@ sailingcruiser25 - I've heard that cruisers sail all over the world and stay in the most wonderful and exotic ports to spend most of our time ***repairing and maintaining their boats*** The work never ends.. I don't think anything can voyage the worlds oceans in a small sailboat without thriving on the challenge of keeping everything working.. and as Eric Forsyth says - it's the challenges of dealing with unanticipated problems that 'keeps you young...' :) I like the Perry Tashing Panda 40!
Drake, I have watched all your videos and I have a question. What do you think is the percentage of breakdowns on a cruising trip. My wife and I are looking to purchase a Tashing Panda 40 and it seems that when on a trip something always breaks or you talk with someone that has had troubles. I'm not saying that yours or any other boat is not kept up, but just more wondering your thoughts and is it due to the probability of getting stuck in storm conditions putting added stress on the boat?
Thank-you for posting :) This is great learning documentary. Especially for those of us who dram and plan into getting into this cruiser/liveaboard liveaboard lifestyle. Lesson here is one should have back-up plans and some money in the bank for emergencies or you can loose your boat. I think you might be able to add more to our education. I'm not sure if I would want to do this single hand sailing. Thanks again
your account of this event, has me marveling at your magnanimous response to other peoples irresponsibility. I applaud you captain for your willingness to help in the face of great danger. However, be advised that fatigue is the greatest enemy of the courageous.
@gargardens, Thank you! I can't wait to someday make a video tour of Paragon... I'm so proud of all that we've done for Paragon over the past two years of rebuilding her. Better... Stronger... Faster... We plan to push off from North Carolina in the Spring, headed for Boston... and a new video series begins... To boldly go!! :) Thanks again! Fair winds, calm seas and happy sailing, Drake
Well done. Awfully sorry you sustained such damage with no hope of restitution but very pleased you are still at it. Hope Paragon is put back together even better than before.
@sailingcruiser25, Thank you. And yes, boy did I sleep after getting the anchor down in Bermuda! :) Thanks for watching and commenting, and HAPPY NEW YEAR 2012! Drake
It's so important to lend assistance if needed and you did the right thing. Sorry about the damage to your boat during the process. By the end of your 6th video you look so exhausted and just done with it. I hope when you got to Bermuda that you had a couple of stiff drinks and slept for about a good 12 hours. Too bad they basically had to give up their boat in Rhode Island.
Hi Mainsail38, Thank you! I'm glad you're enjoying the videos.. Many more on the way! :)
Wow, Cha Cha's apparently abandoned at anchor in Newport? Sounds horrible. I hope she doesn't drag anchor and damage anything else. I feel sorry for that boat..
Big Kudos to you Paragon! Love your videos. As I write this (12-19-11), Cha Cha is the only boat left anchored in Newport RI. Cha Cha, now apparently abandoned, could ruin the cool low key anchoring scene here. Wonderful to hear there's a huge silver lining to your story in finding your woman! Fair winds and following seas
Dude. Although it didn't work out so well, I thoroughly applaud you for not leaving a fellow sailor adrift. I'll be watching for you on the east coast as we regularly visit between Charleston and the Keyes, and I hope if I'm ever in distress, you're the vessel we encounter.
Thanks for the comment! Titan 14 towed Cha Cha the remaining 15 miles to the harbor entrance. Then the Bermuda coast pilot towed Cha Cha to dropping anchor in St. George's harbor. My SS bowsprit was totaled, but got me to the Caribbean for the Winter and then back to North Carolina for repairs. I'm having a new bowsprit made, shipped from CA to NC will use a boat yard crane to install it... I lived on a W32 for 6 years.. What kind of boat do you have?
@ sailingcruiser25 - I've heard that cruisers sail all over the world and stay in the most wonderful and exotic ports to spend most of our time ***repairing and maintaining their boats*** The work never ends.. I don't think anything can voyage the worlds oceans in a small sailboat without thriving on the challenge of keeping everything working.. and as Eric Forsyth says - it's the challenges of dealing with unanticipated problems that 'keeps you young...' :) I like the Perry Tashing Panda 40!
drakeParagon 1 week ago
Drake, I have watched all your videos and I have a question. What do you think is the percentage of breakdowns on a cruising trip. My wife and I are looking to purchase a Tashing Panda 40 and it seems that when on a trip something always breaks or you talk with someone that has had troubles. I'm not saying that yours or any other boat is not kept up, but just more wondering your thoughts and is it due to the probability of getting stuck in storm conditions putting added stress on the boat?
sailingcruiser25 1 week ago
Thank-you for posting :) This is great learning documentary. Especially for those of us who dram and plan into getting into this cruiser/liveaboard liveaboard lifestyle. Lesson here is one should have back-up plans and some money in the bank for emergencies or you can loose your boat. I think you might be able to add more to our education. I'm not sure if I would want to do this single hand sailing. Thanks again
Ekowal1965 1 week ago
your account of this event, has me marveling at your magnanimous response to other peoples irresponsibility. I applaud you captain for your willingness to help in the face of great danger. However, be advised that fatigue is the greatest enemy of the courageous.
highwatercircutrider 3 weeks ago
@gboase - I don't know... :(
drakeParagon 1 month ago
I've run into a few "Cha Cha" owners in my life. Made me wonder what they were thinking trying to make an open ocean crossing.
gboase 1 month ago
@gargardens, Thank you! I can't wait to someday make a video tour of Paragon... I'm so proud of all that we've done for Paragon over the past two years of rebuilding her. Better... Stronger... Faster... We plan to push off from North Carolina in the Spring, headed for Boston... and a new video series begins... To boldly go!! :) Thanks again! Fair winds, calm seas and happy sailing, Drake
drakeParagon 1 month ago
Well done. Awfully sorry you sustained such damage with no hope of restitution but very pleased you are still at it. Hope Paragon is put back together even better than before.
Regards, Gary
garygardens 1 month ago
@sailingcruiser25, Thank you. And yes, boy did I sleep after getting the anchor down in Bermuda! :) Thanks for watching and commenting, and HAPPY NEW YEAR 2012! Drake
drakeParagon 1 month ago
It's so important to lend assistance if needed and you did the right thing. Sorry about the damage to your boat during the process. By the end of your 6th video you look so exhausted and just done with it. I hope when you got to Bermuda that you had a couple of stiff drinks and slept for about a good 12 hours. Too bad they basically had to give up their boat in Rhode Island.
sailingcruiser25 1 month ago
Hi Mainsail38, Thank you! I'm glad you're enjoying the videos.. Many more on the way! :)
Wow, Cha Cha's apparently abandoned at anchor in Newport? Sounds horrible. I hope she doesn't drag anchor and damage anything else. I feel sorry for that boat..
drakeParagon 2 months ago
Big Kudos to you Paragon! Love your videos. As I write this (12-19-11), Cha Cha is the only boat left anchored in Newport RI. Cha Cha, now apparently abandoned, could ruin the cool low key anchoring scene here. Wonderful to hear there's a huge silver lining to your story in finding your woman! Fair winds and following seas
MAINSAIL38 2 months ago
Great video, it's a shame it ended in such an unfortunate accident for you. Kudos on not leaving the guy adrift at sea.
paveltrue 2 months ago
Dude. Although it didn't work out so well, I thoroughly applaud you for not leaving a fellow sailor adrift. I'll be watching for you on the east coast as we regularly visit between Charleston and the Keyes, and I hope if I'm ever in distress, you're the vessel we encounter.
ChristianSailing 6 months ago
Hmph, sounds like you had a hell of an adventure on that trip man. Sucks about the massive repair bill.
You should do more vids like these, (maybe without all the damage to your boat though,) you're great at narrating and showing the life at sea...
TheDamnSpot 11 months ago
Thanks for the comment! Titan 14 towed Cha Cha the remaining 15 miles to the harbor entrance. Then the Bermuda coast pilot towed Cha Cha to dropping anchor in St. George's harbor. My SS bowsprit was totaled, but got me to the Caribbean for the Winter and then back to North Carolina for repairs. I'm having a new bowsprit made, shipped from CA to NC will use a boat yard crane to install it... I lived on a W32 for 6 years.. What kind of boat do you have?
drakeParagon 11 months ago
very interesting. How did the story end. Was there much damage to your boat
Good video. I single hand as well and at best sail short handed. I have a 46 foot boat. My neighbor has a westsail 42 and I use to own a westsail 32.
Look forward to seeing part 7
twblaw 11 months ago