Countries and Territories Sailed to between 1998 – 2026

A Liveaboard Lifestyle

According to the available logs, S/V French Kiss and Captain Pete sailed to approximately 25 countries and territories between 1998 through 2025. During this period, Captain Pete lived full-time on Miss Kiss.

Captain Pete “was considering the purchase of the vessel with the intent of using her as a residence and recreational cruiser in the waters of the Virgin Islands.” (Marine Survey 1997)

Caribbean Region – 12 years (1998 – 2010)

  • U.S. Virgin Islands (USVI): Captain Pete’s acceptance of sailing vessel French Kiss was in January 3, 1998 in the U.S. Virgin Islands and was based at St. Croix. Several sails to St. John, plus many trips to Buck Island Reef National Monument. Many sails took place though-out this territory before departing this area permanently from St. Croix June 24, 2009.
  • British Virgin Islands (BVI): frequently sailed to Jost Van Dyke, Virgin Gorda, and Tortola.
  • Dominica: 2004 more info soon.
  • Anguilla: sailed from St. Croix in March 22, 2007 for a Jimmy Buffett concert.
  • Bonaire (Netherlands Antilles): arrived in June 27, 2009 after a rough 61-hour transit from the Virgin Islands.
  • Colombia: sailed to Cartagena in October 3, 2009 in hopes to put French Kiss in storage, but left on October 9, 2009 due to high fees and bureaucracy.
  • Panama: arrived in July 7, 2009 Explored Isla Colón (Shelter Bay), Bocas del Toro Archipelago, Provenir, the San Blas Islands, and the Las Perlas Islands before transiting the Panama Canal in February 2010.

Pacific Islands Region – 8 years (2010 – 2018)

  • Ecuador (Galapagos Islands): French Kiss arrived at Santa Cruz in March 2010 after an 11-day motor-sail from Panama.
  • French Polynesia: visited Nuku Hiva (Marquesas), Rangiroa (Tuamotus), and Raiatea, Tahaa, and Bora-Bora (Society Islands) in April 2010.
  • Cook Islands: stopped at Penrhyn, Manihiki, and Suwarrow atoll in May 2010.
  • American Samoa: spent 52 days in Pago Pago in mid-2010 waiting for boat parts.
  • Samoa (Independent): visited Apia on the island of Upolu in July 2016.
  • Tonga: made two extended visits to the Vava’u island group (Neiafu) in 2010 and 2016.
  • Fiji: visited numerous islands including Savusavu, Viani Bay, Koro, Levuka, Kandavu, and Musket Cove across several seasons.
  • Tuvalu: stopped at Funafuti atoll several times while transiting between Fiji and the north.
  • Kiribati: visited Tarawa and Abaiang atolls multiple times.
  • Marshall Islands: considered Majuro his “home” in the Pacific and extensively cruised atolls including Aur, Maloelap, Rongelap, Bikini, Kwajalein, Jaluit, Arno, and Mili.
  • Solomon Islands: arrived in Honiara in May 2013 and explored the Florida Islands, Russell Islands, and New Georgia group.
  • Vanuatu: cruised Port Vila, Tanna, Malakula, Luganville, and Sola in late 2016.
  • Federated States of Micronesia (FSM): During his 2018 trek west, he visited Kosrae, Pohnpei, Lukunoch (Mortlocks), Lamotrek, Woleai, and Yap.
  • Palau: arrived in February 2019 and spent several months based at the Royal Belau Yacht Club.

Southeast Asia Region – 6 years (2019 – 2025)

  • Indonesia: French Kiss reached Sorong, West Papua, in June 2018 and returned in early 2019.
  • Philippines: arrived in August 2019 and spent over four years there, largely due to pandemic restrictions and repairs in Cebu, Bohol, and Palawan.
  • Malaysia: arrived in Kudat, Sabah, in December 2023 and also spent time in Labuan and Miri, Sarawak.
  • Brunei: visited the Royal Brunei Yacht Club in Muara, Kuala Belait, and Jerudong Harbour.

Future Sails

Captain Pete frequently expressed a desire to sail to New Zealand, Australia, and Thailand, yet they never managed to visit those destinations. Miss Kiss and Captain Pete’s last voyage together concluded in Brunei February 1, 2025.

This Vessel Before 1997

S/V French Kiss (under a different name) was initially fleet chartered as a bareboat in St. Martin, USVI, after which it was sold to an individual owner who utilized the vessel as a family weekend cruiser. The former owner acquired the vessel in 1996 and operated her as a day sail charter vessel based in St. Thomas, USVI until December 1997.

Sails Beyond S/V French Kiss

Captain Pete had completed numerous sails beyond S/V French Kiss, including Grenada and the Grenadines in early 2009. He assisted a friend in delivering a 43′ Mason boat (Sweet Thing) from Grenada to St. Croix. The journey was a “hard beat” amid large Atlantic waves. They took a four-day break in Bequia to conduct emergency repairs on the boat’s inoperable engine, generator, and electronics.