a VERY CHALLENGING week at sea

Join us on another exhilarating adventure aboard Sailing Zatara as Captain Keith and Emily navigate through a particularly challenging week at sea. In this episode, they face multiple obstacles in their quest to get to Grenada from Puerto Rico.

The Prop Saga Continues

Our intrepid couple faced yet another prop challenge on this journey. After carefully installing the new prop and ensuring it was the correct fit, Keith meticulously tested the propulsion to confirm everything was in working order.

CUSTOMS DELAYS IN THE DOMINICAN REPUBLIC

Arriving at the FedEx office as planned, they soon realized that navigating through Dominican Republic customs was far from straightforward. After being redirected to multiple offices and finally receiving their package, they were then required to bring along a customs agent for the 3-hour drive back up to Porta Plata. Although it cost them an undisclosed amount of money – much less than the initially feared $4,000 in import taxes – the journey did successfully clear the way.

Encountering Rough Weather

A particularly nasty weather system rolled through their path just as they left Puerto Rico. With winds up to 50 knots, they chose to ride out the storm rather than risk an Man Overboard incident.

New Batteries Boost Performance

To improve their boat’s performance, they installed a set of new Epoch Life P4 lithium-ion batteries. These smart batteries feature an integrated battery management system with overcharge and over-discharge protection.

Making Critical Decisions

As they considered their next move, they debated whether to continue sailing with a compromised rudder or seek repairs. Despite the setback, Captain Keith believed he could navigate using just the engines.

Precious Time is Running Out

Their adventure has been filled with both excitement and unexpected challenges, but their ultimate goal remains: getting to Grenada. However, as Finn needs to get his driver’s license in the near future, time is not on their side.

The Final Decision

In this week’s episode of Sailing Zatara, Captain Keith and Emily make the difficult decision to stop sailing and await a solution. They will sit at their current location for an undetermined time as they assess options.

Don’t Miss Next Week’s Episode

The crew at Sailing Zatara continues to face the unpredictable nature of their journey, and next week’s episode promises more excitement as they try to resolve these ongoing challenges. So, remember to subscribe if you haven’t already and join Captain Keith and Emily for another thrilling installment.

Where are We Going Next?

While they weigh their options, the current location of Sailing Zatara offers picturesque surroundings, even if it’s not an ideal stop on their route to Grenada. Stay tuned to find out where Captain Keith and Emily will take Sailing Zatara next.

Join the Journey

Sailing Zatara invites you to embark on this unpredictable journey with them, whether through their blog, YouTube channel, or Instagram feed. You can witness every twist and turn in real-time as they navigate their way across the globe.