Thursday, April 23, 2009
We're back, and very happy to be in the good ole' USA. Some of the things we like about it are: grocery stores with lots of stuff, reasonable prices, FM radio, cell phones, internet whenever we want it, nice marinas with showers and free water.
But, we loved the Bahamas for their charm and "foreign mystique".
Although we spent most of our time in the Exumas, the last 10 days were in the Abacos, in the northern part. We crossed over the Northeast Providence Channel on a fine day with a following breeze. We decided to try the spinnaker, and got it up just fine. We were so proud of ourselves. But as the day wore on, the wave action became a little more "active" and the spinnaker rotated and eventually wrapped around itself in a big flogging mess. We had to drop it and motor sail the last few hours. It's a strange feeling when you are 30 miles from the nearest land, with no one around.
We did meet some nice folks on other boats along the way, and some of them were out there making the crossing ahead of us. Some really nice folks from Marblehead invited us for cocktails, then had us stay for supper. We invited some folks over to our boat for drinks, and later they had us for supper on their boat. So now we have a book full of boat cards from interesting and friendly cruisers we've met along the way.
We spent time in Marsh Harbor, Hopetown, Green Turtle Cay and Great Sale Cay. We snorkled some of the most pristine ocean reefs off Green Turtle, where I was lucky enough to bag my second grouper. We invited friends over to help us eat it.
Finally, it was time to cross the Gulf Stream to Florida. We watched the weather intently, and had just about decided to wait for better weather, when another boat headed out. We hailed them on the radio, and they reassured us the forecast held a satisfactory window for our crossing. So we hoisted the inflatable on deck, put away everything that might shake loose, and headed across the Little Abaco Bank toward Fort Pierce. It was an overnight trip, and the quartering seas made us both queasy. Our buddy-boat, Nifty Nickers, was within a couple of miles at all times, and we could follow his stern light. We couldn't see him on our radar, which was a bit disconcerting. Later, a large oil tanker passed us close astern, and we could see him clearly on radar and over the waves. We also passed close by a large cruise ship. We arrived just after sun-up and settled into a pleasant anchorage for a much deserved rest.
Later, we motored up to Vero Beach, only 15 miles up the ICW, and took a mooring at the City Marina.
From here, we hope to do more long passages in the Atlantic. But first, we'll spend a few days visiting friends and relatives.
But, we loved the Bahamas for their charm and "foreign mystique".
Although we spent most of our time in the Exumas, the last 10 days were in the Abacos, in the northern part. We crossed over the Northeast Providence Channel on a fine day with a following breeze. We decided to try the spinnaker, and got it up just fine. We were so proud of ourselves. But as the day wore on, the wave action became a little more "active" and the spinnaker rotated and eventually wrapped around itself in a big flogging mess. We had to drop it and motor sail the last few hours. It's a strange feeling when you are 30 miles from the nearest land, with no one around.
We did meet some nice folks on other boats along the way, and some of them were out there making the crossing ahead of us. Some really nice folks from Marblehead invited us for cocktails, then had us stay for supper. We invited some folks over to our boat for drinks, and later they had us for supper on their boat. So now we have a book full of boat cards from interesting and friendly cruisers we've met along the way.
We spent time in Marsh Harbor, Hopetown, Green Turtle Cay and Great Sale Cay. We snorkled some of the most pristine ocean reefs off Green Turtle, where I was lucky enough to bag my second grouper. We invited friends over to help us eat it.
Finally, it was time to cross the Gulf Stream to Florida. We watched the weather intently, and had just about decided to wait for better weather, when another boat headed out. We hailed them on the radio, and they reassured us the forecast held a satisfactory window for our crossing. So we hoisted the inflatable on deck, put away everything that might shake loose, and headed across the Little Abaco Bank toward Fort Pierce. It was an overnight trip, and the quartering seas made us both queasy. Our buddy-boat, Nifty Nickers, was within a couple of miles at all times, and we could follow his stern light. We couldn't see him on our radar, which was a bit disconcerting. Later, a large oil tanker passed us close astern, and we could see him clearly on radar and over the waves. We also passed close by a large cruise ship. We arrived just after sun-up and settled into a pleasant anchorage for a much deserved rest.
Later, we motored up to Vero Beach, only 15 miles up the ICW, and took a mooring at the City Marina.
From here, we hope to do more long passages in the Atlantic. But first, we'll spend a few days visiting friends and relatives.
Monday, March 23, 2009
Bahamas
The Bahamas are great!
We left Marathon, FL on 2-12-09 with about 10 other boats. We had a three day weather window in the forecast, and the time was right. It took us several days to get ready, gathering supplies, reviewing our plans, checking equipment, etc. Even so, we were next to last getting out of Marathon, as we stopped to top off our fuel and water tanks.
We had arranged to "buddy boat" with some folks from Cohasset, Mass. We arrived at the jump-off location (just off Key Largo) just after dark and settled down for the night. But we had a bilge pump that wasn't working, so I checked it and found the hose mangled. (a drawstring had gotten around the prop shaft and whailed the hose to a pulp)
So, instead of leaving with the group, we stayed behind and launched the dinghy so I could motor 3 miles into Key Largo, put a bike ashore and bike 6 miles to a West Marine store to obtain some bilge pump hose. Success! That night I repaired the bilge pump, and we were ready to take off. Some nice folks on Salsa hailed us and invited us for cocktails. Sort of made the delay worthwhile.
We took off at the crack of dawn, all alone, heading across the Gulfstream. Wind was light and we had to motor much of the way. We arrived at South Riding Rock just before sundown and dropped the hook. We were the only boat there, and presumably within miles. We slept well in spite of the rolling swell.
Next day we made our way across the Great Bahama Bank (12-16 feet of water all the way)to the Northwest Beacon where again we anchored for the night. It's remarkable that we were able to spend two nights anchored on the bank, as there is minimal protection from any direction. We did have some company from Far Star on the second night.
On the third day, we motored into Bullock's Harbor and cleared customs at the marina. We paid our fee, and were officially checked in. Hooray.
From there we made our way a day at a time around the Berry Islands. Cruise ships stop there daily for their passengers to swim on the beautiful beaches. But a north wind was brewing, and we headed around to the south side for protection. We also needed to be in Nassau for Feb 26th when friends Tom and Angela fly in.
A long day's sail across the Northeast Passage in 20 knots of wind and seas of 8-12 feet got us to Nassau, where we proceeded to the Harbor Club and tied up in a slip to take on fuel and water. We also went to the supermarket and loaded up on food. There we were able to get our computer fixed so that we could access WiFi. (We'd been without e-mail since we left Marathon.)
Tom and Angella arrived right on time. We met them at the Green Parrot, and spent the night on the boat. Next day, we were off to Highborne Cay, where we spent a pleasant night in the lee of the high hills. Then, we sailed on down to the Exuma Land and Sea Park at Warderick Wells. We caught a small Skipjack Tuna on the way down, and ate it for supper. Delicious.
The Park was interesting, with magnificent snorkling. we saw huge rays, giant lobsters, millions of fish of every description - all colorful and unique. We also hiked and saw the coral island from the ground - now hot and arrid.
After a couple of days in the park, we headed on down to Staniel Cay. The trip was a blast, as we had a following wind, and were able to us our spinnaker for the first time. Angela helped set it up, and we made great time with that big sail full and booming.
Staniel Cay is quaint, as all the Exumas are. We shopped at the little store, and walked to the airstrip. Tom and Angela flew out from there. It was great to have them with us. It really livened up the trip.
From Staniel, we went south eventually arriving in Georgetown. It was full of boats and loads of activity. we had some fun there, but were glad to get away from the crowd.
Heading back north, we stop at Black Point to wait out 5 days of strong winds.
We left Marathon, FL on 2-12-09 with about 10 other boats. We had a three day weather window in the forecast, and the time was right. It took us several days to get ready, gathering supplies, reviewing our plans, checking equipment, etc. Even so, we were next to last getting out of Marathon, as we stopped to top off our fuel and water tanks.
We had arranged to "buddy boat" with some folks from Cohasset, Mass. We arrived at the jump-off location (just off Key Largo) just after dark and settled down for the night. But we had a bilge pump that wasn't working, so I checked it and found the hose mangled. (a drawstring had gotten around the prop shaft and whailed the hose to a pulp)
So, instead of leaving with the group, we stayed behind and launched the dinghy so I could motor 3 miles into Key Largo, put a bike ashore and bike 6 miles to a West Marine store to obtain some bilge pump hose. Success! That night I repaired the bilge pump, and we were ready to take off. Some nice folks on Salsa hailed us and invited us for cocktails. Sort of made the delay worthwhile.
We took off at the crack of dawn, all alone, heading across the Gulfstream. Wind was light and we had to motor much of the way. We arrived at South Riding Rock just before sundown and dropped the hook. We were the only boat there, and presumably within miles. We slept well in spite of the rolling swell.
Next day we made our way across the Great Bahama Bank (12-16 feet of water all the way)to the Northwest Beacon where again we anchored for the night. It's remarkable that we were able to spend two nights anchored on the bank, as there is minimal protection from any direction. We did have some company from Far Star on the second night.
On the third day, we motored into Bullock's Harbor and cleared customs at the marina. We paid our fee, and were officially checked in. Hooray.
From there we made our way a day at a time around the Berry Islands. Cruise ships stop there daily for their passengers to swim on the beautiful beaches. But a north wind was brewing, and we headed around to the south side for protection. We also needed to be in Nassau for Feb 26th when friends Tom and Angela fly in.
A long day's sail across the Northeast Passage in 20 knots of wind and seas of 8-12 feet got us to Nassau, where we proceeded to the Harbor Club and tied up in a slip to take on fuel and water. We also went to the supermarket and loaded up on food. There we were able to get our computer fixed so that we could access WiFi. (We'd been without e-mail since we left Marathon.)
Tom and Angella arrived right on time. We met them at the Green Parrot, and spent the night on the boat. Next day, we were off to Highborne Cay, where we spent a pleasant night in the lee of the high hills. Then, we sailed on down to the Exuma Land and Sea Park at Warderick Wells. We caught a small Skipjack Tuna on the way down, and ate it for supper. Delicious.
The Park was interesting, with magnificent snorkling. we saw huge rays, giant lobsters, millions of fish of every description - all colorful and unique. We also hiked and saw the coral island from the ground - now hot and arrid.
After a couple of days in the park, we headed on down to Staniel Cay. The trip was a blast, as we had a following wind, and were able to us our spinnaker for the first time. Angela helped set it up, and we made great time with that big sail full and booming.
Staniel Cay is quaint, as all the Exumas are. We shopped at the little store, and walked to the airstrip. Tom and Angela flew out from there. It was great to have them with us. It really livened up the trip.
From Staniel, we went south eventually arriving in Georgetown. It was full of boats and loads of activity. we had some fun there, but were glad to get away from the crowd.
Heading back north, we stop at Black Point to wait out 5 days of strong winds.
Thursday, January 15, 2009
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