Love your videos Drake. What a frustrating ending though...but its amazing that the ICW bridge openings in Hampton Roads is as frustrating and incompetent as the roads and tunnels. To me that makes me more concerned about the infrastructure of this area than I was before. Thanks for letting us be a part of Paragon's adventures.
Love the long videos! I must say that I was spellbound the entire time. For me, even the most mundane aspects are enjoyable, as it makes me feel like "part of the crew". As long as you make us feel as though we are right there with you through both the excitement and the mundane, we will be here watching! Thank you for having us along!
Great job Drake. Loved all 49 minutes and especially Mo's foggy, duct-taped glasses. As others have said, you make us all feel like we're part of the crew. Big thumbs up!
Great job, I know you will figure out the sound problem. Love the little tricks and tips. You show the reality of all the things that can happen and I applaud your patience. Also loved your Navnet demo, hope they gave that to you ! You will convince a lot of us to purchase one. Looking forward to the rest of the voyage.
Great film. Thanks for sharing your journey with us. It brings back many memories from our trip down the ICW from Boston in 2008. We took the Dismal Swamp route from Norfolk thus experiencing different bridges and locks. We spent a day in Norfolk and a few days in Elizabeth City, meeting up with others on the the same route/schedule. Very interesting experience. We had come in to the Cheasapeake through Delaware Bay and the C&D canal and spent quite some time visiting ports in the Bay..
Thank you so much for producing this ICW series. Excellent video, story telling and sub-caps when audio is not audible. Thx for rolling film through stressful times when most people wouldn't and tutoring along the way. It's a growing passion of mine to one day take such a passage South via the ICW. Thx for the email updates when new edits are uploaded.
Enjoy the showing of detail, slowing down to anticipate the opening of bridges, losing the bumper, going aground but also little historical tidbits-ICW/WW11- but then eyeglasses broken with rain drops......all the little details that make us feel as if we are there! Great!!
Great Videos Drake!! Best sailing videos on UA-cam, and believe me i have searched! I look forward to your episodes more than any show on TV. The things i like are simply seeing circumstance that you have to cope with, seeing issues and things that only people living on boats come across, and how the boat handles. I would love to see a bit more on the navigation side. Love the vids, keep it up. They are long but feel too short. Great editing and wonderful storytelling! Sucks me in everytime!
I love the excitement and adventure that your videos portray, especially in your commentary about what is important to you and your great crew. This process of discovery draws the viewer in and keeps my attention and interest throughout the entire video. I like the parts of the story when you take the viewer around the boat or when you are actually being shown moving about the boat, doing the things that need to get done. These action shots create excitement and visual interest compared to the more slower, but still necessary stationary parts of the cruising life. Thanks for sharing!
Hi Drake, I am from the South West of Western Australia. I have been following your series "The Cruising Life" for just over a year now and I still look forward to your weekly videos! My farther owns a 25ft trailer sailer and we sail it all the time. Ever since i was very very young as in younger than I am now (14), I have loved cruising and sailing in general. Please keep posting you inspirational videos and i love your boat! Happy sailing to you and Monique, and Paragon of course!!! Enjoy the ICW.... Morgan
Drake - As a fan of your work, I like the editing just the way it is. If this were produced for mass-market, things like the time you spend showing the operation of your electronics would end up on the cutting room floor but for someone like me that wants to feel like I'm right there with you, learning from you, those things are fantastic! Please don't change your style since this is (unfortunately) the only way I can enjoy the experience of cruising anytime soon.
Excellent timing for me Drake, I am literally on a bus right now headed to Little Creek from Savannah to see my Columbia 28 for the first time. I should be in Norfolk by midnight, then spend about 2 weeks getting her ready to do the reverse trip you just did. The anchorages and stops are extremely helpful for me, I recognized them from the charts and plan use some of the same ones. Thanks a lot man, great footage. Bobby
Drake, and Monique, I enjoyed the length, the various vignettes of activity, and especially the great interaction amongst the crew. Well done again! Since we are planning are doing the ICW in our Westsail 42 in the next few years, this trip has been great, as it shows what you really go through. I particularly like the length. While I know it takes a lot more time than we ever see, the longer format allows one to really feel like he is there. Being a WS 42 owner/restorer, I would enjoy seeing more of Paragon down below: she looks great. I am looking forward to seeing some sailing once you go outside. All in all, I wouldn't change a thing! You have mastered your craft and do it very well! Can't wait until your next post. Fair Winds and Following Seas! Doug and s/v Harmony.
As a fellow boater from Boston, I have to tell you that this video was the best you have done. At the beginning when you weighed anchor, you committed a cardinal sin running on deck and not wearing an inflatable life jacket in case you went over and got hurt. Best of luck and fair winds on your venture.
This is great you need not change a thing. I have a Newport 30 in New Orleans and sail the Gulf Coast. You video showing grounding, rain, cold, wet and bridges that won't open are are taken to heart. I have so enjoyed all your interviews with other sailors and all the other videos you post. Thanks for the inspiration. Larry S/V Break Away
Drake and Mo, absolutely loved this long episode! Was like watching a movie. Sound, the only issue. We had the same problems videoing some snake hunts in South Florida. There were two things that worked. The best was to mic the three people with wireless mics that transmitted to a small central hub. Then by wire to the camera. Worked outstanding but we had too much BS to haul around. Second and this turned out to be the best rig was a good battery powered shotgun microphone that attaches to the video camera via 1/4" jack. It did a great job picking up surrounding sound but really focused on the person the camera was being pointed at. Something like that might work for you guys. Loved the video like I said, the ICW was just wonderful to see. I'd never been on it so far north. Can't wait until the next segment! What are your upcoming plans? You are in Iceland now aren't you? Are you going to be heading south this summer? You're not broke down are you? Just wondering... C Ya!
I would agree with so many folks below concerning all the little details you've added, great job with that. One of our favorite things are the looks Mo gives you sometimes (Yes I need you....), just great! Can't think of anything I would have wanted omitted. Again, great job with this one. Helping us get through this long winter before we get our boat in the water, cheers!
Hello Capt. Drake, Monique and Adam I have been closely following your videos. I have a 41' Out Island in Oriental that I am trying to get sea worthy. I need to move here down the ICW to Texas. Sailcraft lied the mast, Triton moved her to dry dock at their yard about a year and a half ago. I live in Texas and have made several trips to Oriental to survey what I need to do. Your experience with the Sailcraft riggers was a great help to me, I will have them re-step the mast and advise me as to the correct procedure for getting the rig ready. The last video of "y'all" doing the day 2 & 3 on the ICW was the best I have seen. I have never traveled the ICW and Adams candid approach of how to contact the bridge tenders was wonderful. Please be careful of each thing you do in the videos. Because if you screw up we as the viewer will do the same.
HAHA the part where the guy working on the bridge is walking around on the cell phone with that music playing and all the jokes... That was hilarious made my day. Thank you again for another great video .
Wow I think this video convinced me that if I ever figure out how to swing a cruising lifestyle, I will definitely be going offshore instead of the ICW.
Thank you Drake and Monique for sharing your adventure! Thanks to you I am looking into buying a sailing boat and fullfilling an allmost forgotten dream. I wish you all the best and if you ever come to Sweden or Denmark, please let me buy you a drink.
Hello Drake & Monique, Following your journeys I can only comment that I truely appreciate the balance you achieve between technical demonstrations and information with the everyday aspect of living aboard. From the plotter to pulling up anchor, to docking, to the vocal decision process you take us through provides an enjoyable and entertaining aspect of living the life and reaches a broad range of viewers. Thank you and continue to strive to exploit this obvious talent you pocess. Rick
Drake, I have watched all of your films. I think they are great as they are. Being a boat owner, a small racing sail boat, but with pretentious on cursing one day, I would like slightly more technical info about how stuff is done but really just keep the films coming. All the best. Mike (London, Uk)
Just found your channel yesterday and have already watched first 10 episodes of season 1. Great job. Nice balance of being informative and entertaining without out droning on. Thank you for the effort. May you continue to have fair winds and following seas.
Been watching your videos for the last two years.... And I must say it's one of the highligts every week.. Really enjoyed the little historical part about the ICW, and why it was made... Looking forward to the next episode... Fair winds... :D
I have been following you since the beginning and each video is better. I like the details of living aboard and cruising (the day to day life aboard) You guys are doing a great job keep it coming.
I have enjoyed your video's. You capture what is real good or real bad when you are sailing. I like the interaction with the crew it makes it more enjoyable. It nice to hear other voices of the crew and see the crew doing task on the boat. Smooth sailing!
Many thanks for all of the wonderful comments and excellent feedback! We are more excited than ever to be editing the rest of our story, and to be preparing for our next season of voyaging and filming. Happy sailing,
Oh, and as far as feedback goes I'll tell you what I really like. I like the fact that you take the time to illustrate concepts using your editing software. I really liked the little animated checkmarks on the bridge list. Very nice touch!
Hi Drake love the longer episodes we get to see a lot of technical stuff and I have certainly picked up a few tips which will be useful in the future Regards to you and Monique and looking forward to the future episodes thank you so much
Hi Skipper and crew, I really enjoyed this.I especially liked the moment at about 21:12 when you voiced your thoughts and your cyborg cockpit computer gave you mission data updates. I have been watching Fringe so it was not much of a mental jump to have a talking head in the companion way. looking forward to your next ep.
I watched the whole episode. I liked your choices of music. I have always wanted to sail the ICW and do the loop. Your video was long, but it did not drag at all. I would like more time showing any interesting things or people you meet in the places you stop. I am glad you are showing the problems and not glossing over hem. Look forward to seeing more.
That bridge does suck, but there are worse places to be. Love your videos and I would like to hear your thoughts on how you plan your offshore passages when you get further along on your trip. How you get your weather information and how you interpet it. Do you find the reports your getting accurate enough to plan three or four days out?
Brilliant video, one of your best, entertaining, humorous and nicely edited. We done to you both, keep them coming. One observation though is that you need a fender board! Fair winds Regards John
I don't think I have any constructive criticism to offer. I think you are doing an excellent job on the edit and I hear the voices fine with the music overlay but I do use earphones or earbuds. And I do like the music you are using! Mo had a priceless look on her face after the "Do you need me" conversation.
Drake, That was a bummer with the last Bridge, watching this made me wonder if you have been through Wilmington North Carolina. I lived right on the ICW for close to 14 years, near sunset beach, and Oak Island. There was a camp ground that I lived in called Seamist campground. I worked in Wilmington and crossed the bridge ever day, battle ship, NC, is right near the bridge. looking forward to your next video, take care and thank you for the great videos.
I hope the bridge will be ready in the morning. I enjoyed this video while sipping on hot chocolate, a bit of coffee combo. Had some questions but I have a brain fart at the moment. Waitng for you to get to my City. "Anyway safe voyage!"
Interesting, thanks! Not everybody (including me) reads the description under the video, so maybe just a quick note at the beginning as to the date, where you are and where you're going (both short term and long term). This would help orient people when the video starts up. I saw a video recently in which a camera with a fisheye lens was mounted on a pole off the stern. The view really made it feel like I was experiencing the motion and position of the boat...just like you intuitively do at the helm. I bought a fisheye lens for about $25, and I'm looking forward to using the lens to video my boat on lake Ontario this summer.
Drake, we are now hooked on your Tuesday-night Atlantic passage adventure! We can't wait to get our own adventure started! Couple items we thought might be helpful: Could you do a "dot on the map" location for the points of interests you are traveling through? (like the Coinjock) or other ICW locations? Also, what were some of the overnight mooring costs? GREAT JOB!
Great videos love the part showing the GPS and how it works and all the problems you have even with the Bridge Love seeing you guys cooking love seeing the places you go to eat makes me want some of that Prime Rib just keep up what you are doing. Great Job
Another great one Drake! Your demo of the Furuno prompted me to update our chart plotter... Not sure Desiree is going to like the idea though. ;-) Looking forward to the next one. Love your overlay animations by the way, really professionally done. Ciao!
One of the things I would like more info on is some of your sailing guides to harbors, and tariffs. Not all guides are the same so if you have some wisdom on what worked better for you and where you get some of your information about where you are going, how to find that information, that kind of stuff. The most important thing to me on shore is the cost of food, so if you could mention the cost of meals some times that would be handy. it makes for easier planning spending. You guys are the best!
Wow, 49 min. It was almost like going to a movie! It just keeps getting better and better... and I assume the cost of the lost fender will come out of Mo's pay???
Very nice! I really enjoy all your videos. What I think would help improve them is more information about navigation which is very interesting. How and why you choose your routes. Good stuff you showed about the chartplotter!
Going back to watch the journey from the beginning. Always enjoy your videos Drake. Been watching for years now. I sail a 1972 28' Yankee up in the PNW. Hope to see ya on the cruising grounds one day. Cheers mate!
The Baerne, the ketch @30:20, I met them ten years ago in Belize! If it's still the same owners, they were a retired Dutch couple who custom built that boat to cruise the Med & Caribbean islands, double hulled steel to bounce off reefs & not be holed, very robust. Spending their golden years bouncing back & forth across the pond, haa haa. Dang, the internet does make the world a small place, neat!
Love Coinjock Marina. I lived just up the road from them for years and we would go all the time. I would always order and then go look/talk to the boat owners. One day I will go with my own boat.
You just gave me hesitation about the ICW. Such a shame about that bridge, but guess thats why you cant cruise on a schedule. Glad you left with ample time.
Hi Drake, great video, the content and the detail level is great for all the sailors watching it. If I could ask about something, it would be about the sound equalization, for those non english speakers. Sometimes it is hard to understand the talking when there is music and also some background (lovely) engine noise (for example radio communications). And once again, the videos are great!!!! Cheers, George.
I'm planning on doing the I.C.W. myself in time (Maybe a year or two) Going from Annapolis to Titusville florida) . Major questions: With a sailboat like yours, running the inboard (or outboard) what speed were you averaging and how much cruising time a day did you do through the ICW? What are some good stop over spots for supplies in the N.C. bay area. And what did your normal monthly expenditure per person come out to?
1 short Whistle is "I intend to turn to my right to avoid collision." You were correct that in a meeting situation this means you pass port to port, but it might be confusing if a tug was overtaking you, because he'd be passing to your starboard. 1 Prolonged Whistle is "I'm getting underway from the dock." or "I'm coming around a blind turn." Prolonged is at least 5 seconds, Short should only be 1 second. 2 short Whistles is the opposite of 1, "I intend to turn to my left to avoid collision." 3 short Whistles is "I am operating my propulsion in reverse." You pretty much only hear that when a vessel is getting underway following the prolonged whistle. Translation of one Prolonged and three short "I'm getting underway, backing up" 5 short Whistles is the "Danger/Doubt" signal. A vessel constrained by draft might blow this to indicate that they cannot give way to a vessel to their starboard which would ordinarily have right of way. (Or the big ships in Boston Harbor might blow it at the suicidal little sailboats the like to cut across their bows) Another note is that the whistle signals are initiated by the vessel that must give way. The give way vessel sounds a signal and the stand to vessel either repeats the signal to agree or sounds five short whistles to indicate "danger/doubt". They can ignore it if they wish, their responsibility is to hold their course, it's up to the other guy to go around. The whistle is both a courtesy and an aid to safety. When passing agreements are made over the radio, the vessel with the right of way might call first. You might hear something like "Tug A this is Tug B up ahead of you, why don't you come on by on two whistles." Tug A has the right of way and is asking Tug B to "turn to your left to avoid collision" which means pass Tug A on his port side.
A super video; one comment, however, please lower the musical accompaniment volume so we can clearly hear the cockpit conversation. Thanks, fair winds....
Please help us improve our editing of future episodes by giving us feedback in comments here. What are your favorite parts of this episode and why? Are there things that you think we should have added, omitted, or done differently? Many thanks! Days 2 and 3 motoring up the Intracoastal Waterway after pushing off from Oriental, North Carolina. We are Drake and Monique cruising aboard our Westsail 42 sailboat and home 'Paragon.' We aspire to sail all over the world, and to produce videos about the cruising life every where we go. Join us as we sail over 6000 nautical miles from North Carolina to Iceland and explore many exciting ports along the way. New episodes every Tuesday and Thursday. Fair winds, calm seas, happy sailing, and thank you for sailing with us!! :) facebook.com/DrakeParagon plus.google.com/+DrakeParagon twitter.com/DrakeParagon DrakeParagon.tumblr.com 39degree.blogspot.com For more DrakeParagon videos, please subscribe, thumbs up, comment and share.
Personally, I enjoyed every bit, I can't think of any that needed changing. I did enjoy you showing how the chart plotter works (I think that's the name) and also how you adjusted the boat when it drifted.
Hi Drake, Someone already mentioned it - the sound equalization needs some work. When you also add music on top of the engine noise, I can't really understand much - just mumbling. Otherwise great series. I just love all the details about bridges and talking on the radio ... awesome :)
Drake, I'm a near total novice interested in taking up the cruiser life-style. Not to the same scope as some (you), more of a regional thing (probably limited to the Canadian west and US pacific north west) and I'm wondering if you'd be cool with me picking your brain on a variety of subjects relating to successfully carrying this goal out. I've watched a good number of your videos and you appear to be the man to ask about such things. There is, after all, no substitute for experience - and this is something that you seem to possess no small amount of.
Hi Drake i like all parts of all your videos but the best part of this is the turns you where doing with the wheel hard over and bumping in and out of gear to turn the bow with out moving forward. very cool.. i to have had to set at a bridge and did not know that trick.. all most every video of yours i watch i learn some thing. and that is just one of the reasons i watch your videos. so i would like to see more of that. though to much of them and you are do learn to sail videos and that don't work at all. just a little more of the tricks from time to time would be nice. but all your videos are some of the best on you tube and that is why we all keep on watching. so don't change to much.
+Lasse Särnhult We would be delighted to go to Sweden. We're currently editing an interview we did with a Danish sailor and he described going over to Sweden quite often during his travels. It sounds like such a magnificent cruising ground! ⚓-Mo
How do, team Paragon? Just watched all your Greenland episodes and am now starting with season 1. Good stuff! Q: Drake, what wraparound glasses are you wearing? Are the prescription and are they transition (sunglasses)?
The frames are made by Oakley and are just regular prescription glasses frames (as opposed to sunglasses) that were made years ago. I can't imagine this particular frame is still made, but both Drake and I still have glasses made by Oakley. I find their frames are a bit more sporty and seem to last in the harsh marine environment. My current Oakley frames have a grippy nose and ear piece and are going on 8+ years despite being beat to hell, sat on, doused in salt water, and a host of other harsh treatments. Plus my ear pieces can be changed out (and with different colours!), so if I break one it can easily be replaced instead of having to replace the entire frame. Hope you are well and take care! ⚓-Monique
Thank you @@crstothard! We have quite a few friends in NYC and it's mad to look at photos of the streets and parks with almost no people. We're in a much smaller place, but it's equally empty and quite strange to see. I walked all the way to the market the other day and didn't see a single person until I arrived. It will be interesting to see where the rest of this year takes us all. You stay safe and be well! ⚓-Monique
Great job. I would see about an editing programme that would allow you to lower or muffle the sound of the motor in the background. And boost your voices? I don't know how to do sound editing, but I've heard there are some good free programmes available online.
Drake. Are your anchor markers made by "Imtra"? Currently i use zip ties and don't really care for them as they fall off over time. Can you give me your thoughts or the bands you use and if you would recommend them? Thank you.
Hi David, I do like them, but unfortunately can't remember the manufacturer. I bought them at the Island Water World chandlery in Saint Martin. I bet Defender or Westmarine in the states might sell them.
Hi Drake! As everybody has said, continue with the videos - they're awesome! I do have a question though. What do you do for a living and how can you afford all this? :) A 42 footer ain't cheap, at least not where I live and being at sea for a few years or so ain't cheap either! Happy sailing!
Drake, as a longtime viewer and a video editor since 1994, I can feel there are a couple of things to say. Overall, your videos are terrific, I make sure I watch as soon as they come out. But the editing...you really need to take someone along with you that can cut on Final Cut and Avid, that can load and set up a 2" quadruplex vtr (you do have a 2" vtr, don't you?), that can program an ACR25. He should have a sailboat, a West Wight Potter 19, but wish he had the time and abitlity to sail around the world on a Westsail 42. Seriously, I think your stuff looks great, but a mouthy old coot might make it just that much better.
Great videos as always! Your last bridge was our first bridge on the ICW and, although we didn't have the same problem, the tender was super cranky. We ended up motoring all the way from Norfolk to Miami because of bad weather. A long haul. Look forward to your next episode! Cheers from the crew of S/V Tango. four2tango.net
Hi Drake and crew. Luv the longer episodes and like many others, the technical stuff is interesting. Just would like the level of background music to be lower when you are talking to each other or the camera. Best wishes!!
Hello, S/v Paragon and Crew Love your videos, But as requested, i would like to offer my suggestions to you. I really enjoy watching the videos, but i find they do not come as regular and often as i would like. I realize there is only so much time, but this last video is great, but a bit long for most ppl to set down and watch in on setting, so maybe this could be 3 videos over the course of a week or 2? just my 2 cents worth. Safe journey to all.
+Tim Ericksom Certain areas can interesting and even fun, but dealing with all the bridges can be rather tiresome. I've had a good experience with most bridge tenders, but making the miles between bridges for the openings can be challenging in a sailboat. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ Ah well... ⚓-Mo
sorry dude I didn't mean to bag on you...it's just that you already knew your mast length. in retrospect I realize you were teaching the importance of knowing exactly the hight of the boat from the water up. which is sooooo important. my bad...sail on my friend... good video man
Love your videos Drake. What a frustrating ending though...but its amazing that the ICW bridge openings in Hampton Roads is as frustrating and incompetent as the roads and tunnels. To me that makes me more concerned about the infrastructure of this area than I was before. Thanks for letting us be a part of Paragon's adventures.
Love the long videos! I must say that I was spellbound the entire time. For me, even the most mundane aspects are enjoyable, as it makes me feel like "part of the crew". As long as you make us feel as though we are right there with you through both the excitement and the mundane, we will be here watching! Thank you for having us along!
I feel the same...love the long videos :) Best things in life take their time :)
Great job Drake. Loved all 49 minutes and especially Mo's foggy, duct-taped glasses. As others have said, you make us all feel like we're part of the crew. Big thumbs up!
Great job, I know you will figure out the sound problem. Love the little tricks and tips. You show the reality of all the things that can happen and I applaud your patience. Also loved your Navnet demo, hope they gave that to you ! You will convince a lot of us to purchase one. Looking forward to the rest of the voyage.
Great film. Thanks for sharing your journey with us.
It brings back many memories from our trip down the ICW from Boston in 2008. We took the Dismal Swamp route from Norfolk thus experiencing different bridges and locks. We spent a day in Norfolk and a few days in Elizabeth City, meeting up with others on the the same route/schedule. Very interesting experience. We had come in to the Cheasapeake through Delaware Bay and the C&D canal and spent quite some time visiting ports in the Bay..
Thank you so much for producing this ICW series. Excellent video, story telling and sub-caps when audio is not audible. Thx for rolling film through stressful times when most people wouldn't and tutoring along the way. It's a growing passion of mine to one day take such a passage South via the ICW. Thx for the email updates when new edits are uploaded.
Enjoy the showing of detail, slowing down to anticipate the opening of bridges, losing the bumper, going aground but also little historical tidbits-ICW/WW11- but then eyeglasses broken with rain drops......all the little details that make us feel as if we are there! Great!!
Details are great. Thanks for taking the time to explain your navigational system. In my mind, your videos can not be too long. Keep them coming!
Great Videos Drake!! Best sailing videos on UA-cam, and believe me i have searched! I look forward to your episodes more than any show on TV. The things i like are simply seeing circumstance that you have to cope with, seeing issues and things that only people living on boats come across, and how the boat handles. I would love to see a bit more on the navigation side. Love the vids, keep it up. They are long but feel too short. Great editing and wonderful storytelling! Sucks me in everytime!
I love the excitement and adventure that your videos portray, especially in your commentary about what is important to you and your great crew. This process of discovery draws the viewer in and keeps my attention and interest throughout the entire video. I like the parts of the story when you take the viewer around the boat or when you are actually being shown moving about the boat, doing the things that need to get done. These action shots create excitement and visual interest compared to the more slower, but still necessary stationary parts of the cruising life. Thanks for sharing!
Hi Mo and Drake, loved this long episode! Was like watching a movie. Hope you make many more.
Hi Drake,
I am from the South West of Western Australia. I have been following your series "The Cruising Life" for just over a year now and I still look forward to your weekly videos! My farther owns a 25ft trailer sailer and we sail it all the time. Ever since i was very very young as in younger than I am now (14), I have loved cruising and sailing in general. Please keep posting you inspirational videos and i love your boat!
Happy sailing to you and Monique, and Paragon of course!!!
Enjoy the ICW....
Morgan
Drake - As a fan of your work, I like the editing just the way it is. If this were produced for mass-market, things like the time you spend showing the operation of your electronics would end up on the cutting room floor but for someone like me that wants to feel like I'm right there with you, learning from you, those things are fantastic! Please don't change your style since this is (unfortunately) the only way I can enjoy the experience of cruising anytime soon.
I'll drink to that , Brian
Excellent timing for me Drake, I am literally on a bus right now headed to Little Creek from Savannah to see my Columbia 28 for the first time. I should be in Norfolk by midnight, then spend about 2 weeks getting her ready to do the reverse trip you just did. The anchorages and stops are extremely helpful for me, I recognized them from the charts and plan use some of the same ones. Thanks a lot man, great footage.
Bobby
Drake, and Monique, I enjoyed the length, the various vignettes of activity, and especially the great interaction amongst the crew. Well done again! Since we are planning are doing the ICW in our Westsail 42 in the next few years, this trip has been great, as it shows what you really go through. I particularly like the length. While I know it takes a lot more time than we ever see, the longer format allows one to really feel like he is there. Being a WS 42 owner/restorer, I would enjoy seeing more of Paragon down below: she looks great. I am looking forward to seeing some sailing once you go outside. All in all, I wouldn't change a thing! You have mastered your craft and do it very well! Can't wait until your next post. Fair Winds and Following Seas! Doug and s/v Harmony.
As a fellow boater from Boston, I have to tell you that this video was the best you have done. At the beginning when you weighed anchor, you committed a cardinal sin running on deck and not wearing an inflatable life jacket in case you went over and got hurt. Best of luck and fair winds on your venture.
This is great you need not change a thing. I have a Newport 30 in New Orleans and sail the Gulf Coast. You video showing grounding, rain, cold, wet and bridges that won't open are are taken to heart. I have so enjoyed all your interviews with other sailors and all the other videos you post. Thanks for the inspiration. Larry S/V Break Away
Drake and Mo, absolutely loved this long episode! Was like watching a movie. Sound, the only issue. We had the same problems videoing some snake hunts in South Florida. There were two things that worked. The best was to mic the three people with wireless mics that transmitted to a small central hub. Then by wire to the camera. Worked outstanding but we had too much BS to haul around. Second and this turned out to be the best rig was a good battery powered shotgun microphone that attaches to the video camera via 1/4" jack. It did a great job picking up surrounding sound but really focused on the person the camera was being pointed at. Something like that might work for you guys.
Loved the video like I said, the ICW was just wonderful to see. I'd never been on it so far north. Can't wait until the next segment! What are your upcoming plans? You are in Iceland now aren't you? Are you going to be heading south this summer? You're not broke down are you? Just wondering... C Ya!
I would agree with so many folks below concerning all the little details you've added, great job with that. One of our favorite things are the looks Mo gives you sometimes (Yes I need you....), just great! Can't think of anything I would have wanted omitted. Again, great job with this one. Helping us get through this long winter before we get our boat in the water, cheers!
Hello Capt. Drake, Monique and Adam
I have been closely following your videos. I have a 41' Out Island in Oriental that I am trying to get sea worthy. I need to move here down the ICW to Texas. Sailcraft lied the mast, Triton moved her to dry dock at their yard about a year and a half ago. I live in Texas and have made several trips to Oriental to survey what I need to do.
Your experience with the Sailcraft riggers was a great help to me, I will have them re-step the mast and advise me as to the correct procedure for getting the rig ready.
The last video of "y'all" doing the day 2 & 3 on the ICW was the best I have seen. I have never traveled the ICW and Adams candid approach of how to contact the bridge tenders was wonderful.
Please be careful of each thing you do in the videos. Because if you screw up we as the viewer will do the same.
HAHA the part where the guy working on the bridge is walking around on the cell phone with that music playing and all the jokes... That was hilarious made my day. Thank you again for another great video .
Wow I think this video convinced me that if I ever figure out how to swing a cruising lifestyle, I will definitely be going offshore instead of the ICW.
Thank you Drake and Monique for sharing your adventure! Thanks to you I am looking into buying a sailing boat and fullfilling an allmost forgotten dream. I wish you all the best and if you ever come to Sweden or Denmark, please let me buy you a drink.
DrTudorMarian That would be awesome. Someday we will sail to Denmark for sure.
Hello Drake & Monique,
Following your journeys I can only comment that I truely appreciate the balance you achieve between technical demonstrations and information with the everyday aspect of living aboard. From the plotter to pulling up anchor, to docking, to the vocal decision process you take us through provides an enjoyable and entertaining aspect of living the life and reaches a broad range of viewers. Thank you and continue to strive to exploit this obvious talent you pocess.
Rick
I am so inspired I just wish my health where good enough to buy a boat and live like you guys do !!! God bless you !!!
Drake, I have watched all of your films. I think they are great as they are. Being a boat owner, a small racing sail boat, but with pretentious on cursing one day, I would like slightly more technical info about how stuff is done but really just keep the films coming. All the best. Mike (London, Uk)
Fantastic. Don't change a thing. Just enjoy making the videos.
Your videos are great, Mo is a hoot. I look forward to the next installment.
Loved the length! Just right! Good video. Keep em' coming. Looking forward to NYC!
Just found your channel yesterday and have already watched first 10 episodes of season 1. Great job. Nice balance of being informative and entertaining without out droning on. Thank you for the effort. May you continue to have fair winds and following seas.
Robert Baird Thanks Robert, Welcome aboard! :)
Been watching your videos for the last two years....
And I must say it's one of the highligts every week..
Really enjoyed the little historical part about the ICW, and why it was made...
Looking forward to the next episode...
Fair winds... :D
I enjoyed the video indeed, I love watching.!
LOL We had the same problem at the same lock in 1989! Nice to see things don't change much! Funny! Sad, but funny.
I have been following you since the beginning and each video is better. I like the details of living aboard and cruising (the day to day life aboard) You guys are doing a great job keep it coming.
I have enjoyed your video's. You capture what is real good or real bad when you are sailing. I like the interaction with the crew it makes it more enjoyable. It nice to hear other voices of the crew and see the crew doing task on the boat. Smooth sailing!
I hate locks for the same reason as Adam,
scarry places to be avoided at all times.
Love your vids, keep up the great work.
Many thanks for all of the wonderful comments and excellent feedback! We are more excited than ever to be editing the rest of our story, and to be preparing for our next season of voyaging and filming. Happy sailing,
Hi, I love these long episodes!
Oh, and as far as feedback goes I'll tell you what I really like. I like the fact that you take the time to illustrate concepts using your editing software. I really liked the little animated checkmarks on the bridge list. Very nice touch!
Hi Drake love the longer episodes we get to see a lot of technical stuff and I have certainly picked up a few tips which will be useful in the future
Regards to you and Monique and looking forward to the future episodes thank you so much
Hi Skipper and crew,
I really enjoyed this.I especially liked the moment at about 21:12 when you voiced your thoughts and your cyborg cockpit computer gave you mission data updates. I have been watching Fringe so it was not much of a mental jump to have a talking head in the companion way. looking forward to your next ep.
Another excellent video. Thanks for sharing.
awesome video as usual! Thanks for sharing!
I watched the whole episode. I liked your choices of music. I have always wanted to sail the ICW and do the loop. Your video was long, but it did not drag at all. I would like more time showing any interesting things or people you meet in the places you stop. I am glad you are showing the problems and not glossing over hem.
Look forward to seeing more.
That bridge does suck, but there are worse places to be. Love your videos and I would like to hear your thoughts on how you plan your offshore passages when you get further along on your trip. How you get your weather information and how you interpet it. Do you find the reports your getting accurate enough to plan three or four days out?
Brilliant video, one of your best, entertaining, humorous and nicely edited. We done to you both, keep them coming. One observation though is that you need a fender board!
Fair winds
Regards
John
I don't think I have any constructive criticism to offer. I think you are doing an excellent job on the edit and I hear the voices fine with the music overlay but I do use earphones or earbuds. And I do like the music you are using! Mo had a priceless look on her face after the "Do you need me" conversation.
Drake,
That was a bummer with the last Bridge, watching this made me wonder if you have been through Wilmington North Carolina. I lived right on the ICW for close to 14 years, near sunset beach, and Oak Island. There was a camp ground that I lived in called Seamist campground. I worked in Wilmington and crossed the bridge ever day, battle ship, NC, is right near the bridge. looking forward to your next video, take care and thank you for the great videos.
I hope the bridge will be ready in the morning.
I enjoyed this video while sipping on hot chocolate, a bit of coffee combo. Had some questions but I have a brain fart at the moment. Waitng for you to get to my City. "Anyway safe voyage!"
Interesting, thanks! Not everybody (including me) reads the description under the video, so maybe just a quick note at the beginning as to the date, where you are and where you're going (both short term and long term). This would help orient people when the video starts up.
I saw a video recently in which a camera with a fisheye lens was mounted on a pole off the stern. The view really made it feel like I was experiencing the motion and position of the boat...just like you intuitively do at the helm. I bought a fisheye lens for about $25, and I'm looking forward to using the lens to video my boat on lake Ontario this summer.
Drake, we are now hooked on your Tuesday-night Atlantic passage adventure!
We can't wait to get our own adventure started!
Couple items we thought might be helpful: Could you do a "dot on the map" location for the points of interests you are traveling through? (like the Coinjock) or other ICW locations? Also, what were some of the overnight mooring costs? GREAT JOB!
Great videos love the part showing the GPS and how it works and all the problems you have even with the Bridge Love seeing you guys cooking love seeing the places you go to eat makes me want some of that Prime Rib just keep up what you are doing. Great Job
Another great one Drake! Your demo of the Furuno prompted me to update our chart plotter... Not sure Desiree is going to like the idea though. ;-) Looking forward to the next one. Love your overlay animations by the way, really professionally done. Ciao!
Awesome video Drake!! Soon to be starting my own juries.. Been watching you for some time and everything is so very inspirational. Fair winds!!
One of the things I would like more info on is some of your sailing guides to harbors, and tariffs. Not all guides are the same so if you have some wisdom on what worked better for you and where you get some of your information about where you are going, how to find that information, that kind of stuff. The most important thing to me on shore is the cost of food, so if you could mention the cost of meals some times that would be handy. it makes for easier planning spending. You guys are the best!
Wow, 49 min. It was almost like going to a movie! It just keeps getting better and better... and I assume the cost of the lost fender will come out of Mo's pay???
SpiritBear12
i think jimmy D was being funny about how she had just been talking bout it. i was thinking the same thing jimmy d. comment stealer.lol
Very nice! I really enjoy all your videos. What I think would help improve them is more information about navigation which is very interesting. How and why you choose your routes. Good stuff you showed about the chartplotter!
Going back to watch the journey from the beginning. Always enjoy your videos Drake. Been watching for years now. I sail a 1972 28' Yankee up in the PNW. Hope to see ya on the cruising grounds one day. Cheers mate!
Thanks, That's awesome to hear! Cheers!
The Baerne, the ketch @30:20, I met them ten years ago in Belize!
If it's still the same owners, they were a retired Dutch couple who custom built that boat to cruise the Med & Caribbean islands, double hulled steel to bounce off reefs & not be holed, very robust. Spending their golden years bouncing back & forth across the pond, haa haa.
Dang, the internet does make the world a small place, neat!
Love Coinjock Marina. I lived just up the road from them for years and we would go all the time. I would always order and then go look/talk to the boat owners. One day I will go with my own boat.
You just gave me hesitation about the ICW. Such a shame about that bridge, but guess thats why you cant cruise on a schedule. Glad you left with ample time.
well my 2 cents , I would like to see more of your ship handling skills but over all I really like the easy nature of how show your daily life
Thanks for the videos really :)
Hi Drake, great video, the content and the detail level is great for all the sailors watching it. If I could ask about something, it would be about the sound equalization, for those non english speakers. Sometimes it is hard to understand the talking when there is music and also some background (lovely) engine noise (for example radio communications). And once again, the videos are great!!!! Cheers, George.
This is so cool. My boss owns that water taxi company you guys are discussing at about minute 11:30
I'm planning on doing the I.C.W. myself in time (Maybe a year or two) Going from Annapolis to Titusville florida) .
Major questions: With a sailboat like yours, running the inboard (or outboard) what speed were you averaging and how much cruising time a day did you do through the ICW? What are some good stop over spots for supplies in the N.C. bay area. And what did your normal monthly expenditure per person come out to?
1 short Whistle is "I intend to turn to my right to avoid collision." You were correct that in a meeting situation this means you pass port to port, but it might be confusing if a tug was overtaking you, because he'd be passing to your starboard.
1 Prolonged Whistle is "I'm getting underway from the dock." or "I'm coming around a blind turn." Prolonged is at least 5 seconds, Short should only be 1 second.
2 short Whistles is the opposite of 1, "I intend to turn to my left to avoid collision."
3 short Whistles is "I am operating my propulsion in reverse." You pretty much only hear that when a vessel is getting underway following the prolonged whistle. Translation of one Prolonged and three short "I'm getting underway, backing up"
5 short Whistles is the "Danger/Doubt" signal. A vessel constrained by draft might blow this to indicate that they cannot give way to a vessel to their starboard which would ordinarily have right of way. (Or the big ships in Boston Harbor might blow it at the suicidal little sailboats the like to cut across their bows)
Another note is that the whistle signals are initiated by the vessel that must give way. The give way vessel sounds a signal and the stand to vessel either repeats the signal to agree or sounds five short whistles to indicate "danger/doubt". They can ignore it if they wish, their responsibility is to hold their course, it's up to the other guy to go around. The whistle is both a courtesy and an aid to safety.
When passing agreements are made over the radio, the vessel with the right of way might call first. You might hear something like "Tug A this is Tug B up ahead of you, why don't you come on by on two whistles." Tug A has the right of way and is asking Tug B to "turn to your left to avoid collision" which means pass Tug A on his port side.
A super video; one comment, however, please lower the musical accompaniment volume so we can clearly hear the cockpit conversation.
Thanks, fair winds....
What cruising guides are you using for this section of the ICW? I am enjoying the journey, thnaks
Hi skylift2, thanks! My favorite ICW guide is 'Skipper Bob's Guide to Anchorages along the ICW'
Please help us improve our editing of future episodes by giving us feedback in comments here. What are your favorite parts of this episode and why? Are there things that you think we should have added, omitted, or done differently? Many thanks!
Days 2 and 3 motoring up the Intracoastal Waterway after pushing off from Oriental, North Carolina.
We are Drake and Monique cruising aboard our Westsail 42 sailboat and home 'Paragon.' We aspire to sail all over the world, and to produce videos about the cruising life every where we go. Join us as we sail over 6000 nautical miles from North Carolina to Iceland and explore many exciting ports along the way.
New episodes every Tuesday and Thursday.
Fair winds, calm seas, happy sailing, and thank you for sailing with us!! :)
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Very enjoyable. I am following your journey with pleasure.
Personally, I enjoyed every bit, I can't think of any that needed changing. I did enjoy you showing how the chart plotter works (I think that's the name) and also how you adjusted the boat when it drifted.
Hi Drake,
Someone already mentioned it - the sound equalization needs some work. When you also add music on top of the engine noise, I can't really understand much - just mumbling. Otherwise great series.
I just love all the details about bridges and talking on the radio ... awesome :)
Drake, I'm a near total novice interested in taking up the cruiser life-style. Not to the same scope as some (you), more of a regional thing (probably limited to the Canadian west and US pacific north west) and I'm wondering if you'd be cool with me picking your brain on a variety of subjects relating to successfully carrying this goal out. I've watched a good number of your videos and you appear to be the man to ask about such things. There is, after all, no substitute for experience - and this is something that you seem to possess no small amount of.
Some overlays would be great. "Such and such Marina, Town, State" or the occasional map would be awesome for those of us planning our own adventures
Just wondering about your sail cover. Why is it left open?
A lot different to when my Dad and I berthed in Coinjock, It was hot, infested with mosquitoes and the restaurant was shut.
+Richard Franklin Oh, you should definitely go back for that amazing prime rib. That alone made all the bridge trouble later worth it! ⚓-Mo
Are you planning a trip to Latvia? You can dock at our place :)
Hi Drake i like all parts of all your videos but the best part of this is the turns you where doing with the wheel hard over and bumping in and out of gear to turn the bow with out moving forward. very cool.. i to have had to set at a bridge and did not know that trick.. all most every video of yours i watch i learn some thing. and that is just one of the reasons i watch your videos. so i would like to see more of that. though to much of them and you are do learn to sail videos and that don't work at all. just a little more of the tricks from time to time would be nice. but all your videos are some of the best on you tube and that is why we all keep on watching. so don't change to much.
I really like the layout of you boat. Coming to Sweden soon? :D
+Lasse Särnhult We would be delighted to go to Sweden. We're currently editing an interview we did with a Danish sailor and he described going over to Sweden quite often during his travels. It sounds like such a magnificent cruising ground! ⚓-Mo
by the way your boat is very nicely done
+Jay Sims Thanks Jay, fair winds to you. ⚓-Mo
Are you still using the quad copter Drake?
Hi Drake, what is your fuel consumption rate on a long motoring trip like this?
How do, team Paragon? Just watched all your Greenland episodes and am now starting with season 1. Good stuff! Q: Drake, what wraparound glasses are you wearing? Are the prescription and are they transition (sunglasses)?
The frames are made by Oakley and are just regular prescription glasses frames (as opposed to sunglasses) that were made years ago. I can't imagine this particular frame is still made, but both Drake and I still have glasses made by Oakley. I find their frames are a bit more sporty and seem to last in the harsh marine environment. My current Oakley frames have a grippy nose and ear piece and are going on 8+ years despite being beat to hell, sat on, doused in salt water, and a host of other harsh treatments. Plus my ear pieces can be changed out (and with different colours!), so if I break one it can easily be replaced instead of having to replace the entire frame. Hope you are well and take care! ⚓-Monique
@@drakeParagon Hi Monique. Thank you very much for your response! Glad you're both staying safe! Greetings from NYC!
Thank you @@crstothard! We have quite a few friends in NYC and it's mad to look at photos of the streets and parks with almost no people. We're in a much smaller place, but it's equally empty and quite strange to see. I walked all the way to the market the other day and didn't see a single person until I arrived. It will be interesting to see where the rest of this year takes us all. You stay safe and be well! ⚓-Monique
Some of the music makes me feel like I'm watching a documentary about the Holocaust but otherwise I'm a huge Paragonite!
Great job. I would see about an editing programme that would allow you to lower or muffle the sound of the motor in the background. And boost your voices? I don't know how to do sound editing, but I've heard there are some good free programmes available online.
Im from norfolk lol this is so entertaining. But this is life in norfolk hahah
Drake. Are your anchor markers made by "Imtra"? Currently i use zip ties and don't really care for them as they fall off over time. Can you give me your thoughts or the bands you use and if you would recommend them? Thank you.
Hi David, I do like them, but unfortunately can't remember the manufacturer. I bought them at the Island Water World chandlery in Saint Martin. I bet Defender or Westmarine in the states might sell them.
Hi Drake! As everybody has said, continue with the videos - they're awesome! I do have a question though. What do you do for a living and how can you afford all this? :) A 42 footer ain't cheap, at least not where I live and being at sea for a few years or so ain't cheap either!
Happy sailing!
Drake, as a longtime viewer and a video editor since 1994, I can feel there are a couple of things to say. Overall, your videos are terrific, I make sure I watch as soon as they come out. But the editing...you really need to take someone along with you that can cut on Final Cut and Avid, that can load and set up a 2" quadruplex vtr (you do have a 2" vtr, don't you?), that can program an ACR25. He should have a sailboat, a West Wight Potter 19, but wish he had the time and abitlity to sail around the world on a Westsail 42. Seriously, I think your stuff looks great, but a mouthy old coot might make it just that much better.
may aswell make a start on the bridge with your junior hacksaw!! ;)
Great videos as always! Your last bridge was our first bridge on the ICW and, although we didn't have the same problem, the tender was super cranky. We ended up motoring all the way from Norfolk to Miami because of bad weather. A long haul. Look forward to your next episode! Cheers from the crew of S/V Tango. four2tango.net
the very first video where you work on the mast for 6 months
Left the fender behind!!?? Didn't we hear Monique promise to go swimming to rescue all fenders!!??
Hi Drake and crew. Luv the longer episodes and like many others, the technical stuff is interesting. Just would like the level of background music to be lower when you are talking to each other or the camera. Best wishes!!
Between the red and green as close to the middle of the channel as you can get.
Next time on the ICW, remember to bring along a rocket launcher.
Would love to see your videos in 720P rather than in 480
Actually, just watched the last film now.... Loads of technical in that one.....
That is one very happy women, two males to one women....Does it get better than that for her?
Anybody else not getting HD?
Speaking english as a second language, I also would suggest lower or no music over speech. Anyway, I totally enjoy your videos.
Hello, S/v Paragon and Crew
Love your videos, But as requested, i would like to offer my suggestions to you.
I really enjoy watching the videos, but i find they do not come as regular and often as i would like. I realize there is only so much time, but this last video is great, but a bit long for most ppl to set down and watch in on setting, so maybe this could be 3 videos over the course of a week or 2? just my 2 cents worth.
Safe journey to all.
hi you know i have never heard of ANYONE that enjoyed sailing the icw
+Tim Ericksom Certain areas can interesting and even fun, but dealing with all the bridges can be rather tiresome. I've had a good experience with most bridge tenders, but making the miles between bridges for the openings can be challenging in a sailboat. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ Ah well... ⚓-Mo
sorry dude I didn't mean to bag on you...it's just that you already knew your mast length. in retrospect I realize you were teaching the importance of knowing exactly the hight of the boat from the water up. which is sooooo important. my bad...sail on my friend... good video man