s/v YOLO Swabs Log Blog Day 299 Entry 071 Bahamas Bound Boat Buddies Part 5

s/v YOLO You Only Live Once Swab’s Log Blog

Posting Date:   Saturday, March 22, 2014
Day 299 Entry 071

Boot Key Harbor and Marina Mooring #W10  http://www.ci.marathon.fl.us/government/departments/marina-and-ports/

Bahamas Bound Boat Buddies Part 5

After stopping for fuel, we rendezvoused with BLISS at the mouth of the channel, near the entrance of the bay.    Known as Tranquility Bay!

Looking North picture of Seven Mile Bridge and Tranquility Bay (when it is tranquil!   Marathon - Boot Key Harbor mooring field is in  the upper right hand corner.

The water looked a little choppy but it was expected it to get better.  
IT DIDN'T IT GET BETTER!   THE WAVES GOT WORSE THE FURTHER OUT IN THE BAY WE VENTURED.  The weather forecasts was WRONG!   The Captains compared 4 different weather reports and all the reports were all wrong!!!!

What is the only profession that you can be wrong 50% of the time and still keep your job?  Meteorologist!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Our instruments were reporting:  the wind was 20 to 22 miles per hour, waves 5 to 8 feet.  We were bouncing somewhat, but it still was not as bad as when we went South to Marathon.  But BLISS, was taking it hard, they were bouncing all over the place, because it is a catamaran it handles the waves differently from a mono hull.  As we watched them the bows (yes both of them) reared up, then as the wave went out from underneath them, the noses (yes both of them) dove under the waves, then roll to starboard and then roll to port.  And start all over again.  They pitched, dipped and rolled form side to side 3 times in about 2 minutes!!!! Captain Steve said  ‘This is not good for them!’  Which was an understatement. Using the VHF, Captain Steve hailed Captain Scott.  

Picture of VHF radio.  Speaking via a VHF has a entire vocabulary unto itself, which I will discuss in future posts.  
Captain Scott said that they could not handle these waves and that he would have to go North on the inside.  The inside is actually the Intercoastal Water Way (ICW) which is very shallow in this part of Florida.  Since they only draw 31/2 feet (need 5 feet of water to float) it was fine for them.  But it is much to shallow for us, so Captain Steve told him that we would continue North via the Hawk Channel .  The ICW and Hawk Channel intersect at Channel Five, so that is where we decided to rendezvous later that day.  We most probably will have to spend the night in the anchorage near Channel Five.  Which will add another day of travel to our voyage but this is one of the reasons why Captain Steve insisted that we have a weather window of 4 days of good weather.   In my book today doesn't count since the weather is crappy!!!

GREAT!    We left the mooring field approximately an hour ago and are already having problems!

As Bliss turned North West we turned North East, I checked to make sure that my ‘Go to Girl’ hadn't bailed!  As always she didn't let me down!  She was still on board and I was very glad to have her along!

I hoped and prayed that the weather would improve!  But I had a feeling that this wasn't the only problem that we would have to deal with on our voyage to Bimini!  Unfortunately I was correct!  It wasn't!

Sea u later!

Bahamas Bound Boat Buddies Part 6

s/v YOLO Swabs Log Blog Day 297 Entry 070 Bahamas Bound Boat Buddies Part 4

s/v YOLO You Only Live Once Swab’s Log Blog

Posting Date:   Thursday March 20, 2014
Day 297 Entry 070

Boot Key Harbor and Marina Mooring #W10  http://www.ci.marathon.fl.us/government/departments/marina-and-ports/

Bahamas Bound Boat Buddies Part 4

Wednesday, February 19, 2014, in preparation for going to Bimini we went to the municipal dock for water.  The wind was blowing a bit but not bad on the South side of the mooring field, but as we motored to the other side of the harbor, which is not as protected as we thought it was worse.  When we made to port (left turn) to angle into the dock, the wind hit us broad side.  Fortunately, some other cruisers were on hand to help us get to the dock, actually to help us from being blown INTO the dock.  They were a very big help, as the wind picked up and we really would have bumped into the dock or worse.    And we sat there for over an hour waiting for the wind to die down.  Even then it took 8 guys to help push us off the dock and keep us off the dock by really putting their backs into it!  Again, we very grateful for their help or we might still be there.

At 5 am Thursday, February 20, 2014 it was clear and calm!!!!!  Captain Steve and Captain Scott were both multi tasking!  Both were on the phone discussing the weather as the compared the weather computer models, as well as listening to the marine weather!  The predicted weather was the same for the next 4 days!  Temperature was to be in the mid 80’s, with winds 15 decreasing to 10 from the south, with 2 to 3 foot waves.  As Captain Steve hung up the phone he turned to me and said “It’s a go!”   OMG are we really going to do this????????

On Thursday February 20, 2014 the predicted weather was the same!    The plan was to head North via Hawk Channel for 45 miles to Rodriguez Key and anchor for the night.  Friday morning at 4 am leave Rodriguez Key, head north east for 70 miles across the reef and then cross the Gulf Stream. 

Captain Steve said ‘Stow everything and let’s go, we rendezvous at 7:30 am on the bay side of the channel!’

I did as I was told!  (Yes I Did!  Granted I don’t do as I am told often, but this is one of the few times that I did!)  One last thing to do before going on deck – Wake up my ‘Go to Girl’!!!!  

Hopefully we will find the very tiny island (it’s only 9 miles long and have heard horror, YES, horror stories from those who missed it!) called Bimini before dark!  So how many Hail Marys do you think it takes to cross to Bimini from Rodriguez Key?  A lot more than you think, especially when you have to add all the Hail Mary’s said from Marathon to Rodriguez Key!!!!

Sea u later!

 Bahamas Bound Boat Buddies Part 5

s/vYOLO Swab's Blog Entry 0034 Day 234 Christmas Boat Parade!

s/vYOLO You Only Live Once Swab’s Log Blog

Posting Date:  Thursday Boxer Day, December 26, 2013  Day 225 Entry 0034

Marathon  Marina and Boat Yard - Slip 63  
http://www.marathonmarinaandresort.com/

Middle of the Florida Keys

December 25, 2013 Wednesday 

Weather:  Gray and overcast with light drizzle in the morning!  Sporadic rain showers throughout the day.and evening.  Temps - 65 - 80 degrees.  Winds ESE 10 to 15mph  gusting to 20 knots.  

Subject:  Christmas Boat Parade!
Enjoyed day with other cruisers!  Went for a walk on 7 mile bridge.  Beautiful views of ICW and the ocean.  Stopped for a drink at the Lazy Days restaurant. http://lazydayssouth.com/     Met a very nice couple from Michagen.  They were very impressed when Captain Steve held up his hand with the palm facing out and asked them to show him on his hand where they lived in Michagain. https://www.google.com/search?q=michigan+and+hand&num=20&newwindow=1&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ei=w7K7UrCHIsjY2gWgkYCoAw&ved=0CC8QsAQ&biw=1366&bih=652#facrc=_&imgdii=_&imgrc=vbOUB9Wyo55emM%3A%3BIkzRbKSbRi4QlM%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Fmichigan.modularhomes.info%252Fmichigan-map.jpg%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Fnerdjockprincess.com%252F%253Ftag%253Dfamily%3B320%3B312
They have a RV in the park by the 7mile bridge and a 30 foot motor boat (m/vProud Mary) there also.  They have been to the Bahamas multiple times.  They gave us a great deal of information and advice. They are going to Bahamas http://www.bahamas.com/ in March, hopefully we will meet them there! 
https://www.google.com/search?q=michigan+and+hand&num=20&newwindow=1&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ei=w7K7UrCHIsjY2gWgkYCoAw&ved=0CC8QsAQ&biw=1366&bih=652#facrc=_&imgdii=_&imgrc=vbOUB9Wyo55emM%3A%3BIkzRbKSbRi4QlM%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Fmichigan.modularhomes.info%252Fmichigan-map.jpg%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Fnerdjockprincess.com%252F%253Ftag%253Dfamily%3B320%3B312
Miami has a boat parade every year.  http://miamionthecheap.com/miami-outboard-club-holiday-boat-parade/  When we were there we watched it from the marina.  I have included some picturers below.

s/v YOLO Swab's Blog Day 222 Entry 31 Now I'm back!

s/vYOLO You Only Live Once Swab’s Log Blog

Posting Date:  Monday December 23, 2013  Day 222 Entry 31

Marathon  Marina and Boat Yard - Slip 63  
http://www.marathonmarinaandresort.com/

Middle of the Florida Keys

December 22, 2013 Tuesday 
Weather:  Beautiful!   Temps - 73 - 85 degrees.  Winds ESE 8 to 10 knots, sunny with blue cloudless skies.

Subject:  I'm back!

I apologize that I have not posted lately but we have been so busy – doing chores on the boat; having company for a week; practicing anchoring; researching various destinations and marina amenities; deciding how and where we are going to celebrate Christmas and New Years; selecting alternative cities and marinas; shopping for Christmas presents; mailing presents; keeping track of inventory and provisions among other things.  Please be assured I  am not shunning my commitment to post but a multitude of ‘things’ got in the way.  In the future I will post at least every other day, even if it is not as informative as I would like.  Living on a sailboat in Florida and blogging are very new to me.  But on the positive side - all this activity has created a lot of material for this blog; some very interesting, exciting, funny; unbelievable and all true!  So hopefully the wait will be worth it!  Thank you for you patience and understanding and most importantly reading and sharing this blog with others!

The following is a recap of the past 3 weeks, each of which will necessitate multiple posting to cover!

·        My sister Gen came for a week so we moved the boat to the Miami Municipal Marina (Miamarina.) http://www.miamigov.com/marinas/pages/marinas/  Had a great time with the three Ms – Miami, Marina and Mojitos!  (actually 4 and Me)

·        Anchoring in Biscayne Bay.  http://www.sandbarhopper.com/biscayne.htm   The process; what we did wrong and right.  What we learned about anchoring, going ashore, our systems and ourselves.

·        Sailing Biscayne Bay.

·        Moving on south.  Traveling on the ‘outside’ for 2 days in very rough seas!  OMG!

·        Coexisting on the boat for 10 consecutive days – and still talking to each other!

·        The sunrises, sunsets, stars, sun and sand!  Best of all no snow!

·        Preparing to celebrate the holidays!

Sea u tomorrow - Christmas Eve!