S/V Faith
Faith is a 1964 Pearson Ariel. She has come to me after years of thought about what I really wanted in a boat, and consideration of priorities.
I believe that the bond between a Sailor and a boat should be more then ownership. I first came across an Ariel years ago (1993?) helping a friend who had bought hull #243 transport her from Elizabeth City, NC to Va Beach, VA by road with out the assistance of any proper boat moving equipment. That is a story for another post. I fell in love with that hull then.
I made some changes in my priorities a couple years ago, and shifted from walking docks and dreaming to actually looking at boats. I had definite opinions about what I wanted, having read about boats and walked docks all my life. I found myself looking at all types of boats, and was actually aboard a 36' Morgan when it dawned on me.... I had lost my focus.
I called Bob, the friend with #243. He told me about a couple leads near where he lived, on 30-35' boats (since that was mostly what I had been looking at). Then added as almost an after though "there is a guy with an Ariel in the Trading post". As soon as he said it, I knew I had been going in the wrong direction. I got excited.
I got the number and gave the guy a call expecting the boat to have been sold. Herb Tucker answered and said that the boat was still for sale. I asked the normal questions, and then he suggested we go for a sail. Having bought used cars all my life, I knew I had to sound dis-interested. "How about tomorrow morning?" My reply probably gave me away. J
It was ~ 300 miles away, but I was there at the agreed 8am. I got there a little early, and there was a light haze on the water. The small marina had about 30 boats.... Can't tell you what else was there though. When I saw the stern of that boat it was love at first site.
(http://lh3.ggpht.com/_tcVd2r_be7s/SrhusbN9CrI/AAAAAAAAAWY/o8MizjLRdWA/s512/IMG00109.jpg)
We had a nice couple hours underway, the wind was light but steady. She sailed like a dream, and I was impressed with her overall level of upkeep. She has had a couple periods of neglect in her life that she has suffered through, but it was clear Herb had done his part to reverse the years toll. There were some things that needed to be tended to, but nothing that (appeared) to be too much work.
It will be three years this spring I have owned her, and I still think well of Herb Tucker, which is much more then I can say for all those I have bought cars and homes from over the years. I have sent a LOT of time onboard that boat. Had some adventures, earned a few stories, and learned some lesions.
I still get excited when I walk down to the marina and see her tugging at her dock lines.
Come on! Let's go sailing!.
I think I will. More later.
I hear ya. I did almost the same thing and feel pretty much the same about Amorous. Even here in Alaska in the middle of the freezing cold I go out in the yard and look at her there on the trailer and think....Wow, what a beautiful boat! Of course she's much more beautiful in the water, but at least she's not 5000 miles from home any more.
I keep meaning to take the camera down to the marina, but here is a shot John took;
(http://sailfar.net/gallery/albums/userpics/10014/normal_wavesinslip.bmp)
Capt. Smollet took this pic when he was out looking at his Alberg 30. The NE breeze brings some chop into the slip, it is pretty calm for most wind conditions.
Rose and I will be updating this page with our travel progress. We have phad 'boat cards' printed up that have a link to this thread. ;D
Here she is out Sailing on the New River;
(http://lh3.ggpht.com/_tcVd2r_be7s/SrhORlKoOEI/AAAAAAAAAUA/mxmyVOz8OwU/s512/Craig_hides_behind_rose_at_first_mark.jpg)
OBTW, You can get free cards (shipping only)here. (http://www.vistaprint.com)
If anyone who we have given the cards to is poking around the site trying to find the link.... you can bookmark this thread. ;)
(http://sailfar.net/gallery/albums/userpics/10014/normal_101_9691.JPG)
(http://sailfar.net/gallery/albums/userpics/10014/normal_101_9690.JPG)
(http://sailfar.net/gallery/albums/userpics/10014/12Haulout_keelartport.jpg)
;D
When is 'untie the dock lines' day???
Let me guess - 11 August? ;D ;D
Is that just a guess or is it based on inside information? :D
I have been so busy lately that I have not posted much.
Rose and I moved aboard 3 weeks ago yesterday, and I had surgery the week before that. Thankfully I had most of the projects done first, and was able to finish up the rest.
We 'retire' on the 10th, and plan to cut the lines on the morning of the 11th.
The dingy won't look this good again;
(http://lh4.ggpht.com/_tcVd2r_be7s/Srhn0I1j63I/AAAAAAAAAU0/--SpMLspOFY/s512/Craig%27s%20Retirement%20021.jpg)
The projects that I need to find pictures for are;
Finally got around to some of the projects. Here is an update with a few pictures;
Bomar Nibo aluminum Framed hatch in the foredeck.
Bow Roller, bit, and bow cleats;
Mid Ship's cleats
Engle 27 Fridge install;
Fold Down dvd/tv
Drawers / stowage space
New cushions, with back-rests / filler
V-berth lighting system;
Stern pulpit 1" Stainless tube
Had the Dodger & Bimini made by a local guy out of new Bern. 1" heavy stainless tube, double stitched Sunbrella, 60mil Eisenglass,
Bimini cut to allow sailing (mainsheet will rub on the corners, but they have chafe patches sewn in)
Dodger
Pin Rail boards
One last trip up the mast... though when recovering from hernia surgery.....
(http://lh4.ggpht.com/_tcVd2r_be7s/Srhn0YxOB8I/AAAAAAAAAU4/y87uL_FZp_o/s512/Craig%27s%20Retirement%20042.jpg)
Blowing the lines before I top up the tanks;
(http://lh5.ggpht.com/_tcVd2r_be7s/Srhn0zxdaRI/AAAAAAAAAU8/GS3SPfjPNNA/CRW_1382-01.jpg)
Quote from: s/v Faith on August 03, 2007, 07:39:57 PM
Rose and I moved aboard 3 weeks ago yesterday,
Congrats!!! :)
Quote
We 'retire' on the 10th, and plan to cut the lines on the morning of the 11th.
Wow. I was commenting tongue in cheek when I posted a couple of weeks ago that I bet you were casting off on the 11th. Good on ya, mate.
See ya next Friday. ;)
Wahooo Congrats
Still have not gotten the pictures of setting the boat up taken, been kinda busy.... crazy as i approach my retirement.
This is Gottchalks Marina, home for the last 5 years. Home of the Ragged Point Yacht Club. I am leaving as their commodore, these people are my friends.
(http://lh4.ggpht.com/_tcVd2r_be7s/Srhnzt_tLpI/AAAAAAAAAUw/Mn_NRS4GZlA/Craig%27s%20Retirement%20011.jpg)
Here are a couple of her last day in the slip.
(http://lh6.ggpht.com/_tcVd2r_be7s/SrhnyiNH_MI/AAAAAAAAAUo/guAkBl1vh0I/Craig%27s%20Retirement%20020.jpg)
(http://lh5.ggpht.com/_tcVd2r_be7s/SrhnzNVIbaI/AAAAAAAAAUs/_7UQs8nKfzo/Craig%27s%20Retirement%20019.jpg)
Today I retire from the Military, and tomorrow we sail.
Blessings to all, and thanks for the support.
Rose and I will post updates soon.
cool!
And so it begins - fair winds and much happiness.
Wow!!! Retire today; sail away tomorrow. No moss growin' on Craig & Rose! Best of luck to you!
Kevin
Good Luck to the two of you! Enjoy safe passages.
Have FUN !!! Good luck fishing ;)
-
Congrats and fair winds to you, Rose and Faith. I think you'll really like the Engel 27, that's the same unit I have. Just be aware that at anything about 1.5/2 it starts to freeze stuff. :D
I'd love to see the photos of the pin rails, since I'm thinking of doing something similar, but haven't seen anything to inspire me. :D
Rock on!
The last few days have been truly wonderful.
(http://lh6.ggpht.com/_tcVd2r_be7s/Srhn3L0tL3I/AAAAAAAAAVM/H1fdEo9LcYg/CRW_1442-13.jpg)
My dad and I, and my long time friend Bob (owner of Ariel #243)
Faith is laying behind the ceremony... in full dress ship. (http://lh5.ggpht.com/_tcVd2r_be7s/Srhn4DTwYfI/AAAAAAAAAVU/YrbpCN5S-XA/Craig%27s%20Retirement%20132.jpg)
My Wife is by my side, my son and Daughter-in-law-to-be are there, my mom has driven up from Fl, and my dad has flown out from California. Actually, he came out from California 10 days before we cast off. Having him with me greatly cut down on the stress, and we even got away from the dock for a couple of 'farewell' sails on the New River... something I have wanted to do since I got the boat. He gave me the most beautiful oil painting of the mountain where he and I used to hike in the summers... I only wish I had figured out a way to fit it aboard... ;D
Mt. Tamalpais from my dad's blog; (http://armamos.blogspot.com/)
(http://bp3.blogger.com/_S0Z6y2rgwyM/RsDHwwx2KBI/AAAAAAAAAAc/pKr0ZFUu6Zo/s320/Michigan+707+119.jpg)
My friends from work and the Yacht Club made my retirement / send off wonderful. The only bad part of leaving is leaving them behind. Thanks to everyone who did so much to make it great! My friends in the club even managed to find floating hotel rooms for my friends and families... Thanks!
Mom, DJ, & Anglea (my future daughter in law) came up from Florida with Kit and Buddie in tow (mom's and DJ's dogs). I think they helped ease the transition for Peter... who is staying with my mom for at least the ICW portion of the trip.
It was a great ceremony / party... and a perfect morning for sailing out of the marina. (http://lh3.ggpht.com/_tcVd2r_be7s/Srhn3piE-KI/AAAAAAAAAVQ/dfBnC7U5fEs/CRW_1496-41.jpg)
It was hot as it can be that day. It was a suitable reminder of the many many friends I have lost in Iraq. Thankful to be leaving here, but people I will never forget as long as I live.
Tears were left in our wake for our friends, and all the Lord has done for us in the last four years here. Our first few days have been.... How shall I say it...??? Lazy sailing at it's best!
Last minute preps;
(http://lh6.ggpht.com/_tcVd2r_be7s/Srhn5thjsII/AAAAAAAAAVg/o1-u7bfIkLI/Craig%27s%20Retirement%20146.jpg)
We have sailed as long as we could make headways.... Often spending hours at less then a knot!
Here is a few word's from Lady Faith's Journal;
We started our trip on Saturday around 11:45. We had family and friends wave us off, tears in our eyes. We were excited about the trip, but were leaving behind a lot of good friends. We didn't go far the first day, were tired from the previous day, so we only got to Courthouse Bay Marina, 11.99 NM. We did have an escort for a little way, a friend named Mark escorted us to marker 46 in his sailboat Crescendo. It was a nice farewell by him. The weather was great, slow wind, but cool and glorious. We sailed most of the way. Our friend Dennis came to Courthouse Bay Marina for a final good-bye, he plans to meet us in the Bahamas when he can.
The next morning, another beautiful, light breeze day, we went to breakfast with another good friend Vaugh, then we were on our way. Almost..... Another friend named Earl had a tool we would need, so we waited for him to bring it to us. We left right after that. We only had to motor two times, once out of the marina and once by Swan Point Marina. The sailing was great, if not slow, but who cared. We are on no schedule and just enjoyed the day and each others company. We ended up anchoring by the Surf City Bridge and had a relaxing evening. I stayed below as the mosquitoes were out, Craig go bit up. It was a cool evening and a very calm night. We were gently rocked to sleep by Gods hand. That is how I pictured it anyway. Craig woke up and watched the meteor showers, I was to lazy.
Today we had to motor the whole way. The wind was on our bow, the breeze was light most of the day. As we were going through the Figure Eight Island Bridge, Craig showed me a huge giraffe in someone's front yard, it was great. There was a lot of powerboaters on the water going by fast and waking us, but it was still a beautiful and semi-peaceful day. The only planning we have done so far is for the Bridge openings. Anyway, we are at Wrightsville, just past the bridge and anchored in a nice area. We have watched skiers, sunfish and a lot of other boats pass by, all seemed to be in a rush. It feels good to be able to relax and go slow for a change. Craig took the dingy and got us supper, I was to lazy to cook. It tasted better then I could have made just then anyway. Craig and I are just chilling, watching the sunset and feeling the breeze on our faces. So far the trip is great, and we continue to look forward to updating everyone on the rest of it.
beautiful... fair winds to you both. :)
Absolutely beautiful! I look forward to reading more of your adventures.
What a beautiful way to mark a thousand posts. Way cool... 8)
Best wishes on your adventure.
Craig and Rose,
You describe that sail down to Wrightsville beach beautifully. I'm glad that all is going well for you.
Today is day 6. You must be down off the coast of Georgia somewhere. As the sun sets, have a cold drink and say a prayer for all of us poor unfortunate working dogs back at New River.
Our thoughts (and a few jealous jabs) are with you.
Will you make Wilmington in a week?......Earl wants to know. I'm home safe, thinking of you, and envious.......but I am cooler than last week. More later. Love, Dad
We had wind on the nose all day yesterday, motoring into 20kts with a following 2 knot current down the cape fear yesterday made for a rather rough ride.
We took a detour past Southport and stopped at Bald Head Island Marina where we are taking our once a week break in a marina. Bald Head island is a nice place, but as far as Rose and I can figure they are a cult, pretending to be a resort.
Yes, you read it here first... BHI is a cult devoted to the worship of the Golf Cart. They all have them, they are souped up and running to and fro at a high rate of speed everywhere. ;D
Here is a letter Rose wrote to her mom.
Dear Mom, 17 August 2007
How are you doing? We are fine.
Craig sailed in one last race before we left North Carolina.
(http://sailfar.net/newgallery/albums/userpics/10014/PostLastSail.jpg)
So far our trip has been fairly slow. We had to stay for a couple of days at Wrightsville Beach in order to get a medication that I have to take. I was low and did not realize how low until I took some and saw I only had one days worth left. Some Ducks came by for a snack.
(http://sailfar.net/newgallery/albums/userpics/10014/PostDucks.jpg)
We are still in North Carolina, we stopped for a couple of days at Bald Head Island. It is really pretty, but very expensive. A tourist type place.
On our trip so far we saw a huge giraffe in front of a house, pretty scenery, and interesting things along the waterway.
(http://sailfar.net/newgallery/albums/userpics/10014/PostGiraffe.jpg)
We are taking our time and enjoying our trip. There is no schedule, so no rushing around with our heads cut off. We are however, missing our baby dog. I think we will be picking him up before we cross over to the Bahamas. He is staying with Craig's mom at our house in Pensacola Florida.
Well, that is the main things going on right now. I love and miss you lots.
Rose & Craig
Met a couple of guys at anchor in Wrightsville Beach. Noah and Josh were headed north from FL to MD, aboard a Watkins 27. They had a halyard go free, so I brought over the ATN Topclimber and rigged it so Noah could go aloft. He got the halyard, but agrees that the topclimber is not a great piece of gear.
(http://sailfar.net/newgallery/albums/userpics/10014/PostATN.jpg)
Here is a stray picture from day 2 when we were at CourtHouse Bay.
(http://sailfar.net/newgallery/albums/userpics/10014/PostCourthouseBay.jpg)
That was a major mileage day when we went a grand total of 11.99 nm. ::)
As to Earl's and others concerns about our schedule...... there still is none. ;D
looking good craig,
Craig and Rose,
Thanks for the start of what shall prove to be a wonderful journal. Earl and I were out sailing on Legacy yesterday and wondering what part of the ICW you were on at that present time. Great update. Vince wrote me yesterday and I have two folks from Wilmington that want to look at Crescendo. Guess that is one way for the competition to get me off the race course:) The retirement pics were fabulous. Tom had an electrical problem yesterday and was close to burning down his boat, but he got it fixed with only a few cuts to his hand. Everyone else is well. Getting ready for the Talbee race. Will keep you posted. :)
Mark
Wow Craig...it still doesnt feel like you guys have left...i feel that i should see the big red truck in the parking lot when i get back to gottschalk...
Rose's journal entry makes me GREEENNNNN with jealousy...we just got back from Ocracoke(crossing the pamlico in the POWER BOAT with 30 kt winds and 5-7 footers to our BEAM)...my mother was not happy....but the island was beautiful(i had to brag a little as our small journey amounts to nothing you are doing, and not to mention i definately didnt want to leave) The relaxing notion of roses entry is great im sooo happy for you guys...keep us posted where you are...
Vaughn said yall called him when you were in southport...cool town for sure.
Yall are livin the dream man... 8)I dont know what the taulbee race is gonna be like with out yah...
BTW, my graduation is June 12th, so keep that week open ;D
Hi Craig and Rose
Congratulations on getting underway. If you pass through Brunswick, GA or St. Simons Island we would love to meet you and see your boat. We could give you a ride for provisioning and show you the local attractions. I'll be out of town until the afternoon of August 28, but you can email or phone me anytime at:
912-222-8404
yachtatom@hotmail.com
James
Hey Craig and Rose,
I've been checking your log every day. Living vicariously through you, I was hoping for an update of where you were and how the trip is going.
Your Old Friend,
Don
Hi Craig and Rose,
I do not know how far you have gotten but I live on the Ogeechee River south of Savannah about 8 to 10 miles off up river which is off the ICW. If you would like to stop by or need anything I would be glad to accomidate you at my dock. I can give you a ride to reprovision or to help you get what you need. Keep us posted of your progress. Dan
Well, Craig and Rose left Georgetown onboard "Faith II" Wednesday, just as soon as I was able to raise the bail money needed to get them out of jail.
It was an, um,
interesting week. Kind of tough and surprising (to say the least), but I'm sure that years from now, once the memories have faded, perhaps I might be able to laugh about it all...
I don't want to go too far into the story - after all, it is *their* cruise and story - but to those of you who have invited Craig and Rose to stop by your place when they cruise through, I have a few tips that might help you survive their visit:
- 1) Hide the Saran Wrap. Not just yours, *ALL* of it that you can find, preferably within several miles of wherever they tie up.
- 2) And the Jello.
- 3) Fer the love of all that is Holy, DON'T pull Craigs finger when he asks you to. Trust Me.
- 4) Here's a General tip for everyone while Craig and Rose travel: Buy stock in the parent corp of "Goo Gone" brand adhesive remover. Georgetown looks like a sailFar.net sticker factory did some sort of guerilla marketing campaign here.
- 5) Keep The Vodka Away From Rose. (Especially if there are firearms in the vicinity.)
That's a start for you, I don't want to ruin all of the "fun".
Anyway, above I mentioned "Faith II". I don't know if I should let the cat out of the bag, but Craig used the money from the (alleged) heist to buy a SeaRay Sunseeker 55. I think it was the A/C in the laundry room that was the big draw for Rose. That way it's just like being in a marina...
(http://sailfar.net/gallery/albums/userpics/10001/Faith-2-sea-ray-55.jpg)
Which reminds me - if any of y'all are trying to think of a gift to send Craig and/or Rose, I'd suggest either a towel, or a bar of soap. Seriously. No, not because they smell (mostly), but because they just
LOVE to take showers. To the point that now the marina management has instituted a very strict "1-day-1-person-1-shower" policy, since they had to replace all of the plumbing and shower stalls after Craig and Rose left due to - get this - "Erosion"!
If Craig and Rose ever lived in Arizona, then I think I know who REALLY made the Grand Canyon...
The CrewDogs have almost recovered, and Rose does make good spaghetti, but with that in mind, let me stress Rule #3 above again...
Then again, y'all may not have anything to worry about, solely due to Craig's 'navigation' skills. Think about it - John ("Capt Smollett") and I made the same trip in 32 hours that took Craig and Rose something like 12 days.
...'nuff said.
But I was witness to Craig's Captainage as they left the harbour. They flaunted the Chief of Polices warnings to "get away and stay away", and took a trip through the anchorage by town on their way out. I was over at the boatyard when they went by, and saw why it takes them so long to get places - Craig tends to steer in circles.
Maybe it was just that stock of box wine that they loaded onboard last minute...
Fair winds and beam reaches, Craig, Rose, and "Faith"! We loved having y'all here. :)
The truth is not in Capt K. We had a great stay in Georgetown, sorry to all for being remiss in my updates. I let Kurt into my Computer, and after I deleted all of the foreign pop ups my operating system seemed to be having trouble.
We are in Beaufort, SC right now. We are staying at the marina tonight, but will probably go out to the anchorage in the morning.
We had a beautiful night on the Ashepoo river, and reached and ran all the way down here. I was a little sad to start the motor to come into the marina, but the current had just switched.
Beaufort is a really nice town. I had come down here a couple of times on business before, but had never really SEEN the town (as every place is completely different when arrived at by water).
I will try to get some updates from the last couple days, but we left Georgetown on Thursday, and sailed to Mcclensville. We anchored in 5 fathom creek and sailed out the inlet (a smaller inlet not found on the charts) in th morning. We went off shore to Charleston, and while the approach was nice, the city was a little bit of a disappointment. The City Marina was a $2 a night deal, with little to offer and a 35' min. Paying $70 (+power!) seemed a bit extreme, especially when most of the attractions were across town. We anchored in the town anchorage and only dingied ashore for some water and to stretch our legs. (note: there are no publically accessable dingy docks near the Charleston anchorage, we stopped along side a nice liveaboard for the couple minutes we were there.)
We did see some nice fireworks, and got a chance to rest up.
On our friend Don's advice we went a couple miles down the ICW on Sunday, and stayed in a nice anchorage.
Here is an excerpt from Roses last letter home;
QuoteDear Mom, 28 August 2007
Here is a picture of me onboard Faith as we sit at anchor in Calabash Creek. Craig had rowed our dinghy over to another boat to invite the man to dinner. The guy had already eaten. It was a busy anchor with a lot of boats passing by. Some got closer than necessary.
We got a good nights rest and enjoyed the time. The sunset was gorgeous, we watched it for a while until the sun was down and the moon came out. Time to sleep.
On the way to our next stop, we watched the gondola. We went right under it and got some great pictures. It was soooooo cool.
(http://sailfar.net/gallery/albums/userpics/10014/normal_Gondola.JPG)
The pelican was sitting above us on the pole we were tied to at Southport. It was so need, we had to get pictures of it. It even posed for us, we thought once we talked it would fly away, it calmly looked at us and stayed where it was.
(http://sailfar.net/gallery/albums/userpics/10014/normal_Pelican.JPG)
Rain at Georgetown Landing marina.
(http://sailfar.net/gallery/albums/userpics/10014/normal_GeorgeTownRain.JPG)
This is where we are now. We will be leaving tomorrow, depending on weather. We stayed here to visit with Kurt for a week and do some shopping and odds and ends. It has been a good time except one day when we tried to turn the boat around and the current was to strong and we almost crashed he into the marina.
We are fine and enjoying retirement. Love and miss you lots, Take care of yourself.
Love,
Rose & Craig
Here is one he missed;
(http://sailfar.net/gallery/albums/userpics/10577/normal_CalabashAnchor.JPG)
Craig was rowing the dingy over to ask a guy on another boat if he wanted to come to dinner. I was cooking dinner sitting in the Cockpit.
Here is one taken at the same anchorage at sunset;
(http://sailfar.net/gallery/albums/userpics/10577/SunSet.JPG)
Thanks Kurt. Is spite of what you wrote it was nice to see you and meet Annalisa and spend time with you guys and the Crew Dogs.
Craig said it is still hard to believe you are living aboard a Beneteaux 465 though, and wants to know when you are going to come out of the closet about it? ::)
. :)
Here is a little more info on the trip so far.
I have been keeping a log, and here is some info that may be of interest.
First, here are the milage totals at each stop, and some more pictures;
11 August Start at Gottchalk's Marina, go to CourtHouse Bay Marina
11.99 nm (we were really tired and emotionally drained from the retirement)
12 Aug Surf City anchor 28.2 nm
13 Aug Wrightsville Beach anchorage (banks channel) 48.68 nm
16 Aug Bald Head Island Marina 74.74 nm
18 Aug Southport Courtesy dock 77.92 nm (short day!)
19 Aug Calabash Creek Anchorage (did not write mileage)
20 Aug BareFoot Landing Dock 118.39 nm
21 Aug Prince Creek 114.35 nm
Sailing to Georgetown;
(http://sailfar.net/gallery/albums/userpics/10577/ThReefing.jpg)
22 Aug Georgetown Landing marina 164.04 nm
We saw John's Alberg, which used to live in the slip behind us at Gottchalk's marina. She is looking good John!
(http://sailfar.net/gallery/albums/userpics/10577/ThSmollet30swings.jpg)
She was looking good not like 'Sabrina' the Flicka that the designer used to own. She looks like she needs a good home (Our friend Dennis has one just like this, in nice condition though).
(http://sailfar.net/gallery/albums/userpics/10577/ThSabrina.jpg)
Steel Mill at George Town;
(http://sailfar.net/gallery/albums/userpics/10577/ThSteelMill.jpg)
Just beyond the anchorage at Georgetown, there is this active steel mill. I did not know there were any domestic steel mills still in operation, and it seems strange to find it in a small port town. It does not detract from the great little town, but adds to it.
Kinda neat. :)
29 Aug 5 Fathom Creek 192.96 nm
we visited McClealensville, and saw the fishing fleet;
(http://sailfar.net/gallery/albums/userpics/10577/ThMcclenvilleFleet.jpg)
At anchor at 5 fathom creek;
(http://sailfar.net/gallery/albums/userpics/10577/ThAnchorAt5Fathom.jpg)
30 Aug Offshore to Charleston anchorage 234.23 nm
Here is a picture Craig wanted me to take showing how calm it was;
(http://sailfar.net/gallery/albums/userpics/10577/WMidShipsCleat.jpg)
Navigation is hard work!
(http://sailfar.net/gallery/albums/userpics/10577/ThNavigator.jpg)
This is enough to wake you up though.... lots of traffic in the channel;
(http://sailfar.net/gallery/albums/userpics/10577/ThCharlestonExpress.jpg)
Did not see much at Charleston, not too small boat friendly. Did have a front row seat for some nice fireworks;
(http://sailfar.net/gallery/albums/userpics/10577/ThFirework.jpg)
We watched these guys go from boat to boat for a while thinking they worked for a marina Craig called the Coast Guard when he saw they were sawing the mount off of the outboard on this sailboat.
(http://sailfar.net/gallery/albums/userpics/10577/ThCovert.jpg)
The Coast Guard came out and looked around but they had already left. :(
1 Sep Anchored behind island just past Charleston 238.05 nm (it was beautiful, thanks Don!)
2 Sep Ashepoo River anchorage 272.8 nm
3 Sep Beaufort SC City Marina 293.49 nm
We had a nice dinner here so far, and took the marina courtesy car for a spin. Will update more later!
Thanks to all who are following this and especially for your thoughts and prayers.
More updates to follow!
Hey Craig and Rose!
What a great adventure! You've had everything from friends to fireworks!
5 Fathom Creek looked like a nice place to anchor. Good info on Charleston not being small boat friendly (I wouldn't have thought that).
Rose, careful you don't drop your plotting instruments overboard as you work so diligently on the navigation. ;D
Looking forward to your next post/update.
Stay safe! Smooth Sailing!
Don
You 2 sure seem to be havin fun....GREAT !!! I see you have encountered the 'rath of Kurt'...don't take his ramblings personal...they are alcohol enduced. Thanks for making his Beneteau 465 public. I was sworn to secrecy about it on my visit. The big screen TV is kinda cool tho....and the crew dogs seem to like the built in AC on those hot summer days. Wishing you's a continued exellent adventure.Next stop...Georgia ;)
Great reading! So, glad you're enjoying the cruise.
But, if I may, the mill you photo'd is possibly a paper mill. There are several in the coastal areas around Charleston, as well as scattered around NC and SC. Had you been downwind, you may have confirmed this for sure. They have a certain rotten odiferousness about them. :o Worse than any finger pullin', I can assure you. ;) Be glad it was a clam day.
Great photos.
Best wishes on a great cruise.
Paul
Quote from: Paul on September 04, 2007, 11:39:51 PM
Great reading! So, glad you're enjoying the cruise.
But, if I may, the mill you photo'd is possibly a paper mill. There are several in the coastal areas around Charleston, as well as scattered around NC and SC. Had you been downwind, you may have confirmed this for sure. They have a certain rotten odiferousness about them. :o Worse than any finger pullin', I can assure you. ;) Be glad it was a clam day.
Great photos.
Best wishes on a great cruise.
Paul
Thanks for the post, I could have taken a picture of the wrong plant :-X
There is a paper mill also, I figured that one was the steel mill since there was a dock where they seemed to beunloading scrap. I have a paper mill near where I live in FL,
so I know all about that smell. Whatever they are doing in Georgetown somehow has avoided that smell.
It really is a neat little town. ;D
I don't know why you people want to tell such lies about me... ::) ::) ::)
Craigs operating system runs BETTER now, since I put Linux on his laptop...
Frank - as you are the Alcohol INDUCER, don't try to kid the rest of us, eh, ya hoser! Take off! :)
Faithers - I gave y'all that ICW Chartbook to use for *navigation*, NOT for use as a pillow and drool-catcher for Rose... Geesh...
;D
In the pic, that *is* a steel mill. It converts scrap into a high strength wire (like baling wire, not electrical wire). Back behind it there is also a paper mill, however, but you can't see it in that pic.
The way the paper mill is sited, we very rarely smell it because of prevailing winds. The stench was definitely Craig...
Capt K (of Beneteau 465 fame) mentions lies?? Now who would you believe...a nice retired couple on a classic sloop with beautiful traditional lines...or the slurring capt of a Beneteau?? AND..and..as to alcohol inducer...I resemble that remark ;) I can't believe our good Capt would print such info on Faith...I'm sure simply out of frustration because he can't get his 465 out of the harbour without high tide to float her and here they are out cruising. Keep going Faith..there will be many characters along the way...some more sober than others ;D
Spending a couple of days in port now, waiting for a front passage to clear. It's great to have wifi access. Internet connections have been rare during my cruise, but now I am getting updated 'par tout'
Great to read about you guys ut on the water, enjoying yourselves.
I wish you a pleasant trip and Fair Winds
s/v Röde Orm curently in port at Nynäshamn, Sweden
Craig and Rose,
Sorry I missed you in Georgetown. I was down at Tybee Island last week. I'm back up "North" now, so it looks like I'll miss you down that way as well.
Tybee/Savannah is a really cool place so I hope you guys get to spend some time there. If anything comes up and you guys need a hand/shoreside support, let me know; it's only a few hours from here.
Savannah restaurant recommendation: on River Street, there is a little place called One Eyed Lizzies. We happened upon it and I really liked it. Everybody and their brother in that area does seafood, but this one was a little different. It was Mexican dishes made with seafood. I had shrimp quesedillas and they were GREAT. ;)
You can dock (http://www.riverstreetmarketplace.com/dock) right there along River Street.
--JR
John,
We spent the last three nights at the town dock at Savannah. Great place, very small boat friendly town.
We spun the prop on our outboard, I will post the details and pictures in a bit. We are at Thunderbolt Marina tinight, doing laundry and such. Hope to catch up with Dan tonorrow.
Will post some more after we get cleaned up and laundery done.
Hey- I've been at Thunderbolt about 6 times now- let me know if they still deliver donuts and the morning paper to your cockpit around daylight.
Hope you guys are having a ball.
When you cross the St Johns River in a few weeks (days?), as you get to the first high bridge south- wave at the island on your left- there'll be a Roberts 54 sitting up on the land- that's where I built my trimaran years ago- there's a very good anchorage over on the other side , north of the bridge,
Quote from: s/v Faith on September 03, 2007, 09:57:30 PM
We went off shore to Charleston, and while the approach was nice, the city was a little bit of a disappointment. The City Marina was a $2 a night deal, with little to offer and a 35' min. Paying $70 (+power!) seemed a bit extreme, especially when most of the attractions were across town. We anchored in the town anchorage and only dingied ashore for some water and to stretch our legs. (note: there are no publically accessable dingy docks near the Charleston anchorage, we stopped along side a nice liveaboard for the couple minutes we were there.)
>:(
I sure don't want to hear that Charleston is not small-boat friendly - we have a week planned there next month.
Some thoughts about City Marina and the next one up-river:
I called City Marina earlier this summer to inquire about use of showers if anchored out. She said "no-way, costs too much to keep 'em clean if everyone uses them." At $70 per night for the City Marina, I thought that was a pretty expensive shower! She did tell me there is a "public shower" alonside one of the restaurants next to the marina.
She also advised that we CAN use the dinghy dock, so I'm a bit confused/concernced you could not access the shore from the anchorage. That's what we are planning to do - anchor in the City Anchorage and dinghy ashore. Your comments, though, have made us begin working on Plans B and C a little more diligently (Plan S or T or so is to actually stay at a marina).
The Charleston bus system is the way we will get around while there. We can get a 3-day pass for Becky and I (the children are free) for $9 each. If you don't mind walking up to a 1/2 to 1 mile, there's a LOT to see and do in Charleston within that distance of the City anchorage. Some of the stuff we want to do is farther out; that's why the plan to use the bus.
Finally, the next marina up-river (http://www.harborguides.com/marinas.php?ID=1902) from the City Marina quotes a cheaper per ft/per night rate - but not by much.
QuoteI sure don't want to hear that Charleston is not small-boat friendly - we have a week planned there next month.
I have gotten a bit more info from a friend of mine. THere is a marina in the channel opposite the fort that charges something like .85 a foot, and comes recommended. Call me or if you are not in a hurry PM me and I will contact my friend to get the name of the marina again.
QuoteSome thoughts about City Marina and the next one up-river:
I called City Marina earlier this summer to inquire about use of showers if anchored out. She said "no-way, costs too much to keep 'em clean if everyone uses them." At $70 per night for the City Marina, I thought that was a pretty expensive shower! She did tell me there is a "public shower" alonside one of the restaurants next to the marina...... (ed) ....Finally, the next marina up-river (http://www.harborguides.com/marinas.php?ID=1902) from the City Marina quotes a cheaper per ft/per night rate - but not by much.
THe next marina up from the city marina is a little more... but when I called and asked them about the rates the guy who answered the phone said they do not accept sailboats less the 35'!!!! I asked again and he said it was in their charter or some bogus thing like that. THat was the Ashley marina, but it has some other name now as the new owners have changed it slightly.
QuoteShe also advised that we CAN use the dinghy dock, so I'm a bit confused/concernced you could not access the shore from the anchorage. That's what we are planning to do - anchor in the City Anchorage and dinghy ashore. Your comments, though, have made us begin working on Plans B and C a little more diligently (Plan S or T or so is to actually stay at a marina).
My friend also mentioned that there is still a dingy dock there at the city marina (the guide says it is there so I was confused when I could not find it.) It is on the South side of the 'megga dock' which had a pretty good chop in addition to the current so I had not gone out to that end to look. I (guess) it is accessable via the end of the dock closer to the USCG station (which posts that a 500' no entry zone is expected.... which would make the south entry to the marina off limits as I recall the distance...... ::)
Anyways, the dingy dock (if you find it) is supposed to be $5 with no services.
QuoteThe Charleston bus system is the way we will get around while there. We can get a 3-day pass for Becky and I (the children are free) for $9 each. If you don't mind walking up to a 1/2 to 1 mile, there's a LOT to see and do in Charleston within that distance of the City anchorage. Some of the stuff we want to do is farther out; that's why the plan to use the bus.
I found that most everything was a good distance from the City dock and anchorage. I think riding the bus is a great plan. Here is what I would recommend if you are making the trip.
There is an small island just beyond the bridge with a very nice little anchoarge. it is on the ICW, just south (maybe 4 miles) beyond the turn off for the city marina (ICW mile ~ 470.8) (south Windermere bridge I think). THere is a restrauant there, with a small dock (the crab shack). THe people were very friendly and it was a big dock so I doubt there would be any problem using that as a dingy dock (maybe eat a lunch there first). Some time back one of the houses there had a sign that welcomed dingys. I did not see it...
Anyway the restraunt is good, the anchoarge is good and there is a main road that crosses back into savannah.
Might be worth checking out.
Quote from: CharlieJ on September 11, 2007, 12:42:40 AM
Hey- I've been at Thunderbolt about 6 times now- let me know if they still deliver donuts and the morning paper to your cockpit around daylight.
Hope you guys are having a ball.
When you cross the St Johns River in a few weeks (days?), as you get to the first high bridge south- wave at the island on your left- there'll be a Roberts 54 sitting up on the land- that's where I built my trimaran years ago- there's a very good anchorage over on the other side , north of the bridge,
Yes Thunderbolt was nice, we DID have doughnuts and a paper delivered to the boat then next morning. ;D
We only stayed there one night, and sailed down to the Ogeechee River where we have been enjoying staying with Dan (Psyche) for the last couple days now. He is a great guy, and you really need to take a look at the mods he and James Baldwin have done to his boat. (http://atomvoyages.com/projects/Columbia.htm) We are rafted outboard of it, and have had a great time here. It is a very beautiful river, and there is an Alberg 30, and the legendary 'Atom' James Baldwin's 2x circumnavigating Triton. If you have not checked out his web site (http://atomvoyages.com/), you need to.
I will post some pictures soon, just wanted to let everyone know we are alive. Thanks for all the prayers, support, & encouragement you guys have given us.
Blessings,
Edit: to correct links to AtomVoyages web site
The Crab Shack was really nice, he meant to say Charleston, not Savannah. ;) Savannah is really great, it reminded me a lot of New Orleans, LA.
We are having a good time and meeting a lot of great people.
Hi Craig and Rose!! Glad to hear you are on your cruise. I am trying to catch up a little on Sailfar but my connection is very tempermental.
I laughed as I read your postings and looked at the picts!! So happy for you both.
I too am still having fun but unfortunately, the money is almost gone. I have to be back up to Nassau on Oct 20 for my sons wedding and then I guess I will have to be easing back to the states and up the West coast of FL. I am not ready to return to the craziness of the US life. I sort of really really like the craziness of the Bahamian life. :)
Enjoy!! I was hoping we could drink a little Bahamian Rum in the same locale soon.
I want to report an enjoyable visit by Rose and Craig for the past several days. Unfortunately I think my hospitality and the enjoyment of their visit has reduced their agenda of daily milage. I was impressed with Faith and how they have made so many well thoughtout and planned accommodations on Faith to have the creature comforts that they do. I was able to capture a picture of Faith with James Baldwin's Atom and a 30 Alberg Midwatch) for a family Alberg picture. The importance of the picture is that Atom circumnavigated twice, the 30 Alberg has been to Trinidad and Fath is on her way to the Caribbean beginning her voyage. If their are other SailFar members headed down the ICW and would like to lay over please contact me. For rose and Craig: May God be the wind in their sails, have his hand on their tiller, to safely guide them through the passages of their voyages. Dan
Ya'll have really done a lot of work to FAITH! :) I like everything you guys have done: the new Anchoring System, the Stern Pulpit, the new paint job(fish included)...They will show up well in the Bahamas, the Bimini and Dodger, thru hull, drawers, shelves, etc. Is that a dinghy motor I saw on the Stern Pulpit? Is the Yamaha still pushing ya'll OK? Does the Tillerpilot still work? with a GPS Interface? Mast Head Light? Where are you now? Where are you crossing over to the Bahamas? What part of them are you going to? I recommend the Abacos.....many sailboats.....good anchorages. I went out of Lake Worth Inlet and entered at West End and ended up in Marsh Harbor (3rd largest city in the Bahamas, but not near as big as Nassau or Freeport). Over there Ch 16 is like a Public Information Station...a source of valuable info.
Be safe....sort of a bad weather window...Hurricane Season...If you haven't crossed yet, I'd go back to your friend's in the Savannah area or if you know people in Florida, stay there until mid-October....then go. If you want, I'll contact my sister in Jacksonville, FL about hooking you up. There's also a nice marina up there at NAS Jax.....Jax is a little out of your way but the more inland the better during this time of the year.
YF,
Herb Tucker
(757) 369-2724
Hey former Commode,
New Mr. Vice here, up and running. Just wanted to check in and say hello. Your friends at Ragged Point always ask for updates. All is well here and enjoy reading your insightful postings. Will you be going to Pensacola prior to the Bahamas? I thought you maybe were. Best to Rose ;D How is Peter doing?
Praying for you,
Mark
Here is the post I typed up from St. Catherine's Island. We are in Brunswick right now, i will type up someting and post the latest pictures after I get a shower.
Ahoy from St. Catherine's Sound! 16 September 2007
We are lazing here after a nice evening on the hook adjacent to the St. Catherine's Island wildlife rescue center. We stayed here on advice from friends who said the Bronx zoo has released it's retired wildlife here for years. We have not seen any yet, but have had a very nice evening and morning looking at the Island.
(http://sailfar.net/gallery/albums/userpics/10014/StCathIs.jpg)
I am getting ahead of myself though.
Beaufort was a great town to visit, the downtown marina staff were friendly hand helpful, and it was nice to use their courtesy car to do some shopping. We only stayed in the marina to top off our fuel and batteries and then went out to a great anchorage just South of the marina. We had a nice time there, but somehow we forgot to take any pictures (sorry). We met a couple of new friends there, LR and his son Micha are heading to the middle east as missionaries. We had great fellowship with them, and might have lingered longer there to enjoy their company.
We headed out to a nice anchorage on the Cooper River. It had been a nice day of sailing in moderate winds so we had dinner and went to bed early for an early start the next morning.
(http://sailfar.net/gallery/albums/userpics/10014/AnchGA.jpg)
We did not get far before we were acquainted with the tides here on the 'Low Country' coast!
(http://sailfar.net/gallery/albums/userpics/10014/FathHardOver.jpg)
Our first grounding of the trip was one for (our) recordbooks. We sailed off of the anchor on the same course we had come in, but with a slightly lower tide. I took this picture about an hour before the low tide, after she had settled a but and Rose put the camera back below where it was nearly impossible to get to before the boat started to right herself. There was dry ground about 10' from where she lay, and less then a foot of water. She settled easily and righted herself with no problems or damage when the tide came in.
Savannah was a beautiful city and very small boat friendly. The approach was largely undeveloped and scenic right up to the industrial boarder of the city.
(http://sailfar.net/gallery/albums/userpics/10014/SavannahApproach.jpg)
We stayed at the downtown docks,
(http://sailfar.net/gallery/albums/userpics/10014/Rose%40Savannah.jpg)
Faith at Savannah.
(http://sailfar.net/gallery/albums/userpics/10014/Fath%40SavannahTD.jpg)
which were nice but pretty rolly with the large merchant traffic that came through. Our first night there ~ 15 merchant ships came through, but stopped by 1am which was pretty much when the crowds started to thin.
(http://sailfar.net/gallery/albums/userpics/10014/StandBy4Wake.jpg)
We had a great time there. We took the 'back channel' down to the ICW from Savannah. The bridge is 35' high, and our mast is 35' high with a 3' antenna. We were closer to low tide, but with no tide board we had to have 'Faith' that we were at low enough water.... it was close.
(http://sailfar.net/gallery/albums/userpics/10014/BackChanBridge.jpg)
We left the town dock after 3 days, and went to Thunderbolt GA, where we planned to wait for a new propeller my dad had ordered for us. We had spun the hub on the old one heading up the Cooper river. We checked into the marina planning to spend up to a week waiting, but after doing some laundry and walking into town I remembered a friend from SailFar's offer to stay at their dock nearby. They deliver fresh Krispy Cream doughnuts and a paper to your boat at Thunderbolt marina which was nice. We had breakfast and got underway for Dan's ('Psyche' on SailFar) house.
The Ogechee was a bit of a challenge, but had I printed out Dan's directions, or come into the river at high tide it would have been less stressful 15 mile detour.
We got to Dan's house at dusk and rafted outboard of his Columbia 8.7 where he greeted us and had a wonderful dinner of fried chicken on his dock.
(http://sailfar.net/gallery/albums/userpics/10014/Faith_Psyche.jpg)
As I mentioned earlier, you really need to take a look at the work he and James Baldwin have done on this amazing boat. (http://atomvoyages.com/projects/Columbia.htm) I knew that with James experience the modifications would make great sense, but I did not expect the craftsmanship. The fit and finish of the interior are amazing. It was a great couple days enjoying Dan's hospitality and the beautiful surroundings were only added to by the Alberg 30, and James Baldwin's Triton 'Atom' moored near by. Our last day there we rode back into Savannah with Dan. We had a great day walking around especially with 'local info' to help us find the treasures. We met the owner of a small family vineyard We tasted his wonderful Muscadine wines and he even found a couple that Rose liked!
The tide is high now, so I will stop here and weigh anchor. I hope I can upload this soon......
To be continued!
Connie,
Quotebut unfortunately, the money is almost gone......
Hang in there COnnie! We are Comming! We got stuck at Ft. Fredrica for a couple days with the weather, and it was such a beautiful anchoge.... we will only stay in Brunswick, at $45 a day we won't linger too long.
Dan,
QuoteUnfortunately I think my hospitality and the enjoyment of their visit has reduced their agenda of daily milage........
No Dan, we can not blame you... we said we were going to take our time and we have.. now to get to it so we don't miss Connie!
Quote. For rose and Craig: May G O D be the wind in their sails, have his hand on their tiller, to safely guide them through the passages of their voyages. Dan
Thank you so much Dan. We really appreciate your kindness. May it come back to you. ;D
HERB!!,
It is really nice to hear from you! For everyone else, Herb is Faith's prior owner. He did a great job of taking care of her. Yes Herb, the Yamaha outboard is still chugging along, as a matter of fact we just replaced the 8.5" x 6.5" prop with a 9" x 7" prop that is labeled the 'dual thrust' prop. It dropped the RPM's and seems to back better. The 8.5" prop had spun so we had to replace it.
Mark,
I am very glad to hear all is going well back at Gottchalks. We miss our friends from Ragged Point, and are glad you are the 'Vice' and know you will do great things. ;)
Here is a sign our friend Tracie made for us... it has the boats name in signal flags, and the dingy panter leads to our dingy... and I kinda think it looks like a path leading back to all our frends in NC that are following along.
(http://sailfar.net/gallery/albums/userpics/10014/Sign.jpg)
Blessings to all.
QuoteTo be continued!
We left Dan's place on the Ogeechee (it is 14.54miles from the ICW marker 98) and sailed to St. Catherine's Island (Walberg creek) making 28.6 miles mostly under sail. We had heard from friends that there were wild animals there that had been 'retired' from the Bronx zoo. I did not see any, but we had a nice night there. Getting there was a bit breezy, we had 25-25k all day and even saw a 60' piling with a day marker floating by (called the CG, they were not too interested.... i had to talk them into copying the lat/lon... ::)
Anyway, we had a nice night there, we sailed across the sound and anchored near marker 180, for a long night in 'back river' with little protection from the wind.
We made it through 'Mud river' fortunately we made it at high tide, because at low water (our depths - the 7' tide) there would have been less then 3' in the middle of the channel!
From there we made a detour to the Frederica River, where we stayed for 2 days (at 455.5 miles from our start) to wait out the weather and see the Fort. It was a great Anchorage,
(http://sailfar.net/gallery/albums/userpics/10014/FtFredanchor.jpg)
and we really enjoyed taking our time to see the Fort and settlement. We were really close.
(http://sailfar.net/gallery/albums/userpics/10014/FtFredFaith.jpg)
The day we were there a local school was taking a tour and the rangers were dressed in period costume. Faith made a good backdrop as he explained the ships approach to the fort
(http://sailfar.net/gallery/albums/userpics/10014/FtFredStudents.jpg)
(http://sailfar.net/gallery/albums/userpics/10014/FtFredGuard.jpg)
We sailed down the Frederica river, and out to the sea buoy to go up to Brunswick. Here is the Bridge, and Roses thumb. ;D
(http://sailfar.net/gallery/albums/userpics/10014/BrunsBridge.jpg)
We sailed up the East River to Brunswick landing marina, and passed the shrimp fleet coming in;
(http://sailfar.net/gallery/albums/userpics/10014/BrunsApproach.jpg)
The marina is nice, with free laundry, and wifi. The nicest thing so far was meeting James Baldwin and his wife Mei (http://www.atomvoyages.com) this afternoon. They are coming by in the morning to take us shopping.
Will update more soon.
Quote from: Captain Smollett on September 11, 2007, 09:10:32 AM
Quote from: s/v Faith on September 03, 2007, 09:57:30 PM
We went off shore to Charleston, and while the approach was nice, the city was a little bit of a disappointment.......
>:(
I sure don't want to hear that Charleston is not small-boat friendly - we have a week planned there next month........
John,
Here is a link to a post on the SSCA (http://64.70.221.24/DiscBoard/viewtopic.php?t=4310) website about Charleston marinas. 'jusdreaming' is out of Charleston, and might be able to help you out.
Quote from: s/v Faith on September 20, 2007, 10:24:01 PM
John,
Here is a link to a post on the SSCA (http://64.70.221.24/DiscBoard/viewtopic.php?t=4310) website about Charleston marinas. 'jusdreaming' is out of Charleston, and might be able to help you out.
Thanks for the info.
Actually, we were planning to anchor out rather than in marinas, so I am REALLY interested in more detail on that 'good' anchorage you described. I picked up my 35 lb Manson today...what a beast.
I'll get a shot of it on the bow for you later...so you can compare to yours. ;D
Craig & Rose, I'm glad to hear you have hooked up with James. I am sure you are enjoying the boat talk. How much longer do you think you will be in Brunswick? Have you received the items you ordered? I am glad you enjoyed the fort and added to the nautical part of the ranger's discussion. I would like to extend a welcome to any other SailFar members who my be passing by on the ICW and would like to lay over at my dock on the Ogeechee. Dan
Thanks for the update and photos...
Craig - Tell me about the three master in the background of the Brunswick marina picture..
Dad
;D
Ahoy from St. Augustine Florida!
We arrived here this afternoon and are anchored on 'salt run' right under this lighthouse.
(http://sailfar.net/gallery/albums/userpics/10014/StAugLH.jpg)
We have done very little sailing for time (understatement) this trip. Today we decided we were going to make it here so we did a little motorsailing to help us break out from an opposing current all moring. It is pretty neat, we have actually only filled up our fuel cans once since we left from NC, and have motored very little overall.
Lets see, where did I leave off? :-\
Oh yea, Brunswick was really nice but all the more so for the hospitality of James Baldwin and his wife Mei. We really enjoyed meeting them as well as the great dinner at their home, the use of their car, and the opportunity to 'pick their brains' on the many things they learned in their travels. If you have not, do yourself a favor and visit their website. (http://atomvoyages.com)
We had a nice sail out of Brunswick Landing Marina. The wind was light (unlike when we came in) and I was able to get a couple more shots of the mystery scooner(s). I still do not have the name, but the 3 master has some interesting features as you see below.
Raised decks, with lots of brightwork;
(http://sailfar.net/gallery/albums/userpics/10014/Scoon1.jpg)
Strange opening stern... ???
(http://sailfar.net/gallery/albums/userpics/10014/Scoon_2.jpg)
We did not go far, but found another wonderful Georga anchorage just beyond Jeckel Island, on the ICW right near a boat ramp. We both felt like a quiet anchorage and the dingy needed a scrubbing (the barnacles have built up about every 2 - 3 weeks and need to be scraped and scrubbed off of the bottom).
Anyway, I met a couple at the boat ramp (Tim and Tina I think) who had just bought a Chrysler 26' and it was anchored nearby.
(I have a picture but can not seem to get it to upload.)
From there we went down past King's Bay Georgia, and I made Rose nervous by talking about visiting the sub base.... ;) The big 'restricted area' on the chart, and the patrol boats let us know there were no marina facilities there that we could use... ;D
The anchorage at St Marys was quiet, and nice protection for the NE winds that had carried us all day at or near hull speed on just a part of the unfurled jib.
We left St. Marys and thought to stay just across the boarder into Florida at Fernanda Beach, but instead we kept going and wound up at St. Goerges creek anchored right next to the plantation maintained by the park service. Right about the boarder we saw a pair of pink Flamingos. We both thought of our friend Mona who loves the tacky plastic ones and called her to tell her how nice they were 'in person'. ;D
I would have pictures of the plantation but we experienced a 'Red Tide'
Rose and I noticed several small dead fish floating by, and shortly after we both felt a burning in our eyes and throats. I thought it might be gas from the batteries so I checked the water and it was ok.
As we listened to the news on the radio they were talking about a 'Red Tide' bloom that was covering local beaches with dead fish and causing skin infections and buring eyes and throats for many locals. We spent a restless night there coughing and left shortly after sunrise.
So, we arrived at St. Augustine and spent a quiet night in the beautiful anchorage just below the lighthouse. THis morning we dingied ashore and toured the lighthouse. I took some pictures that I will upload when I can get a better connection....
Hate that red tide but a good on breese take care of most of it for me and a good rain will get rid of it until there is a long dry spell (well most of it anyway)
Hope to see you in Abacos this season.
Red Tide is gross. My Aunt and Uncle live in Florida and I remember going for a walk one day and my eyes were burning and it stunk!
Congratulations on your retirement and thank you for your service! I know, I know a few months late here but is Iraq a good excuse? Nope, didn't think so. Anyways, I remember when the countdown to cruising began and am so happy that you and Rose are livin' the dream with each other. I'm sure Peter missed yall terribly and is waiting for some sphagetti too. Cheyenne is doing well and says hello to Peter. She's an official boat dog now too:-)
The first night I got home we all went to dinner at La Hacienda for some guacamole. Don started to aske me some silly questions like how old are you? Subtract two, pick a letter A or B. Are you willing to get your hands dirty? Are you willing to accept a monthly financial responsibility? So anyways what came out of that whole thing other than a lot of laughs was a card and when I opened the card there was a key taped inside to a boat that rests at slip number 23A at Gottschalk. Amazing, I was speechless and in tears and so were a few others. Her name will be s/v Blessed as soon as I can get home and we can have an name-change ceremony. I am so blessed and humbled by all the events that took place in those two short weeks of leave. Now, it's back in Iraq and back to dreaming of sailing and being back home for good! Until then...Blessings upon you and Rose and your journey/adventure.
Love,
Kellie
s/v Blessed
Kellie-
Congratulations on the new to you boat. What is she??
The crew is together now. ;D
Sorry I have not posted any more pictures yet. We are still in St Augustine, and having a great time. My Mom drove out today from Pensacola (over 400miles) to bring us the Peterdog, so now the crew is together. ;D ;D ;D
THANKS MOM!!!!
Our friend Dennis (a Flicka Sailor) is driving down from NC with his dog Yinnie tomorrow. Yinnie is Peter's girlfriend from NC... so we will all get to enjoy seeing some more of the 'First Coast' together. St Augustine is a very 'dog friendly' city and a great place to walk around.
It was really nice to spend the evening with mom, and great to have Peter sleeping at my feet as I type this. It is supposed to rain some (more) this weekend, hopefully it won't put a damper the get-together.
_________________________________________
Kellie,
Welcome aboard! That is wonderful! Don is truly a great human being, and I am not at all surprised to hear that he has done such a wonderful thing! The boat
is PERFECT for you!(a 'Westward Ho' built in Portsmouth England is a great 26' cruiser, well found, full keel, with lots of great small boat features.)
I will post more later, and hope to get to upload some pictures when I can get to a decent speed internet connection.
8 October, 2007
New Smyrna beach, FL.
THe connection is slow, so I still can not upload pictures, but I wanted to tell you where we are and how it is going.
We are at anchor tonight, in a small back channel that leads to the inlet. Peter is doing great now that he is back aboard with us. He has even manages to claim his own Island. ;) A small island was covered with seagulls when we dingied over to it this evening.... They squaked and protested when we came up to them, Peter said they were saying it was 'seagull island' and no dogs were allowed, so he jumped from the dingy and planted his flag.... ::)
We had planned to stop at Daytona Beach, but after so much unspoiled scenery it kinda just looked like another overdeveloped beach city so we passed. Last night we anchored in 4' (at low tide) right on the ICW, in a stretch where there is not a 'designated' anchorage for at least 15 miles. Sometimes it is GOOD to be the small boat. The anchor continues to perform flawlessly... it grabs and holds immediately, and does not seem to mind short scope at all. This is a big deal, as I really am getting good sleep on the anchor where I never really did before.
I am doing this post backwards but I wanted to save this for last..... well the last 2 days in St. Augustine went well. Rose and Mom toured the Flagler College which is the original Ponce De Leon hotel and Peter and I walked the perimeter of the fort. After a really nice lunch with Dennis, Yinnie, Mom, kit, Rose Peter and I walked around the city and we all had a great time. We went and found a vet and got all Peter's stuff for the Bahamas. Mom left the next morning and Dennis and the dogs and I rode down to St. Petersburg. It was a long ride, but worth it. Dennis had some business to take care of and we went to several of his old haunts including the West Marine Clearance center.... Then we met Bruce Bingham! How cool is that? We talked to him for about an hour and a half. I told him of seeing his old Flicka 'Sabrina' at Georgetown, and asked him as many questions as I could get in. He is a really great guy and seemed really interested in SailFar.net, and said he would take a look. We talked about the idea of small boats sailing for distance being almost 'counter-culture' and he told us about a woman getting a Flicka ready for a solo-circumnavigation. Imagine my surprise when I check in here and find Godot has already posted a link to her web site.
________________________________________________________-
We have traveled 632 miles (n) since we left just less then 2 months ago. 20 years ago today, I raised my right hand and swore in..... 8 October, 1987. The 'transition' to retirement is going well... ;D I just have to note this day, as I have each of the last 20, as a testament to the Grace of G O D. I am very thankful I am here, and not in many of the places and situations I have been in over the last 20 years. I ask for your prayers for my friends who are still there, and those who have not come home.
Hello everyone,
Since Craig has got everyone completely confused about our route, let me start with the lighthouse at St. Augustine. It was pretty neat being anchored beneath it but even better to get to tour it and climb up to the top to take some pictures and see Faith below from a birdseye view. If Craig ever gets the pictures uploaded, there is a neat one of Faith in the anchorage with all the other boats. They all look tiny bur especially Faith since she was so much smaller then most of the boats on the anchorage. I think I remember reading on one of the plaques, that the lighthouse keeper had to carry five gallons of oil up the 291 steps twice a day. Well, I was not carrying any oil, but was sore for three days from the long spiral staircase.
Going to the marina was a really good idea. The northeastern that blew was making the boats at anchor bob like corks. I'm sure we would have gotten through it okay, but it was really nice to be tied to a dock and relax for a bit. The best part though, was when Craig's mom got to the marina and brought us our baby dog Peter. We had left him with her because of the lack of good dog landing spots we read about in Georgia. It was probably a good thing to have a little time to get the hang of full-time cruising before we got him back, but man we sure missed him. We would see other people with dogs and were forever going to them, talking to them, petting their dogs, and missing Peter. It was really nice to visit with mom and look around St. Augustine, and even more because our friend Dennis drove down from NC and spent the weekend with us. We were quite the group with mom, her dog Kit, Dennis, his dog Yinnie, and Craig and I with Peter Dog. We were glad to find dog-friendly restraunts in St. Augustine and plan to use the web site Dogfriendly. Com in future places we stop.
Saturday mom left to go back home and Craig and Dennis with the two dogs, went to St. Petersburg. I cleaned up on the boat and did laundry, and then enjoyed a little solitude and relaxation. We left St. Augustine on Sunday a little later than we had hoped, due to rain. The current through the marina was running fast and we were surrounded by the powerboats of a visiting club. It was a very difficult undocking with complicated line handling. We were really relieved to get out, with the help of two power boaters handling the lines, and to get underway.
It rained off and on all day and the wind would not cooperate each time we tried to sail, so we had to motor all day. I really don't like to motor long distances, to noisy, and I'm glad we have not had to motor much this whole trip. Counting today, we have only motored approximately four or five days since we left. Saves on fuel also.
The anchorage we stayed at last night was not and anchorage it was just a little bit wider area to the side of the ICW. It had a small rocky beach. Craig took Peter ashore as soon as we got there and then again after dinner. We fell asleep early after such a long day, but Peter woke us up just before five am because he had to go to the bathroom. Craig rode him ashore, but we are going to have to figure this dingy doggy bathroom problem out. There was some hope this evening (Monday) though.
We got under way Monday, and stopped at a boat ramp dock for a short break for Peter around lunch. He is taking some meds for his ear right now that makes him thirsty, so it was no big surprise when he had to go again a little bit before we anchored. He was pacing the whole boat and Craig and I were telling him to go (potty), finally he went up to the bow and just went. We praised him and then cleaned it up, now we know he will not hurt himself by holding it in, this made us very excited as that was one of our big worries about crossing to the Bahamas with him. ;D
We kept seeing signs to watch out for the Manatee, and finally saw one today. Someone said it would look like a brown cigar, it actually looked more like a gray-floating tire to us. It moved away from us as we got closer to look at it. Also, we continue to see lots of dolphins. Craig believes they are coming in close to the boat to look at the fish. Two of them got so close, Craig was startled when they blew out air, and he got just a little bit of a splash of water on him. It was so awesome.
I guess it is suiting that I started this post talking about a lighthouse because as I typed this, the tide has turned and out the companionway I can see the New Smyrna Beach lighthouse a couple miles away. We have finally gotten far enough south that the red tide is behind us and our eyes are not burning any more. It is cooler now and there is a light breeze blowing so I will say goodnight.
Hey Craig, Rose, and Peter!
Glad to hear that the crew is all together again. Preferring not to clog up your journal with personal notes, I don't reply often. But, rest assured that I read it every couple days, looking for updates and envying you your freedom. You surely are blessed.
All is well back at New River. The RPYC is hosting a membership drive cook-out on the 20th. Other than that, the next big event is the Turkey Trot race next month.
Keep up the great log entries. You know that I'm living vicariously through you until my girls are grown and out of the house. With luck, I'll print out your log and follow you then. We can link up on some tropical beach and have a cool drink!
Stay safe.
Don
10 October, 2007
Hello from the Titusville, FL anchorage.
We are having a great time. THe Titusville anchorage is nice, the municipal marina has raised it's prices though for the dingy dock.... at $10 to land and $5 each for showers :P
We had a nice sail from our anchorage yesterday, and were reminded that we are on the 'space coast' when the oil rig we saw in the distance turned out to be the shuttle on the launch pad as we got closer! It was really neat to see, more so then I expected. We can see the launch assembly building from here at the anchorage, and there is an Atlas launch scheduled for ~8 or 9 tonight!
(http://www.floridatoday.com/floridatoday/blogs/spaceteam/uploaded_images/2atlas-711939.jpg)
We will spend a second night here to watch it, and understand that the view from the boat should be a good one.
Will type more later....
______________________________________________________
Thanks Don, glad to hear all is going well with the club. I knew it was in good hands, and hope the cookout goes well. Not gonna say I wish we were there, but it sure would be nice to have you all here with us. :D ;D ;) :) ;) :D ;D
Rose and Craig,
I'm glad to hear you have all the family together now that Peter is with you. You are almost under the rocket it Titusvile. You should feel the thrust from the rocket when it blasts off because I can see it from my dock in Georgia as it streaks skyward. As you are finding the ICW is thin water in much of Lower Florida. Even though you see a wide expanse of water often the channel is a narrow dug trough with the spoils tossed to the sides. I enjoy reading your commentary because it brings back fond memories from when I made the trip up the ICW from Florida. Dan
Hello from Patrick Airforce base on the Banana river, FL. 11 Oct 07
Dan, you were absolutely right! The launch was amazing! I don't know, but I think the launch pad was something like 15 miles away, but the anchorage lit up like it was day. The Atlas rocket burns a mixture of liquid O2, and kerosene, and moments after the launch the acrid smell of kerosene was everywhere. The launch was reported to be successful, and there is another military communications satellite in orbit.
The wind was light today, so we motorsailed most of the day. The channels are pretty narrow here, but it is a little bit easier with a 4' draft as you can get a little out of the center without trouble.
Patrick AFB has a nice marina, and a good commissary (the Airforce always does). We walked there today and did some more provisioning. We plan to spend more time in less populated areas, so we are really stocking up. Hope to take care of some errands tomorrow and do some light boat maintenance. The cool front that is coming through has brought some north winds, so there will not be a good wx window for a couple days anyway. We have about a hundred miles to Lake Worth, where we plan to cross from and it will be a few days before we get there anyways.
Great on your crossing date. My only objection is that you will cross over before me me by 2 weeks.
A couple of pictures from a few weeks ago that I neglected to post in a timely manner, so they are out of order for the continuing narrative in this thread. ;)
Here's "Faith". With what appears to be a plethora of aft rail-hung motors for her crew to choose from. :D (Actually, there's just one motor there, and the grill, IIRC, posing like one... ;) )
(http://sailfar.net/gallery/albums/userpics/10001/faith.jpg)
Here's Craig, looking smug like a bug in a rug. So would I, if I was a southbound transient bound for the islands... :D ("Faith" is in the background, viewed over the foredeck of my neighbors boat...)
(http://sailfar.net/gallery/albums/userpics/10001/craig.jpg)
Thanks for posting that picture Kurt, I don't think I took any at Georgetown Landing.
Ahoy from Vero Beach! Today is 15 October, and we were going to get underway this AM, but I wanted to apply a coat of anti-fouing to the outboard lower unit before I got going and upon reading the can it has to dry a minimum of 24 hours before being put back in the water. I should have taken a picture of how barnacle encrusted it was when I took it out.... it was bad.
The winds are still NE, so we have a couple days wait for a weather window to be able to cross anyway. Vero Beach is a nice little town. We are on a mooring near the municipal marina, anchoring is ILLEGAL within the township of Vero Beach. I used to read about the legal battles and get really angry at the FL towns. Having seen the problem first hand I can appreciate it a little better. Many of the anchorages look like 'WaterWorld' sets. Sail boats that have either been so neglected, or so modified for living aboard that they could never go anywhere are lived aboard, and then left to sink once they go too far down hill. I would not want one in my back yard either.... I hope that some sanity will prevail, but I don't know what the answer will be. We like to anchor, and do more often then not...
The Patrick AFB stay was nice. The marina is a Yacht Club marina there, and we were extended reciprical privileges for our Ragged Point Yacht Club membership, as both clubs are affiliated with the US Naval Sailing Association. They had a 'retiree appreciation night' while we were there, with dancing and drawings for prizes. We did not go up as we were pretty tired, but listened from the cockpit and they sounded like they were having a great time. The Saturday morning that we left they were having their regatta, and had a great breakfast spread laid out. In talking with the marina manager, she said the marina/yacht club made lots of money for the Morale and Recreation fund of the base, and everyone really seemed to be happy with the arrangement. I hope someday our old marina at Camp Lejeune will come up with an arrangement like this.
Sailing out the Banana River was tense, but not as bad as sailing in. We had less then a foot under the keel for more then an hour with less then 4-6" allot of that time. Again... as so often on this trip we were thankful to be on a small boat. ;D
Night before last we stopped at the 'Jones Fruit Dock' just a few miles north of here. There we met Richard Jones and his wife Mary. They don't sell fruit there anymore, but keep to dock to help people passing through. They charge $10 a night, and it was worth it to meet this wonderful couple. Richard's father bought the land in 1889, he farmed it and planted the original orange orchard in 1910. Richard replanted it when he got home from the war and tended it ever since until a couple years ago when a hurricane flooded his trees. He talked about some of the boats that had come through over the years, and told us about his service in WWII. He saw action in many battles, and stood inspection for General Patton. He was in the battle for Sicily, which I was particularly interested in since my grandfather, Bill Snee was also involved in it. We sat of the dock and talked with them into the night.
Things are going well, we will continue to keep this updated as we can but hope to cross to the Bahamas soon and may not get to log in as often. If we get a break in the weather, we may just go out the nearest inlet rather then heading to Lake Worth.
On edit; I can not beleive I left this out. When we were at Manatee Cove (Patrick AFB) the manager (Sandy) was so kind as to lend us her car so we could go get groceries. We continue to be humbled and impressed byt the kindness we recieve. Yesterday I walked across the highrise bridge to get some gear oil for the lower unit of the outboard. It turned out to be about 5 miles to the store, and I bought some grocereis in town also. I was walking back when a van stopped and offerd me a ride. It was not a random act, but a young girl and her dad, David and Katie off of 'Second Wind' a sailboat in the marina. Rose had been talking to them, and they set off to find me to spare me the return trip.
Thanks!
Boat people = salt of the earth sea.
Craig and Rose - Many blessings to y'all, Peter, and Faith as you take off. I'm sure you're going to have great fun, and will look forward to hearing about it whenever you post.
When you run into Connie/"Pixie", be careful. She drinks a lot, and tends to tell stories about you afterwards, making up things that didn't happen...
Kinda like Frank. And Smollett.
Thx for the letter & such. I 'experimented' on the wireless card, there wasn't much to see. ;) Boat changes - Katie now has a nav table w/Capt's chair belowdecks (to starboard - the galley migrated forward, and the berth there is to port, extendable), and the welding shop has her order for the new mast support I showed you drawings of. She's getting there. :)
Beam reaches! :)
Hmm... CapnK.... you seem to say that all the people who've visited you are both drunks and tell tall tales about you... yet they all seem to say much the same thing.... so maybe there is some truth to the stories... ;)
17 October 07
Ahoy from Lake Worth FL!
FL! We awoke this AM at the anchorage right at the 'Manatee pocket' just off of the St. Lucie inlet, right off of the public boat launch. The cruising guides talk about this place like it is a great stop.... the problem is the entire shore line is either public homes or $100 a night marinas (many of which 'do not accept sail boats').
We left there early, and today will be called ' The Day of the Bridges ' There were something like half a dozen lift bridges today, and we were balancing their schedules against the currents all day. We got to Lake Worth, and immedately went out the inlet as a 'dry run' for the crossing to the Bahamas.
Peter's pet import certificate arrived at St. Augustine, so I called and had it faxed to a local copy place.
The stores are laid up, the tanks are half full (for trim) and the boat is as ready as it is going to be.,,, Lord willing our next post will be from the Bahamas.
Gotta go, thanks to everyone who helped get us here and to this point. G O D Bless you all!!!
MUCH better you should jump outside at Lake Worth. My old log book shows DOZENS of timed bridges 'twixt there and Miami Took us forever and we waited for NUMEROUS bridges. Plus it's a concrete canyon of condos and high rises on both side from just south of there to Miami. NOT a pleasant cruise.
If I EVER past hat way again it'll most definitely be on the outside
Charlie,
No, we ARE going OUTSIDE... all the way to West End, Bahamas. ;D The weather window is open, so we plan to go in a coupel hours. My next post should be from the Abaco's.
:D
Quote from: s/v Faith on October 17, 2007, 06:31:39 PM
17 October 07
Ahoy from Lake Worth FL!
FL! We awoke this AM at the anchorage right at the 'Manatee pocket' just off of the St. Lucie inlet, right off of the public boat launch. The cruising guides talk about this place like it is a great stop.... the problem is the entire shore line is either public homes or $100 a night marinas (many of which 'do not accept sail boats').
We left there early, and today will be called ' The Day of the Bridges ' There were something like half a dozen lift bridges today, and we were balancing their schedules against the currents all day. We got to Lake Worth, and immedately went out the inlet as a 'dry run' for the crossing to the Bahamas.
Peter's pet import certificate arrived at St. Augustine, so I called and had it faxed to a local copy place.
The stores are laid up, the tanks are half full (for trim) and the boat is as ready as it is going to be.,,, Lord willing our next post will be from the Bahamas.
Gotta go, thanks to everyone who helped get us here and to this point. G O D Bless you all!!!
QuoteMUCH better you should jump outside at Lake Worth. My old log book shows DOZENS of timed bridges 'twixt there and Miami Took us forever and we waited for NUMEROUS bridges. Plus it's a concrete canyon of condos and high rises on both side from just south of there to Miami. NOT a pleasant cruise.
If I EVER past hat way again it'll most definitely be on the outside
Bon voyage, Faith and Crew! :)
Bon voyage and have a safe crossing. With ANY luck, we'll get to do the same within the next year.
Or Laura may get tired of waiting and go by herself :o
Best of luck, Craig, Rose, Peter and Faith. Have a good crossing. :)
GREAT!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Have a SUPER crossing ! I'll say a prayer for fair winds tonight ;-)
Good luck and have fun. I had thought about that crussing but went with Port of Everglads as I am comming up from the Keys.
Fair winds, and I look forward to seeing your next post. :D Don't sacrifice any laptops to the sea gods if you can avoid it. : D
Have a safe crossing! Looking forward to your next post. :)
18 October 07
;D
Ahoy from West End, Bahamas!
IT is a very tired crew of 'Faith' sitting in West End, Old Bahama Bay marina.
I have probably been through the Gulf Stream over 100 times, but somehow it never looked as beautiful as it did today. Thank you all for your good wishes and prayers, we had 'Fair Winds' all the way across.
The alarm went off at 2:15, but I don't remember sleeping last night. The inlet at Lake Worth was pretty streight forward, but I was glad to have done a dry run the day before if for no other reason to be able to navigate through the boats all over the channel.
It was bumpy all the way across, but the wind was steady from the SE and then S. The boat handled it well, as did all Crew.
(i will upload picture here)
We made it across fine, but had an engeneering casualty as we motored into the marina basin. It was 30 minutes before coustoms closed, and I fear my trusty yamaha 6 hp 2 stroke has breathed it's last. We dropped our lunch hook right in the middle of the channel as the bewildered dock hands watched.
The marina is too well protected, our attempts to short tack up to the fuel dock did not work.... so I dropped the dingy motor into the well and STILL made it to coustoms before they went home... although they let me know they were on their way out.... (maybe more on that later, like after I am out of the country) :P
We are all tired, so I will log out now. Maybe I can get back on before check out in the AM... this place is $90 a night WITHOUT POWER! so we will find an anchoarge in the AM... It is a SAIL boat after all. ;)
Congrats.Sleep well.
Glad to hear you made it. Rest easy tonight.
;D ;)
Ok, maybe the 'bottomless shower' and a good night's rest were worth the price. ;D
Today we plan to go out to anchor while I rip the outboard motor apart to see if the problem can be fixed. I kinda doubt it can be, so I guess our first adventure in the Bahamas will be finding a replacement.
THe good weather is supposed to hold till at least Sunday, so we should be ok. The Indian Cay Channel looks pretty narrow, and we can no longer count on a sandy bottom any more so we will have to be very careful. Our next stop (right now) looks like it will be Mangrove Cay, about 30 miles away.
Got a couple pictures uploaded. A few Posts back I talked about Jones Fruit Dock, just north of Vero Beach. Here is a picture of it;
(http://sailfar.net/gallery/albums/userpics/10014/1JonesFruit_Dock.jpg)
The DR plot showed West end should be 10 miles away, and we were not saying anything but getting a little nervous as we continued to scan the horizon seeing nothing. As you can see, there is not much to show up on the horizon in West End....
(http://sailfar.net/gallery/albums/userpics/10014/1WestEnd.jpg)
We could finally start to pick out the water tower about 8 miles out.. . most of my experience looking for land is from the bridge of a warship... height of eye being 55' makes a BIG difference!
Peter had a 'Ruff' time on the crossing... oh the burden of command.
(http://sailfar.net/gallery/albums/userpics/10014/1peterCrossing.jpg)
We are going to fill the tanks and head out now. Don't know when we will find internet next. Will post when we do.
Hi, Pal.......
Glad you made it safely across......knew you would......worried anyway......not now, tho'.
You mean we got the prop only to have the motor poop out in the Bahamas. Let me know if you want to go the online purchase.
Called your Mother.....she already knew you got there from your posting......she told D.J.
Take lots of digitals.....I might want to paint one (or more).
Remember, Craig...........
Tho' our decks be swept,
and masts and timbers crack'd........
We can make good all loss,
except the loss of turning back.
Love,
Dad
;D
I am very relieved, and thankful that everyone knows we are ok. The Batelco rates are notorious, SailFar saves the day! The generator is running, and I am still able to receive the signal from the marina. We are anchored right where the gulf stream meets the island and sweeps past the tip... quite a bit of current. I took Peter ashore, and ran out of gas in the dingy coming back! I thought about what might have happened if I have not been able to 'catch' the boat... Thankfully I had a handheld VHF so I might not have drifted too long! Will make sure to continue to be cautious.
Yes, the motor is done. I am not sure what to do with it, I can not sell it here without getting in hot water with coustoms... and I sure am not going to tote it around the Bahamas. I would try to get some trade in from the dealer (as parts) but then I would have to carry it on the bus with me tomorrow :-\
We will see.
Quote from: rmamos on October 19, 2007, 09:30:18 PM
Hi, Pal.......
Glad you made it safely across......knew you would......worried anyway......not now, tho'.
You mean we got the prop only to have the motor poop out in the Bahamas. Let me know if you want to go the online purchase.
Called your Mother.....she already knew you got there from your posting......she told D.J.
Take lots of digitals.....I might want to paint one (or more).
Remember, Craig...........
Tho' our decks be swept,
and masts and timbers crack'd........
We can make good all loss,
except the loss of turning back.
Love,
Dad
Today was a good day.
20 Oct 07... Still on the hook at West End.
We went ashore this morning where I had hoped to catch the bus to Freeport to look for an outboard. Talked to a local mechanic who gave me a couple of tips on different outboard dealers in Freeport. Basically there are OMC products, and Yahama. The Nissan/Tomatsu/Mercury I wanted was not available. I also learned that none of the shops are open on the weekend, so we would not get a motor today.
Rose, Peter, & I decided that we were in the Bahamas, so we needed some conch fritters. The restaurant in the marina is kinda pricey, but the fritters were wonderful!
We walked around and lounged on the beach listening to a band. It was a nice break from what had been becoming a building tide of stress over the motor issue. The next trip we plan to make is to Mangrove Cay, and the passage is narrow and we will be going against the SE wind that is expected to blow for the next couple days. We also had a grounding incident moving the boat around the anchorage and the dingy motor proved to be no match for the wind / currents. The need for the motor was (for us) a safety issue. We had to have a running motor to go the next step.
When we came back to the boat, I set about tearing the motor apart yet again. The issue seems to be excessive backpressure, or a leak from the exhaust to the cooling jacket. Backpressure issues are not uncommon on 2 stroke outboards, and I had done most of the things I needed to do to fix that. The leaking exhaust jacket would not be practical to repair, even in the states. The new motor seemed to be the only fix.
I worked for about 6 hours, and got it running again. We motored around the anchor, and started and stopped the motor several times. We plan to motor to the fuel dock at the marina tomorrow (gas is $4.50 a gallon here) and if all goes well we will either spend one more (expensive) night there, or we will head out.
I just got my sun shower, and had a nice swim before that. While swimming I cleaned the boat. I am always surprised to see how much grows on the boot stripe. Wish I had raised the water line a couple more inches. Rose tended a line tied around my waist to keep me at the boat. I tried to swim against the current, and was not able to maintain my position for more then a moment.
Peter got a bath too, he had a good time on the beach today and a salty wet dog below on a small boat is not such a great thing so he took a shower with dad.
I am thankful the motor is running again, and pray it will contune to work. I know we will not enjoy internet access this good the whole trip, it is nice to have it now. Thanks again for all the thoughts and prayers.
_______________________________________________________
-- A note on the crossing
Oh yea, I almost forgot. Prior to the crossing my friend Dennis encouraged me to go a bit farther south, and leave from Ft. Lauderdale. His reasoning was that with the light winds, we would have a much nicer ride going more with the stream then across it. He was also concerned that if we did not make enough headways, we might miss West End, and that would have left only Memory rock (very small and hard to see) between us and Bermuda... or the Azores :o
He was right. I knew he was, but we decided to go anyway. The ICW guide lists nearly 30 bridges between Lake Worth, and Ft Lauderdale. The wind was not going to work to go outside and sail into the edge of the gulf stream so we took the good weather window we had. The approximate course across from Lake Worth to West End is 96 deg. We steered 115 to get some southing early on, and only started to trend back to 96 after I knew we had a few miles of set to the south (about 4). If at any point we started to lose the southing to the current I would have had to turn back. I used the GPS to monitor the cross track error, but kept a DR plot because I wanted to see it, and generally do not trust electronics all that much. The Gulf stream is nothing to play with, and I was being careful, but wanted to make clear that I would not recommend someone in a 'SailFar' sized boat leave Lake Worth for West end and steer a bearing or even a GPS track. By the time you are set north, it might not be correctable by taking against the stream. I wanted to mention this in case anyone else is planning the same crossing.
S/V Faith: I stumbled upon your posts, maybe I can help with the motor, maybe not.
If you have exhaust gas in the cooling water, it is possible that the water pump on the gearbox has a crack, or bad gasket, that is allowing exhaust gas to be pulled in by the suction of the water pump. This may exhibit itself by a reduction of water flow from the 'tell tale', and tell tale water may be aerated; most certainly will put "air" into the cooling water.
I have a spare Merc motor here on the Cay that has not been run for several years, may have carburetor 'gunk', but is in good condition. It's probably too short for your vessel.
We are located near North Abaco, offshore of Coopers Town.
Otherwise, there is a Mercury dealer in Marsh Harbor, National Marine. Ask for Ross Albury.
Good luck.
QuoteTho' our decks be swept,
and masts and timbers crack'd........
We can make good all loss,
except the loss of turning back.
Awesome, Dad! :D
Grog for you, and also for Fac Man for the help! :)
PS - Don't sell the motor, since that's against the law. Barter it.
Maybe you could trade it to someone, swapping it for some currency... :D
Rose, Craig and Peter,
Cogratulations on the smooth crossing. There is a lot to say about the line "A good boat and a star to steer her by." Sorry to hear about the motor. If you replaced it with the same motor you would not have to purchase a new prop or would have a spare. Often the motor does not come with the best prop for sailboats even if you purchase the yacht long shaft. I appreciated the information/reasons why you crossed where you did and would appreciate other information about "local Knowledge" relating to Cays, entrances, anchorages and other information the rest of us will find useful when we cross from dreams to reality. Dan
Ahoy former commodore,
This is a message from all of us at ragged point:
Yall are constantly the topic of discussion around the docks and definately at every cook out, everyone at the marina is always asking about how yall are doing?
We are all very curious as to how yall have rode out the storm, and where you are now?? Hope everything is going well...update us when you can...
Capt Jack Sparrow
Sunday, 21 October 2007
We motored over to the Old Bahama Bay marina shortly after sunrise, and after buying some fuel and checking the forecast we decided to head for Mangrove Cay.
(http://sailfar.net/gallery/albums/userpics/10014/normal_WestEnd_Sunrise2.JPG)
There are a couple of ways to get there from West End, the way we choose was the 'short cut' up Indian Channel. We had heard that there are very few aids to navigation in the Bahamas, and we are finding that to be accurate. The Indian Cay channel is a very narrow, shallow channel that cuts about 15 miles off of the trip into the Grand Bahama Bank. It was once marked by a series of posts, but it seems like once they fell down no one has bothered to replace them. Faith draws a little less then 4', and while the channel is reported to be 4'6",we saw depths right around 4' for much the transit. It was tense, and one of those times when you just have to trust the GPS, even if you don't want to. We had bearings, but the channel is so narrow, it is easy to get slightly off track. We made it through with no problems. Our goal, Mangrove Cay, turned out to be very aptly described. Poor Peter had his legs crossed as we circled the island looking for a break in the tangle of mangroves where he could step ashore to go. Fortunately we found a small slab of concrete on the NE corner right at the waters edge. There were once many military missile tracking stations spread through the islands, I suspect the concrete had once had something to do with them.
While we were ashore, Rose had guests. There are these little yellow breasted finches that are very curious and have little fear of people. One landed on the combing next to her, and she put out her finger and it climbed on! We have received several visits from these little birds. They have even been so bold as to fly below a couple of times. Peter is less then impressed with this.
(http://sailfar.net/gallery/albums/userpics/10014/normal_RosesVisitor.JPG)(I was suposed to crop this, the bird is near the stern cleat)
There was a salty looking steel boat in the anchorage when I arrived. I dingied over and talked to the owner, Nic. He came from England, bought the boat in Annapolis, and has been cruising for about 5 months in the Abacos and Exumas and was getting ready to cross back to the US. He told me the boat had actually been built in the former Soviet Union. It looked like a tough little pocket cruiser. I talked to him for a while, and gave him a SailFar sticker and asked him to log on and talk about his adventures. Hopefully we will hear from him soon.
Monday, 22 October 2007
We awoke early and headed to Great Sail Cay. It is an uninhabited island with a large basin in the middle that looks to be the perfect anchorage on the chart. We sailed into it, but decided to look elsewhere as the basin was lined with mangroves. There is a beautiful beach on the West bank, which worked well to shelter us from the SE winds. Peter and I explored while Rose straightened out the boat and read. It was so nice that our attempt to leave did not get us far.....
Tuesday, 23 October 2007
Ahoy from Great Sail Cay!
I am sitting here typing up some notes knowing that I can not post them any time soon. Right now I am thinking of the letter of recommendation I was hoping to write for a friend who is going off to the Coast Guard academy. I had put it off thinking I would have lots of time waiting for a weather window while in Lake Worth... well, as you know I did not. I guess procrastination got me again (Sorry Capt. Jack).
Today was more of a 'rest day' then anything. We sailed from one anchorage to another, covering a grand total of about 2 miles today. The highpoint of the day was at 11:38 when we watched the launch of space shuttle Discovery. We are too far out to get any FM radio stations, not even the stations out of Nassau or Freeport reach us here. We were listening to a conservative talk station out of Miami, and the carried the launch live. It was about 30 seconds after they counted down to zero that we saw the plume of smoke. The second treat NASA has graced us with this trip.
Peter and I are really getting into this beach thing. I like to look at the flotsam, while Peter is mostly looking for interesting things to eat, or pee on. He was walking out onto some sharp rocks this afternoon and I was thinking they must hurt his paws.. and that he has surely lost his mind to go out there (something I am quite sure he thinks of me often). After I watched him for a minute I saw that he was 'hunting' the crabs. While I am looking at the cast off plastics Peter has immediately kicked into survival mode. Should the going ever really get tough my money is on the dog.... Well, the dog and the plastics that wash up on the beach cause they are not going anywhere soon....
(http://sailfar.net/gallery/albums/userpics/10014/normal_PeterDingyGreat_Sail.JPG)
26 October, 2007
Allens-Pensacola Cay.
We have been here for 2 days now, the winds have howled and we are glad to be in a protected anchorage. We had it to ourselves until about an hour ago. A family of 9 on a chartered catamaran came in. Peter and I went over in the dingy to say hi, and learned they were headed for the Dominican Republic and were just passing through. I told them about the path Peter and I had found over the top of the Cay to the Ocean side that lead to 'sign beach'. There were signs there cruisers have left hanging from trees all over. We made our own, and added one for the 'Ragged Point Yacht Club' to sign.
(http://sailfar.net/gallery/albums/userpics/10014/FaithSign.jpg)
We also made one for Jim Taulbee*.
(http://sailfar.net/gallery/albums/userpics/10014/SignBeach.jpg)
I wish I were a better photographer, some of the signs are really creative.
(http://sailfar.net/gallery/albums/userpics/10014/SignBeach3.jpg)
Most of them are made from floatsom found on the beach... I guess you could call it 'tree-cycling' ;D
(http://sailfar.net/gallery/albums/userpics/10014/SignBeach2.jpg)
I have thought about Jim many times since I started this trip. He was a man who was a member of the Ragged Point Yacht Club before Rose and I got to Gottchalks Marina back at Camp Lejeune. He was murdered a couple of months before we got there, and even thought I never met him I feel like I did. He was a friend to all in the marina not just in the way that people speak nicely of the dead, but on a much deeper level. He was etting his boat ready to go cruizing when he was killed, although he seems to have spent as much time helping others work on thier boats as his own. There is more that I wanted to write but am not sure what to say other then he has been remembered on our journey.
Monday 29 October, 07
We sailed to Crab cay this afternoon. With the wind blowing 25 and gusts to 35 it was not much fun close hauled all the way. I am going nuts for news, especially with the storm approaching. We have been listening to one of th eonly stations we can hear, 850 am out of FL. They say things like 'tropical storm in the area' their news is really poor... but at least it is conservative talk radio so it is entertaining. I can get a signal on the cell phone now, but can not get any calls to go through... so I will try the internet even though I know that BTC will probably charge me an arm and a leg if I can. I want to make sure everyone knows we are ok. Here goes nothing....
Oh well... "Roaming is not available on this network"
Friday 2 november 2007
Sitting here in White Sound, Green Turtle Cay eating Conch Fritters at the restrauant at the top of the hill, I believe we survived hurricane Noel. By the Grace of G O D, the 'anchor held' and we made it through a long and sleepless night. We were at 'Crab Cay' near Spanish Cay. I will update more later when I can get to a connection but wanted to pass along the updates we had been typing all along and let everyone know we are alive and well.
*Upon inspection, somehow I managed to miss getting a picture of Jim's sign...
Ok, back on th boat with a very weak signal from someone's house (thank you who ever you are). ;D
We are very tired, the last couple days waiting for the storm have been long. The lack of information was one of the most frustrating things. The radio station I mentioned that we listened to for the shuttle launch is the strongest on the dial, but we tend to lose it when it is overcast. There are 2 Bahamas stations, one on FM 93 something... don';t remember since we have not got is since we left west end. THen there is 810 AM, which plays the worst music, and while it claims to have a 10k signal, it barely comes though. The VHF broadcasts would fade in and out, but also degrade with the weather. We had no real way of knowing anything beyond that there was a tropical depression and it was strengthening and headed our way.
THe 'Cruisers net' the guides talk about is apparently either a summer thing, or farther south because we have not heard anything. I was able to contact Spanish Cay marina from the anchorage to ask them to call my dad and let him know we are alive... since it has been 2 weeks since we left West End and were able to contact anyone.
We left Allens-Pensacola Cay in an attempt to make Spanish Cay. Spanish Cay has protection, but more importantly it has high ground so we could get off the boat if it looked too bad. We spent a day beating into 30k winds and ended up at Crab Cay.. (the one near Spanish, not near Manjack). I had no good info, but know from experience that I wanted shelter from the North and North East. THe anchorage we choose had good protection from the East, but the North was only separated by a 20' spit of land. It was enough.
The center of the storm passed just to our East, we got the worst it had to offer. I heard on the last broadcast before it passed us that it had strengthened to a Hurricane, and had sustained winds over 80 MPH. THe night was alot like I imagine being in a washing machine must be. The crew did very well, Rose was as cool as a cucumber. ;D Peter mostly slept, but got a little aggravated by the lightening... not as bad as he usually does. I am very proud of my crew.
We put the Manson anchor out to the NE (usually with the highest winds) the Fortress FX-16 to the NW, and the 'lunch hook' out to the South. THe Manson took the brunt of the storm and stayed put. I do not believe the lunch hook ever took any strain, and the FX-16 was only in the wind from about 3am on (we got underway at about 9am). There was no damage to any gear, and the crew is doing well but tired.
We left the anchorage and sailed to Spanish Cay hoping to get water and get word out that we are ok. THey had no power, which meant no water (RO) and had no ETA on getting their generator fixed.... so we sailed on to Green Turtle.
Awesome.:) Great pictures, too. ;D Got the package you sent, thanks much!
Do you continue to be impressed with the Ariel design? (Yes, I know you are... :D)
Looks like you painted your sign with outboard anti-fouling spray - LOL!
Last, the CrewDogs said to tell Peter "Ruff ruff, grr, ruff grrr, {whine}, grr BARK".***
***(which I think means something like "We are doing our best to keep the cats unaware of your absence. Have a great cruise, and pee on some stuff for us!")
Glad to hear that you made it through Noel okay. Beautiful post and photos. :D
Hey Craig - Sorry I missed your call yesterday, but thanks for the heads up on you and your crew being okay. I called your Mother to let her know you guys are okay. She said she needs to hear from you since the Coast Guard wants to talk to you about your Masters license. Apparently, she has other things that need your attention as well. Sorry to use sailfar for personal business but it seems the only way right now to contact you. Should I be using e-mail instead?
Great reading your account of your adventures........I'm still sailing with you vicariously. Keep posting....words and pictures.......I read and look at them all the time.
Stay safe, with the winds from your back. Love, Dad
Dad Amos - ;)
If using the sailFar forum contributes to easier communication with Craig and Rose while they are cruising, go for it, we're glad to be of help. :)
Glad to hear you's are OK. My thoughts were with you with news of the storm.Keep posting...great notes and pics !
Glad to hear you and the crew weathered Noel. Great pictures. I was adding a coat of varnish to my hand rails this morning and coud feel Psyche tugging at her dock lines. I do not know if any of you knew or knew of Dr. David M. Parker who was an extraordinary sailor, voyager and author ("Ocean Voyaging). He also invented a very simple but quite good windvane that ou can make yourself or have made locally. He died a week ago. I purchased his Columbia 8.7 and added some of his suggestions when I redesigned and refitted the interior and exterior. I can still hear his voice echoing, "Git er right. Git Her Done. Get er Gone." As we travel with Craig , Rose, Peter and Connie vicariously with plans to head out in the future. I remind us all time is not replenishable and to remember what the pardey's also said, "Go small, go now." May be I am writing this because it is the passing of my friend Dave and realizing I am not getting any younger. Mark twain also said at the end of life's voyage when the last anchor is set it will not be the trips taken that will bother us but the ports not cruised and the sails left unfurled that will bother us. Obviously I took liberty with what Mark Twain said but the meaning is the same. Craig, I am pleased to hear you are still pleased with your Manson Anchor. I am still considering selling my 35# CQR and purchasing a 35# Manson so your post supports that decision. I have another Triton anchored near the dock while he prepares his boat for future cruising. It seems I am becoming an Alberg anchorage with 3 there now. I may be made a SSCA cruising station for passing cruisers. Are any of you going to the SSCA Gam in Melbourne next weekend? If so maybe we can hook up. It would be a great opportunity to meet posters on SailFar. Dan
Add this to the 'simplicity' preaching. Albert Einstein had many quotes on the value of simplicity.This one illustrates how imortant he felt it was....."the levels of intelligence are smart, intelligent, brilliant, genius, simple".....he loved sailing too ;)
Craig and Rose (and Peter),
Sure glad to hear from you. You guys sure were in our thoughts and prayers when I saw the sat images of Noel right over the Islands.
Ya'll take care down there. Hope the cruising is nothing but fun in da sun, now that the 'cane season should be behind you.
Nice pictures! I'm glad to hear you and your crew 'weathered' the storm OK.
Fair Winds,
TrT
CapnK - Thanks for your post on my using Sailfar to get in touch with Craig. With Noel passing Ill try to use voice and e-mail in the future. Sailfar is wonderful.......I can read and see what's going on with Craig and read what all the great cruising people have to say. Thanks, again.
Bob Amos (AKA - C. Worthy Shipp)
Craig typing here... Poor Rose just typed out a long post, and had the computer battery run out before she hit post. She made the error of proofreading it, which I clearly do not foten do.. ;D
Wehad a nice sail yesterday we tacked out across to the mainland, and then back up into Black Sound at Green Turtle.
We are at the 'Other side' marina tied up to the dingy dock.. Sometimes it is good to be a SailFar boat! We came over here to stay a couple days and to see the 'Guy Fawks' day celibration. It was a good time.
Here is a link to the event on the Abaco message board. (http://coconuttelegraph.net/forums/showthread.php?s=a431a6066d36b8d611deb847e9c1ac34&t=7207)
Dancing with 'Guy Fawks'
(http://sailfar.net/gallery/albums/userpics/10577/GuyDance.jpg)
We are enjoying the great bread, and taking our time to see the town here. The folks we have met have been great! Our dockmate is a lady named Sybil who single hands a Tartan 31 and has been here for about 5 years. She spent some time with us this am going over some charts, and I was supprosed to learn that we don't have the charts for Eluthria or Cat Island... that we had planned to see. Hopefully we will run into someone headed back we can get them from. Another friend 'Tim' lives aboard a houseboat 6 months a year. We also met 'Kevin the Bahamian Rock Star'.... everyone here at Green Turtle now knows Peter, people I don;t seem to recall meeting walk up and know his name... is it something else. ;D
Let me see if I can get some pictures uploaded.....
Ok, here are a couple of the anchorage we pulled into for the storm.
We had been beating into 25k to get there, but it laid down that evening we ducked in.
(http://sailfar.net/gallery/albums/userpics/10577/CalmBefore.jpg)
Looking NE;
(http://sailfar.net/gallery/albums/userpics/10577/CalmBeforeNE.jpg)
Looking West;
(http://sailfar.net/gallery/albums/userpics/10577/CalmBeforeW.jpg)
Here is our Faithful watchstander.
(http://sailfar.net/gallery/albums/userpics/10577/PeteronWatch.jpg)
Craig/Rose/Peter,
What can I say, except "You're the (collective) man!"
Sailing the Caribbean as many of us in the RPYC have always dreamed of...weathering a hurricane... G od has truly blessed you. What's more, you're smart enough to appreciate it.
Is there anything you need? Anything I can send? Sorry, I ate that ham; so can't return it for your holiday feast.
The New River Christmas flotilla is coming up on December 2d. I'll try to send a couple pictures.
Until then, stay safe.
Don
Hey Don,
I really appreciate the kind words. I have been reading the RPYC emails and it sounds like great things have been going on. Really glad to hear it. Look forward to hearing all about the 'Turkey Trot', and Christmas Party.
We walked to the South Side of the island, and enjoyed a beautiful beach. The small Island in the background is 'No Name Cay'.
(http://sailfar.net/gallery/albums/userpics/10014/PeterBeach2P.jpg)
Peter takes a swim;
(http://sailfar.net/gallery/albums/userpics/10014/PeterSwimP.jpg)
Peter really loves the beach, even if we are a bit too slow for him sometimes.
(http://sailfar.net/gallery/albums/userpics/10014/PeterBeachP.jpg)
I was re-reading the note Frank sent me, and saw where he had recommended some great snorkeling at MunJack Cay, so we will probably head back slightly north tomorrow and investigate it. ;D
Then our plans are to head somewhat south, probably cross the 'Whale' either tomorrow evening or the next day. We should have internet connection again once we get to Marsh Harbor in a few days or so.
I posted a link to this in the links section, but wanted to mention it here too. The abacomessageboard.com (http://abacomessageboard.com) is an excellent discussion forum where we have gotten much help and advice. Some really great people and definitely worth a read if you plan to visit soon.
Looks horrible, like no fun at all. I feel your pain.
So cold here, that the CrewDogs have been sleeping belowdecks for the last several nights. Yeppers, that time of year again... I'm sure y'all *really* miss it. ;D
Ahoy for Munjack Cay. 11 November, 07
To the reader it may not seem like it, but I think about these posts a great deal while I am going about my day. I think of things I want to make a point of sharing, and then somehow they fall by the wayside when I get back to the computer. Today Peter and I were walking along a beach on the ocean side of the Cay, and I had all kinds of profound and insightful things I wanted to write.... But alas, they are still on the beach.
Today is the 3 month anniversary of our departure. We have traveled over 100 nautical miles, although it still feels like we are just getting started. The crew and boat are holding up well, actually the boat continues to undergo the continual process of upgrade and repair. Little things like a woreing modification that allows us to power the VHF radio without running the other instruments make it easier to monitor what is going on without bankrupting our energy budget.
I am very glad that I re-read the letter Frank so generously took the time to write for us before we left. One of the recommendations he made was that we stop here. Manjack Cay has been wonderful. There is only one house, on another part of the island and we have the place pretty much to ourselves other then the dive boat from Green Turtle that comes over from time to time. I was also reminded that Frank's Flicka 'Jubilee' is on the hard over at Abaco Yacht services. I had intended on stopping over there on our way out of Black sound to look in on her, but we got to talking and the tide was nearly out when we left. We lightly touched the bottom on the way out so it was a good thing we did not linger any longer.
We left the 'Other Shore' marina on Friday, and it was hard to get away. I can easily see how people some here and just forget to leave. We made friends from the first day we were there, and the town of New Plymouth has most of what you need. The dockmaster there (for the last 26 years) is a guy named Kevin. He is the 'Bahamas only rock star'. He plays with a band named the 'Gully Roosters' as well as DJ'ing for most of the local goings-on. He was the DJ and MC for the Guy Fawks night and did a great job. Here is a picture of this local celebrity with the SailFar.net sticker that now is proudly displayed at the marina 'Office'.
(http://sailfar.net/gallery/albums/userpics/10014/RockStar.jpg)
We were going to go for a dive trip with Brendal of Brendals Dive center, but the budget was a little tight. It turns out that his dive/snorkel trips wind up here at Manjack, and we have enjoyed all be the dive part of the trip. One of the highlights is a picnic on the beach but we got a taste of that today when our friends Sybil and Tim from Other Shores sailed over and brought us some of Brendal's Fish stew.... It was wonderful.
We saw a lot of wildlife here, and really enjoyed the clear water and beautiful beaches. Peter has figured out that the harry wooden things have some sort of food in them... we have seen hundreds of coconuts in the last month, but today he must have smelled something different because he has really taken an interest in them.... He does not seek to have any idea what to do about it. Yet.
(http://sailfar.net/gallery/albums/userpics/10014/Munjack.jpg)
We have been fishing, but have not really taken it seriously. We trolled a Clark Spoon over here from Green Turtle, but it was our oldest rusty one.... We fished, but the Vienna sausage on the hook was of little interest to the fish until about 2am the morning after we arrived and then it was plucked from the hook after a little line was pulled off the reel....must have been really hungry.
We watched a sea turtle as it swam by the boat this afternoon but the really neat stuff has been on the beach. We have seen lots of hermit crabs, sometimes we will see a shell and be surprised when we pick it up and find something is living in it... (http://sailfar.net/gallery/albums/userpics/10014/Hermit.jpg)
There are a couple of big rays that are used to being fed by the people on the dive boat. They come up to you in shallow water and try to 'fly' up to your feet. Apparently they will take food offered from between your toes... I did not know of this and was caught off guard the first time I was approached. This picture was taken from the dingy when Rose came ashore with the camera.
(http://sailfar.net/gallery/albums/userpics/10014/Ray.jpg)
The star fish are everywhere. I first thought they were just starfish husks, but when you turn them over you see small suction cups on the underside that retract when you take them out of the water.
(http://sailfar.net/gallery/albums/userpics/10014/Starfish.jpg)
No starfish were harmed in the making of this post.
(http://sailfar.net/gallery/albums/userpics/10014/Starfish1.jpg)
We will probably get underway tomorrow, we had actually planned to sail to Guana Cay this morning, but the winds were up and we heard that the 'Whale' is up with 7' breaking seas. We will see what it looks like tomorrow. We are probably going to go back to White sound to top up our tanks, they have Reverse Osmosis water (very clean, and tastes good without the Brita). We figured we have used about 15 gallons in the last week. Not too bad for a crew of 3, with very little additional drinking sources (we don't drink soda, and aside from my one glass of wine in the evening everything we drink is out of the thanks.). We might also have to stop in New Plymouth to get some more of the fresh baked bread.
It is hard to believe it has been three months since your departure. Wow, time sure has a way of flying!
I have to tell you, we are living your adventure through your posts. Never mind those insights left on the beach. Your posts are excellent.
Thank you.
Thank you for the kind words Bob.
We set out to sail south to Guana Cay yesterday..... we got as far as the anchorage off of New Plymouth. We spent the night there, the wind was blowing this moring so we put a double reef in the main and set off for the 'Whale'. The passage through Whale Cay is known for breaking waves that crash together and splash skyword so that they resemble a the spout produced by a whales blowspout. We could see the splashing from about a mile away, but had talked to some guys on a big 4600 Moorings catamaran who said they had come through yesterday afternoon and it was not so bad.
As we got closer we saw a wall of black clouds dropping rain and the wind picked up quite a bit. We turned and came back into Black sound just in time as the skys opened. The day is gray and windy still, we will probably just stay here tonight and see what tomorrow brings.
There are quite a few more boats now, we had the place to ourselves before. We had to pick up a mooring ($7 a night) as the places we had planned to anchor were all wither taken or tto close to boats on moorings. Not a big deal, and there is patchy wifi here.... hope I can get this posted.
Will update more later.
Will,
Capt Jack here holding down the fort back at "home"(although you seem incredibly at home where you are now). As i read your posts and am reminded of many of the cruising books i have read i think wow, this is really amazing. And then i question why in the world am i going to the coast guard academy again? I look forward to more posts as i ponder this question. ;D
This time of year in the islands, when the winds would moderate to under 30 knots, we would say that its calmed down enough to go. ;D As you wonder further down towards PR next month, the winds were called Christmas winds causing me to really pick and poke through the regions which could take at least a week before being able to make a day or so progress. Be carefull as the northeasters are stiff.
Craig, Rose and Peter:
I am sitting here in NEw Bern NC and wish I and my family with were you and yours. Lord your posts bring a tear to the eye and dreams to the heart.
Nikki and I along with Joce and Cap'n Jack speak of you and think of you and pray for you often, wishing you were here or we were there.
Times have changed in the last three months. Cap'n Jack is looking toward the mail bag for posting of access to USCG...lord knows she would rather be right next to you with Ariel Hull #3...which I am glad to report has had another installation of fixings...
Full interior refurbishment, done by no other than the Cap'n of the vessel...with oversight by the money bags and owner...Cap'n Bly...
Please keep us posted...by the way I have called the cell a couple times and left messages...but knew that was futile...I will try to keep up with these postings now that I "know how"...
NOTE to all others...please do not hate me b/c I am a M/V owner - live aboard we (family of four) own both style of boats and strive to be students of the sea...as I am sure we all can appreciate.
Semper Fi
Bob
Commodore of the RPYC and proud to be a friend of the Amos crew!
Bob,
For the second time in this page of this thread
thank you for the kind words Bob... (different Bob). Wow, soon the entirity of the Ragged Point Yacht Club will be SailFar members! I really look forward to seeing some pictures of all the work you two have done on Ariel Spirit.... I am sure she is looking great! I know the Ariel mafia (aka the Men in Black) over at pearsonariel.org will love to see the pictures too.
Capt. Jack,
QuoteAs i read your posts and am reminded of many of the cruising books i have read i think wow, this is really amazing. And then i question why in the world am i going to the coast guard academy again?
There HAS to be SOMEONE in the Coast Guard who knows port from starboard... and if you can control a pack of scared dogs in a tippy dingy on a dark and stormy night then there is nothing the USCG will toss your way that you can not handle... they are idiots if they delay in sending you an invitation.
Rose and I were just talking today about what a great group of friends we have back at Lejeune... we really wish you guys were all here to join us. Speaking of here... I guess I should say where HERE is.... ;D
Ahoy from Great Guana Cay! 17 November, 2007
We stayed in Marsh harbor for 2 days, which was about one more then we needed. It is not that it is a bad place, there is a nice anchorage that is well protected and has good holding with a nice dingy dock (with steps for Peter). There are quite a few stores, and a 'big' town (Abacos 'big' at about 5000 people) has lots of services.
It is just that we have (very quickly) become spoiled. We like to have quite anchorage, with either a small cove with a few people or a deserted beach all to ourselves.... Marsh Harbor just did not meet either of those. We did so a little shopping (bread, cheese, and Oreos... just the staples of life). I also was able to by the third Explorer Chart book, the one I thought I had bought but somehow missed. The prices are a bit high as I mentioned before. The Oreos were $5.95, and the chart book was over $80 and was not the updated one... but we
had to have both of them so what are you going to do? ;)
We finally got on the 'Cruisers Net'. It is an ongoing 'round table' discussion of news, weather, and goings on that has been taking place on the VHF radio on channel 68 for some time here. We had heard about it, and have tuned in at 0815 nearly every day hoping to hear something of it. We could hear some of the boats replying to it from Green Turtle, and heard some of the news on it while we were crossing 'the Whale'. We heard it from Marsh Harbor, but it was not as clear as we had hoped. I think the boat who is hosting it is either pretty far out there, or does not have a very good radio. We will see what tomorrow brings. I have done pretty well in the 'trivia' contest though.. the two days we could hear the question. The questions were;
Where on the ship might a 'telltale compass' be found? and
Who was the Capt. of the 'Queen Ann's revenge'? Our sail over here to Guana Cay (settlement harbor, also know as 'kid Cove') was a nice one. The wind was blowing at about 12knots, and we had an easy reach all the way here sailing loose at about 4 knots. It was only about 12 miles from Marsh Harbor, back up the way we came.... We just took our time since we had all day to get here.
It was a good day to show up, as the little town here had a spaghetti dinner fund raiser for it's small schoolhouse. We had Conch spaghetti (it was great!) and then Rose did the cake walk and won one of her favorite cakes! It was a pineapple upside-down cake. It was a big one, so she gave all but a corner of it to a family we met while eating dinner. The people a very friendly here, and the pace is much more laid back then Marsh Harbor.... Much more our speed.
I am tired now, so I will get off of here and hope to get this posted. We have a connection, but I continue to have problems with the computer (better that then the motor) so I don't know if it will go.. but if you are reading this then it worked.
Blessings all,
Craig, Rose and Peter,
I enjoyed reading your post and look forward to reading the one's to follow. The information in your posts will be beneficial for the rest of us who follow in your wake. Any information you have about navigating areas would be helpful. While at the SSCA Gam in Melbourne I was made a cruising station for the SSCA. so all of you are welcome to lay over at my place on the Ogeechee when you are cruising the ICW. Dan
Guana Cay is shaping up to be one of our favorite places so far. Between the spaghetti fund raiser last night, and the Pig roast at Nippers today, we are really enjoying this place. But I am getting ahead of myself.
The trip over from Marsh Harbor was a pretty easy sail. There was really not much navigation to be done, after you got out of the harbor it was pretty much a straight shot. We did sail around the harbor before we left, so we could see if there might have been a better place to have dropped the hook. I love to sail around an anchorage as long as it is not too crowded. There were probably 30 boats at anchor there, and twice we had someone pop their head up from their companionway and wave as we ghosted by. Right outside the harbor there was a big black and grey motor vessel named 'Plan b'. We had seen her anchored off of the whale, were she looked to me to be aground. She has a small fleet of tenders, all in the same military like paint scheme right down to the pair of jet ski's. Here is a picture of Peter checking her out;
(http://sailfar.net/gallery/albums/userpics/10014/normal_Trip_10_0375.JPG)
The only thing in between Marsh Harbor and Guana Cay is Foot's Cay. I took a picture since it looks like so many of the smaller cay's you pass in the course of the day. Someone in a kayak would have a field day here exploring them all.
(http://sailfar.net/gallery/albums/userpics/10014/normal_Trip_10_0373.JPG)
There is not much here in Settlement harbor, the traffic is a far cry from the fast cars on narrow streets of Marsh harbor. We did see one golf cart yesterday with no muffler. It sounded like it was going really fast, even though it was only going less then 10mph. It is nice walking Peter without worrying about the traffic so much, in busier areas the traffic moves like island traffic else where in the world... fast and reckless.
We sailed right along the lee of the cay for about an hour before we made it to settlement harbor.
(http://sailfar.net/gallery/albums/userpics/10014/normal_Trip_10_0379.JPG)
We had expected to sail on to Bakers bay, but settlement harbor looked inviting so we sailed on in and dropped the hook.
(http://sailfar.net/gallery/albums/userpics/10014/normal_Trip_10_0363.JPG)
We are anchored pretty close in. At low tide we are just brushing the bottom with our keel. Once again it is good to be a SailFar boat. Even the catamarans don't seem to want to come in as close. We have been using our anchor snubber attachment at the waterline, and taking advantage of the short scope holding of our anchor to have swing circles of less then 2 boat lengths. It makes for nice short dingy rides to shore.
(http://sailfar.net/gallery/albums/userpics/10014/normal_Trip_10_0381.JPG)
Nippers is something of a tradition here among Abacos cruisers. They have a beautiful location, and great food. They are so popular they used to have an active discussion forum, but it has fallen by the wayside.
(http://sailfar.net/gallery/albums/userpics/10014/normal_Trip_10_0388.JPG)
Our friend Dennis, the source of much help and information as we got ready, repeated several times that we 'had to go to Nippers' for the pig roast on Sunday. He was right, it was fun and the food was Great! We did blow our weekly eating out budget as the Pig roast buffet was $20 a plate, but it was great food. Peter Agreed.
(http://sailfar.net/gallery/albums/userpics/10014/normal_Trip_10_0384.JPG)
We ate, (and ate, and ate...) hung around the pool and Peter and I went for a walk along the beach.
(http://sailfar.net/gallery/albums/userpics/10014/normal_Trip_10_0395.JPG)
It has been a nice day, mid 70's with a light breeze. I hope I can get this (and all the pictures) to upload.... hours later I am still working on it..... The sad part is that I am using a legitimate WiFi connection. I paid money for this to OII.Net, a small ISP that operates pay WiFi sites around the Abacos....
It is now almost 11pm, and I can not seem to get any more pictures to load so I am going to try to post this.... maybe I can get teh pictures in later.
(http://sailfar.net/gallery/albums/userpics/10014/normal_Trip_10_0382.JPG)
greatgreat great!
Good to hear from you. Great photos. :D Wish I was there.
Looks like great fun, your making me jealous as the cold weather begins its ugly decent round these parts.
Thanks for the story and pic's
Fairwinds,
-Kevin
21 November 2007
Still at Settlement Harbor, Guana Cay.
Today we went to the beach on the North side of the island and I went Snorkeling... all day long. It was wonderful. I understand 'Fodors' travel lists this beach as one of it's top for snorkeling evey year, and I can see why. The surf was a little rough, but it was a lot of fun. Rose damaged her ears while she was taking dive classes back at Camp Lejeune, so she had to stay on the beach :-[ But she said she enjoyed it anyway. It is a beautiful beach;
(http://sailfar.net/gallery/albums/userpics/10014/GuanaBeach.jpg)
Peter and I were playing in the sand, he would bounce and jump like he was a puppy again... he really LOVES it here.
(http://sailfar.net/gallery/albums/userpics/10014/Peter_I.jpg)
We had Conch fritters at Nippers and now Rose is making Red Beans and Rice for the pot luck at Grabbers.... we will be leaving in a few minutes.
As I posted in Lynx's thread, he came into the anchorage today, so there is another SailFar member here... wish you could all join us! ;D ;D ;D
(http://sailfar.net/gallery/albums/userpics/10014/James_Lynx.jpg)
That too cool...meeting up there. Now if only Connie sailed in ;D HAVE FUN !!
Ahoy from Man-O-War! 23 November, 2007
The last couple of days have been good ones. We are anchored in the middle of a very crowded mooring field here at Man-O-war. The day after Thanksgiving did not find us waiting in line and get a great deal at the local box store..... not too many of those out here.
Guana Cay was a great place to eat... and eat we did. The last post I mentioned the spaghetti fund raiser and the pig roast at Nippers. Well, we had lots of fun on that beach, and went back to it for more swimming and snorkeling. Of course it would be rude to pass through Nippers without eating some conch fritters.... Duty and all that.... Then we went to another restaurant for dinner. We had heard that 'Grabbers' was hosting a covered dish dinner. Rose cooked up some red beans and rice and we went and enjoyed meeting several of the other people from other boats as well as some of the locals. Seems like quite a few who live here had once just stopped in for a visit on boats... and never left. We can sure see the draw.
Thanksgiving day was a really good one. We were up at sunrise when we sailed from Settlement Harbor to Fisherman's harbor.
(Settlement Sunrise)(http://sailfar.net/gallery/albums/userpics/10014/SettlementSunrise.jpg)
We picked up a mooring ball in front of 'Dive Guana' and Rose dropped me off on their dock for their half day dive. I had not been too keen on spending the money, but Rose finally talked me into it. I am glad she did. It was a great time, we went out to the reef near Fowl Cay and had a great couple of dives. I really enjoyed it, and took a disposable under water camera.
(http://sailfar.net/gallery/albums/userpics/10014/DiveGuana.jpg)
I will post the results here when I get it developed. I sure hope it worked, after I returned from the dive I noticed that it said it was only waterproof to 10'. It did not seem to have any water in it, even after almost 2 hours as deep as 60'.
The internet connection was not too great, but we were able to get on with Skype to make a couple of scratchy calls home. It was nice, even if it was short and hard to understand. We have been in the Bahamas over a month, and I have yet to use a regular phone. Later in the afternoon we met James from Lynx at Grabbers for their Thanksgiving feast. The Turkey and Yams were great, as was the Lobster bisque... a new favorite thanksgiving side. ")
(http://sailfar.net/gallery/albums/userpics/10014/JamesDingy.jpg)
We sat with the crew of 'Innovations' and really enjoyed the company. Steve, her captain offered us the use of his mooring here at Man-O-War, but when we came in this afternoon it was occupied. We talked, and played the Bahamian 'Ring game' into the evening and then dingied back to the boat.
This morning we got underway, again at sunrise, and had a nice broad reach on winds of less then 10knots. We were the only sailboat we saw all day who was content to sail in such light air. We stopped at Fowl Cay where we set the hook and Peter and I dingied ashore and I snorkeled. We dropped the sails and came into the narrow passage at Man-O-War around 5. All the books say to just grab a mooring here, but at $15 a night we would rather anchor. That may seem strange, but we are no longer getting my active duty pay, and there are some problems with my retirement retainer... so we are on a budget now. The days of spending big bucks at marinas for a week at a wack are gone but I think we are going to be fine since we pretty much prefer the anchor any way. We will be reporting more on expenses, since I had intended to do that anyway.
It is 25 November, and Faith has been lying at anchor behind Matt Lowe's Cay since yesterday afternoon. We got up early at Man-O-War and dingied into town. We had a nice walk along the waterfront, Rose enjoyed it in spite of Peter pulling her out of the dingy just as we came ashore (he was eager to greet the ducks.. he is fascinated by the ducks). We bought some groceries and then arranged a meeting with Sarah Lyola, who bakes fresh bread and then drives around town to deliver it. As I have said before the fresh cooked bread is one of the highlights of shopping here, and we were able to also find her with some of her hot fresh rolls... yum!
We talked to the marina about using their facilities, but they said the mooring balls were $17 a day, and did not include use of the facilities. We went down to look at the mooring that our friends on Innovations had offered us, it looked like a nice place but there was no place to get Peter ashore... This was more of a concern now as the dingy motor is not pumping water and I have to plan my shore trips around rowing an inflatable... anyone who has experience with this can attest, not much fun.
(http://sailfar.net/gallery/albums/userpics/10014/Man-O-War.jpg)
We sailed out of Man-O-War intending to visit Hopetown, but they were hosting a soap box derby for the children, and we listened to several people unable to got a berth or a mooring in the crowded harbor so we took a pass. The impeller we need for the dingy motor is most likely in Marsh Harbor (if to be found) but neither Rose nor I had thought much of the crowded harbor other then for shopping. So a quick check of the chart found Matt Lowes Cay, which is near marsh Harbor but has no development (yet, it is being developed for houses). Rose caught a fish (Barracuda) on the way over, it was small and you can not eat tropical Barracuda anyway so it went back in.
(http://sailfar.net/gallery/albums/userpics/10014/RoseFish.jpg)
Today has been a long hard day. Well, first I finished Eric Hiscocks 'Come Aboard' and then after taking Peter ashore we ate the last of the rolls, I drank my coffee, and I started into Bill Bryson's 'A Walk in The Woods'. I am nearly finished with it already, and have enjoyed it all the more for the fact that I started it when I started grad school and laid it down in favor of more pressing, reading only now to pick it back up. As you can see, Peter was deeply stressed;
(http://sailfar.net/gallery/albums/userpics/10014/PeterCrash2.jpg)
We did have one other boat join us here. There is about a mile of good anchorage to be had here, but that did not stop some folks on a chartered cat from setting up shop about 50' away from us. They were not too loud, but it did keep Rose and I from our showers till it was good and dark out.
(http://sailfar.net/gallery/albums/userpics/10014/AnchorClose.jpg)
We hope to go to Marsh Harbor tomorrow morning to check on a new impeller for the motor, and if we are able to we might head over to Hope Town in the afternoon.
Once again, ahoy from marsh Harbor. We had a nice reach over here the wind was blowing at around 20k, so we were at or over hull speed all the way. : ) I need to go ashore now, and will try to upload all of this in the internet café when I get there.
The crew doggy looks tired. Good post... Look forward to the underwater photos if they come out.
Craig - When you get a chance give me a call........no big thing.......just want to talk to you about an idea I have. Dad
Nice Hat!!!!!!! We miss you guys! Happy Holidays wherever you may be.
I passed Faith as they was sailing out of Hope Town when I was comming in. The said that they was heading to Eleuthera Island. Thay looked good.
Have fun.
Lynx-
Thanks for the update on s/v Faith. :D
Ahoy from Hope Town, 28 November 2007
Marsh Harbor was good to us; we got all we needed other then the impeller for the dingy motor. We were able to do laundry and get Peter's ears looked at by a vet (again). He has continued to have some trouble and it was good to check in with a vet and get restocked with a medication for him. We also got some shopping done, and stocked up for the next stages of our trip which will take us into increasingly remote areas.
(http://sailfar.net/gallery/albums/userpics/10014/Mooring%7E0.jpg)
Our new friend Mike on Island Flyer stopped by the boat last night and spent an hour or so going over the charts with us. He has spent several years going to 'points south' of the Abacos and it was a big help, especially for Rose. There is a kind of wall just south of the Abacos beyond which 'there be dragons'. It seems this way anyway, as most everyone we speak to has a litany of reasons not to go beyond the Abacos. Mike said many boats come with intentions to go farther south, but either lose their nerve or are talked out of it. He told us that little harbor, where we intend to make the crossing from is also known as 'chicken harbor' since so many get there and turn back for the Abacos. We have talked to quite a few people who have said they were going to go, but had stopped here 'for a short break' and ended up buying property and moving ashore. I can see the draw.
(http://sailfar.net/gallery/albums/userpics/10014/FaithHopetown.jpg)
Hope Town has been fun. We found a great little library and book exchange and I wound up getting more books then Rose (for a change). We met Dominick there; he has a cottage here and volunteers to open the library. He let Peter in to sit with us while we looked and talked. We walked over the hill to the beach.
(http://sailfar.net/gallery/albums/userpics/10014/HappyPeter.jpg)
We ran into our friend from Green Turtle, Sybil (s/v Scallop) . It is really a small world here, as she was visiting a friend who we had met earlier in the day... Brad on 'Mothra' who is also a good friend of Mike who we had talked to in Marsh Harbor the day before...who had pointed us to a friends mooring we could use for free for the night : : ) Through another set of happy chance meetings we met another Mike, (Chicago Mike). He came over to talk about the boat... he has an Ariel also (#90, named Whisper) and was getting ready to launch it. The second layer of coincidence* comes in that Rose had spoken to a friend of Mikes who was going to introduce us later. He also had an old dingy motor which will now serve as a backup so we won't have to worry about the impeller hunt. ; )
(http://sailfar.net/gallery/albums/userpics/10014/Whisper2.jpg)
(http://sailfar.net/gallery/albums/userpics/10014/Whisper.jpg)
November 30, 2007
We went to Capt. Jacks restaurant for breakfast the met Bruce and Lewey, who Craig had met the night before. After we ate and talked for a short time, we dinged over to say goodbye to Sybil and Brad. We then went and looked at the Lighthouse. It is a neat one, with the original kerosene fired lamp.
(http://sailfar.net/gallery/albums/userpics/10014/HopetownLight.jpg)
It is neat to sit in the harbor and watch the light sweep over. It is over 100 steps, and we took Peter up part of the way with us.
(http://sailfar.net/gallery/albums/userpics/10014/PeterLightHouse.jpg)
It had a gorgeous view of the harbor and FAITH was the smallest cruising boat there.
(http://sailfar.net/gallery/albums/userpics/10014/HopeTown.jpg)
She looked so small compared to some of the others.
(http://sailfar.net/gallery/albums/userpics/10014/FaithHopetown.jpg)
(http://sailfar.net/gallery/albums/userpics/10014/HopeTown2.jpg)
Anyway, after we looked around for a while, we then set our next set of coordinates and set sail. We were met by Mike in his dinghy, he said goodbye and he hoped to see us again, then we saw James on Lynx at the Lighthouse Marina. We waved goodbye to him. We were met by the crew of a catamaran named Horizon, who we had met previously. A lot of people to say bye to, but it was fun and we can see why people stay. Hope Town is a pretty and friendly town.
(http://sailfar.net/gallery/albums/userpics/10014/GoodDog.jpg)
We left the mooring in Hope Town under sail just as we had picked it up. Well, kind of.... The light wind had been just enough to allow us to ghost into HopeTown under sail. We received a few nods of approval and a couple of strange looks as we sailed back and forth across the crowed harbor looking for a mooring. It would have been reckless in less then ideal conditions, but worked out well and was a good introduction to the beautiful harbor. We picked our mooring, and sailed up to it and luffed the main... and missed it by a couple feet so I had to start the motor for a couple seconds to reach it.
(http://sailfar.net/gallery/albums/userpics/10014/Sail2Hopetown.jpg)
We had a "happy sail", Rose says a happy sail is one that is not to windy. The fishing went well but not as much for us as for the barracuda. We had a strike, but reeled in only the head of whatever we had hooked.
(http://sailfar.net/gallery/albums/userpics/10014/FishHead.jpg)
It was another beautiful day and evening. We are now anchored at Lynyard Cay, which has a nice beach for Peter Dog. Tomorrow we are talking about taking a quick look at Little Harbor and then around 2 p.m. going out and heading for Eleuthera.
2 December 2007
Ahoy from Spanish Wells, Eleuthera !
The crossing went well, we left Lynyard Cay at around 3 yesterday afternoon after a walk on the beach and a morning of snorkeling.
(http://sailfar.net/gallery/albums/userpics/10014/Snorkle.jpg)
The wind started off at 10-15k just a point or two off the port quarter, almost a run. Normally this would have been ideal, but the swells had built from this direction for a couple days so we had a quartering sea which would cause the sails to fill and spill. The wind and the swells built as we sailed out of sight of land, and it was a longer night then it might have been... but not as bad as it might have been had we waited a day. The cold front that was to have stalled over the northern Abacos apparently made it's way south without delay as we got hit by strong winds and rain as we rested at Royal Island this afternoon. The ~ 60 mile passage took us just over 18 hours from weighing anchor to setting it again. Three and a third knots while towing the dingy.
Royal Island is described as a secluded harbor with an uninhabited island were cruisers can rest after the passage. It is a nice harbor, but very much inhabited. A developer has bought it and is building houses very close together. We put Peter ashore and were met by a security guard that insisted that the entire island is now off limits. We had hoped to rest the night there, but decided to press on to Spanish Wells so as not to have a problem getting Peter ashore. The cold front had come in, and pushed up short square waves that reminded me of the Pamlico Sound. It was a long slow motor directly into the wind and waves but I am glad we did it. Spanish Wells is a beautiful town, and we decided to treat ourselves to a night in a marina to get good showers and clean the boat. This is one of the only places where the water is not metered, as the town's name would suggest there is an underground aquifer here with good sweet water.
our updates may be fewer for a while, the internet is not as available here in the outter islands.
Blessings to all,
Thanks for the update... :D
Hey guys...just thought i'd give you an update on happenings back here in north carolina...
There's the annual christmas party/meeting this Friday, where i fully intend to bring yall up as a point of new business...and it is at Capt. Rattie's in New Bern, we got the whole second floor so as to not create another spread out gournmet cafe night...it is a definite boat trash hang out.
I heard from Mona the other day, lightnin' is getting his masters license and he is home...for now of course...she says they would love to hear from yall via email if you have time.
The Fifer family is all well, you would hardly even recognize Ariel spirit down below, all freshly painted and shiney...and we are simply anxiously awaiting a reply from the coast guard academy...very anxiously awaiting.
Yank on Peter's tail for me, as i am sure he has not received the appropriate harrassment for months now ;)...I wish i could go snorkeling every day as i pleased too... ;D
Keep a weather eye on the horizon
Capt. Jack
Ahoy from Governors Harbor, Eleuthera 8 December 2007
Faith is anchored in the harbor, we have just eaten dinner and had our sunshowers, and I thought I might try the WiFi here... It is working so I thought I would make a quick post to let everyone know we are still alive. I did not think I would be able to get online until tomorrow so I have to download the pictures but will work on a proper update and get it posted in a bit.
Congrats on your passage.How was the trip down? Judy and I are hoping to do the same from little harbour.
Frank,
Yes, I would recommend little Harbor. We skipped it, and Pete's Pub in favor of sailing across with better weather. I will have to get back there, please take some good pictures for me. ;D
The trip across from the Abaco's was not bad, we had a bumpy ride but I was glad we crossed when we did as the cold front that was to have stalled north of the Abacos had apparently come south. This was taken on the way up from Royal Harbour to Spanish Wells;
(http://sailfar.net/gallery/albums/userpics/10014/normal_Trip_12_0499.JPG)
Here is the update from the last couple days.
_______________________________________________________________
Ahoy from Spanish Wells, St. George's Island 3 December, 07
The Spanish wells Yacht haven is definitely a SailFar friendly marina. The folks here took good care of us, and it was a good place to spend our 'once and a while' night in a marina. They actually charged us the rate that was published in the explorer chart guide. Each of the marinas in the Abacos and many in the US would advertise affordable rates in the various cruising guides, but somehow when we showed up, the actual rates would be higher. Even our supposed 2008 guide would say that a marina would charge one rate and you would pay another. For our $26 here we got a berth for the night, showers, unlimited water for a washdown and to top off the tanks, and a half a dozen books from the exchange and they let me get on their computer to make the last post and upload all those pictures. Here is a picture of our friend Leroy and the SailFar sticker that now graces their office;
(http://sailfar.net/gallery/albums/userpics/10014/SailFarSpanishYH.jpg)
We took advantage of their golf cart to tour the island. It was fun, although it I had to keep reminding myself to 'stay left'.
(http://sailfar.net/gallery/albums/userpics/10014/SW1.jpg)
We saw the park at the West end of the island it was beautiful;
(http://sailfar.net/gallery/albums/userpics/10014/swBridge.jpg)
Here is one from the hill that overlooks the entrance to the channel;
(http://sailfar.net/gallery/albums/userpics/10014/sw2.jpg)
We also met Tom and Jean off the Trawler 'Amadon Light' who have a home in Spanish Wells (right across the street from the moorings). I teased Tom by asking for his autograph as they are mentioned in the Explorer Chart book as 'former cruisers' who run a book exchange. They were as generous with their time as with their books and we greatly enjoyed passing the evenings with them on their porch and we even had a pizza bake when their friend Connie from a couple of houses down brought over pizza dough and we all brought ingredients. Rose and I learned a lot from them as they shared their years of cruising 'local knowledge' of the area. I also was able to find the impeller for the dingy motor, so now we have a spare.
It was strange to see the town decorated for Christmas, when it is 82f out this looks a little out of place;
(http://sailfar.net/gallery/albums/userpics/10014/swChristmas.jpg)
We left the mooring after 2 days there, and sailed south west into a 25k breeze to the aptly named 'Current Cut' If you look at a chart, you will see why this narrow passage experiences currents that are said to run as high as 9 knots. We passed through it at low tide and anchored off of Current Island to give Peter a break and rest from the long morning beating into square waves. After a break ashore we had a run up to Hatchet Bay. We had wanted to visit the 'Glass Window' but the wind made it a lee shore with questionable holding so we passed on. It is a place where there is a small bridge over a break in the island and from the top of the bridge you can look out over the waters to both sides. We will have to save it for next time.
Our destination was Hatchet Bay just to the west of Alice Town. This is one of those really unique places where a bay is hidden behind the cliffs with only one very narrow entrance. We arrived a mile off shore right as the sun was slipping into the sea behind us. The entrance is a break in the shear cliff, less then 50' wide. It was invisible until we were right on it, and the waves were breaking all around us as we sailed in. I already had too much sail up to get in before dark, and the wind funneled through the opening and as we got closer it was hard to keep Faith in line with the narrow opening. It was hairy and I was greatly relieved to get in safely. It was a bit inconvenient to break out the camera in the midst of all that, so here are a couple of pictures of it we took going back out;
(http://sailfar.net/gallery/albums/userpics/10014/HatchetBay.jpg)
It looks even more narrow in person;
(http://sailfar.net/gallery/albums/userpics/10014/HatchetBayexit.jpg)
Once inside, the wind and waves were a memory, the protection here is excellent and I am sure it would have 500 boats in it if not for being so remote. As it is there are 2 trawlers, and 4 other sailboats. The government has placed mooring balls in the harbor, to encourage cruisers to visit after the marina was destroyed by a hurricane, the signs of which are still quite visible in the neighboring town of 'Alice Town'.
(http://sailfar.net/gallery/albums/userpics/10014/HatchetBayMooring.jpg)
Two of the other people, Gus on 'From Sloop to Nuts' and a man on a trawler are both living aboard and building houses on the island. They both said the draw was the isolation and the natural beauty. The island is 115 miles long, and has a population of less then 4000 people I can understand it.
We had Gus over for dinner the second night and Rose made a great spaghetti dinner. He told us stories from his 20+ years of cruising in which he and his wife raised a family at sea. He told us his boats get smaller and smaller as he figures out what he really needs (he now lives on the 30' hunter in the picture.
(http://sailfar.net/gallery/albums/userpics/10014/HatchetBayStill.jpg)
We have not been here long, but the difference between Eleuthera and the Abaco's is somewhat striking. There are good people in both places, and the land and sea are beautiful but often when you find a town in the Abacos you get a feeling that much of what you see is there for your benefit. Tourism seems like a major part of the economy there, and more of an afterthought here. It is a bit more difficult to get around here. I think Monty and Sarah Lewis put it well in the intro to the Explorer Chart book for the 'Far Bahamas'
QuoteThe Islands of the Far Bahamas present more of a challenge requiring a high level of navigation and seamanship skills as well as preparation..... It is not an area to follow someone or to count on picking up the radio and calling out for advice or help. Dirty Harry once said, "A man's got to know his limitations."
I mentioned at I would keep track of expenses and share them. Rose and I went through all the receipts and here is what we have spent so far (18 October to 7 December). Our biggest expenses have been 'Misc' at $1,022.95. This includes Peter's vet visit & meds charts I had not brought for the outer islands, internet access, and Batelco phone SIM chip and card. Next was groceries at $502.72, then Maintenance at $351, We spent $237.50 at restaurants, and $166 on mooring / dockage and only $114 on fuel and water (gas has been about $5 a gallon). So in a little less then 2 months in the Bahamas we have spent a total of $2,394.17 which given the circumstances was not too bad even if a little more then we expected.
8 December
The harbor at Hatchet bay was quite protected, but we had enough wind this morning to sail off the mooring and all the way to Governors harbor without touching the motor. We saw these Sunfish out sailing near Alabaster bay on the way down. We learned after we arrived that they were from Governors harbor, and that the local sailing club The Governors Harbor Sailing Club (http://www.governorsharboursailingclub.com) had been for an outing. In speaking with a local teacher afterwards I learned this club is a sort of outreach to local children that has been doing a lot of good here. Please take a look at club their website. (http://www.governorsharboursailingclub.com)
(http://www.mmenterprise.org/sailing/GHSC/club.jpg)
We look forward to exploring the town tomorrow. I will take pictures and hope to post them soon.
Great update and pics Craig.I'm curious about the actual passage down.How far from the exit near Little Harbour? How many hours did it take?How was it coming in once you arrived?
Quote from: Frank on December 08, 2007, 09:18:46 PM
Great update and pics Craig.I'm curious about the actual passage down.How far from the exit near Little Harbour? How many hours did it take?How was it coming in once you arrived?
Frank, I will get Rose's log and check the details.
We left Lynyard Cay at ~1600 1 Dec where we were anchored at 26 21' 22" N 76 59' 05"W We had traveled 1165.89 nm to date and when we arrived at Royal Island it was a little before 0800 2 Dec, and we had traveled 1227.18 So we traveled 61.21nm, in just under 16 hours there was a little bit of set to the north but the main reasons for our slow progress were that we towed the dingy and that we had a quartering sea that made the very broad reach we were on a less then efficient point of sail.
The Explorer Chart book for the 'Far Bahamas' (I have the 3rd edition) shows all that you need, after you leave Little Harbour. The 'Wreck' you will see indicated on the chart just south of Little Egg Island is quite visible, so don't sweat it like we did (I passed within a couple hundred feet of it with no problems).
If I had not sailed all night I would not recommend the anchorage at Royal Island as the developers have all the dry ground placed 'off limits' and I would just sail on to Spanish Wells or maybe stop near 'Meeks Patch / Comfort Cay. We also saw what looked like a nice anchorage with a little bit of beach just south of Royal Island on Egg Island but it appeared to be between the two.
Are you heading down soon?
Thanks.Its that 'where to go when coming in' info thats most needed after a passage. I guess you 3 don't need to respond to the 'winter plans' thread. ;)
Interesting info, and a good post Craig and Rose - Thanks!
About the budget: It really shows that cruising in a small boat makes it possible for someone to "Do The Dream" on far, far less than in the manner that the glossy sailing rags promote.
I've had occasion to work on 2 Island Packet 38's recently:
Rerigging one, just the cost of the standing rigging would allow y'all to cruise for 4+ months. Add in the labor, and you guys would be out over half of an entire year.
A quick repair of some storm damage on the other - replacing lines, basically, but large ones that large boats need - would keep y'all cruising for over a week.
----------
Good to see you are continuing your 'sailFar sticker missionary work'. :D We have a new member who found us after seeing one of the ones you "placed" in Baltimore... :D 8)
Craig called a few minutes ago (1600 PST) from Eleuthra to let me know they were making the passage to Little San Salvador tomorrow. Since he can't get on the net he asked me to let all of you know that he, Rose and Peter are well, and will post to SailFar as soon as they get access to the net again.
Happy Holidays to all.
C. Worthy Shipp (the "C" stands for "Craig's Dad")
Thanks for the update... tell Craig & company fair winds and following seas if you speak to him for me. :)
Ahoy from Rock Sound, Eleuthera 12 December, 2007
We left Governors Harbour after staying a day longer then we might have planned. That has kind of become our way (as anyone who has read this long has already gathered).
(http://sailfar.net/gallery/albums/userpics/10014/GovHarbour.JPG)
The weather has not been ideal, but I can not say that has much to do with our schedule. We might have made an error and pressed on farther if it were not for gusty wind on the bow, and the threat of a tropical storm named 'Olga'. I was glad to get through to my dad who was able to search the Internet and let us know we were not in her path (Thanks Dad!).
We sailed off of the anchor in the protection of Governors Harbour, and were quickly beating into 20 knot winds, that would only gust higher over the course of the day. We tacked a couple of times, grateful for the dodger (windshield) that kept the worst of the spray off of us. After a couple of hours of that, we adjusted our goal from the ~25 nm around Tarpon point to Rock Sound and decided to tuck in as close as we could get to the shore and shoot for 'Ten Bay Beach' a few miles south.
The next hour was a fun sail as we threaded our way between large rocks and the shore. We came upon another set of the free government moorings we had first come across at Hatchet bay. Out came the kite,
(http://sailfar.net/gallery/albums/userpics/10014/Kite.JPG)
which did not fly well once it hit the water.....
(http://sailfar.net/gallery/albums/userpics/10014/WaterKite.JPG)
These moorings were placed by the government to encourage cruising boats to stop in an effort to support some of the smaller towns that have struggled so hard to recover from the many hurricanes that have hit in recent years. These were off of a small town known as South Palmetto Point. There was a small library, and a grocery store with tow rows of shelves. We met a couple who owned a home near the beach, Sal and Trisha warned us that there was a tropical storm south of us, and that we might not want to travel far. Sal offered to let me get the weather on his computer, if he get his internet service restored. I was able to reach my Dad on the Batelco cell phone and he went online to find that the 25k winds we were feeling were probably the worst of the storm we would see. That call was worth the money spent on the phone.
We got underway from the mooring the next morning after taking Peter ashore. The winds were no better, so we decided to stop at our original 'plan b' and dropped the hook of of 'Ten Bay Beach'. This place has been beautiful, and I am thankful that we did not pass it up.
December 13, 2007
Stayed at Ten Bay Beach due to heavy winds and dark clouds with rain. It rained on and off most of the day. We had a "lazy" day, reading, watching movies and listening to the radio.
December 14, 2007
Moved on today, went as far as Rock Sound Settlement in Rock Sound Harbour. It is a pretty little town with very friendly people. It was chilly and cloudy out, but still pretty. On the 15th we went ashore and looked at a blue hole, this is an ocean hole in the middle of land. It was soooooo cool.
(http://sailfar.net/gallery/albums/userpics/10014/BlueHole.JPG)
We fed lots of fish that swim in from the ocean.
(http://sailfar.net/gallery/albums/userpics/10014/FeedingFish.JPG)
(http://sailfar.net/gallery/albums/userpics/10014/Fish.JPG)
We walked around more and met some more really nice people, one of the guys played his guitar for us. On the 16th we did end up moving to a different part of the harbor due to a wind shift, it was gusty out and very cold. We ended up moving back over to our original anchorage, except out further. The wind changed direction again in the middle of the night so we decided to move a mile or so north to get more protection. Rose was very nervous about moving at night. The 17th was another lazy day due to bad weather, heavy winds and rain. On the 18th of December we woke up to a beautiful, sunshine and mild breeze.
Today was a good last day at Rock Sound Harbour. We were when we bought 15 gallons of RO water and could only fit 13 gallons in our tanks. That meant that 13 gallons, plus the 6 gallon Jerry jug we bought at Hatchet Bay had lasted the three of us for 21 days... less then a gallon a day. Good thing too, the water has gotten more pricey as we have headed south. There was a spigot near the dingy dock, but the 'city water' had a strong salty taste so we paid a dollar a gallon for bottled R/O water from a place called "Dingle Motors", a service station that provides services to passing boats. We took a last stroll through the town, bought a loaf of fresh bread and headed back. After we returned to the boat I replaced the impeller on the small Johnson outboard and stowed the little Yamaha we had gotten from 'Chicago Mike' back in Hopetown.
December 19, 2007
We left Rock Sound Harbour today and had a wonderful sail mostly reaching and running before 10-15 knot winds out of the NE. It was what Rose calls "A Happy Sail Day", and I would have to agree. We rounded Powells Point' which had originally been our destination but it was early so we kept on and wound up at Wemyss Bight, about 10 miles from our departure point for Little San Salvador. There is a nice beach here, and Peter celebrated with several runs up and down it's length. He really acts like a pup when we find a good beach which makes it all the more fun. There is a small cemetery near the beach with a road that leads to the few houses that make up the settlement at Wemyss Bight. Peter and I walked up the road to take a look but found the entry to the town guarded by half a dozen dogs. The main dog you see in the Bahamas is the 'potcake' named for the leftovers they usually have for diner. They are generally small and brown and while they have a reputation as good pets they are often not too social to visiting dogs. Peter normally has the upper hand with a weight advantage and better health then the locals but a pack could be bad news so we turned around and headed back to the beach. The sun was just below the horizon when we got back, and the sight of our little ship riding the gentle swells was beautiful... all the more so for knowing Rose was there cleaning up after the days sail. We had seen a tower a few miles north of here so I tried the cell phone and was able to talk to both my mom and my dad for a few minutes.
December 20
We sailed down to the East end of Eleuthera, and headed up on the course for Little San Salvador. The winds were 15-20, ESE which put then right on the nose (again). The rain clouds on our path and the made it easier to turn back for one of the beaches we had passed. The little cove right at the point had protection from the worst of the wind, but the swells made it a rough anchorage..... so we headed back up the coast a couple of miles and anchored off of a small beach we had seen. I took Peter ashore, and we settled in for the night. The swells were initially not as bad there but they picked up until the boat was pitching so hard that the bow was taking the tops off of the waves. I sat up on deck while Rose tried to sleep below. At 0100, the swells were worsening but the wind was dyeing down. We decided that we would rather be off shore so we pulled up the hook and headed to Little San Salvador.
It was a long night, the winds had died somewhat but not shifted enough. It was a lumpy ride but we pulled into the West end harbor, now renamed 'Half Moon Cay' by Holland America Cruise lines which has purchased the island. We anchored in the south west corner, just north of the cabanas where we were able to got a little protection from the swells. We set the anchor and crashed, tired from a long night. When we awoke at around 1100, there was a cruise ship anchored west of us, and the beach was alive with people. They rode horses, took to the water in paddleboats, sunfish, and snorkeling gear.
Peter enjoyed going ashore to his adoring fans. Most every dog person had to pet him, and talk about their dogs they missed that were back at home. At 1500 the ship blew it's whistle and the beach was once again empty. The wind had built all day and the swells made our ride less and less comfortable. The cold front was upon us and the wind was now more from the southwest.
(http://sailfar.net/gallery/albums/userpics/10014/HalfMoon.JPG)
Our friend Dennis had talked me out of using the hard plastic dingy before we left. That night when I took Peter ashore he saved me a great deal of misery, and may have even saved our boat. The swells were following the wind as it shifted west. The breakers on the beach did not look all that bad form the boat as Peter and I motored ashore. Just as I realized that saw they were breaking well of off the beach I was hit from behind and we covered the last 25 yards or so to the beach in an instant. Before I could drag the dingy out of the surf, it had nearly filled with water. While Peter went ashore I removed the gear and started to bail till I could get it light enough to tip up to pour the rest of the water out. Getting back out to the boat was going to be tricky. I called Peter, and pushed the boat out into the surf. My plan was to stand in the surf and guide the boat and then quickly start the motor, climb in and get out in between swells. It did not quite work out that way. I had just started to push the boat out when the first wave crashed over us. Peter was completely drenched, and the boat was about 1/3 full of water. I shoved it out some more and jumped in hoping to get ahead of the next one. Just as I started the motor the next one hit us. I watched in horror as it broke right over Peters head, I am still not sure how he managed to stay in the dingy. The motor stalled and a couple of quick pulls did not sound encouraging. We were in the midst of the breakers and drifting back to the shore. I grabbed the oars and pulled hard to get the bow back into the waves. It came about and the bow lifted slightly just as the next one crashed into us. I pulled as hard as I could which was all the worse as the dingy was now about half full of water.
It seemed like an eternity before breakers were once again swells. As I rowed on I could see that it was not going to be easy to get back aboard Faith. Rose was in the cockpit waiting for us, and I could see her vanish as the boat pitched wildly. I had to get the dingy along side without getting trapped under the stern, and Peter would have to jump at just the right moment to make it. I did not have time to wonder if he would understand the timing of it, I got close and watched. I saw Peter was watching and when I yelled for him to jump he was already in motion. As soon as he was safely on deck I bailed out the dingy and followed.
The wind was now fully out of the West and while the ride was rough the anchor was holding. We sat in the cockpit and prayed for the wind to shift to the north west that would once again have some protection. It might have worked out if the tide had not been going out. We had anchored in 7' of water with 50' of chain off the bow roller the day before. We were maybe 300' from the shore then, but now we had swung and were closer and the depth sounder would bounce between 3.5' and 10'. The sound of the breakers from the beach grew louder as I checked the shore and the GPS for any signs we were dragging anchor. We held steady but the crash of the breakers grew louder. About the time I figured out what was happening a huge pounding sound came from the bow and water crashed into the dodger. Rose screamed as the water sprayed the cabin below. Faith has not got a spray hood, and the breaker had forced water under the front of the hatch with such force it was like a fire hose had been lit off in the cabin. I knew we had to get farther out and fast. I told Rose to come on deck and started the motor.
My plan was to motor out as far as the anchor rode would allow and to drop our stern anchor. The primary anchor was too close to shore, and the foredeck was too dangerous to allow anyone to go up to raise it anyway. Just as we started to motor out another wave crashed over the bow. I was looking foreword and saw the solid wall of water cover the cabin top as the breaker came down on us. I am still not sure how the dodger took the pounding. The bow had veered off to the south now, and I reved up the motor to try to get her back into the wind. I was not fast enough, and another breaker caught us just forward of the beam. The sound of that much water pounding directly into the side of a nearly 44 year old boat is sickening. I prayed as I brought the tiller over hard and as she rounded up on the anchor the stern anchor was tossed over and we quickly fell back. I tried to calculate the scope as I gently tugged on the rode until I felt the anchor grab the bottom.
The GPS said we were 70' out from our original waypoint, and I waited and listened as the waves broke just aft of us. The little FX-7 lunch hook was holding, but the rode was running to the wench on the starboard side, not the bow. I had to haul in and release the tension on it as we rode the waves to keep her pointed up. Someone had to go forward to run the rode through the bow chock. I told Rose what I was doing, and crawled along the deck, cutting my side on the cotter pin for the aft shroud. The tide chart showed the low was just before midnight, but the nearly full moon had the tides running more then usual. The rest of the night was spent on deck, watching the shore and GPS, and listening to the breakers. At the lowest tide they were close enough behind the boat that the dingy was getting caught in the surf until I brought the painter in close. A few hours later the tide rose and the breakers moved back closer to shore. By daybreak the wind had shifted NW, and Rose and I slept exhausted on our soaking wet bedding.
Thankfully, nights like these are often followed by days like what came next. We watched the beach fill up as two huge cruise ships off loaded passengers. I am sure we were quite a sight with our bedding and mattresses hung and strung about all over. Careful inspection showed no damage to the hull, other then some deep scrapes in the new topside paint from the dingy motor bracket. We did loose the aluminum sunfish spar that we kept on deck as a pushpole.
We spent one more night in the bay, and were rewarded with a beautiful day.
(http://lh5.ggpht.com/_tcVd2r_be7s/SrmVVrUR0sI/AAAAAAAAAXQ/lQd_ThvDYN8/HalfMoon-1.JPG)
(http://sailfar.net/gallery/albums/userpics/10014/HalfMoon%7E0.JPG)
We all went ashore and walked on the beach after the cruise ship passengers departed. It was very nice.
(http://sailfar.net/gallery/albums/userpics/10014/HalfMoonCay.JPG)
(http://sailfar.net/gallery/albums/userpics/10014/HalfMoonDingy.JPG)
23 December
Ahoy from Bennets Harbour, Cat Island!
As tough as the night before last was, today was just the opposite. We woke up late, had a leisurely stroll along the beach so Peter could greet his fans, and then got underway just after 1100 for the ~ 20 mile trip to Cat Island. The wind was NNE, as we headed E and just strong enough to move us along at a pace to arrive before 1600. Or, it would have been if not interrupted by Rose catching a Skipjack.
(http://sailfar.net/gallery/albums/userpics/10014/RoseFish.JPG)
We had the big pole out, and were glad we did. I hove too while Rose brought the fish in. We got out the book to identify it and make sure it was legal and I got us back underway as Rose cleaned it. We made it to Bennits Harbour just as the sun was setting and had a nice fish dinner.
24 December, 2007
Ahoy from Smith's Harbour Cat Island
We saw another sail on the horizon as we sailed around Alligator Point. We realized we had not seen another cruising boat in the 3 weeks since leaving Spanish Wells! (not counting the two live aboards in Hatchet Bay building houses). We hailed them on the radio and learned 'Wind2Go' was bound for Little San Salvadore where we had just come from. We talked on the radio for a while and were very glad to get an updated forecast that said no cold fronts were expected for 3 days.
(http://sailfar.net/gallery/albums/userpics/10014/ShipAhoy.JPG)
Rose caught another fish, a barracuda this time (it is not recommended to eat tropical barracuda). It was a fun fish to fight, it took her a while to get it to the boat. Unfortunately the lure got caught in the dingy painter.
(http://sailfar.net/gallery/albums/userpics/10014/BarraTangle.JPG)
We spent the night at 'Smith's Harbour' which was barely big enough for us to anchor in with the small freight ship that was tied at the dock. The No-See-Em's were biting hard and we both tossed and turned all night.
25 December, 2007
Merry Christmas from New Bight, Cat Island. We sailed out of Smith's Harbour, and after only a couple of miles we decided to stop and take a nap. It was a good call, and the rest of the days sail south was much better for it. We had our Christmas diner of caned chunk tuna, instant potatoes, instant gravy and canned peas just a few minutes ago. It tasted much better then it sounds. : )
One of the reasons we had wanted to continue today to get here was that there is a Batelco tower here and we were looking forward to calling home. We got a signal but after a brief call to my son, I learned that all $50 of the airtime had been used up on the phone. Hopefully I can get another card tomorrow.
26 December
We walked up Como Hill today, the highest point in the Bahamas
(http://sailfar.net/gallery/albums/userpics/10014/Como.jpg)
and home to 'The Hermitage' built by Father Jerome as a retirement home and chapel for people seeking solitude. (Catholic Priest, former Anglican Priest, architect, wagon driver, monk, and horse breeder).
(http://sailfar.net/gallery/albums/userpics/10014/herm.jpg)
It was beautiful, and the view was great
(http://sailfar.net/gallery/albums/userpics/10014/HermRose.jpg)
From there we walked down to the small service station where we found phone cards and bought some bread. As we walked down the beach to were the dingy was beached we noticed that one of the small 'take away' restaurants was open. We bought Bahamian roast turkey from 'Seafood Cravers' run by a guy named Frankie. We spent most of the evening there takling to the locals and learned Frankie was having trouble with his boat motor. He asked us if we would take him out to sea in our boat so he could get some fish. We agreed to meet him at 6:30 the next morning. He and a friend 'Miles' came Faith and we went about 7 miles off shore.
(http://sailfar.net/gallery/albums/userpics/10014/Fishermen.jpg)
Rose tended the boat while Frankie and Miles freedove in 25-35' of water with only a mask and fins and speared a cooler full of fish. They also found some 'crayfish' which were pretty big.
(http://sailfar.net/gallery/albums/userpics/10014/Miles.jpg)
Craig / Rose Best of the season to you's.May your adventures continue in 08 with fairwinds,sunshine and new friendships. Now it IS official !! You are not true cruisers until you have at least one really good 'couldn't sleep all night at anchor' story. I love reading your reports...more pics please.Take care and keep havin fun. oh ya..pete..wuff wf wfff wuff ;D
Thanks Frank,
As I was editing the post and adding the pictures I exceeded the 2000 word limit so here is the rest of the post;
We went back to the restaurant and had a great dinner! We hung out there most of the evening, at one point we were sitting at a table with 3 other couples. They had each flown in on their own planes, and were staying in at the Hawks's nest resort. Funny thing is they all said they wished they could see this area from a small boat.
(http://sailfar.net/gallery/albums/userpics/10014/Sunset.jpg)
We got up the next (this) morning at sailed to Hawk's nest creek, where we are now anchored and hope to get ashore to do some laundry and hopefully find an internet connection at the marina (which charges $2.50 a foot, plus power not the $1.25 the book said).
___________________________________________________
Here at Hawk's nest, Can not get the marinas iternet to work, so sitting here at the resort bar getting the eye from the bartender as my coke was gone a long time ago and I am still typing......
Pray all is well with everyone. If the wx holds we should be at Conception Island tomorrow (or so). ;D
Frank-
FYI... turn the flash off when taking landscapes at night... :)
Ahoy (again) from Hawk's nest Creek..... 31 December 2007
Our attempts over the last 3 days to cross to Conception Island have not been sucessful so we are (once again) here at Hawk's nest.
In talking to one of the guys who live here the passage is known to be a tough one. Actually in talking about where I am from he compared the passage to going to the Farilon Islands off of San Francisco... :-X The chart pack does not give a sugested route line for where we are going. It only says 'strong current flows NW' Our course is (of course) directly into the current and the wind has been within a few degrees of our direct route.
Today we were able to get witn 60 degrees of the course line, but then we were taking lots of water over the bow and only making 2.5k good... a long day with a 30 mile massage.
We will give it a shot tomorrow, I wish I could get some wx info, the shotwave broadcasts are not working out too well for us and 'ZNS, the Voice of the Bahamas' seems to give the current wx only with no forecast (it is out of Freeport or Nassau and does not come in too clearly anyway...)
Blessings to all in the New Year, and thanks for the many notes of encouragement and all the help from the many friends who helped us get this far.
Blessings, and Fair Winds. ;D
Craig - Missed this post while I was at my mom's, I think.
QuoteWe had our Christmas diner of caned chunk tuna, instant potatoes, instant gravy and canned peas just a few minutes ago. It tasted much better then it sounds. : )
LOL, I understand exactly! There's a saying which applies here, something like "Adventure is the best spice.". :)
As usual, glad to hear from y'all, and the stories and thoughts of y'all out there brought a smile to my face. A belated Mele kalikimaka, and Happy New Years to Faith and Crew!
Personal message for Peter, from the CrewDogs: "Woof. Arf arf, woof, grr. Zzzzz. Ball."
;D
Craig just called from George Town on Great Exuma to let me know all is well. He asked me to post same message to all of you. He says they are going to work their way back to Nassau/Bimini and thence home....leaving George Town Sunday. Today they've now been cruising for 5 months.
Best to all,
C. Worthy Shipp
time flies when your having fun!! ;D
Ahoy all,
I apologize for the long delay in posting, we had a brief connection a few days ago, but once Rose finished typing up the following post the connection was no more. : (
Here is her post, with comments and pictures.
Quote
Here is an update to get us caught up.
31 December 2007
We are still at Hawks Nest River at Cat Island, the winds are not cooperating for our trip out of here. It is a pretty creek that has a lot of current but good protection, expensive marina (which we are not using), and a pretty area.
Hawks nest was really pricey, but the creek was a good place to wait for the weather window (that never came). While there I did some more experimenting with the short-wave receiver and figured out that I could use the dodger frame as an antenna and get much better reception.
Quote1 - 5 January 2008
Happy New Years, still from the same place. We are staying put because a cold front is supposed to hit either tomorrow or the next day. It is a pretty day. Another boat came in, but it did not stay long, it did not like the marina prices and they could not get the anchor to hold well in the creek. The chart says it has 'poor holding' but we have not had any problems in the few days we have left here and come back. They moved on to another part of Cat Island. Another boat came into the marina and stayed through the cold front. It became real windy and a little chilly (for here), as the cold front came through.
6 -13 January 2008
We moved on today, it was a long sail from Cat Island to Georgetown Exumas, but worth it.
We left Hawk's nest with great hopes. The front has passed and we were expecting to ride the last of the NE winds down to Conception. We left with little wind, but it quickly built out of the SE to around 20k. Once we were clear the south end of Cat Island the seas were a bit higher then the forecast 10-12' with the wind shift driving them together we saw unpredictable 12-14' waves that would strike from unexpected angles. The boat was being tossed around a bit, but with the wind once again on the nose we were not going to get to Conception island before dark, and we needed light to clear the reef so we decided to save Conception Island for the next trip. I was a little down about this but Rose really cheered me up by saying it would make it all the sweeter next time. : )
QuoteWe went into Georgetown. It is not like we expected. It was about 40 nm, but a much easier sail with the wind we had.
We are actually anchored off of 'Sand Dollar' beach on Stocking Island while the town is across the waterway on Great Exuma Island.
(http://sanddollar)
We sailed to town two times during our stay. We moved down to Monument Beach which was a little less crowded, it has beautiful beaches, a lot of nice people.
(http://sailfar.net/gallery/albums/userpics/10014/Monument.jpg)
We could not believe how many boats were there. There are two small restaurants here, Chat and Chill is on Volleyball beach, it is nice, and the prices are pretty good. The other is Peace and Plenty, the people running it were nice and it is on a very pretty beach.
.... Peter did not think so. They had a pair of the meanest cats, Peter swears they were like ninja cats or something. We were walking around the area of the beach where the restaurant is and Peter walked by one of the tables and these two cats jumped down at him. He denies
running from them but says he felt it was best
to leave the area as fast as he could.(http://sailfar.net/gallery/albums/userpics/10014/Killers.jpg)
QuoteWe moved to Monument beach 'aka Hamburger beach' and climbed up to the top for a great view. It was a warm day and Peter found some shade at the top.
(http://sailfar.net/gallery/albums/userpics/10014/shade.jpg)
The view was beautiful;
(http://sailfar.net/gallery/albums/userpics/10014/monument1.jpg)
(http://sailfar.net/gallery/albums/userpics/10014/rose.jpg)
We were anchored next to a sailboat that had a dog named Matt. He became a daily playmate for Peter, they had fun running and playing on the beach. We were there for a couple of days before we found out there is a play time set for dogs in the morning after the Cruisers Net. Peter met a lot of new friends also. On Saturday we went to the beach for music, food and a fire. A lot of songs were sung, tales told and jokes made. It was fun and we met even more nice people. Church the next day on Volleyball Beach was a blessing, we missed the fellowship and enjoyed the sermon.
14 January 2008
We moved on to Norman's Pond Cay, there is a pretty beach for Peter to run on, and we could anchor pretty close into shore. Craig caught a large barracuda
(http://sailfar.net/gallery/albums/userpics/10014/Barra.jpg)
and a little while later half of one. No, you heard me right, he caught a small one but something bit half of it off. We only got part of a head and very little body. At the beach Craig saw a huge stingray swimming by the dingy. He tried to scare it my way so I could see it, but it turned before it got by the sailboat. There are three other sailboats anchored here, it is still funny to see so many boats after seeing so few at the other islands.
15 January 2008
Ahoy from Farmers Cay Cut, Exumas
It was a rougher sail here today, headed up the Exumas with the wind out of the NE but this is a nice anchorage where we can wait and figure out what we are going to do next with the cold front passing through.
We are glad to have internet even if the signal is very weak.[/quote]
The signal was gone when we went to connect to post this so we sailed on.....
16 January Just south of Black Sound Point. we left Farmers Cay and sailed up to a beach just south of Black Sound Settlement on Guana Cay. This is not the same Guana Cay we visited earlier, many of the cays share names throughout the Bahamas. Guana Cay in the Exumas is the longest of the Exumas Cays, at just over 12 miles long. Black sound settlement is it's largest settlement where we had been told we could get free water. We did not get any there as we were still nearly full from Georgetown. I walked across the hill to Black Sound Settlement and bought a loaf of bread. I met one of the property owners along the beach we were anchored off. Frank O'brian gave me lots of good info on protected anchorage's in the area, which was good as we had heard a strong front is supposed to pass over the weekend. I am still not used to seeing other cruising boats, there were about 12 in the anchorage with us.
(http://sailfar.net/gallery/albums/userpics/10014/Black.jpg)
17 January
We woke up this morning to a building swell in the anchorage so we decided to move on. We sailed up past Black Point settlement and saw that there were over 20 boats anchored there. It seems strange they would all anchor there as it does not offer any protection from the SW to NW, so we kept going. We saw a small cove on the chart at the North end of Guana Cay. We decided to try to sail in and see if we could find some shelter. We got through the narrow entrance, and there was not much water there but the biggest area was taken by an old wooden Haitian sail boat that was sunk there. I wish I had gotten a picture, but just as we got close we touched the bottom. Thankfully we were able to get the bow around and back the jib to come right back out the way we came.
We sailed on past Staniel Cay, and were headed for Cambridge Cay when Rose tried to call Connie on Pixie dust as she has been doing a couple of times a day since we left Georgetown, but this time she got an answer! We anchored here and she came over in her dingy and sat in the cockpit with us. It was really nice to finally meet her, after a few near misses over the last year or so. I have to tell you, Sailfar 'ChatTuseday' is great, but I think I enjoy the Bahamas version better. ; ) We are meeting her for breakfast tomorrow, and hope to get this posted soon.
Thanks Connie!
We just ate breakfast with her, and this is being typed on her computer.
SailFar!
Here is an arial view of the Hermitage that Connie has on her computer;
(http://sailfar.net/gallery/albums/userpics/10014/normal_IMG_2486.JPG)
[
Ahoy from Nassau! 25 January, 2008
We are anchored in the Harbor just off of the Nassau Yacht Club. We sailed up from Hawksbill Cay in light winds and The explorer guide describes this anchorage as crowded with poor holding.... we have found it to be a nice place to stop and wait for a cold front to pass.
It was very tough to leave the Exumas. They were beautiful, and Rose and I agreed we could could stay here for a long time if our son's wedding was not looming.
Our visit with Connie and her friends was WONDERFUl, we greatly enjoyed the area and snorkeling and exploring was great there. As with the rest of the Bahamas the best part was the friends we met! Connie invited us to a great BBQ with her friends and we felt welcomed and accepted by everyone right away. I am glad she has found such great friends, and that she shared them with us. Thanks Connie!
We had a tough time leaving but we sailed up to Hawksbill Cay in the Park. We walked at sunset on a deserted beach so beautiful it would bring a tear to your eye. Taking Peter ashore for the last time before turning in I dropped my glasses in about 12' of water. I jumped in with my dive light and had them back in a couple of minutes. (Thank God).
We decided to head to Nassau from there, rather then work our way farther north as there was supposed to be a cold front coming. The ~ 45nm trip was easy, but we had to motor sail most of it as the wind was less then 10k.
We had heard many things about Nassau, and the crime and blight of the capital and largest city in the Bahamas. Thankfully, they were exaggerated, at least to us.
The folks at the Nassau Yacht club extended club privileges to us, and we have met many new friends here already. They are racing the Bahamiam boats tomorrow so we plan to go down to the point to watch them. There are a couple of days of wind from the NE forecast, so we are delaying our departure for the Berrys. The passage will be ~ 35nm, then we have a ~70nm leg to Biminni and the crossing back to the US from there (between 45nm and 75nm depending on where we cross to).
We plan to cross the Okeechobee waterway from there. Reports have the levels pretty low but wee hope that a 'SailFar' boat will be able to avoid the problems the larger boats have had.
I will try to update again before we leave, and add some pictures later. I hope all are doing well and that your cruising plans are coming together. We are doing great, and already planning the next trip.
Fair Winds to all.
WOW...quite the cruise so far !! Glad ya's met up with connie...must have been fun.If you are thinking the St Lucie canal to Okeechobee....the St Lucie lock no longer opens on demand.To save water, they now only do 2 lifts per day..one at 10am and another at 2pm.The lake is very low with 3-4ft reported in ereas.I came in the canal last week and the water is noticeably lower than I've seen it before.If you come in from the atlantic at St Lucie (Stuart)..be careful.It was dredged last year but is still tricky once inside with many silted ereas.Not too bad with good daylight.I'll be haeding out the canal next wed or thursday....when are you's coming in? Take care and keep havin fun!! What's the next cruise plan???? ;D
Craig..just confirmed depths @ Okeechobee.The lake itself is around 10ft but chennels in/out are 4ft to 4ft2in. at the lowest points. You will make it ;)
Nothin' like a lil adventure! :D
And besides that, Capt Craig ain't scared to touch dirt with his boat! ;D
I hope Pete makes it OK to Bimini, 80 nm is a long trip for a dog. It took me 16 hrs at 6 knots.
Still in Nassau waiting for wx. I am trying to get caught up on what I have missed here... you guys have been busy! :D
Quote from: CapnK on January 26, 2008, 08:54:48 AM
Nothin' like a lil adventure! :D
And besides that, Capt Craig ain't scared to touch dirt with his boat! ;D
Keeps the bottom clean.. ;D
Frank,
Once again thanks for the encouragement. I will let you know how it goes. As for the next trip.... having to pass through the Exumas so fast was tough, but it has only fixed our resolve to be back ASAP.....
Rose and I have great conversations about our future plans here.
As for Peter and the passages. He is very near to figuring out how to use the head... if only for the 'thumbs' issue I am sure he would have it already.
Ahoy from Lake Worth, Florida 31 January, 2008
The last couple of days have been something of a blur of passages. We dropped the hook here behind Peanut island in Lake Worth this morning after our second day of all night passages.... Neither Rose nor I were entirely ready to be back.
First, here are some pictures I had taken earlier;
Here are Connie and I surfing SailFar;
(http://sailfar.net/gallery/albums/userpics/10014/connie.jpg)
This was Thomas Cay, near where we met up with Connie;
(http://sailfar.net/gallery/albums/userpics/10014/Thomas.jpg)
(http://sailfar.net/gallery/albums/userpics/10014/thomasbeach.jpg)
(http://sailfar.net/gallery/albums/userpics/10014/Thomasanc.jpg)
Peter was as sad to leave as we were;
(http://sailfar.net/gallery/albums/userpics/10014/sadpeter.jpg)
While we were in Nassau, we watched a race of the Bahamian boats like the one Connie had crewed on.
(http://sailfar.net/gallery/albums/userpics/10014/race.jpg)
We also watched a Haitian sloop sail in. They had no motor, and had to short tack their way up through the crowded harbor. They seemed to have some cargo on deck;
(http://sailfar.net/gallery/albums/userpics/10014/hatiansloop.jpg)
They did not stay long. They were escorted by a police boat back up the harbor, but their head sail had a huge hole in it as they sailed past. I did not know if there was an accident, or if it was an attempt by their crew to get some time ashore.
We left Nassau harbor on Tuesday morning as the sun was coming up. We had watched a small boat sail into the harbor the night before and although it was a ways away we thought it looked like an Alberg design. We decided to sail over to it before we left. As we came near we saw that it was a pretty Pearson Commander, the sister to the Ariel with a smaller cabin and longer cockpit.
(http://sailfar.net/gallery/albums/userpics/10014/winky.jpg)
We hailed 'Ahoy Commander' a head popped up. Before Faith's stern came into his view he asked if we were aboard Faith. Astonished, I said yes and we learned that the mans name was Barry and he had read about our trip on the PearsonAriel.org (http://pearsonariel.org) owners site and SailFar! He told us that our trip had been an encouragement to him as he bought 'Winky' and that he had hoped to run into us in the Bahamas to let us know! Had we not had a long passage to make and an indefinite weather window I would really have liked to stay and talked longer with him. As we sailed away we both were very affected to have run into someone to say something as wonderful to us and we talked about all the people who had encouraged our journey. What a great farewell gift as we sailed away. Barry, fairwinds to you. We look forward to reading all about your trip.
(http://sailfar.net/gallery/albums/userpics/10014/barry.jpg)
We had planned an ambitious passage schedule but ended up pushing it farther then we had intended. Chris Parker (4045mhz USB, 0630 every day but Sunday) had given us hope for a day of the trades between cold fronts. We sailed the first leg to Chub Cay in the Barry islands (~ 35nm) with perfect winds of ~ 15k from the SE. The wind was holding so we took Peter ashore and were back underway 10 minutes later. We passed from the 'tongue of the Ocean' to the Bahamas Banks in the night and the ocean swells were replaced by short chop. We must have passed 40 boats in the night, a few fishing boats but mostly cruisers headed south. We watched the sun come up as we rounded the north end of Bimini and came up into the Harbor which was ~ 90 nm from where we started when we watched the sun come up the day before.
(http://sailfar.net/gallery/albums/userpics/10014/bimini.jpg)
I went ashore intending to clear out with customs. As I walked down to the office I first learned that there was a long line of people waiting to clear in, and then learned that the forms we received when we cleared in could be mailed back after departure. I was able to confirm this with a few people and decided to just head back. We napped for about 2 hours and just before leaving we met a couple on another boat. We gave them our Batelco 'sim card' and they bought our remaining air time exchanged our Bahamian money for US. As Carol and Tom sat in our cockpit and chatted the last couple of minutes before we left I thought how appropriate it was that we should meet some new friends in our last minutes in the Bahamas. Rose and I agree that while the waters and islands are great, the friendship and helpfulness of the Bahamians and other cruisers were the best past of the Bahamas. We did not strike the Bahamian courtesy flag when we left, preferring to fly it until we were back inside US waters.
The sun rose shortly before we reached the inlet at Lake Worth, and dropped anchor in the crowded harbor after another night and another 80nm. We had traveled the last 170 miles in just over 2 days. Peter handled it very well. He seems to know when we are making passages and does not eat or drink as much. We get him to eat with special treats shortly before we get him ashore and get him to hydrate by adding water to his food and even giving him soup once we reach shore. He mostly sleeps below or on the cockpit sole and seems not to mind the passages much at all. Our concerns about bringing him with us were unfounded and the trip was much more fun with him along. He turned 7 on the trip but spending nearly every day running on the beaches seems to have brought out his inner puppy again.
[rant]
The instructions for clearing back into the US say that you must call the 1-800-432-1216 'within 15 minutes of arrival' so after a quick trip ashore we fired up our cell phone and called customs. During that call, and the process that followed I get the distinct impression that no one had ever done this before. It was a long and frustrating phone call as I recited all my and my wife's personal information to the agent. At the end he said we had to report in person to the closest office within 24 hours. When we went through the questions about declarations we figured out Peter was the only 'thing' to declare.
"Is the dog onboard the ship with you now?"
'Yes' I answer.
"Is in in a suitable container?" he asks (I could not make this stuff up).
'What?'
"Is he in a suitable container? You have to present him to the customs officer when you check in."
'ok' (?) !
The cell phone call was dropped several times over the conversation and at least 3 times as I tried to copy the long entry number I would need when I checked in. I called at 0809, and it was after 9 when I finished. I was exhausted and wanted to sleep but decided that I should get the check in completed first. After taking Peter ashore on Peanut Island I began my quest. I had learned that there was a boarder control office in the Ports authority building so I dingied the mile or so over there. I was surprised to learn that there was no dock anywhere near the building in spite of it's prime location in on the water. The dock next door had official looking boats there, and signs warning that it was not for public use. Every island in the Bahamas we visited has an official public dock in front of the customs office. Apparently not so in the US.
I searched until I found the municipal marina dingy dock. I tied up there and went to the office to speak to the dockmaster. I asked if I could leave my dingy while I cleared in with customs. I was told that there was a $10 charge to use the dingy dock. I asked if there were another dock I could use nearby as I only needed to check in with customs. The man replied that I already owed the $10 since I had tied up there while I asked the question.
The mind is a funny thing. They say that one of the most effective methods of torture is sleep deprivation. I fear that defense would have been lost on the courts had I allowed the response that was welling up so I just offered up a $10 bill and bit my tongue. The man said it was $10.64.... the municipal marina was charging me sales tax on the $10 I owed for tying up my dingy to clear in with US customs...... There was no sticker or anything to say I had paid.
Apparently the section of town the marina and ports authority office are in was a pretty bad part of town. Either that or there was some kind of experiment going on (not the first time that thought crossed my mind) because the series of locked gates and alleys that separated me from the Ports Authority office made the walk well over a mile even though it was next door... I am not exaggerating.
I entered the 5 story building which is all mirrored glass and chrome. The smiling TSA agent required me to empty my pockets, take off my sandals and pass through a metal detector before telling me to go to the second floor. Before I could leave I had to remove my hat so she could see that there was nothing underneath..... a fact I thought I had already established by calling to clear in the first place.....
The small entry to the office had an unmanned desk behind bullet proof glass on the left, and a large pane of mirrored glass on the right. If you looked closely you could see shadows of human forms looming through the one way glass on the other side. The reception office was (by design or flaw I could not know) an interrogation room. There was a young couple sitting in the chairs when I came in. An armed agent came through the locked door to talk to them as I was entering. He asked me 'what I needed'. I told him I was not sure if I was in the right place and that I needed to check in. He told me to ring the small dinner bell in the slot under the bullet proof glass. I reached through and rung it while he talked to the couple. They spoke for a few minutes and the agent took out his keys and unlocked the door to return to the office. He appeared not to notice that no one had appeared to answer the bell.
I would say that it was about ten minutes later when he returned and spoke with the couple some more. When he finished he turned to me and asked me what I was here for..... I handed him my and my wifes passport and said I had called the 1-800 number and was told I had to check in. He held the two passports in his hand and asked me if there were any crew on the boat. 'Just my wife and I' I answered. He asked if she was here. I suppressed the urge to look around the small room and replied that no, she was on the boat. He asked why she was not with me, and I said that in the Bahamas no member of the crew was allowed ashore until the Captain had cleared in... that I assumed it was the same here. He took the passports and again passed through the locked door. I should probably mention that each time he took out a large key ring and searched through a couple keys before finding the right one. He came back out (holding the door with his foot this time) and asked me if I had been given a number when I called. I said yes and gave it to him. The couple and I waited for about 20 minutes and then he came back out. He talked to them again and they left. He unlocked the door and was in the back for another 20 minutes. When he came back with the passports he asked if I had a dog with me. Again suppressing the urge to look around the office I said that he was on the boat. I had decided not to bring him, having no 'suitable container'. I did bring the USDA health certificate and all his vet records going back to when he was a puppy. He just nodded, and handed me my passports back. He said he had taken care of everything and that I could go. I looked at the passports on the elevator and noticed that they had not been stamped. I briefly considered going back up the interrogation room to ask about this, but decided against it. The passing doubt that has crossed my mind about this since has, for me, brought new meaning to theat old song that pines "no, no, no, 'It's no fun being an illegal alien...." I do wonder what indignities the TSA screener might have subjected Peter to had I shown up carrying my 75# lab in a cardboard box. Probably best not to have found out.
I walked back to the marina, dinged out to the boat. It was almost 1pm.
[/rant]
Now, I am better.
I took a nap for a couple of hours. That, and typing this up, has helped. I have been surprised and pleased to hear some nice things about the posts we have made. I hope I have not posted too much, (especially this one). It has been fun to share some of this trip, and I appreciate the opportunity to sit and reflect on things. Thanks to everyone, all the help and encouragement and especially to Kurt for keeping this place going. I have to go now, I think I hear a boat.... Might be boarder patrol....
;D
Thanks for the update... :)
Quote from: s/v Faith on January 31, 2008, 10:29:32 PM
Before I could leave I had to remove my hat so she could see that there was nothing underneath..... a fact I thought I had already established by calling to clear in the first place.....
I think I'm reading that correctly... ;D ;D ;D
Welcome back, and thank-you for sharing your adventure with us.
I used the local customs number when I came into Norfolk. They were very fast and professional. Since we had a non-US national aboard they wanted to see everyone, but they sent an officer to meet us at the boat.
You'd think with all the recreational traffic in and out of Florida they would be even more polished down there.
Welcome back, must fell like home. Pasport control does not stamp your passposrt unless you ask inorder to save space so I have been told.
I wonder if you and your crew would have showed up and had not taken a shower for 2 or 3 days if it would have been faster?
I am glad that you and your crew made it safely. Good luck on your projects and hope to see you again on the seas.
Ahoy from Moor Haven 5 February, 2008
We made it across the Okeechobee today. It was not a very fun sail, not because of the sea state but for the fact that we spent over half of the trip with less then a foot of water under the keel.
First, let me back up to our last post. We spent the night at anchor at Lake Worth, and the next morning we decided to pay a short visit to Peanut Island. They have a courtesy dock you can tie up to during daylight hours to visit the park.
(http://sailfar.net/gallery/albums/userpics/10014/PeanutIsland.jpg)
It was a nice break, we walked around the island and straightened up the boat a bit before we got underway.
(http://huge%20flower)
We sailed most of the way up the ICW to Manatee Pocket, although the wind lightened up in the afternoon so we dropped the main and motor sailed. Manatee Pocket is a favored anchorage because it is large and well protected. Rose and I had not found any place to get Peter ashore the last time we stopped here so we decided to anchor off of the park and Boat ramp.
(http://sailfar.net/gallery/albums/userpics/10577/ManateePocket.jpg)
I took a 'stroll' up the road, and after walking a mile or so west I figured out there were no stores near by. I decided to walk up the road a bit to the north, and ended up going over 5 miles! I did some shopping after I called a cab to make sure I would have a ride back. The dingy was so packed with stuff it looked like we were heading back to the Bahamas! We checked our email, and found out Frank was heading down. We decided to wait for him and spend the next day doing pretty much nothing.
Frank showed up in the new 'Jubilee' the next afternoon. It was really great to meet him in person. See Frank's pictures and comments here. (http://sailfar.net/forum/index.php?topic=1351.msg13862#msg13862)
We learned that Frank had visited Sign Beach at Allens-Pensacola Cay and had added his signature to Faith's sign;
(http://sailfar.net/forum/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=1351.0;attach=519;image)
;D ;D ;D
The next day we fueled up shortly after sunrise;
(http://sailfar.net/gallery/albums/userpics/10014/FaithnJub.jpg)
The guy at the fuel dock was friendly, but not too encouraging when asked about the Okeechobee. He asked what we drew and when I told him he just shook his head....
There was not much traffic on the waterway, something about some football game... we had a nice trip up the river to the first lock. The St Lucie lock is on a restricted opening schedule due to the record low water. We just missed the 1000 opening so we had to hang out till 1500 to get through.
(http://sailfar.net/gallery/albums/userpics/10014/St_Lucie_Lock.jpg)
The lock operator was nice, and I am sure he was trying to be helpful when he warned of very large alagators up river. He claimed they were over 15' long and capable of jumping right out of the water to snatch unsuspecting dogs (or people) right off of the deck of a small boat like ours.....
We were still a lock away from the lake, but seeing the effects of the low water already;
(http://sailfar.net/gallery/albums/userpics/10577/LowWater.jpg)
We motored a few more miles and found a nice spot to anchor off of a park at Indian Town. There was a boat ramp to land Peter ashore and it was a great little spot to stop.
(http://sailfar.net/gallery/albums/userpics/10577/IndianTown.jpg)
Peter thought so too;
(http://sailfar.net/gallery/albums/userpics/10014/PeterHappy.jpg)
A good tip for 'SailFar' sized boats it to look for boat ramps. We can often find enough water nearby to drop the hook and the ramps usually have small docks just right to land a dingy (sometimes even the mothership, if you are only stopping for a minute or so).
(http://sailfar.net/gallery/albums/userpics/10577/ramp.jpg)
The next morning we went as far as the Mayaca lock and tied up to the dolphin there. Walking around the lock we saw that the pond below the lock was filled with gators. They were as big as the lock tender had said but I spent too many years in the swamps in Louisiana to believe they were going to leap from the water and snatch anyone so we slept well.
Hard to get a good picture of the gators, here is one you have to kinda use your imagination for;
(http://sailfar.net/gallery/albums/userpics/10577/Gator.jpg)
We motored out the lock at Mayaca just after sunrise this morning. The water levels are so low there was no need to lock through, the tender just opened the gate and let us out onto the lake. He cautioned us to favor the green side.
We held our breath as we spent the better part of the next hour with the keel inches from the bottom. The wind was light so we motorsailed across. The water in the third of the lake was 5 - 10' then we came to the series of marks they call the 'zig zag' and spent the rest of the trip almost touching the bottom. We might have made it across without touching but a Sea Ray named 'Pipe Dream' came by our starboard side 50' away on plane. The wake lifted us a foot or so and dropped us hard on the bottom. It sounded more like concrete then sand and mud we had grown so used to on the New River. We kept hitting bottom 3 more times or so as the wake passed us. I was very thankful to have a lot of heavy glass under us, but admit to checking the bilge shortly after.
We stopped at another boat ramp near the Clewiston lock, and walked around some more. (Excuse the misfurled jib, it was a long day);
(http://sailfar.net/gallery/albums/userpics/10577/Clewiston.jpg)
We are now tied up to the dolphins just beyond the Moor Haven lock. It is a peaceful night and Rose is cooking spaghetti as I type this so I will go now. Will post more as we get farther.
Sooo... what yer saying is that you had yer fill of shallow water sailing, eh? ;D
Yea, I guess so. I was surprised today to find the water between the Moor Haven lock and the Ortona lock was a minimum of 12' and mostly 22' deep. Seems strange that they would cut so deep there, especially when most of the channel was cut into rock.
Ahoy from Labelle Fl
We are 'med moored' at the Labelle town dock. The city of Labelle is quite kind to transient boaters, with a 3 day maximum stay with free power and water hook ups for 8 med moored boats. We walked a couple of blocks from the dock and found a cafe, grocery store and a laundrymat. We are thinking of spending the day here tomorrow and doing some laundry.
THis is a nice area, there was a large basin that we passed just before we got to the dock that would make a great place to anchor. The town has a nice waterfront park and a boat ramp near by. This wouldmight be a good trailer-Sailor destination or jumping off point to explore the lake and waterway from.
On edit....
Wow! Talk about good timing! Clayborns 'Southeast Salty Cruisers net' just reported;
Quote
Lake Okeechobee (probably Port Mayaca) Lock "Closed Indefinitely"
Published: February 4, 2008
Sounds like we made it through just in time! (we passed the Port Mayaca lock yesterday morning).
OBTW, thanks for showing us this link Day (Psyche). It has been very helpful.
Wow! Looks like Faith has racked up some impressive karma!!! lol ;D
Maybe it's so deep in that spot because it *is* rock - being rock, there'd be little or no silting in...?
I enjoyed LaBelle. I stayed on the wall at the hotel across from the city dock. $ 10 per night for my 25 footer, free eldectric for a 15 amp service as well as water. Can get a little rough during the day. To bad on the lock closing. It did make a nice loop. I hope that it opens up before I do it again.
The marina just east of the bridge is very popular to store boats. I have known several who have.
We got a call last night from Roses brother, unfortunately Roses mom passed away.
We are heading to Ft. Myers in the am, where we plan to rent a car, drive ~ 600 miles to drop Peter off with mom and then drive back to Ft. Myers and get on a plane to Marquette Mi.
I read in the skipper bob's guide that the city has a mooring field were you can leave a sailboat (no powerboats, how cool is that?).
Anyone know anything about it? It is secure? Does anyone know anyone nearby that I could find out from?>
Thanks,
Sorry to hear that, Craig. We will keep you, Rose and her Mom and all her family in our prayers.
Also sorry I have no advice to give on the mooring...
Craig and Rose, sorry to hear about Rose's mom. I think La Belle is where I med moored and walked up just past the library on the left was a honey shop run by a family that processed local honeys. Seagrape was my favorite of the ones I purchased. The local Exchange club was having a pancake breakfast and invited me to participate. The cross Florida canal was the highlight of my trip from Biloxi to my home in Georgia. The trip through the canal was like a step back in time. Dan
Thre is two different ones, the main one is across from the Ft Myers Yacht club. Although protected from winds you will have bow wave traffic. Lot's of boats there. There is an active SSCA. I have heard that it is a good place.
Your in the USA now, lock everything and don't leave anothing outside.
Free WiFi in the Ft Myers Airport.
I hope that all of you handle this well.
Thank you everyone.
We are on a mooring here at the Ft. Myers city marina's mooring field. The folks here are so nice, and said they will keep an eye on the boat for us while we are gone.
It is also a short taxie ride to the airport and marine stores, supplies, etc.....
Ahoy from Ft Myers, FL 10 February, 2008
I thought I might add the couple of pictures since the last post and update things a bit. We are swinging on a mooring at the Ft. Myers city mooring field. We might have passed this by but sadly we received a call from Roses brother saying that her mom had passed away. It was hard to hear, but Rose is comforted to know her mom is with the Lord and no longer suffering (she had Parkinson's and had just come home from being in the hospital with pneumonia). We were also grateful to be back in the US, as not only are the logistics of getting to the funeral more simple, but with out limited communications from the Bahamas we might well not have even known until it was too late to get her home for the funeral.
As it stands it will be a long couple of days. We are renting a car on Monday and driving ~ 600 miles to Pensacola to drop Peter off with my mom, and then driving back here to Ft. Myers. We fly out on Thursday to Marquette and return here on Sunday to get back underway. We are very thankful to be here, the people are friendly and report no problems with boats in the mooring field.
We stayed at the town dock at Labelle night before last. They have room for 6 – 8 boats to 'med moor' at their dock, and with free WI-FI, power and water I can understand why they have to have a 3 day limit.
(http://sailfar.net/gallery/albums/userpics/10577/normal_Labelle.jpg)
From there we motored up the Caloosahatchee river, enjoying the views which consoled us to the fact that there was no wind to be had. The river was surprisingly deep, with depths over 20' for most of the day. We locked through the WP Franklin lock at the 1500 opening. We had to wait for just over 3 hours for the 3' drop. The locks are on a restricted schedule and only open twice a day (1000 & 1500).
[rant]
There is a pretty little park, boat ramp, and RV park on the grounds of the lock. We tied up to the dolphins just below the lock and I took Peter ashore. The folks all along the waterway have been really nice so I guess our luck was due to run out. I no sooner steped ashore when a woman came running out of the toll both at the entrance to the park. She was screaming and waiving her arms. I looked around expecting to see an alligator trying to eat me, or a small child in danger. Once she got close enough for me to hear I realized she was instead yelling something about Peter. I secured the dingy and walked over to her to prevent her to see if I could ease the great deal of stress she was experiencing. Alas, it was not to be. My approaching her only sent her into a greater frenzy. I tried to lighten things up by making a joke, but she was clearly not in a laughing mood. She first accused me of being on a green trawler that needed to register (they have some slips and a green trawler pulled in as I dingied ashore). I explained I was onboard the sailboat tied to the dolphins. She then blurted out something about how I was not to use any of the facilities then, that they were only for guests. I saw things were not going well so I walked away.
A few minutes later Peter and I were walking next to the road when an older man with the same demenor as the crazy woman ran up and said "We allow dog walking," but then went on "just don't try to walk him in the park, it is not allowed." I nodded and kept walking. We came ashore again later in the eveing and walked around the grounds where we met several friendly RV'ers and I found a board that had the park rules. There was nothing about dogs except to say that they had to be on a leash and that you had to clean up after them. We had complied with both since arrival.
We had a good sleep and woke up the next morning to watch a pair of eagles in the tree less then 50yards from the boat. I took Peter ashore and we walked around for a bit. I saw a walkway that lead to the lock so we started to walk out to it. The crazy woman emerged from a particularly gaudy RV. She started to rant again, but I cut her off mid stream. Confronting her with logic only made her more angry so I left before she hurt herself.
[/rant]
The rest of the trip to Ft. Myers was pleasant.
(http://sailfar.net/gallery/albums/userpics/10577/normal_okebechobee.jpg)
We watched cows come down to the water to drink, Peter could only take so much of this and finally had to bark.
(http://sailfar.net/gallery/albums/userpics/10577/normal_cows.jpg)
and it was so peaceful we did not even mind when the railroad bridge dropped just as we reached it.
(http://sailfar.net/gallery/albums/userpics/10577/normal_RRbridge.jpg)
I will post more once we return from Michigan and get back under way.
On edit; the pictures are not wanting to load for some reason, I will work to get rid of the 'red x of death' tomorrow.
I have lived in Fl to long and have gottong so much hostility from the old folks that I just have to laugh at why that want an early death by promoting me to kill them.
It appears that some have only that want left in their life.
My response to them is to go find somebody else to kill them, I won't do it.
It is really funny to watch 75+ women swinging their purses at each other and yelling something that you cannot understand.
Ahoy from Cape Coral FL. 19 Feb 08
Thanks to all who sent PM's & emails of support. We rented a car and drove the 1200 mile round trip to get Peter home and then flew out of Ft. Myers to spend a couple days with Roses family and attend the service for her mom. The service was very nice, but Marquette MI was a bit cooler then Ft Myers. It was 8f when we arrived but warmed up to just over 20f while we were there. Roses sister told us it started snowing 30 minutes after our plane took off on Sunday and has not let up since. :o
The folks at Ft Myers municipal marina did a great job keeping an eye on Faith for us and someone there even bailed out our dingy (man that was nice to come back to). They invited us to a dinner on the docks when we got back, but we were too wiped out to dingy back over to attend. They seem like they have a good group there, and were very helpful to us when we went in to check out and get fuel. I was very thankful they were there.
We motored down the river yesterday and found a great little anchorage here at Cape Coral. The name on the chart is 'Bimini Basin', but it is little more then a wide spot in the river / canal that a developer dredged a network of canals to develop hundreds of waterfront lots on. The basin has room for 8 - 10 boats and has a park at one end where you can land the dingy and walk to stores and restaurants. (don't reacall the marker we turned off at, but we are anchored at N26 33'39"
W81 57'47")
We were going to get underway this morning, but Rose and I both seem to have picked up some kind of a bug while flying... so we took a rest day instead. Glad we did as we met a nice couple (Don & Elane) on a 25' motorsailer (currently sans mast) who gave us some pointers on the area and we found a great thrift store where we stocked up on books and had a great Calzone at 'Sals'.
Hope to make Captiva Is or so tomorrow. Thanks again for the support.
Glad you folks made the trip safely, sorry for the reason for the trip.
I googled that lat long. WOW- some of those homes on some of those canals could take you an hour to motor out from!!!! You say hundreds of homes on canals- From looking at the google earth scenes, I'd say THOUSANDS!!!
I'll bet you didn't have any wave action in there.
OH BOY am I glad we don't live there !!!!!
Yep, very few have bridge height for sailboats much less bigger powerboats. Hull speed is no waked. You are right it will take a while to get out.
Ahoy from St Petersburg, FL 23, February 2008
We are anchored in the North Yacht Basin here in St. Petersburg. It is a pretty little anchorage, and I believe it says a lot about the city that there are 3 basins and they have preserved the north basin as a protected anchorage for visiting boats.... this in spite of the fact their own municipal marina is right next door (sounded small boat friendly, but we did not want to spend $1.85 a foot when we really rather prefer swinging on the hook anyway.
(http://sailfar.net/gallery/albums/userpics/10577/normal_StPete.jpg)
We left the anchorage in Cape Coral the morning after I posted last... Rose felt better but I woke up feeling pretty bad. It is good she really does not need me to run the boat as I think I steered for all of about an hour that day. We anchored at some place called Cape Haze... but I honestly have no memory of it. I recall a section named the 'miserable mile' and then passing Captiva Island... but mostly remember the fever and chills. The next day we passed Venice which looked like a nice (if a bit crowded) place to stop but we pressed on to White Beach. We woke up early and sailed on across Sarasota Bay and made it as far as the Cortez bridge, but waited for 2 ½ hours while they worked on the bridge saying it would open in 10 or 15 minutes over and over again. We gave up and anchored near the boat ramp at Anna Maria Island next to Long Boat inlet. We were going to go out the inlet on Saturday but the cold front brought winds out of the north and rain so we took another rest day instead. We did walk across the road to Bradenton Beach, which was nice but looking at the breakers rolling through the inlet confirmed we had decided rightly not to go outside that day.
Our trip across Tampa Bay this morning was nice, even if it was flat calm with no wind and overcast 'doom & gloom' sky.
(http://sailfar.net/gallery/albums/userpics/10577/Gloom.jpg)
The Skipper Bob guide to the gulf coast says "Mile 98.8 Sunshine Skyway Bridge (175'). Take a photograph." We did as instructed so here it is;
(http://sailfar.net/gallery/albums/userpics/10577/normal_SunshineSkyway.jpg)
It is a pretty bridge, but growing up looking at the Golden Gate they all kind of pale by comparison.
We did have a little rain today, but were treated to a beautiful rainbow;
(http://sailfar.net/gallery/albums/userpics/10577/normal_Rainbow.jpg)
We just learned that another (stronger) cold front is expected on Wednesday. We will be offshore after Tarpon Springs (~50 miles) so we will be waiting for the cold front to pass, and will probably do some laundry tomorrow and take a look at the town.
Sailing without Peter aboard has made it easier to make miles and find anchorages (since we don't need shore access). It is not the same, and Rose and I miss him although mom tells us he is enjoying himself.... I came across this picture from the night before we drove him home. No one can convince me, especially after seeing this picture, that he did not know he was not going to make the rest of the trip with us.
(http://sailfar.net/gallery/albums/userpics/10577/normal_SadPeter.jpg)
:'(
Beautiful Pics, :) sad puppy :(
Ahoy from the middle of no where~! 3 March, 2008
I just realized I had not posted an update for a while, a few hundred miles anyway. We are doing well, as we continue up Florida's west coast. The trip is winding down, and I don't think Rose or I are ready for it to end. We are anchored in an ox bow off of Searcy Creek ~20 miles north of Apalachicola. It is pretty here in a way that made both Rose & I think of the Dismal swamp.
(http://sailfar.net/gallery/albums/userpics/10577/normal_Searcy.jpg)
We did not go far today, we were content to sail up the twists and turns of the river. There was a fresh breeze, and our speed varied wildly with the terrain. We spent half the day at or slightly over hull speed, but at times we were struggling to maintain a knot. We have not started the motor in 3 days now, and were reluctant to do so.
Let me back up and get caught up.
We left St. Petersburg under the thread of an approaching cold front. It was a gray foggy morning but after a couple of hours of motoring the wind filled in and we sailed north.
We stopped at Clearwater, arriving an hour or so before the predicted 45knot winds came howling. We slid up a channel just north of the inlet. It was well protected, but strange as we were circled by high rise condos and hotels. We felt very much like fish in a bowl as we anchored and put the sail cover on with spectators looking down at us from the balconies that surrounded us. We waived at a few people, but were both generally creeped out after a few minutes and went below. Even the wind that came between the buildings was enough to cause Faith to sail around on the anchor wildly. The next morning it was ~40f outside, and still blowing so we just stayed below like a couple of hermits. A knock on the hull that second afternoon brought feelings of dread as we had heard of the 'visits' by the DWF cops. It was a man in a dingy. Bob had anchored his 44' Morgan 'Caribbean Soul' a ways behind us and had come over to say hello. We chatted for a while in the cold, we had pulled our stores out and had such a mess below we had no room for company. We saw Bob again the next morning as we were raising the anchor. He was getting underway as well, sailing back to Pensacola. We followed him as he motored through a short cut and out the Clearwater inlet. He was headed on a more direct route to Pensacola, so our paths soon diverged.
Bob, aboard Caribbean Soul;
(http://sailfar.net/gallery/albums/userpics/10577/normal_CaribSoul.jpg) The two boats were in sight for less then an hour, but it was the only time we had sailed with a 'buddy boat' since we left our friend Mark back on the New River where he had sailed with us out of our old marina.
The ~ 150nm passage took us 2 days and a night. We had good wind the entire way, and the Sea was kind to Faith as she had her first real taste of the Gulf of Mexico.
We sailed up East Pass, and anchored a few miles inside the sound. We had intended to visit Carabelle, but the idea of sleep appealed to us much more then liberty ashore so we dropped the hook and slept the sleep of the dead.
We woke up the next morning to a peaceful bay shrouded in fog. We could just make out a small sailboat anchored a half mile or so back towards the inlet. We raised the hook and tacked in light air until we could hale the Cape Dory 25s 'After You'. A smiling face came out to greet us. We met our second in a row Sailor named Bob. He had just bought the pretty little boat in Panama City and was sailing to Cape Canaveral. We hove too to trade complements, and shared some of our experiences on the route. The last thing Bob said to us as we slid away was"I sure do love living on this boat". Rose and I agreed, and turned West.
A fishing boat that passed us as we sailed up the Apalachicola river;
(http://sailfar.net/gallery/albums/userpics/10577/normal_trowl.jpg)
(pay no attention to the bedding lashed to the deck to air out... hey! We are cruising!) :D
We sailed the ~ 20 nm to anchor right across the waterway from the town of Apalachicola in a patch of water just between markers 2 & 4 that Bob had recommended. We dingied in and had dinner at the Oyster shack, where we had read they had 27 different menu items made with oysters. It was a nice dinner if a bit more then we are used to spending. We woke up this morning and dingied in to walk around the town and do some shopping.
Apalachicola is a pretty little town;
(http://sailfar.net/gallery/albums/userpics/10577/normal_Aplach.jpg)
Like most fishing towns they are very small boat friendly. The folks in town are so friendly, that when I joked with a lady about the cannon that were in the town square being there to keep strangers out she felt compelled to explain the Civil war history of the cannon. She assured me that the town was so friendly that it is simply switched from Grey to Blue and back without a shot being fired... at least not from the cannon anyway. She told us where to get free wi-fi, and the where to find the best coffee in town. We took her advice and were not disappointed.
We sailed off the anchor and again headed up the Apalachicola river, across lake Wimico, up the Jackson River and here we are in Searcy Creek;
(http://sailfar.net/gallery/albums/userpics/10577/normal_Appanchorage.jpg)
The Army Corps of Engineers has marked the GulfCoast Inland Water Way (GIWW) in statute miles and they give us ~ 150 sm between Apalachicola and Pensacola. With the wedding on the 15th I think we are going to make it.
Will post more as we get closer.
(edit to add photos)
Thanks for the update... and looking forward to the photos... some of us are sailing vicariously through you while our boats are on the hard.
Craig and Rose,
I've been saying for months that you're the luckiest people I know. Except for your unfortunate flight north, that's still so.
I'm happy to see that you're underway again. Great update!
You've been an inspiration! Scallywag is up for sale this spring. As soon as the Lancer is sold, I'm buying the boat I want to cruise in.
The RPYC just had our monthly meeting. We've got "Marina Patron Day" coming up on 4/26 where we're cleaning the river and allowing free boat rentals, hoping to attract new members. Then, in June, the San Juan 21 fleet from Blackbeard's is coming down to run an extra class in the "Welcome to Summer" race.
Hope this finds you well.
Don
Ahoy from Niceville / Valpriso FL. 8 March, 2008
Yes, there really is a town named 'Niceville'. :D While I have not seen much of it, I have to say it is awfully nice to be anchored here. It is cold outside (supposed to drop down in the 30's tonight).
We left our secure anchorage off on the side of the ICW yesterday and sailed into a gale. We listened to NOAA in the morning before we left, and they were talking about the temperature dropping but made no mention of high winds. We confirmed the forecast on a local radio station, and learned that the cold front that had passed us the night before had caused a tornado north of us... but the skys were blue and while a bit cool it seemed a good day to make some miles.
~ 20 miles later the wind that had been ~ 15k from the SW all day picked up and clocked west. We again tuned in NOAA and learned that a gale watch had been posted, with sustained gale force winds and gusts to 60k possible. :-\ We were approaching the 'Mid Bay Bridge' that crosses the Choctawhatchee bay to Destin. We hoped to make Fort Walton, or even Niceville just on the other side of the bridge but it was not to be. We sailed, we tacked, we motorsailed and tacked, and we motored... we could make no better then a knot or so good.
The only 'safe haven' was 20 miles back where we had started the day so we decided to get in as close to the bridge and drop the hook. We went to the north end and anchored in 12' in close to the bridge. We had to anchor in close as there is a 'cable area' with to the east. As we were getting settled a passing motorist slowed and shouted something about calling someone... we slept with the radio on in case someone reported us as being in some kind of distress.
It was a long night... the anchor held keeping it's perfect no-drag record intact... The swells tossed the boat around quite a but and made it a very uncomfortable night. We did get a call on the radio around 10, a homeowner called us to make sure everything was ok. The guy was really friendly, and even offered to go out the the bridge and try to "float us a 6 pack". ;D (while I can not give him grog here, may his offer of kindness find him).
Anyway, here is the post from the other night that I did not get to upload.
Ahoy from N 30 21'58" / W 86 5' 51" 6 March, 2008
We are once again anchored off of the ICW, but this time we are not in any kind of an anchorage... just off to one side of the channel. It has been a nice day, we have seen very little development along the banks;
(http://sailfar.net/gallery/albums/userpics/10577/normal_Sparse.jpg)
We are glad to have the protection of the high banks, as there is another cold front passing through tonight which is supposed to bring lots of wind and rain. Skipper Bob referred to this area of the ICW the 'Grand Canyon';
(http://sailfar.net/gallery/albums/userpics/10577/normal_GrandCan.jpg)
Panama City
Our visit to Panama City was nice. We motored up the creek we had anchored in, and 'Joes Bayou' that was just north of the City Marina. We have not stayed at a marina since we returned from the Bahamas, but if we were to the Panama City marina would have been one to consider. The folks on the phone were friendly, and their transient rate is a reasonable $1.25 per foot. We learned that there was a replica of the Nina berthed there, so we came in to get some pictures. There was a big power boat tied on the end of the face dock so we were not able to get along side but got close enough to see that she was tiny... hard to imagine a crew of 26 and livestock crossing the Atlantic on her;
(http://sailfar.net/gallery/albums/userpics/10577/normal_Nina.jpg)
On our way in we had explored 'Watson Bayou' which has 4 branches, 3 of which would be nice places to anchor. There are homes built along the sides, but it did not appear overdeveloped like so much of the East coast. At the north most end of Watson Bayou we found a really nice anchorage with a beach along a rode right-of-way that would be a good dingy landing. The St. Andrew Yacht Club is in this basin, they are a GYA club and I understand they offer reciprocal dockage.
(http://sailfar.net/gallery/albums/userpics/10577/normal_PCYC.jpg)
We saw a boat that was painted with dolphins, but unlike the artwork Rose did to our keel, this was on the topsides;
(http://sailfar.net/gallery/albums/userpics/10577/DolphinBoat.jpg)
We saw an LCAC entering the pass;
(http://sailfar.net/gallery/albums/userpics/10577/normal_LCAC.jpg)
To enter Joe's Bayou you have to pass through a small bridge that opens on request.. the tender was friendly and opened the bridge as soon as we called... making the motor traffic wait instead of the making us turn circles was a nice twist.
(http://sailfar.net/gallery/albums/userpics/10577/normal_ANCPanamaCity.jpg)
We ate dinner at 'Bayou Joe's restaurant' They offer dockage with the meal, but we have come to prefer the hook to a dock so we anchored and dingied in. I had a 'trash burger' which is a burger loaded with 'what ever the cook feels like putting on it'. It was great... so good we went back there for breakfast the next morning before we got underway. That was the first time on the trip we went back somewhere to eat two meals in a row.
(http://lh4.ggpht.com/_tcVd2r_be7s/SrmW83o35vI/AAAAAAAAAXs/GXx37Til4n4/PanamaCity_0748.JPG)
(http://sailfar.net/gallery/albums/userpics/10577/normal_BayouJoes.jpg)
We walked off our meal in the downtown, and were impressed with the state of the town. It was obviously a draw for tourists, but did not have a touristy feel. It was more 'small town friendly' (at least what we saw...) we spent a good while in the 'Books by the Sea' book store.. they had a great selection, but more importantly they had a friendly golden retriever that greeted the customers. We can neither pass up a child's lemonade stand, or fail to purchase something from any store with a dog.
(http://sailfar.net/gallery/albums/userpics/10577/normal_PanAnc.jpg)
Panama City is definitely on our list to visit again.
Don,
Glad to hear that the club is alive and well. Rose and I talk about you guys all the time. Glad you are planning to go cruising.. to say we recommend it is an understatement. Sounds like a bunch of good ideas... glad you got rid of that old slacker commodore.. ;) Just watch out for those guys from Blackbeards... they are NUTS!
;D
Craig and Rose,
Been a while since your last update! Hope all is going well.
News from New River: I have to change my Sailfar icon; Scallywag is SOLD. Though it's not a Sailfar boat, I'm looking at an Irwin 37 to cruise in. Hope I'm still allowed to post. ;D Will let you know how that turns out.
The next RPYC event is a meeting and April Fools Race on 5 April. But, I'll be crewing at the Bald Head Island Regatta.
Stay safe and keep in touch.
Smooth Sailing,
Ahoy from Pensacola.... One month later.
It has been nearly a month since we arrived in Pensacola. Sorry that I have been remiss in posting the final update from the trip......
We departed Panama city and sailed on to Santa Rose Sound. It was a beautiful day on the water, and we anchored in the sound less then 20 miles from our destination. We awoke to a light chop and sailed into Pensacola Bay.
(http://sailfar.net/gallery/albums/userpics/10577/Chop.jpg)
Santa Rosa sound, like the rest of the Pensacola area we saw on our way in, promises to be a great place to sail. Pensacola Beach was not too crowded, which was a relief as my son's wedding was to take place there in less then a week;
(http://sailfar.net/gallery/albums/userpics/10577/Pensacola_Beach.jpg)
Rose and I saw several coves and nice places to anchor that we plan to explore later. It is kind of tough to see here, but this is English Navy Cove, which has a park and a couple of boats anchored.
(http://sailfar.net/gallery/albums/userpics/10577/English_Cove.jpg)
Pensacola has been 'home' for us since we bought a home here 8 years ago. We have been coming here since my mom moved to Gulf Breeze something like 18 years ago.... But I had never sailed the waters here. The closest I have come is the 'fort to fort' open water swim across the bay.. so the nav marks were new to us. Rose did a great job of spotting them in spite of the fact that our West marine bino's had lost their seal and were showing condensation.
(http://sailfar.net/gallery/albums/userpics/10577/scout.jpg)
We sailed past Pensacola, and up the Escambia River to 'Swamp house marina' (http://sailingpensacola.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=23&t=176). You can read more about it on the link, but while the price was right ($5 a foot per month) the bridge you see in the photo was 45' at the center span, but you have to pass under it a couple of spans closer to the shore and we held our breath each time we went under it;
(http://sailfar.net/gallery/albums/userpics/10577/SwampHouse.jpg)
After 2 weeks we moved down to Bayou Grande Sailing Marina which is a bit more expensive at $6 a foot per month, but if you pay for 11 months up front, they give you the 12th month free. ($5.50 a month).
The docks are nice floating docks with good solid pilings and fixed steel pilings that are long enough to float the docks higher then the surrounding land (good as Ivan floated the old docks off and left nearly all the boats destroyed in a pile near and in the parking lot.)
We went for a sail today and had a wonderful afternoon exploring the bay. I think that this is going to be a great place to sail. OBTW, if you plan to visit the area or are just interested, [url=http://sailingpensacola.com/forum/index.php]SailingPensacola.com (http://sailingpensacola.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=23&t=197) is a good site for local information.
Some thoughts. . I am still processing the experience. Nine months after moving aboard, I am still processing the lessons of the trip. I have spent months at sea in the past, and have come away transformed in some way by each of these experiences. I believe the effect of this trip is the most profound, but human nature and perspective make it difficult to know if this is so. The toughest part of the trip was coming home. There have been many changes in our lives since we left. Retirement, Rose's mom passing away, our son getting married.... It is hard to know which of these have had what effect.
We had planned to cruise into the late spring, but our son and his fiancé moved the date up from June to March. We saw cooler weather, and sailed through a series of cold fronts as we got closer to home. This probably made the transition more profound.
Please take a look at this post in the 'Neysayers' thread. (http://sailfar.net/forum/index.php?topic=699.msg15097#msg15097) I doubt this would have happened, or gone as well without the folks mentioned here.
Much more to say, will post more later.
Thanks,
:D Thanks for letting us tag along vicariously. :)
Ahoy from Pensacola 2 months later.....
Couple things I had intended to post from the log;
While we mostly lived aboard for the last year before we left, we completely moved onboard on about the 10th of July and we sat off on the 11th of August. We arrived in Pensacola on the 10th of March. So we lived aboard full time for 8 months and cruised full time for almost exactly 7 months.
The total distance traveled was 2,527.11nm. There has been some discussion about how folks keep track of the miles they travel on a trip. Our system involves a DR plot that is checked against a GPS. Our little Magellan hand held was on for all but one of our resupply runs when we sailed from Monument beach into Georgetown and back... so our mileage is probably a couple miles more then that... but pretty darn close.
Of course we did not sail every day.. bit if we had we would have averaged ~ 12nm a day. I frankly would not have cared to go any faster. If not for my son's wedding, we would still be out there.
The costs were much less then we expected, and the longer we were out there the less they were. We started out stopping at marinas for water and showers... we avoided marinas more and more as we went along and our expenses dropped quite a bit as a result.
.... I was going to post a break down of the costs... but I have the log and the First mate has turned in for the night so I can not make heads nor tails of it so it will have to wait....
Thanks for the post... I'd love to see a rough breakdown of your costs. :) Congratulate your son on his wedding. :)
Quote from: AdriftAtSea on May 14, 2008, 07:50:42 AM
Thanks for the post... I'd love to see a rough breakdown of your costs. :) Congratulate your son on his wedding. :)
Thanks Dan,
I wonder if anyone else would be interested in this?
I have the numbers and the receipts... I just have yet to take the time to put it all together.
Let me know....
I would like to see it... certainly doesn't have to be too specific... maybe just an in general monthly-weekly thing.
Quote from: dnice on January 16, 2009, 02:02:49 AM
I would like to see it... certainly doesn't have to be too specific... maybe just an in general monthly-weekly thing.
Craig, I'd like to see it too.
There's a couple here at the marina that has gotten me thinking about this. He is having wanderlust real bad, but she just went to work to build up the kitty. She was complaining to me the other day about how they spent WAY more in the Bahamas than they planned (and they are experienced cruisers, not neophytes at all).
They were heading North the hang out at the Chez for a while, but ran out of money. That's why they are here.
So, I'd like to see the financial results of your cruise.
Thanks in advance.
JR
Completely forgot about this.. :P
Will try to get the numbers together in the next little bit. ;D
Quote from: Captain Smollett on January 16, 2009, 11:30:29 AM
Quote from: dnice on January 16, 2009, 02:02:49 AM
I would like to see it... certainly doesn't have to be too specific... maybe just an in general monthly-weekly thing.
Craig, I'd like to see it too.
There's a couple here at the marina that has gotten me thinking about this. He is having wanderlust real bad, but she just went to work to build up the kitty. She was complaining to me the other day about how they spent WAY more in the Bahamas than they planned (and they are experienced cruisers, not neophytes at all).
They were heading North the hang out at the Chez for a while, but ran out of money. That's why they are here.
So, I'd like to see the financial results of your cruise.
Thanks in advance.
JR
Ok, here it is;
Move aboard 3 July, 2007
Underway: generous estimate of $500 worth of provisions onboard. I am still offloading stores (I filled up 3 18 gallon storage boxes 2 days ago). There are stores onboard that we left from NC with. Would not have done that much differently since it is nice to have options... and a safety margin. We did not eat any of the 'emergency' stores we took with us.
Underway 11 August
Main expenses for trip from NC to FL
First month
- 2 days at Bald Head Island Marina
- 1 night Barefoot Landing Marina
- 5 Days at Georgetown Landing Marina
- 3 days Beaufort SC City Marina
First month, 293.49nm and 12 days in marinas... the most of the trip.
As far as I can tell we spent the most money of the trip this first month. I have cc receipts and ATM slips for ~ $1600 for the first month (Marina fees, provisions, eating out, fuel). This works out to just over $50 a day.
Second month
- 1 night at Thunderbolt Marina just south of Savannah GA.
- 2 nights at Brusnwick Landing Marina
- 3 nights at St. Augustine Municipal Marina.
This month was much better. We only paid for 6 nights in marinas, and enjoyed staying with Dan (Psyche) who would not even let us pay for meals. We spent a total of $980 this month on Marina fees, provisions, eating out, fuel, but ran into a $115 vet bill for Peter's USDA certificate and some meds as well as buying a Honda 1000w generator after learning the 'Sunlinq' flex panels were not putting out even 10% of their rated output. I chalk that $830 up to maintenance but the total for the month was $1925... about $64 a day.
Third month (first half, before we left the US).
- 2 nights at the Patrick AFB Marina
- 1 night at 'Jones Fruit Dock' ($10)
- 2 nights on a mandatory mooring at Vero Beach
Just 2 nights in marinas, 2 on a mooring, and 1 at a dock. Filled up all our fuel cans, and stocked up on provisions for the Bahamas. Still only managed to spend ~ $550 ~ $36 a day.
So the trip from NC to FL was $4035 or less then $40 a day. We would see this number drop considerably as we increased our dislike of marinas.
First Month in the Bahamas.
Have much more accurate financial records from this point.
Couple of notes on these numbers.. gas in the Bahamas was 4-5.50 a gallon when we were there. The water cost as much as a dollar a gallon and was part of the 'Misc'.
Mooring/dockage; $409.01
Misc; $358.6
Fuel: $66.4
Maint: $17.4
Food; $113.13
Restaurants; $151
Total; $1115.49 or $37 a day.
Second Month in the Bahamas
Mooring: $106
Misc: $552.85 (including $180 for a dive trip)
Fuel; $57
Maint; $234
Food; $280.97
Restaurants; $137
Total; $1367.82 or $45 a day
Third month in the Bahamas;
$799.18 total (went from accounting on lap top to log book... can break down individual categories if anyone needs it). Down to $26 a day.
Last 2 weeks in the Bahamas
Grand total of $291. or less then $20 a day.
Upon arrival in US (31 Jan 08) to arrival in Pensacola (11 March 08)
We only spent $709 for the last 40 days of the trip. We did not stay in any marinas, and only paid for a mooring in Ft. Myers because we had to fly out to attend Rose's mothers funeral. Our daily cost of $20 a day does not reflect the cost of our trip for the funeral since it was not related to the trip. Even if you deduct the food costs for those days, we still came out at less then half what we had averaged the first few months in the US. We did not stay in a marina a single night after we got back.
Ok, so some numbers.
WRT Distance, quoted from post #135
QuoteThe total distance traveled was 2,527.11nm. There has been some discussion about how folks keep track of the miles they travel on a trip. Our system involves a DR plot that is checked against a GPS. Our little Magellan hand held was on for all but one of our resupply runs when we sailed from Monument beach into Georgetown and back... so our mileage is probably a couple miles more then that... but pretty darn close.
We lived aboard for 8 months, and cruised for 7 months. About 210 days and our pace was not hurried (maybe a little in the end to make it back for the wedding). We averaged something like 12 nm per day.... Probably about the right pace for us.
The numbers I have for our expenses are $7648.49. Some of that was vet bills, a chunk for the generator... but I leave these in there since these kinds of costs DO come up.
We still cruised for about $35 a day (or $3 a mile). We did what we wanted, ate where we wanted, stayed were we wanted. I do not like high end marinas.. I don't feel comfortable wasting money for someone's idea of POSH. We did eat several pricey meals just because we felt like it. I am confident that we could do it for far less.
Nice,
I appreciate you posting this.
It sounds like a very comfortable cruise (which is a good thing!) at right around my current cost of living.
I hope I can do it cheaper though :) but I like that you value the freedom to do whatever you feel like doing.
Definitely something I need to think about. Most of the time I'm dead-set on 'just go with what I got' but I am sure there will be days I just want to spend the evening in the bar :) or eat in a decent restaraunt or whatever. not to mention those unexpected costs....
This is the sorta stuff you cannot find on any other website.
Well, your cost per month is less than what we're stuck paying for just housing. Clearly I need to point this out to the significant other!
Thank you very much for posting all this. It's really helpful to have some recent real-world data to work with. And, now that you've armed about a hundred of us with "look honey, we can save money by cruising!", what're ya gonna do for your next trick? Where are you off to next, when?
Good to see some real world numbers... :)
Good break-down Craig...thanks. I agree to leave funds for the unexpected ...as you state, they DO come up.I also agree to allow some funds for a few nice dinners out, a dive trip or a few pints if the band is good.If ya don't, you'll feel a slave to the boat and not truly enjoy yourself. I've never really kept a break down but I can honestly say that I spend about the same dollars for 3 months away including getting there,launch and later haul out etc as several friends do for a week at Disneyland or 4 days at Vegas. PS..when are Rose and you getting back out?
Grog, Craig. Thanks for the info. Very helpful.
Craig (and others),
Have you seen the painting by Thomas Kincaid called "Perseverance" ?
The name of the vessel in that painting might be of interest... ;)
(http://www.christcenteredmall.com/stores/art/kinkade/zooms/perseverance_zoom_777.jpg) (http://www.christcenteredmall.com/stores/art/kinkade/perseverance.htm)
What a great painting.
Truly inspiring!
I can only still just dream that we are as lucky as you two.
Quote from: s/v Faith on November 12, 2007, 02:54:40 PM
Ahoy for Munjack Cay. 11 November, 07...... There are a couple of big rays that are used to being fed by the people on the dive boat. They come up to you in shallow water and try to swim up to your feet. Apparently they will take food offered from between your toes I did not know of this and was caught off guard the first time I was approached. This picture was taken from the dingy when Rose came ashore with the camera.
(http://sailfar.net/gallery/albums/userpics/10014/Ray.jpg)
Looking at Frank's latest post (http://sailfar.net/forum/index.php?topic=2700.msg29605#msg29605), looks like my Ray friend is still hanging out in the same place. ;D (If you look close at the first picture, you can see some of the dock that the pilings in Frank's picture belong to.
Quote from: Frank on January 27, 2010, 10:59:42 AM
Pic is a Ray in shallo water near the dock yesterday. They are so graceful....beautiful to watch
(http://sailfar.net/forum/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=2700.0;attach=2371;image)
(http://sailfar.net/forum/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=2700.0;attach=2372;image)
I have no idea why the formatting on this thread got so messed up. I know it happened about the time we changed the board software. Sorry for the distraction.
pic attached
Frank.....
.... that would NOT be moving up... ::)
;D
West Marine would sure think it was ;D ;) :o
Quote from: Frank on December 02, 2010, 06:39:55 PM
West Marine would sure think it was ;D ;) :o
... and 'Sail' magazine, and about any other discussion forum then this one. ;D
Hailing port: Lewisburg, WV.
(http://sailfar.net/imgs/LewisburgWV.jpg)
Yup, seems about right for that very fine looking boat... :-X
Craig - It's gonna be tough, towing that down to P-cola with the Saturn!
I just managed to officially get this dingy recognized as an 'antique' by the state of Florida!
Sine it was made in 1977, it qualifies for reduced registration cost... ;D
Quote from: s/v Faith on August 03, 2007, 07:39:57 PM
The dingy won't look this good again;
(http://lh4.ggpht.com/_tcVd2r_be7s/Srhn0I1j63I/AAAAAAAAAU0/--SpMLspOFY/s512/Craig%27s%20Retirement%20021.jpg)
Question,
Should I now go back and fix all the formatting? Add the bigger pictures? What do you think?
Craig,
I think that is a good idea. Anything to keep you busy these days seems like a good idea. And if for nothing else, it will help me 'get the big picture'. See? :D ;D
So now I'm going to go back and read your thread again.
Thank-you for bringing up this thread again. I've had a joy today re-reading from the beginning (not done with the whole thing, yet, but it's been a gas so far).
One question:
In this post (http://sailfar.net/forum/index.php/topic,72.msg11898.html#msg11898), you mention West End not being very visible from the deck/cockpit of a small boat. I wonder...were those clouds indicative of land?
They are quite prominent in your photo, and I've read that clouds can signal landfalls when offshore (my experience with 'offshore' has been "turn right, you'll find land" ::) , not like finding an island on the ocean).
Do you happen to recall if the clouds were 'centered' over the landfall in that particular case?
Can't speak for West End, but clouds certainly showed us where the Exumas and Eluethera were from a good ways out.
Of course the day we left Exumas bound for Eluethera we motored all the way on glassy water. Zero wind, which could have been the reason for the clouds.
I took the liberty of putting together a trip summary for Faith's 2007-2008 time in the Bahamas like I did for the first part of Connie's trip on s/v Pixie Dust (http://sailfar.net/forum/index.php/topic,1081.msg10930.html#msg10930).
Lines on these charts are NOT GPS tracks, just my interpretation of the position reports and my FREEHAND drawing on the chart image.
18 October 2007: Crossing from Lake Worth, Florida to West End, Grand Bahama
(http://i128.photobucket.com/albums/p199/LewisAcid/FaithInBahamas/faith_bahamas06a.png)
18 October 2007 - 28 November 2007: Grand Bahama and Abacos
Arrived West End, Grand Bahama (From Lake Worth, Florida)
Mangrove Cay
Great Sale Cay
Allen's Pensacola Cay
Crab Cay (Hurricane Noel)
Green Turtle Cay
Nunjack Cay
Marsh Harbor
Great Guana Cay
Man O War Cay
Elbow Cay
Lynyard Cay (Depart for Eleuthera)
(http://i128.photobucket.com/albums/p199/LewisAcid/FaithInBahamas/faith_bahamas01b.png)
2 December 2007 - January 2008: Eleuthera and Cat Island
Arrived Spanish Wells, Eleuthera (from Lynyard Cay, Abacos)
Through Current Cut
Governor's Harbor
Rock Sound
Around Powell Point
Weymes Bight
Little San Salvador
Bennett's Harbour, Cat Island
Smith Harbour
New Bight
Hawk's Nest Creek (Depart to Exumas)
(http://i128.photobucket.com/albums/p199/LewisAcid/FaithInBahamas/faith_bahamas02a.png)
January 2008: Exumas
Arrived Georgetown, Exumas (from Hawk's Nest Creek, Cat Island)
Norman's Pond Cay
Farmer's Cay Cut
Black Sound (Great Guana Cay)
Cambridge Cay
Thomas Cay
Hawksbill Cay (Depart for Nassau, New Providence)
(http://i128.photobucket.com/albums/p199/LewisAcid/FaithInBahamas/faith_bahamas03a.png)
25 January 2008: Nassau, Berry's and Bimini
Arrived Nassau, New Providence (from Hawksbill Cay, Exumas)
Chub Cay, Berry's
Bimini (Depart for Lake Worth Florida)
(http://i128.photobucket.com/albums/p199/LewisAcid/FaithInBahamas/faith_bahamas04a.png)
31 December, 2008: Crossing back to Florida
(http://i128.photobucket.com/albums/p199/LewisAcid/FaithInBahamas/faith_bahamas05a.png)
Finally, an overview of the 4 month trip:
(http://i128.photobucket.com/albums/p199/LewisAcid/FaithInBahamas/faith_bahamas07a.png)
John,
You made my morning! That is really great! Thank you very much....
You are quite welcome. Sorry it took so long to do this.
I re-read the entire thread this week; great reading, and now lots of wishing/dreaming! Thank YOU for 'taking us along.'
John, By showing the route on the charts you have done exactly what I was thinking about. Visually expressing the cruise on the charts really makes it seem even more real, since although the cruiser moves on to the next anchorage and eventually returns to his home port, the geographic places remain, waiting to be revisited.
Great work.
Grog to you.
Craig & Rose, Congratulations again on your cruise. I'm looking forward to rereading and being taken along (as JR says) again. Until some of us get down there ourselves, it's the next best thing, and an escape from and help in getting through the long winter.
Grog to you, too.
Quote from: Captain Smollett on October 07, 2011, 10:54:55 AM
I took the liberty of putting together a trip summary for Faith's 2007-2008 time in the Bahamas like I did for the first part of Connie's trip on s/v Pixie Dust (http://sailfar.net/forum/index.php/topic,1081.msg10930.html#msg10930).
Lines on these charts are NOT GPS tracks, just my interpretation of the position reports and my FREEHAND drawing on the chart image.
18 October 2007: Crossing from Lake Worth, Florida to West End, Grand Bahama
(http://i128.photobucket.com/albums/p199/LewisAcid/FaithInBahamas/faith_bahamas06a.png)
18 October 2007 - 28 November 2007: Grand Bahama and Abacos
Arrived West End, Grand Bahama (From Lake Worth, Florida)
Mangrove Cay
Great Sale Cay
Allen's Pensacola Cay
Crab Cay (Hurricane Noel)
Green Turtle Cay
Nunjack Cay
Marsh Harbor
Great Guana Cay
Man O War Cay
Elbow Cay
Lynyard Cay (Depart for Eleuthera)
(http://i128.photobucket.com/albums/p199/LewisAcid/FaithInBahamas/faith_bahamas01b.png)
2 December 2007 - January 2008: Eleuthera and Cat Island
Arrived Spanish Wells, Eleuthera (from Lynyard Cay, Abacos)
Through Current Cut
Governor's Harbor
Rock Sound
Around Powell Point
Weymes Bight
Little San Salvador
Bennett's Harbour, Cat Island
Smith Harbour
New Bight
Hawk's Nest Creek (Depart to Exumas)
(http://i128.photobucket.com/albums/p199/LewisAcid/FaithInBahamas/faith_bahamas02a.png)
January 2008: Exumas
Arrived Georgetown, Exumas (from Hawk's Nest Creek, Cat Island)
Norman's Pond Cay
Farmer's Cay Cut
Black Sound (Great Guana Cay)
Cambridge Cay
Thomas Cay
Hawksbill Cay (Depart for Nassau, New Providence)
(http://i128.photobucket.com/albums/p199/LewisAcid/FaithInBahamas/faith_bahamas03a.png)
25 January 2008: Nassau, Berry's and Bimini
Arrived Nassau, New Providence (from Hawksbill Cay, Exumas)
Chub Cay, Berry's
Bimini (Depart for Lake Worth Florida)
(http://i128.photobucket.com/albums/p199/LewisAcid/FaithInBahamas/faith_bahamas04a.png)
31 December, 2008: Crossing back to Florida
(http://i128.photobucket.com/albums/p199/LewisAcid/FaithInBahamas/faith_bahamas05a.png)
Finally, an overview of the 4 month trip:
(http://i128.photobucket.com/albums/p199/LewisAcid/FaithInBahamas/faith_bahamas07a.png)
Thanks again John. :). I still refer back to these images you created in trying to recall where I went and when!