This is a test post from our satphone. It’s a new feature we’re calling FTBLIVE where we post an image, live from our satphone, to our blog. It is automatically forwarded to the followtheboat Facebook page. Feel free to comment
Test satellite phone blog post Read Post »
With big increases in traffic and subscriptions we’re dedicating more time into making your visit to followtheboat hassle-free and fast. Come and have a look!
FOLLOWTHEBOAT IS SECURE (AND IT LOADS FASTER) Read Post »
Less than a year ago, we were in the mostly unexplored Anambas islands enjoying these kinds of sunsets. If you haven’t already watched our videos about this little known part of the world, click on the image below to watch our Anambas Adventure.
SAILBOAT SUNSET: THIS IS WHY WE DO IT! Read Post »
In the conclusion to our series of articles about SY Esper’s complete refit in Thailand for Sailing Today, we set out the costs for the whole project. Was it worth it? When we limped into Malaysia, SY Esper was in pretty bad shape. Equipment needed replacing and she leaked like a sieve. We had three options…
SAILBOAT REFIT Pt 5: CONCLUSION & COSTS Read Post »
The refit of SY Esper in Satun, Thailand, was extensive but perhaps the most complex aspect was the rewiring, which included the installation of a new navigation system, new lighting and additional circuits.
SAILBOAT REFIT Pt 4: ELECTRICS & ELECTRONICS Read Post »
One of the reasons for our visit to PSS boatyard in Satun, Thailand, was to determine what course of action we needed to take to tackle osmosis in our Oyster 435. We had dealt with the biggest blisters in the Maldives, but knew there was more work to do…
SAILBOAT REFIT Pt 3: HULL & MACHINE SHOP Read Post »
What do you do when the painters are spraying the top coat in the cockpit? Get off the boat, of course! For the duration of our time hauled out, we are staying on SY Esper. Uncomfortable at the best of times, it can become downright impossible sometimes.
CAN YOU WORK OUT WHERE WE’VE BEEN SHOPPING? Read Post »
We’re putting a hard dodger on Esper because we need to stay dry and warm during our easterly trip across the Pacific to Alaska and Canada. It will spoil her lines, but comfort wins out over beauty every time on a sailboat!
REMOVING OUR NEW COCKPIT ‘SHED’! Read Post »
Krabi Boat Lagoon in Thailand, all shot from a bicycle! It’s a lovely spot to work on the boat… Shot at 60fps in the EM5’s ‘flat’ picture profile with minor adjustments, continual AF, auto white balance using the Zhiyun Crane (Mk2).
A TOUR OF KRABI BOAT LAGOON MARINA Read Post »
Every April, Thailand celebrates its new year by descending into a watery chaos with a water carnival known as สงกรานต์ (Songkran). From the smallest child to the oldest inhabitant, irrespective of religious or cultural background, everyone takes to the street.
สุขสันต์วันสงกรานต์ HAPPY SONGKRAN (THAI NEW YEAR) KRABI 2018! Read Post »
We crossed everything as John began checking for osmosis, and tapped his way round the hull. The engine had all its boxes ticked and our safety equipment was given the thumbs up. So far, so good. But when he reached the shaft, the surveyor found something we weren’t expecting…
SY ESPER HAS HER FIRST VALUATION SURVEY IN 14 YEARS! Read Post »
We took leisurely day-hops along the coast, and anchored when the sea-state allowed us. All went pretty smoothly until we dropped the hook just before Pangkor in the open water. A local fishing boat released his floats and disappeared back to land, leaving the long line and net to drift straight onto SY Esper!
SAILBOAT CAUGHT IN A FISHING NET! Read Post »
At times we were barely making 1kt. With no bolt holes along the coast of Malaysia, and a hostile shore along Sumatra, it wasn’t safe to drop the anchor to wait out the weather.
THE LONGEST NIGHT SAIL OF OUR LIVES! Read Post »
Monsoons, typhoons, pirates, currents and fog are all going to conspire to make this a difficult passage, so it’s up to us to work out the best way to get from Malaysia to the PNW via Japan!
HOW TO PASSAGE PLAN THROUGH PIRATES & TYPHOONS! Read Post »
This is our 100th episode on YouTube since the first vlog after our refit, published on 9 May 2015. Back then Jamie was tackling the usual boat chores, Liz wasn’t catching any fish, Millie was thinner and the weather was still hot…
CLOSE ENCOUNTERS IN SINGAPORE’S SHIPPING LANES! Read Post »
