A new thread for pics etc of Franks '07 journey. He'll be emailing pics to me whenever he can, and then they'll get posted here...
"Jubilee' at anchor in Manatee Pocket, awaiting parts and some fixin'...
Doesn't she look fine and ready to just GO? :D
Man, that is a BEA-UTIFUL boat. :) :)
She looks chompin at the bit to get back out there, too.
QuoteDoesn't she look fine and ready to just GO?
That she does. ;D
Looking forward to lots more pictures.
Excellent... :D
great loooking boat!
MADE IT !!!...This e mail coming to you from a very tired but happy guy in the Bahamas. Quite a crossing. No 'great' windows and the 'not too bad' one today was the last for a while.Left @ 5.30 am. Calling for 15-20 knt winds from the SW. Wind sounded stronger at the mornin alarm , so I reefed main and jib and left. Was't too bad so I shook out the reef in the jib...then main.Winds moved more direct S and builtup, so back in the main..then jib too. Sailing @ 5.6-6.1 !! About 20knm out the weather warning came on.."tornado formations have touched down and this storm is moving across to St Lucie , then offshore"....at this speed and distance out, it sure was a vulnerable feeling. Winds kept building.Near the end..a 40fter with dble reefed main and 90% jib sailed by me. Met them here at West end and they told me that wind was steady 25knt with gusts over 30. Seas were low of 3 to over 10ft by the end. HAPPY to get tied up/shower/rum. Felt kinda 'beat up'. The adventure begins ;D PS...I never once felt 'unsafe' in the flicka...uncumfortable at times but not unsafe.
Great to hear you made it ok Frank! (Grog)
You may not know this but that same front destroyed lots of ground across 3 counties in central Florida! It spanned tornadoes there that did lots of dammage.
Glad you were safe in your PS storm shelter ;D
Will look forward to some pictures when you get a chance.
I read about it this AM.Too bad for those people.Other than VHF..my last computer 'check' on weather was thurs AM. All looked good. When it didn't 'feel right' friday morning....I literally called Judy At 445 am (yes,she was impressed) to pull up the weather site for me as I had no access at that point. Still came up the same with no mention of what was to come.VHF weather was also unchanged.
Wow, Frank, there's a good lesson there for all of us. Even with the modern gizmos, Intarweb, computers, VHF/WX radio, YOUR instincts were still superior.
Glad you made it okay. Grog for ya.
Oh, I am Sooo jealous! Sail Frank sail....
From where did you leave? Stuart or father south? Storm warnings. Often, it seems, the weather is rougher on shore and along shore than offshore. Cold and ice are the exception. They are brutal anywhere.
We have lost a few fishing boats in the cold windy New England weather of late. Ice builds up on the superstructure and the fishing boat rolls over. Eveyone dies.
A Gloucester fisherman was quoted in the paper today:
"I think I am protected by the ocean; it's kept me out of car accidents all these years."
quote Jack Flaherty, Gloucester fisherman of 37 years.
Boston Globe, B1, 3feb07
Jack is right.
I hope the groundhog is right and that the sailing season up here in New England arrives soon.
People often underestimate how much weight a layer of ice can add to a boat... it really can shift the center of gravity upwards significantly. Ice is a serious danger, especially when we were experiencing temperatures in the teens with a wind chill factor of down in the -15-20˚ range. Even salt water spray can freeze on contact with metal or saltwater ice when you've got 30-40 degrees of frost.
Norm..I left from st Lucie (Stuart). Coarse is 99...but with my 'slow boat' and the stream, I sailed 138mag. A bit overcompinsated but figured it would be too easy to come up a bit with the stream and S wind than try sailing down into it later if I too high. The stream is funny...some days seem way stronger/faster than others. I was being conservative.
Pics in from Senor Frank. ;)
He says:
QuoteRough trip!! A few pics...edit at will. 1-sunrise 'out there'
2- best way to flatten a wave is take a pic of it 3-tied up at
westend..SMALLEST boat there ps..the 'wave pic' was when it just
started to blow...wasn't thinking pics after that when it got a lot
worst. pss note how 'nice' it was @ sunrise,reefs shaken out,close
reaching @ 4.8-5knts
(http://sailfar.net/frank/sunrise_on_the_Xing.jpg)
(http://sailfar.net/frank/crossing_wind.jpg)
(http://sailfar.net/frank/jubilee_at_westend.jpg)
And last - Frank calls this one "Sportfishermans dinghy". ;D
(http://sailfar.net/frank/sportfishermans_dingy.jpg)
LOL- Sportsfisherman's dinghy is right. I almost missed his boat in front of the behemoth... What do you think the fuel costs to take that sucker out for the day...
ROFL- we have a picture of Tehani like that- in amongst some crew boats and a tow boat. Made her look TINY ;D
Glad you made the crossing ok Frank. There are a couple boats posting on CSBB who waited just a TAD too long.
Looks like you JUST beat it out.
Really nice pics.
And, that's a really nice boat you have there Frank.
After a rather 'bumpy' crossing last friday to the WestEnd,I took saturday to relax and regroup. Got up sunday to a forcast of a front coming thru 'again' but decided to head out anyway.A tralorsailing buddy is flying in to meet me this saturday for a week at GreenTurtle and I wanted a lil extra time getting there. About 18knm out on the banks on route to Great Sale (a 44knm passage) I saw the huge clouds coming with the wind already building. I kept going but the thought of reefing,pounding into it again,rain and being soaked set in and well....I wussed out !! After the crossing I just wasn't up to it so soon....I turned back.Came back in just in time.The winds blew over 30kn that night with just a driving rain. Monday was also terrible with yesterday both wind and rain laying down a bit. So...now wed. am I had to decide...to do 3 long days with no 'fun time' to Green Turtle or have him fly into WestEnd saturday instead. After talking to the marina staff about rates, I came to find out the weekly rate was less than 4 days....deal done.So..I've got a few nice days to relax at 'ole Bahama Bay resort' The dockage allows you full run of the resort.Nice pools, beautiful beach and great staff. It is great having friends visit but makes your decision making somewhat hampered.Had it not been for Doug coming (and I am happy he's visiting)..I would be liesurely crossing the bank this morning with lots of 'play time' and no schedule. Like most things in life..pros and cons to everything. PS..they don't TELL you about the weekly rate...I asked
Where is Frank, and why does he not torture us?
The weather is too nice where he is at for him to spend time on a computer... so he has abandoned us for the time being... ;)
Hi all I lost my computer overboard (honest)..Judy just flew in last night and brought me a new one. This message coming to you from Marsh Harbour, Abaco Islands Bahamas.Can't post any pics...camera-computer cord lost in same mishap.All I can say is " GET YOUR BUTTS OVER HERE"!!! Been from West End to GreatSale Cay..on to AllensPensacolaCay..walked to the N Atlantic side to read the 'signing trees' and walk the beach....next night went to the 'hurricane hole' on the SE end and dingied to the beautiful little islands and beachs out back.Next came ManJack Cay.Just an awsome broadreach all the way down!! Way past hullspeed and FUN!! LOVE the island. Friends Bill and Leslie built there 15yrs ago. They are cruiser-friendly and have built an island paradice!!After poking around a few days it was off to Green Turtle Cay. Got a mooring ball in BlackSound. Only $10 per night and when a 35-40knot blow came thru as forcast, I was glad to not worry about dragging anchors (mine AND other boats!)I love NewPlymouth (the town there) and have got to know its shopkeepers and bartenders. Friendly,clean and pretty place. After a bit too long there I tried sailing south but an easterly exposed passage called 'the whale' was just settling down from a 'Rage Sea' ..local expresion of conditions when a strong E wind 'boils' the passage. Decided to turn back and had a beautiful beam reach all the way back to ManJack and a wonderful evening with 2 other couples on the back of a Morgan38 with a visit by Bill to watch the sunset. Made the passage in total calm the next day motoring.Wind came up a bit and sailed into Guanna Cay. WARNING...Nippers bar serves STRONG drink!!! From there it was sail own to HopeTown with its protected harbour,clean little streets,well kept pastel coloured cottage/homes and the famous red/white striped lighthouse. I fell in love with the place!! BEAUTIFUL!!! On to Marsh Harbour as Judy was flying in.BUSY harbour with tons of boats and as many stores/shops/supplies as you are going to get in this end of the world. Great holding when ya anchor. Off to 'lil Harbour' soon...then retrace steps. Guess the Exumas can waite.This is the first time sailing further E than Green Turtle and as much as I love New Plymouth with its super friendly people and great lil harbour...Hope Town has become a new 'favorite'. I post more later and pics once a new cable is located.
Frank-
I think it is cruel and unusual to say you lost the computer overboard and not give details. :D
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 :-(
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.
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 :-(
And I though it was because you were just enjoying the beautiful weather and sailing down there that you weren't keeping us updated... ;)
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
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 ;-)
Frank-
I'm looking forward to reading about your trip. When do you go back to GTC?
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.
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.
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.
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!!
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.
Fee is $5.10 per ft per mth...NO 40ft minimum like most in Florida.
Quote from: skylark on April 02, 2007, 04:22:37 PMA 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
Sounds like Capn K has a new business model in mind...
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" ;)
Congrats and happy belated! ;D
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
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.
Quote from: Frank on May 26, 2007, 08:55:40 PM
......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". ....
I am afraid I must take issue with your post Frank.
The other very important part of the Jubilee that you neglected to mention was that any one who held debt was to forgive the debt. This pointed to the future sacrifice that was to lead to the forgiveness of debt....... and was a greatly anticipated part of the jubilee celebration.
I am particularly reminded of this aspect of the jubilee when I consider your posts here, and the things you have shared (especially with me and my wife). Your encouragement to 'SailFar', to actually get out there and do it is something that creates a debt that is difficult to repay.
Thank you for the material and more so for the notes you sent to me. Rose and I have been pouring over them, and they have added greatly to our excitement for our upcoming 'journey'.
Thank you. ;D
Rose and I Congratulate you both, and wish you the very best in your future together!
Thanks Craig After meeting Judy, our 1st real 'date' 5 yrs ago had to be posponed as I was leaving to commision a boat. She has been on every cruise south since as her career permits and just loves the Bahamas an it's people too. We are both looking forward to an ever increasing amount of time spent there....and beyond ;)
Here is the link to the story about last years cruise found in "Flicka Friends" http://www.flicka20.com/ff/ff_12_01.pdf
Thanks for the link Frank. :D