Swan 48 Bella Luna tour and sailing adventure series

[drakeParagon]

Originally Posted by eherlihy

Another great video!

Why did Captain AJ not yet pop the jib?

Hi Eherlihy,
We discovered some chafe on the jib sheet furling line. AJ didn't want to sail with the jib only partially deployed because it would put extra strain on the jib furling line. We either sailed with full jib or no jib. But even when sailing with just the main, we were often maintaining speed over 9-10 knots, which for me was mind-blowing (I normally sail a heavy full keel Westsail 42, nowhere near as fast or maneuverable as the Swan 48.) We made the 1,500+ nautical miles sail in less than 10 days. Fastest boat I've ever sailed on.
Happy sailing,
DrakeParagon

[drakeParagon]

Hi guys,

I just posted the next episode of 'Sailing Swan 48 Bella Luna from Georgia to Saint Martin'

Episode 5: 1,500 miles to Tortola, Days 2-3

Swan 48 'Bella Luna' continues her 1,500 nautical mile voyage to Tortola with captain AJ Smith and crew Drake Roberts and Monique Davis aboard. They enjoy their first dinner at sea, try to catch a fish, and discuss the importance of sunscreen at sea. They get a little spooked in the Bermuda triangle when they see something mysterious underneath the surface of the water. On their 3rd day at sea they are then joined by a pod of dolphins riding their bow wave.

5. 1,500 miles to Tortola, Days 2-3 - Swan 48 Bella Luna - YouTube

I hope it's interesting and would love to hear what anyone thinks of the video.
I'd especially appreciate any comments or suggestions for making this or future videos more interesting, exciting, educational, or better in any way.

Thanks!

Happy sailing,

DrakeParagon

[jackdale]

Nice. Dolphins and porpoises are so nice in those conditions.

Beam reach must be nice. We tend to come out Hawaii close hauled. for 8-10 days before we pick up the westerlies, then broad reach home, if we are lucky. That happened in 2000, but 2010 we were hard on the wind most of the way, handsteering with no dodger. This time we will have a dodger.

[drakeParagon]

Hi everyone,

Here's the next episode of 'Sailing Swan 48 Bella Luna 1,500 nautical miles from Georgia to Saint Martin'

Episode 6: Days 3-4

Drake hand steers by watching the tell tales and windex. Monique and Drake discuss how to determine if you're on a collision course. Captain AJ demonstrates how to tie a variety of knots.

6. 1,500 miles to Tortola, Days 3-4 - Swan 48 Bella Luna - YouTube

6. 1,500 miles to Tortola, Days 3-4 - Swan 48 Bella Luna - YouTube

As always, we really appreciate any comments or suggestions for making our videos more interesting, exciting, educational, or better in any way.

Thanks!

Happy sailing,

DrakeParagon

[jackdale]

Nice lessons on knots. I also like the collision avoidance tips, although I like to use a hand bearing compass.

I need to find to time to shot some video over my shoulder to show how to tie the knot from the perspective of the person tying the knot. I might find an opportunity next month as I am running course for some other instructors while sailing around Vancouver Island.

Keep up the great work. I am still forwarding them to my delivery crew.

Jack

[smackdaddy]

Drake, you and Mo have a gift. I'll be scrubbing this one back and forth for the knot tying seminar. Thank AJ for us.

And JD, that's a great idea to do the first person knot seminar.

Sailnet freakin' rocks!

[eherlihy]

Another great video!

I am impressed with Captain AJ. He seems both knowledgeable and patient. I have said this before, but I like that you have Monique's perspective as a newbie, and yours, as the experienced crew. This make the series of videos appropriate to a wider audience.

Something that you did not capture, that I would be interested in, are some of the more mundane tasks, like cooking, cleaning, and maintenance of the boat while under way.

Keep them coming.

[drakeParagon]

Originally Posted by eherlihy

Another great video!

I am impressed with Captain AJ. He seems both knowledgeable and patient. I have said this before, but I like that you have Monique's perspective as a newbie, and yours, as the experienced crew. This make the series of videos appropriate to a wider audience.

Something that you did not capture, that I would be interested in, are some of the more mundane tasks, like cooking, cleaning, and maintenance of the boat while under way.

Keep them coming.

Thanks! I think it's so wonderful that Monique is new to sailing. I've been cruising and living aboard sailboats for many years. So it's really cool to see it all again through the eyes of someone who is just discovering the very things that I fell in love with. It reminds me of why I got into sailing in the first place!

We hope that our next voyage documentary series will be aboard our own sailboat 'Paragon' (Westsail 42) as we sail from North Carolina to Boston, stopping everywhere on the way.

We really appreciate the feedback! I look forward to filming the every day life stuff - cooking, cleaning, shopping, and lots of maintenance projects.

Happy sailing,

Drake

[drakeParagon]

Hi everyone,

Here's the next episode of 'Sailing Swan 48 Bella Luna 1,500 nautical miles from Georgia to Saint Martin'

Days 5-6 - They see the most amazing sunset and sunrise, and use a goPro kite camera to shoot footage of the sailboat from the sky!

7. 1,500 miles to Tortola, Days 5-6 - Swan 48 Bella Luna - GoPro Kitecam ! - YouTube

7. 1,500 miles to Tortola, Days 5-6 - Swan 48 Bella Luna - GoPro Kitecam ! - YouTube

As always, we really appreciate any comments or suggestions for making our videos more interesting, exciting, educational, or better in any way.

Thanks!

Happy sailing,

DrakeParagon

[eSailor]

great videos. Keep up the good work.