Back in the USA

5-9-2014, Marsh Harbour Marina to Crab Cay anchorage in the Bahamas:

Friday: Basil could not finish yesterday so he was back before 08:00 this morning. He said he would do his best to get us going by noon.  He finished up our boat repairs  by 10:00.   After paying Basil and the marina we were on our way by 11:00.  We are so glad we are finally on our way back to the US.  We made it through the Whale without any problem with only 3 to 4 foot waves on our starboard side and the wind was on our stern.  We made real good time and got to Spanish Cay Customs by 15:20 to pick up our package and then went another 4 miles or so to our anchorage at Crab Cay by 16:15.  We anchored in about 4 feet of water with 70 feet of anchor rode out because the wind was really blowing hard..  There were 2 other boats in the anchorage with us.

05-09-2014: 60 Foot Trumpy in slip next to us at Marsh Harbour Marina, beautiful old, wood, boat.

05-09-2014: Whale very calm compared to our trip over here.

05-09-2014: Dolphins jumping in front of the boat

05-09-2014: Crab Cay anchorage.

05-09-2014: Sunset at Crab Cay, our last one in the Bahamas

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5-10-2014, Crab Cay anchorage to Great Sale Cay anchorage in the Bahamas:

Saturday;  We brought the anchor up by 09:05.  I had been driving and Keith has been taking the anchor up but it was very windy this morning and almost low tide with less than 3 feet of water under the keel so I brought the anchor up this morning and Keith drove.  It was full of sand and grass, huge clumps of grass.  When we started we had 2 foot waves on our Port beam at a 45 degree angle and by the time we got to Great Sale Cay anchorage we had 3 foot waves at the same angle.  It was a very windy day.  We went through Girl Jane Cut again but this time it was just after low tide.  It had started to rise but we hit some depths of 1' below our keel where last March we went through at high tide and had nothing less than 4' below our keel.  Note to self: Never go through Girl Jane Cut at low tide again.  There was about a 36 foot cabin cruiser in our anchorage when we got here and he had been here for a few days waiting for the winds to calm down.  I don’t think he understands that the winds never calm down in the Bahamas.  Keith advised him to get going in the morning and at least go as far as Spanish Cay as the weather is only going to get worse after Sunday.  Had a quiet night and an early to bed as we are planning on leaving here by very early tomorrow and make it all the way to Lake Worth, FL.

5-10-2014: Centre of the World Rock 

5-10-2014: Great Sale Cay anchorage

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5-11-2014, Great Sale Cay anchorage in the Bahamas to North Palm Beach-North Lake Worth anchorage:

Sunday: We are back in the States!  We had a big day ahead of us so we went to bed early last night.  I had a hard time sleeping knowing what was ahead and I was up by 03:00.  I got coffee made and got dressed and ready before waking Keith at 03:30.  We had our anchor up and were on our way by 04:30.  We broke another one of our rules; never travel at night.  We made good time and got to Memory Rock in 5 hours and from there we headed out into the Atlantic.  This was one of the roughest trips we have had so far.  We had 4 to 6 foot waves and following seas.  We got shook up pretty good but we made it in one piece.  We went 120 miles in just under 13 hours and our engines ran perfect.  We had a great time in the Bahamas but it was so good to finally get back to the US.

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5-11-2014: Crossing the Gulf Stream, all you see is a whole lot of sky and water and waves. 



5-12-2014; Lake Worth anchorage to Pendarvis Cove anchorage in Stuart, FL:

Monday; HAPPY BIRTHDAY SARA!

Slept in this morning and didn’t get going until 09:30.  Had trouble getting the anchor up again.  We think it is because of a few reasons; a little too heavy,especially when it is packed with mud,and not the correct rollers. We decided we will live with it.  Only had a short day of 36 miles and we anchored out in Pendarvis Cove in Stuart, FL.  Had a quiet night and got caught up on a few things.

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5-13-2014;  Pendarvis Cove anchorage in Stuart, FL to Town Dock in Moore Haven, FL:

Tuesday: Got an early start as we had a long day planned and wanted to get  to our destination and tied up before it started to rain.  Had trouble with the anchor again this morning.  It keeps slipping and Keith had to tighten it again.  It also came up full of black mud.  We went through 3 locks today;  St. Lucie Lock, Port Mayaca Lock, and Moore Haven Lock.  At both St. Lucie and Port Mayaca we saw alligators.  It took us 2 hours and 41 minutes to cross Okeechobee Lake which had a moderate chop and was a piece of cake after the Gulf Stream.  We stayed at the Town Dock in the City of Moore Haven.  This was the first time we were on ground since last Friday morning. It is very warm here and we were both exhausted after the long day.  Keith rinsed off the boat and I did paper work.

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CO’s comments:  I really like this anchor.  All I have to do is figure out how to adjust the anchor rollers so that I am not pulling at a 90 degree angle for the last 10 feet of rode.  We had a wonderful time in the Bahamas, met some great people, and found an excellent mechanic.

Marsh Harbour Marina

 May 6, 7, and 8-2014, Tuesday through Thursday: Our part arrived via FedEx yesterday afternoon about 15:00. When Basil, our mechanic, went to pick up the part on Tuesday morning, Customs said we still owed $1500 duty for the part. Basil was in discussions with Customs for the rest of Tuesday and most of the day on Wednesday trying to straighten it out because there is not supposed to be any duty charges on boat parts. Finally by 16:00, Customs released the part. 

Wednesday is Rib Night here at the marina, so after thinking about it we decided to go again. Keith thought it would be good for me to get away from our boat problem for a while. He was right. We ran into our friend, Les Lathrop, former dock master from Treasure Island Yacht Club, in Treasure Island, FL. We spent 6 weeks with Les in December 2010 and January 2011 while doing the Loop . He has property here on Great Abaco Island and is staying at the marina for a day or so with his son and daughter. Les is retired now and working on finishing his sail boat, his pride and joy. It was really great to see him. Retirement looks good on him and he is enjoying it.

About noon on Thursday, Basil, finally got here with our part and is in the process of putting it in and he thinks he will finish up today. Our revised plan now is to leave early tomorrow morning. Keep your fingers crossed and we will keep you posted. After posting this blog we will be without Internet until we get back to the states.

5-7-2014:  Sunrise at Marsh Harbour Marina

5-7-2014: Rib Night at Marsh Harbour Marina, Keith, Bobbie, and our friend Les

5-7-2014: Les with his son and daughter, at Rib night

5-7-2014: Entertainment again, Jason playing the saw and screwdriver

5-7-2014: It is always exciting watching Desmond doing the limbo and lighting his cigarette while going under a lighted limbo pole.

May 1 through 5, 2014, still at Marsh Harbour Marina

5-1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 -2014, Thursday through Monday: We are still waiting on our part.  First we were told it was sent Fed Ex overnight last Wednesday the 30th but it was not.  The excuse was that all the parts did not come into Fort Lauderdale and they are waiting on those parts.  The latest now is everything was sent by Fed Ex at 16:00 Friday the 3rd.  Fed Ex doesn’t deliver on weekends so our part should be here on Monday sometime.  I still haven’t been able to get a tracking number from anyone so I do not have a lot of faith that it will be here on Monday.

In the meantime, the marina had to move us again.  The 100 footer needed more room and the marina needed to sell some fuel.  Everyone thought we would be gone by the weekend, including us.  It was a very windy day and the wind was pushing us into the dock.  Jason towed our bow with the dinghy, there were about 6 or 7 guys on the dock pushing our boat out, plus 3 guys on the stern of the 100 footer ready in case we ran into their back end.  Keith used our starboard engine and bow thruster and we barley got away from the dock with about 4 inches to spare before hitting something.  Due to the wind and with only one engine, it was also challenging to put our boat in the new slip but Keith did a great job.  We are more protected here and away from all the commotion on the fuel dock.  The marina owners have worked with us through this whole ordeal and we would like to thank them for everything they have done.  Last Saturday we went to Steak night thinking it would be our last time but we went again tonight, hopefully for the last time for real!  It rained most of Saturday night and during the day on Sunday.  Didn’t do much of anything.

5-5-2014: Well, it is Monday and guess what?  No part.  It is still in Fort Lauderdale and they would not send it until they talked to Keith personally.  So, Keith made the call; they wanted more money.    Jermain, from Marine Gear and Power in Fort Lauderdale, promised he would bring it to Fed Ex himself.  Later this morning I did receive an email with a tracking number so now we wait.  The dinghy is cleaned and up on top and as soon as our part gets here and put back into the boat we are heading back to the US.  The sooner the better.

CO’s comments: The CO has no comment at this time.

April 26th through 30th, 2014

4-26 and 27-2014,Saturday and Sunday:
On Saturday we were tired of hanging around waiting for our boat part so we put the dinghy back in the water and did some more snorkeling.  It was a hot, sunny, perfect day.  We are both getting better at snorkeling and ventured out further.  We saw some stingray and several different kinds of fish.  It is fun to follow them and when they noticed us, they hide in the coral on the bottom.  The bottom is full of coral and flowers.

On Sunday there were not many boats left here, but those that were, all got together for a brunch at the Jib Room.  Everyone brought something and it was a good time with plenty of Bloody Mary's to go around.  Steven, one of the owner, had to move us today because a 100' boat was coming in this afternoon and would  only fit in the space at the fuel dock where we were.  We were told the other day we would have to move and we were hoping our part would have been here but no luck.  Steven was very nice and worked with us.  All he did was move us forward on the fuel dock to make room; very tight quarters.  We were told this 100 footer will be here for 4 months.  Until we leave, there is no room at the fuel dock to sell fuel.  Our guess is they make more money with slip rent than fuel.

:
4-26-2014:  Saw some stingray while snorkeling.  We need a camera like our friends, Craig and Connie in Minnesota; one you can take pictures under water with.

4-27-2014: Big100 footer came in today as well as several other fishing boats.  This is the time of year the big fishing tournaments start.  This boat is not real pretty, but very functional for an ocean going fishing vessel.

4-28, 29, and 30-2014, Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday:  Still no boat part but Fed Ex is supposed  overnight it today, Wednesday.  So, maybe tomorrow, Basil can put it in and by Thursday afternoon or Friday morning we will be on our way if the weather cooperates. 

CO's comments:  We finally found the part, it was sitting in Fort Lauderdale!