Sailing Is Truth

Not an ordinary sailing blog but a collection of stunning images and compelling stories

[sailingistruth]

How to Tow a Sailboat

During the last two years I have towed more than 15 boats. This article provides some advice of how to tow a sailboat.

As most of you know, my temporary home base currently is Isla Mujeres, Mexico where I happen to be have become some sort of unofficial first responder to all sorts of maritime mishaps and emergencies. During this time I gained a lot of experience in salvaging, searching and rescuing. But before I share some of it (specifically on how to tow a sailboat) I wish to tell you a story. It all started…

View On WordPress

[sailingistruth]

Why Can't I Say "No"?

My friends call me for help when they get stuck in Belize. "No" is not an option. So Seefalke and I set sail for an evacuation mission.

Why didn’t I just say “no”?, I keep asking myself. I am sick. I can’t see my own face but it bet it is as greenish brown as the Sargasso seaweed that is spread all over my deck. I feel terrible. Cold sweat is running down my face. I remember the fun fact that it has the same salinity as the ocean around me. I hold on to the massive sea fence of Seefalke and get in position to relief myself one…

View On WordPress

[sailingistruth]

Checklist Passage Planning

This is Maik's personal passage planning checklist based on SOLAS V Regulation 34.

Passage planning is not only a good habit that is essential for every voyage. It is actually required by law in most countries of the world. All 164 countries that have ratified the International Convention for Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) require by law that the master of every sea-going vessel prepares a passage plan for every voyage. SOLAS Chapter V Regulation 34 is very clear about the…

View On WordPress

[sailingistruth]

Birth of a Solo Sailor - The Book

"Birth of a Solo Sailor - A Voyage between Solitude and Loneliness" is now available on Amazon as ebook, paperback b&w and paperback in color.

It is done! “Birth of a Solo Sailor – A Voyage between Solitude and Loneliness” is now available on Amazon as ebook, paperback b&w and paperback in color. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0961YVWYD “Birth of a Solo Sailor” will take you on a sailing voyage from the equatorial rainforest in Suriname to the Riviera Maya in Mexico. It is divided into three parts: Part One: “On a Mission” covers the…

View On WordPress

[sailingistruth]

Learning the Greek Alphabet - Part 2: Hurricane Delta

Learning the Greek Alphabet – Part 2: Hurricane Delta

And all of a sudden it is calm.

No movement. Not the slightest breeze. Not the usual cacophony of Reggeaton music, barking dogs and power boat engines. Even the birds stopped chirping. The world is holding its breath.

It happened so suddenly, like someone pulled the plug in the dance club. Subconsciously I want to stick my fingers in my ears to prevent my eardrums imploding from this…

View On WordPress

[sailingistruth]

Learning the Greek Alphabet - Part 1: Gamma

Learning the Greek Alphabet – Part 1: Gamma

A beautiful scene. The boat is heeling in the evening breeze. The mainsail is hauled tight. And all this in front of a romantic sunset. 

But something is wrong. 

No spray is flying, no bow is cutting through the waves, no whooshing, no splashes – no movement at all. No sound. A still. Surreal.

I am standing in knee-deep water and look at Seefalke, my 40-foot steel ketch, stranded like a…

View On WordPress

[sailingistruth]

At Captain's Command

At Captain’s Command

A kiss. A hug. I hate goodbyes!

Without a further word I turn around and walk back to the beach that now lonely lays in the dark. Playa Tortugas, turtle beach, here in Cancun, during daytime full of families and fun, is surrounded by a net, intended to protect its guests from sharks and other deep sea critters, I suppose. Purely symbolic I am sure, because it has holes as wide that the…

View On WordPress

[sailingistruth]

Just in Time for Sally

Patience is the most important quality of a captain. A lack of patience sinks ships. But even more important it is to be just in time.

I am ready.

The final countdown sequence is on.

I turn the key in the ignition, wait for a short moment, then I crank the engine. The 62 hp come to life immediately, sputtering at first but quickly the good ole diesel machine finds into its rhythm. The warning lights come off, the exhaust spits water, and after a few minutes the alternator kicks in. 

“Engine ready to get underway”, I…

View On WordPress

[sailingistruth]

Mexican Standoff - Part 2: Retaliation

Mexican Standoff - Part 2: Retaliation tells the story about humiliation, pride and retaliation. A 101 of Mexican Beach Diplomacy

Please make sure you have read Mexican Standoff – Part 1: Humiliation before you continue.

So I lost my dinghy, I got bruised and hurt, I spent the night in the dirt, I got ripped-off and robbed. Humiliated. How deep can you fall and still not hit bottom?

Once again I remember Rocky’s words: “It’s not about how hard you hit, it’s about how hard you can get hit and keep moving…

View On WordPress

[sailingistruth]

Tale of Tears and Treasure - Part 2 (The Treasure)

Whereas the first part of the Tale of Tears and Treasure tells the story about how the treasure came to the island, part two is all about the treasure hunt. A Tale of Tears and Treasure - Part 2 (The Treasure)

If you would need to hide something really well, where would that be? Something valuable or dangerous maybe. Or compromising. When you would need to make sure the wrong people will never find it. 

Your obsolete bio-weapon CoVid lab equipment maybe. Or the unfortunate remains of your lover‘s husband. Or your recent unauthorized bank withdrawal.

Yes, exactly. You want it to vanish from…

View On WordPress

[sailingistruth]

Where Is Suriname?

In the second episode of Ronja's Learning Adventures Ronja learns where Suriname is, a country in the jungle that she will visit soon: Where Is Suriname?

Ronja’s Learning Adventures tell the story of a little girl who is fed up with school. At one point she runs away from home and joins her father who lives on a sailboat. While sailing the world with him she will now experience all that she only read in text books before. With the time she understands that going to school is not so senseless after all.

Her adventures are based on real…

View On WordPress

[sailingistruth]

A Tale of Tears and Treasure - Part 1

A Tale (based on true events) about tears and a treasure in the hard times of Corona lockdown and prohibition: A Tale of Tears and Treasure - Part 1

I shake Tommaso’s, Michele’s and Renato’s hands. Screw social distancing for a moment!

“Fair winds! Stay safe! See you later in this or in next life!” A smile. A hug. A nod. I see tears glitter in their eyes. I climb down the rope ladder into my bright red dinghy. I crank my little Mercury outboard and set off to head back to my anchorage. 

We have known each other since Havana. S/V…

View On WordPress

[sailingistruth]

Episode 1: Ronja and the Time Difference

Welcome to the first episode of Ronja's Learning Adventures, a series of adventurous-educational stories for kids based on true events, spiced up with some fiction. Episode 1: Ronja and the Time Difference

My name is Ronja. I am nine years old and I live in Halle. Halle is a city in Eastern Germany. My mom is a doctor. My dad is – I don’t know. He lives on a sailboat and is far far away. I think he is somewhere in the jungle at the moment. His life is exciting. He is traveling and he always sees something new. My life is boring. I live in the same place and I need to go to the same school every…

View On WordPress

[sailingistruth]

Rise and Fall of Supermoon

"Rise and Fall of Supermoon" tells the story about vanity and humbleness, pride and honor.

I got up early this morning. I had my “good” camera charged over night and I had researched that moonset at my position here at Isla Mujeres, Mexico would be at 07:07 UTC-5 or CDT. Not too bad. But sunrise would already be at 06:33, so I knew I had to get up a good bit before that if I wanted to land a good shot. 

It is full moon, so for us earthlings the moon is opposite the sun but, as…

View On WordPress

[sailingistruth]

Hailing Channel 13

Isla Mujeres Cruisers Net is a great example of sailors establishing an effective communication channel with officials in times of Corona lockdowns: "Hailing Channel 13"

“Good morning, this is Isla Mujeres Cruisers Net. It is our purpose to stay connected, exchange information and build the community of cruisers. Your participation is encouraged.,” at exactly 08:00 the familiar voice greets all sailors currently anchored or docked at Isla Mujeres, Mexico.

The Whale Shark – Isla Mujeres’ Mascot

The voice belongs to Lisa, who is our net controller today.…

View On WordPress

[sailingistruth]

Offener Brief an den Vorstand Trans-Ocean e.V. - Vorschlag Seglerpatenschaften

Offener Brief an den Vorstand Trans-Ocean e.V. - Vorschlag Seglerpatenschaften zur Bewältigung der coronabedingten, schwierigen Situation für Segler in der Karibik

Offener Brief an den Vorstand des Trans-Ocean e.V. Herr Peter Wiedekamm

Lieber Peter,

Zunächst möchte ich sagen, dass ich es als relativ neues Mitglied des Trans-Ocean e.V. klasse finde, wie sich die Stützpunktleiter in dieser einzigartigen Situation für die Segler einsetzen.

Die Medien, und insbesondere die sozialen Medien überschlagen sich derzeit mit leider vielen Negativmeldungen…

View On WordPress

[sailingistruth]

Life Under the Yellow Flag

Quarantined on my sailboat in Mexico: Life Under the Yellow Flag

“Open – Rain or Shine” the neon sign over the entrance to Skull’s Landing invites its guests. It is one of those signs that normally can be switched from “open” to “closed” just this one doesn’t have a “closed” option. A great marketing move. Skull’s Landing is the local cruisers’ hangout with Happy Hour from 17:00 to 19:00. 

Skull‘s Landing – The Local Cruisers‘ Hangout on Isla Mujeres,…

View On WordPress