Made it to the DR

Well I made it to the DR yesterday.

Over all it was a long but generally good trip from Georgetown, Bahamas.
The last 24 hours or so were tougher than the rest.

I was having trouble picking up the weather guru, Chris Parker, but I
was able to pull down some grib files before making my decision to cross
from the Turks & Caicos to the DR. It showed wind less than 15 from the
East. Not exactly correct. I had wind from the Southeast, the
direction I wanted to go, at 20-25 knots. The waves were larger than I
had experienced in a while, probably since my trip from Galveston the
Louisiana. They didn't have much rhythm to them either. So far on this
trip I have been able to get lots of "cat naps" of 20-30 minutes during
the night, not during this crossing.
Regardless, I made it safely. I decided to treat myself and am staying
in a marina. They have a waterpark and everything. I doubt I will go.
The marina made the check in process really simple, all the people I
needed to see are here at the marina. I was able to get fuel here as
well. I used 63 gallons since leaving Georgetown on the 25th, as you
can probably guess, I did a lot of motor sailing.

I slept for 12 hours straight last night, I guess I was tired.

I actually plugged in to shore power today(my AC still works!!), first
time since Venice LA. I think I heard my boat sigh. I figure I will
try to top everything off before heading out of here in a few days. I
think the boat will get a really good wash inside and out.
Need to change the oil in the engine and genset, take a look at the
water pump and do some other small maintenance projects.

Tammy, just wanted to let you know that your canvas covers are still on
the boat but I lost some snaps on this last crossing.

Take care.
Steve

Tough Day

It has been a trying day today on Anchor Management.

I don't mean to bitch but some days just aren't as good as others.

I sailed through the night last night, my plan was to get to Mayaguana
in the Bahamas, anchor, sleep for 6 hours or so and then head over to
the Turks & Caicos. I think I have good weather until Wednesday night
or Thursday and this would allow me to get down to the Domincian Republic.

When I arrived at Mayaguana this morning I snuggled up to the place I
planed on anchoring, I was in a bit over 20 feet of water. The bottom
looked like sand and grass. I had the wind on my nose and slow rollers
coming in from behind me that were breaking about 200-300 feet away.

Since I am by myself I usually drop the anchor until it hits bottom,
leave the flywheel open so that chain will free flow out. I then run to
the back of the boat to put the boat in reverse a bit so that chain will
come out. Since I could see and here the breakers I gave it a bit more
reverse than normal. As I ran back to the front of the boat I noticed
the flywheel tightening up as chain went out. In not time flat the
flywheel stopped spinning, the chain tightened up and then pulled down
on the anchor platform. The anchor was stuck, something had to give...
It was the anchor platform. The wood broke just aft of the stainless
platform I had built in an attempt to "beef up" the whole anchoring
system. It is not ruined but it sure doesn't look right anymore. To
add insult to injury my anchor was stuck on coral. I tried to wiggle
around it with the boat but finally gave up. I grabbed the snorkel
gear. On the first attempt I couldn't get down deep enough but I did
notice that it looked like it was free. I climbed back on the boat and
tried to pull up the anchor, no luck. The second time I dove I was able
to free the anchor but I cam up with REALLY sore ears and a bloody nose.
I am sure I have shortened my life somehow.

I motored around looking for another place to anchor but was now a bit
gun shy, the bottom looked the same as what I just had problems in.

Time to re-evaluate... I decided to motor sail into the wind slowly and
catch a few winks, then head South so that I hit the banks at sun up
tomorrow.

This evening when I checked the oil I noticed I have a pretty good leak
coming from my raw water pump. About a drip per second. I still have
good water flow but it is something to keep a close eye on.

Tomorrow is a new day! Although they are starting to blend together
since I left Rum Cay yesterday morning around 5am.

Somebody count some sheep for me.

Until later.
Steve

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Where the F is Storyville?

Since I left Kemah shortly before Christmas I have traveled roughly 1300
miles. The entire time I have been within VHF radio distance, if not
within sight of Storyville. I have lived next to Storyville both at
Watergate and at Portofino for 14 months before we left together. They
are dear friends and have supported me emotionally 100% during some very
troublesome times, they are truly family.

Also on my mind is Renee & Stacey on Pipe muh Bligh. They also provided
a significant "crutch" when I needed it.

It was a sad night last night to say "Until next time", I will miss the
good folks on Pipe & Storyville dearly. We have plans to meet up around
Christmas in the Virgins, I hope things work out for all of us.

Be safe and have fun!

On a lighter note.... Sailing to Rum Cay today has been, well, really
motoring. The headsail was out most of the day but there really wasn't
any wind to fill it.

The highlight today was my hour long battle with a fish, my fore arms
are tired and swelled up like Popeye. When I finally got the fish next
to the boat it was a 6 foot Barricuda. I didn't keep it, don't want to
get cigateria. Not sure how to spell that. By the time I got my hook
out we were both exhausted, I hope the fish lived.

When I got to the anchorage at Rum Cay I was greeted by friends on Crows
Nest. Had a sundowner with them. They are planning on heading South to
Luperon but at a slower pace than me.

After Rum Cay I plan on having my anchor down at Mayaguan by Monday so
that I can wait out the next bit of weather, then on to the Turks. Not
sure of my route to Mayaguana yet. Check the spot location for updates.

Steve

Been a while

Okay... It's been a while since my last post.

I was last at Little Farmers Cay. I am now on a mooring ball just off of Chat n Chill beach Stockton Island, across the harbor from George Town Bahamas. I have been pretty much in the same location for the past month.
I took in all of the festivities of the Cruisers Regatta here including sailing on my friends Lagoon 41 catamaran in both the "in harbor race and the "around the island race". We placed 3rd in the around the island race, however we placed first in the fishing contest and first in the baking contest. We placed second in the harbor race, lost by 8 seconds, corrected time. It was a very fun filled 10 days, the highlight was the sailboat racing.

I've started to jog again, a few times in and around George Town and several times on the sand trails and beaches on Stockton Island. I can tell how out of shape I am. They say that when you go cruising men generally drop a few pounds and woman gain a few. Generally this is based on the division of labor on a boat. Well, I do all of the labor, both "blue" and "pink" jobs and I have gained weight. I think since I have left I actually move less and eat/DRINK more than back on land. I have always believed that the key to shedding extra pounds is to move more and eat less, it might be time for me to practice what I preach?

I just got back from the States, had a great visit. Worked on my taxes, took care of my boat insurance, and figured out where I am going to keep my boat during the upcoming hurricane season. I would prefer to leave my boat on the hard someplace but I was not able to find a reasonably priced place that still has room. After much searching I have decided on Marina Pesacedria on the West coast of Puerto Rico. http://www.marinapescaderia.com/

I will probably remain in George Town for a few more days, need to top off Gas, Diesel, Water & pick up some food at the really good grocery stores here. They sure aren't Whole Foods or WalMart but they are the best I have seen since Nassau. After that, the next weather window will probably get me started in my march to Puerto Rico. I plan on following "The thornless path to windward" by Bruce Van Sant. Not many overnight passages & he has a very conservative approach to sailing in bad weather. Sounds good to me.


I would say that I promise to do a better job keeping up with the blog over the next few months but who are we kidding??? I would rather be doing than writing about it.