Crossing the Stream - Gone Sailing
The much awaited weather window arrived on February 8th and we embarked upon our journey across the Gulf Stream to Bimini in the Bahamas. No more motoring along the Inter-coastal waterway for us, it was time to put the sails up and head out to sea - well, that was after we got free from being aground as we exited the harbour.
We had intended to travel with 3 other boats, but by time we realized that 2 of them were not ready, the other had left and was 90 minutes ahead of us (ah, the best laid plans).
It was 0415 hours when we lifted anchor at the venetian causeway and by 0520 hours we were aground behind Dodge Island in the harbour. Fortunately Barry has become very adept at getting us out and we were soon underway again. We made our way through a fleet of small fishing boats that were darting back and forth as they worked the area at the end of the harbour.
We reached the Morse A racon sea buoy at the end of Government cut in Miami at 0600 hours and set our course of 126 degrees magnetic for Bimini. A vector diagram was used to establish the course to compensate for set and drift. We send thanks to Dave Corke and Merritt Ede at CPSS for their excellent instruction that allowed Barry to make a perfect calculation.
The current slowed our progress by l.5 knots.
We enjoyed watching the sun-rise reflect off of the hi-rise buildings in Miami for 25 miles before they slipped from away from view behind us.
We could see and hear a flotilla of 4 other boats, as they contacted each other along the way. We made contact with them on our VHF radio and also kept in contact with Mike on Soaring Eagle, who we knew was 90 minutes ahead.
By 1215 hours Bimini was in sight and by 1500 hours Barry had the quarantine flag up and was on his way to the Customs building. He returned shortly thereafter with a 6 month cruising permit for the Bahamas.
By 1615 hours - exactly 12 hours after our departure, we had the hook down in the turquoise waters off Alice Town, Bimini.
We relaxed that evening, stretched out on the foredeck, under a clear star filled sky that seemed to wrap right around us.
The much awaited weather window arrived on February 8th and we embarked upon our journey across the Gulf Stream to Bimini in the Bahamas. No more motoring along the Inter-coastal waterway for us, it was time to put the sails up and head out to sea - well, that was after we got free from being aground as we exited the harbour.
We had intended to travel with 3 other boats, but by time we realized that 2 of them were not ready, the other had left and was 90 minutes ahead of us (ah, the best laid plans).
It was 0415 hours when we lifted anchor at the venetian causeway and by 0520 hours we were aground behind Dodge Island in the harbour. Fortunately Barry has become very adept at getting us out and we were soon underway again. We made our way through a fleet of small fishing boats that were darting back and forth as they worked the area at the end of the harbour.
We reached the Morse A racon sea buoy at the end of Government cut in Miami at 0600 hours and set our course of 126 degrees magnetic for Bimini. A vector diagram was used to establish the course to compensate for set and drift. We send thanks to Dave Corke and Merritt Ede at CPSS for their excellent instruction that allowed Barry to make a perfect calculation.
The current slowed our progress by l.5 knots.
We enjoyed watching the sun-rise reflect off of the hi-rise buildings in Miami for 25 miles before they slipped from away from view behind us.
We could see and hear a flotilla of 4 other boats, as they contacted each other along the way. We made contact with them on our VHF radio and also kept in contact with Mike on Soaring Eagle, who we knew was 90 minutes ahead.
By 1215 hours Bimini was in sight and by 1500 hours Barry had the quarantine flag up and was on his way to the Customs building. He returned shortly thereafter with a 6 month cruising permit for the Bahamas.
By 1615 hours - exactly 12 hours after our departure, we had the hook down in the turquoise waters off Alice Town, Bimini.
We relaxed that evening, stretched out on the foredeck, under a clear star filled sky that seemed to wrap right around us.
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