As we sailed from Recife, Brazil to the Caribbean, the world started to shut down due to the COVID-19 pandemic. We’d made the decision to aim for Antigua, which ended up being absolutely perfect. We arrived in St John’s, the only port of entry open, on March 26th and cleared Click here for full post: […] More
My 10 tips on sailboat racing for beginners follow some stories I have about our limited racing experiences. By default, we are sailboat cruisers – the exact opposite of racers. But even with our limited experiences, we have had major experiences. Discover how we, as absolute novices, managed to gain Click here for full post: […] More
The name of the country is Antigua and Barbuda, but in all the previous times we’ve been to Antigua, we’ve never visited this island until now. It’s not the easiest place to get to or be at in a sailboat but if you make the effort, it can be really Click here for full post: […] More
Perhaps because we have spent more time on this island than anywhere else in the Caribbean (4+ months over 3 trips), or maybe it is the genuine friendly nature of people, or the vibrant sailing culture, or the beautiful land and harbors… Antigua feels like home in the Caribbean. Captain Click here for full post: […] More
Living on a boat, especially in the Caribbean, can be heavenly. Every day I am grateful for this lifestyle. There is, however, far less lounging on the beach with a pina colada than many people think. The adventure and relaxing segments are necessarily intermingled with constant attention to the inner Click here for full post: […] More
Just as the weather is starting to turn colder, we are preparing to migrate southward for our third winter cruising the Caribbean! This time, however, we are starting off the easy way… by plane! Captain Linda Perry Riera We left Argon in Grenada for the summer hauled out, strapped down in Click here for full […] More
Our Caribbean cruise in 2018-2019 was very sandwich shaped. Delicious in the middle but with some not so fresh bread on the outsides. This cruise definitely reminded us that this lifestyle is not all fun and games and this time in particular had some very difficult bits. Bob Damiano Long time, Click here for full […] More
Most people buy an Oyster Yacht not because they want to race in regattas but because it’s a beautifully designed heavy displacement ocean going beast of a boat. It’s most definitely THE boat that will look after you and your family for an around-the-world voyage. Oysters are functional to the Click here for full post: […] More
Bob Damiano During our passage from Newport to Bermuda back in late October we had a failure of the outer headstay while crossing the Gulf Stream. The following details the process of making Argon whole again. Apologies for the geekery. Disclaimer:This post is not intended as a criticism of Tartan or of the Tartan 4000 […] More
“Read the cruising guide and decide if you want to go to Montserrat or not” she said. So I did, and it sounded interesting enough. So our next destination after English Harbour, Antigua would be to the Southwest instead of due west to Nevis/St Kitts. Bob Damiano The reliable easterly Trade Winds made sailing to […] More
Ah, Antigua… … our first Caribbean land fall back in November at the end of a six day off shore passage from Bermuda. After a joyful week recharging on this partially mountainous island we ventured south to explore the islands of Dominica, Les Saintes, and Guadeloupe only to return to Antigua a couple weeks ago for […] More
Let’s get this out in the open right off the bat. I’m a chicken. There, I said it. Having made it successfully from Hampton, Virginia in the USofA to St. George’s Bermuda, I felt a great sense of relief. I also felt a great sense of gratitude to our friend Lance Ryley for being our […] More