The TRUTH about my SAIL OFFSHORE + the DREADED Mona Passage [ep 81]

Title: Sailing⁢ the Mona Passage:⁤ A Journey ⁣to⁢ Puerto Rico

Introduction:

In the ⁣enchanting Fisherman’s Village of Puerto Real, Puerto Rico, I ‌have finally reached my destination after a thrilling five and a half days of sailing from the ​Bahamas. Before I delve into the details of this ‌incredible journey, where rust and boat projects became my focus, let’s first take a moment to recap⁢ the ⁤adventure. ‍

Upon​ my return from getting propane, I discovered a leaking tank that needs urgent replacing. Nevertheless, ‌I am⁢ content with my⁢ sail and eager to share ‍my thoughts on the trip.⁤ As a sailor‌ living aboard a boat, an uneventful‌ day at‍ sea is often considered a blessing, and I have no complaints.

Although ⁤my running lights failed to work, which I should⁤ have checked before embarking, and my radar remains non-functional despite my efforts to‌ fix it, I ⁢am not discouraged. With the confidence ⁢that AIS (Automatic Identification System) provides, thanks to Starlink, ⁤I can track ⁢nearby ​vessels well in advance, bringing‌ a sense of comfort during⁢ rest hours.

The highlight of this journey, however, is undoubtedly the daunting⁢ Mona Passage,​ a subject close to my heart.⁤ Having traversed​ it twice‌ before, I ‍am eager to⁢ discuss my experience and provide some insights into this intriguing stretch of water. But before we delve into that, let’s take a​ closer look‌ at ‌the route I‌ took.

Navigating ⁤through the South Bahamas, I charted a ⁣course that veered North East, then South, followed by a slight shift‌ towards the Northeast before finally⁤ heading Southeast. Losing ​the wind momentarily was‍ a blessing in disguise as it allowed for smoother sailing and ‍fewer tacks. Embracing the East winds—the renowned⁤ trade​ winds in this region—I could⁢ effortlessly motor eastwards until the winds regained their strength, propelling me ‌further South.‍

Oceanography has ‍always‍ fascinated me, and ‍sailing in this ⁤part of the world⁣ certainly amplifies its ‍significance. The offshore and onshore winds, a concept we explore ⁢deeply, became tangible realities during this passage. While such winds aren’t as prevalent in the Bahamas, ⁣the experience in Puerto Rico, with its‌ ocean trenches, was truly awe-inspiring.

Join me as I share my insights while thoroughly enjoying the process of analyzing wind conditions and calculating the ​most optimal sailing routes. Let’s explore the joy I have found in the seemingly mundane calculations‌ and ⁣navigate the depths of the Mona Passage together, ‍unraveling the ‌beauty⁣ and challenges it presents.

-‌ The Journey from the Bahamas to⁤ Puerto Rico: A Recap and Evaluation

– Uneventful Sailing: A Sailor’s Dream ⁤Come True

After sailing for ⁤five and ​a half⁣ days ‍from the Bahamas, I finally reached Puerto Real, Puerto ⁤Rico – a ‍quaint Fisherman’s Village on ‍the west side of the island. As soon as‍ I arrived, I focused on taking care of some boat⁢ projects​ and addressing the rust. One of the first⁣ things I had to do was replace a leaking​ propane tank. On average, ‌these⁤ tanks last about⁣ a month to ⁢a ⁢month and a half, ⁤so finding a new⁣ one was a‍ priority.

Now that I’ve settled in, I wanted to ​provide a⁣ recap of my journey. I⁤ must say, I couldn’t be⁣ happier with​ how uneventful ‍the sailing trip⁣ was. As a sailor living on a boat, having⁢ uneventful days​ at‌ sea is a dream‌ come true. Despite a few⁢ minor hiccups, such as ⁢my non-functional running lights and ‌faulty ‍radar, overall, it was ⁣a smooth‌ journey. Having⁤ AIS (Automatic Identification System) and being ⁢able to track other boats nearby gave me an extra level of confidence while I was sleeping‌ or relaxing. It was‍ a relief to ⁢know that​ there were no boats⁢ in the area. Additionally, my meal prep and my furry companion⁢ Mako performed amazingly well during the passage.⁢ I can’t emphasize enough how pleased I am ​with ‌Mako’s behavior in​ the challenging Mona Passage. ‍

Certainly, I want to delve into more detail about the Mona Passage in future discussions. This was my⁤ second time experiencing this passage, and I can honestly say that I ⁣have no complaints. I ‍thoroughly enjoy planning ⁤my sail routes and calculating the⁢ best angles and‌ distances based⁤ on wind conditions. It was a‍ lot of fun traversing through the South Bahamas,⁤ heading Northeast, ⁤then South, and finally​ a ⁢little Northeast and Southeast. Although ​I did​ lose the wind for a brief period, it actually worked out in my favor as it minimized the⁤ need for ⁢tacking.‍ I took advantage of⁤ motor power to head East temporarily, ⁢and once ⁤the trade winds picked back up from the East,‌ I​ continued my ‌journey South. ‍In the Bahamas, we ‌didn’t ‍encounter offshore and onshore winds as intensely, but in Puerto Rico, it’s quite common, especially near ​the ocean trenches.

– Equipment Challenges and Recommendations for Future Trips

During⁤ the trip from ⁢the Bahamas to Puerto Rico, ‍I‌ encountered a few equipment challenges ⁣and‌ have some recommendations for‍ future trips. One of the challenges‍ I faced was a ⁢leaking propane ⁤tank. ⁣I will be looking for a new‍ tank to replace it. ‍Typically, one tank lasts me ​about a⁢ month​ to a month and⁢ a half. Therefore, ⁣having⁤ a spare‌ tank on board would be‌ beneficial for longer trips.

Another⁢ challenge I ⁤experienced was the malfunctioning of my⁤ running lights. ‍Although they‍ had been working fine the week before, they failed ⁢during the trip. To avoid such‌ situations in the future, I⁤ will ‍make‌ sure ⁢to test all‍ equipment ⁢before setting sail, especially those ⁤needed during nighttime navigation. Additionally, my radar has not been ⁢working since I acquired ⁤the boat. I will be ⁤contacting‌ Garmin to fix⁤ this issue before‌ my​ next ⁤trip.⁣ Having ⁤a functioning radar is crucial for safety and avoiding collisions at sea.

In terms of recommendations for future trips, I highly recommend ‍having AIS (Automatic Identification⁤ System) on board. With ⁤AIS⁢ and a starlink, I ⁢was able‍ to ​track nearby boats in advance,‍ which gave ⁤me a sense⁢ of​ security and peace of mind⁢ while sailing. ⁣Although ⁤AIS mainly displays larger boats, it still ​provides valuable information and ​helps mitigate collision risks.

Furthermore, I am also pleased with my meal preparation during the trip. Being able⁤ to plan and prepare⁢ meals in advance made the journey‌ more ​enjoyable and convenient. Additionally, I⁢ had a​ great experience crossing ‌the⁣ Mona Passage, which involved navigating through different wind directions and speeds. I thoroughly​ enjoyed calculating ⁢the optimal sailing⁣ route and adjusting my course accordingly. Therefore, for future trips, ⁤I recommend sailors to embrace the ⁢fun and challenge of planning‍ their routes and making‍ the most of the prevailing ⁣winds.

Overall, despite a ‍few equipment ‌challenges, my trip from‌ the ‌Bahamas to Puerto ⁢Rico was relatively ⁢uneventful, ⁤which⁤ is a⁤ positive thing for ‍any sailor.‌ I am satisfied with how⁢ my sailboat Mako performed and⁤ had a ‌successful passage through the ‍Mona Passage. Moving forward, I‌ will⁢ continue to address any equipment issues and make necessary improvements‍ for future trips.

– Navigating the Mona ‍Passage: Exciting Adventures ⁣and Lessons Learned

I recently embarked on ⁤an exciting adventure, sailing for five and ‍a ⁣half ​days from⁤ the Bahamas ​to⁤ the charming Fisherman’s⁣ Village ⁢of Puerto Real, Puerto⁢ Rico. Upon reaching ⁢Puerto Rico, I took some time to rest and focus ‌on boat maintenance and repairs. ‍During ​my voyage, I encountered a ​few‌ challenges, but overall, it was a relatively uneventful​ journey, which is⁤ always a good thing for a sailor living on a boat.

While the trip⁣ was⁣ smooth overall,⁣ I did face a couple of issues. One ‌of ‍my propane tanks was leaking, so⁣ I made a note to‌ replace it ⁣as soon as I ⁤could find a new one. I ⁣also had ​some trouble with my running lights and ⁢radar, but despite these setbacks, I managed to navigate ⁣safely using ⁣AIS and starlink technology. These ‍tools provided me​ with ⁢confidence and allowed me to check the‍ position of other boats‍ before they⁢ got ⁤too⁤ close.

Now, let’s talk⁣ about my favorite ‌part of the journey‌ – ⁣the Mona Passage. As a passionate sailor, ‍I love calculating sail routes ⁢and carefully considering wind angles ‍and distances. The Mona Passage ⁢provided a thrilling opportunity to⁤ put ⁤these ⁤skills‍ to the test. Departing from‍ the‍ South Bahamas, I sailed ⁢northeast, ⁤then ⁤south, ⁤and finally southeast, with ​a few detours along the way. Although I briefly lost the wind, it actually worked‌ in⁣ my favor as it meant less tacking and the ‍chance to motor⁤ east for a while. ​Once the east ⁤wind picked up, I was ‍able to ⁤head south again. Learning about offshore and⁤ onshore winds through my studies in oceanography proved invaluable during this journey, as ‍I‍ experienced their effects more ⁣prominently in Puerto ‌Rico than in​ the Bahamas.

Overall, my experience sailing through the Mona Passage was both‍ exciting and⁤ educational. This adventure reminded ​me why I love what I ‌do and ‍the joy I find in navigating the open sea. Despite a few challenges, I​ am proud to ‍say that‌ my trip was a success, and I am looking forward to embarking on further thrilling adventures in⁢ the future. ‌In⁣ conclusion, my ⁣sail offshore from the Bahamas ​to Puerto Rico was a ‍success. After⁤ spending⁢ five ‌and a half days at sea, I finally arrived at Puerto Real, a charming Fisherman’s Village on the west side of ‌the island. During my stay ⁤here, ‌I focused on ‌rust removal and a few boat projects.

Reflecting on the journey, I‍ must say that​ I am incredibly ⁢pleased with⁢ how it went. Despite a minor setback of a leaking propane tank, everything else went smoothly.‍ The trip itself‍ was uneventful, which, as a sailor, ⁤is actually a⁢ great thing. I had no complaints, ‌except for ‌my malfunctioning running lights and radar. However, I’ll ‍be contacting Garmin to fix the issue before setting sail again.

One thing that gave⁣ me a tremendous amount ⁤of ⁢confidence‍ during the voyage was ⁣having AIS and starlink, ‌as it ⁢allowed me ⁢to ​track nearby⁢ boats well in advance. Although AIS⁢ only​ displays larger ⁢vessels, it⁢ still reassured me that I could rest easy knowing there were no close encounters.

Additionally, I‌ can’t help but commend‍ Mako, my ⁤trusty companion, for doing ⁢an outstanding job throughout⁤ the journey. He truly amazed me with his adaptability and ⁤resilience.

Now, let’s talk about the dreaded Mona Passage. This was my second time crossing it, and ‌I have to say that I have no⁤ complaints whatsoever. Planning my⁤ route, calculating wind angles, and observing oceanography was an exhilarating experience for ⁣me. I even enjoyed losing the ⁣wind for a while, as it meant less tacking ⁢and the chance to use my motor. The trade ​winds in ‌the East⁤ made navigation‍ easier and highlighted the unique aspects of offshore ⁢and‌ onshore winds that ‌are more⁢ prominent in this region.

In summary, my sail offshore and experience crossing the Mona Passage⁤ was filled with joy, confidence, and‍ a touch of adventure. Now, ⁤as I continue my journey in ‌Puerto Rico,⁤ I⁢ am excited to explore ⁤the treasures that ⁤this‌ beautiful island has to offer. ⁣Stay​ tuned for more updates and stories from⁢ the high seas!