Pics o' Franks Trip

[AdriftAtSea]

Frank-

I think it is cruel and unusual to say you lost the computer overboard and not give details.  :D

[Frank]

Not really any funny story...simply put in on the side deck to get on..as I had done many times...the case flap came open and it slid out, in what seemed SLOW MOTION !! Wanted a new one anyway but had Xmas,B-day etc pics on it that were not backed up :-(

[AdriftAtSea]

Man, that's stinks...not even a memorable story to go with it... And it always seems like the laptop moves in slow-motion when ever one is headed for demise...  Seeing one dropping one down the stairs about four years ago... I swear I could see each fragment of it fly apart as it bounced.

[Frank]

Judy flew in..nice to have my 'cruising buddy' here. Marsh Harbour is WAY too busy for us. Great stores and supply places but not our vision of 'cruising'. Pulled anchor and had a GREAT sail down to 'Little Harbour'. Like the name says..it is a small well protected harboar.there is a super litlle open air pub/resterant called 'Pete's pub' (famous) with 20yrs worth of signed Tshirts hanging up.There is an AMAZING shallow reef to dive just E at its entrance. Took many pics (will post later) Barracuda,rays and TOO many colours/shapes/sizes of other fish to discribe.Add in the vibrant reef vegitation and I was in AWE !! On the sail down we were wing on wing. Had the jib poled out and used a preventer on the main for the 1st time...AWESOME!!! If you don't have a preventer...rig one up!! FAST easy downwind sail with minimal roll and no jibes!! Spent 2 days there and now back in Hope Town. LOVE this place!! Had a nice fast close reach on the way back up. Made a Morgan 41 work VERY hard to pass us...enjoyed that. The little Flicka was in her element reaching and was showing from 5.5 to 6.1 knts with a reefed main/full jib in 20 knts wind. It seems to blow steady here. A quiet day this time of year is 10-15knts wind.GREAT sailing.Lots to catch up on..many stories to tell..little laptop time :-(

[AdriftAtSea]

And I though it was because you were just enjoying the beautiful weather and sailing down there that you weren't keeping us updated... ;)

[Pixie Dust]

I agree with Frank. I was in the Bahamas in 2001 and I did not care for Marsh Harbor at all.  Too Ft Lauderdalish.  :)  I loved Hope Town and Spanish.    As for Nippers,  just remember while you are drinking, it is a long walk back down that hill.  :o
I am looking forward to following in Franks footsteps over there and hopefully sharing a grog with him at some point before he heads home.   Frank, I will fill you in on the Exumas when I get there.   :D

[Frank]

My cruise is over. Jubilee, my home for over 10 weeks, is hauled out and 'on the hard' at Green Turtle Cay.I did not make it to all destinations planned but have no regrets.I learned more about the Bahamas,cruising and 'myself' this year than any cruise yet.I snorkeled more..waited on 'the right wind' more,talked to both locals and other cruisers more and developed a 'island time' mentality much better than previous cruises.I am finding that the most difficult thing about cruising is returning home.You learn about yourself..disconnected from outside influance and expectations.You get back to 'the real you' and what truly is important in your life.My biggest struggle right now is implementing many of the 'conclusions' I came to.....but I AM !!  Life need not be as complicated and hectic as we make it. Simplicity truly is KING. We need to stop blaming others or what we deem to be commitmants for our dicissions.Our 'choices' are ultimately just that...OURS !!. I've learned to say 'no' better this year. I will work less.I will not get as stressed.I will sail more.I will 'love' more. For that , I am truly thankful for my time away.      Flicka friends news letter will be doing a 'jubilee cruise' issue, so rather than use space up here, I will post a link when it is done.  I highly advise everyone to get out there,disconnect and singlehand for a few months. It will be the cheapest and best 'phyco therapy' you'll ever get ;-)

[AdriftAtSea]

Frank-

I'm looking forward to reading about your trip.  When do you go back to GTC?

[CharlieJ]

Sounds really great Frank, but I think I'll pass on the single handing ;D

Since Laura entered my life, single handing just doesn't do a thing for me anymore.

But I'll agree on all the rest- we found that to be very true on our longer cruises. Even if we were running to a schedule. NEXT time there will BE no schedule.

[Frank]

I'll be back to Jubilee no later than November. Charlie....Judy flew in to meet me at MarshHarbour and we had 3 GREAT weeks together exploring.She loves it and has always joined me as her career permits.I wish she would 'choose' less work but we all come to those decisions on our own time. I would rather her along the whole time but I enjoy singlehanding  too.

[skylark]

How feasible is it to leave the boat on the hard in that area?

I guess one would be gambling on not being hit by a hurricane.  I'm just wondering if it might be worth it to keep a small cruising boat down there and visit as time is available.  Sail a boat down there and just keep it for winter escape from the northland.

[Frank]

It is VERY feasable. Abaco yacht services at Green turtle cay is owned by an old Bahamian family.I had my beneteau 331 there in 04..survived 2 hurricanes. I have learned that the trick is the yard MUST have a paved base. Marsh harbour lost many boats going over that year (gravel base) Indiantown marina in Florida lost 27 2 yrs ago the same way. The ground becomes saturated with water...'soft'..the stands sink in and the dominos start falling. They used 4 stands AND a wooden cradle for Jubilee. I feel BETTER than if it were in Florida...cheaper too ;-)   The hick-up is that after 1 year you must either leave,pay $500 for another year (up to 3 max) or pay duty @ 27% if below 30ft or 7% if over 30ft. With SO much time/energy lost waiting for a 'window' just getting there...the thought of flying in,launching and GOING is very appealing.  PS..Abaco yacht services will let you 'do it yourself' to boot!!

[skylark]

What is the storage fee?

Did you see any boats for sale there?

It would be awesome to have a small sailboat down there, since I'm on the hard from September to April up here.  I only have a couple of weeks vacation each winter, though.  Maybe a charter would be a better idea.

A small classic plastic timeshare set up simply for low maintenance would be another option.   Even a trailer boat might work.

[Frank]

Fee is $5.10 per ft per mth...NO 40ft minimum like most in Florida.

[CapnK]

A small classic plastic timeshare set up simply for low maintenance would be another option.

...and "Revival" is up for sale again... Hmmm...

sailFar Charters - the opposite of most charter companies - a small, classic, minimalist boat, already where you want to be... ;D

[AdriftAtSea]

Sounds like Capn K has a new business model in mind...

[Frank]

  The 'Flicka Friends' article on last winters cruise with pics will be out very soon...I'll post a link.    I'm finally getting a lil breathing room after playing catch-up and walk out here at work.  I've been reflecting on last winters cruise.  Some neat, if personal notes. Like many of us..I've had my share of ups and DOWNS but the last number of years have been getting increasingly better as I make better 'choices'. My lil Flicka is named "Jubilee"......"a joyous celibration"......Jubilee in the Hebrew Scriptures, "a year of rest to be observed by the Israelites every 50th year, during which slaves were to be set free".    Well...I turned 50 on Jubilee at Green Turtle Cay this year. I certainly feel 'like a slave set free' as I'm retiring and heres the big news..Judy proposed to me onboard at HopeTown (these darn modern women) so in my life it certainly has been a celebration as of this past few years. Here's to a fine lil yacht called "Jubilee"    PS...as to her proposal...I replied "yes..if you take of me when I get older"...she responded "define older".....I replied "50" ;)

[Zen]

Congrats and happy belated!  ;D

[oded kishony]

Quick question about the Flika. I've noticed that the ones with outboard engines don't have an enclosed head, while diesel equipped ones do. Are there two models of Flika?

Oded Kishony

[Frank]

The enclosed head was a option after about 1984 +/-.   With early Flickas, the diesel was an option..both later became 'standard'...so there are open interiors with diesel and enclosed heads with OB's too. All depends on how and when they were ordered and built. There are wild differences in Flickas...All have the same hull, but interior trims,exterior trims,bridgedecks,storm hoods for companionway hatch,location of tankage,deck coring material etc etc are different on many as they progressed. The later ones,although no better hulls, had the best offerings of standard features.