Sailing Intention

22/04/2026

I made it! Je peux prouver que je peux parler français! At least a little bit. Enough to satisfy THAT requirement to obtain a 5-year French residency visa. The rules in France have changed and you need a language certificate AND take four weekends of French civics classes AND take the test AND pass with 80% or better if you want to stay here. C’est sérieux!

07/11/2025

Starting to get cold where you live? Already thinking about a trip next summer? Come sailing with me in Greece for a week on a comfortable boat with an experienced captain, hopping from island to island, enjoying quaint villages, quiet coves, and beachside tavernas. Just you and a few close friends or family. Enjoy the best of sailing in the beautiful Dodecanese Islands with Steve as your captain and guide. DM me so I can tell you all about it and answer your questions.

07/11/2025

Good morning, sailing friends! Love seeing this cool music video from Whyte Noise, the amazing Ciaran Whyte and his Dad, Gordon. Please, do me a favor and like his song. I met Ciaran when he was busking in Rhodes and as I remember, Gordon sent me the $40 I gave to Cairn to cover his ferry home. Now look at him, all famous and s**t.

My debut single "What Good Does Worry Do?" is OUT NOW!Written, arranged and performed by Ciaran Whyte (ft. Gordon and Susan Whyte on folky instruments and ba...

01/11/2025

You gotta love this boat! Right into 30 knots and so comfortable!
When do you reef? I'm not sure if I'm off because my sails are a little older.
Here's what I do:
- At 18, I reduce the main by furling it until the head is at the upper spreaders.
- at 21, I also reduce the Genoa to the first reef point.
- at 25, I furl the main totally.
- at 30 I furl the Genoa to the second reef point and the mizzen until the foot is 2/3 the length of the boom.
Here I'm headed upwind to Samos from Rhodes during the Meltemi season. The Meltemi is the name of the prevailing wind in Greece that blows from the Northwest. It can get quite heavy at times.

30/10/2025

Thank you all for a great sailing season in 2025 aboard the Intention. I did a damn lousy job of taking pictures and videos so thank you everyone who shared their pictures with me! Can't wait to welcome you all next season. So much fun!!

28/10/2025

Okay, I admit it. I’ve been a little afraid to sail around Fourni Island, Greece because of some of the horror stories I’ve heard about outrageous winds. I was wrong. It was stunningly beautiful in Kampi bay where we spent a couple of nights. Looking forward to going back!

27/10/2025

Had to share…Naomi Van den Bergh, hope that’s not Aquila!

Somewhere between “just tightening a few bolts” and “completely rebuilding the boat from scratch.” ⚓😅

26/10/2025

Wanna jump in and explore the crystal-clear waters of Greece with me next summer? I've got a bunch of great cruises planned for 2026 on the Intention, and I'd love for you to join me! Imagine waking up each morning in a new breathtaking port, surrounded by ancient history and stunning scenery. Let's create some unforgettable memories together! 🇬🇷

24/10/2025

Thank you everybody! Yes, I found a room in La Spezia. Great story. Ever be in a harbor and some other boat needs help, so you just jump in? For me, that’s one of the most fun things about cruising. When I can help someone untangle an issue, or be a second pair of hands. It’s fun and it's a great way to meet other cruisers. Well, that’s what happened to Young and I recently when Intention was shore-tied in Fourni, Greece. Our neighbor was on his Ocean 80 and his windlass was acting up. That’s him tied up next to us in the picture. So we came over bright and early in the morning and helped him haul his ground tackle up so he could be on his way. Turns out, he’s ex-military (Alan is retired army) and we started talking about his boat and all of his boat projects. Long story short he’s hired me to be his boat manager for all of his projects while the boat’s up for the winter in La Spezia. It’s going to be a real challenge and I am so looking forward to it! Do you have a great story of helping someone who’s boat was stuck? Got any advice for me?

21/10/2025

Had two young guests on the Intention this summer, both with old real film cameras. Both said that it was a "thing", a return to analog. One of them just sent me his pictures from the trip apologizing for them saying they got all screwed up in the developing. Actually, I think that he nailed the old school look perfectly. Very artistic. What do you think?

15/10/2025

Need a little help, here! I'm looking for a hero with a spare room to rent in Le Grazie, Italy for the month of November. Some friends asked me to help them with their boat there for a month, but I can't stay on the boat in the yard so I need a room. Anyone got a spare room for a solo sailor in November anywhere near there? 🛋️

08/10/2025

Thank you all for the wonderful birthday wishes! With Sailing Intention tucked away for the winter, thanks to the family Kevin Bode, Clark Bode, Casey Cacioppo Bode, Adrienne, and most of all, Zeb Ulon, I enjoyed a wonderful birthday with Casey in , France.