Warm Wind and Blue Water

Yesterday January 28th was relatively chilly.  72 degrees for the high and it was overcast and windy.  Today is much better.  81 degrees for the high, light winds and partly cloudy sky.   Last night, the marina had a mexican night pot luck with a cash bar.  The food was great with lots of different kinds of dishes.  I still feel a little new on the block and our boat is definitely low man on the totem pole.  Many, many, 38 to 40 footers with all the electronics, roller furling main sails, and all the other amenities you can think of.  Many of the people in the marina are from the Chesapeake and Annapolis area, so they've basically moved their summer activities to the Bahamas for the winter.  We are planning to stay at the Marsh Harbor Marina for a month or so until the weather starts to moderate a little with fewer fronts moving off the US coast.  We were thinking of renting a car for a couple of days.  While sitting in the marina restaurant using the computer, we overheard a man (Cliff) calling for prices on rentals.  We asked what he found out and to make a long story short we went together on a weekly rental.  He's going to be out fishing for a couple of days, so we'll have the car to ourselves at least for a couple of days.  Went exploring with the car this morning and found the bakery and the hardware store.

The Whale

Yesterday January 25 we left Green Turtle Cay about 8:30am headed for Treasure Cay.  In order to get there we had to go through Whale Cay Channel.  The concern that exists with Whale Cay Channel is whether there is a "rage" going or not.  With a rage the channel can literally have waves breaking across the entire channel.  We traveled with several other boats and the trip was uneventful.  It was a little rolly in spots, but nothing breaking at all.  The wind was relatively light so we motored most of the way.

Treasure Cay is a full service resort with marina.  They used to have a mooring field but now it is used for anchoring and all the moorings are gone.  Treasure Cay now charges $10 to anchor but allows the use of all their facilities.  Not a bad deal.  Weather has been relatively cool (long pants cool) so not a lot of water or beach activity.  Many of the locals we've talked with say this is the slowest January they can remember.  Had pizza at "Pizza Night" at the marina last night.  Lots of people there, many that looked like they might be golfers since there is an 18 hole course connected to the resort.  We'll probably spend at least one more night here because the weather is suppose to deteriorate again.  Saturday or Sunday sound good so we may head to Guana Cay or Marsh Harbor depending on what actually happens with the forecast.

A Long Time Coming

Just noticed that I haven't blogged since we left Key Largo.  Shame on me.  We actually left Key Largo on January 3rd and anchored in a local bay called Thursday Harbor.  The next day we sailed to Card Sound and anchored at Pumpkin Key.  When we woke up the wind had switched and just before breakfast we noticed our anchor was dragging.  We  quickly moved to the west side of the key for more protection and re-anchored.  From there we sailed into the Biscayne Bay and headed for the Herbert Hoover Marina (named after the vacuum cleaner inventor not the president).  They didn't have much in the way of services but at least Marilyn could watch the Pakers in the playoffs.  From there we sailed to Miami and took a mooring at the Dinner Key mooring field.  The first couple of nights were fine and then the wind started blowing from the east all the way across the bay and into the mooring field.  We knew we weren't going to move since we were on the mooring, but we had a rocky few nights.  Dinner Key did have a transfer boat so at least we could be picked up and transferred to shore.  It was a good location with good local transportation and lots of stores close by.  I think we'll look for something with a little more protection on the return.

On January 12, we left the mooring at 7:45am headed for Fort Lauderdale.  We couldn't go out the Miami Harbor because it was closed for cruise ship security.  We arrived at about 3:00pm but had to wait for a bridge opening at 3:15pm.  Stayed at the Las Olas City Marina.  The marina was very nice with great rates and a great location.  The facilities were in wonderful shape with a nice laundromat, wifi and super showers.

We waited several days for a good weather window to leave for the Bahamas.  During that time we met Stan and Diana Pendelton aboard "West Wind" who were from Maine and were looking for the same good weather to make the crossing.  Originally we had planned to go to West Palm Beach for the crossing to West End, but after talking with several people we were convinced that it would take no more time from Ft Lauderdale with the help of the gulf stream.  So, on January 16 at 9:40pm, La Contessa VII, West Wind and 9 Lives made the 10:00pm bridge opening and headed for West End.  As we left Port Everglades, we were met by rain, rolling seas and a pilot boat ordering us out of the channel because of an arriving freighter.  Not what NOAA had predicted.  After about 30 minutes La Contressa turned around and returned to port.  After talking with West Wind we decided to give it another half hour and if things didn't get better we'd turn back too.  Things did settle down a little but still nothing like the predictions.  We continued on motor-sailing since the wind was more easterly than southerly as predicted and also stronger.  We made good progress, but at 2:20am we lost power to our engine.  I was able to restart it, but was concerned about having the engine when we got to West End.  So, we put up more sail and kept going under sail alone.  The winds never did get light and even strengthened as the sun came up.  The boat handled the winds very well and we kept pace with West Wind who continued to motor sail.  We arrived at West End, took the sails down and tried the engine.  It started; life is good!!  We tied up at 11:30 am.  We've decided that all marine weather forecasters should be required to be an off coast sailor for at least two years.  After changing the fuel filters I found them full of some ugly looking stuff which caused the engine to shut down.  Feel pretty confident that we've solved the problem at least for the time being.

After 2 nights at West End and their exorbitant rates, we headed across the Little Bahama Bank for Great Sale Cay.  We left at 7:00am and arrived at 6:00pm just as the sun was setting.  We had a long trip because we had to motor the entire distance with the wind directly on our nose.  On January 20, we left Great Sale Cay for Alans-Pensacola Cay with absolutely no wind.  Motored all the way and arrived about 2:00pm.  As at Great Sale Cay, there were no other boats except ours at anchor.  We finally got in the water to check the anchor, fiddle with a rudder that was up a little and to cool down.  The water was refreshing, not cold, but felt good and it was crystal clear.

The next day January 21, we pulled anchor and headed for Green Turtle Cay.  Again, there were light winds.  We arrived and decided to go to the Bluff House Marina.  Their rates were great and the facility was wonderful.  Today, January 22 we're still at Green Turtle Cay.  Weather kind of went to pot, and may not be any better for a few days.  This is a great place to be stuck.  We rented a golf cart to explore the island and found a bakery, so life is good again!!!  Our next goal is to get to Marsh Harbor, which is not too far away, but we still need good weather to do it comfortably.  We hope to get a rate at one of the marinas and maybe stay there for about a month.  Weather tends to be kind of ugly in the Abacos the first part of the winter and slowly moderate as you head for spring, so we'll do some more moving around as we get into March.  Our Bahamas cruising permit is good until April 17, so we'll most likely start to head back to Key Largo on or about the 1st of April.  Once again "everything depends on weather"!!

Still On The Dock

Been a little lacks in updating the blog.  Sorry about that, but if you look at the pictures, you’ll probably see why.  I’m still doing mechanics 101.  We thought we had everything ready to go on New Years Day, but got up and had trouble with our pressure water.  I can do without a lot of things, but not water.  For some reason the valve that changes the water from starboard and port tanks was not working right and allowing lots of air into the line.  This was determined after about 3 hours checking all the fittings and lines.  So, we spent New Years day at the dock and today we headed for West Marine and Home Depot for new fittings and lines.  Everything went together pretty well and it seems we have water again.  Just like at home fixing the water at the lake.

Marilyn wanted me to be sure and show everyone a picture of one of her favorite Christmas presents:  the Greenbay Packer nome.  Thanks nephew Wes.  Marilyn called Wes, who is a big Vikings fan to thank him and express amazement that he was able to bring himself to purchase the little bugger.  He replied:  It's OK, it's like chopping onions, you cry for awhile and the smell doesn't come off your hands for a couple of days, but he's over it now.  Pretty sad, but a least she doesn’t have any other bad habit.  Right!!

Weather is suppose to be good again tomorrow, so hope that nothing else goes wrong and we can finally get off the dock.  Happy New Year to everyone!