Yesterday was a hot humid stormy day as predicted. It was a good choice to stay at the marina.
A cold front came across yesterday and today was just beautiful. We left the marina early and motored on up to Daytona Beach under friendly cumulus clouds and anchored in the Halifax River just north of red 44. Oh it was a very good day. We had a favorable current most of the way -- only one bridge opening and we waited only 3 minutes! We hit all the trouble shoaling areas at just after high tide and saw no skinny water. Just a great travel day.
Lots of boats left the marina this morning all headed north. I think we were in a pack of 12 - 15 boats -- a combination of trawlers and sailboats. Unfortunately one sail boat came to grief just short of the Haulover canal. He was exhausting steam instead of water from the engine exhaust and obviously was overheating. I hailed him with the PA system and told him the bad news -- better I told him before the alarms went off and the engine seize up
The anchorage here after Red 44 is not as shown on the chart. There is no 14' water and deep water areas have shoaled in. Several boats in storage on moorings here. I would not recommend this area in the future. Try the deep area on the East side of the channel just before R44. I see a fine Cabo Rico 38 sitting there all by their lonesome.
Tomorrow will be a short 3 - 4 hour hop to Palm Coast. St Augustine is just too far for a single day and you need to work the tides.
Should be in early enough to enjoy the marina with light work and then off to St Augustine the following day.
Today the temperature is great. Started at 65 and headed up to 78 degrees -- low humidity and should be fine sleeping tonight on the hook.
Tuesday, April 21, 2015
Sunday, April 19, 2015
Tempus Fugit
WOW Time has been flying by.
We easily made Vero then just forgot about time. It really is that easy there. Multiple trips to the grocery - Publix, Karen forays in the clothing stores, mine at the dive shop, and just hanging out with the cruisers we have seen along the way.
It was quiet when we got to Vero. Only a couple of mooring balls had multiple boats on and at least 20 balls were empty. We just grabbed one and reported in.
Well it wasn't all fun and play. I had to rebuild the forward head flush pump, install a new toilet bowl gasket -- yes you had to remove it to do that, and clean and lubricate a sanitation y-valve. I also had to install a new damper plate in the fresh water pump and clean the shower pump filter and fresh water filter -- whew that was a lot of work!! no wonder I haven't written a blog in awhile.
Still time to meet a group of cruisers at a pot luck on Thursday night and have a big luncheon at the Riverside restaurant on Friday -- all that packed in 4 days and we did 3 loads of laundry.
Saturday We got underway to head north. We made it to Dragon Point near Melbourne and for the first time went behind the swing bridge there to anchor -- that is the place. We found lots of room in 10 - 12 feet of water and a no wake zone. Unfortunately it was HOT. They set a new record high of 92 degrees that day and it was windless. It was uncomfortable on the boat. We had to run fans all night to make sleeping bearable. The normal high for this area is 81 degrees so there is hope it will cool down soon.
Today we were up early and made the run to Titusville Marina. It's another very hot day with temps in the 90s. Strong thunderstorms expected tonight and tomorrow so a good place and excuse to duck in and run the Air Conditioner. It was already hot when we got here around 12:30pm and we stopped first on one dock for a pumpout which didn't happen -- pump is broke -- then moved onto another dock for fuel -- 45 gallons. I haven't bought any since Treasure Cay. Then into a slip on E-dock. I should have called earlier than today for a reservation. E dock is the only old floating dock with all the livaboards, deserted boats, and boats for sale -- not the best location but the Electricity is FINE. This will only be for 2 nights and then we will be on our way to Daytona. Today is the day for multiple showers in their facility, maybe a bucket of Kentucky fried chicken tonight, and tomorrow a quick bike ride to the NAPA store and drug store (for batteries and candy), and of course a minor trip to the grocery store -- need fresh limes and lettuce.
Time for a nap now and just enjoy the cool air conditioning on the boat.
Oh yes and enjoy the GREAT WiFi here. It is the best we have encountered on this whole trip so far!! AC - WiFi -- we may never leave the boat today except for SHOWERS. LONG ones.
We easily made Vero then just forgot about time. It really is that easy there. Multiple trips to the grocery - Publix, Karen forays in the clothing stores, mine at the dive shop, and just hanging out with the cruisers we have seen along the way.
It was quiet when we got to Vero. Only a couple of mooring balls had multiple boats on and at least 20 balls were empty. We just grabbed one and reported in.
Well it wasn't all fun and play. I had to rebuild the forward head flush pump, install a new toilet bowl gasket -- yes you had to remove it to do that, and clean and lubricate a sanitation y-valve. I also had to install a new damper plate in the fresh water pump and clean the shower pump filter and fresh water filter -- whew that was a lot of work!! no wonder I haven't written a blog in awhile.
Still time to meet a group of cruisers at a pot luck on Thursday night and have a big luncheon at the Riverside restaurant on Friday -- all that packed in 4 days and we did 3 loads of laundry.
Saturday We got underway to head north. We made it to Dragon Point near Melbourne and for the first time went behind the swing bridge there to anchor -- that is the place. We found lots of room in 10 - 12 feet of water and a no wake zone. Unfortunately it was HOT. They set a new record high of 92 degrees that day and it was windless. It was uncomfortable on the boat. We had to run fans all night to make sleeping bearable. The normal high for this area is 81 degrees so there is hope it will cool down soon.
Today we were up early and made the run to Titusville Marina. It's another very hot day with temps in the 90s. Strong thunderstorms expected tonight and tomorrow so a good place and excuse to duck in and run the Air Conditioner. It was already hot when we got here around 12:30pm and we stopped first on one dock for a pumpout which didn't happen -- pump is broke -- then moved onto another dock for fuel -- 45 gallons. I haven't bought any since Treasure Cay. Then into a slip on E-dock. I should have called earlier than today for a reservation. E dock is the only old floating dock with all the livaboards, deserted boats, and boats for sale -- not the best location but the Electricity is FINE. This will only be for 2 nights and then we will be on our way to Daytona. Today is the day for multiple showers in their facility, maybe a bucket of Kentucky fried chicken tonight, and tomorrow a quick bike ride to the NAPA store and drug store (for batteries and candy), and of course a minor trip to the grocery store -- need fresh limes and lettuce.
Time for a nap now and just enjoy the cool air conditioning on the boat.
Oh yes and enjoy the GREAT WiFi here. It is the best we have encountered on this whole trip so far!! AC - WiFi -- we may never leave the boat today except for SHOWERS. LONG ones.
Monday, April 13, 2015
On the MOVE again
We really enjoyed a "rest stop" at Old Port Cove marina but it was time to be moving on. Partly because it was about $100 a day there! We can stay at Vero for $17 a day..
We cleared customs this morning and what a NIGHTMARE that was... You would think this was their first day on the job.
There were ten folks there ahead of us at 9am. The office says ring bell for service and I asked the waiting folks if they had rung it or if we needed to sign in a sheet or what. They said they had rung it repeatedly since 8am and no one came to the window -- no sheet to recognize the order of arrivals.
Finally a Hispanic male comes and starts querying the people. About half he send to immigration in another office -- he was very rude. He takes our information but does not ask for a name and says he will get back to us -- HOW!! Then he helps the first person at the window. The crowd is overflowing from the office to the hall. Well after 30 minutes I just go and stand behind the next person in line. He takes 25 minutes to process that persons info at a site other than a window. Then another officer comes and asks for those of us who only need our passports stamped to come forward. He gathers our passports, looks at the pictures then disappears for 20 minutes. Then he returns and gives us back our passports and says we can leave. What a cluster. This is my third time here in 10 years and this has been the worst experience. Who you going to call? What a waste of taxpayers money... and our time..
Sorry but had to vent. Once back at the marina we checked out then were on our way to Hobe Sound to anchor. It is only 15 miles away but through 6 bridges of which 4 are on schedules. Fortunately after having to wait 20 minutes for the first one we hit the others within a couple of minutes thank you tide and wind.
Once passed Jupiter Inlet the incoming tide had us doing more than 7 kts towards Hobe sound with the engine running just above idle.
We anchored easily since no other boats were there yet and hey tonight at 7:15pm we are still all alone here. No problem -- beautiful location and great weather/wind protection.
We should make Vero Beach and moor on a ball for a few days there while we do some laundry and effect some minor repairs and Karen buys some clothes that fit -- she has lost so much weight due to diet and exercise on this trip. She should write a how to book!!
We cleared customs this morning and what a NIGHTMARE that was... You would think this was their first day on the job.
There were ten folks there ahead of us at 9am. The office says ring bell for service and I asked the waiting folks if they had rung it or if we needed to sign in a sheet or what. They said they had rung it repeatedly since 8am and no one came to the window -- no sheet to recognize the order of arrivals.
Finally a Hispanic male comes and starts querying the people. About half he send to immigration in another office -- he was very rude. He takes our information but does not ask for a name and says he will get back to us -- HOW!! Then he helps the first person at the window. The crowd is overflowing from the office to the hall. Well after 30 minutes I just go and stand behind the next person in line. He takes 25 minutes to process that persons info at a site other than a window. Then another officer comes and asks for those of us who only need our passports stamped to come forward. He gathers our passports, looks at the pictures then disappears for 20 minutes. Then he returns and gives us back our passports and says we can leave. What a cluster. This is my third time here in 10 years and this has been the worst experience. Who you going to call? What a waste of taxpayers money... and our time..
Sorry but had to vent. Once back at the marina we checked out then were on our way to Hobe Sound to anchor. It is only 15 miles away but through 6 bridges of which 4 are on schedules. Fortunately after having to wait 20 minutes for the first one we hit the others within a couple of minutes thank you tide and wind.
Once passed Jupiter Inlet the incoming tide had us doing more than 7 kts towards Hobe sound with the engine running just above idle.
We anchored easily since no other boats were there yet and hey tonight at 7:15pm we are still all alone here. No problem -- beautiful location and great weather/wind protection.
We should make Vero Beach and moor on a ball for a few days there while we do some laundry and effect some minor repairs and Karen buys some clothes that fit -- she has lost so much weight due to diet and exercise on this trip. She should write a how to book!!
Saturday, April 11, 2015
Back in the good Old USA
Ahhh we made it back to Florida this evening.
We left Old Bahama bay this morning around 6:30am. Looked great -- no wind and an easy exit.
Forecast was 5-10 lnots and flat seas -- a motoring day.
Once outside a little 8 kt wind from the SE just enough to fill a sail and settle the rolling from a SE swell.
Good for a mile then the wind piped up to 15 - 17 kts and put some uncomfortable waves on us and caused us to roll -- worst motion. Although we had a BIG flood current sweeping off the banks and we hit 9 kts for awhile. Unfortunately it was rough for about 15 miles then settled down and we had a great motor sail till about 1 miles off of Florida.
Unfortunately I didn't plan on the strongest current in the western third of the gulf stream and we were "swept" above our rumb line and had to fight the current back. NOAA had the western wall of the gulf stream at 7 miles off of Lake Worth, The NOAA RAdio WX had it at 4 miles off. We had it all the way to the inlet -- make that the BEACH. The last 9 miles took 2 and half hours!
We are whipped and hot and storms expected tonight so we followed Victoria Gaye -- our favorite buddy boat -- and Smiles into the Old Port Cove Marina. The AC is on HIGH tonight. Karen is non stop on the phone tonight. I hope she doesn't keep folks up too late tonight.
Tomorrow we check in with customs and do a little grocery shopping. Ohhh I'm looking forward to shopping at the Publixs here.
We left Old Bahama bay this morning around 6:30am. Looked great -- no wind and an easy exit.
Forecast was 5-10 lnots and flat seas -- a motoring day.
Once outside a little 8 kt wind from the SE just enough to fill a sail and settle the rolling from a SE swell.
Good for a mile then the wind piped up to 15 - 17 kts and put some uncomfortable waves on us and caused us to roll -- worst motion. Although we had a BIG flood current sweeping off the banks and we hit 9 kts for awhile. Unfortunately it was rough for about 15 miles then settled down and we had a great motor sail till about 1 miles off of Florida.
Unfortunately I didn't plan on the strongest current in the western third of the gulf stream and we were "swept" above our rumb line and had to fight the current back. NOAA had the western wall of the gulf stream at 7 miles off of Lake Worth, The NOAA RAdio WX had it at 4 miles off. We had it all the way to the inlet -- make that the BEACH. The last 9 miles took 2 and half hours!
We are whipped and hot and storms expected tonight so we followed Victoria Gaye -- our favorite buddy boat -- and Smiles into the Old Port Cove Marina. The AC is on HIGH tonight. Karen is non stop on the phone tonight. I hope she doesn't keep folks up too late tonight.
Tomorrow we check in with customs and do a little grocery shopping. Ohhh I'm looking forward to shopping at the Publixs here.
Thursday, April 9, 2015
Heading back to USA
Ahhh it is with mixed feelings I write this.
It's time to begin heading home -- not too quickly but certainly back to the USA.
We went to Manjack for a last visit then anchored off NEw Plymouth in Green Turtle Cay yesterday and evening. I just wanted to see the lights of the settlement one last time and to make a minor grocery trip.
I really like the Bahamas but the cost is really a gut wencher. Ohh well there is always some kind of "snake" in paradise.
This morning we left the anchorage and began the trip back. Today we are making a long run to Great Sale Cay or about 65 miles. We are having a very nice run. Just 16 miles away as I write this. The seas are settled a nice 10 - 14 knot wind from behind and we are averaging 7.0 kts. Well I'm sure that bottom cleaning has something to do with that too.
Hope to be into the anchorage at Great SAle CAy before 4pm. We need an early start tomorrow to make West End. We will go into the expensive marina there but Karen has never seen it and its worth seeing and experiencing.
Victoria Gaye is with us and will cross with us. That is a comforting thought for both of us.
We are not alone though it seems that most the regulars that were at HopeTown all winter have elected this crossing window too. There must be at least 6 of them -- Antares, Solitare I, Jilli Q, Smiles, Summer Tilt, etc.
MAybe we can see a green flash at Great Sale Cay tonight -- that would be GREAT.
It's time to begin heading home -- not too quickly but certainly back to the USA.
We went to Manjack for a last visit then anchored off NEw Plymouth in Green Turtle Cay yesterday and evening. I just wanted to see the lights of the settlement one last time and to make a minor grocery trip.
I really like the Bahamas but the cost is really a gut wencher. Ohh well there is always some kind of "snake" in paradise.
This morning we left the anchorage and began the trip back. Today we are making a long run to Great Sale Cay or about 65 miles. We are having a very nice run. Just 16 miles away as I write this. The seas are settled a nice 10 - 14 knot wind from behind and we are averaging 7.0 kts. Well I'm sure that bottom cleaning has something to do with that too.
Hope to be into the anchorage at Great SAle CAy before 4pm. We need an early start tomorrow to make West End. We will go into the expensive marina there but Karen has never seen it and its worth seeing and experiencing.
Victoria Gaye is with us and will cross with us. That is a comforting thought for both of us.
We are not alone though it seems that most the regulars that were at HopeTown all winter have elected this crossing window too. There must be at least 6 of them -- Antares, Solitare I, Jilli Q, Smiles, Summer Tilt, etc.
MAybe we can see a green flash at Great Sale Cay tonight -- that would be GREAT.
Tuesday, April 7, 2015
MANJACK!
Yep we are back in Manjack Cay today. Cut the cord at the Green Turtle Club Marina this morning and pushed on.
We first wanted to go to Allans-Pensacola Cay -- 24 miles away, then backed off to Powell Cay which is 11 miles away then decided since this was a nice sail north we would have to beat our way back here in a few days -- I turned tail and went into MANJACK which was only 4 miles away.
We had the hook down by 10:30am and relaxed with a leisurely lunch of leftovers then went into the Manjack beach.. Today we followed the signs to the Ocean Beach. Damn it must have been a 2 mile walk along exposed roots and rough rocks. It took 30 minutes to walk the path one-way.
The beach is very nice but very clean. Beach combing found little to nothing.
The anchorage only has a few boats here this afternoon so no crowding.
We are kicking around thoughts of possibly heading back to the USA this weekend in a short window but still haven't decided yet. We went a more leisurely crossing with only daytime movement and light seas. A tough combination but we will see.
We will relax here tonight then probably back to GTC tomorrow -- for some reason we are out of fresh vegetables -- poor planning on our part.
Ohh the boat felt like her ol self today for the brief period we motor sailed. Ol Phil did a GREAT job scrubbing the hull of this boat. He spent 2 hours working on it.
Hopefully we will be back soon before the growth comes back -- my bottom paint is SHOT!!
We first wanted to go to Allans-Pensacola Cay -- 24 miles away, then backed off to Powell Cay which is 11 miles away then decided since this was a nice sail north we would have to beat our way back here in a few days -- I turned tail and went into MANJACK which was only 4 miles away.
We had the hook down by 10:30am and relaxed with a leisurely lunch of leftovers then went into the Manjack beach.. Today we followed the signs to the Ocean Beach. Damn it must have been a 2 mile walk along exposed roots and rough rocks. It took 30 minutes to walk the path one-way.
The beach is very nice but very clean. Beach combing found little to nothing.
The anchorage only has a few boats here this afternoon so no crowding.
We are kicking around thoughts of possibly heading back to the USA this weekend in a short window but still haven't decided yet. We went a more leisurely crossing with only daytime movement and light seas. A tough combination but we will see.
We will relax here tonight then probably back to GTC tomorrow -- for some reason we are out of fresh vegetables -- poor planning on our part.
Ohh the boat felt like her ol self today for the brief period we motor sailed. Ol Phil did a GREAT job scrubbing the hull of this boat. He spent 2 hours working on it.
Hopefully we will be back soon before the growth comes back -- my bottom paint is SHOT!!
Sunday, April 5, 2015
Happy Easter!!
Wow sure doesn't feel like Easter over here. They do celebrate but mostly Good Friday and Easter Monday.
We are here at the Green Turtle Club Marina for a few days. Enjoying the AC at night, long hot showers and all the other amenities of a nice Marina. I have Phil Roberts coming tomorrow to clean the bottom of my boat. He does a great job - He did Victoria Gaye this morning but said he couldn't do 2 in one day -- arthritis.. He said "yours looks bad". I guess it will cost me more but that's what I get for not doing a fresh bottom job before this trip.
I met Bob and Cheryl Ray on New Passages out of San Fransico today. They had trouble getting a new computer to control their SSB Winlink Icom 710 and SCS Pactor modem. I worked with them for a couple of hours and got some of it working but not all -- I had to direct them to Gary at Dockside Radio for further consultation. It's old equipment and there could be a hardware issue.
We have just been enjoying GTC since Wednesday. On the anchor until yesterday when we came to the marina for a few days for R and R. We hoped to leave Tuesday for a crossing back to the USA and that looks good for salty sailors but not us "pleasure Boaters". May be next week before we can cross. In the meantime we will enjoy GTC and maybe run up to Allens Pensacola for a few days and Powell Cay before the next blow next weekend.
Happy Easter everyone!!
We are here at the Green Turtle Club Marina for a few days. Enjoying the AC at night, long hot showers and all the other amenities of a nice Marina. I have Phil Roberts coming tomorrow to clean the bottom of my boat. He does a great job - He did Victoria Gaye this morning but said he couldn't do 2 in one day -- arthritis.. He said "yours looks bad". I guess it will cost me more but that's what I get for not doing a fresh bottom job before this trip.
I met Bob and Cheryl Ray on New Passages out of San Fransico today. They had trouble getting a new computer to control their SSB Winlink Icom 710 and SCS Pactor modem. I worked with them for a couple of hours and got some of it working but not all -- I had to direct them to Gary at Dockside Radio for further consultation. It's old equipment and there could be a hardware issue.
We have just been enjoying GTC since Wednesday. On the anchor until yesterday when we came to the marina for a few days for R and R. We hoped to leave Tuesday for a crossing back to the USA and that looks good for salty sailors but not us "pleasure Boaters". May be next week before we can cross. In the meantime we will enjoy GTC and maybe run up to Allens Pensacola for a few days and Powell Cay before the next blow next weekend.
Happy Easter everyone!!
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