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Blue Dot Voyages sail a Leopard48 Catamaran “PILAR”. “We” are Captain Stephen Bell and First Officer Dawn Bell, well known for our adventure loving souls. We publish a travel sailing blog and sailing videos as well as offer Catamaran sailing experience charters.
Most recently, in 2023 we sailed the east coast from Florida to Maine and then the Salty Dawgs Caribbean rally from Hampton, VA to Antigua, W.I. In 2024, we transited the Eastern Caribbean down to Grenada and sailed back through Bahamas. 2025 we will be in the Bahamas. All of the travel blogs can be found here.
We are also advanced scuba diving certified and have spent years together diving worldwide – Galapagos, Belize, Caribbean, Mexico, Raja Ampat to name a few.
Captain Stephen Bell
I was born and raised on the US East coast where the majority of my seamanship training and experience was achieved. Holding a USCG 100-ton Master Merchant Marine Credential since 1986, I have extensive experience in yacht deliveries and charter operations.
Sailing and sport fishing yacht deliveries along the east coast, Bermuda, Caribbean, and west coast/Panama Canal for these years has offered vast experience in seamanship, navigation and of course in-route repairs. I have spent many years hosting sailing yacht charters and training for beginning sailors and new yacht owners. I have captained everything from monohulls to catamarans, to sport fishing and motor yachts.
A mechanical engineer by trade, I am handy in the bilge and the engine room. I am the “go to” man for many boat owners from mechanical repairs to yacht handling at sea, in the shallow east coast inlets and at the dock in those 3-4 knot east coast tidal currents.
I am a passionate fisherman as well and always trolling a line for a fresh meal or a trophy bill fish release. On shore, I’ll be throwing a fly for tarpon and bonefish or collecting blue crabs and oysters.
First Officer Dawn Bell
I have been sailing since 2014, diving in quickly with my first trip being from Green Turtle Bahamas to Charleston SC. I have sailed to Cayman Islands and Cuba, as well as in the Bahamas and BVI, eastern US coast, and the entire West Indies chain of Caribbean Islands from Antigua to Grenada.
Although originally from Michigan’s great lakes area, I did not spend much time on boats as a child. My knowledge and love of the water ocurred upon moving to North Carolina in 2011. A whole new world was discovered.
In addition to managing my own digital marketing consulting business, I also manage the business side of Blue Dot Voyages. I write the blogs and produce the videos documenting our voyages.
I love doing extensive trip planning, specifically finding those places that are often overlooked, but you really shouldn’t miss! I also enjoy the meal planning, cooking and provisioning – including all of the supplies, food and entertainment.
Features on Other Sites
Stephen authored a Safety at Sea article for Ocean Navigator.
We have been featured on Noonsite’s Portrait of a Cruiser.
We are on FeedSpot’s Top 80 Sailing Blogs!
