4/30/16 To 26 58.470N, 78 12.983W Great Sale Cay 49.2NM
Shortly after 1000 Saturday, having gotten N of Great Abaco, we
poled out the jib, tied down the boom to avoid an accidental jibe,
and with a few minor course changes to dodge shoals, ran wing and
wing in the relatively smooth water until 1700. We were finally S
of the sand ridge that runs for a couple of miles beyond Great Sale
Cay. After taking the pole off and transferring the jib we sailed
up to the anchorage where we joined a mixed fleet of trawlers and
sail boats. The one odd man out was a sport fish. More boats
arrived by dusk, bringing the total to18, most headed E, having just
arrived in the Bahamas. The anchorage at Great Sale is huge
providing good protection from E winds, promising a quiet night.
All in all, not a bad day, an 11 hour run in which we motored .4
engine hours, most departing the morning anchorage, and just enough
to provide a bit of warm water to rinse off the salt and sun tan
lotion.
We considered attempting the Girl Jane Cut, between the reef and the
sand bank that is charted as 7' of water, but figured we were close
to low tide and had had enough excitement for the day. We did it 2
years ago, on a rising tide, closer to high, and that had been
exciting (it's not shown on our paper chart, just the plotter, which
usually has a lack of details). It would have shaved at least an
hour off our day, unless we ran aground, then all bets would have
been off!
Most of the day we saw a W bound sail ahead of us on the horizon, and a spinnaker not far behind - both appeared to have skirted the shoals that extend N off the cay, (the other route to the anchorage). We arrived about the same time as the spinnaker boat, but they'd dropped sail further out and motored S into the anchorage.
The excitement for the day occurred when Leonard decided to clean the knot meter which had been reading low (compared to the SOG on the chart plotter). Our unit has a flapper that's supposed to seal the hole when you remove the paddle wheel device, usually only allowing a minimal amount of water to enter the boat. Any underwater opening can provide an interesting geyser that requires quick thinking to keep from flooding the boat, similar to Hans Brinker and the dike. This time the flapper didn't pop into place allowing more than just a trickle of sea water, which Leonard quickly plugged. The paddle wheel had enough accumulated gunk that needed to be removed if it were to correctly read our speed through the water. Usually we see a variance with it reading slightly high. Back in place, it was better, but still reading low, but once we started reaching for the anchorage, and our speed was over 6 kts, it appeared to be working better.
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| Running wing and wing |
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| Center of the World Rock - one of the hazards to be avoided West End Rocks were more problematic with a 4'shoal that only appears on the plotter when you zoom in - the same problem that grounded one of the BOC Round the World racers recently when the navigator didn't see a shoal |
Most of the day we saw a W bound sail ahead of us on the horizon, and a spinnaker not far behind - both appeared to have skirted the shoals that extend N off the cay, (the other route to the anchorage). We arrived about the same time as the spinnaker boat, but they'd dropped sail further out and motored S into the anchorage.
The excitement for the day occurred when Leonard decided to clean the knot meter which had been reading low (compared to the SOG on the chart plotter). Our unit has a flapper that's supposed to seal the hole when you remove the paddle wheel device, usually only allowing a minimal amount of water to enter the boat. Any underwater opening can provide an interesting geyser that requires quick thinking to keep from flooding the boat, similar to Hans Brinker and the dike. This time the flapper didn't pop into place allowing more than just a trickle of sea water, which Leonard quickly plugged. The paddle wheel had enough accumulated gunk that needed to be removed if it were to correctly read our speed through the water. Usually we see a variance with it reading slightly high. Back in place, it was better, but still reading low, but once we started reaching for the anchorage, and our speed was over 6 kts, it appeared to be working better.
 |
| Sunrise off Great Sale Cay |
5/1/16 Offshore
Since we planned going to Cape Canaveral, we didn't need a predawn start and got underway by 0730, allowing me to prep breakfast and make sandwiches before we started rolling our way toward the edge of the bank. To all appearances, we're on our own, the one W bound boat having departed earlier and other heading for one of the S exits off the bank. We did pass a number of E bound boats, motoring into the 2'-3' seas, happier to be sailing with the wind. Much of the trip back to the states will be downwind, so we were lazy and only ran out and poled the jib, avoiding the hassle of trying to keep both sails filled in the following seas.
We sailed until the diurnal daytime wind went light - unlike at home where the wind usually dies at dusk, here the wind picks up once the sun sets, and blows into the next day. Just before we left the bank around 1700, a pair of big dolphins arrived to see us off, as the water color changed to a deep aquamarine. It's amazing just how big the Bahama Banks (Great and Little) are - each about 100NM across. When the wind made an appearance again around 1900, we ran out some jib and eventually became a sailboat by 1940, running downwind under the full jib. Sailing would have been easier with the pole on, but we're hesitant to put it on in rolling seas after dark like we used to do - eventually it has to come down, another tricky maneuver in the dark. We have no illusions about what would happen if one of us went overboard at night, and have grown a bit more cautious, or perhaps wiser as we grow older.
It was a beautiful night, with a star filled sky thanks to a 3rd
quarter crescent moon that didn't appear until 0400 when it
popped above some clouds, casting an amazing amount of light
for such a small segment. The sea was awash with phosphorescence
shinning like diamonds in our wake as we sailed. In the wee
hours, the constellation Scorpion, with Antares, our name star,
was visible in the SW sky, along with what I suspect was the
morning star, shining brighter than Antares (one of the brighter
stars). Down here, the entire constellation is clearly
visible, complete with the curved tail and the 2 'cat eye' stars
at the tip. At home, that part is below the horizon, while the
'stinger' segment with Antares, appears low in the SW sky in the
summer..
What would have made it a perfect night would have been a more docile wave pattern rather than the 4'-6' seas from 2 slightly different directions, about 50 degrees apart, with wind waves from yet another angle. We only used the jib with the wind angle shifting between 180 - 120 in the waves. Leonard took another pill to help quell the motion for him, and I opted to make sandwiches rather than attempt a hot dinner. The motion would steady briefly, then we'd roll through 50+ degrees for a while, with no discernible pattern. At peak velocity, the gulf stream pushed us N at 4.4kts as we crabbed our way toward Cape Canaveral. It was difficult to fall asleep in a bunk that didn't stay still.
As we approached Cape Canaveral around 0900 (perfect for clearing Customs) I checked Active Captain regarding the lock we needed to clear before reaching the ICW. The lock notice stated it was closed for repair work starting in 2015 until completion sometime in 2016, open only week days from 0700-0800 and 1700-2130, and holidays and weekends. Although our fingers were crossed, a phone call to the lock master verified the closure. Damn! We planned on heading to Titusville on the ICW after clearing both Customs and the lock since would be plenty of daylight and we were both awake. Had we checked more carefully earlier (Leonard researched marinas for clearing customs, but missed the lock notice), we would have stayed in the gulf stream longer and shaved quite a few hours and miles off our day. I guess the old IBM poster 'Plan Ahead' is still good advice! We rejected the possibility of spending a day at one of the marinas, waiting to pass through the lock.
Leonard called Customs to see if we could clear via phone with our Florida Local Boater Option cards, and continue offshore to Ponce de Leon Inlet (another 45NM further up the coast). He gave us permission to check in via phone from New Smynra Beach, but we'd need to be anchored when we called. We're hoping the person we reach once we've arrived, agrees! We have checked in by phone before with no problem, but we've always done it from Fernandina Bach which is an official entry point, New Smyrna Beach isn't on the official list.
Meanwhile, we rocked and rolled our way N again after threading
our way through and around the shoals, motoring with a bit of
sail out, hoping to beat the forecast afternoon thunderstorms
into port. Motoring has it's pluses - the batteries needed
charging after sailing all night with the auto pilot (never
leave home without one), chart plotter, and using the radar
occasionally to check for traffic. And we're both looking
forward to hot showers that use more than a quart of water! We
still have 1/2 of a side tank and the full bow tank, and no
longer need to scrimp. The down side is a warmer cabin and the
noise of the motor grumbling away. With the fuel tank nudging
7/8ths full, fuel wasn't a concern, and as Leonard said - we'd
most likely have motored an equal distance if we were on the
ICW. This way we actually gained a travel day than if we'd been
on the ICW.
We did have one offshore incident, shortly after we left the
bank where the radar was helpful. We were in a crossing
situation with military looking vessel off to our starboard.
Leonard had seen it on radar, and had been tracking it. We
watched, wondering if it was a CG vessel - they'd been running
joint exercises in the Bahamas. We both altered courses
slightly for us to pass behind and as we passed could see
neither running lights, name nor numbers, the only light on the
vessel was coming from inside the stern as it continued S. It's
a bit scary and frustrating to encounter unlit vessels running
after dark on the open sea.
5/2/16 To 29 03.716N, 80 55.864W Rock House Creek, New Smyrna Beach, FL 188.0NM ships log - 211.20NM track - actual distance traveled
It was a long day. Although we took a few short cuts through the shoals at Cape Canaveral as we headed back out into the Atlantic, it still took us 8 hours to reach Ponce de Leon Inlet. Leonard decided to motor much of it since the wind was dead astern, and the 4'-6' seas made that point of sail difficult to keep the jib filled when we rolled in the seas. He was concerned we'd damage the jib when the occasional wave caught us wrong and back winded the sail - new sails are more expensive than any number of tanks of diesel. We were thankful not to have the wind and waves on the nose - the apparent wind would have been well into the 20's and the seas truly miserable.
The current god favored us for most of the trip from the Bahamas, helping rather than hindering our progress, for which we were also thankful (and will try to remember when he doesn't). We motor sailed the last few hours when the wind blew a bit more off the stern quarter making it easier to keep the sail pulling. The thunderheads we could see and track on radar appeared to be running along Interstate 95 rather than offshore. We could have made the St. Mary's entrance, another 24 hours, had we known the weather would cooperate (but if we'd tried, it wouldn't have). As it was, we were both happy this ocean segment was behind us.
It was 1800 when we turned into the inlet, an interesting experience with the 4'-6' seas on the beam, pushing us toward the breakwater. We followed a sailboat who had entered the inlet from the N several minutes before we arrived. It took an hour negotiate or way to the ICW and reach the anchorage at Rock House Creek, a short distance N along the ICW. As we entered the harbor, we could see a number of boats already anchored there (the anchorage is withing sight from the inlet, but the water too shoal for most vessels), and we saw several more head toward the anchorage from the ICW - it's the only anchorage close by. It's a great anchorage, but not that big, and 9 of us. more or less managed to find enough space to drop the hook. When I backed to set the anchor, it looked like I could step ashore behind, and the boat, and the chart plotter showed us ashore.
Our check in with Customs was easy and we were cleared shortly after the anchor was set. We would have saved hours and miles if only we'd known it was possible to check in via phone with the Local Boater Option cards (we owe a huge thank you to the first Custom officer who dealt with us years ago for suggesting and issuing them), since this was the inlet we would have picked - doable with a single overnight, and could have ridden the gulf stream several more hours and avoided working our way inside the shoals at Cape Canaveral. Given the N winds forecast for the next week, we aren't likely to hop outside again until the wind direction improves.
Hot showers, a drink and a hot meal finished the day. We'd decide where we'd head to next in the morning, most likely St. Augustine, although we really don't want the city moorings banging on the hull (Leonard found a scratch in the paint n the starboard side waterline that we must have gotten while in the mooring in Warderick Wells). For now, we're happy to be in calm water while the wind blows 15-20 kts around us, while we get a good night's rest.
The weather forecast through Wednesday is less than ideal, highs in the upper 80's with possible thunderstorms everyday, and strong storms forecast for Wednesday when the front arrives. We'd like to be hunkered down some place when it comes through. Things should improve later in the week., although the N winds will make offshore hops unattractive.
Lynnea
Since we planned going to Cape Canaveral, we didn't need a predawn start and got underway by 0730, allowing me to prep breakfast and make sandwiches before we started rolling our way toward the edge of the bank. To all appearances, we're on our own, the one W bound boat having departed earlier and other heading for one of the S exits off the bank. We did pass a number of E bound boats, motoring into the 2'-3' seas, happier to be sailing with the wind. Much of the trip back to the states will be downwind, so we were lazy and only ran out and poled the jib, avoiding the hassle of trying to keep both sails filled in the following seas.
We sailed until the diurnal daytime wind went light - unlike at home where the wind usually dies at dusk, here the wind picks up once the sun sets, and blows into the next day. Just before we left the bank around 1700, a pair of big dolphins arrived to see us off, as the water color changed to a deep aquamarine. It's amazing just how big the Bahama Banks (Great and Little) are - each about 100NM across. When the wind made an appearance again around 1900, we ran out some jib and eventually became a sailboat by 1940, running downwind under the full jib. Sailing would have been easier with the pole on, but we're hesitant to put it on in rolling seas after dark like we used to do - eventually it has to come down, another tricky maneuver in the dark. We have no illusions about what would happen if one of us went overboard at night, and have grown a bit more cautious, or perhaps wiser as we grow older.
 |
| May Day sunset on the Atlantic |
What would have made it a perfect night would have been a more docile wave pattern rather than the 4'-6' seas from 2 slightly different directions, about 50 degrees apart, with wind waves from yet another angle. We only used the jib with the wind angle shifting between 180 - 120 in the waves. Leonard took another pill to help quell the motion for him, and I opted to make sandwiches rather than attempt a hot dinner. The motion would steady briefly, then we'd roll through 50+ degrees for a while, with no discernible pattern. At peak velocity, the gulf stream pushed us N at 4.4kts as we crabbed our way toward Cape Canaveral. It was difficult to fall asleep in a bunk that didn't stay still.
As we approached Cape Canaveral around 0900 (perfect for clearing Customs) I checked Active Captain regarding the lock we needed to clear before reaching the ICW. The lock notice stated it was closed for repair work starting in 2015 until completion sometime in 2016, open only week days from 0700-0800 and 1700-2130, and holidays and weekends. Although our fingers were crossed, a phone call to the lock master verified the closure. Damn! We planned on heading to Titusville on the ICW after clearing both Customs and the lock since would be plenty of daylight and we were both awake. Had we checked more carefully earlier (Leonard researched marinas for clearing customs, but missed the lock notice), we would have stayed in the gulf stream longer and shaved quite a few hours and miles off our day. I guess the old IBM poster 'Plan Ahead' is still good advice! We rejected the possibility of spending a day at one of the marinas, waiting to pass through the lock.
Leonard called Customs to see if we could clear via phone with our Florida Local Boater Option cards, and continue offshore to Ponce de Leon Inlet (another 45NM further up the coast). He gave us permission to check in via phone from New Smynra Beach, but we'd need to be anchored when we called. We're hoping the person we reach once we've arrived, agrees! We have checked in by phone before with no problem, but we've always done it from Fernandina Bach which is an official entry point, New Smyrna Beach isn't on the official list.
 |
| Cape Kennedy in the haze as we pass to the E |
 |
| Unmarked, unlit mystery ship encountered shortly after leaving the Little Bahama Bank |
5/2/16 To 29 03.716N, 80 55.864W Rock House Creek, New Smyrna Beach, FL 188.0NM ships log - 211.20NM track - actual distance traveled
It was a long day. Although we took a few short cuts through the shoals at Cape Canaveral as we headed back out into the Atlantic, it still took us 8 hours to reach Ponce de Leon Inlet. Leonard decided to motor much of it since the wind was dead astern, and the 4'-6' seas made that point of sail difficult to keep the jib filled when we rolled in the seas. He was concerned we'd damage the jib when the occasional wave caught us wrong and back winded the sail - new sails are more expensive than any number of tanks of diesel. We were thankful not to have the wind and waves on the nose - the apparent wind would have been well into the 20's and the seas truly miserable.
The current god favored us for most of the trip from the Bahamas, helping rather than hindering our progress, for which we were also thankful (and will try to remember when he doesn't). We motor sailed the last few hours when the wind blew a bit more off the stern quarter making it easier to keep the sail pulling. The thunderheads we could see and track on radar appeared to be running along Interstate 95 rather than offshore. We could have made the St. Mary's entrance, another 24 hours, had we known the weather would cooperate (but if we'd tried, it wouldn't have). As it was, we were both happy this ocean segment was behind us.
It was 1800 when we turned into the inlet, an interesting experience with the 4'-6' seas on the beam, pushing us toward the breakwater. We followed a sailboat who had entered the inlet from the N several minutes before we arrived. It took an hour negotiate or way to the ICW and reach the anchorage at Rock House Creek, a short distance N along the ICW. As we entered the harbor, we could see a number of boats already anchored there (the anchorage is withing sight from the inlet, but the water too shoal for most vessels), and we saw several more head toward the anchorage from the ICW - it's the only anchorage close by. It's a great anchorage, but not that big, and 9 of us. more or less managed to find enough space to drop the hook. When I backed to set the anchor, it looked like I could step ashore behind, and the boat, and the chart plotter showed us ashore.
Our check in with Customs was easy and we were cleared shortly after the anchor was set. We would have saved hours and miles if only we'd known it was possible to check in via phone with the Local Boater Option cards (we owe a huge thank you to the first Custom officer who dealt with us years ago for suggesting and issuing them), since this was the inlet we would have picked - doable with a single overnight, and could have ridden the gulf stream several more hours and avoided working our way inside the shoals at Cape Canaveral. Given the N winds forecast for the next week, we aren't likely to hop outside again until the wind direction improves.
Hot showers, a drink and a hot meal finished the day. We'd decide where we'd head to next in the morning, most likely St. Augustine, although we really don't want the city moorings banging on the hull (Leonard found a scratch in the paint n the starboard side waterline that we must have gotten while in the mooring in Warderick Wells). For now, we're happy to be in calm water while the wind blows 15-20 kts around us, while we get a good night's rest.
The weather forecast through Wednesday is less than ideal, highs in the upper 80's with possible thunderstorms everyday, and strong storms forecast for Wednesday when the front arrives. We'd like to be hunkered down some place when it comes through. Things should improve later in the week., although the N winds will make offshore hops unattractive.
Lynnea
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