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Last Up date
19/May/05 Voyage Log
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Voyage Log 2004-05 Season |
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May 19th, 05
Big Sand Cay to Luperon, Dominican Republic
Second wind had torn their main sail, so pulled out at 10am to give them
plenty of time for an early morning arrival in Luperon. We left at 4.30
pm, after enjoying a couple of hours on the beach. With light winds on
our stern...it was difficult to trim the sails so as not to jibe...about
20 miles out the wind dropped to 4 to 5 knots...so we motorsailed.
As we approached the DR, the first thing we noticed was the earthy smell
of the land...and then we got to see the lush green forest on the mountain
sides....very different to the Bahamas and Caicos Islands.
We really feel like we're in the tropics...its so hot here. Early morning
the heat is almost unbearable...until a cool breeze develops about 9am...and
then the rest of the day is pleasant in the shade.
We had barely dropped anchor when the local commandante boarded us....saying
they were from the navy. After checking our boats papers and passports....we
were told a "donation" was expected.....and then dinghy'd in
to the immigration office....Firstly we saw the custom officer who stamped
our passports US$27, then immigration $10 each, harbour fees $11....and
then later we were boarded again by agriculture inspectors...checked the
fridge, freezer and our ships stores, fruit vegetables...and another $20....
All the officials, very friendly, very polite...and very handsome well
dressed people.
Papos, a local came alongside and sold us a courtesy flag for $10...and
wanted to bring us fuel and water.
A short walk into town, we found Steve's Place, and our friends from Second
Wind had beaten us to it....already sitting drinking a big Presidente beer
with anoter couple.....as we sat down together i thought to myself...they
look familiar.....must have crossed paths before...thern they said they
were from Texas...turns out they were from the same marina as us...Bahia
Marina...and they pulled out 2 days before us last November!! ....What
a small world!! We caught up on local marina news ...who was where...doing
what.
After having lunch and changing some money, we headed back to the boat...stopping
off for a beer with Doug on Durabo...it was good to talk again.
Still not sure if we are going to stay here for the hurricane season.....the
options seem to be here or Salinas in Puerto Rico...or all the way down
island to Venezuela...and it seem like a shame to rush thru the best cruising
ground in the world...we're gonna check it out here for a few days and
then make a decision.
Luperon Bay from the Yacht Club |
Doug and Stacey |
May 18th, 05
Ambergris Cay to Big Sand Cay
Slowly worked oour way thru the coral heads and then set a course for Big
Sand Cay...As we approached we could see two Cats at anchor....one was
Durabo...just getting ready for the crossing to Luperon.
Talked on the Radio...and wished them a safe crossing Second wind was at
anchor beside us for the second night...heading in the same direction.
We soon got to be friends, had cocktails and dinner on Maranatha...backed
barracuda and pasta with cheese sauce....and fresh backed bread from second
wind...still warm from the oven...and so delicious.
Durabo pulling out before us!! |
Hiro....busy in the galley!! |
May 17th, 05
Sapodilla Bay, Provodenciales to Big Ambergris Cay
After doing custom clearance and checking out of the Turks and Caicos Islands
on Monday afternoon, we were all set for an early departure on Tuesday.
Pulled anchor at 06.30 for the 50 mile trip to Big Ambergris.
The fishing was great going across the caicos bank, just trolling a line
we caught a nice big Red Snapper, before I'd even had time to get the knife
and cutting board out, we caught a Barracuda....and then as I was filleting
the two fish, caught another Barracuda. That evening we had english style
fish and chips...the barracuda was delicious!!
Just before pulling into the beach at ambergris we noticed that our mast
head wind/speed instrument had bent over 90 degrees.....the seas were calm,
so after anchoring and getting settled, I hoisted Hiro up to the top of
the mast....he said the view was spectacular...and could see sting rays
swimming around the boat!!
As he tried to straighten the mast head unit its bracket snapped off......so,
it needed a repair job at the top of the mast!! Hiro re-drilled the bracket
...and within an hour it was repaired....I was impressed....
 
First catch of the day...and second.... |
just another sunset.... |
May 10th, 05
Southeast Point Mayaguana to Sapodilla Bay, Caicos Islands
After clearing the reef we cut the engine and sailed with Jib and Main.
A beautiful night.... two stern lights in front to lead the way!! After
a couple of hours we could see the lights of Durabo coming up behind us...the
big cat was making 9 knots compared to our 6.
As we approached the Sandbourne Channel leading into Sapodilla bay we could
see Durabo and One More Time right in front of us, and Quest a mile or
two behind us. The 4 boats were soon all anchored side by side again!
After clearing customs...(only $5 compared to $300 for the Bahamas) we
headed into town, but realizing it was too far to walk, we headed back
to the boat...and planned to go into town the next day.
Later Doug and Casey stopped by....they had picked up a rental car in town,
we agreed to split the cost, and keep the car for a few days....the next
morning the 4 of us set off to explore the island. Doug wanted to check
out the Marina's to see if he could get in for fuel and water...so we stopped
and had a great lunch there together. Just after cheking out the conch
farm, the car got a flat tire....and there was no spare in the trunk....but
no big deal, on a small island, we had another car in 20 minutes...and
the A/C was much better!
By mid afternoon we were exhaused from all the exploring, and headed back
to the boat for a rest.
The next morning, 9am we started another day of exploring the island, running
errands to the marine store, supermarket...we even managed to find ink
cartridges for the printer.
At the end f the day it was good to relax....we all got together on Durabo
for cocktails/dinner. The next morning, after last minute errands we returned
the rental car....soon after, Doug and Casey came over with beers for breakfast...Hiro
had just finished cooking so we had ham eggs and beer !!
Sunday morning Durabo pulled out to head for South Caicos....but we were
concerned about the weather, and decided to wait one more day, and then
take the Little Ambergris route.....hope we run into each other again...really
enjoyed the last few days together.
Katsudon....trying to keep Hiro happy! |
Des and Casey on Durabo |
...and no spare!! |
May 7th to 9th, 05
Conception Island to Mayaguana
The wind for heading south was perfect....we had planned to stop at Rum
Cay, but as we approached at noon, we agreed it would be a waste not to
use the wind for going south, and set a course for the 150 mile trip to
Mayaguana.
Overnight the seas built to 8 to 10 feet, and we thought about dropping
off for somewhere closer....but didn't want to make an approach in the
dark...the seas were quite uncomfortable, but we were making 6 to 7 knots
with jib and main reefed. hen we dropped anchor at noon the next day, we
knew we had made the right decision, now just a short hop to the Caicos.
All night i'd been listening to radio chatter between "Quest"
and "One More Time"....I knew the name Quest from the anchorage
in Georgetown, so after sitting at anchor for a couple of hours it was
good to see quest approaching us. I called on the VHF and learned that
Quest and One More Time had left Rum Cay just after we passed by, and had
taken the same overnight course.
Quest was captained by a lovely lady called Judy, single handing....and
on One More Time Lorraine was sailing with her 14yr old son and 6 yr old
daughter. The following morning after a good sleep, Quest followed us into
Abrahams Bay, as Hiro sat up on the Bow Sprit and guided us thru the coral
heads. Dropped anchor in 7 feet of water and then dinghy'd into town....to
use the term Town is an overstatement...a settlement...a collection of
a few buildings is what we found....but there was an office where we could
do customs clearance out of the Bahamas.
The next morning we all headed in to do customs clearance, and thats when
we met Doug and his daughter Casey of "Durabo"...the big Catamaran
anchored beside us. It turned out that we were all heading in the same
direction. At 2pm we pulled anchor and Hiro guided us out of Abrahams Bay,
Quest following closely behind us. We had planned to stage at Southeast
Point for a midnight departure for the run over to Provdenciales.
One more time and Durabo were already tucked into the lee of the reef...we
pulled in close behind them, all 4 vessels ready for the same trip.
Judy and Lorraine pulled out as planned at midnight, I managed to spill
a pot of coffee all over the galley, so after the clean-up, and a fresh
opt of coffee, we pulled out 30 minutes later.
Hiro...on his way over to "one more time" |
Judy on Quest
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...stopped to rest his legs..!! |
May 6th, 05
GeorgeTown to Conception Island
Left the convenience of this great anchorage at 8am....motored out thru
the reefs...and by 9am we were in open deep water, with lots of wind we
put all the sails up for the 50 mile trip. The weather forcast was for
the wind to shft around from SE to SW overnight. so we decided to anchor
on the east side of the island, tucked up by Booby Cay....and it was the
right choice, when we woke the next morning the wind had shifted round
and we were in the lee of the island.
The snorkeling around Conception Island was spectacular....again, wish
we had an underwater camera.
25th April to May 5th, 05
GeorgeTown
Anchored off Monument beach for the first night, and then dinghy'd across
the bay to the dinghy dock, ....but it was too far, and by the time we
got there we were both soaking wet. The next morning we pulled anchor and
moved over to Regatta Point.
We were thrilled when the races started.....in the best possible place,
with an unobstructed view of all the action. Watching these guys balance
the boats was a treat...we sat on deck and enjoyed the races....with a
cocktail or two...every afternoon.
Georgetown Family Regatta |
All the action...right in front of us |
Just a short ride into the dinghy dock, everything was close at hand. Free
water!!....supermarket, bank, liquor store, hardware store, laundry, restaurants
and bars....everything was right there, even internet access...and a propane
filling station...obvious why cruisers love Georgetown!!
Spent a day in the dink exploring the bays and beaches of the redshanks
area, but once we had recieved the fedex package of charts and guides to
the caribbean, we decided to pull out and head south.
Cocktail time...again!! |
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Georgetown...entrance to dinghy dock |
25th April 05
Big Farmers Cay to GeorgeTown
After checking the weather and pulling the dink up into its davits, we
pulled out just after 9am...thru Galliot Cut into the Atlantic. We were
taken aback to see the seas raging so fiercely in front of us. The atlantic
waters changed from hundreds of feet deep to just 30ft at the cut between
the rocks. The towering waves were breaking in front of us as we powered
thru at 7 knots.....The first thing I said to Hiro was "get your safety
harness on"....Once we were both clipped in and secured, we put the
cockpit cushions down below deck...The waves were breaking on the bowsprit
and landing in the cockpit, there was white foam everywhere!!
As we powered thru, we could see that the seas to each side of the cut
were relatively calm...blowing 18 to 20 knots....so we gritted our teeth,
got smashed about for 10 minutes, and made it into calmer waters.
....as we raised the main and headed south for GeorgeTown, we had a wonderful
blow on the beam all the way down the coast...we made it into Elizabeth
Harbour at 4pm, an hour earlier than expected.
The approach was very shallow, just 18 inches below the keel as we worked
our way along the channel.....both wished we had dropped the main and motored
in...anchored just off Monument Beach and then dropped and secured the
sail in the calm waters ...Iv'e told Hiro I want a Stack Pack for my birthday...!!!
It'll make sail handling so much easier...especially in rough weather.
After pulling out of Big Farmers Cay, I had set our trolling line with
a lure, attached to a bungy clip, hoping to catch something for dinner....
mid afternoon, I noticed the bungy clip was tight....and started to pull
it in......the pressure on the line almost took my fingers off !! ...............we
had caught a fish !!
As I pulled the line in and this " fish " got closer...i could
see it was huge...yellow and green, about 3 feet long. As I pulled it alongside
the boat, i was tempted to let it go,...it was just so spectacular...its
color, its markings....it was the first time I'd caught anthing like this....
I hooked it, wrapped it in a wet towel, and pulled it aboard.....and laid
it on the deck, up front beside the anchor wash down hose....to make the
clean up easy!!
The next thing was to figure out what it was...and what to do with it....it
was just so big...
Fortunately, I'd bought a book "How to cook your catch", ...so
started reading!....it turns out I'd caught a Dorado....
By the time I'd figured out what to do with it, the fish was dead...or
had stopped moving anyway....so I followed the instructions, and sliced
two large fillets and then sliced smaller cuts for us to eat with Soy Sauce
and Wasabi
About a half hour after pulling the fish aboard, I had it packed into Zip
lock bags ready for for the freezer...and the rest we ate fresh...it was
so good...the fist time we'd had real fresh sashimi since leaving Japan..
Our first catch! |
24th April 05
Staniel Cay to Big Farmers Cay
The forcast was for the wind to shift round to the SW at 10 to 15 knots...and
it did, but the swell made our anchorage very rolly.
We pulled out before 9am, and headed south in a brisk 18 to 20 knot wind
with 3 to 4 foot swell. We made good speed (6 to 7 knots the whole way),
and we were anchored again before 1pm., so we had plenty of time to dinghy
ashore and explore. For the first time, the dinghy engine wouldnt start....something
we need to look at when we get to Georgetown.
Finally.... the engine started and we went ashore...climbed to the highest
point on the island, and enjoyed the views,we had the Atlantic on one side,
and the Bahama Banks on the other side.
The Atlantic from Big Farmers Cay |
At anchor in the bay |
22nd April 05
Hawksbill Cay to Staniel Cay
Another relaxing morning in the sunshine, after checking weather, and a
leisurely coffee we pulled anchor at 11am and decided to head for Staniel
Cay , about 25 miles south, so we figured we woud arrive at 4pm. Winds
were light, east at 8 to 10 knots,calm seas, with all the sails up we were
only making 4.5 to 5.5 knots, but the sun was shining all day...we rolled
the bimini back and enjoyed the sun.
By the time we pulled into Staniel Cay my shoulders were starting to burn.
It was our most picturesque anchorage yet, islands and sand banks on 3
sides. We decided to stay for 2 nights and spend the day enjoying the small
town and the snorkeling on the reefs.
The hightlight of the day was our visit to the grotto where James Bond
filmed Thunderball. To sday it was spectacular is a huige understatement....I
just wish i had an underwater camera with me. As we approached the grotto,
after securing out dinghy to a mooring ball, a squad of black/yellow striped
sergeant majors waited to greet us at the entrance. s we made or way into
the grotto a dramatic ray of sunshine penetrsated the crystal clear waters
below.....inside this dome like cave was like being in a different world.
Swimming amoungst hundreds of the most brightly colored tropical fish imaginable
was both thrilling....and at the same time a little claustrophobic...these
fish were obviously used to visitors to thier underwater world.
The town itself was just as charming as the grotto, we shopped first at
the pink pearl grocery store, and then went on to blue palm conenience
store, it brought back memories of Tokyo...with a convenience store on
every corner, but for and island with only 50 inhabitants......we had to
laught at the term "convenience store".
We stopped at the marina and fille dthe dinghy's fuel tank before heading
back to the boat.
Later we headed out to the sand banks as the tide receded...again, I wish
i'd taken a camera...just breathtaking pristine beaches...the best yet!
Staniel Cay Marina |
Pink Pearl Supermarket |
21st April 05
Allens Cay to Hawksbill Cay
Woke just before 7am to get the weather on the SSB, Carolyn from Nassau
first, then the local weather on VHF Ch06 from Highbourne Cay, and then
Chris Parker's synopsis on the SSB at 08.30
All were good for us heading south, east wind at 15 to 20 kts, seas 2 to
3 feet, so after saying goodbye to Steve and Dani, we pulled anchor and
headed out at 11am.
All the islands are so close, its nice to have time to have a relaxing
breakfast before pulling out. A bunch of bananas hanging in a basket in
the galley had been smashed on our crossing, (heeled over too far...and
pounding into the swell...), but it was a good reason tot have banana pancakes
for breakfast....with honey...and two pots of coffee.
We had planed to go down to the next island, but at 12.40 we were at the
waypoint to turn in, so we decided to keep going and selected an island
for a 4pm arrival.
We arrived at Hawksbill Cay, and anchored off the beach in white, white
sand. In 7 feet of water we could see every contour of the bottom, avoiding
the coral heads approaching the anchorage was easy!
The beach looked so inviting...we jumped in the dinghy, and had our arrival
beer there....we had towed the dinghy behind us for this short trip, so
didnt hasve to winch the engine down etc...
Found 4 huge conch shells, had a couple with hot chilli sauce for appetizers,
and then Hiro made sushi rolls with the other two.....trying to make sushi
with american rice was a mistake...enough said about that!!!!
Just after we got back to the the boat, two huge mega yachts pulled up
to our beach and anchored beside us...and then a few minutes later a catamaran...so
we had to share our beach/island with strangers!
19th April 05
Nassau to Allens Cay...(April 20th)
Planned to pull out but the weather was not good, left the marina before
noon, and then back to the anchorage, readt to leave the next morning.
Pushing off from the fuel dock, in 25 knot winds, we lost our starboard
nav light off the bow sprit...AGAIN!....so, after getting settled at anchor,
we dinghy'd in to buy a replacement. Found some very sleek, chromed lights,
should be much more difficult to knock off than the old ones, so changed
both port and starboard....they actually look a lot better than the old
ones...lets see how long these last!
April 20th we left Nassau Harbor, 20 bto 25 knot winds, 3 to 5 ft swell,
for our trip over to Allens Cay.
Steve and Dani on Pure Insanity were ready to go too ( a week in Nassau
is more than long enough), so we made the crossing together. We took the
direct route between Yellow Bank and Middle Ground, Steve and Dani took
the South route, to avoid having to have a point man spot the coral heads
between the banks. We kept in touch on the VHF, and they pulled into the
anchorage about an hour after us.
Its like being anchored in a huge swimming pool...the water is so, sooooooo
blue, and there are Iguana's running around on the white sand beach!
Jumpe dover the side wuith my fins on and went to explore...its like swimming
around in a huge tropical aquarium...
Looking forward to the next island tommorrow....
Iguana's on the beach |
Our view at anchor |
At anchor |
Steve & Dani's Pure Insanity |
12th April 05
Chub Cay to Nassau
On April 12th we pulled out of Chub Cay without Mica. Piloting the boat
out of the narrow marina channel was taking all our attention. ..we were
fine. As we cleared the beach and peninsular, Hiro yelled at the top of
this voice "BYE BYE MICA" ....thats when I lost it....and sobbed
nearly all the way to Nassau. So many times I wanted to turn around...but
i knew in my heart that MIca had decided he wanted a different life....looking
back, i can see that he wasn't happy on the boat.
The wind had been kind to us, we approached Nassau at about 2pm,...I called
Harbour Control for permission to enter...we slowed to let 2 big cruise
liners exit, and then we made our way into the anchorage. Just after getting
settled we were startled to see a sea plane approach, and land right beside
us...I mean landed less than 50 ft away from us...and then pulled into
Atlantis.
After the sea plane did this a few times we kind of got used to it!!....talk
about a vbusy harbour, ....cruise ships, sea planes, cargo vessels, sight
seeing/party boats, sail yachts, motor yachts, ...and jet bikes flying
around everywhere....!!
The next morning we pulled into Harbor Central Marina $1- per foot /night,
and set about re-stocking our dwindling food supplies. $300 and a $12 cab
ride back to the marina, got us just about all we needed from the local
supermarket.....and a stop off at the liquor store on the way back, $100
for 2 crates of local beer(24 cans x2), 1 liter of Gin and 1 liter of Vodka.
The only thing we cant get is a refil ink cartridge for the Cannon printer.
We wished we had bought more of everything before we left the U.S......Cindy,
you were so right!!
Our next big job was to get the SSB radio working....from Chub Cay we had
lost reception of the NOAA VHF weather.
Other cruisers at the dionghy dock had told us about a lunch get together
hosted by an ex cruising couple who did weather broadcasts on SSB/VHF daily.
We were amazed to see so many cruisers attend this luncheon.....all in
transit thru Nassau, most heading back to Florida, but some like us, heading
south. The table just kept getting longer and longer as more people arrived...40
maybe 50 people in all.
I bought a copy of Chris Parker's weather book, and have actually enjoyed
studying the fundamentals of weather, and more importantly, how to read
the weather, over the last few days.
Couldn't get copper bonding foil in Nassau, so had some some Fedex'd in.....and
enjoyed a few days in Nassau waiting for the delivery.
The Marina BBQ/Pot luck party on Friday night was a great chance to get
to know who was going where. We even met Steve and Dani ( who had been
at anchor beside us near Key Largo, before our gulf stream crossing)....Itwas
great to exchange news and catch up on what had been happening.
Spending the day in Atlantis, (on Saturday, following the marina bbq, was
perhaps not the best idea, my head was very fragile...to say the least!
The aquarium at the Casino was breathtaking, but the thick glass walls,
my eyes, and my hangover, were not working well together....and then Hiro
decided he was hungry ...and we have to go and eat...just what I needed!..The
next day was better!
We fixed the SSB, and started listening to all the Caribbean weather forcasts....ignorance
can be such bliss...I started thinking we must be crazy for doing this....no,
not "we"..."I", Hiro doesn't really want to do this.....
10th April 05
Chub Cay .....Waiting For Mica....
We had planned to leave for Nassau, April 2nd at 5am.. but the wind shifted,
and our lovely anchorage at the beach turned into a rolling swell pot.....the
wind was only blowing 20 knots, but the swell and surge rolled us around
all night.
We headed out as planned but the seas were just terrible, the bow sprit
getting burried in each wave as we banged our way forward at less than
3 knots..... We did a U turn, and headed back to the anchorage...this time
trying to get as close in as we could...and out of the swell.
As the winds built...at 11am we pulled into the sheltered waters of the
marina $1.35 /foot....for an overnight stop, to let the front pass.
With us safely tied off...and shore power charging the battery's...it was
the first time we'd both had a wireless internet connection in weeks....we
spent all afternoon checking mail, and surfing on the net.
It wasn't until we were getting off the boat to take a shower that we realized
Mica was missing.....He must have jumped off the bowsprit onto the dock.....(we
were tied front- in to a fingerless dock)....jumping off the bowsprit onto
the dock was the only way off the boat.
The first night we weren't too worried, sure he would be back when we woke
the next morning. When he didn't show up...I thought he'd found a girlfriend....and
would be back that night, still not too worried. The next day when he wasn't
back we started to worry...
Posted missing cat notices all over the marina, in the office, the shop,
the showers, the laundry, the end of our dock.....worried....but still
sure we would find him.
Started walking around the marina, calling his name....telling everyone
we saw that we'd lost our cat...the locals said to try under the bungalows....as
cats hide in there....We tried looking everywhere....at 3am, 5am, 7am....trying
to find him before the noise and bussle of the day started.....then again
in the evening...A lot of other cats roaming around ...but no Mica.
Every day we walked for hours calling for him....then decided to put our
bicycles together, got them out of the lazarette locker...and started looking
further afield.....again, asking the locals as we went....but nobody had
seen him.
Different yachts would pull in...and then pull out of the marina....everyone
wishing us well...hoping that we would find Mica.
We decided to wait a week for him, but as the week passed, we just couldn't
think about leaving without him...
Hiro found a Japanese web site about lost cats, and it said they can be
ok without food and water for 10 days...and that we should make a trail
of his smell, so he can follow it home, if he's lost.
We used his cat litter, and spinkled a trail from our dock all around the
marina buildings....anywhere we thought he might be hiding....and then
it rained !!...the first time we've had rain since we left the US....so,
when it stopped raining, we got more litter from his tray, and did the
same thing again....
Now, after 10 days, we are both emotionally drained....I think we have
to accept that he is not coming home. I went to the local chapel, knelt
at the altar, and prayed that he would come home safe....(but I guess god
is not listening to a bad catholic like me).....And Hiro prayed to his
father's spirit....asking him to help mica find his way home safely.
Its heart breaking, and the idea of leaving this island without him just
makes me feel sick to the stomach...every morning we look at each other
and say...just one more day...lets wait one more day.
1st April 05
Still enjoying Chub Cay
Snorkeling on the reefs here is amazing....dinghy'd to a deserted island,
tied the dinghy off and enjoyed the delights and spectacle of the underwater
world.
Again, grilled fresh conch on the BBQ, and then made a conch chowder for
starters......
Got a wireless connection at the Chub Cay Club $15- a day, so we can do
mail and update our homepage.
Planning to leave here for Nassau April 2nd ( a 40 mile trip) |
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enjoying our own island |
Sshaving...island style!! |
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28 Mar 05
Gun Cay to Chub Cay
Planned a 5am departure for the 72mile trip across the Bahama Bank towards
Nassau, but woke to strong winds, gusting SW 35 knots, so decided to delay
for a day, or until we get better weather, Forecast is for NW 10 -15 knot
winds for tommorrow, so just having a lazy day at anchor.
After a couple more lazy days, relaxing, enjoying the white sandy beaches,
snorkeling etc....we planned our trip across the bank
Pulled anchor at 5.30 am, in the dark used the chartplotter to keep us in deep water...but just after our second waypoint, we had to slow to a crawl with just one foot of water under the keel!!....as we headed on we were relieved when depths increased to 10, then 12 and 13 feet.
About 15 miles before Chub Cay, we left the shallows of the bank and suddenly
had 600 feet of water below us.
Dropped anchor at Chub Cay...in front of the beach in 8 ft of water, just
as it was starting to get dark...it had been a long day. A couple of cold
beers was just what we needed!!.
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25 Mar 05
Gulf Stream Crossing
Prior to departure, I dinghy'd over to our neighbors, to check on who was
going where..... The couple on the boat beside us were planning to go to
the same place as us,.....but didn't want to night sail across.
The next boat, another Island Trader had seen us in Marathon, their home
port, and asked us over for cocktails. I was reluctant to drink before
our 9pm planned departure, but we wanted to go and chat...and it turned
out to be a great evening with Chris and Lani. Lani was from Bali, and
made the most delicious appetizers...spicy chicken kebabs, and corn fritters
with hot chili sauce....and we had a couple of G&T's.
After just getting to know each other, we were sorry to say goodbye...but
we knew we had to prepare for our departure....we pulled anchor at 9.30pm,
worried about crossing the reef in the dark....but the weather forecast
for a gulf stream crossing was perfect. The voice on the weather channel
had announced "gulf stream hazards - none, seas 1 to 2 feet"
We cleared the reef at 10.30pm, changed our heading for the Bahamas, Gun
Cay...and relaxed in the light winds.
About 1.30am, the cruise liners started to appear on the radar, set at
12 miles, at one point we were surrounded by 5 ships, the closest about
a mile away, I turned us up into the wind and waited for him to cross our
path...the othere I managed to keep about 3 miles away by adjusting our
course. At day break the wind started to build, as we approached the tiny
islands in the distance it was blowing 20 knots....but we were happy knowing
that we were looking at the Bahamas.
At 10am we tied off at the Cat Cay Club pier...a private island, but a
convenient port of entry. Docking fee for clearance was $100-, or $4.50
a foot for a slip for the night and the docking fee waived. After getting
settled into our slip in with all the Mega Yachts...I went ashore to do
Customs and Immigration. $300- for a one year cruising permit allowing
2 entries into the country...and a 90 day visa stamped in our passports....Mica's
papers were also checked.
Had to pay the $300- permit fee in cash, credit cards not accepted....and
I had forgotton to stock up with cash...so now we are cash less....only
one dollar between us!
The Marina restaurant, bar and commissary store are ok with plastic, so
after a shower and change of clothes, we both enjoyed cocktails in the
ocean breeze...frozen mango daquiri's
Being tied off in a slip for the first time in weeks allowed us to charge
the battery's....but we decided against filling the water tanks at 35 cents
a gallon (we paid 5 cents a gallon in Marathon!)
Our neighbors in a 40ft cat came and said Hi as i was having my morning
coffee in the cockpit...but the mega yacht crowd were very snooty...sitting
on the dock, cocktails and big fat cigars, while their crew washed and
polished....
We pulled out at 11am and headed up the island to anchor in the lee. After
a couple of coctails, we decided to put the dink in and go ashore....we
had our own private beach, on an island 20 paces wide, ocean waves pounding
the rocks at one side, peace and quiet at the other.....everything i imagined
the islands would be, soft white sand, blue, blue crystal clear water.....I
went snorkeling for konch shells to bbq.
Tried fishing but couldn't catch anything, so dinghy'd over to a local
fishing boat....with no money, managed to trade 4 beers for 9 lobster tails!
Hiro grilled the shell fish as I prepared the lobster with butter and fresh
Italian Parsley, cut from our new hanging herb garden!
We celebrated our arrival in the bahamas with a bottle of Moet & Chandon...and
had our own little feast ....Mica was happy too....enjoying the fresh lobster...and
crunching on the tails!
23 Mar 05
Boot Key, Marathon to Rodriguez Key (Key Largo)
The quiet protected anchorage at Boot Key was such a welcome contrast to
Key West...we slept well every night!!
Dinghy'd over to the City Marina Dinghy Dock $4- per day, to ask about
where we could get a health certificate issued for Mica (for entry into
the Bahamas)....within minutes we had an appointment at the local vetinary
clinic, so headed back to the boat to get Mica,...and his first ride ashore
in our dink...he cried the whole way!
A $6- taxi ride there and back, and $75- later for the health certificate
we were all set.
Marathon has a great cruising community, with a morning radio net at 9am,
new arrivals check in, those ready to leave announce departures and destinations....and
there's a buddy list for those who want to travel in groups, especially
for the gulf stream crossing.
After a trip to Publix to stock up on food, and a stop off at Home Depot,
for two 5 gallon drinking water containers, we were headed back to the
boat, planning to pull out the next morning when we spotted Tusen Takk
!! It was great to see Joe and Jeri again, and exchange stories about the
trip since we were last together in New Olreans.
After sitting drinking cocktails together in the sunshine all afternoon,
we had to postpone our plans to have dinner together that evening....so,
we stayed another couple of days, and had dinner before heading for Rodriguez
Key on the 23rd
Motor sailed, making 7 knots ( the batteries needed charging), and dropped
the hook in the lee of Rodriguez key about 4pm.
This was our staging point for the Gulf Stream crossing of about 75miles.
For two days we waited for the wind to change from east to south....as
we were waiting, I started to re-read about entry procedures into the Bahamas....It
was at this point that I realized that not only did we need a health certificate
for Mica, we also needed an import permit....
In a panic, I called Nassau from our cell phone, explained the situation
to a lady at the immigration office....and she agreed to help...and do
it all by fax.
The dinghy ride ashore was a couple of miles, and we were almost out of
gas.....I asked the locals ashore, but nobody had a fax machine, or knew
where to find one...there was also no fuel dock, so i had to walk to the
nearest gas station with the dinghy tank.
On the way I met a life saver..!!!, don't even know the lady's name, but
she worked at an auto repair shop. I just stopped to ask how far it was
to the gas station.....and she let me use the fax to send and recieve,
call the bahamas 3 times, and drive me to the UPS Store to overnight the
payment for MIca's import Visa....$38- to overnight a $15- money order!
Within a couple of hours, a faxed copy of Mica's permit was in my hand.
Without the help of this kind lady...I don't know what we'd have done....Thank
You
After a couple of beers and a grilled chicken sandwitch we dinghy'd back
to the boat.
18 Mar 05
Key West to Marathon
Finally, we made ourselves say goodbye to Key West. As we head up the keys
to Marathon we have a lot of fond memories of this amazing little place....
Need to charge the battery's, so motor sailed until the winds built, then sailed the rest of the way. Our most relaxing day on the water yet...sun shining all day, low 80's....folded the bimini down and sailed up the keys a few miles offshore, for the first time naked, enjoying the warmth of the sunshine!!
Pulled into Marathon at 3.30pm, stopped at the fuel dock to top off the
tanks, and get the local info on anchoring. Also filled the water tanks
for the first time in 3 weeks.
The anchorage here is busy, very busy, but protected....hundreds of boats,
found a place and dropped the hook....just as we were settling down for
a beer the guys from Gypsy Wind came over to say Hi....such a small world!.
Finally, we made ourselves say goodbye to Key West. As we head up the keys
to Marathon we have a lot of fond memories of this amazing little place....
Need to charge the battery's, so motor sailed until the winds built, then sailed the rest of the way. Our most relaxing day on the water yet...sun shining all day, low 80's....folded the bimini down and sailed up the keys a few miles offshore, for the first time naked, enjoying the warmth of the sunshine!!
Pulled into Marathon at 3.30pm, stopped at the fuel dock to top off the
tanks, and get the local info on anchoring. Also filled the water tanks
for the first time in 3 weeks.
The anchorage here is busy, very busy, but protected....hundreds of boats,
found a place and dropped the hook....just as we were settling down for
a beer the guys from Gypsy Wind came over to say Hi....such a small world!.
|
|
12 Mar 05
Key West
After over a week, we are still enjoying being in Key West. Met some lovely
people and made some great friends. Daniel, who owns a guest house on the
island, offered to let us stay overnight......it was our first good sleep
in days....much appreciated.
The anchorages here are the worst we've experienced. At our second spot,
close to the dinghy dock...(the first was too far for Hiro...he doesn't
like the dinghy...too bouncy!)....after being there for 4 nights, the 5th
morning we woke to find we were just 6 feet away from the next boat....our
anchor had slipped. (so lucky it didn't happen the night we stayed ashore!)
Just before 7am, I heard a strange sound, got up to check and realized
we were so close to the next boat. Hiro jumped out of bed as I yelled "quick,
start the engine"...I was still naked, trying to find pants and a
T shirt as Hiro got the engine going, and then he went up to the bow to
feed the anchor chain in.....as I brought the stern around and missed the
other boat by inches!!
The wind was gusting hard, so we motored across the channel into the lee,
and dropped anchor again. In 17ft of water, just a couple of hundred yards
from the shore, we put out 120 feet of chain.....and so far so good! Lots
of boats around us, very close, but we seem to be holding.
Key West is such a charming place, we really love it here, the elegance
of the architecture and the diversity and pride of the local people...its
a unique place....an adults playground by night.
After enjoying and relaxing for over a week, its now time to start thinking
about the odd jobs that need doing before we can move on.... |
|
The Rainbow Tour ! |
Des looking for Cuba... |
Des feeding cat food to the chicks |
|
Our departure day slipped as much as our anchor!....always finding a reason to stay, things to do before leaving. We visited the Hemingway House, and Hiro was thrilled because they had a Japanese translation of the guide. From there we went to the Key West Butterfly and Nature Conservatory.....the best $20 we spent in Key West....it was like walking into another world...must be a butterfly's paradise. |
|
Another sunset at anchor |
Cocktails with Dan |
Hiro and Ceramic Fiat |
|
The night before our second planned departure, in strong winds we were getting closer and closer to a Bennetau that had pulled in beside us. Not sure who's anchor was slipping, I opted to move and we re-set our anchor a few yards further away. It was a very uncomfortable night, rolling in the swell....the next morning, the boat on the other side of us asked the Bennetau to move...it was his anchor slipping.! |
|
Trying to decide where to go |
Finding a spot at the dinghy dock |
Local Art |
|
Telling ourselves...OK tommorrow we are leaving....we worked on our third
planned departure, got back to the boat by 3pm to settle in for an early
night. At 4.30 the phone rang...it was our friend Dan, to warn us that
severe thunder storms were heading our way......the guy on the boat behing
us also stopped by...just to check on how much chain we had out.
As the storm approached, it was quite a sight in the anchorage, frantic
activity on all decks, everyone getting tied down, securing wind generators
etc. We were all in the worst possible place for a storm from the west....but
I didnt want to be moving in the middle of it.
In just seconds it changed from a sunny evening, sitting in the cockpit
relaxing with a beer in hand...to total darkness. The wind built to 35
knots, and the swell rocked us about a bit....but the anchor held and kept
us safe.
The lightening illuminated Key West...the sky turned from black to blue
white to black....very spectacular....
One of the boats in front of us started to slip anchor.....and the two
guys who owned it were ashore for St.Patrick Day celebrations....we stood
in our cockpit in the sheeting rain, unable to help as their boatdrifted
closer and closer to the shore.
I felt my heart pounding as the two guys bounced by our stern, their dinghy
barely staying upright, as they raced towards their boat...they were wearing
tank tops and shorts, soaked to the skin....and the lightening was raging
around us.
It was a huge sigh of relief as they climbed aboard, and motored to safety......five
more minutes their boat would have been on the rocks....
The storm died down about midnight, and we had a quiet night after that... |
|
Hemingway House |
Nature Conservatory |
Spectacular displays from the butterfly's |
|
1/2 Mar 05
Fort Myers to Key West
After delaying our departure for a day, waiting for better weather for
the crossing to the Keys, we pulled out at 1.30 pm for the overnight trip.
Wind was perfect at 15 knots...and we were making 6 to 7 knots, ....until
just after midnight, then it was like we entered a different world. The
wind started shifting, gusting from 6 to 7 kts up to 22 to 23 in an instant,
constantly changing direction. The seas built from the forcast 2 to 4 feet
to 10 to 12ft, with rolling breakers. Before reefing the main, I clipped
my safety harness to the jack line, and slowly made my way forward....I
was more than releaved to back into the safety of the cockpit!!
About 2 hours before Key West, a following wave broke into the dinghy,
the davit we had repaired in Clearwater was again twisted and limp, and
the dinghy dragging in the waves.....we kept the fron of the dinghy pulled
up on the good davit and towed it behind us the rest of the way.
The next thing to go wrong was the electronics....everything off and then
suddenly back to life....we lost the compass light, wind and speed indicators,
luckily the GPS and depth came back on.....a pencil style flashlight taped
to the compass dome allowed us to stay on course!!
By the time we pulled into the anchorage at 12.30, we were both exhausted
after taking such a beating all night. It was good to finally sit down
and relax, have a beer in the sunshine!
Later in the afternoon we dinghy'd into the free dinghy dock (2 hrs) or
$5- for the day, and did some exploring. Key westis a lot nicer than I
imagined, I think we'll enjoy our stay here.
March 3rd, Very windy cloudy day, decided to stay on the boat and do jobs...things
that need fixing.
As I was doing the breakfast dishes, heard a crash and jumped into the
cockpit to find the damaged davit broken in two, and the flag pole snapped
off and floating in the water.
Again, luck was on my side, the guy from the boat behind us just happened
to be passing in his dink....and picked up the flag pole and tossed it
into the dinghy...and shouted, " I have welding gear if you need to
get that fixed", so I shouted back "I'll be over later".
A couple of hours later the damage had been cut out, a sleeve inserted
and the two pieces welded together and all re-installed.....almost as good
as new ! ....and then I shortened all the webbing straps so as to get the
dinghy up as high as possible.
Late evening a thunder storm passed overe, anbd the wind started howling.....not
a comfortable night
March 4th, the wind is still the same...looking forward toi some calmer
weather so we can relax and enjoy Key West...the forcast for the weekend
is good...
24 Feb 05...25/26/27/28
Bocca Grande Pass to Fort Myers
Our run to Fort Myers couldn't have been better, pulled out of Charlotte
Harbour and motored thru the markers, as we turned to head south, the wind
picked up to about 15knts, so we shut the engine off, and put all the sails
up.....and made 51/2 to 6 knots the whole way down the coast and around
Sanibel Island...into Fort Myers Beach.
After topping off the tanks at the fuel dock, we called Salty Sam's for
a mooring buoy. $10- a night, and great food at the Parrot Key Grill. .....But,
Fort Myers Beach is not what I expected, the trailer trash crowd seem to
love the place...tattoo's and body piercing everywhere...and not the cleanest
place I've seen.
Thunder storms the past couple of days have given us chance to do jobs on the boat, and had a ride on the trolley to the supermarket! Checked out the wiring on the wind generator, and its all OK...and fitted a cockpit table, so we can eat outside and enjoy the warm evenings. The weather for our trip from here to Key West is looking good for 3/1 to 3/2, leaving afternoon, sailing overnight, should arrive in Key West at 9am (about 110miles/20 hours)
|
 |
23 Feb 05
Venice to Bocca Grande Pass
After 2 night in Venice had a good run to Bocca Grande, and tried to enter
the basin to anchor in front of Millers Marine. Just at the end of the
channel markers we touched ground, so I slowly backed out, and then went
in search of somewhere to anchor! Decided on the pass just north of Gasparilla
Island, and dropped the hook in 9 feet of water. The traffic on the ICW
made it a very rolly place to spend the night. Gypsy Wiind, who had followed
us down from Venice were planning to anchor in front of Millers too, but
after hearing that we had touched the bottom in there.... U-turned and
came and anchored beside us!
21 Feb 05
Sarasota to Venice
Proir to pulling out of Sarasota, called Tow Boat US to check conditions
for trying to get thru New Pass.... But I was told that even on high Tide,
due to recent shoaling, our boat with 6ft draft...would probably get stuck.
The advice was to stay in the ICW and exit from Venice. As we approached
Venice it was already 10am, and if we continued on to Bocca Grande Pass
as planned, we'd be arriving in the dark. So decided to stay in Venice,
anchored just if front of the Yacht Club....the approach to the free city
dock looked very shallow.
19 Feb 05
Still in Sarasota....
Hiro flew back to Japan, visited his Mom and friends in Tokyo, and got
another 90 days visa on returning to the US.
A week later my visa was expiring, so I flew to the Bahamas for the weekend,
and also got another 90 day visa.
Finally, 34 days after pulling into Sarasota, the 10 -14 day engine job
is complete, and we're ready to continue our journey south....The guys
at Marina Jack have been great....even when fully booked, they found a
place for us.... And we have made some great friends at the marina......
Ron, I hope you catch up with us soon....and Eric, keep in touch...come
to Cuba with us!
We couldn't have picked a better place to be stuck without a motor. David,
thanks for taking us shopping etc!....and Alex and Miguel...What can I
say?...stay in touch and come and visit us soon.......
Desmond at Marina Jack |
Hiro at a Japanese restaurant in Sarasota |
THE ENGINE SAGA
....Oil analysis showed that the oil cooler had failed and the rod bearings
had gone....seawater in the oil. We were quoted $10,250 for a new Yanmar
with transmission, and $3,600 for the install....plus parts and taxes etc...,
so I decided to go ahead and replace everything, thinking it would cost
a maximum of $17,000....and take 10 to 14 days to complete.
The first snag was the transmission, the Yanmar rotation was the reverse
direction of the old transmission, ( mechanics dont know this until after
you have paid for the engine....) only option was to rebuild the old Velvet
Drive...an additional $1,250 rebuild kit, minus $450 credit for the Yanmar
transmission.
New engine and re-built transmission was installed, but during sea trials there was a loud clunking sound, so the transmission was removed....i was told the noise was from a bearing....A week later the transmission with a new $450 bearing was re-installed...Still the noise persisted.
Then the mechanics then said it was the folding Propeller.....but, I was
not convinced, as the prop had never made a noise before.So, I asked for
the prop to be removed.....and the noise was still there!!!.....surprise
surprise....
More mechanics were called in for a second opinion....Then I was told the
niose was vibrating down the stringer into the lazarette box...and the
muffler was vibrating.....The muffler was wrapped in insulating foam and
secured...then more sea trials....but the noise was still there.
The mechanics assured me that the noise was of an acceptable level...but
Hiro and I were not of the same opinion...and by this point we were all
very frustrated. It was agreed the Yanmar rep would be called....the next
morning I was told that because of the Miami boat show, it would take a
week to have someone look at the engine.....and that we should leave, and
have a note put on the warranty...and if trouble developed, have it fixed
later.....( this is not a joke, they really said this!!)
I think it was when i said " do I look like I came up the Clyde on
a banana boat"...that they got the idea, that I wasn't going anywhere
until that clunking noise had gone.
Later that day, the shaft and coupling were inspected...and found to be
loose..(clunking when moved)...real proffessional installation work!!...2
days later and another $600, new ones were fitted. The new coupling was
a solid type, not rubber like the old one, and...surprise surprise...the
alignment was not correct. This took another five hours to adjust...and
then finally....an engine/transmission/shaft that runs smooth....Ahhhhhhhhh
All in all I'm happy the job is done and that we can continue on our journey
south...but at $21,580....not at all what I was led to believe it would
be......
If the engine and shaft had been aligned correctly to start with, I feel
a lot of this additional expense could probably been avoided.
If you're passing thru Sarasota, Marina Jack is a great place to be, but
for engine repairs, ...... Capt. James W Ehll at Tesoro Del Mar Inc...... you decide...!!!
Taking out old engine |
Installing new Yanmar engine |
16 Jan 05
Sarasota
Pulled out of Longboat Pass as planned, the wind was gusting at 20 so we
were reluctant to head offshore in the 6 foot seas, decided to try to make
it thru the ICW and go out from Sarasota. Waited for high tide, and took
the same route thru that we'd seen other boats take....a few minutes later
we were aground at the same spot as a few days earlier....
Called Tow Boat US for a pull off...and 30 minutes later we were on our way again....
As we pulled into Sarasota bay....making our way thru the channel markers...we
noticed a different pitch from the engine. Sounds like something is wrong....as
if the tappets need adjusting?....so decided to play on the safe side and
pull into Marina Jack in Sarasota ($75-), and have the engine looked at
by a mechanic.
Sarasota is such a charming place....lots of galleries, great restaurants....etc
....we would enjoy staying here for a few days, but we are both worried
about getting out of US waters by the 23rd...as Hiro's visa expires
13 - 16 Jan 05
Clearwater to Longboat Pass
Got up early but had to wait till 7.30 for daylight, didnt want to laeve
thru the narrow channel in the dark. As we pulled into the gulf the wind
grew to 25 to 30 knots, we reefed the jib, and later motorsailed with the
main, the wind at 25 to 30 degrees of the bow. At about 3pm i radioed the
Longboat Pass bridge, aske dto pass thru, thinking that it would get us
out the wind, and that we could continue the remaining 10 miles to Sarrasota
in the ICW.
Had a close call with the wind generator....the damaged blade that we repaired
with epoxy, couldnt take the strain of the strong gusting wind...and came
crashing thru the dodger like a bullet....we now have no wind generator...and
a hole in the top of the dodger that needs repair!
It was good to get out of the ocean swell, but after just a few minutes
in the ICW...in the center of the channel...we were aground!!....a passing
fishing boat tried to help, but said that the last hurricane had reduced
the channel to 4 feet.
After touching bottom 3 times, we decided to follow another sailboat into
the anchorage at longbeach, at the back of Jewfish Key.
That night a cold front came thru, rained all night and the next day, so we decided to stay put. Pulled anchor on the 16th, about 3pm, to do the 80mile run to Sanibel Island overnight, so as to arrive in the morning light.
8-13 Jan 05
Panama City / Clearwater
Pulled anchor on the 8th,as the fog cleared...about 9am. 80 miles to Appalachicola
Bay meant that we would be arriving in the dark....not ideal.....so, ....as
we approached our 3rd waypoint, ready to head up into the bay, I said to
Hiro "if we continue on this course...we'll be close to Tampa tommorrow"!
....The gulf was calm and we were motorsailing at 6 to 7 knots. Hiro said
"let's do it"....so we entered a new waypoint for Clearwater
pass. 38 hours (approx 230 miles) after leaving we passed under the bridge
into Clearwater.
As we headed to the anchorage, following the channel in darkness, Homeland
Security came alongside. After a few questions they said they wanted to
board us to check our papers.Two of the three guys came aboard after tieing
off to our port side. As our passports and cruising permit were checked
and called in, the outgoing tide pushed us onto a sandbank....the two officers
on board stayed with us, and the other pulled his vessel ahead of us and
told us to follow him. A couple of minutes later we were hard aground......after
trying to pull us off...without any luck...they departed.....literally
leaving us high and dry....saying we should call a tow boat as the tide
was going down another two feet !! so much for following homeland security.....
Tow boat US were great, arrived about 30 mins later...in thick fog, pulled
us off and escorted us to the anchorage. Finally it was time to have a
good sleep. Both exhausted we woke at noon the next day, losing an hour
to the time difference. Hot and sunny in the mid 70's...we felt great.
After filling up with fuel at the Clearwater municipal marina, we decided
to stay in a slip for the night ( $75-) , so we could fix the damaged davit
and do some shopping.
Took the Jolley Trolley for $1 to the supermarket...reminded us of Hawaii...and
bought so much stuff, we had to take a taxi back to the boat. The next
morning after removing the davit, took the trolley downtown, and arranged
to have the damaged part cut out, a sleeve inserted, and then re-welded
(cost $45-). After re-fitting the davit we pulled out of the marina just
before dark and returned to our anchorage justa few hundred yards away....stayed
two more nights, dinghy'd in and spent a day at the beach, just sunbathing
and relaxing...enjoying a margarrita...The next morning we pulled anchor
again ...to head to Sarasota.
Clearwater Beach with a bird |
Lazing on the beach |
Hiro lost weight!! we got no food!! |
3/4/5 Jan 05
Biloxi / Dauphin Island, Alabama / Panama City, Florida
By the time I got back from getting propane, the fog had lifted, so we
pulled out about 9am. Again the wind was on our nose, about 15knots, so
we had to motor.
It was a sunny day, almost no other traffic, so a pleasant run to Dauphin
Island. Anchored as close to the coast front property's as we could...hoping
to get a wireless network connection...but no luck....
A good anchorage, little traffic, so we had a good nights sleep.
At 08.15 as soon as the fog lifted, and we could see the bridge into Mobile
Bay, we pulled anchor and headed for the main ship channel...we were headed
outbound...our first offshore passage. Mobile Alabama to Panama City Florida,
about 130 miles. 26 hours later we dropped anchor in St.Andrews Bay, Panama
City at 10.15am.
The weather had been kind, but not the wind....it was warm but the wind
was on our nose most of the way....we put the jib out jut to roll it back
in a few minutes later....we motored all night!
Roughly 5 miles out, we did 2 hours on/off watch, with the chart plotter
/ radar / moonlight....and a 5 to 10 knot warm wind, it was only the ocean
swell of 4 to 6 feet that made it uncomfortable.....it was like being on
a roller coaster ride for hours.
After a big breakfast we made our way across the bay to St. Andrews Marina, filled up with fuel and water, and then returned to our anchorage. A hot sunny day in the 70's...feels like we are in Florida !!
Overnight the weather changed, overcast with showers, but still warm. We
decided to stay here at anchor for another night, and leave for Appalachicola
Bay tommorrow....... after we have secured everything that moves. The roll
of thre swell had opened and emptied the contents of many cabinets and
drawers.....
With a beard trimmer I gave myself my first haircut onboard!!!...Hiro helped
do the back and top...
And Hiro found a wireless network for $10 per day....so we're gonna do
mail etc...
New hair cut by himself |
Another beautiful sun set |
1 /2 Jan 05
Lake Ponchartrain / Rabbit Island / Biloxi
The lock master was good to his word, and just before 5.45 he hailed me
on the radio....and told me to get ready to pass thru. We shared the lock
with just one tug as we went down about 10 feet. The lockmaster was really
friendly, let us use his lines, and stayed and talked the whole time.....after
the lock there was no traffic, and all the bridges were easy going....even
in the dark. At the last bridge we had to wait for about 30 minutes for
a train to pass .....and then we were thru into the blackness of the dark
lake.
After following the airport runway lights all the way around to seabrook
marina, we pulled in beside another casino and tied up about 7pm. $30 per
night...stayed 2 nights, enjoyed more casino buffet food and pulled out
to cross the lake on New Years Day. There was lots of fog, but as soon
as it cleared we got underway and the weather was kind to us for the rest
of the day. We dropped anchor at the ox bow in Rabbit Island beside an
old oil rig (a great anchorage!)...the next morning after making an extra
pot of coffee we were underway again...we had hoped to sail the Mississippi
Sound, but with the wind on our nose we motored the whole day.
As we passed Gulfport channel it was still early , so we decided to head
for Biloxi. After getting fuel we pulled into the Biloxi Small Boat Marina,
and with the help of the harbour master Richard, got tied off justas it
was getting dark.
Richard couldnt have been more helpful....when i mentioned we needed propane
he said he take me to get the bottle filled before we pulled out the next
morning. Decided to have our last new yaers dinner in the harbour restaurant,,
and then went to the gas station across the road for beer and snacks.
7.45am and Richard knocked and we were off to get gas...$8, talking in
the car, Richard said we should avoid Pensacola...too much hurricane damage....we
had heard the same from Joe and Jerri on Tusen Takk so we decided to change
our plans.
Bridge |
27/28/29/30 Dec 04
Houma to New Orleans / Thru the Locks/ Lake Ponchartrain
After expecting to stay | | |
