Preview: Sail & Oar Camp Cruising, Part 1 – Dreaming & Planning

73 Responses So Far to “Sail & Oar Camp Cruising, Part 1 – Dreaming & Planning”

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  Frank Day says:

  So how come Amy is never wearing a pfd? And Steve always seems to?

  Lovely video!

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  Rick Robinson says:

  I can’t tell you how many times I’ve watched this video before bedtime…and dreamed. The final 4 minutes are perfect. I only wish I could be there in your company aboard my 17 foot sailboat “Magic”.

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  Heather Linscott says:

  Camped on a lot of those islands over the years kayaking. Now I own an old Rhodes 19 and last summer started camping adventures with it. Such great photography and the song at the end just brought tears to my eyes..Saw you sailing the Howdy on the REACH last summer and I will be back in ’23 for the month of August sailing and camping.
  Heather Linscott

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  Kenneth Jeffreys says:

  Fantastic video. I think it lowered my BP 20 points. Nice mermaid you got there.

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  Robert Ford says:

  Many years ago I had a friend named Steve Stone. He was a West Point graduate and an army captain at Fort Knox. He lived in the apartment building next to mine. We were both members of the Louisville Ski Club and we also went on camping and boating trips together with other fellow tenants at our apartment complex in Louisville. Any chance this is the same Steve Stone?

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  James Dudley says:

  What is the best recommendation for chartbooks / guidebooks (print, not digital) for a trip like this, for a small sailboat, camping on the MITA? There are so many different publications for chartbooks I don’t know where to start (Embassy, Richardson’s, Waterway, Visual Guide, etc) I’m looking for Casco Bay to Penobscot.

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  Karl Williams says:

  What a fantastic vidio, so glad I came across this!

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  Bradford Preston says:

  Fantastic! Thanks for sharing your trip and knowledge.

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  James Ruzicka says:

  Great video. Not sure I understand what happened. You started out planning a 7 night trip and it turned into a 1 night trip? I must have missed something. I’m dreaming of a Maine Island sailing tour. Thanks for the weather sites and info; very helpful.

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    Steve Stone says:

    Thanks James. It ended up being about 5 or 6 days/nights out in the islands. We didn’t chronicle each island/night for a variety of reasons. Sorry that part was confusing.

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  George Costakis says:

  Are there any sailing/performance difference between the 4 and 7 strake Caledonia Yawls or is it just a matter of aesthetics and easy of building?

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    Fred Neuschel says:

    Great video. Tells the story very well. Offers lots of insights into planning and adapting to the weather conditions. I would love to see more videos like this. I am sure that there is a great amount of effort expended in making them, but there is much to learn from them from we “wanna-bee sail campers” who are building up to making our first sail camping adventure.

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  Erick Emde says:

  So, where’s Part 2? Don’t leave us hanging.

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    Donald Sullivan says:

    Steve and Amy . . . fabulous video, thank you. I recently built a CYll following Geof Kerr’s video’s in detail, so my boat is just like yours :-). However, we capsized recently in Long Island Sound, a rather harrowing experience, which i would love to discuss with you.

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      Erick Emde says:

      Sorry to hear about your capsize experience. Have you seen this video? https://www.offcenterharbor.com/videos/self-rescue-in-an-open-boat/

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      Steve Stone says:

      Hey Don. I enjoyed our conversation via phone, and hearing your experience was informative for me on what to cover in a new capsizing video where I flip HOWDY over and go through a recovery process. That video is due out within a couple weeks so watch for that, plus the one that Ben Fuller did linked below is excellent. As you found out, the key is having the proper flotation, plus the right safety gear and a known (remembered?!) recovery process that ensures safe-reliance. Let’s see how well I did on all that, or not, in the new video.

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        Donald Sullivan says:

        Steve, thank you for this . . . I look forward to seeing it. I plan to test my new floatation (5,400 cubic inches) next summer.

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  Rod McLaren says:

  Keep ’em rollin’. Eight years ago a sailing buddy introduced me to camp/sailing and I wonder how I ever got that old without knowing the absolute pleasure it provides. Fresh water camp sailing is different than what you are doing on the New England coastline but its all sailing and therein lies the magic.

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  Frank van Zoest says:

  That cruising ground makes me green with envy. And I have a question. When the video is at 3 minutes on its way I see a boat that must be a Dutch Klipper. I see the Dutch flag, I think a big leeboard, and the bowsprit is cocked up. How does a boat like that end up in Maine? Here they are not seen as fit the Atlantic.

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  James Barker says:

  Drone video can add a beautiful new perspective, but the potential cost to the peaceful existence of wildlife and other humans is too great. An analogy to jet skis is not farfetched.

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  David Brown says:

  Not from Aggieland eh?

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  Thomas Buzzi says:

  Thank you! This was one of the best “how-to” videos I have ever seen. Yes, I am enthralled with the Maine coastline now. Informative, well narrated and illustrated. I bookmarked this also so I can watch it again and again and…..

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  Daniel Allan says:

  Thanks for this Steve. Inspiring stuff. I have done quite a bit of this in New Zealand. Both slept on board and ashore. I find the biggest challenge is what to do with the boat while camping. I agree that the best option is to have the boat in the water in such a way you can always access it. That anchor buddy idea sounds promising. I have also accidentally capsized a boat full of gear, righted it, bailed it and kept sailing. When I get my next boat, I will be deliberately capsizing her with gear on a sunny calm day! Makes for a more confident trip! Thanks Steve.

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  Rick Robinson says:

  I just can’t stop watching this video over and over again. As a caretaker of a fine small open sailboat of my own.I am immediately transfixed by the beauty of coastal Maine, even though I find plenty of satisfying sailing destinations throughout the reaches of Lake Sakakawea in North Dakota. The only thing I lack is a female companion that shares my enthusiasm for camp cruising as much as I do. Thanks for putting together this very fine dream on video.

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  Steve Stone says:

  Thanks for all the wonderful comments. We enjoyed creating this video, and OCH video editor Kevin Ross deserves much/most of the credit.

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  John Thomson says:

  Knew a couple, 65 or 70 yrs ago, who did extended cruising in a Snipe. Thought they were nuts. Maybe they new something we didn’t. Thanks for the video, looks like fun.

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  Neil Moomey says:

  I want a boat and a wife like that.

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  Gary herbertson says:

  The smaller the boat the bigger the adventure! Especially when you so well consider your route, the weather and currents. I appreciated your joyful and relaxed presentation about how to reach joy and relaxation in your experience of sailing. You show the Caledonia yawl to be a vessel well suited to this quality of life.

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  Douglas Mosby says:

  Albeit the obvious, have you ever used / considered a tent structure for the Caledonia when unable to beach? Semper Paratus…Bosn, Doug

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    Steve Stone says:

    Hey Doug. Yes, have tried a number of things. While I wouldn’t suggest it to anyone else for serious safety reasons, my favorite is stringing up an Eno hammock between the masts. We have an Eno rain cover that goes over two long sail battens that form a half circle canopy/bimini when stuck in each rail athwartship. Big rolling lobster boat wakes coming through most anchorages at 4:30am create a one-eye-open sleeping situation, so I don’t use that unless I’m assured of a calm anchorage all night. That said, every time I’ve tested this scenario the hammock sits perfectly still as the boat goes nuts, as if I’m on a perfectly balanced gimbal. But again — safety rules, and I just know there’ll eventually be wake angle that will create a human-zipped-in-sleeping-bag-and-mosquito-net-slingshot-capsize. Bottom line, with full gear aboard, even a Caledonia doesn’t really have enough space for two to sleep aboard and also save a relationship. But most relevant to your question, here in Maine the mosquitos at dusk/night require a tent, and with wakes rolling through it’s both uncomfortable to get rock’d from rail to rail sleeping at seat height as well as a safety issue I can’t get my head around to be zipped up in a sleeping bag and tent. Plus the tent platform arrangement isn’t something I’ve been able to wrap my head around. A bivy on the floorboards would work better.

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  Aran Lawrence says:

  Ahh, the best possible version of small boat sailing.

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  Peter Jackson says:

  Excellent video Steve – informative, entertaining and great production values. Too bad we can’t borrow some of the islands (but not the ones with the flies!) and put them off the coast of New South Wales. Looking forward to Part 2.

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  Dan Walker says:

  Perfect video, perfect timing for this summer in our CY. Some members might be interested in the BC Marine Trails Network https://www.bcmarinetrails.org/37-maps. Kayak oriented but good interactive maps and camping info.

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  Robert Baird says:

  Excellent video. Your site and this membership is my favorite way to relax. Thank you. Any tips on how you got your wife interested or willing to try this. Now that would be a video.

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    Steve Stone says:

    Thanks Robert. Best I can tell, the partner’s interest has to be innate, self-motivated, and maybe even sparked as a kid or at least pre-relationship. Never had much luck in the past proselytizing and converting. We have batted around reasons that it works well for each of us, and we might put that in a video some day.

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      David Tew says:

      A discussion between you and Amy about your perspectives on cruising would be very interesting. I wish something like that could have been video’d between Maynard and Anne.

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  Gino DeMaio says:

  That was truly outstanding!

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  Peter Tenney says:

  Delicious. Reminded me of my best days cruising on Penobscot Bay.

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  Derrick Burry says:

  Great video. Planning our own beach cruise this summer among the islands of Bonavista Bay, Newfoundland.

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  Richard Dodd says:

  Wonderful video, gorgeous sailing grounds.
  I particularly like your idea of simplicity – no screens no windex.
  I couldnt help but agree that perfection is ever so slightly boring

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  Mark Warren says:

  Where can I get a copy of the Wilkins version of ‘into the Mystic?

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    Steve Stone says:

    Good idea, Mark. We’ll see if we can work that out.

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  Don Rooks says:

  Terrific video; wonderfully produced, excellent information about your planning process and helpful tips about weather apps, currents, winds,and more. Very well done! Thanks, Steve! .

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  Clint Williamson says:

  Great work, Steve. Thanks to you and your gracious lady for sharing with all of us … simply magnificent!

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  Geoffrey Davis says:

  Oh, did that ever hit my dreams of summer on Penobscot Bay spot-on! Great instruction on preparation. I can’t get enough of this whole area. It is Heaven in the summer. Takes a little more dedication in the winter, though. Always beautiful nonetheless.

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  James Arthur says:

  Great video! Love walking through the decision making process, great to see others bailing out on crappy conditions. Wish I had seen this before our little Chesapeake cruise a week ago, another transplanted Texan, I would have brought some tequila and limeaid to go with the enchiladas I made on night two!

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  steve schwartz says:

  You and Amy definitely nailed it. That is a true adventure. I just finished building my kayak and enjoy short trips on it but it looks like I just found my next project so I can have my own long distance adventures.

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  Jocelyn Tipple says:

  A wonder film! Lots of solid information and beautiful scenery. Deep envy out here on the left coast. Thank you for this.

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  Todd Fletcher says:

  I am living vicariously through these videos until such time as I can do this trip. Thank you so much for sharing your trip tricks and planning for such an adventure.

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  Ron Pike says:

  Really is one of the best how to videos — what a ton of work to produce! Thanks.

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    Steve Stone says:

    Thanks Ron. Our editor Kevin Ross deserves most of the credit.

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  Tim Smith says:

  This is really good. Consider making it available to non subscribers as a promo.

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  David Cockey says:

  Muscle Ridge Channel area does have several island where camping is allowed. The landing situation and amount of space for a tent varies from island to island. Check the MITA guidebook for more information.

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    Steve Stone says:

    Oh my.

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  David Tew says:

  You and Amy have learned to do this right. So many try to overdo it as you point out then get stressed or in troubles. Huge congratulations! And if you ever do attempt a BBH to Brooklin journey, let us help with parking, accommodations, etc. (And Amy’s straw hat is the best!)

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    Steve Stone says:

    Thanks Dave. That was a big help getting local knowledge from you last year, plus the offer of tent/trailer space.

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  Charles Jackson says:

  HEAVEN

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  Lonnie Thibault says:

  Videos like this is why I joined OCH
  SPLENDID

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  Conbert Benneck says:

  Steve, you need another special piece of equipment for your camp cruiser. You should consider how to take me; …shrink me and other old sailors who also had to swallow the anchor, to a suitable tiny size, stuff us into a small container, so that we could go along with you and enjoy the sail, your experiences and join you for Margaritas on the beach and watch the sun go down.
  Now that’s what heaven would look like!

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  John Bukowsky says:

  The 27’47” video = months of planning, days of refining the actual itinerary, hours of video editing, resulting in a lifetime of joyous memories on which to reflect and influence others. Oh, then there was the trip itself. Super cool.

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  Rolf Wenge says:

  One of the most inspirational videos I’ve experienced. And such a learning tool. I’ll be watching this again…and again…and…

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  Edwin Slaughter says:

  What an awesome video, shows the importance of prudent planning of weather and tide information for a successful trip. Of course we all can agree to have failed in some sense of getting it right. But time and experience bring out the best in us all. Lin Pardey said “Go small, go now” or I might add tomorrow if the weather is better.

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  Michael Vaughan says:

  Eximious!

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  Marc LaFrance says:

  Awesome video! I can not wait to get my CY finished and in the water.

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  Michael Craig says:

  Great video, very inspiring. Caledonia Yawl may be my next build. You stated your gear checklist was on the website, where? Could not find a link.

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    Steve Stone says:

    Hi Michael. It’s coming. Promise. This video hit a bit later than expected so the gear was already on the boat. Soon.

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  Harold Wheeler says:

  I believe this is the most informative video I have ever seen. Best use of time ever and beautiful. Is it to much to ask for more

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  John Supan says:

  Inspirational. Great video and thanks for the wealth of information. I’m using it making plans to solo camp/cruise & fish the Gulf Island National Seashore off Mississippi for a week + in my Rhodes 19 centerboarder after the first cold front comes through this fall.

  Well done, once again. Another reason I’m glad to be a life member.

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    Peter Thomas says:

    Reminds me of how we used to approach seamanship and navigation, l love all the electronic conveniences but miss the daydreaming and plotting that anticipates challenges and destinations.
    The simple life and slower pace are so appreciated as l watch the world around me.
    Thank you for this tribute.

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  Phillip Tarman says:

  Thanks for sharing the waters and islands of Maine. Beautiful boat, too!

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  Philippe Guillemin says:

  So good ; the whole thing ; Thank you

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  Philip Myer says:

  Lovely video Steve- well done.

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  Matt Clouse says:

  Well, I got a bunch of good ideas to employ on our next trip. Well done.