Curious to WHERE we are at the moment in real time, and what our plans are for hurricane season? Let us fill you in!
Currently we have Elements of Life in Sint Maarten, and in the next few days we’ll be leaving for an Atlantic Ocean crossing, heading east. Our plan ever since we bought the boat (while sitting in the Azores in 2014) was to bring her back that direction, and then go north, eventually up to Norway. We won’t be able to make it that far this year, but we’re starting the process.
Leaving from Simpson Bay in Sint Maarten, we’ll travel approximately 2,400 nautical miles to the Azores, which we’ll explore until mid to late July, and then it will be time to head even further north. Our next stop will be Ireland where we’ll run out our 90 day visa there, and then jump over to the U.K., where Elements will sit for the winter until we can make our way to Norway next summer.
During the winter we plan to leave the boat for a few months and head to warmer weather. Where to exactly? We’re not sure. Maybe bum around a boat in the Caribbean, or hang out with my parents in Arizona.
You might be wondering….why are your videos so far behind? You’re publishing content from the Bahamas, yet you’re all the way down in St. Martin. Yes…the videos are about two months behind real time. Between having enough videos ready to upload during our ocean crossing, and taking time off due to a death in the family, I haven’t been able to keep the publishing schedule I wish I could have. But let’s catch you up on where we’ve been these past two months.
Leaving from Eleuthera in March, we took the route sometimes referred to as I-65, heading straight east and then dropping down into the Caribbean. After 950 miles and 8 days at sea, we made landfall in St. Barth’s. With beautiful beaches and wonderful French pastries, we could have spent months there, although running out of propane (and needing to get Georgie to the vet) sent us running to Sint Marrten for a few days.
As soon as all of our tasks were taken care of it was right back to St. Barth’s for their annual regatta (Les Voiles de St. Barth). We spent our days lounging at evenings going to the awards ceremonies and concerts, and even had a surprise show by Jimmy Buffet!
After the Voiles de St. Barth we made the trip to Antigua for their annual race week, the largest in the Caribbean. For the Round the Island Race, we jumped on a Pogo 12.50 through Ocean Racers. One day on that boat and I was left with burns and bruises, so it was nice to move to the Club Class on our friend’s Rival 38 (Jamel Lister of Lister Marine).
Leaving Antigua after an amazing three weeks, we had one more island in the Caribbean that we HAD to check off our list before preparing for our ocean crossing….Saba. A dormant volcano with villages built into the peaks. We even climbed to the top of Mt. Scenery…after having walked the road to get there from the harbour.
And now….we’re off! So stay tuned to our channel for full coverage on just a few of the tidbits we were able to share with you!!
Cheers from Sint Maarten!
Thank you SO MUCH to our Patrons. These amazing supporters help keep us on the boat, our camera equipment up to date, and the videos coming. Without our patrons, these videos would not be possible.
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Thank you!,
Matt & Jessica
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Online shop: https://mj-sailing.myshopify.com/
Our boat: 1983 Trisalu 37 (custom aluminum, built in Quebec)
Where we’ve been: 2.5 year refit in Indiantown, Florida; Abacos, Bahamas; St. Barth’s; St. Maarten; Antigua; Saba
Where we’re going in 2018: Azores – Ireland – UK
Our Previous Boat: 1989 Sabre 34 Targa (Serendipity)
Where We Sailed Her: U.S. – Bahamas – Jamaica – Cuba – Cayman Islands – Honduras – Guatemala – Belize – Mexico – Bermuda – Azores – Madeira – Canary Islands – Sint Maarten – BVI’s – USVI’s
Music:
04:07 – The Long Walk – Jimmy Wahlsteen (ES)
04:49 – While We’re Young – Loving Caliber (ES)
05:52 – Dreamer’s Escape 1 – Magnus Ringblom (ES)
07:38 – Ride – Cary Brothers (Tiesto Remix)
08:09 – You Will Always Be The One – Loving Caliber (ES)
Camera equipment used:
– Panasonic Lumix G85 – http://amzn.to/2iv2g4G
– Shure VP83F shotgun microphone – https://amzn.to/2rsIHLL
– Sony HDRCX675 – https://amzn.to/2FTMZRm
– Rode VideoMicro microphone – https://amzn.to/2rsemOk
– SJ CAM SJ6 Action Cam – https://amzn.to/2wnzGZZ
Editing software:
Adobe Premier Pro
Website:
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