the seacock had rusted away completely. Even with the handle in the closed position, it was still wide open inside.
The thru hull was located high enough above the waterline for it to normally not take on water. But when hove to in heavy seas, the thru hull got submerged by waves most of the time. In the engine room I could hear the water bursting into the locker with each wave.
I put a with a wooden plug in it. Then in NYC I purchased a bronze cap which I screwed onto the thru hull sealing it permanently.
You must have felt shaken, but thanks to the alarm didn't go down!
DrakeParagon's The Real Cruising Life Wow! Scary stuff taking on water that early in the season. COLD WATERS! This will make me check my thru hulls and valves before we launch to check to see that they are closing properly and not corroded.
Nice video.
Boarding Ring Anti Motion Sea / Road Sickness Glasses
Hi Monique, have you see the glasses invented for the French Navy, "Boarding Ring" glasses are a visible internal ear. Eye and internal ear transmit the same information to the brain, making the sensorial conflict (source of motion sickness) disappear.
The glasses are to be worn from the apparition of the symptoms. after just a few minutes of wear (on average 6 mins) the symptoms disappear. If you wait until you are about to be sick, it will be too late for the glasses to work.
The "Boarding Ring" glasses area medical device with CE label (Class1)
They don’t look great with blue water in the frame but they do work well.
Drake, hurry up. Post more. Mo, get on him please.
Poor M isn't a night person...
Drake,
I tried to use your paypal link but it's not working? Love your videos!!!
Hi Garfield, Thank you! The link appears to be working here. We have been enormously humbled and honored by the support that many people have given us via that link. This support is helping us to make necessary repairs to our boat Paragon, offset our production costs, and even help purchase fuel and groceries. Thank you for sailing with us, Drake
like i said in the last video sailors should never have appointments. they will get you in trouble every time but i would have gone as well with that forecast. you did not hit anything that your boat or crew could not handle it was a little uncomfortable but you and your boat will and have seen worse i am sure.
I asked my first sailing instructor what was most important to him and he said radar.
True that. That would be an interesting pole to see what Drake fans would want first: Radar, GPS, AIS, Depth Finder, etc. For Blue Water, I think AIS/Radar combo. What do you think Drake?
Ya know Bro, part of cruising is taking the Good Times with those that aren't so good. While it is terrible that you suffered Damage in one of the Infamous North Atlantic storms, you are alive, dry and still underway. That being said, perhaps its time to make do with what you have and seek part time employment at your next stop.
Fair Winds, following Seas, and Bright days ahead for you :)
Is there some coincidence to your watch list reading "DAM, DAM, DAM, DAM..."? :)
John Lampe HA!!!! That's hilarious. :) When Adam returns to crew with us again soon it will be funny to write up the watch list again.
*****
Is Moe feeling better?
Poor Mo!
Great adventure ! Love watching. But why would you sit discussing and wringing your hands about getting him to NY, instead of pulling anchor and GETTING him to NY? And did you not know that your GF was useless on a sailboat ?
My wife would kill me if I included footage of her barfing. Fun vid nevertheless.
Drake, I'm going to disagree with you and say that making that passage was a wise decision. The weather that was predicted and experienced, while unpleasant, was well within the capability of the ship and the crew. And you really needed a heavy weather shakedown. Better to have a leaking boat within rescue range of the Coast Guard than 1,000 miles at sea. My only constructive criticism would be to take anomalies like the bilge alarm more seriously. It should have been immediately investigated by the skipper and not dismissed.
bad @$$
.