Navigating through the North Borneo Dangers
Navigating a sailboat through the North Borneo Dangers calls for concentration and planning in the final day of the rally.
Navigating through the North Borneo Dangers Read Post »
rally
Medical kit for a sailboat
We discuss what kind of medical kit and first aid knowledge is needed to be a serious cruiser. A kit should contain medications and wound care treatment.
Medical kit for a sailboat Read Post »
Storm sailing: squall and lightning tactics
We started off from remote Tambisan on a clear day, but as we neared our destination a squall developed, rapidly turning into a storm with gale force winds.
Storm sailing: squall and lightning tactics Read Post »
Would YOU join a sailboat rally?
We continue the Sabah Rally along Borneo’s northernmost tip with some joyful lightwind sailing. And we answer some of your questions, including who won the rally?
Would YOU join a sailboat rally? Read Post »
Our videos are back and we’re going DAILY!
We’re back, and we’ve got two weeks of daily videos coming up. This is the first of 12, so if you want to see them all NOW come and join us on FTBMates for as little as $2 a month…
Our videos are back and we’re going DAILY! Read Post »
Getting to know the sea gypsies of Sabah
The Bajau Laut are stateless people, tolerated by Sabah and some of the Philippine islands but with no access to education or healthcare. It’s a simple life of fishing and bartering, and the people (despite how little they have in terms of ‘first world’ materialism) are a close and seemingly happy community.
Getting to know the sea gypsies of Sabah Read Post »
5 Reasons To Sail Around The World
Starting with a fun evening meeting local people, then venturing to the Blue Ring to dive and coping with engine issues, this episode lists our compelling reasons for sailing around the world.
5 Reasons To Sail Around The World Read Post »
Night watch in the pirate zone
We sailed 50 miles towards the pirate zone and straight back to night watches. This meant that after several days of freedom in the jungle, Esper had the ‘graveyard shift’ from 01:00 till dawn.
Night watch in the pirate zone Read Post »
Running aground, sailing defensively, catching big fish!
Liz catches her biggest fish. And we find a stunning anchorage. But it is narrow. And there’s a shifting sand bar beneath murky waters right in the middle…
Running aground, sailing defensively, catching big fish! Read Post »
What’s it like to sail with an armed escort?
It became apparent that we were very much part of the team and expected to keep to the protocols set by ESSCOM. As mariners it was our job to maximise safety at all times and keep them up to speed on what was happening. We share those protocols with you here.
What’s it like to sail with an armed escort? Read Post »
Goodbye jungle hello pirates
This week, we head back towards the pirates (hitting submerged logs, dodging debris, running aground and navigating shallow water on the way). But first we have one more night in the Kinabatangan River.
Goodbye jungle hello pirates Read Post »
Searching for Borneo’s pygmy elephants
Our chances of seeing them were deemed to be low by local experts who told us that they had headed hundreds of miles away. No guided tours were on offer. Undaunted and with the fatalism of all seafarers, we headed off to look for them in the small tributaries of the river.
Searching for Borneo’s pygmy elephants Read Post »
Sailing into the jungle
The Kinabatangan River, at 342 miles, is the second longest river in Malaysia. Bordered by mangroves, rain forest, limestone caves and swamps, it’s like nowhere we have sailed before.
Sailing into the jungle Read Post »
Turtle Islands and nightmare squalls
When a second squall followed behind the first, all six rally boats turned 180 degrees and were pushed towards the reef. Boats began dragging in the soft sand and one of our number motored deeper to escape the danger.
Turtle Islands and nightmare squalls Read Post »
Sitting ducks in the pirate zone
Imagine how you would feel if you had to make an emergency stop in high risk seas and became sitting ducks on your sailboat. That’s what happened to us and it was a tense moment for all the boats.
Sitting ducks in the pirate zone Read Post »