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!

4-21-2014 thru 4-25, 2014, still at Marsh Harbour Marina

4-21, 22 & 23-2014, Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday:
Monday was a lazy day, didn’t do much of anything.  Mike from Casey Dee and Bob and Sherry from Wind Song II left Tuesday morning.  The Whale has calmed down and quite a few boats are leaving.  We rented a car for 24 hours starting at 12:30 today.  This afternoon we drove to Treasure Cay and see the sights.  Beautiful beach and enjoyed a good lunch.  We were not too impressed by the marina, especially for the price they charge per foot.  We were glad we did not  take the boat there.  On Wednesday morning we drove to Little Harbor, Pete’s Pub and Gallery, and had lunch.  We really liked this place and will probably bring our boat here sometime.  Their gallery was excellent with some of the most beautiful sculptures I have ever seen.  I really liked “The Old Man in the Sea”; it was huge and cost thousands of dollars.  I would have bought it (LOL!) but we don’t have room on the boat for it.

CO's comments: They only use 12 gauge shotguns with slugs here for boar hunting and they consider it a delicacy.  I would like to try it sometime.  At Nippers on Guana Cay, they have a wild boar roast every Sunday.

4-22-2014: The beach at Treasure Cay

4-22-2014: These Curly Tail’s are found on all the Cays in the Abaco.  Thought you would like this Austin.

4-23-2014: Our day at Little Harbor.

4-23-2014:  Unique speed bumps at Little Harbor.

4-23-2014:  View on the drive up to Little Harbor.  We were told that this is good boar hunting land.  Boar and birds are the only thing they hunt here on Great Abaco Island.


4-24 and 25-2014, Thursday and Friday: More lazy days, waiting on our boat part.  It rained most of the afternoon on Thursday.  Now we are told our part will not be here until Monday because of the holiday
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