+Marlin Goff Thanks for the comment, Marlin

Thanks Cap'n - Could I ask you one more thing?

What are your thoughts on cruising the Bahamas during hurricane season? Is that something you would just completely avoid, or do you say that it can be done with careful planning and always knowing where your hurricane holes or fall-back points are?

I've come across 2 very diverse schools of thought on the matter and I thought I would ask your opinion - if you didn't mind.

+Sailboat Story I have sailed several thousand miles offshore helping to deliver boats to the Caribbean. Never saw anything above gale force. Unless you cross oceans, there is practically no reason for the recreational sailor to encounter full-blown storms at sea. Not with the most advanced weather forecasting tools in history, available at our fingertips. I've seen the Atlantic in pretty nasty conditions, but that was only because I was in the business of maritime search and rescue at the time. But for the recreational sailor, you should be able to avoid really bad weather UNLESS you cross oceans. And even then, you can set your season and route to avoid storms. But, no matter what brand of sailing you do, you must learn to heave-to in your specific boat. In all weather. This may be easy and it may be a challenge. Learn what it takes to get your boat to heave-to. This should be a top priority for any vessel that ventures out into open water (coastal or offshore). See my video on heaving-to the learn the basics https://youtu.be/nUSYSquI3bY