You get by with a little help from your friends
You get by with a little help from your friends…
The journal
The Log
A keeper’s log of the refit and the miles, kept day by day. The story of bringing a 1975 Hinckley Sou’wester yawl back to the water, and onward to the Great Lakes.
Only 3 years late
Only 3 years late! Finally got around to editing some footage from the Bahamas...
Sometimes I impress myself with my solo ingenuity
Sometimes I impress myself with my solo ingenuity…. Today is one of those days.
Turns out, pigs do fly
Turns out, pigs do fly.
Any guesses on the project du jour
Any guesses on the project du jour?
The process of carefully removing the floor and most of the salon furniture…
The process of carefully removing the floor and most of the salon furniture so I can pull the engine has begun.
48hrs home between 3 weeks in the UK and now 3 weeks in Mexico
48hrs home between 3 weeks in the UK and now 3 weeks in Mexico…. So of course I snuck up to get a jump on some work getting the engine ready to come out.
A friend is sailing to the BVI and asked for my recommendations on what to…
A friend is sailing to the BVI and asked for my recommendations on what to do/see. Since the BVI is one of my favorite places in the world I was happy to drop everything for about…
Got one shot at it, don’t waste it
Got one shot at it, don’t waste it.
Since the diesel is coming out for a full teardown and rebuild next year…
Since the diesel is coming out for a full teardown and rebuild next year, figured let’s get a jump on it with the injectors and injection pump!
3 years late, better than never
3 years late, better than never...
Well
Well. 3 years later seems like enough time to finally start editing some video from the Bahamas trip...
The itch that always needs to be scratched
The itch that always needs to be scratched….
A quick week at home, by July 8 she was hauled out and I was back in the road…
A quick week at home, by July 8 she was hauled out and I was back in the road for work… Refit to begin this winter…
Final days of the trip home. Made Landfall in Chicago on July 1 after several…
Final days of the trip home. Made Landfall in Chicago on July 1 after several days of storms, fog, and more storms on Lake Michigan. We ran straight through all the way to…
June 24 masts went up in Tonawanda and by 4pm we were off the dock and on our…
June 24 masts went up in Tonawanda and by 4pm we were off the dock and on our way to Chicago!
The Erie Canal was a mostly uneventful 6 days of many locks each day
The Erie Canal was a mostly uneventful 6 days of many locks each day. By the end we had climbed over 500ft, and gone through 34 locks.
June 16- First day on the Erie Canal
June 16- First day on the Erie Canal! Only 45 days behind schedule… 6 locks the first day no issues!
West Point, Bald Eagles, Caselton on Hudson. Continued our slow journey north…
West Point, Bald Eagles, Caselton on Hudson. Continued our slow journey north as we wait for the Erie Canal to open. It’s now a month behind schedule…
Peekaboo
Peekaboo!
Sunset over the Fox islands up here in northern Lake Michigan
Sunset over the Fox islands up here in northern Lake Michigan. Plus another great dinner, and a 700ft freighter we crossed in the Manitous….
We are under the mighty Mac
We are under the mighty Mac! Hello Lake Michigan!
Bob Seger once wrote “12 hours out of Mackinaw City…”
Bob Seger once wrote “12 hours out of Mackinaw City…”
This afternoon we pushed on from Grosse Pointe (Hi Naber Clan!) to Port Huron
This afternoon we pushed on from Grosse Pointe (Hi Naber Clan!) to Port Huron.
Lake Erie is in the books
Lake Erie is in the books!
Masts are up
Masts are up!
Spotted by our good friend Amanda after the last lock
Spotted by our good friend Amanda after the last lock!
Crossed Lake Oneiada and made it through lock 24 to Baldwinsville NY. On a…
Crossed Lake Oneiada and made it through lock 24 to Baldwinsville NY. On a nice floating dock with power for the evening!
We are trucking along on the Erie Canal
We are trucking along on the Erie Canal!
To quote Rodney Dangerfield in Caddyshack
To quote Rodney Dangerfield in Caddyshack…
A Timelapse of dropping our masts
A Timelapse of dropping our masts
Day one on the Erie Canal
Day one on the Erie Canal…
It's been a bit since I've done an update
It's been a bit since I've done an update. I'm about a month overdue....
It’s been a really long two days. But both masts are down and secured on…
It’s been a really long two days. But both masts are down and secured on deck. Big big thanks to Joe Kestler for flying out to help!
Sound off in the comments with your questions about cruising, boats, engines…
Sound off in the comments with your questions about cruising, boats, engines, life on the water, etc
Moving our way down Long Island sound closer to the city today
Moving our way down Long Island sound closer to the city today! Storm passed last night with no issue. Hoping it warms up a bit later on.
Happiness come from chasing dreams, and boats. But mainly boats
Happiness come from chasing dreams, and boats. But mainly boats…
The past 10 days have been a marathon preparing Challenge for her first…
The past 10 days have been a marathon preparing Challenge for her first launch in 15 years. She very much lived up to her name...
She lives
She lives! Have put about 30 min on her so far and all temps seem normal, no loss of coolant so our problem has been solved! Hopefully launching tomorrow…
Wrapping up day two of our final prep before the delivery to Chicago
Wrapping up day two of our final prep before the delivery to Chicago. Sorted out many of the electrical issues including the autopilot.
Three 70lb checked bags full of tools and parts... 2 Carry-on bags of…
Three 70lb checked bags full of tools and parts... 2 Carry-on bags of clothes... Headed out to begin the prep and delivery home to Chicago! The adventure begins....
Well, some big progress today
Well, some big progress today.
A few weeks back my father and I went out to Sag Harbor to get some projects…
A few weeks back my father and I went out to Sag Harbor to get some projects done on Challenge before the winter…
Turns out touring just means ironing your wardrobe in different places with…
Turns out touring just means ironing your wardrobe in different places with different backdrops.
I was up in Maine this week for a road rally, which means I had to stop by…
I was up in Maine this week for a road rally, which means I had to stop by Challenge’s home, Hinckley Yachts in Southwest Harbor. Stunning!
“Something bout a boat, sitting on the sea, out there in the wind, floating…
“Something bout a boat, sitting on the sea, out there in the wind, floating on the free” -Jimmy Buffett
Looking forward to being up in SW Harbor next week
Looking forward to being up in SW Harbor next week! Hopefully we get a light show during our visit...
Our thoughts and hearts this week are with all of our friends in Florida who…
Our thoughts and hearts this week are with all of our friends in Florida who are on the path of Milton. We were lucky enough to spend two wonderful months in Florida, and the…
Hi there
Hi there! Its been a while!
In honor of , I invite all of my Chicago and nautical history aficionado…
In honor of , I invite all of my Chicago and nautical history aficionado friends to consider donating to Friends of The Chicago Harbor Lighthouse
Here is a fun blast from the past
Here is a fun blast from the past! If you missed my online Seminar / Q&A last Feb, you can now watch it here! https://youtu.be/Hq4MFUGsVp0
It's a rain day here in Chicago, so I'm catching up on some much-overdue…
It's a rain day here in Chicago, so I'm catching up on some much-overdue video organization and editing.... Here are some clips from the Bahamas in the meantime…
We had a fairly serious moment on the water tonight
We had a fairly serious moment on the water tonight. Luckily we were onboard a well prepared vessel and could render aid quickly and efficiently.
I was really missing diving in that turquoise blue Bahamian water, the…
I was really missing diving in that turquoise blue Bahamian water, the universe heard my cry presented me with a very cool opportunity today….
Adjustment to land life has gone well so far
Adjustment to land life has gone well so far… but the inevitable has happened. After 7 months of never needing keys, I managed to forget them while taking the dogs out this AM…
I‘m a bit over due for an update so here is a long one
I‘m a bit over due for an update so here is a long one…….
Our first dock since….. Sarasota
Our first dock since….. Sarasota? Almost 5 months ago???
We did it Bo
We did it Bo! We are back in the USofA!
Our final Bahamian sunrise. Spent the night anchored off Chub Cay in rollers…
Our final Bahamian sunrise. Spent the night anchored off Chub Cay in rollers the size of Volkswagens… not fun.
Passing Nassau
Passing Nassau!
Well. Our time here in the beautiful Bahamaian waters is drawing to a close
Well. Our time here in the beautiful Bahamaian waters is drawing to a close… Doing some cleaning and last min prep before we head out this afternoon! Hoping to shoot striaght…
Hoppy Easter from Staniel Cay
Hoppy Easter from Staniel Cay! We made a big push yesterday to get up here and catch a weather window to Bimini, well as of this morning that weather window slammed shut. So now…
Well, our time is officially coming to an end here in the wonderful Exumas
Well, our time is officially coming to an end here in the wonderful Exumas....
First time I’ve ever scheduled a haulout for spring
First time I’ve ever scheduled a haulout for spring… usually it’s a launch date!
Helloooooooo
Helloooooooo! It’s been a while! How is everyone??
Our buddy boat @[100075724281391:2048:Explore With Perseverance] just…
Our buddy boat @[100075724281391:2048:Explore With Perseverance] just released a new video today! Check them out if you haven’t yet!
Tonight’s entertainment a live dinghy concert
Tonight’s entertainment a live dinghy concert!
I just realized it has been a bit since I've posted an update
I just realized it has been a bit since I've posted an update! You know what they say, "Time Flies when you're having Rum!"
1 year ago, today: Painting the boat bottom in Waukegan on a cold winter day…
1 year ago, today: Painting the boat bottom in Waukegan on a cold winter day. I’m still surprised at how well this paint has held up in fresh and salt water!
A nice little happy hour here on O’Brien Cay with some fellow blow boaters…
A nice little happy hour here on O’Brien Cay with some fellow blow boaters. We had a birthday in the group tonight! Most of us are headed to Compass Cay tomorrow to so swim with…
After a few days here in Staniel, I get what all the fuss is about
After a few days here in Staniel, I get what all the fuss is about. What a fantastic spot. I could easily see making this my home port next cruising season.
Motored down to Staniel Cay today, time for some fuel and water
Motored down to Staniel Cay today, time for some fuel and water... Another windless day, so the water was unbelievably calm, would be nice to sail but I'll never complain about…
Sunday Funday here in the Exumas
Sunday Funday here in the Exumas....
Happy Saturday
Happy Saturday! We did some sailing today!
Our last day here in Highbourne Cay, headed south tomorrow
Our last day here in Highbourne Cay, headed south tomorrow!
It’s been a quiet two days here off Highbourne Cay
It’s been a quiet two days here off Highbourne Cay. Getting caught up on some work after two days on the move earlier in the week.
We made it
We made it! 30 hours from Bimini to the Exumas!
123 miles and 21 hours later we made it to Nassau
123 miles and 21 hours later we made it to Nassau!
What started as a wonderful sailing day slowly diminished into a motoring…
What started as a wonderful sailing day slowly diminished into a motoring day. All things considered it’s fine by me, I’d rather no wind over night and motoring than too much wind…
Bosun says: Land Ho
Bosun says: Land Ho! 82nm later we are in Alice Town on Bimini! The water has that signature Bahamas Blue and I can’t wait to go diving….
Sun is up
Sun is up! Sails are out! Smiles are on
Next stop: Bimini
Next stop: Bimini!
Weather window shifted a bit over night and a beautiful slot opened up for…
Weather window shifted a bit over night and a beautiful slot opened up for Friday, so we are staying here at Rodriguez key for the day and will cross tomorrow :)
Made it to Rodriguez Key, just off Key Largo for our final night in the US of…
Made it to Rodriguez Key, just off Key Largo for our final night in the US of A!
Well, after a month our time at Boot Key Harbor has come to an end
Well, after a month our time at Boot Key Harbor has come to an end.
Well, we are still in The Villages
Well, we are still in The Villages.. Oops, I mean Boot Key Harbor. Which is essentially The Villages for Sailors (for those who don't know the villages is a massive retirement…
Well, the proverbial cat is out of the spinnaker bag
Well, the proverbial cat is out of the spinnaker bag...
Some pics from the 113th Chicago Yacht Club Race To Mackinac aboard Gypsy in…
Some pics from the 113th Chicago Yacht Club Race To Mackinac aboard Gypsy in 2022
Ahoy
Ahoy!
We don't have groundhogs in the keys, but we do have Conch
We don't have groundhogs in the keys, but we do have Conch.... https://www.cbsnews.com/miami/news/florida-keys-groundhog-conch-sees-shadow/
Reminder
Reminder! Don't forget to register for my interactive talk hosted by Chicago Yacht Club's Nautical Education Committee!
*Disclaimer: This is a long one, skip if you don't want to read approximately…
*Disclaimer: This is a long one, skip if you don't want to read approximately 1 chapter*
Have tools, will travel
Have tools, will travel..
I know I know, I missed a week.... But this episode is a good one
I know I know, I missed a week.... But this episode is a good one! Plenty of shots of the Basenjis and some MAYHEM in a lock! Check it out and let me know your thoughts in the…
Batten down the hatches
Batten down the hatches! Literally!
Thoughts on Marathon after the first 24 hours: Seems like a liveaboard…
Thoughts on Marathon after the first 24 hours: Seems like a liveaboard paradise… and a decent stop for a cruiser if you can get in.
Day 78 Since Leaving Chicago: Key West In Our Wake
Day 78 Since Leaving Chicago: Key West In Our Wake
Here’s some fun news
Here’s some fun news! Join me February 18 for a live discussion via satellite (literally) for one of Chicago Yacht Club’s Nautical Education seminars!
Hope everyone had a great New Years
Hope everyone had a great New Years!
Whoa
Whoa! What a day. Got a call that no cruiser ever wants to get.
Made it to Key West
Made it to Key West!
EPISODE 2: The Solo Mac
EPISODE 2: The Solo Mac Today's youtube video is what we would call a regift... I wanted to keep the videos linear for how the journey of owning Gypsy has gone, so Episode 2 is…
Merry Christmas from Bosun, Hurley, and Myself
Merry Christmas from Bosun, Hurley, and Myself!
It’s still warm here in Sarasota but we are supposed to get a cold snap from…
It’s still warm here in Sarasota but we are supposed to get a cold snap from that storm. So I figured let’s take the warm opportunity to dive and install our zinc, clean the…
Oh boy
Oh boy! What an adventure today….
Day 56: Savor the good days
Day 56: Savor the good days!
Well, I guess YouTube has another obnoxious sailing blogger
Well, I guess YouTube has another obnoxious sailing blogger...
Well it's been a minute since I've put an update out
Well it's been a minute since I've put an update out... Not much has been happening since I got to Long Boat, FL.
Two days into our stay here on Longboat Key, boy is it nice to just drop…
Two days into our stay here on Longboat Key, boy is it nice to just drop anchor and stay put a few days.
A pretty uneventful night crossing the gulf. Wind died down and it got nice…
A pretty uneventful night crossing the gulf. Wind died down and it got nice and flat. Once the moon set the stars we’re pretty spectacular…
Evening crossing update
Evening crossing update
Live Via Satellite
Live Via Satellite
Headed offshore for the 200nm crossing to Tampa
Headed offshore for the 200nm crossing to Tampa. Will be far beyond cell service but you can follow my SPOT Tracker here: https://maps.findmespot.com/s/XGSH#live/assets
Day 38: Short Day, Short Update
Day 38: Short Day, Short Update
Days 36 & 37: When to trust your gut & why you have to really understand…
Days 36 & 37: When to trust your gut & why you have to really understand weather forecasts before going off shore...
Day 34: Dolphins, Low Bridges, and a nice anchorage
Day 34: Dolphins, Low Bridges, and a nice anchorage…
Day 34: Sails go up, smiles come out
Day 34: Sails go up, smiles come out...
Today’s moment of zen
Today’s moment of zen.
(Post is a day late, oops)
(Post is a day late, oops) Day 32: We made it to Salt Water!
Day 31: Happy Thanksgiving from The Bayou
Day 31: Happy Thanksgiving from The Bayou!
Happy Thanksgiving
Happy Thanksgiving!
DAY 30
DAY 30! Yay! One full month of living on the rivers
Day 29: Our longest in distance and duration
Day 29: Our longest in distance and duration!
Day 28: The Metropolis of Demopolis
Day 28: The Metropolis of Demopolis!
Days 26 & 27: Sweet Home Alabama
Days 26 & 27: Sweet Home Alabama
Day 25: Water is in fact, wet
Day 25: Water is in fact, wet.
Well, I certainly have no shortage of content from this trip so far
Well, I certainly have no shortage of content from this trip so far..
Diving in the Tennessee-tombigbee waterway was NOT a square I was…
Diving in the Tennessee-tombigbee waterway was NOT a square I was particularly excited to color in on the bingo card that is my life today…
Ok Mother Nature any time you want to warm up just feel free to do so
Ok Mother Nature any time you want to warm up just feel free to do so
Day 24 or: How I Learned To Stop Worrying and Love the Space Heater
Day 24 or: How I Learned To Stop Worrying and Love the Space Heater
Day 23: A brief history of the Tennessee-Tombigbee Waterway
Day 23: A brief history of the Tennessee-Tombigbee Waterway
Day 22: That was short
Day 22: That was short! But we did cross 2 state borders in 7 miles...
Day 21
Day 21? I think?
Day 20: Wow
Day 20: Wow! 20 Days on the rivers!
We stayed put today
We stayed put today. It was cold but no snow here at Cuba Landing, but this was about 60 miles north of us at a marina we were at 2 days ago
Day 18: Paris To Cuba in 8 Hours Flat
Day 18: Paris To Cuba in 8 Hours Flat!
Days 16 & 17: Boat Work Day at Green Turtle Bay then off to Paris Landing
Days 16 & 17: Boat Work Day at Green Turtle Bay then off to Paris Landing
Some late photos from the finish line of this year’s Great Lakes Singlehanded…
Some late photos from the finish line of this year’s Great Lakes Singlehanded Society Solo Chicago to Mackinac race where Gypsy and I took 1st in section.
Day 15: Paducah, KY to Green Turtle Bay Marina With a Stowaway
Day 15: Paducah, KY to Green Turtle Bay Marina With a Stowaway
Day 14: Two Full Weeks On The Rivers
Day 14: Two Full Weeks On The Rivers!
Day 13: The End Of Our Mississippi Adventure
Day 13: The End Of Our Mississippi Adventure....
Made it to Olmstead lock for the night
Made it to Olmstead lock for the night. The shoreline here is less than favorable due to the low water
Fresh shipment of dinosaur juice headed north from Galveston
Fresh shipment of dinosaur juice headed north from Galveston!
Day 12: Cape Girardeau, MO - Our longest distance day yet
Day 12: Cape Girardeau, MO - Our longest distance day yet!
Day 11: A short windy hop to Kaskaskia Lock
Day 11: A short windy hop to Kaskaskia Lock
Day 10: The Mighty Miss
Day 10: The Mighty Miss
Greetings from St. Louis
Greetings from St. Louis!
Day 9: Bye Bye Illinois River
Day 9: Bye Bye Illinois River!
Checking in from Grafton, IL - Mile Marker 0 for the Illinois River
Checking in from Grafton, IL - Mile Marker 0 for the Illinois River! We are officially on the Mississippi now until Cairo, IL!
Day 8: One full week on the loop and a long 50 mile day
Day 8: One full week on the loop and a long 50 mile day!
Day 7: Happy Halloween from Beardstown, IL
Day 7: Happy Halloween from Beardstown, IL
Day 6: Not much to report today, it was rainy and gloomy most of the day. I…
Day 6: Not much to report today, it was rainy and gloomy most of the day. I was jealous of the dogs who got to spend most of their day down below curled up on the bed…
Day 5: Hennepin, IL to Peoria (Illinois Valley Yacht Club)
Day 5: Hennepin, IL to Peoria (Illinois Valley Yacht Club)
Day 4: Warmest weather yet
Day 4: Warmest weather yet! We had a wonderful and easy day on the Illinois River making our way from Ottawa, IL to Hennepin, IL.
Day 3: The Day I Decided I Will Do a Youtube Channel
Day 3: The Day I Decided I Will Do a Youtube Channel...
Day 2
Day 2.... got an early start in downtown, off the dock just after 6am when the rain stopped. EVERYTHING WAS WET AND COLD. Was an uncomfortably cold morning until almost 11am. Made…
Spotted by some fellow delivery captains waiting on the Lockport lock today
Spotted by some fellow delivery captains waiting on the Lockport lock today!
Nebo has this sweet auto-logging function, makes it easy to keep track of…
Nebo has this sweet auto-logging function, makes it easy to keep track of info like hours underway, distance, average speed, etc....
A very wet and foggy day one on our trip
A very wet and foggy day one on our trip!
Jerry cans are full, mast is down, laundry is done, galley is stocked
Jerry cans are full, mast is down, laundry is done, galley is stocked.
The mast is down
The mast is down! Thank you everyone who helped, now off to a black tie wedding!