Man you're living the dream. You may have encountered more problems than some along the way but this is all part of the adventure and learning experience. Keep up the great content, all the best!
Well Capt. Mike. You are learning some hard earned lessons that most sailors have to learn. There is no shame in turning back and regrouping. It's not football where fwd progress is all that counts. It's supposed to be fun with a bit of apprehension, fear and uncertainty thrown in, but most of all fun. You seem to always be pushing fwd. Slow down and enjoy and absorb the islands. Each has it's own spirit and personality. Make friends with other cruisers, they are your greatest resource out there. I bet a week in an Anchorage talking with the other cruising boats that come thru, you would find someone to help fix the outboard, a sewing machine for your sail, and probably a spare inverter. Keep the dream, because without it life is just existing. Hope to see you in the islands some time.
Hi Mike. I do not know what I would do in your situation. All one can do is take time to rest, eat good and make your decision and follow your gut feeling. 5 months on your boat,in the Bahamas. The stuff most of us only dream of. You have done well. I have enjoyed your videos and thank you for sharing. Take care and may you have fair winds.
All I can say having watched episode 79, then about to move into 80. Holy crapola Batman, an inverter problem! Jez! My concept here is that prices in this tropical island must be 250% mark up (probably much more) considering your triple spin over the Gulf Stream! In standard ignorance one can only wonder what shoe will drop next! You have enhanced my embrace of getting a sailboat for my own “short” miles venture to obtain salt water for pets/aquariums. Having seen your tenacity, and knowing my own you’ve swung me around past the point of hesitation! Thanks Captain Potts!
Ahoy Captain, I would suggest, for your next season at least, is to convert any and everything you can to use directly DC. Most chargeable devices like Drones, will have for sale a DC Car port charger unit. As for the PC, I have found that PowerStream has PSU's that use DC inputs. After all PCs are DC internally, 3.3v, 5v and 12v to various components. It is more efficient, less conversions taking place and you wont beholden to the Invertor dying.
Hello Captain! I know you're probably bummed that you didn't go as far south as you'd planned,but I believe the distance you've travelled from T.O to Bimini & back & to Bimini & back & to,well you know what I mean, what you've accomplished is phenomenal Captain & you know in your heart what the right decision is. And also what your Dad said;" You've had a hell of a season." You've accomplished what?? Something 😅1000s,even millions of people COULD NOT do in their wildest nightmare. I'm sure it's frustrating as hell not having auto pilot but just think about how they sailed 100-50? ( I don't profess to know the particulars) years ago. You'd be out there every night charting your course by the ✨If I had that much time I'd have had to pack a well stocked city library lol😂I'm sure you were kept busy out there reading any & all sailing paraphernalia as well. And yeah dude, you did awesome good & made memories to last the rest of your life. I think you should think about your end of season 1 finale video,😊 I'm sure everyone on this channel feels likewise! Gawd it seems like a long time till Sunday,Till then Stay safe, Stay Strong 🍻
The sad truth: if you go out long term cruising, one starts best with a brand new boat or an old one with all new stuff on it. Or you replace stuff piece by piece while underway. For many of us that's just the only way or you have a lot of cash. Heads up to you captain for keep going!
Or simply have a boat with simple systems. We get caught up with all the wrong gear and too many things to go wrong. Keep in mind that all the stuff made these days, is meant to fail sooner than later. The commercially available equivalents are expensive but robust. So for us everyday sailors, easy and simple equipment, more mechanical than electrical is best.
Big time. I have a huge amount of work to do!! Next season will be epic. In the mean time I have more videos to post about my journey here in Florida!!
This is the best advice a new boat owner could ever have that is going cruising but most will never know or find out afterwards. Education’s aren’t cheap. Life lesson coming in 3 2 1. ( Not directed to Saing EV just a generalized statement. )
Captain Michael! Your videos are amazing! Your showing the truth about sailing! Everyone has made this same mistakes! Your doing a great job! Keep up the good work! Please keep following your dreams! Love the channel! It’s my New favorite sailing channel on RU-vid! By far! As a viewer I can feel the emotions your dealing with at the moment you do a great job of showing them through the video! Cheers captain!!
Please don't take this the wrong way I'm not saying it to be mean. I have watched several of your videos. Instead of getting enjoyment out of sailing what your videos project, by far, are three things, worry, worry, and more worry. 90% of what comes across is negative. Think you would have a lot more viewers if you would adopt a more positive outlook. Again, I'm not saying this to piss you off just trying to give some constructive advice.
Merchant of venom, great name and truthful comment. His dream has turned into a nightmare. Needs to start fresh next season or put sailboat up for sale.
I love your content learning everyday hounour you for your bravery and your troubles solving your a .an who pays the cost to be the boss love your line in the sand respect
I watched your earlier videos when you were on Lake Ontario. You were with friends and your equipment worked and you had money. You were in good spirits! You are having difficulties sorting things out. You said it ‘I’m feeling grumpy’. You have had great suggestions on here. You also said ‘don’t push it’. Take your own advice. Slow down, call a close friend to talk through your plan. your ‘to do list’. Auto pilot Inverter/charging your devices Motor on dinghy Put EV on the hard, insure Getting back to Canada Take care of yourself first & foremost.
You say what your gut is telling you. It's funny, because if I listened to my gut, I would not be sailing at all!! Haha! Every time I go on my sailboat, my gut says go home! I never listen to my gut when it comes to sailboats. Seek stoicism by ignoring your gut and you will be a better man, sailor, jack of all trades, and happy! Are there any metal objects around the autopilot. That seems to be the number one cause of autopilots not functioning properly. Metal object can influence the mems compass.
Hey Mike, thanks for the journey so far.If you are on this for the sailing experience only, you could have pushed on and found a way, however if you are a "sailing cinematographer " and that is why you are on this trip , then you need to regroup and equip yourself for that type of journey. Anyway , my 2 cents ( Canadian )
You keep asking what should I do. You seem to be afraid of everything, from pirates, engine quiting, bridges and now the world is coming to an end for lack of a converter. When I first sailed to Bimini in the 70's I had no GPS, just paper charts, compass and RDF. There were no markers to guide the way into Bimini. I think you need to get back to Miami and sell the boat. I don't think you're cut out for this. Just a thought.
Nahh. Im going to sail around the world and do it on my own time. You will see. I think sailing for 6 months over 1000 nm from Canada to the Bahamas is good for my 1st real season out here. Next season. Georgetown then San Blas and the Pacific. Mark my words mate. If you knew what I was like in person you would know what I mean and not be mean about this person.
you should rename your channel the "The Situation Ship" But seriously, get a cigarette charger type charger, that way you can just run it off of your boat battery, you won't be wasting all the power running it through that big ass inverter.
I may just do that.. lmao.. I have a ciggarette charger. I use a BMPCC 6k cinema camera and karge format battery charging system. My 6 gopro cameras have a multi charging bank which is 120 volt. I run a desktop to edit these videos. No one knows how much effort it takes to upload 80 videos to RU-vid other than my patreon supporters. Ive sailed 1000 nm and believe me I though of everything...
Keep going, how much longer do you have on your sailing visa for the Bahamas? I'm feeling your empty pockets but chin up and make it home safe so you can work on creating your next window of sailing. Cheers!
I have watched all 80 episodes. I think they are great, very informative and not boring. My only complaint is I wish the language was g rated, so I could watch with my grandchildren.
I think you made the right decision. You made a decision towards safety and longevity... You could have found yourself immobile, stuck where there are even fewer resources, then have to leave the boat exposed to the entire hurricane season. You were gonna have to put EV up on the hard shortly anyway, right? So thats no big surprise... Your season is closing, cool. Its a few months where you can really put your head down, pay for stuff. Get positioned and leave asap to get really into the thick of it. Dude, you sailed from Toronto to The Bahamas. Thats awesome!
Thats the Plan!!! Ive been thinking about heading to San Blas!! Time will tell! Please note I will still be releasing content regardless. Thanks for watching!!
You can get 400w inverters for about $50. each I have 3 on board, good to have extra fuses.(Walmart, harbor freight, truck stops) There used to be a guy doing mechanics on the beach at Bimini, fixing jet skis for motor yacht cruisers
Hey captain Mike! Look like you have to work on your sailing anxiety my friend. You sais it right: just drop the hook, relax and let your brain slow cook the problems. Solutions will come clear my friend! 👍
Good advice. Always best to re evaluate. I hope people see this content is real and just represents what happened. This is a reality sailing channel. I post truth and document what Im up against.
Once again… I have to wonder how you’re still alive. You could have gone to Nassau and easily gotten an inverter there. Instead you go back to Bimini where there is nothing. So the inverter really isn’t the issue rather the real truth is you came to the conclusion you couldn’t afford to continue the trip and must go back. Ok… fair enough but had you used better judgement you’d never have gone to the Bahamas in the first place. You could have headed to the keys and enjoyed another 2 months of sailing with access to the support you need to keep the boat afloat and videos coming. SMH
wow amazing living the life you want. love the videos man keep it up don't give up. its Jordan btw hope to see you this movie season. My plans got canceled for travel this year cause my bank account got hacked the day before departure.
Why would you not have a way to charge a phone on a 12v powered boat? I never had an inverter on my boat and can charge phone, cameras, laptop and everything else I use.
Why do you want to go to Nassau? Some of the highest crime rates in the bahamas. Bahamas is relatively low in crime and the people are wonderful. Good luck to you and just be careful and enjoy your time there don't let the issues take you away from soaking in the beauty of the bahamas.🌴⛵️
How can you not be-able to charge anything without the inverter? Most things charge off usb … don’t you have dedicated usb ports installed ? Love you channel but seems like little more thought needed to be put into boat and systems….
Hi Mike, Your doing great. Don’t let an inverter get you down. Can you move forward without it until you reach somewhere where you can purchase a new one?
I've been sailing for almost 3 decades. All of these problems are minor. Cant make videos? then don't. You have to get away from the constant complaining. I'll stick with you for a few more vids.
So... I don't get it... what "things" did "go wrong"? Everything seem pretty normal. Great sailing, great weather, no problem on horizon. As for inverter - IMHO it is absolutely not essential. I don't have it on my boat because between me and my wife we couldn't figure out what we could use it for. I totally get a need for a computer for RU-vid video editing. But if you lost the computer - just keep sailing.
You know me, I’m turning to scripture for advice. God is no Genie a bottle. The promise God makes to unbelievers (those who haven’t repented and put their trust in Jesus for salvation) is clear; judgement for every sin they’ve ever committed. Yes, scary. BUT He has made MANY wonderful promises and commands to those who believe and follow His Son. This one is precious to me: “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.” -Philippians 4:6 It sounds to me like your dad has great advice. If you’re broke, it’s time to go back to work. You’ve accomplished your goal. You’ve crossed the finish line. You’ve learned a lot. You’ve encountered many trials and overcome every one of them. It’s time to set yourself up for season 2. Great job Michael, really. And God bless.
Know when to hold em, Know when to fold em. Know when to walk away, Know when to run. The difference between the intelligent, and the wise, is this... The wise know what fucking time it is.
I desoldered the mosfets and tested them. Its a simple fix. I have purchased another inverter in the mean time.. Hence the fact that this video was posted.. Thanks for commenting. PS would you watch a board fix video if I uploaded one?
MY OPINION...starting to sound a little like a soap opera instead of a sailing channel. Some people like that I guess. If you have things to dry out you take a large ziplock bag. Put DRIED RICE in bag and then, for example, your wet microphone.2-3 days in the sun. If it is something that was already wet (inverter) and you powered it up you likely will have fried it. When I dropped my $1200 phone in the water I pulled the battery and did the dry rice solution. Booted up just find.
Gee, you work in the film industry, why DO YOU NOT USE a MACBOOK Pro? Far more power efficient than your 470W laptop !! You did well this year. Save yourself.
I chose a desktop because it fixable in a distant location. I can order parts. I built this PC myself. I'm going to get a MacBook eventually once I can afford it. This trip has cost me my entire life savings.. The boat.. The refit.. 5 months out here..
I did find one in Nasau. It was 1000 watts and was a modified Sign wave not pure sign. They wanted 450 usd. I need 2000 watts minimum for my system. I managed to get one from a place in the US. Its installed and working. Its not Victron. But it works...
Ever consider a laptop. Your desktop is too power hungry. I always have multiple options to charge my devices. Get a laptop. Buy phone car chargers. Get enough solar that you are not totally dependent on the alternator, etc
