An old girlfriend just called.....

[Jim_ME]

Was thinking what a wonderful little boat this is and how simple you can actually cruise.

Glad to know that you're happy with the boat and your cruising is going so well.  :)

We did the intercoastal waterway into West Palm Beach, the crossing to the west end, from there to Green turtle and now on to Hopetown, all on my cell phone. No need for thousands in electronics at all.

Is there a special app that you're using for this?

Hopetown lighthouse looking very festive

Yes, very festive! 
Looks like it's AKA Elbow Reef Lighthouse?

[Frank]

Yep....that’s the lighthouse
One of, if not “thee last” manned, kerosene fired lighthouses in the world!

I love “iSailor”.... although it changed its name now..
“Wartsila isailor”
Free app
$25 for charts of eastern Florida and all Bahamas
I have navionics as well but so used to iSailor

The lighthouse tonight from the dingy...

[s/v Faith]

So good to see her lit and the Christmas lights up….  Thank you for sharing the view Frank.

[Frank]

Off to Marsh Harbour
A stiff breeze, broad reach over blue-green water...
Life doesn’t get much better

[Jim_ME]

Life doesn’t get much better

Sweet!  :)

Thanks for the details on the navigation app.

[Frank]

Here’s a screen shot from my iPad right now.
Many features...
Coarse, speed, heading etc
Anchor alarm an others
Extremely easy to plot and save a coarse
Very intuitive app... great for grey hairs 😄

[Jim_ME]

Very cool!  :)

Great, now if I can just remember to stay on the blue areas and off the tan ones... ???

[Norman]

Our intrepid leader and guide has sailed right through the anchorage, and into the shoals before anchoring. 

Fortunately, he has not presented himself as a "Pilot" and led us astray, and previously advised that his current vessel requires minimal water depth, and going ashore is a wading event, no dinghy required unless to a formal affair.

That screen shot has all the information needed for most sailing. Good product.

[Frank]

Craig..
The sail far sticker finally is gone. Ole tractor is rusting away. Way worst shape than a couple years ago..

Grabbers is rebuilt
Nippers almost… will have a soft opening Dec 27

[Frank]

With all this covid talk, thought I’d lighten things up.

Merry Christmas to all

And yes, safety first!

[Frank]

Christmas sunrise from Manjack harbour...

[Jim_ME]

"...All is calm, all is bright..."

I was listening to Christmas carols on public radio as I viewed your photo.

Thank you, Frank. Next best thing to being there. :)

[Frank]

Have a great day Jim
Hi to your dad

[Jim_ME]

With all this covid talk, thought I’d lighten things up.

I saw this and thought...ah...what a clever way to hide your masks, at least at Xmas time...

Then I started to wonder...masks...hmm...are they wearing these of their own free choice or is there some kind of Bahamian Manjack Mandate in effect...? ???

I could feel my hairs start to tingle like they were going to burst into flames!  ;)

[Jim_ME]

Frank, I've been reading some of your thread "Allure to the Abacos/15". Can you believe that was nearly 7 years ago? Seems much more recent than that.

I'm reading your post on Feb 01, 2015 "Thoughts after a few weeks out:" about your then new previous boat. I'm wondering what your thoughts are now and how you would compare the two boats and the experience so far of going down in size?

[Frank]

Go back to 2007 and thoughts on the Flicka...
Yep, time marchs on...

It wasn’t downsizing as much as getting this ole boat back.
Always loved it. Found the interior amazing for its length.
It sails really well too.

My thoughts on a good cruising boat are general and many would qualify.

Shallow draft! I say this first as be it Bahamas or Florida Keys... sub 3ft opens up so many opportunities!
Comfortable double bunk that doesn’t need to be “set up”
The ability for 2 people to lay back and read comfortably on a rainy day
A private head. I may be modest but some things in life are best not shared
Dodger and sun shade
Fun to sail
Decent water tankage
Solar now makes a refrigerator so easy... cold beer IS nice

This little boat does the above well.
It was inexpensive and being older, a mark doesn’t drive you crazy

The 165 watt adjustment mount (simple to do) panel and 2 golf cart batteries runs the fridge 24-7

[Frank]

“In praise of shallow draft”

When at Green Turtle Cay I’ve typically rented a mooring ball in Black Sound if it was windy (bad holding) or anchored exposed out front if calm.
The town harbour is extremely shallow and the one little bay that the locals call “the creek”  had a small tri anchor there years ago but nothing since as it’s only 3ft at low tide.
I’ve always thought how nice it would be to anchor there and how easy it would be to row ashore.... not to mention no mooring ball fees!
A friend sent me this drone shot.
Nice to see déjà vu nestled in so close in town.
First time in many years for a boat to be there

Shallow draft rocks

[Frank]

I’m not a Marsh Harbour fan... too busy, not walking friendly and just generally hectic.
In the Abacos it is a go-to place for the best grocery selections at the lowest prices, the airport as well as hardware etc. Sort of a necessary evil.
Must say the sunsets have been awesome the last few days!
Will blow 22+ on the hook tonight! It has great holding as well!

[Frank]

We’ve had some incredible weather the last few weeks!
Minimal wind or rain and lots of sun.
I was in Marsh Harbour as Bev flew back Saturday.
Sailed to Guana yesterday and underway to Green Turtle today to hunker down for a week of front after front.
The old adages :
“red sky in morning... sailors warning”
and
“Calm before the storm”
hold true as the sky was red this morning and although I started the day ghosting along in very light air, even that breeze quit.
I’m motoring now...
Will be gusting over 30 tomorrow this time.

[CharlieJ]

Envious- not jealous- wish I was there
;)

 







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