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/v YOLO Swabs Log Blog Day 295 Entry 069 Bahama Bound Boat Buddies Part 3

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

Posting Date:   Tuesday March 18, 2014
Day 295 Entry 069

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

Bahamas Bound Boat Buddies Part 3

While talking to other cruisers we met the crew of the catamarans; Bliss with Captain Scott and Chris, from Texas; Stray Kat with Captain Alan and Geraldine from Canada and the sailboat Summer Wind with Captain Bruce and Claudette from Maine.  All of us agreed that we needed a good weather window to cross since it would be the first time sailing to the Bahamas for us all!

We diligently checked the weather twice daily for 2 weeks.  

The International Boat Show was being held in Miami, from February 13 to the 17^th. 

http://www.miamiboatshow.com/  

Miami skyline taken looking North from Biscayne Bay.  Taken from s/v YOLO at anchor.  No wonder we stayed a week!!!!

The Boat show was being held at the Miamarina Bayside, which was the same marina that we stayed in just before Christmas. http://www.miamigov.com/marinas/pages/marinas/

s/v YOLO -  one of the very few sailboats - pictures  taken from restaurant on dock in Miami, December 2013.  Disney cruise ship is on the other side of the bridge.

These boats are really packed in there!  Can you find s/v YOLO?

Stray Kat and Summer Wind decided to attend the boat show in Miami Then, head to Bimini from there.   So we wished them bon voyage on Thursday morning as they headed North along the coast.  

Captain Chris and Captain Steve continued to diligently look for the perfect weather window to sail overnight.  Now that we were comfortable with crossing the reef in the dark; we decided to take either route – sail overnight form Marathon or cross from Rodriguez Key.  Which ever route was more suitable for the next weather window.  

On Tuesday, February 18. 2014 the predicted weather for the next 4 days in South Florida and the Keys, was the temps to in the 80’s, with the winds at 15 mph decreasing to 10  and out of the South with 1 to 2 foot waves.  Chris Parker http://www.caribwx.com/  predicted crossing the Gulf to be benign Friday through Tuesday.   This was the best weather window for crossing in the past 3 weeks!!!!  Hopefully the weather will hold true!

Bliss and YOLO agreed if the weather prediction is the same on Thursday morning - it is a go to leave from Rodriguez Key. 

Sea u latter!

Bahamas Bound Boat Buddies Part 4

s/v YOLO Swabs Log Blog Day 297 Entry 068 Bahama Bound Boat Buddies Part 2

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

Posting Date:  Friday, March 14, 2014
Day 297  Entry 068

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

 Bahama Bound Boat Buddies Part 2

That was until I met the Captain and crew from ‘One Eyed Parrot’!    A nice couple, who have been married for many years.    They are very experienced sailors, who have bit of a strange sense of humor; or others might say that they are very comfortable with themselves.  They have crossed to Bimini leaving from Rodriguez Key more than 10 times.   Which means having to navigate over the reef in the dark.  They also need deep water.  Even though they both swore that they never had a problem crossing over the reef; I kept reiterating my fear of navigating over the shallow reef, in the dark.  They assured me that there was a direct route charted through the reef that they, and many others, have used often and with out incident!   I was still a non believer.  I had been looking at various charts, numerous times and could not find a route that didn't require corrections every few feet!   I pulled out the most detailed chart of the reef that we have and said’ OK show me!’ And they did!   The captain said from the Green Buoy Light head South West to the Yeoman Marker.  OMG!!!  It was so simple!  It was there all the time!   I am aware of the Yeoman Chart Plotter, but have never used them.   I couldn't believe that I missed it!  He said that he missed it also until some one showed him the route.  It is not clearly marked on the chart, but it was still there!   I said that I was so bogged down in the  minutiae of the numerous drastic changes in depth, that I didn't look at the big picture.  I have been charting our route using buoys and channel markers, which are fine for routes along the coast, or short trips. But I was not thinking about long trips, extended travel across open water!  There are no buoys! There are no channel markers!  But the Yeomans are there!  We were venturing out, away from our comfort zone, into the blue water to another country - expanding our horizons and had to start thinking that way. To sum it up, I had to start thinking GLOBALLY.  The Captain of  'One Eyed Parrot' said that he was totally intimidated by crossing the reef, until he found the Yeoman marker.  They said that they have to rely on their chart plotter and instruments all the time, because they do not have any depth perception.  I took this statement to mean, that their depth sounder was not operating correctly!  Boy Oh Boy was I wrong!  

Picture of Yeoman chart plotter

For more information on Yeoman chart plotters, please click on link.

 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yeoman_plotter

Picture of Rodriguez Key, where we anchored.  The beginning of the reef is just visible in the lower right hand corner.

Previously, in prior posts,  I have mentioned that I was interested in the story behind the name of the boat, and in future posts that I would include various names that I found interesting.  Well this one is the best by far!

When inquiring as to the reason for the boat name ‘One Eyed Parrot’ the Captain replied, 'My last name is Parrot.'   I replied, OK well that makes sense.  To which he responded and ‘We both have one eye each.   We each have a glass eye.  Since we only have one eye each,  we do not have depth perception.  Therefore, we have to rely very heavily on our instruments!'   I could only reply that:  'Well in that case if  the Yeoman Plotter has worked for you, then we should not have a problem!'    I am usually not at a loss for words, but I must admit that I was quite taken back by his statement.   I could not think of a better reason to trust his course  through the reef.   I certainly could not top it!  So I said, 'I am a believer! '   I was more impressed with his forthrightness, fortitude and comfort level.  They both have a disability and they don’t let it stop them!  Good for them!

Sea u later!  Bahama Bound Boat Buddies Part 3.

s/v YOLO Day 296 Entry 067 Posting Dat March 12, 2014 Bahama Bound Boat Buddies Part 1

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

Posting Date:  Wednesday, March 12, 2014
Day 296 Entry 067

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

We have been discussing the weather and crossing the Gulf Stream with various other cruisers who have done it multiple times.  Marathon Marina had a Bahama Bound Boat Buddy Board!  

We signed up and found that most cruisers wanted company crossing the Gulf Stream.  

Gulf Stream Path.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gulf_Stream

A number of boats left around February 10th to sail overnight, but we felt that the weather window was too tight for us.  So we decided to wait for at least a 3 day weather window to cross.   

Our original plan was to leave from Marathon head North East to Bimini. 

This course would utilize the northerly direction of the Gulf Stream current, therefore the wind and waves would be with us.  This route would take at least 20 hours and therefore require traveling over night.  We have sailed over night before so this was not a problem for us.

Our contingency plan was to go North along the Florida coast to Rodriguez Key and cross the Gulf Stream from there.  This route would require at least 4 days.

Rodriguez Key anchorage.  

Historically a full moon does not coincide with a good weather window to cross, so we would have to navigate over a very shallow reef in the dark. 

Island of Bimini looking South.

We would most probably have to motor most of the way across the Stream.  But more importantly it would require very diligent course corrections because of the unpredictable force of the Gulf Stream.  We heard stories of boats actually missing the island of Bimini entirely, or arriving after dark.  We were warned by everyone to not even think about trying to attempt entering Bimini harbor at night for a multitude of reasons.   The channel is very poorly marked and the buoys that are there do not have any lights; the channel was cut through a reef and is very narrow and has a very strong current.   Individually they are daunting but all together insurmountable.   So we would have to spend the night at sea traveling up and down the coast of Bimini.    But on the positive side it would only take 12 hours to cross the Gulf Stream and we could do it during day light!  

There is a third plan, a route that continues North past Rodriguez Key to Miami and cross the Gulf Stream from there.  This would require 5 days.  This crossing would be difficult even in the most calm conditions because of the direction of the waves and wind.

As far as I was concerned our fist route was our only option! 

Sea u later!  Bahama Bound Boat Buddies Part 2