Close Encounters of the Coral Kind

Sunday March 8, 2015

Normans Cay

Exumas,  Bahamas

We left Rose Cay around 9 and set off for Norman’s Cay. We knew we would have some high winds and seas which we did. We split the day between pure sailing and motor sailing with winds E to SE.  We had a reach for a short time but mostly winds were to our nose and often in the no sail zone. We did not do to badly for the conditions.  There was about an hour from 11 to 12 that we were sailing between two Banks, Yellow & White, where the coral came close enough to the surface that a lookout on the bow had to be posted.  Lee and Judy were our lookouts. It was pretty bouncy out there. 3 dolphin swam under the bowsprit and looked Lee over.  I think they must have thought that was the most lifelike figure head they had ever seen. Not as pretty as the one on the other boat however. Its figure head had more curves. We had one quick shower which is the first rain in many days. Hope it washed off some of the salt accumulated on the boat and canvas.

We came into the anchorage on the west side of Norman Cay where several boats were already anchored around 4:30. There are shallow corals in the anchorage too so you do everything with caution here. We anchored in 8 ft of water. The rain cooled things off so it is a cool breeze we are having this evening. Should be good sleeping if it isn’t too windy. We have some wind rocking us now. Maybe it will calm down by bed time.

Bypassing Nassau

Sat March 7, 2015

Rose Island

Bahamas

We left Chub Cay around 8 this morning and headed south to Rose Island.  We had light winds and sun most of the morning and were heading straight into the wind  again .  In the afternoon the wind finally shifted ever so slightly to our port so we could put out the main sail.  The winds picked up to 8 or 9 kts and we increased our speed with the help of current we got over 7 kts.  We arrived at Rose Cay around 4:15. Anchoring was a bit tense as there are coral heads near the surface and several boats were already in the anchorage.  Our first attempt seemed to hit something hard so we gave it another try and got secured. Although we kept our motor on all day it was a nice motor sailing afternoon and enjoyable day.

After anchoring Mark took us to Windbird and we got an overview of the places they hope to touch on and the time frame they hope for. With weather, sea conditions, and Mark’s treatment schedule it is a balancing act to get everything working at the same time. But flexible is the name of the game and we have no schedule so we can be flexible.

We are in the chart book we have now so it will be easier for us to plan and follow along too. We also know what Handleys are thinking as to what places they think are best to try to see. Can’t do everything and  we were sort of in the dark as to which places they picked to explore.  Certainly was not going to try to study up on everything so now we have a pared down list to get up to speed on. We figure this is their party and we are along for the ride. Little like teacher and student teacher. Us being the students.

We can see lights off in the distance of Nassau. While we sailed past it we got good cell signal so I was able to get text and email, but did not have internet access. It was nice to at least get what I did. I imagine it will be rare to get a cell signal in a world of mostly water and few big towns. 

Hello Bahamas

Fri March 6, 2015

Chub Cay

Bahamas

We left No Name Harbor near Miami about 7:30 am yesterday.  We motor sailed with the wind on our nose in rough bouncy water most of the day with winds around 20 +kts and 6ft seas. By late afternoon  it calmed to 10-12knts and 2 ft seas.  Due to our late start we were going to have to drop anchor in the midst of nowhere on the Bahama Bank around midnight or go all night. The moon was full and the wind and waves tolerable so we opted for sailing all night. Unfortunately I did not sleep at all. The time I had to sleep was too bouncy but Lee got 2 sleep shifts.  By 6:15 am this morning I was done for. I am too old to pull an all nighter.

I was not looking forward to the Gulf Stream since winds were not what we really wanted nor was the sea conditions. It was not a fun experience, but it could have been worse.  We arrived in Chub Cay and went through the customs red tape. Which while time consuming was not all that bad, filled up the water tank and diesel tank. Then I went to the marinas laundry, which was 2 old washers, one broken, 2 dryers, one broken. Good thing I only had 1 load of laundry. But the price was the same as in FL at the Plantation Yacht Harbor, $2 for wash , $2 for dry. We then came out of the harbor and anchored along with several other boats.  The marina was lovely but $4 a foot was not, and there was no facilities.

It was hot today but not too bad this evening so maybe I can make up for some lost sleep.  We have no cell reception or internet so have no idea when I can get this posted but will as soon as I have a chance.  We have traveled so far 1,000 nautical miles since we left Little River in Dec. I feel every one of them!

The Waiting Game

Wed March 4, 2015
No Name Harbor
Coco Beach, FL

We left Steam Boat Creek anchorage in  Barnes Sound around 8 this morning and headed for Little Card Sound and Card Sound and finally Biscayne Bay to No Name Harbor.  We arrived there at 3 and Handleys arrived about 4:30. We got together for Judy's birthday dinner at the only restaurant at the harbor.  Her birthday is tomorrow but what we will be doing and where we will be tomorrow is still up in the air. We hadn't seen them in 2 weeks..

We had some narrow channels in what looked like wide open spaces but we eventually had room to sail with winds 110 to 90 degrees off our starboard side. Wind speed was 12-17 kts and we made some good time for a turtle 5 to 6.9 kts.  We sailed 2 or 3 hours without the motor, the rest of the day was mostly motor sailing.

No Name was crowded, 22 boats when we came in. Wonder how many are waiting for a Gulf Stream crossing too. We will make our final decision in the morning by 7;30. When we listen to Chris Parker.
I hope this is a good experience because after 9 weeks on the boat I am getting a bit weary.

Judy came to the rescue with a copy of the papers to be filled out for entering the Bahamas but before we finished dinner Lee had gotten them wet. Think they had wiped the table just before we sat down. She also had the cards we will need to fill out. Where we will check in is still up in the air. Guess we will be making a lot of decisions on the fly. Wind direction seems to be the crucial player in all plans.

I think we managed to get one day without sacrifice to the water gods. Nothing went over board.
If we manage to get in international waters tomorrow we may not be able to post daily so this may be the last blog for a while.

Good bye Islamorada

Tue.. March 3, 2015
Northern Barnes Sound
Near Homestead, FL

We are anchored in 8 ft of water with not another boat in sight. We are tucked behind some mangroves for wind protection.  We are glad to share the news our sailing partner Mark got a good CT scan. There is no sign of the cancerous liver tumor. Great news for everyone. We should meet them tomorrow and then head off the the Bahamas.

We left our lovely anchorage that has been home for over a week and motor sailed to our stop for this evening. We towed the dinghy all morning but put it in its cradle this afternoon and got the motor properly mounted and the frozen bolt broken loose too.  We found a water leak in our head (commode for the non sailors) but Lee dinked with it and it seems to have stopped. Time will tell. I think our daily sacrifice to the water gods today was a kneeling pad. This is not funny anymore.

We will be out of communication as soon as we hit international waters. We will write blogs but will only publish them when we can get access to wifi which may not be often. We will group post when we can. We also will not be able to receive email on any regular basis so we may or may not see anything you send. I may have DTs because my cell phone will be almost worthless and I have grown to love it.

That's All Folks!

Day with a Split Personality

Monday March 2, 2015
Plantation Key
Islamorada FL

This morning we listened to the weather guru Chris Parker bright and early. He threw a monkey wrench in starting across on Wed. So since we are 2 days sail away from the rendezvous point with the Handleys there was no reason to move yet.  We will plan to head north Tue morning to meet on Wed evening anticipating leaving 3am Thrus morning. Of course Chris Parker could knock that in the head too.

Bill Sears called and asked if we would be interested in picking up some sandwiches when I got my CD and report to take to my doctor at home. That sounded good to us so we took the food to Bills and we all ate out on his screen porch. He will be taking Sunshine to fly home tomorrow so everyone will be taking off in the morning. We plan to stay in a little anchorage at Steamboat Creek at the edge of Barnes Sound tomorrow night.

We came back to the boat after lunch and decided we would put the dinghy up on the swim ladder and out of the water and motor on the motor mount.  One of the bolts that hold the motor on the dinghy transom had frozen. We tried every thing, grease, pounding it with a variety of things, solvent and have been unable to get the bolt to loosen.We took some part off the transom and got the motor off but the frozen bolt is still frozen. It is on the motor mount but not properly. The dinghy is still in the water.  On top of that we dropped our best screwdriver in the water after we had given up on the motor. Honestly, we loose something every day! It had a red handle and we thought we could see it but the sun was just going down and the light was not good.  We tried the fishing with the magnet trick but the thing was mostly plastic handle and we just could not get it. Very frustrating afternoon. Not like we will find a lot of hardware stores in the Exumas.

Hot sunny day, 80, moderate breeze so will be comfortable evening. Let's hope a good nights sleep will relax us a little.  We have been away from Handley for 2 weeks. When we see them again it will be to celebrate Judy's 68th birthday.  Going to the Bahamas on your birthday is a pretty unique way to celebrate. Be good to get together again.

Good Food - Good Company

Sunday March 1, 2015
Plantation Key
Islamorada, FL

Today was another warm and sunny day. Lots of boat traffic out to enjoy their Sunday.  We tried to dink with the wind generator to see if we could take the vibration out but all we accomplished was dropping the allen wrenches in the water.  We seem to drop something overboard daily. Eventually we will have an empty boat. Luckily it was partially red and we could see it on the bottom through the clear water. Lee fished from the dinghy for about 10 or 15 minutes with a magnet and finally "caught" the wrenches. At least occasionally we manage to retrieve what goes overboard.

We went over to Bill Sears house around 12:30 and went to his special place for Sunday brunch. Snappers had a jazz musician and delicious food.  We ate on the deck by the water and everybody but me had Eggs Neptune, which is like Eggs Benedict but with crab and eggs. It was good, tasted Lee's. I got a mahi mahi reuben,  good too but maybe not as good as Eggs Neptune. Oh and champagne too.  Bill and I were arguing when the bill came and Sunshine grabbed it.  Lee had planned to but she was quick. We had a delightful brunch with good company. We came back to Bill's and did some computer stuff for the condo we are buying and visited then came back to boat. By that time it was 4:30. I finished stowing clothes and making the bed.

No manatee today but one big iguana posing on a large rock. They are everywhere. Bill says they are good to eat but eating lizard just does not appeal to me. We still plan to leave this lovely anchorage tomorrow and head north in anticipation of a Bahama crossing. We are glad for the time to spend with Bill and loved getting to meet Sunshine. She is a very positive person. He name suits her.

Nice evening breeze should make for good sleeping. Think I will get started on that.