tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-88563131834897824912024-03-20T11:05:57.313-04:00Breeze OnBevhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12228203113829306551noreply@blogger.comBlogger846125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8856313183489782491.post-55238370995000577802024-03-15T18:15:00.001-04:002024-03-15T18:15:33.480-04:00We Are HomeAfter 47 hours of mostly motoring—with a few peaceful hours of sailing—we completed the last leg of our trip home. The water was so calm along the outer banks of North Carolina that it seemed like glass. <div><br></div><div><br></div><div><img id="id_f966_dab1_acbd_c85f" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/d/1CeIJE0oUwBqqG9wtpGnzdelzjL-yGnql" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 812px; height: auto;"><br><br><br></div><div><br></div><div><img id="id_2390_c9e3_680e_7abe" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/d/1dwn50jOFTuBUgP-mcSI9I0B6ZH2U5a50" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 812px; height: auto;"><br><br><br></div><div>Now Breeze On is safely tucked into her slip and we have started to unload our clothes and leftover food. </div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><img id="id_3af1_20f_5ab5_3574" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/d/1F-Db-3EVlRWGQcw_G59Eky6WzuFKmFXu" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 812px; height: auto;"><br><br><br></div><div>We are tired and quickly ran out of steam this afternoon after a few trips of unloading. Fortunately, we have plenty of time in the coming days to complete the chores required to get Breeze On cleaned and organized. </div>Bevhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12228203113829306551noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8856313183489782491.post-67923336711637165152024-03-13T15:15:00.001-04:002024-03-13T15:15:14.460-04:00Halfway HomeAfter 49 hours of motoring and motor-sailing we pulled into Homer Smith Docks in Beaufort, NC for diesel this afternoon and are now on our way N again. We love Beaufort and Homer Smith’s and would have loved to stay a few days, but do not want to pass up this weather window to round Cape Hatteras. <div><br></div><div>We have seen quite a few dolphins—some stayed with us for over 30 minutes. </div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><img id="id_f155_8b9c_9de3_f442" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/d/1tzUQll-mi_Pw5S2Vd-0mgC3VM4FnikPg" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 812px; height: auto;"><br><br><br></div><div><br></div><div><img id="id_d179_2ccc_a955_e35d" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/d/10gFbt1A_eQo7rX1w_uwvXZvfcOWsiEYo" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 812px; height: auto;"><br><br><br></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><img id="id_1262_ac2a_2df_5fb3" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/d/1BFcBfGsqKROry1cOdRMgD57WJINQB9wV" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 812px; height: auto;"><br><br><br></div><div><br></div><div><img id="id_fc86_f0a5_d893_93ba" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/d/1AjF7vcx1exjUCswqPcZfOFpSb6UkD583" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 812px; height: auto;"><br><br><br></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><img id="id_1d1c_575_448b_3f51" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/d/1_4p4NnmGa8iWOXbKUrTJvSvwZRKpxr6r" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 812px; height: auto;"><br><br><br></div><div>George cleaned the salt off of the dodger windows to improve the visibility. Of course, there are already salty again from the waves we encountered exiting the Beaufort Channel. </div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><img id="id_50af_7269_8720_c229" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/d/1EvVtDMT7yy0G1t7O4XNoIZgJ5goLOlKP" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 812px; height: auto;"><br><br><br></div>Bevhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12228203113829306551noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8856313183489782491.post-85005233304765304512024-03-11T13:39:00.001-04:002024-03-11T13:39:51.218-04:00We Are Off, Take TwoThe jib sheet is replaced and we have left Brunswick again. George spent the afternoon yesterday threading a messenger line under the deck cover using a tape measure and wire. This morning he went up the mast to thread a messenger line through one hole in the mast and out another.<div><br></div><div><br></div><div><img id="id_9935_45ca_1cf3_d50e" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/d/1tbF3p_W1L7oeX9PIgDt1qZpNhlK4CbP8" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 812px; height: auto;"><br><br><br></div><div>The wind made the job challenging but he managed to get it done using the high-tech, expensive tool shown in the photo below. </div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><img id="id_5f65_b35c_5e80_c63e" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/d/1SVqORfLf4th39NTTZH3LJVdJScqXCf9L" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 812px; height: auto;"><br><br><br></div><div>Next he attached an old main halyard to the messenger lines and pulled the line through the mast, a block, and under the deck cover. The old halyard had chafed at one end but was long enough as a jib sheet with the chafed end removed.</div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><img id="id_5075_5919_1ccc_1a82" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/d/11S99viDtjvmMITRdgLOPyjZlApfro0mW" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 812px; height: auto;"><br><br><br></div><div><br></div><div>The other end of the line was threaded through blocks and attached to the jib. I was quite impressed that George was able to figure out how to replace the jib sheet since it is rather complicated. Replacing a jib sheet on our last boat involved untying a line, pulling it through a block, then putting the new line through a block and retying it. The job is more complicated on Breeze On because of the self-tacking jib, but we find it well worth it. </div><div><br></div><div>Ironically, choosing to turn around yesterday meant that we lost our opportunity for sailing. The wind is dying down and will remain light for the next few days. We believe we made the right decision, though. If we had stayed the course we could have continued to sail but our options for sail plans would have been severely limited without the jib. We most likely would have been underpowered or overpowered. </div><div><br></div><div>Since we will be motoring for the next four days we will have to stop in Beaufort for fuel. Our plan is to continue on from there all the way home, arriving on Friday. Of course, we know that can change. </div>Bevhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12228203113829306551noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8856313183489782491.post-91339829777055558362024-03-10T18:31:00.001-04:002024-03-14T11:01:46.042-04:00Repairs After 12 days in Brunswick we left the Brunswick Landing Marina at 8:00 am this morning to head further N. We set a course for Winyah Bay, SC but planned to stop sooner, or continue on farther, depending on how we felt. I took a photo looking down the river at 7:00 am this morning hoping to catch how dark it was—blasted Daylight Saving Time—but my iPhone outsmarted me and took the photo with an extended exposure. <div><br></div><div><br></div><div><img id="id_c71_9c1a_16b7_519c" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/d/18lgBZAvHQcHrolJz_1QRm_ZC6CdV5HOH" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 812px; height: auto;"><br><br><br></div><div>We passed under the Sidney Lanier bridge shortly after we left. </div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><img id="id_70a8_43a3_7ba3_47a0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/d/1gf6x5hVzehMaiuuzkCMjq_6Ol4H7H3Cx" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 812px; height: auto;"><br><br></div><div><br></div><div>The wind is blowing 20 knots from the NW and the seas were quite lumpy. We were sailing with a single-reefed main and had just put another reef in the main so we could also unfurl the jib. We thought that sail plan might be faster, but also more comfortable. As we were unfurling the jib, the sheet (lines that controls the jib) parted (broke) with a loud bang. It startled both of us. </div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><img id="id_4d71_b3e6_94c9_7120" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/d/1lef4Im6xXrvoo8vMCwBPN2l5C8vSxoj0" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 812px; height: auto;"><br><br><br></div><div><br></div><div>We furled the jib and George donned a PFD to go out on deck to tie up the other end of the jib sheet that was flapping in the wind. We then discussed our options—continue on with just the mainsail, pull in and anchor at the first opportunity, or turn around and go back to Brunswick. Going back to Brunswick was the least appealing option but also the one that made the most sense. We were just 5 1/2 miles from the Brunswick channel, although the return trip took much longer with 2 1/2 knots of current against us in the channel. </div><div><br></div><div>We are now anchored in the Frederica River and making repairs. George is replacing the jib sheet and I am repairing an enclosure zipper that broke this morning. Our selftacking jib arrangement makes the jib sheet replacement a big project since it has to be threaded in and out of the deck as well as the mast. Once that is done we will figure out our next steps. </div>Bevhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12228203113829306551noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8856313183489782491.post-59382359624935269892024-03-08T17:30:00.001-05:002024-03-08T17:30:26.051-05:00BonusWe had another visit yesterday, this time from my brother, Dave. He drove 3 1/2 hours from Ocala, FL. We had a lovely time catching up in the cockpit, then walked the short distance into town for lunch at Reid’s Apothecary. After lunch we walked around town a bit more and stopped to take a selfie in front of one of Brunswick’s squares. <div><br></div><div><br></div><div><img id="id_ee0e_712_4bb8_cae0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/d/1yNGK4N8NVH0isKL-DkX68ocLThbE_U9q" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 812px; height: auto;"><br><br><br></div><div>Once we returned to the marina we hopped in Dave’s truck and he drove us to Publix, a few miles away. I had hoped to buy the ingredients I needed to make a new recipe for granola but Publix didn’t carry oat bran. When we returned to the truck Dave had the idea to search for health food stores on his GPS. We found one that had the oat bran and I made the granola later in the evening. I singed it a bit so no photos for this batch—have I mentioned how hard it is to control the oven temperature?</div><div><br></div><div>We had a great visit with Dave and so appreciated the effort he made to come see us. </div><div><br></div><div>There are a lot of birds in Brunswick and several seem to enjoy hanging out on the docks. This egret particularly like this dock. </div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><img id="id_c2f6_60f1_bb99_b143" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/d/1ezE-O_88DiI86c61ToJjXGDL0lP7BFa5" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 812px; height: auto;"><br><br><br></div><div>The pelicans and laughing gulls like to hang out here. </div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><img id="id_cfd6_4fc8_9bec_b108" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/d/1_9uGkeXucf-wjTbtBpDYYxAVa8lCz59C" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 812px; height: auto;"><br><br><br></div><div>More laughing gulls and cormorants on the fuel dock. In the early morning and late afternoon the laughing gulls really get going. You can see Brunswick’s pulp mill plant in the background. We can smell it when the wind is right. George used pulp mill effluent for his master’s thesis, Effectiveness of aerated lagoons in the treatment of bleached kraft mill effluent as determined by avoidance reactions of pinfish (<i>Lagodon rhomboides),</i> and grew to like the smell. I typed his thesis way back in 1976—before the days of word processors—and typed the words, <i>Lagodon rhomboides, </i>many times. </div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><img id="id_5ca6_4d70_86e9_de0b" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/d/155UsPwpcX7N6CDR4RPYFgzCdWINZP8v3" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 812px; height: auto;"><br><br><br></div>Bevhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12228203113829306551noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8856313183489782491.post-60623885244421589932024-03-06T16:23:00.001-05:002024-03-06T16:23:07.157-05:00Weather RoutingSince our first trip to the Bahamas in 2016 George has used PredictWind software for weather routing. PredictWind takes the weather forecast from several sources and plans a route for the best conditions given the forecast. It includes information on wind, seas, and currents. It will also consider the speed of your boat, given the information you enter into the program. In addition, it has parameters for warnings for wind speed, wave height, storms and even wind chill. George initially ran the models on his laptop while connected to a marina’s WiFi. While we were offshore he could also run the weather routing models using the Iridium Go satellite phone on either the laptop or iPad with the Predict Wind Offshore app. <div><br></div><div>We recently watched a “Getting the Most Out of PredictWind” webinar. From that we learned that we could also get information on amount of roll we would experience on a trip if we upgraded the app. If you have been reading this blog for a while you know we very much dislike rolling from side to side. We decided to do a short term upgrade to see if we found the information useful. At the same time, we have noticed that there is a selection for PredictWind on the chartplotter we purchased in 2022. It turns out that with the upgraded PredictWind we can run the models right on the chartplotter. That is a huge timesaver, especially for me! Up until now, I take the waypoints generated by PredictWind and manually enter each waypoint’s coordinates into our chartplotter to develop a route. When I did that last week for our route from Grand Bahama to Charleston, it took me hours to enter over 30 waypoints. It didn’t help that—because of a mistake—I had to enter each one twice. Then we ended up diverting to Brunswick anyway. </div><div><br></div><div>We are looking forward to using this feature and expect we may find it worth the extra cost. </div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><img id="id_54a4_24ab_f2fa_6e2d" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/d/12F7o15qwpXrQ7lNCQFVjDa9pWVTv7QZD" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 812px; height: auto;"><br>George getting ready to select PredictWind after contacting the chartplotter to WiFi. </div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><img id="id_cee7_c324_fabe_c0cc" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/d/1jwnMyS0q8l1drdD3q4Mh2uT4fhElGFrK" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 812px; height: auto;"><br>Ready to download. </div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><img id="id_3ad4_cb5_28e8_cdfc" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/d/1-J5MDd79QIdto3dikyRCDFu6whig9TLj" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 812px; height: auto;"><br>Zoomed in on the four possible routes, each based on a different weather model. Once we select the route we want, we can hide the others. </div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><img id="id_b93e_8ffb_11e0_6eb2" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/d/14e47-P31-kQojwHU2vwZmHmSRW2pdIGn" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 812px; height: auto;"><br>Wind details for part of the European model route. </div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><img id="id_3ed9_8257_ce4e_41b6" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/d/1Z70XUgag2tYBuIOABkqT4jkkQfNDeS6u" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 812px; height: auto;"><br>Wave details from part of the European model. <br><br><br><br><br><br></div><div><br></div><div><br><br><br></div>Bevhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12228203113829306551noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8856313183489782491.post-73088251628268769352024-03-04T15:51:00.001-05:002024-03-04T15:51:38.241-05:00Silver LiningsIt can be frustrating waiting for weather windows. It looks like we will be waiting in Brunswick at least another week, maybe longer. The silver lining, though, is the people who have come to visit. Today we were visited by my long-time friend, Joan. She remembers meeting me just before first grade and we remained classmates and friends through college at Florida State. My brother is scheduled to come see us in a few days. These visits from friends and family are making our time here truly special. <div><br></div><div><br></div><div><img id="id_d18d_7012_6e71_f419" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/d/1IotFbsbBq2iwb6kAVaqoj8Nr4hSI_fd7" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 783px; height: auto;"><br><br><br></div>Bevhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12228203113829306551noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8856313183489782491.post-20313547425308876992024-03-02T16:37:00.001-05:002024-03-02T16:37:14.838-05:00HighlightsThe weather continues to be unsettled and the weather window we thought we had for next week seems to be evaporating. Nevertheless, we are enjoying our time in Brunswick. Yesterday and today we were visited by our friends, Dan and Jan, who drove out from Tallahassee to see us. Jan and I have been friends since elementary school. We were roommates in Tallahassee while Dan and George were grad school roommates, also in Tallahassee. George and I had a wonderful time visiting with them, walking through Brunswick, and sharing dinner at Indigo Coastal Shanty. We don’t see each other often but when we do it seems we just pick up where we left off. <div><br></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><img id="id_396c_ad02_d9ab_f9bb" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/d/18zVaDbwbmZasJikgpSg12uml700cooyQ" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 812px; height: auto;"><br><br><br></div><div><br></div><div>After dinner Dan and Jan kindly drove us to the grocery store. We spent a few hours together again this morning before they returned home. We are so glad they made the last-minute decision to reach out to us here. <div>Yesterday morning I participated in a yoga class, held here at the marina. This morning, after the fog cleared, we visited the nearby farmers market and bought some lettuce. </div></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><img id="id_b76c_d18c_8977_58e6" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/d/1l3eLJUPcFh_NEGcqsTJlIIXDYyLX_v4S" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 812px; height: auto;"><br><br><br></div><div><br></div><div><img id="id_c694_a521_8e43_86a" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/d/1XJTqAsWHebPA3gxyOZadNBkGkj8jjVoJ" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 812px; height: auto;"><br><br><br></div>Bevhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12228203113829306551noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8856313183489782491.post-80256356468181829032024-02-29T13:15:00.001-05:002024-02-29T13:15:54.558-05:00Arrival in BrunswickBrunswick is a relatively busy port but we have never seen it as busy as it was when we arrived in the dark on Tuesday night. We encountered three dredging ships along with various other ships as we made our way up the channel. Finally, at 1 am, we dropped the anchor in a shallow area at a wide spot in the river and went to bed. The next morning we raised the anchor and traveled the rest of the way to Brunswick Landing Marina. Unfortunately, the S wind made our arrival quite challenging. The S wind comes all the way up the river. <div><br></div><div><br></div><div><img id="id_88c7_2f39_16b5_b299" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/d/1ysfoKljzCXu-8JXtepjLTwZD-679WK2I" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 812px; height: auto;"><br><br></div><div><br></div><div> Last year—when we had similar conditions—I put a long scratch in the side of the boat when I was either pulling into or leaving the fuel dock. This time I was really dreading docking at the fuel dock and our slip. All went well at the fuel dock—no scratches. I thought all was going well as I was pulling into our slip, but the wind pushed me too far over and I had to abort. I was trying to maneuver back into position to enter the slip but ended up in a position where I felt rather trapped. George had the brilliant suggestion that I turn all the way around, almost 360°. Then the dock master coached me in. He and two others managed the lines and we were in. I couldn’t have done it without their help and felt so grateful. After I turned the engine off I made sure to give them a big thank you. </div>Bevhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12228203113829306551noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8856313183489782491.post-74034374515062036312024-02-27T22:52:00.001-05:002024-02-27T22:52:16.918-05:00Plan BWe left Grand Bahama Yacht Club yesterday morning about 30 minutes before sunrise. <div><br><div><br></div><div><img id="id_5163_2dc_4324_75f9" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/d/1E8n9iDcxlshfTr9MQV3sF4Hp-htHZPnX" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 812px; height: auto;"><br><br></div><div><br></div><div>One boat left ahead of us and several other boats were behind us, although we were the only boat traveling N. We motored and motor sailed for the first 27 hours of the trip then—when the wind filled in—turned the engine off to sail in the Gulf Stream, usually moving at 10 knots. After hearing Chris Parker’s forecast for the Charleston area covering today and tomorrow, we decided to go to Brunswick, GA instead of Charleston. Neither one of us was in the mood winds up to 30 knots and seven foot seas. <div><br></div><div>The highlight of our trip was watching a pod of dolphins interact with us for quite a while today. The seas were too rough to go on deck to take photos so we weren’t able to catch most of their jumps. We were both delighted to see a group of three jump just ahead of our bow. </div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><img id="id_c541_73eb_f249_1641" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/d/1DHucz8a1qiD6baN8HLkEcIZTUT90quY_" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 812px; height: auto;"><br><br><br></div><div><br></div><div>We expect to enter the channel at Brunswick around 11 pm this evening, then stop at an anchorage a few hours later. Tomorrow we will go to Brunswick Landing Marina where we may have to wait for quite a while for the next weather window. </div><div><br></div></div></div>Bevhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12228203113829306551noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8856313183489782491.post-76000867052974983082024-02-25T20:06:00.001-05:002024-02-25T20:06:54.547-05:00Never Say NeverWhen we last visited Charleston by boat in the fall of 2017 we swore that were would never bring the boat back to Charleston. The strong current (although we did time our arrival and departure to coincide with slack tide) and inconvenience of the only marina available to us made it just not worth it. Well…here we are six and a half years later planning a return trip to Charleston. We have a weather window of two and a half days and—if we travel in the Gulf Steam—Charleston is the appropriate distance from here to fit that window. We plan to leave Lucaya early tomorrow morning and arrive at the Charleston City Marina at slack tide—5 pm—on Wednesday. Of course, if we don’t travel the speed we expect, or don’t want to travel in the Gulf Stream due to poor conditions, we have a Plan B as well as a Plan C. Below is our route. <div><br></div><div><br></div><div><img id="id_7f77_cdeb_aa61_84e" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/d/1MpB0B3nqv2FpoF8zWXtDlL2YvPjoj1SO" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 812px; height: auto;"><br><br><br></div><div>We have spent the past two days relaxing and preparing for the next leg of our trip home. George plotted our route to maximize the boost from the Gulf Stream and I entered it into our chartplotter. I packed up the food we will eat during the trip to minimize our time in the galley while George secured the dinghy for offshore travel. Yesterday we walked a mile each way to the Sawyer’s Fresh Market grocery store. What a treat to see such a well-stocked produce section!</div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><img id="id_e002_4524_7f9d_9de0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/d/11bq5DAtBLlIbQ4S-bA489U5DSDBTrirz" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 812px; height: auto;"><br><br><br></div><div>We have enjoyed our time at Grand Bahama Yacht Club and would be happy to return. </div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><img id="id_ba5a_1b90_7f0b_328b" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/d/1N3vOXaxu5uhqu38v0O4aeaUJt1h4-C95" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 812px; height: auto;"><br><br><br></div>Bevhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12228203113829306551noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8856313183489782491.post-39235927648778858442024-02-23T13:11:00.001-05:002024-02-23T16:36:17.645-05:00Royal Island West to Lucaya, Grand Bahama Hoo boy! What a day we have had already. After raising the anchor at 3 pm yesterday afternoon and pointing the boat toward Lucaya, we arrived just after 7 am this morning. We first stopped at the fuel dock at Grand Bahama Yacht Club then motored the short distance up the creek to Scarboro Dock where we had a reservation. Some people we met last fall had highly recommended Scarboro Dock. We expected to be placed on the 180’ long dock—but since there were already three other boats on that dock—we were motioned into a 20’ long, 25’ wide slip. Because the dinghy was on the back we had to go bow in first. There was absolutely no way we could make the boat secure in that short slip. We can make a short slip work at home because we have TideSlides in a very narrow slip, enabling us to tie the boat up tight. Also, we take the dinghy off and back into the slip at home. In this slip we were twisting and turning, nearly hitting the boat next to us. And the strong wind we are expecting hasn’t even arrived yet! The dock manager, Gilles, kept adding lines but it wasn’t working so George made a call to the Grand Bahama Yacht Club and, fortunately, they had room for us there. George and Gilles untied the spiderweb of lines and off we went. It was tricky getting into the slip at Grand Bahama Yacht Club but we had lots of help and at least this slip is big enough. We should be nice and secure through the front arriving later today. Phew!<div><div><br></div><div><img id="id_7f7_ab40_9423_b0cc" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/d/1l1jq5Go5laTRRttnHaj-hTqwwO8N3P4c" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 812px; height: auto;"><br>Gilles has provided this photo prior to our arrival. You can see how we made the assumption we would be on the long dock. (I added the captions.)<br><br></div><div><div><br></div><div>Our passage last night went well. We started out motoring in light winds with six foot waves on the beam, making it very rolly. The seas subsided after a few hours then the wind picked up at 3 am enabling us to sail the rest of the way. We had an almost-full moon all night, making for great visibility. The numerous ships—mostly cruise ships—came nowhere near us.</div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><img id="id_d76d_304e_a316_6b48" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/d/1H3FBJ3360hGBSKdgW8AbEk47qSe2ZIdT" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 803px; height: auto;"><br><br><br></div><div><br></div><div>We will spend the rest of today relaxing and spend Saturday and Sunday finishing getting ready for the next legs of our trip home. We hope to be able to leave here on Monday and travel at least as far as Brunswick, GA. </div></div></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><img id="id_1ca1_4b55_a765_6a2b" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/d/16iGsqgGldLNqxSzLUeXCGJ4Sg4t8p3LA" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 812px; height: auto;"><br>The pool at our marina. There is a waterfall at the end. <br><br></div>Bevhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12228203113829306551noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8856313183489782491.post-42662922736977238472024-02-21T16:58:00.001-05:002024-02-21T16:58:13.706-05:00Spanish Wells to Royal Island WestThis morning we dropped our mooring lines and left the Spanish Wells harbor to sail seven miles west to Royal Island. We opted to drop our anchor at the west end of the Royal Island rather than the <a href="https://svbreezeon.blogspot.com/2023/11/royal-island.html" id="id_ba9d_9dec_e3ba_28f9">inner harbor</a> we visited last fall. Since we don’t plan to leave this area until tomorrow afternoon, our motivation to leave Spanish Wells was mostly a desire for different scenery. We did appreciate the ease of going ashore while we were on the mooring ball. Yesterday we walked across the island to the beach on the N side. Since it was low tide the sandbar extended for quite a long distance. If you zoom way in you can see kite boarders in the distance. <div><br></div><div><img id="id_e9a_8b92_ea96_7cf4" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/d/1yzqFEFxt-rlTLoUF5tqY4UDHA3yUPaud" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 812px; height: auto;"><br><br></div><div><br></div><div>We enjoyed looking at the colorfully painted buildings in town. </div><div><br></div><div><img id="id_5ce2_b51_3834_a10c" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/d/1ZWGYJlvzR6KXSJaALJsaxPyW5urs4jvi" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 812px; height: auto;"><br><br><img id="id_3c9c_6c98_be2d_e188" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/d/1x9O0OqnPmjAc2KLfP8tSdl6AJSA8x80A" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 812px; height: auto;"><br><br><img id="id_c48f_50bf_7983_c51a" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/d/1uHjXY_IAcBQ1PYzScWWfGtgpOpX_VKjM" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 812px; height: auto;"><br><br></div><div><br></div><div>Today’s walk took us past the Spanish Wells Yacht Haven where we saw a sailboat crammed in next to a large motor yacht. The only time I would appreciate being next to a boat that big was if we needed it as a windbreak. </div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><img id="id_d14a_e2b9_1bea_c2f7" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/d/169on1HWCY7OlN7G_11RW8Y6oCKMnXYjk" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 812px; height: auto;"><br><br><br></div><div>When we leave here tomorrow afternoon we plan to sail overnight to Lucaya, Grand Bahama. From there we will be looking for a weather window to cross to the United States. Yes, it is awfully early to consider going home—where it is currently 43°, Brrrr!—but we are aiming to be home by the end of March. We have plans to be in Indiana in early April to watch the eclipse with my friends from grad school at Purdue (whom I haven’t seen for 40 years!) and we would like to be able to drive there from home. It would take us seven days to sail home if we had a weather window that long. We are lucky, though, to get weather windows as long as four days and we often have to wait in port as long as ten days for the next weather window. That is why we are leaving so early. </div><br><div>To prepare for leaving the warm Bahamas we have switched out bathing suits for warmer clothes and we will be putting up the enclosure panels tomorrow. </div>Bevhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12228203113829306551noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8856313183489782491.post-48457128604742876762024-02-19T17:05:00.001-05:002024-02-19T17:05:27.632-05:00Close QuartersThe small mooring field in Spanish Wells is such a well protected area that there is sometimes not enough wind to keep all of the boats pointed in the same direction. We were stern-to-stern with our neighbor several times yesterday. When George went up into the cockpit in the morning yesterday he saw that our dinghy was up against our neighbors Startink. Later in the day our boats came close to touching before they moved apart again. <div><br></div><div><br></div><div><img id="id_7dad_5772_2d1_5253" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/d/1dGMI9-YsSOZE4DhDp7TSIdOLjiNT48LA" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 812px; height: auto;"><br><br><br></div><div>We were actually wishing for more wind, which is something that rarely happens when we aren’t sailing. The tall trees that are very close to us tend to keep the wind down. </div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><img id="id_6a66_526f_5dc2_11c7" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/d/1u_Q9_Z6xhcHe-BohOn4bhMn3erwJ54f3" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 812px; height: auto;"><br><br></div><div><br></div><div>It was much windier in other less protected areas. A front came through last night and we now have sufficient wind to keep all of the boats pointed in the same direction. </div>Bevhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12228203113829306551noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8856313183489782491.post-41337820462640947632024-02-17T17:59:00.001-05:002024-02-17T17:59:00.132-05:00Busy TimeThe last two days have been quite busy on Breeze On. Yesterday morning we raised the anchor at Man Island and motored three miles S to an anchorage adjacent to Dunmore Town on Harbour Island. We dinghied ashore and to wash two loads of laundry at Super Carl’s Laundromat. The place isn’t fancy but it is certainly efficient. In the afternoon we went ashore again to eat lunch at Briland Wave. Our first choice had been Angela’s Starfish Restaurant but that place appeared to be closed. The food at Briland Wave was quite good, but two wraps—with small salads and chips—cost almost $70, and that was without the beverages. Yikes. After lunch we went next door to the Pigly Wigly and scored a lot of produce! I was quite excited about that. <div><br></div><div><br></div><div><img id="id_f904_e1c9_b4_2904" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/d/1T_JT1YQKzLuxqP01ieNTjEd-47izWYFj" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 812px; height: auto;"><br><br><br></div><div>Once we returned to Breeze On we raised the anchor again and motored 2 1/2 miles further S to the Cistern Bay anchorage. Shortly after we dropped the anchor a ship with a cargo of large trees came by. I wonder where it was headed. </div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><img id="id_c0e5_9781_6819_8a1c" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/d/1KI9VTDLgTeAYVOeIFAaDLBAGAa2onSU9" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 812px; height: auto;"><br><br><br></div><div><br></div><div>Although we like the Cistern Bay anchorage, our stay here coincided with an event at the nearby Other Side Resort, where they began playing very loud music in the late afternoon. After we went to bed—with earplugs—the evening culminated with fireworks. They woke me up but George slept right through them. This morning we dinghied over to an area that is known for sea turtles. It is a popular spot for the numerous tour boats that visit the area. Once the tour boats left (and stopped feeding the turtles) a few turtles became interested in us. We had no food for them but they were quite persistent anyway. </div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><img id="id_8cec_a789_399f_4580" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/d/1RLTJvrgly58K6BXkEH7FhOOQSA_KjF3I" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 812px; height: auto;"><br><br><br></div><div><img id="id_9226_8c7c_1c71_1164" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/d/1uLOSxKkOCN5OaLI0GnMZeiWIu66qYCVc" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 812px; height: auto;"><br><br><br></div><div><img id="id_d520_52a6_48f2_ae62" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/d/1YCfUrrXWUs3dnTf1qV0n3FhJNbH7x5cm" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 812px; height: auto;"><br><br><br><br></div><div><img id="id_be0_688_9f4d_f06b" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/d/1e8J4-7VX9A2EAXsMd7CMa9-zTibkuhMu" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 812px; height: auto;"><br><br><br></div><div>At around noon we raised the anchor once again and sailed N in the harbor towards the Devil’s Backbone. When we reached the top of the harbor we dropped the sails and fell in line behind a megayacht, following it through the passage. This time George was driving and—since we didn’t have any swell from the N—the conditions were much calmer than they were the other day. We were also grateful that we didn’t encounter any rude captains on large motor yachts. </div><div><br></div><div>We are now back on a mooring ball in Spanish Wells and may be here for a week. We are waiting for a weather window to enable us to sail to the Berry Islands and then on to Lucaya on Grand Bahama. While we are waiting we are expecting another week of frequent fronts with many wind directions. This location enables us to stay put through all of the various wind directions. </div>Bevhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12228203113829306551noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8856313183489782491.post-11291556866794435932024-02-15T16:54:00.001-05:002024-02-15T16:54:05.717-05:00Harbour IslandWe left our mooring ball yesterday morning and motored the seven miles through the Devil’s Backbone to Harbour Island. The three-foot seas from the N made for a bumpy ride but all was going well until we got to the most narrow part of the passage. George told me there were two boats approaching from behind. Since I was focused on my driving I didn’t look behind and I just stayed on course, thinking I had the right of way. The large motor yachts behind us slowed down and we carried on. Just after we passed through the narrow part someone hailed us on the radio. George answered and thought he heard the person on the first boat, Timber, say that if we had been in Fort Lauderdale we would have been fined for cutting in front of a boat being driven in a channel by a pilot.* Yes, there was a pilot on board Timber (the pilot’s boat was being towed), but I had already been in the channel since we left Spanish Wells three and a half miles back. I didn’t cut in front of anyone. Since they were traveling faster than we were they apparently expected me to notice them approaching from behind and move over to let them pass. After making that comment about the fine, the person on the radio did ask us to move to starboard, which I did. I also slowed down and Timber—as well as the large motor yacht behind them—passed. I was quite annoyed by the whole exchange. I also found it hard to believe it was the local pilot who was on the radio. <a href="https://svbreezeon.blogspot.com/2023/03/devils-backbone.html" id="id_9545_ea02_510b_6087">The pilot we used last year</a>, Neil, was exceptionally polite. The pilot we encountered last year on the <a href="https://svbreezeon.blogspot.com/2023/03/enough-excitement.html" id="id_8d97_fd8a_a486_a555">supply ship</a> was also very polite. My best guess is that it was the boat captain—who is probably from Fort Lauderdale—feeling entitled and annoyed that his boat had to slow down for a small sailboat. Ok, gripe session is over. <div><br></div><div>We are actually happy to be here. Our anchorage at Man Island is lovely, with an interesting cave in front of us and beautiful beaches to our right and left. </div><div><br></div><div><img id="id_7b1b_d8f9_9835_74d" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/d/1-SqGcGolBgyja9KgGkpBHJCCmiZ_Vl7Z" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 812px; height: auto;"><br><br></div><div><br></div><div>We explored the beach on the northern end of the island yesterday. It had the softest sand we have ever attempted to walk in. </div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><img id="id_3c5e_888_8235_3552" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/d/1VEC6ABIEqN3jdvh2Puo0VW00pTtEjh-0" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 812px; height: auto;"><br><br><br><br><br></div><div><img id="id_a4a1_f1d9_e7b1_8930" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/d/1j5SmfgjUs2EtwVKuJ5anuWVVHQKyH4l1" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 812px; height: auto;"><br><br><br></div><div>Today we explored the beach at the southern end and, with difficulty, found the trail to the other side of the island. </div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><img id="id_9fa1_71b5_2150_a26b" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/d/1Kgq-uuxHkk6OrtParuVuGhkvQl4v8A-Z" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 812px; height: auto;"><br><br><br></div><div>Although we have several large motor yachts around us, none are very close. The occasional jet ski comes buzzing by, but it isn’t too bad. (Breeze On is the second boat from the right and the farthest away in this photo.)</div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><img id="id_15eb_92d0_4692_981d" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/d/1SiGtWQiLpxtJECzpw3AIma4fWJMw-7cA" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 812px; height: auto;"><br><br><br></div><div>Before we left the boat today George changed Breeze On’s fuel filters. We had noticed for the past month or so that the engine sounded rough when idling, especially in reverse. George spoke with Arnold, a friend from home who is an expert on diesel engines, and Arnold suggested changing the filters. We had thought the problem might be the fuel injectors, but since changing the fuel filters is a much easier job, we hoped that would fix the problem. It did. Yay!</div><div><br></div><div>*Pilots are captains who are familiar with the local waters and can guide boats through tricky areas. </div>Bevhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12228203113829306551noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8856313183489782491.post-11680868719919029052024-02-13T18:03:00.001-05:002024-02-13T18:03:23.393-05:00Spanish WellsThe winds were forecast to continue shifting—from the SE to the S to the SW to the W to the NW. While we had a very comfortable night at The Bluff Settlement anchorage, we knew it would become uncomfortable as the wind shifted. We had intended to go back to Meek’s Patch—this time on the W side—but then George had the brilliant idea that we should pick up a mooring ball in the protected Spanish Wells harbor. I immediately liked the idea. We would be comfortable from every wind direction and, best of all, we could easily get off of the boat. <div><br></div><div>Once we had picked up our mooring ball we went to shore to pay for two nights and buy 5 gallons of fuel at Pinder’s Supermarket. Later we went to shore again for lunch at the Shipyard. </div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><img id="id_3412_da46_85db_c072" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/d/1ydLWmmPOI7M-nyi0bBfyCs1paLRfEbZ3" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 812px; height: auto;"><br>View from our table at The Shipyard. </div><div><br><br></div><div>Early this morning we could hear what sounded like a boat using either its engines or bow thrusters to turn. We looked out and saw it was the Grand Master II turning around adjacent to the mooring field. From our perspective it was quite close to a couple of the boats, but they pulled it off masterfully. </div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><img id="id_273b_2325_c412_2c33" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/d/1l1HtJl0_VYxzxLK9KDt8NQV0oVZIMytK" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 812px; height: auto;"><br><br><br></div><div><br></div><div>A little later, as we were getting into our dinghy to go ashore, we saw dolphins jumping right beside the ship. By the time I got my phone to take a photo they had stopped jumping and calmly swam by our dinghy. </div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><img id="id_db6d_9b31_f4b8_bd1c" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/d/1VfVQ8YE4OpqREoLtXl2SM_SWezTMGi-1" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 812px; height: auto;"><br><br><br></div>Bevhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12228203113829306551noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8856313183489782491.post-59980579443851594732024-02-11T18:01:00.001-05:002024-02-11T18:01:55.868-05:00Pau Pau Bay to Meek’s Patch to Bluff SettlementWe raised the anchor yesterday morning and set sail for Meek’s Patch. Since we had to transit Current Cut we timed our departure in order to arrive at the cut not too long before or after slack low tide. We had plans to have a leisurely downwind sail but the winds were lighter than expected. We raised the gennaker and sailed gybing angles until we were about 17 miles from the cut. <div><br></div><div><img id="id_12c5_235d_ae16_9f41" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/d/14jHCc52T6k_m5rAcfIXtTDM-a1DLg2Ff" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 812px; height: auto;"><br><br><br></div><div><br></div><div>Then we motor-sailed with just the main until we arrived at the cut. Slack tide was apparently later than we calculated—we had 4 1/2 knots of current with us—but no problems going through. We anchored on the W side of Meek’s Patch—1 3/4 miles outside of Spanish Wells—and watched a beautiful green flash as the sun set. <div><br></div><div>This morning the waves from the S made for a rather bumpy anchorage so we opted to try out Settlement Bluff, a new-to-us anchorage just over two miles away. It is next to the mainland of Eleuthera with shallow water to the S, which we were hoping would reduce the waves in the anchorage. The move paid off, it is indeed a much more comfortable anchorage. </div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><img id="id_d292_6e13_d9e5_6342" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/d/1PJ2x1QUaNSuu1_T5ckQyJyi_AurYD6BD" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 812px; height: auto;"><br><br><br></div><div><br></div><div>This afternoon I tried out a new recipe for low carb bread rolls. You may recall that I discovered a year and a half ago, when I started the Zoe program, that I have poor blood glucose control. Not so much that I am diabetic or even pre-diabetic, but when I eat high carb foods my blood glucose goes up a bit too high. Because of that I don’t eat much bread. I was intrigued by this “Keto” bread roll recipe and decided to give it a try. It had strange ingredients—mozzarella cheese, cream cheese, eggs, and almond flour. The rolls are actually quite good, they even got a thumbs up from George. They taste just a little cheesy and are a bit dense. They were also a little dry which is probably my fault. When I was making them I thought the dough was too wet so I added extra almond flour. Next time I won’t. </div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><img id="id_3128_640f_19db_dad7" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/d/1_PCH3hH0O431AWSLnEKve2PXEbTIQtL3" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 812px; height: auto;"><br><br><br></div><div><br></div><div><br></div></div>Bevhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12228203113829306551noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8856313183489782491.post-76537170832408998392024-02-09T17:54:00.001-05:002024-02-09T17:54:34.528-05:00Rock Sound to Pau Pau BayYesterday was our first day off of the boat in three days and we so appreciated being able to stretch our legs again. The day started day with our taking the dinghy to shore so that we could walk to the grocery store. Two men were making repairs to Wild Orchids’ dock when we arrived. They told us that the storm waves had been so big a few boards had been knocked loose. We believe it—the waves were big on the W side of the harbor and I am sure they only got bigger as they crossed to the E side. By the time we returned from the store the men were done with the repairs. <div><br></div><div><br></div><div><img id="id_2e6_6560_b7ce_6f85" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/d/1Jt7RI49lvmlp8JcIPjIQ4kw3Bs3JkVrB" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 812px; height: auto;"><br><br><br>George walking back from the store with our food loaded in the backpack. <br><div><img id="id_c865_f6f7_22b5_3655" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/d/1-MVnFj6t4RhZmBIM4pI9sIptBRWjbZoQ" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 812px; height: auto;"><br><br><br></div><div>Later in the day we returned to Wild Orchids’ for a late lunch. We always enjoy the food there. </div><div><br></div><div>This morning we raised the anchor and joined a large parade of boats leaving Rock Sound. Most of the boats seemed to be heading S but we turned N, heading to Pau Pau Bay. We had a sporty upwind sail and dropped the anchor just before noon. </div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><img id="id_6659_bbfd_56ad_d926" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/d/1R2ZY4k-dLdhny9RCYJjTEOj548LLigzX" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 812px; height: auto;"><br><br><br>Shortly after we arrived we put the dinghy in the water and went ashore to walk to Eleuthera Island Farms, where we bought some local greens. Now the refrigerators are quite full of fresh fruits and vegetables that should last us a while. <br><br></div><div><br></div></div>Bevhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12228203113829306551noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8856313183489782491.post-50049306554208612382024-02-07T17:59:00.001-05:002024-02-07T17:59:57.852-05:00Rain and wind and……more rain and more wind. We have been on the boat for two days waiting for the rain and wind to finally subside. Not only have we been confined to the boat but—because it is rather chilly (by our standards!)—we have been inside the cabin with the companionway closed. We have kept ourselves busy by cleaning the cabin, doing a few other small chores, watching a movie, and reading. <div><br></div><div>Once the wind dropped below 20 knots late this afternoon we moved over to the other side of the harbor near town. We are looking forward to getting off of the boat tomorrow. </div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><br><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/w_9y-2OpL4Y?si=J9DWVqRP54KNr2Z8" width="500" height="281" id="y_id_40b2_97ba_1ee8_ba13" frameborder="0"></iframe><br></div><div>The anchorage last evening when the wind was blowing 30 knots.</div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><img id="id_572b_bbf5_2655_9fa" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/d/1ktCwVDUpglx2wQacW0DZA3DASvTJjCin" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 812px; height: auto;"><br>The view from the cockpit. <br><br></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><img id="id_f02a_90a2_8e1e_b1dc" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/d/1KfeolQxMvacTcR7ZUzZNAFtvcTacm2LI" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 800px; height: auto;"><br>I left my kefir fermenting overnight in the cockpit where it was cooler than the cabin. </div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><img id="id_e17b_f4a2_b240_58ff" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/d/1Q4C9L6hAVuUR2EKtITLQRb8wxerTbOge" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 812px; height: auto;"><br>It is nice to see the sun again. Looking W across the harbor after we moved to the E side. </div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><img id="id_69b0_b54b_7c13_80e3" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/d/12dJXFFL-s99l-nq2Uu-_sKuAOmj9_8s2" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 812px; height: auto;"><br>Looking E at sunset. <br><br><br></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><br><br></div>Bevhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12228203113829306551noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8856313183489782491.post-8438157997777214312024-02-05T18:10:00.001-05:002024-02-05T18:10:37.692-05:00StormsA squall rolled in shortly after I published yesterday’s blog post. We were quite happy that we arrived early and were settled by then. The boat next to us spent an hour in driving rain trying to get their anchor set. I am not sure why they had a problem—since anchoring in Rock Sound is not usually a problem. Just after the sun set last evening a line of strong storms hit. The wind shifted suddenly from SE to W—blowing at close to 40 knots. With the wind on the beam, Breeze On was heeling over. I took a quick photo before turning the engine on to help get the boat turned into the wind. By the time the engine came on the boat had turned itself. We had rain, wind, and lightning around us for a few hours before the storms finally passed. <div><br><div>This morning was quite calm before the next strong winds hit this afternoon. We took advantage of the calm conditions to dinghy a mile across the harbor (twice) to get fuel and had the added bonus of being able to get off of the boat. We expect to be boat-bound for the next two days. </div><div><br></div><div>The S wind picked up this afternoon, right on schedule. We had positioned ourselves for protection from an even stronger W wind so the anchorage was quite bouncy until the wind shifted. When the next storm arrived the wind shifted to the W and the anchorage did become less bouncy. We had some heavy rain. It is calm at the moment but we know more wind is coming. </div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><img id="id_df91_67ce_9286_6b2e" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/d/1y16kCcYUTrAXLlosvl8tL-abYtRL52NU" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 812px; height: auto;"><br>The line of storms had arrived. You can see that Breeze On was heeling. <br><br><br><br><br><img id="id_eb24_43d_8b64_1922" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/d/1gEK7dtP1hbKbaQK3q6TMlgkgy0Jzsafs" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 812px; height: auto;"><br>Screenshot from our radar app. All of Eleuthera is obscured by the storm. <br><br><br></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><img id="id_58f7_27a9_54a_b763" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/d/1_CoN8b7a-vwjc5JN0lJl3NQ6d6yISmv4" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 812px; height: auto;"></div><div><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);">Our three jerry cans of diesel waiting for us to carry them across the street and on the path to the dock this morning while it was calm. </span></div><div><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);"><br></span></div><div><img id="id_f3fa_b649_e86_ee3a" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/d/1HH4URJbLb08hlttQBxhN52D9GfkaZMjY" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 812px; height: auto;"><br>Watching the storm to our N…</div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><img id="id_f2a_1dd9_e82c_ea32" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/d/1aLIgQVU6FRxYiwnzWbzm_WMUOQf9_zl3" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 812px; height: auto;"><br>…later on…</div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><img id="id_f07d_eb0_b587_43c8" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/d/1qgbsnKNqA523NU7VS5dAx1sTNy8fb2Bd" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 812px; height: auto;"><br>…and even later. <br><br></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><br><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);"><br></span></div><div><br></div></div>Bevhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12228203113829306551noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8856313183489782491.post-24881206175138384602024-02-04T13:57:00.001-05:002024-02-04T13:57:54.090-05:00New Bight to Rock SoundYesterday in New Bight we did a load of laundry at the fantastic Gilly’s Laundry Depot. It had been just a week since we did laundry at Emerald Bay but I didn’t want to pass up the opportunity to do laundry at the nicest laundromat in the Bahamas. We were the only customers there and were walking back to the dinghy after just one hour. In the afternoon we went to shore again for tropical conch salad at Duke’s Conch Stand. Duke told us there would be a Junkanoo—street parade with elaborate costumes, music and dance—that evening. Part of me really wanted to attend this Bahamian cultural festival, but we were planning to get up at 2 am to leave for Rock Sound, Eleuthera so we did not go. We would have loved to have stayed longer at Cat Island but consider ourselves lucky to have made it here at all, considering the challenging wind directions this year. <div><br></div><div>It turned out that we woke up at 12:30 am so we were on our way by 1 am. Our goal was to beat the worst of the storms that are accompanying the next cold front—arriving sometime in the late afternoon. We arrived at Rock Sound just after noon with plenty of time to get settled. There were already 23 boats anchored on the W side of the harbor with more boats arriving. Rock Sound is a large harbor with good holding and protection from many directions. We plan to stay here several days until the cold front passes. </div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><img id="id_b372_23ff_766a_838c" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/d/1OL71URGIrfoh0TvT5ud5MH_4UoA4TQcM" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 812px; height: auto;"><br>The nicest laundromat in the Bahamas. <br><br></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><img id="id_2bb1_7d1_ca31_c20f" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/d/1vAMrgQBoHwBchxl02FqHjeqmmMD6_GjP" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 812px; height: auto;"><br>Inside Gilly’s. <br><br></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><img id="id_ed97_7946_7c4a_550a" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/d/1EwDS6O7baOT_8VagnNGHcG-abZYYyjLF" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 812px; height: auto;"><br>Walking to and from the laundromat we passed this very low electric line, missing a pole to hold it up. You can see the pole to the left of George. <br><br><br><br></div><div><br></div><div><img id="id_af8b_ee9e_3763_5ac4" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/d/1-7YtxPgYCK7mkPIuUHsiAB5szhV4478O" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 812px; height: auto;"><br>Sunrise this morning on our way to Rock Sound. </div><div><br><br></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><img id="id_719d_7979_10ec_6893" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/d/1M-XIBq5ho6mGQG_c1oxnjtFNMVUdRUUk" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 812px; height: auto;"><br>Boats already anchored in Rock Sound. <br><br></div>Bevhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12228203113829306551noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8856313183489782491.post-90250734139458984522024-02-02T17:59:00.001-05:002024-02-02T21:12:14.096-05:00Thompson Bay to New BightThis morning we left Thompson Bay and motored N 65 nautical miles in light wind to New Bight, Cat Island. We have been wanting to go to Cat Island all winter but the weather hasn’t cooperated. We had planned to wait out the next significant front—arriving this weekend—in Thompson Bay but recently came up with a plan to sit the front out in Rock Sound, stopping at Cat Island on the way. We won’t have much time here but it will be nice to spend even one day in New Bight before we have to move on and get settled prior to the arrival of the bad weather. <div><br></div><div>Before we left Thompson Bay we joined our friends Jean and Michael, Dee and Ron, and Jeannie and Brad yesterday for an early dinner at Sou’ Side. Since we are heading in different directions it was most likely the last time we will see them this season. We have enjoyed the time we spent together this winter and look forward to seeing them again. </div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><img id="id_a29a_7954_df1f_292" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/d/1TBx_GH0zXI91h_aVRa78ALUom5W6VxKU" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 812px; height: auto;"><br>Sunrise as we were leaving Thompson Bay. <br><br></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><img id="id_1db2_dd7f_3e4c_ab7d" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/d/1q450fnJ74vhm71hCINfbcv_leQYK34qG" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 812px; height: auto;"><br>The water was so calm as we motored along the coast of Long Island that it was difficult to find the horizon. Once we passed the tip of Long Island we had a swell of about four feet, with wind chop on top of that. <br><br></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><img id="id_2d07_9097_6fed_72b0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/d/1_28yKcD9ZF9xBThzHeUozeaVs8NAOESS" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 812px; height: auto;"></div><div><div>The sky from our anchorage at New Bight. </div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><br></div></div><div><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);"><br></span></div><div><img id="id_8b47_b42f_cb5a_6eda" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/d/1MTgi0AAfALXLJSVMEdGAqlpKDSae1P1e" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 812px; height: auto;"></div><div><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);">Sunset in New Bight. </span></div><div><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);"><br></span><br><img id="id_afb0_d011_cce8_e4da" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/d/1JgY4eAzF_kt7vSLNcqLn0gcVl2Txx2eP" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 812px; height: auto;"></div><div>The water is very clear here. <br><br></div>Bevhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12228203113829306551noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8856313183489782491.post-53017146504403226412024-01-31T17:23:00.001-05:002024-01-31T17:23:52.497-05:00Chez PierreYesterday morning George went up the mast to fix a broken wire leading to the anchor light. He had noticed the night before that the light wasn’t working. We both joked that it was my fault it had broken—the day before I had told some friends on a Zoom call that we hadn’t had any major boat issues this year. Although I knocked on wood when I said it, we were jinxed anyway. After that job was done we raised the anchor and motored about 4 miles N to Miller’s Bay. In the early afternoon we dinghied ashore for lunch with Jean and Michael at Chez Pierre. We called ahead for a reservation and submitted our order via WhatsApp. Pierre can be very particular and has been known to turn people away if they don’t have a reservation. We all ordered pizza and salad, which are always excellent. I am sorry to say I neglected to take any photos. <div><br></div><div>We spent the night at Miller’s Bay because George wanted to run the watermaker and expected the water to be clearer there compared to the water in Thompson Bay. In actuality it was just as cloudy. He ran the watermaker anyway—the silt in the water was removed by the watermaker’s prefilter. After finishing that we took advantage of the very light wind to apply a patch to the mainsail. We had noticed a tear in the sail when we sailed here the other day. Once that chore was done we motored back to Thompson Bay. </div><div><br></div><div>The wind is forecast to increase later today so we put the dinghy in the water to go ashore and run our errands before it gets too choppy at the dock. There are were 14 boats in the harbor and half of them had the same idea, making the dock a bit crowded. </div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><img id="id_c416_6a13_6f55_5f15" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/d/1E8M3KCZCR_yegM5QmZ6b01JhjQS-iUDd" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 812px; height: auto;"><br>George at the top of the mast fixing the wire. </div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><img id="id_9506_3a64_fc50_1547" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/d/1sbuit95fBINmibC1lARwcS-zjzaBXGxL" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 812px; height: auto;"><br>Tear in the mainsail. <br><br></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><img id="id_167a_2f88_c6dc_a1a0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/d/18ztW3pG_z6SqsRNKFC_7mr2Xdcwf_NGC" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 812px; height: auto;"><br>Adhesive sail repair tape on both sides of the sail. <br><br></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><img id="id_7a38_3dc0_9390_9df0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/d/1e5IBoOLJfsqTDKvkmKLXy8TMNR6kDWrF" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 812px; height: auto;"><br>Since we were going ashore I stopped and took another photo of the century plant. I don’t think it is any taller than it was two weeks ago but the spikes at the top are longer. I could see the flower buds at the end of the spikes. </div><div><br><br></div><div><br></div><div><img id="id_f2c2_5bd1_a9e4_a223" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/d/13PaDyA0IaoieULMoHiX7qKWG_uR3ygJg" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 812px; height: auto;"><br>This is the photo I took two weeks ago. <br><br><br></div><div><br></div><div><br><img id="id_d214_4146_62f0_ef92" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/d/1nTsNHqHwBotB-wTSe0_fVGVXdVUJEgnE" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 812px; height: auto;"><br>View of the harbor from Basil’s dock. You can see the boats anchored in the distance. Several more boats arrived after I took this photo. A local fishing boat is on a mooring on the left. <br><br><br></div><div><br></div><div><br></div>Bevhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12228203113829306551noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8856313183489782491.post-69587011332347180852024-01-29T17:50:00.001-05:002024-01-29T17:50:15.384-05:00Thompson Bay, Once AgainAfter a week of E winds we are back to this winter’s pattern of three cold fronts a week, each bringing W winds. We left Emerald Bay this morning just as a front was arriving. The squalls on the radar didn’t look bad so we made the decision to sail to Thompson Bay. We left the marina as it started to rain, but before the wind filled in. We sailed downwind with just the mainsail in 20-24 knots of wind and 4-6 foot seas. We averaged 7.1 knots of speed for the trip and we were frequently moving at 8 knots, even 10 knots at times. It was a bit of a wild ride—we both commented that it felt like an offshore passage. <div><br></div><div>We chose to return to Thompson Bay because it offers some protection from W and NW winds and we prefer to be here rather than George Town. Also, since George Town no longer allows anchoring in Master’s Harbour our options there are limited. Of course, we could have stayed at the Marina at Emerald Bay but we were ready to move on. I do want to acknowledge, though, that I was grateful for many things while we stayed there including: long, hot showers; trash can right next to the boat; ease of getting off the boat to go for walks; ability to plug into shore power when we needed to top off the battery; and free laundry. Nevertheless, we are happy to be at anchor again. </div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><img id="id_6ec5_ae4f_9f8a_1630" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/d/1HyXEdfWXBNWSYTkHEDs_KuaFx14ah-q4" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 812px; height: auto;"><br>Sunrise surrounded by squalls as we exited Emerald Bay. </div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><img id="id_6b3c_1ee_d9ba_4f4a" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/d/19tpOUuxk1s9cRCDdp9w59m68Zu3fQWjC" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 812px; height: auto;"><br>As always, the camera doesn’t capture the depth of the waves. <br><br><br></div>Bevhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12228203113829306551noreply@blogger.com0