Home at Last

July 24, 2009

July 18-19, 2009 ( Sat. and Sunday)

     We left Fernandina Beach about 11:30 after fixing the pin which holds the gooseneck of the boom to the mast.  It had worked its way out of the fitting. Luckily we did manage to get it back through and a new cotter ring to hold it in place.  We refueled in Fernandina and were on our way to Port Royal Sound and Beaufort, SC.  It was a stormy passage with high winds and little wind. The rain seemed to be going in the same direction we were.  It didn't stop until after sunset.  We were glad for the low winds which helped make sure we did not arrive at Port Royal Sound in the dark.  However the boat rocked back and forth all through the night making it impossible for me to sleep when off watch.  Charlie did manage to get more sleep than I did. We arrived at Port Royal Landing Marina about 10:30 Sunday morning.  We took showers and were met by friend Marianne Mikell who took us to Cat Island's British Open Pub for lunch.  While Charlie rested at her home, she and I went to see the new Harry Potter movie.  After a pizza dinner I fell asleep and slept for almost 12 hours.

July 20, 2009   (Monday)   

     While Charlie did some errands such a going to West Marine and the liquor store, I did laundry at the marina.  Marianne met us after working.  She and I went to Walgreens and Publix.   We enjoyed dinner at Plums on the beautiful Beaufort waterfront. Since we wanted to get an early start for Charleston the next day, it was an early night.     

July 21, 2009 (Tuesday)

     We were up at 5:30 a.m. and underway by 6:15 so we would get to the Lady Island Bridge at Beaufort before 7 a.m. It closes between 7-9a.m.  we were through the bridge before 6:45 and on up the ICW (Intercoastal Waterway) .  We went down the St. Helena River and out into the ocean heading to Charleston.  The winds were light most of the way until we got closer to 

Charleston, but were almost on our nose so we were motor sailing.  We arrived at Charleston Harbor Marina mid-tide which made getting into our slip the hardest job of the whole 4 month trip.  We were successfully docked, tied up, and plugged in by 5:p.m.  We called Mike Messinger to see if we could get a ride home.  After cleaning up we first went to the Charleston Yacht Club's monthly member dinner.  It was  great to see our friends and we had to eat out somewhere as we had no food at home.  Mike ran us home after dinner where we found our home intact waiting for us.  It was nice to sleep in our own bed.  

July 22-23, 2009

     We spent the next two days unloading the boat of clothing and food.  We also started the mail and went to the grocery store. So we are now back home in Charleston getting our land legs back and plugging back in to land-based activities.  It was a great and memorable trip.   

Back in USA

July 17, 2009 (Friday)

     

July 14, 2009 (Tuesday)

     We left the dock at Conch Inn Marina at Marsh Harbor, Abacos at 10a.m. after refueling.  We left the Sea of Abaco via North Man-of-War Cut and we were on our way back to the USA.  The winds were very light, under 10 knots most of the way.  They even dropped to under five knots for much of the time causing us to use the engine much of the way.  We did our usual 3 hour watches.  Chas had trouble sleeping when he was off watch.  I caught him taking cat naps while on watch during the day, but I was also in the cockpit, so it was OK.  Once we were in the Gulf Stream we got a boost of 3.8-3.9 knots speed.  We originally planned to go into US at St. Augustine, but the Gulf Stream helped to push further and we landed (intentionally) at Fernandina Beach at 5p.m. (1700) on Thursday July 16, 2009.  We called the US Customs number to check in using the US Customs Return Decal and discovered that it meant nothing. The agent in Jacksonville even asked Charlie what it was!   They sent a customs officer out to the boat and he checked us in.  This enabled us to leave the boat and go ashore for dinner.  Due to the Customs, we have no uncooked meats or fruits and vegetables on the boat.  We learned about this the last time we checked in with Customs (2007).  They confiscated all fruits, vegetables and meats we had provisioned with before leaving the Bahamas.

     Somehow today we will need to get some provisions and maybe a stop at a Walgreens to refill prescriptions, which will probably require us to get a cab to and from.  In the meantime we are enjoying  charming Old Fernandina Beach while we are here.  After dinner at the small French restaurant last night we stopped in at the Palace Bar which has been here since 1903!  It was Ladies' Night with a two person band.  The ladies were there and the men followed them. We were the oldest persons in the place, but we had a good time.    

     We will stay here today to rest up from our non-stop trip from The Abacos.  Then we will proceed north.  I'm not sure what our next stop will be.  I hope it will be Beaufort and then Charleston.  If so, we could be home on Sunday.         

Heading for Home

July 13, 2009 (M0nday)

July 11, 2009 (Saturday)

     The Regatta race was from Hopetown to Marsh Harbor.  The day was nice and sunny with winds 8-12 knots.  Mike Messinger dropped off our dinghy at the tow line and swam back to the boat.  We had a good start on the race and using our staysail had a good first leg, we even poassed some boats.  We had a good sail along the whole course and crossed the finish line before boats that were usually in front of us, but unfortunately due to the handicapping changes, we did not win a prize when our time was corrected.  We still felt good about our sail.  Buena Vida crossed the starting line with it's beautiful blue spinnaker with the white palmetto on it flying.  I think they had their spinnaker up the whole race.  It was a beautiful site.  They were also disappointed to only win a third place today.   It still was a lot of fun and very exciting for us. After the race we took a slip at the Conch Inn Marina and turned on the AC and refrigerator. We ended the night at The Jib Room with a nice steak dinner.  

July 12, 2009 (Sunday)

     Everyone on our boat slept in.  After a leisurely brunch, we went over to Mermaid Reef to snorkel for a while.  We stopped at the Jib Room Bar for a frozen drink to cool us off.  After cleaning up we had a lovely dinner at The Angler Restaurant at the Boat House Marina.  

July 13, 2009 (Monday)

     Our guests packed up, did a bit of shopping and left for the airport.  We took the boat over to have the holding tank pumped out.  We were charged $1.00 per gallon!  The guy has a monopoly here as there is no other provider and most boaters just dump overboard. However Hopetown asks that we use holding tanks though they also have no pumpout service.   I did laundry and some grocery shopping.  We pulled dinghy engine back on  the big boat and deflated the dinghy, bagging it and leaving it on the deck.  Charlie filled our water tanks and plotted our course.  We are preparing to take off tomorrow morning about mid-tide for home. We plan to head for St. Augustine which should take us about 48-50 hours.  We plan to rest a day and then head northward to Brunswick, Beaufort and Charleston.  

 

Abaco Regatta Time

July 10, 2009   Happy Bahamian Independence Day,  their 36th year as independent.

July 6th, 2009  (Monday)

    The race today is from Treasure Cay to Great Guana Cay.  We had to attach our dinghy to a tow line so it could be towed to Great Guana Cay.  That was not an easy task! We were given 21 more handicap points after the last race.  Storms clouds were s

cattered all around and we had pretty good winds.  WE are now more proficient on the boat and have refined some skills.  It was about a 13 nmile race.  as we went around the last mark before the finish line, a terrible storm hit the regatta with 35 knot winds and heavy rain. the storm was making waves in the Sea of Abaco.  After finishing the race we tried to anchor in Fisher's Bay but the anchor kept dragging.  I was able to call Orchid Bay Marina and obtain a slip for the night.  We were glad for that as the winds stayed near 20 knots all night long and it would have been very rocky on Fisher's Bay and the anchor might have pulled out. We rented a golf cart which allowed us greater motility and less tired legs and feet! We visited Grabber's and enjoyed their pool mid-afternoon.  We met some multihull sailors who told us that "No Limits" barged a boat today in their own fleet.   The party was on the street by the "Old Fig Tree".  We had free rum drinks for an hour and the junior sailing programs was selling burgers. The prizes were awarded.  Two Charleston boats won prizes today. "Tohidu" won a first in the PHRF fleet and "Shenanigan" won first in the RTIA fleet.   We moved from 5th to a 4th place finish in our fleet even though we were about a minute late at the start due to congested traffic. "Buena Vida" had a steering quadrant break and were waiting for parts to be shipped so they could compete again.  Charlie was also able to talk to the Regatta committee Chair ab

out what "No Limits" did on the first race.  I told her about what the multi-hull sailor told me that they had done today.    We later went to Knippers and again to Grabbers.  Charlie and I went back to the boat but Sylvia and Mike partied some more at Knippers.  

July 7, 2009  (Tuesday)

     We sailed back to Marsh Harbor and anchored. We got a few groceries and some more liquor supplies.  It was hot and humid again!  The party tonight is at Snappas restaurant, as short dinghy ride from the boat.  The music was so loud that we left to get dinner at Mangoes Restaurant next door.  Since the second band at Snappas was even louder, we just went back to the boat. 

 

July 8, 2009 (Wednesday)

      We anchored the dinghy in Marsh Harbor and proceeded outside of the harbor for today's race.   The winds looked favorable and no storms were apparent yet.  We got another slightly late start but did well on to windward using our staysail + main and jib. Charlie was keeping the boat "in the groove" for it's highest performance.  We learned a little about strategy as well this race  (not sure we would remember it without having Sylvia coaching us).  One of our competitors was 8 minutes ahead of us at the last mark but we made up 2 of those minutes on the last leg.  This race was 10.3 miles.  I made big salads with left over cracked conch, grouper fingers and chicken fingers for a late lunch.  The party tonight is as Mangoes, another short dinghy ride.  After one hour of free drinks, the prizes were handed out.  We won a third place so we now have a plaque with one of Pete Johnson's bronzes on it. We were thrilled! 

I was off talking to someone when it was announced and did not even know about our winning until later. Buena Vida, now repaired, also won a 3rd place in PHRF class.  Tohidu had to cut away their spinnaker during the race so they had trouble competing.  They have also lost their transmission.   We ate dinner at Curly Tails Bar and a storm which had been lingering finally broke while we were waiting for our order.  We had not closed the boat when we left so it was a bit damp in places though not as bad as I had feared.  We were up at 2:30 a.m. dealing with a dragging anchor, pulling it up and resetting it.  We had had problems with the windlass when setting it that afternoon.    

July 9, 2009 (Thursday)

     Sylvia was coughing and becoming congested so we decided to skip today's race.  The winds were supposed to be very light, the race long and it would have been even more stress on her and all of us.  The winds ended up a bit higher than predicted but we sailed and motored to Hopetown , got into the harbor safely and on a mooring ball. Sylvia slept the whole trip and several more hours.  Another storm was threatening most of the afternoon and we feared that the racers were right in the middle of it.  I went to Lighthouse Marina and did laundry. Tonight's party is at the Hopetown Lodge which overlooks the Atlantic.  It is a beautiful place with a pool and huge deck with an ocean view. Free drinks again for an hour, awards were made and everyone kept partying.  We finally met the Capt. of "Already Gone" the Island Packet almost T'd that first day.  He went to the organizers after the awards and complained about what  "No Limits" had done the first day.  They told him that they had disciplined "No Limits" and talked to them about their behavior.  That was gratifying to all of us.  He is out of West Palm  Beach.  He got a second place prize on the race that we had gotten a third. We went to eat dinner at Capt. Jack's restaurant.  

July 10, 2009

     We decided to stay here in Hopetown to explore.  The party tonight is at Cracker P's which is about 5 miles south of here.  We would have had to leave here and anchor out in Lubber's Quarters overnight.  Sylvia had not had much opportunity to explore Hopetown.  This would also  allow everyone to sleep late today and take it easy. I will have time to update the blog. We had a leisurely lunch at Harbor View Restaurant.  Tomorrow will be the last race of the Regatta and will take us from Hopetown back to Marsh Harbor.        

            

     

Great Guana Cay, Marsh Harbor, Regatta Time

    Nipper's Pig Roast on Great Guana Cay

Sunday, July 5, 2009

 

June 28, 2009 (Sunday)  found us going to Great Guana Cay to go to Knipper's  Sunday Pig Roast. It took us about 3 hours to get there.  We tried to anchor in  Fisher's Bay but ended up picking up a mooring ball.  The wind and waves were rough on the Sea of Abaco side.  We dinghied ashore and walked to Knipper's where it was sunny and hot.  It was very cr

owded and several had their boats along the shore.  We enjoyed ourselves and saw friends, Bob and Chris, from 2007 from the boat "Leap of Faith". She makes jewelry out of sea glass. Knipper's is a place where everyone acts young no matter how many years olds they are. The beach was crowded but we walked along it and into the water.  

June 29, 2009 (Monday)

     Back to Marsh Harbor.  I needed to see a doctor about an infection.  It was raining much of the day, but late afternoon I found a clinic and went.  Then off to the pharmacy for medication. We went to Curly Tails bar for a drink and to try to use their internet but the storms had knocked out their wifi.  We ate ashore and then back to the boat.  

June 30, 2009 (Tuesday)

     We had to get ready for our guests who will be crewing with us in the Regatta, but it stormed all day long, so we got little to nothing done.

July 1, 2009 (Wednesday)

     We did groceries and a trip to the liquor store.  I did laundry.  We moved the boat to a marina so it would be easier to get our guests on board that night.  Unfortunately, they had a plane delay which made them miss the connection so they could not fly into Marsh Harbor until the next morning from Nassau.  It seems that we have rain and thunderstorms daily.  

July 2, 2009 (Thursday)

     Our guests arrived after breakfast.  We got them on board the boat, unpacked their things and got them settled.  We filled the water tanks and took on fuel.  We left Marsh Harbor just after noon heading for Green Turtle Cay.  It took us about 6 hours.  We went through the Whale Cay Cut  and anchored outside of the Settlement at Green Turtle Cay.  many boats had already arrived for the Regatta and the Stranded Naked Party at Fiddle Cay on July 3.  We ate on the boat.

July 3, 2009 (Friday)

     The Stranded Naked Swimwear company has a party on Fiddle Cay which is the next cay north of Green Turtle Cay every year the day before the Abaco Regatta begins.  Everyone is invited and they all come!  It is a HUGE Beach Party with free cheeseburgers and beer and rum drinks from 11a.m. until about 3:30.  Families also attend.  I don't think I've ever seen more good-looking bikini-clad women in one place.  We saw a number of Charleston racers at the party.  Registration for the Regatta and the Skipper's Meeting was held at the party.  We took the boat up to Fiddle ( about 3 miles) and then took the dinghy in to the party. After returning to the big boat, we moved it back to Green Turtle Cay and reanchored.  We went into Green Turtle to walk around a bit and to the Sundowner's Bar.    

July 4, 2009 (Saturday)

      The Abaco Regatta begins.  We had to leave our dinghy anchored in the harbor while we raced. The races were to begin at 11 a.m.  All the boats had to go past the Committee boat before 11a.m. as a way to check in.  We successfully did this and practiced some tacking and jibing with our experienced crew members:  Sylvia Galloway and Mike Messinger.   We were waiting for the races to start when the skies opened up and hard cold rain poured down for about an hour delaying all the races.  All the boats just sailed or motored back and forth waiting for the rain to stop.  Meanwhile we all got soaked!  Finally the races began about 1230. We had spells of good wind and then almost no wind and finally a little wind again .  We were able to use our staysail to give us a boost and also put up the whisker pole.  Sylvia served as an excellent coach for us as to when to tack to get the best position and wind.  Mike was excellent on the whisker pole and great on tacking.  I don't have the strength to pull the jib on a tack without a lot of winching which loses much time critical in racing.  We almost had a terrible collision when a boat from a higher class barged in between us and an Island Packet just as we were rounding a mark.  If Charlie had not made an emergency jibe which caused us to pull a dorade off, the Island Packet would have been rammed by this other boat barging in.  We were so shocked and shook up we did not think to file a protest at the time.  Unfortunately this boat "No Limits" won first in its class.  We did well with Sylvia and Mike's help.  We came in 5th in our class.  A big party was held at Green Turtle Cay that night including free rum drinks.  Food venders were selling dinners.  There was a live band and they had a Junkanoo walk out ( somewhat like Mardis Gras march) with big drums and wild costumes, head dresses and masks and hats.

July 5, 2009 (Sunday)

     After a leisurely breakfast, we left Green Turtle Cay and sailed back through the Whale Cay Cut ( calm)  to Treasure Cay.  As were were approaching Treasure Cay, the skies again opened up with a violent rain storm, drenching us again.  After finally arriving into the Treasure Cay harbor and anchoring , we attended  another party this evening on beautiful Treasure Cay Beach.  Again this evening, we have had numerous rain showers.  Tomorrow we have our second race which will be from Treasure Cay to Great Guana Cay.