Captain Ryan and I met a few years ago on a sailing trip on S/V Libra from Pensacola to the Miami Boat Show. It was an awesome trip. I learned a whole lot about offshore sailing and I hope that I helped Ryan book a few more trips on Libra at the Miami Boat show.

Ryan had done a Sail Loot Podcast with me a few weeks prior to our trip across the Gulf of Mexico. In typical Sail Loot form, you can learn all about how Captain Ryan got into sailing and out from behind a computer job at Delta. We also discuss his sailboats, businesses, and other sailing financials.

I was able to catch up with Ryan a few weeks ago in Christmas Cove in the US Virgin Islands. A lot has happened in those 2 years since our last sailing adventure. In this episode we talk more about where S/V Libra has been in the last few years, what you’ll learn on an offshore passage with Sail Libra, and some of the costs associated with running an offshore sailing business.

Captain Randy on S/V Libra‘s new hard top!
Whale on the Silver Banks!!! S/V Libra…St. Lucia…Join a Sail!!!!!

A Few Things You’ll Learn about Sail Libra:

• Where Captain Ryan and Libra have been since 2 years ago when I was last on Libra.
• How Libra got to Christmas Cove, St. Thomas.
• Whale watching on the Silver Banks.
• The fun things that can happen on a passage.
• Something is going to break on a passage, and it will have to be fixed or mitigated at sea.
• Upcoming trips on Libra
• Some things you may learn on an offshore sailing adventure
• Offshore dynamics
• Costs of running an offshore adventure sailing business.
• Anchoring with Mantus Anchors.
• Building the hard top dodger and bimini on Libra.
• The costs of building the hard top.
• USCG NVIC requirements for running an international “charter” boat
• Legally going to Cuba the first time on S/V Libra
• And much more!

Links and Resources from this episode:

• Sail Libra – Join A Sail
• Sail Loot Podcast 044: Sail Libra with Captain Ryan
• Sail Loot Podcast 046: Captain Randy Smith with Sail Libra and Orange Beach Sailing Adventures
• STCW Checklist Master Oceans
• Mantus Marine
• Another Adventure YouTube Channel
• Charter Kai
• Have Wind Will Travel
• Project Atticus YouTube Channel
• Wynne Enterprises, Inc.
• Outside Hilton Head

THANK YOU!

Thank you very much for listening to the show! If you enjoyed listening, it has helped you in any way, or you know somebody else that would enjoy it, please share it using the social media buttons that you see on the page.

Additionally, reviews for the Sail Loot podcast on iTunes are extremely helpful and greatly appreciated! They do matter in the rankings of the show and I read each and every one!

Lastly, if you have any questions or comments please leave them below or go ahead and send us an email via the Contact page!

TeddyJ

The post Sail Loot Podcast 064: Offshore Sailing with Captain Ryan and Sail Libra appeared first on Sail Loot.

The financial “movement” being dubbed FIRE – Financial Independence Retire Early – was an acronym that was unknown to Mark, Jennifer, and yes, even budding financial zealots such as myself. Somehow, over the last few years, we’ve all seemed to use some of the FIRE principles even though we didn’t know what they were.

Mark and Jennifer have been preparing for a post-cubicle life of traveling for some time. While Mark was stationed overseas for work they figured out that they really didn’t need all of the STUFF that they had accumulated to live a happy life. When they got raises, they figured out that they could live comfortably by stashing the extra money that they made instead of using it to purchase more stuff that they didn’t actually use.

By downsizing, saving, and having a few rental properties that generate a little income on a monthly basis, Mark and Jennifer have been able to “retire” early and set sail on S/V Luna Sea. Enjoy the episode!!!

S/V Luna Sea Sailing

2017 Boat Show Crew

Mark at the Helm

Luna Sea at Anchor in Grenada

A Few Things You’ll Learn about the Luna Sea crew:

• The difficulties of volunteering with relief efforts when locals need work
• Lack of timeliness combined with the logistics of obtaining a wifi or cellular connection
• It’s all about travel
• When was the first time they sailed? The sea trial for Luna Sea of course!
• How Mark and Jennifer learned to sail.
• Purchasing Luna Sea. 2002 Beneteau 393
• Why they decided to get a loan to purchase Luna Sea when they didn’t need to
• Mark and Jennifer’s day jobs while they were living on land
• Are they retired?
• Their budget
• Figuring out if your boat is ready for cruising
• Where to have work done in the Caribbean. What islands are be best for particular types of work?
• Downsizing and why they chose to do it.
• F.I.R.E – Financial Independence Retire Early
• Their health insurance plan.
• Getting wifi/cellular service throughout the islands.
• Weather access
• And much more!

Links and Resources from this episode:

• Sailing Luna Sea
• The Gentleman’s Guide to Passages South: The Thornless Path to Windward by Mr. Bruce Van Sant
• Sailing Luna Sea’s Instagram
• Sailing Luna Sea’s Facebook

THANK YOU!

Thank you very much for listening to the show! If you enjoyed listening, it has helped you in any way, or you know somebody else that would enjoy it, please share it using the social media buttons that you see on the page.

Additionally, reviews for the Sail Loot podcast on iTunes are extremely helpful and greatly appreciated! They do matter in the rankings of the show and I read each and every one!

Lastly, if you have any questions or comments please leave them below or go ahead and send us an email via the Contact page!

TeddyJ

The post Sail Loot Podcast 063: Sailing With FIRE on Luna Sea with Mark and Jennifer appeared first on Sail Loot.

Rich and Devon’s sailing story started the way most crazy sailing stories start…intoxication. The good news is that Rich didn’t want a divorce. He didn’t want to have a third child. He just wanted to quit his job and sail around the world!!!

Luckily, so did Devon.

Rich and Devon finished their dinner, drinks, and lovely family vacation in Hawaii. Upon returning home the research and preparations for their life on the water began.

Eventually, they found S/V Mobert and started downsizing. They’ve now been on the water full time for a little over a year and decided that they wanted to try to have a means of income. Their purchase of Sea-Tech Systems is that income stream to keep their cruising kitty topped up.

Yup, Rich, and Devon decided that they were capable of owning and operating a business remotely from their sailboat while cruising with their family. It’s right up their alley as Rich is an IT/Tech type of guy and they had to figure out how they were going to stay connected enough to run a business from a sailboat in remote locations. Your needs may be a little different than theirs, but they’ve got the knowledge and systems to help you stay connected as much or as little as you desire.

I hope you enjoy listening to how the Andersons have been able to sail Abroad as much as I enjoyed chatting with them!

 

The Andersons on Departure Day!!!

Morgan at the Helm of S/V Mobert

S/V Mobert under Sail

Rich manning the Sea-Tech Systems booth

Working Hard in S/V Mobert‘s Cockpit

S/V Mobert at Anchor

A Few Things You’ll Learn about the Andersons and Sea-Tech Systems:

• Devon was a sailor before Rich was.
• Their first boat and the fun of sea trials.
• How they made the decision to purchase S/V Mobert
• Rich and Devon’s careers prior to setting sail.
• Leaving those careers.
• Releasing the dock lines and setting sail.
• What they do about US health insurance.
• How much they paid for S/V Mobert, their down payment, and their loan payment.
• What they did with their house on land.
• Where they’ve been since they released the dock lines.
• Their sources of income prior to taking off.
• Insurance company and costs.
• Location costs.
• Marina costs.
• What if you want to make sure that everything works even though you NEVER USE EVERYTHING?
• Why they purchased Sea-Tech Systems.
• What Sea-Tech Systems does.
• How they’ve used they’re own systems to run Sea-Tech.
• Taking your business abroad and onto a boat!
• And much more!

Links and Resources from this episode:

• Sea-Tech Systems – Helping you stay connected from your boat, as much, or as little as you desire.
• Andersons Abroad – Their personal website/blog.
• GeoBlue Travel Insurance – The Health Insurance that the Andersons Use
• Gowrie Group – Insurance Agents
• Amazon – where I found and purchased the majority of my items
• Mantus Marine
• Anchor Marine – hopefully, this is the correct link to their first boat insurance company.
• Novamar Insurance – hopefully, the correct link to their current boat insurance company.
• Chubb – Maybe the link to one of their insurance brokers? Check out minute 37 and keep listening. Or, well, maybe just listen to the whole thing and you’ll get there!

THANK YOU!

Thank you very much for listening to the show! If you enjoyed listening, it has helped you in any way, or you know somebody else that would enjoy it, please share it using the social media buttons that you see on the page.

Additionally, reviews for the Sail Loot podcast on iTunes are extremely helpful and greatly appreciated! They do matter in the rankings of the show and I read each and every one!

Lastly, if you have any questions or comments please leave them below or go ahead and send us an email via the Contact page!

TeddyJ

The post Sail Loot Podcast 062: Andersons Abroad own Sea-Tech Systems to make Sailing Money appeared first on Sail Loot.

August of 2017 on S/V Asante started with a two-day sail from Fort Lauderdale, FL to Hilton Head, SC.

Included in the preparations to sail North were provisions, alternator rebuild costs, diesel fuel, and travel and transportation expenses. August of 2017 was also the first month that I had to pay for dockage at Shelter Cove Marina.

August was still my cheapest month of cruising costs – okay, let’s call them sailing costs, errrrr, boating costs? –  since purchasing S/V Asante. 

I also talk a little more about batteries and my battery bank. There were a few corrections that I needed to make from Episode 60.

Overview of Asante‘s August 2017 Expenses

Asante‘s Boat Equipment for August of 2017

Boat Maintenance, Loan Payment, Dockage, and Misc Equipment for Asante in August of 2017

Fuel, Gifts, and Groceries for Asante in August 2017

Asante Meals and Memberships for August 2017

Transportation costs for Asante in August 2017

 

A Few Things You’ll Learn about my August 2017 S/V Asante Sailing Costs:

• My total costs for the month of August 2017
• The costs associated with relocating Asante from Ft. Lauderdale to Hilton Head Island
• Installing re-built alternator the day before a 2-3 day sail.
• Some Diesel Fuel Costs
• Clarification about my battery bank
• A monthly comparison of boat costs over the first 4-5 months of ownership of Asante
• Specifics of how I cut my living costs.
• Specifics of what I spent money on.
• And much more!

Links and Resources from this episode:

• Amazon – where I found and purchased the majority of my items
• Sail Loot Podcast 027: Couchsailors Jose and Gina Rent all of Their Rooms for Sailing Money
• West Marine – I did end up getting some things from West Marine too. Sometimes I found things in their stores. Sometimes I ordered it online and shipped it directly to Asante. Other times I had a friend that works at West Marine order the supplies that I needed at a discount.
• Sail Loot Podcast 051: Delivering Asante
• Sail Loot Podcast 052: Teddy’s Sailing Money to Purchase Asante
• Mantus Marine
• Sailors Helping
• Sailors Helping Facebook Page
• International Rescue Group
• BVI Relief
• #BVISTRONG Gear Shop – Remember the Adventure’s #BVISTRONG gear shop where 100% of the proceeds go to VISAR’S BVI Relief Fund
• BVI Abroad – Hurricane Irma Facebook Group
• BVI Relief
• Go Fund Me Page set up by Sea Boss and Three Sheets Sailing
• Three Sheet Sailing Facebook Page
• Yacht Sea Boss Facebook Page
• Red Cross Hurricane Irma Relief

THANK YOU!

Thank you very much for listening to the show! If you enjoyed listening, it has helped you in any way, or you know somebody else that would enjoy it, please share it using the social media buttons that you see on the page.

Additionally, reviews for the Sail Loot podcast on iTunes are extremely helpful and greatly appreciated! They do matter in the rankings of the show and I read each and every one!

Lastly, if you have any questions or comments please leave them below or go ahead and send us an email via the Contact page!

TeddyJ

The post Sail Loot Podcast 061: Asante Sailing Costs August 2017 appeared first on Sail Loot.

I learned a lot about boating in the month of July 2017. A few snafus taught me what not to do again. A few victories taught me what to do again. Everything taught me that I really just want to be at/on Asante as much as possible.

Some boat owners hire people to clean and maintain their boats while they’re away. Not this guy.

I return to Asante after being gone for 3-4 weeks and not only are the planned projects waiting for me but so are the ones that pop up because she is sitting there alone for so long. Had I been on Asante when the power cables got stuck under the piling protective fenders I probably could have saved my batteries. I certainly would’ve given her a good scrubbing or two.

Asante is my home and she needs regular cleaning and maintenance just like any other home.

I’m getting to her every weekend now and things are much better. Here is what I had to spend some boat money on in July of 2017.

An overview of July 2017 Asante Cruising Costs with Categories

July 2017 Asante Equipment Costs, Part 1

July 2017 Asante Equipment Costs, Part 2

Asante Maintenance and Purchase Costs in July 2017

Costs of Transportation to Asante in July 2017

July 2017 Asante Fuel and Groceries

Meals and Training costs for Asante in July 2017

A Few Things You’ll Learn about my July 2017 S/V Asante Cruising Costs:

• My total costs for the month of July 2017
• Why I left Asante for so long.
• What to watch out for with changing tides and docks that don’t float.
• What happens to your batteries when your shore power has been unplugged for 3-4 weeks and you left your fans running.
• Becoming a true sailor.
• Alternator failures.
• Specifics of what I spent money on.
• And much more!

Links and Resources from this episode:

• Amazon – where I found and purchased the majority of my items.
• West Marine – I did end up getting some things from West Marine too. Sometimes I found things in their stores. Sometimes I ordered it online and shipped it directly to Asante.
• Monday Never
• Sail Loot Podcast 051: Delivering Asante
• Sail Loot Podcast 052: Teddy’s Sailing Money to Purchase Asante
• Mantus Marine
• Sailors Helping
• Sailors Helping Facebook Page
• International Rescue Group
• BVI Relief
• #BVISTRONG Gear Shop – Remember the Adventure’s #BVISTRONG gear shop where 100% of the proceeds go to VISAR’S BVI Relief Fund
• BVI Abroad – Hurricane Irma Facebook Group
• BVI Relief
• Go Fund Me Page set up by Sea Boss and Three Sheets Sailing
• Three Sheet Sailing Facebook Page
• Yacht Sea Boss Facebook Page
• Red Cross Hurricane Irma Relief

THANK YOU!

Thank you very much for listening to the show! If you enjoyed listening, it has helped you in any way, or you know somebody else that would enjoy it, please share it using the social media buttons that you see on the page.

Additionally, reviews for the Sail Loot podcast on iTunes are extremely helpful and greatly appreciated! They do matter in the rankings of the show and I read each and every one!

Lastly, if you have any questions or comments please leave them below or go ahead and send us an email via the Contact page!

TeddyJ

The post Sail Loot Podcast 060: Cruising Costs Monthly – Asante Sailing Money July 2017 appeared first on Sail Loot.

Yes, it’s a little bit later in the day than last Friday, but I did get this podcast released 1 week after Episode 058! I love it when I hit a deadline that I tell the world about. (This might actually be a first for Sail Loot).

I don’t think that I thanked enough people in the episode so I am going to thank them here. I would’ve spent a lot more money in the month of June if it weren’t for Bob Ross of Leopard Catamarans and the Hammonds. These kind people offered me free dockage for S/V Asante for an evening and a few months, respectively. Gene and Kat always hold a special place in my heart. I may not have realized that this sailing adventure was possible without them, the Hammonds are Kat’s parents, we’ve been friends for 20 years, and there are too many other reasons to list. Gene, thanks for calling Bob and securing us a night’s dockage at 6 pm on a Saturday evening while we were about to enter Port Everglades after 7 days at sea.

Here is a breakdown of my cruising costs for June of 2017 while I was mostly not sailing. Have a comment? Leave it below!

Categories overview with Pie Chart of S/V Asante June 2017 Cruising Costs

Equipment Expenses June 2017 Asante Cruising Costs

Equipment Expenses Part 2 – June 2017 Asante Cruising Costs

Travel Meals Expenses – June 2017 S/V Asante Cruising Costs

Memberships and Transportation Expenses – June 2017 S/V Asante Cruising Costs

A Few Things You’ll Learn about my June 2017 S/V Asante Cruising Costs:

• My total costs for the month of June 2017
• How much less was that than the purchase, equip, and provision month.
• Some of the items that I had to replace from breaking them on my delivery cruise.
• I finally purchased some propane regulators
• I also filled the propane tanks
• The great people that help you out along the way.
• And much more!

Links and Resources from this episode:

• Amazon – where I found and purchased the majority of my items.
• West Marine – I did end up getting some things from West Marine too. Sometimes I found things in their stores. Sometimes I just had to make sure I ordered it in time to arrive at my doorstep before my flight to St. Thomas.
• Sail Loot Podcast 051: Delivering Asante
• Sail Loot Podcast 052: Teddy’s Sailing Money to Purchase Asante
• Pam Wall
• S/V Smitty
• Unwritten Timeline
• Windtraveler
• Mantus Marine
• Shelter Cove Harbour and Marina
• Distant Shores
• Sailors Helping
• Sailors Helping Facebook Page
• International Rescue Group
• BVI Relief
• #BVISTRONG Gear Shop – Remember the Adventure’s #BVISTRONG gear shop where 100% of the proceeds go to VISAR’S BVI Relief Fund
• BVI Abroad – Hurricane Irma Facebook Group
• BVI Relief
• Go Fund Me Page set up by Sea Boss and Three Sheets Sailing
• Three Sheet Sailing Facebook Page
• Yacht Sea Boss Facebook Page
• Red Cross Hurricane Irma Relief

THANK YOU!

Thank you very much for listening to the show! If you enjoyed listening, it has helped you in any way, or you know somebody else that would enjoy it, please share it using the social media buttons that you see on the page.

Additionally, reviews for the Sail Loot podcast on iTunes are extremely helpful and greatly appreciated! They do matter in the rankings of the show and I read each and every one!

Lastly, if you have any questions or comments please leave them below or go ahead and send us an email via the Contact page!

TeddyJ

The post Sail Loot Podcast 059 – Cruising Costs Monthly: Asante Sailing Money June 2017 appeared first on Sail Loot.

My need to gather equipment was immediate. I decided that my best option was to sail S/V Asante approximately 1300 miles across the North Atlantic Ocean for 7 to 10 days and that I would start this trip 2.5 days after the purchase was final.

This decision was made only 2.5 weeks prior to the agreed upon purchase date and 3 weeks prior to crossing an ocean. This is not enough time to scour for deals on EPIRBs, flares, radar reflectors, a Garmin InReach Explorer+, charts, binoculars, self-inflating offshore life vests, harnesses, jack lines, and all of the other equipment necessary for an offshore delivery. Had I had more time I would’ve been able to use my West Marine contacts (Pam Wall, Pat Brasfield) for discounts, comparison shop, ask all of my wonderful Sail Loot Ralliers for advice, help, etc.  Alas, Amazon Prime 2-day shipping was really my best option for many items.

Here is the breakdown of my cruising costs, and closing costs for S/V Asante. Have a comment? Leave it below!

 

 

Pie Chart Overview with Categories of my Cruising Costs and Sailing Money during the purchase month of S/V Asante

Boat Equipment 1: Detailed list of boat equipment purchases part 1.

Boat Equipment 2: I couldn’t take a screenshot of the entire detailed list of boat equipment purchases. Here is part 2.

Boat Equipment 3: The final screenshot of the detailed boat equipment list.

Boat Maintenance Costs for S/V Asante prior to purchase and sailing to Florida.

Survey and FedEx costs to purchase S/V Asante

I had to provision for 5 people to make a 7-10 day delivery.

I had to eat during my travels to and from Tortola and St. Thomas. I drank some too. After all, who doesn’t have a few Pain Killers and Presidentes after a hot day in the sun?

I also had to transport myself to, from, and around Tortola and St. Thomas. Luckily, no flights had to be purchased! Points/miles were used of course! The Sailing Membership fee will go away in a few months.

A Few Things You’ll Learn about my April-May 2017 S/V Asante Cruising Costs:

• Why I made the decision to bring S/V Asante back to FL
• The time I had to provision and equip Asante for a passage
• Some of the tools and safety items that you should probably have on your boat for a passage – of course everyone has their opinions.
• I should’ve purchased a spare propane regulator
• The cost of a survey and rigging work.
• Grocery/Food costs for 5 people for 7 to 10 days.
• Asante insurance costs
• And much more!

Links and Resources from this episode:

• Amazon – where I found and purchased the majority of my items.
• West Marine – I did end up getting some things from West Marine too. Sometimes I found things in their stores. Sometimes I just had to make sure I ordered it in time to arrive at my doorstep before my flight to St. Thomas.
• Sail Loot Podcast 051: Delivering Asante
• Sail Loot Podcast 052: Teddy’s Sailing Money to Purchase Asante
• Pam Wall
• S/V Smitty
• Unwritten Timeline
• Windtraveler
• Mantus Marine
• Shelter Cove Harbour and Marina
• Distant Shores
• Sailors Helping
• Sailors Helping Facebook Page
• International Rescue Group
• BVI Relief
• #BVISTRONG Gear Shop – Remember the Adventure’s #BVISTRONG gear shop where 100% of the proceeds go to VISAR’S BVI Relief Fund
• BVI Abroad – Hurricane Irma Facebook Group
• BVI Relief
• Go Fund Me Page set up by Sea Boss and Three Sheets Sailing
• Three Sheet Sailing Facebook Page
• Yacht Sea Boss Facebook Page
• Red Cross Hurricane Irma Relief

THANK YOU!

Thank you very much for listening to the show! If you enjoyed listening, it has helped you in any way, or you know somebody else that would enjoy it, please share it using the social media buttons that you see on the page.

Additionally, reviews for the Sail Loot podcast on iTunes are extremely helpful and greatly appreciated! They do matter in the rankings of the show and I read each and every one!

Lastly, if you have any questions or comments please leave them below or go ahead and send us an email via the Contact page!

TeddyJ

The post Sail Loot Podcast 058 – Cruising Costs Monthly: My Sailing Money April to May 2017 appeared first on Sail Loot.

I had the honor of meeting Jeremiah and Brittany at the Strictly Sail Miami Boat show almost a year ago. By the way, I plan on attending again this year (2018). If you happen to live in the area and have a couch that you don’t mind this sailor/podcaster crashing on for a long weekend…

We looked at boats, took shots at Hooters, and enjoyed our respective time in Miami. Finally, we were able to sit down for a chat this past November. Finally, I’m releasing that chat as a Sail Loot Podcast.

The Lazy Geckos story starts with the familiar desire to get out from behind a desk, yet, they also didn’t want to be stuck sitting behind the wheel of an RV. They found that sailing might be the best option to keep everybody in the family happy.

Would they be able to keep children, pets, and themselves safe while traveling the waters on a sailboat? Of course!

From that point forward it was a question of how the Lazy Geckos would be able to afford the cruising lifestyle on retirement funds from the United States Marine Corps. As you’ll hear, their answer was more about figuring out how to live simpler lives and not giving into the “see now buy now” commercialism mentality that plagues the majority of the world.

Jeremiah and Brittany share so many awesome tips about how they downsized, started saving money and got out of debt to start their sailing adventures!

Lazy Gecko – Alberg 37 at closing

Sailing Lazy Gecko

The Lazy Gecko Family

 

A Few Things You’ll Learn about Jeremiah, Brittany and S/V Lazy Gecko:

• How the Marines helped inspire cruising life.
• Brittany says “NO!” to riding around in an RV
• Inspiration from Blogs and Vlogs
• Sailing with a baby
• Sailing with dogs
• Getting out of debt
• How they pinched pennies
• Maximizing the money that they saved
• Sailboat shopping
• Purchasing Lazy Gecko
• Sailboat insurance
• Dealing with hurricanes
• Learning to sail. Specifically, mastering docking
• Setting sail and cruising around the East Coast
• Vlogging and Patreon
• Health insurance
• Lazy Gecko is for sale and they’re looking for their next Gecko
• What they’re doing now
• And much more!

Links and Resources from this episode:

• Lazy Gecko Sailing
• Lazy Gecko YouTube Channel
• The Lazy Gecko Patreon Page
• Laho Wind
• SV Delos
• Windtraveler
• Sailing Totem
• Mr. Money Mustache
• Mantus Marine
• Shelter Cove Harbour and Marina
• Distant Shores
• Sailors Helping
• Sailors Helping Facebook Page
• International Rescue Group
• BVI Relief
• #BVISTRONG Gear Shop – Remember the Adventure’s #BVISTRONG gear shop where 100% of the proceeds go to VISAR’S BVI Relief Fund
• BVI Abroad – Hurricane Irma Facebook Group
• BVI Relief
• Go Fund Me Page set up by Sea Boss and Three Sheets Sailing
• Three Sheet Sailing Facebook Page
• Yacht Sea Boss Facebook Page
• Red Cross Hurricane Irma Relief

THANK YOU!

Thank you very much for listening to the show! If you enjoyed listening, it has helped you in any way, or you know somebody else that would enjoy it, please share it using the social media buttons that you see on the page.

Additionally, reviews for the Sail Loot podcast on iTunes are extremely helpful and greatly appreciated! They do matter in the rankings of the show and I read each and every one!

Lastly, if you have any questions or comments please leave them below or go ahead and send us an email via the Contact page!

TeddyJ

The post Sail Loot Podcast 057: Lazy Geckos Water Conservation Lessons to Save Sailing Money appeared first on Sail Loot.

I met Jesse and Stacey from S/V Smitty in November of 2016. They’re long time listeners to the Sail Loot Podcast and we had sent a few emails back and forth to each other before I went on a charter vacation in the BVI.

Jesse and Stacey live on S/V Smitty, their 2001 Catalina 310. S/V Smitty is on a mooring in Bay de Grigri between the island of St. Thomas and Water Island.

I stayed in St. Thomas for one night to meet up with my 3 other friends that were joining me for a week of charter sailing in the BVI. As soon as we got our gear situated in the Windward Passage we walked down to the Greenhouse Restaurant and Bar where we met Jesse and Stacey. They, of course, already had a rum drink in hand.

I learned that Jesse and Stacey had sailed to the islands from Boston on their 30ft sailboat and, at the time, had jobs as captains on day sailing charters. Now, with her accounting skills, Stacey has a “normal” job on St. Thomas and another conversation needs to be had with Jesse about his captaining plans post-Irma.

I’ve become good friends with Jesse and Stacey since we first met. Jesse was the only official captain on board Asante when we delivered her from St. Thomas to Ft. Lauderdale, FL. He is a wealth of knowledge and I’m very glad that I have his direct phone number so that I can call or text him with any questions I may have!

This is their story of how they were able sail their 30 ft Catalina from Massachusetts to St. Thomas with their Aussie mix, Summer!

SV Smitty in a cold Boston Winter. This is what Jesse and Stacey had to deal with in the North

Apparently, they may have even lived on Smitty when she was iced in.

But they made it down the ICW, through the Bahamas, and on to much warmer climates! – S/V Smitty at Honeymoon Bay on Water Island

A few months later, I was on my way to charter a sailboat in the BVI, but I had to stop in St. Thomas first and say hello to Jesse, Stacey, Summer and S/V Smitty!

 

A Few Things You’ll Learn about Jesse and Stacey and their finances for sailing S/V Smitty South:

• How their sailing dreams started with a trip on a Carnival cruise ship in 1996.
• Exchanging vows in Magen’s Bay in 2002.
• Learning about the cruising life from the captain of Heavenly Days.
• Doing the bareboat charter thing for 10 days.
• Sailing S/V Splash and S/V Smitty on the weekends, holidays, and summers in Boston.
• Purchasing S/V Smitty
• Behind the name of S/V Smitty
• Their 4 year plan.
• Selling everything and getting out of debt.
• How much money they left Boston with to go sailing.
• Upgrading S/V Smitty and why they do all of the maintenance themselves.
• Jesse’s professional background as a geologist – before they left Boston.
• Having a captain’s license and STCW training to work on charters in the Virgin Islands.
• How much of their cruising kitty they had left when they arrived in the Virgin Islands.
• Insuring S/V Smitty.
• Upcoming maintenance projects.
• And much more!

Links and Resources from this episode:

• S/V Smitty
• Heavenly Days at Bolongo Bay
• SkeltonCrew.com
• Sailors Helping
• Sailors Helping Facebook Page
• International Rescue Group
• BVI Relief
• #BVISTRONG Gear Shop – Remember the Adventure’s #BVISTRONG gear shop where 100% of the proceeds go to VISAR’S BVI Relief Fund
• BVI Abroad – Hurricane Irma Facebook Group
• BVI Relief
• Go Fund Me Page set up by Sea Boss and Three Sheets Sailing
• Three Sheet Sailing Facebook Page
• Yacht Sea Boss Facebook Page
• Red Cross Hurricane Irma Relief

THANK YOU!

Thank you very much for listening to the show! If you enjoyed listening, it has helped you in any way, or you know somebody else that would enjoy it, please share it using the social media buttons that you see on the page.

Additionally, reviews for the Sail Loot podcast on iTunes are extremely helpful and greatly appreciated! They do matter in the rankings of the show and I read each and every one!

Lastly, if you have any questions or comments please leave them below or go ahead and send us an email via the Contact page!

TeddyJ

The post Sail Loot Podcast 056: S/V Smitty – Sailing from Boston to the USVI with Jesse, Stacey, and Summer appeared first on Sail Loot.

A normal episode of the Sail Loot Podcast contains tips, advice, and stories about how others have been able to make a living on the water. This episode contains none of that.

This episode is purely to raise awareness about the impact of hurricanes this season on the Caribbean islands.

Peter had to get his wife, Jody, and his 3-month old, Brig, off of Tortola and out of the Caribbean by any means possible, but he had to stay on the island to secure his floating home, S/V Mary Christine.

All souls that remained in the islands were hoping that they eye of hurricane Irma would shift to the North of the British Virgin Islands. That didn’t happen. Tortola sustained a direct hit from hurricane Irma and the eye passed over the house where Peter, 4 of his friends, and his dog, Betsy, took shelter.

This is Peter’s story about surviving hurricane Irma.

Catamaran Beached and Upside Down on Tortola after Irma – credit Christine Perakis

Damaged Boats – credit Caribbean Buzz Helicopters

Sea Cow’s Bay after Hurricane Irma

Tortola Boat Damage

Virgin Gorda Receiving Aid – credit Javier Lopez

Virgin Gorda Supply Boat

 

A Few Things You’ll Learn about Peter’s Experience through Hurricane Irma:

• Making plans for hurricane season.
• Why Peter, Jody, and Brig couldn’t leave Tortola.
• Having insurance during hurricane season and what that may or may not mean.
• Where they decided to go for hurricane season.
• How they were able to get Jody and Brig off of Tortola prior to hurricane Irma.
• Their specific hurricane plan for their boat insurance.
• Securing S/V Mary Christine, S/V Legato, and the Aristocat Charters Vessels.
• Finding small, secure rooms and making key group decisions to survive through the eye walls of hurricane Irma.
• The aftermath of hurricane Irma and the group’s missions to help those in need.
• Their decision to move from their house in Belmont about 4 days after hurricane Irma.
• All of the help from around the island that Peter didn’t see first hand.
• The outpouring of help, love, and support from the States, St. Croix, and Puerto Rico. Note: Even the poorest island (and one of my favorites), Dominica, donated money, only to be destroyed by Maria a week later. Please don’t forget about Dominica.
• Help with minutes for the satellite phone from Otterbox owners Curt and Nancy Richardson.
• And much more!

Links and Resources from this episode:

• Where The Coconuts Grow
• Where The Coconuts Grow: “Surviving Hurricane Irma and Hurricane Maria”
• Sailors Helping
• Sailors Helping Facebook Page
• International Rescue Group
• BVI Relief
• Brittany and Scott’s BVI Immediate Relief Fund
• Windtraveler
• #BVISTRONG Gear Shop – Remember the Adventure’s #BVISTRONG gear shop where 100% of the proceeds go to VISAR’S BVI Relief Fund
• BVI Abroad – Hurricane Irma Facebook Group
• BVI Relief
• Go Fund Me Page set up by Sea Boss and Three Sheets Sailing
• Three Sheet Sailing Facebook Page
• Yacht Sea Boss Facebook Page
• Sailing Totem – Hurricane Irma: Sailing to Safety, How You Can Help
• Red Cross Hurricane Irma Relief
• A Message from Soggy Dollar Bar
• PBS Newshour: “How you can help hurricane victims in Puerto Rico”
• NBC News: “US Student Reveals How He Survived Hurricane Maria on Dominica”
• Gurtrude’s Beach Bar – Jost Van Dyke Facebook Page

THANK YOU!

Thank you very much for listening to the show! If you enjoyed listening, it has helped you in any way, or you know somebody else that would enjoy it, please share it using the social media buttons that you see on the page.

Additionally, reviews for the Sail Loot podcast on iTunes are extremely helpful and greatly appreciated! They do matter in the rankings of the show and I read each and every one!

Lastly, if you have any questions or comments please leave them below or go ahead and send us an email via the Contact page!

TeddyJ

The post Sail Loot Podcast 055: A Sailor’s Story from the Eye of Hurricane Irma; Peter from Where The Coconuts Grow appeared first on Sail Loot.

Hurricane Irma is gone, but the devastation that she left behind will leave scars for a lifetime. Jon and Tory are doing amazing work trying to heal as many of those scars as possible as quickly as possible. I can’t think of two better people to have organized SailorsHelping.org. The islands get forgotten sometimes, especially […]

The post Sail Loot Podcast 054: Sail Me Om, Part 2 appeared first on Sail Loot.