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Hey hey fam!  Here's an update we filmed for you guys now that we're back in action and on the move!  As we mention in the video, we are going to do another Q&A all about preparing for an ocean crossing, so you can leave your questions in the comments here and we will put them all together and answer them all in a video that we will share with you :).  Also if you have any other requests for topics of future Q&A's you can leave those in the comments as well!

Hope everyone is having a great week, and we are looking forward to seeing all your questions!

Big hugs from all of us,

Brian, Kazza, & Sierra

Files

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Real Time Patron's Only Update February 22, 2023

Comments

The Bumbling Sailor

Awesome update. I'd find a passage planning video really useful. Whether you use any paper charts any more, what the law is regarding that (I don't have any charts or a modern chartplotter, and can afford neither, so am hoping ipad/laptop/phone is sufficient for me to get going!). Would love to hear about weather planning for passages that extend beyond 'reliable' weather forecasts. As I'm at the beginning of my journey, I'm interested in the basics too, like storm tactics, heaving to etc etc, when to say 'enough is enough' and just hunker down and wait it out, and the decision making that goes into it. Basically I'm interested in everything. Sorry. 😂😂

SV Trippin'

Thanks for the update, enjoy paradise even if you are covered in oil

Nate

Delos is sailing again…all is right in the world. Safe travels!

Michael Gentile

Congrats guys, enjoy the time with Brady. Safe travels on the passage. Can’t wait for the Q & A

Mark Hubbard

Great update, thanks! Passage planning on this scale: I'd love to know how you're forecasting current / prevailing wind impacts; how do you gauge safety margins for food and water; how do you identify critical spares (especially given impact of vane / pilot failures on the current Golden Globe race); what might you need to plan for given your previous experience of the pacific islands and availability of general provisions / equipment there; how do you prepare for sail repair. Think that's it!

Sadie Johnson

I would love to hear more about passage choosing (not necessarily planning). You guys know you want to go to the South Pacific, is the next step that you reference well worn passage routes or do you think “what islands do we want to hit on our way there”? That probably sounds really elementary but I’d love to know (in case I ever really do decide that I want to do a Pacific circle).

Renee Deemter

Hi Brian, Kazza and Nugget! I love your videos and want to thank you for bringing us all along on your beautiful adventure! I do have one question. When making such a long passage, since you have Sierra now, do you tend to take on extra crew to help? Much love and fair winds, Renee

Doug Walton

Great idea... a video showing your planning for a crossing would be super. A suggestion: Do a detailed educational video and possibly sell it. You guys doing that would be a lot more helpful than reading a book, which I've read many.

Bonne Mike

Spirits are high there. Glad to see everyone happy and healthy. You both should watch your first Pacific crossing videos to remember what you forgot .. and wish that you had with you, check the rigging well. No one needs to tell the Great captain .... Semper Paratus! Store your party supplies well .... and as always ... keep 'em flyin.

The Crew

Ready for your trip and all the awsome footage you guys are going to capture, I found a Amel ship that I am highly considering to buy just working out my planning at this point. Ready for an adventure of my own only 22 months to go till I am ready and set for it all. Delos family you guys have been nothing but great sharing your adventures and life on your Amel that it really hits home in the heart when you show me what life is like on the water cannot wait to meet you all one day soon. Till then enjoy what you have god bless and keep living with happy spirits.

Andy Klevorn

I'd like to hear how you use Predict Wind to time your departure and then what route you're going to take. Fair winds.

Mitchell Culp II

Ahhh!! This video just made my nanny heart full!! I’m so happy she still loves her Fishy! I’m so proud she can say “fishy” in English now!! I miss her so much! Tell her Miss Sara loves her!! 💗🥲

Nick Duckstein

Great video! I'm so glad to hear about how you pushed back on the port. Two weeks ago when teaching I skipped the whole safety briefing so we could get out of Costa Baja Marina in La Paz. We just went and anchored around the corner but if we hadn't done that we would have been stuck in the marina the entire week!! School boats can't do what you did because they'll take the slip away and revoke their ability to teach down here. I'd love to hear about your crossing plans and expectations. The way I look at it is that it's not that you can avoid all the bad weather, but more that you can avoid the worst of it. It would be great if you could talk about that a bit. Based on one of your previous videos I purchased the Professional Version of PredictWind for the Weather Routing, Departure Planning, and sea states. One can't learn enough about how you use that app. I think another thing that would be interesting for people to hear is how you think about not just what the winds are going to be, but the sea states. I'm from Seattle/Bellingham like you and until I came down here, and people are used to 30-40 knot winds but have never really experienced significant sea states. If one is going to do that comfortably, it requires something other than a coastal cruiser. For people that have only chartered, they probably have never been on a more blue water capable boat like yours. I'm in La Paz through Saturday night. If you and or Brady are around for a beverage or meal, I would love to meet you. I'll also be out teaching starting Sunday on a 46' Dufour called Imagine if we happen to cross paths. That would be quite the coo for me and my class.

David Levine

It makes me so happy to see you guys back on the water and smiling! Bahia Concepcion? Hot springs? I'm guessing you're anchored right near Playa Santispac, one of my favorite places when I did a Baja road trip many years ago. So beautiful!

Liz Boettcher

Hi All! Great to see you back on the water. Excited to hear you will be meeting up with Brady! I wonder if they implemented the high wind closer because a few kayakers (2) went missing at sea back in Nov and a fishing boat (7) went missing in Dec...?

SV Mojo

Breeyawn, since this will be your 2nd Pacific Crossing what will be the 3 big differences from the first one. Kaza, what part are you most looking forward to, and concerned about?

Tim and Kelsey

That's wild they tried to keep you in the harbor. Stoked you're free again and enjoy the sail South. Glad we got to see Delos in the sling before you left. Cheers!

Bruce Byrnes

Congrats on being back on the water and thanks for the great update. When you do the planning video, I would love to hear how you plan your provisioning for such a long passage. Thanks. Safe sailing!

Kevin Ady

Is there anything you no longer provision that you did before you were highly experienced? What kinds of items do you include now that you didn't think to include in the early days?

Gucci Pilot

Thanks for the update! Speaking of provisioning, I would love to see your thought process of what to buy at your current anchorage that you may not be able to purchase in more austere locations (parts, food, Brian's booze, etc). Also, what do you stock up on to keep yourselves entertained on long passages? -Darin

Jeff Fischer

A very minor question, but: Did you put more solar panels on? Specifically, in the gap behind the satellite dome? Sorry if I just missed that.

Robby Lafont

How is that forward facing sonar working for you?

Ashley Simms

Great video! So glad to see you guys out on the water again. Can’t wait to see what this season holds!

Claude Robert Bryant

are you taking a new passager (2) with you to help with Nugget and share the watch schedule on the transit to the south Pacific?

SV Raven

Us too! I’d love for Kazza to share her Provisioning Lists if she hasn’t already. I might have missed it if they’re up on the website.

SV Raven

As newbies to the sailing family we would love to know all the things! Hoping that you and Brady and Blue cross paths soon! Love to you all! Morgan & Darren SV/Raven

Brian in Boston

How does Delos and crew utilize digital services (like Predict Wind), and what backups do you use when these are not available. Also, what resources do you use to research which islands you decide to visit. Looking forward to watching the next big passage!

Sailing SV Delos

Yeah it will be so cool to capture French Polynesia this time around since our filming was all over the place back then. And that's so amazing you found an Amel you like, 22 months will fly by in the blink of an eye as you prepare for the next big chapter!

Sailing SV Delos

Hey Nick, Yeah I heard they closed thing up in La Paz at 20 knots. Is that correct? Oh man that's when we just really start to get powered up! We actually just sailed to San Juanico yesterday and will move down to Loreto in a few days. So we're still at least a week or two from La Paz. Hope you're still around there when we arrive to say hi!

Sailing SV Delos

Si si si! The hot springs were pumping and we spent every morning in there. So fricking awesome and good for the soul. Hope all is well David and good to see you again.

Sailing SV Delos

Yeah, I dunno! I heard about that fishing boat. It's truly sad but to be honest many of them looked like they shouldn't leave port even in flat calm conditions....

Sailing SV Delos

Hey Jeff! Actually we haven't yet. We just replaced the older 300W ones on the two sides. The interesting thing is the 400W ones are nearly identical in size so more bang for the space. Unfortunately there's no coverage in the South Pacific so before leaving Mexico we'll be pulling the dome off. We have a third panel to put in it's place so we'll have lot's of solar but lacking in the internet. Oh well, can't win them all!

Sailing SV Delos

So far I've used it pulling into two anchorages and I have to say it's pretty cool. I can see 2-3 boat lengths in front of Delos so I think it will work great when moving slowly into shallow anchorages that aren't well charted, or crossing shallow river bars and stuff like that. So far everything has been deep where we've been but it's given my the confidence that the system is working and I like it!

Nick Duckstein

Sometimes they close it at 15kts! I'm told it is a call from Mexico City so it might be some guy looking at a weather forecast without really being here first hand to see what is going on. It's more about the sea states that get generated from the large 400 mile fetch coming down the Sea of Cortez than the actual winds and I get how that is dangerous for the pangas carrying tourist. What they really need to do is 1) Not apply the closure to all boats and 2) Fund the coast guard appropriately. But this is Mexico so not holding my breath on that. When you get out on a sailboat and they close the port, you have the place to yourself :-) Ping me on your way down. I'll be out teaching on Imagine through Mar 10.

Jeff Fischer

So a follow-up question then (and thanks for the response earlier): If you won't have Viasat coverage in the South Pacific, have you considered switching over to the Starlink system, or would you have the same problem there? (Add it to the list if you like.)

SV Mojo

What cruising guides have you been using?

Tim S

How do you handle boat insurance? Do you end up shopping new companies every year based on the waters you will be in, or have you found the magic company that provides true blue water coverage? Seems US documented boats have come out of favor for Lloyd's and other companies... thanks.

Michael Wilke

Do you take extra water on board or fully rely on the Watermaker? We have no watermaker yet but 1,000l of fresh water tanks

Joan Peterson

Hey! Just wondering how many crew you'll be taking on for the Pacific crossing? Can we expect any seasoned former Delos crew members?

Gucci Pilot

Kazza, how do you prepare Sierra's "schoolwork" before you go on a long passage? What does a toddler's boat education look like? Do you follow any curricula or plan? You've mentioned that you want her to be bilingual. How much of a challenge has that been? Thanks, Darin

Lowell McCormick

What are the sailing seasons in different parts of the world?

Scott C. Wise

I am wondering where you will be headed first? Also, will you steer clear of the South China Sea? You could get some exciting content sailing there. Yea, there are these new islands that have popped up out of the sea and it could be fun to visit one. ; - )

Shannon Stone

Weather and where you get your information about it and how to pick a route is great topic! I have tons to learn :) Feel free to throw in basic sailing info too, wind direction and sail angle…, my husband grew up sailing and knows so much more than I do but I’m going to catch up one of these days … years 🥰💕! Any favorite boat drinks these days? I don’t recommend adding cumin and a dash black beans to rum, 😂, the absolute grossest drink ever despite being created by my awesome 24 year old son who loves mexican food , have fun, thanks guys!

Sailing SV Delos

Hey Shannon, thanks for the questions we will definitely address a lot about weather and route planning! And as for favorite boat drinks, we've really gotten into Margaritas since we've been in Mexico, and of course one of my all time go to's of rum and coke, and Kazza loves her gin & tonics too! We will take your word on the black bean and cumin drink by the way 😂

Sailing SV Delos

Hey Jeff- just saw this. Actually Starlink does not provide coverage in French Polynesia, or most of the South Pacific yet. I think they cover NZ and Tonga... They did however announce a Global Roaming package that looks interesting. I'm sure it's coming and just a matter of time. Brian

Sailing SV Delos

If you are asking about the Sea of Cortez we really recommend "Sea of Cortez - A Cruisers Guidebook" by Shawn Breeding and Heather Bansmer. That one is really awesome! Not sure about the South Pacific yet!

Sailing SV Delos

Yeah, insurance is getting tougher and tougher especially for US flagged boats. We are currently with Jackline-Markel . They keep on raising the rates and lowering the covered value on us. It's not an ideal situation with insurance, I am actually thinking of changing the flag to something besides US just for this reason. It's really getting out of control unfortunately.

Sailing SV Delos

Hey Shannon, thanks for the questions we will definitely address a lot about weather and route planning! And as for favorite boat drinks, we've really gotten into Margaritas since we've been in Mexico, and of course one of my all time go to's of rum and coke, and Kazza loves her gin & tonics too! We will take your word on the black bean and cumin drink by the way 😂

Tim S

Interesting. They declined to quote me a year ago because I have LiFe04 batteries?

Kendra

I’m interested in knowing how you prepare long passages with that beautiful little nugget

Scurvy Dan

Good for you Brian. you tell them harbor masters what's up. not sure what qualifies someone to be a harbor master. but I'm sure sailing wasn't required.