For more about Pat and Ray's day-to-day sailing adventures aboard Independence, read Captain Pat's blog!
Cruising Log of the Independence
Captains Pieter and Pat Stoeken slipped their dock lines in 2003 and took Independence, and themselves, for a Caribbean cruise.
Visit this page often to learn what it's like to prepare for a journey, then follow along with them as they report in from exotic ports of call.
August 2010 ... This year, Independence went to the boat yard for a haul out and over haul before the winter season.
November 2009 ... Independence had a great trip home from the States and is ready to take you sailing!
October 2009 ... The captains are headed home from North Carolina. Their trip hasn't gone exactly as planned ...
July 2009 ... This year, the captains have taken Independence to North Carolina, and will spend time visiting their grandchildren, etc.
November 2008 ... Pat and Pieter have retrieved the boat from the yeard, survived another hurricane, visited Dominica and are home!
September 2008 ... The captains chartered until July this year. Now they are heading south for some R&R and to work on Independence.
July 2008 ... Independence will once again head south for a few weeks, then be in dry storage while the captains travel.
November 2007 ... The captains have traveled - with and without Independence - from Ontairo to North Carolina this year.
October 2007 ... Notes from Newport, North Carolina, Williamsburg, Portsmouth, Maine and other cold places.
July 2007 ... Cruising - and working - on Independence ... First to Bermuda, and then to Newport.
June 2007 ... Charter season is over. Independence will take her captains north again this year.
April 2007 ... Life in the VI, a new grandchild, dolphins, and fun charter guests.
September 2006 ... No serious cruising for the crew of the Independence this summer, just short adventures around the VI.
March 2006 ... The captains went cruising - without Independence this time! She stayed behind to get spruced up for the sailing season.
August 2005 ... Independence and her captains ride out a hurricane in Carriacou!
July 2005 ... The captains are home after a short vacation. Read about their daughter's wedding and the flower raid.
November 2004 ... Safely home in St. Thomas, Independence is ready to go day sailing. Read about adventures in Bermuda.
October 2004 ... Cruising in Rhode Islands and Massachusetts, and some land cruising out west.
July 2004 ... Pat and Pieter visit Block Island and Newport and find out why everyone wears sweaters during the summer!
June 2004 ... They're leaving - really! Find out why they are late and read about Bermuda.
May 2004 ... The captains wrap up the day sailing season and prepare for a cruise to Bermuda and Newport.
January 2004 ... Christmas winds still blowing in January.
November 2003 ... The captains visited Montserrat and St. Lucia.
August 2003 ... A late start off the dock, but all went well and Independence visits St. Vincent and Grenada.
July 2003 ... Preparations for the cruise continue, including finishing up work in the boat yard and provisioning for the passage.
November 2002 ... Captains Pat and Pieter prepare to cast off and go cruising in 2003. Read what it is like to prepare to go cruising.