“You might see a few scattered thunderstorms on Saturday afternoon, maybe accompanied by strong winds and heavy downpours,” said the email from Chris Parker, our weather router. “Just make sure you are off the water by Monday morning; the wind is picking up.” The black storm clouds were racing towards us, their dark, heavy forms Read More

“The deadline’s Monday morning—you absolutely must be off the ocean by then!” explained Chris Parker, our weather router we depended upon to give us sage advice. “There is a nasty cold front tearing down the eastern seaboard that will create treacherous conditions. The wind battling the current will create destructive standing waves that could crush Read More

“The pessimist complains about the wind. The optimist expects it to change. A sailor simply adjusts the sails.” ….unless there is no wind. We start the engine and drive fast…. especially when we are trying to outpace a storm! Will G. and Will S., both weathered sailors with sun-creased faces and salt-tinged hair, arrived in Read More

Preparing for the trip north after a balmy Caribbean winter requires careful planning, considering the drastic change in weather. I use a weather app that forecasts my NYC trip’s duration and gives me a comprehensive weather report along the way, including expected temperatures, precipitation, and wind speeds. The app predicts a 6.13-day journey if I Read More

The laparoscopic image on the monitor went black. The image had vanished from the screen. “Can someone fix this?” yelled the surgeon. “I’ve got bleeding. I need to control it! Hurry!” A flurry of activity resulted, with people rushing around and shouting instructions. In a blur of motion, the nurse sprinted to the monitor, the Read More

The gentle wind had S/V Ileana heeled at a comfortable 15 degrees as we sailed to Los Haitises National park across the bay of Samana. In the Dominican Republic, even when the Armada has processed the boat papers upon arrival, it is necessary to get their permission before moving the boat to another place. Shep, Read More

A 22-knot wind had shifted to the southeast, coming from behind us. It was dark; the sun having set three hours ago. I was alone in the cockpit, Marco and Matthew were catching up on their rest below deck before their three-hour shift later in the night. The enormous Code Zero sail remained hoisted, propelling Read More

“I need to see their passports before I can sign these departure papers,” said the customs officer shaking his head. He glanced at me like I was an idiot and should know these things. I was sitting in front of him with in the British Virgin Islands customs office. “When I called earlier, someone told Read More

Approaching the dock in Nanny Cay Marina was easy; the colourful buildings gleamed in the sunlight, and the sound of happy chatter drifted from the nearby restaurants. They assigned me to dock D3, a bustling hub of activity with the sounds of seagulls and the salty smell of the ocean. With a deep breath, all Read More

In St. Martin, the aroma of French pastries filled the air, contrasting with the salty breeze from spectacular beaches and fiery sunsets. The central location of the Marigot marina allowed us easy access to French cultural experiences, from the vibrant sounds of the market to the delicious smells of traditional cuisine. View from our dock Read More