As a captain, we navigate not just the waters but also the rules. Those rules, centuries in the making and codified in the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), are what keep the oceans safe and secure. Without them, trade collapses, chaos reigns, and the seas return to the law of the jungle.
This week, Israel broke those rules.
Read more
There’s a moment, somewhere between the marina of Almerimar and the sun-soaked shores of Formentera, when everything seems to fall into place, until it quietly doesn’t. This is the story of how a smooth crossing turned into a sunlit series of surprises, including one very stubborn sail.
Read more
Ask any sailboat owner, and they’ll show you a long list of tasks, projects, and wishlists. Works and potential improvements are never completed. Sometimes, there’s not enough time to get something done, sometimes I lack the skills, and more often than not, the budget and available cash do not align.
Read more
We hauled our Amel Santorin, the heart of our voyages, out of her natural habitat and onto dry land last week. The mission? A full-scale antifouling makeover, a thorough check of her through-holes, and the installation of a new through-hole for a water maker promise future adventures with a splash of convenience.
Read more
Embarking on a life at sea aboard Bagabonda meant transforming every aspect of our nomadic existence into a version that could survive and thrive on the ocean’s unpredictable canvas. Our liveaboard life meant seeking as many as possible autonomous systems: systems that do not require us to dock.
One of the cornerstones of this transformation was integrating Starlink into our floating habitat.
Read more
Our sailboat battery upgrade to lithium, and adding much more monitoring is part of our projects in making Bagabonda, our Amel Santorin, as autonomous as we technically can.
Read more
We’re about to spill the beans on a little secret that has transformed life aboard Bagabonda. You might recall those throw pillows we used to scatter around the cockpit for comfort. Well, let’s say we’ve taken things up a notch, and it’s all thanks to a chance meeting with an upholstery specialist during our stop in Almerimar.
Read moreOn our adventures in the Balearic Islands, we explored Cabrera, a small island south of Mallorca.
Read more
Sailing is an ageless pastime because of the refreshing breezes of the Mediterranean, the soothing sound of waves lapping against the shore, and the exhilaration of being out on the open water. However, our most recent voyage, which departed from Mallorca and brought us to Bizerte, Tunisia, was more than just a trip; it was also a challenging examination of our capacities, the ship’s resilience, and our unwavering resolve.
Read more
Henry Amel and Chantiers Amel: Crafting the Legacy of Enduring Sailing Vessels
Amel Santorin, Bagabonda, sails not just on the strength of her keel but on the winds of a rich legacy that dates back to well before her construction in 1991. Born from the vision of Henri Amel, Bagabonda embodies the essence of a dream realized—a vessel designed to explore the boundless horizons with grace, safety, and comfort. As we set sail aboard this remarkable yacht, we carry forward a tradition of adventure and craftsmanship, navigating not just the waters of the world, but continuing a legacy of exploration and freedom that Henri Amel envisioned for every sailor who shares his dream.
Read more
Koen Blanquart