Leaving Nassau for the Exumas

Provisioning and resupplying Freebooter for evening departure for the west end of New Providence, where we will anchor off in the lee of the island to be protected from the easterly winds that are battering the poor Freebooter in Nassau Harbour. 

From there we will wait to be joined tomorrow by our 6th crew member aboard Freebooter, so we will be ready to push on to the Exumas and the remaining Far Bahamas. I've heard many great things about the wild coconuts and the crystal clear waters of these secluded Cays.

Nassau, Bahamas

Finally in the Caribbean, and its living up to expectations.Internet connections have been limited so update has been delayed since our departure from Fort Lauderdale. From Fort Lauderdale we sailed across the Gulf stream overnight to the Grand Bahama Island, to make a landing at Freeport. We tried to take a berth at one of the local marinas only to find that we were too deep to enter (We became grounded briefly in the middle of the channel).

From then we decided to sail to the Berry Islands in deep water overnight and berth at Chub Cay. Lovely deep mooring in a marina that was almost empty but with all the facilities, some of which were abandoned out of miss-use, it was actually gorgeous but so empty it reminded me of a tropical version of the hotel in the shinning. On the following day, after taking care of customs and clearance we sailed, in perfect winds, for 3 hours to Morgan's Bluff, on Andros Island, where we anchored off and rowed into the harbour to resupply and quench our thirst. The following day we sailed off in the morning for the 8 hour trip to New Providence Island. In the Lee of Andross Island our trip started in duldrums, but soon the wind picked up, and again we had a lovely wind to sail almost on one tack all the way to Nassau Harbour.  An interesting entrance int Nassau Harbour as we narrowly avoid the outcoming cruise ships... and to safe harbour. So berthed in Nassau for the next few days, as we say farewell to another crew member and prepare for the final leg of our sunseeker run, Island hopping from New Providence to Puerto Rico.

To the Caribbean

Today we have departed fort Lauderdale, Florida for the Caribbean...first stop the Bahamas. Boat is ship shape and rearing to go. I write this now as we depart for a night crossing of the gulf stream. Conditions are perfect, calm seas and a gentle breeze, hopefully a sign of things to come.
A noteworthy mention is a new addition to our motely crew, the inestimable captain of Bananas, on secondment, and the remaining of our tried member from Plymouth. On a sadder note tbe departure of 2 experienced crew members, one of which was apart of the journey from the very beginning. Alas as quoted "them's that dies are the lucky ones"

Cape Canaveral to Fort Lauderdale

As we approached fort Lauderdale the gap between the 2-4kt contrary gulf stream and the land became smaller and smaller. We had to avoid the gulf stream at all expense or fight the oncoming current and lose half our speed forward. We buffer the coast tightly, staying within the underwater contour depths of between 20-40ft. In the end we were sailing within 100 m of land to less than 1 NM, and we were still feeling the effects of the current. The wind was of variable strength, and we lost our easterly a day before forecasted. Worse we got a southerly-to south easterly. Occasionally we sailed, mostly as had to motor sail to make time. Weather was still changeable but warm. Emergency fuel was used to top up tank as fuel from Plymouth started to run low. Navigation light was suspected of being broken, and given the rain, decided to install emergency navigation lighting. Lighting worked well. On later inspection masthead lights was fine. Fixed genoa furler and long range VHF radio went down. Finally in Fort Lauderdale where new crew member came to join us and had everything taken care of on our arrival. We finally arrived and all was well with the crew again. Next step is on our way to the Bahamas. Re-provisioning and replacing some gear (ie radio) climbed the mast to check rigging all is well. Unfortunatly we lose two valued crew members, but we gain one scurrilous friend in exchange. Updates to the website and details of our Caribbean adventure soon to be posted. Meanwhile enjoying R & R in our last stop in USA.

Cape Fear to Cape Canaveral

Escaping the inland waterway. So taking the advantageous easterly we propelled ourselves down the coast at a great rate of knots, running the gauntlet of the slue of the frying pan shoals and over the subsequent days running before the high pressure, dodging thunderstorms and trying to keep ahead of the high pressure systems that were coming across our latitude. In the main we were successful occasionally blighted by no wind,  but keeping clear of the doldrums. So finally near C. Canaveral, we can see the machinery of the US space race. Bypassing the Chester shoals, but sticking close to avoid the northerly gulf stream, we head straight down to Fort Lauderdale within 10-20 NM off the coast on this single easterly tack. 150 NM from freebooters Caribbean takeoff point.

Statement of Disclaimer

As a matter of course, I would like to state that the recent posts have been less lubugrious than my standard fare, and I offer only this one point... thick pirate fingers typing on advanced, although incredibly sensitive ans small touch screen technology. So any grammer issues, inappropriate words or less that stellar punctuation is most likely due to Mr Android and his application programmers.

Regards

Cap'n Ash

Lightning Run

After Ocean city we saw 3 thunderstorm systems just off the land to the south east, the decision was taken to push further south to south-east to avoid the.systems (and the possibility of the ultimate sailors nightmare having your mast been struck by lightning). Their was a lot of lightning strikes but we appeared to miss most of the storm being offshore. Their was a heavy price to pay however, our forward progress.was being wrested by the gulfstream at the rate of 1-2 knots. It made for a great light show. The next day another three smaller sets came through, we avoided them to the west. Before taking again south, to follow within 3 NM of the Cape Hatteras shore line, and following the coast around to Cape Fear.

Ocean City to Cheasapeake Bay

A late night departure from Ocean City, where we re-met our fourth crew member, who had a brief sorguin ashore, to continue our journey south to the Bahamas. Next destination Fort Lauderdale. Quite a run, our first waypoint Cheasapeake bay. Our departure was relatively inconspicuous, our first 6 hours under engine over glassy seas and dark fog...4 intrepid adventurers setting out into the blackness. On the following morning wind slowly picked up and we were out on the Atlantic once more heading south on the predominate southwesterly. A week of bearing into the with to look forward, but soon the heady tropics to enjoy.

New York City to Ocean City

With the prerequisite liberty statue and long island sail through being accomplished. We soon set sail, on the evening tide to spend our first night with the new crew on the Atlantic. All went well and good passage to Delaware Bay was made with long beats all the way down until we hit the tide. We payed with beats down the coast, sailing to within 50 m of the Beach and tacking in front of the beachcombers and onlookers.
We made ocean city just before nightfall and enjoyed a pizza on the beach.

Cape Cod to New York City

So our destination from Plymouth was Fort Lauderdale, but we wanted to do a sail past of liberty statue and long island on the way through. Leaving Plymouth was a little bitter sweet, on one hand gaining two new members to the crew, on the other hand losing our last Atlantic crew member, to the dreaded shore leave.
So departure from Plymouth went as planned, set sail for the late high tide oft the cape cod canal, and timed it perfectly with the fire in our favour. In celebration we gunkholed in buzzards bay to await morning light.
Morning came and with it mist and in a busy harbour. After hours of tacking back and forth against the wind, and into the fog, we took the long tack out into the Atlantic, for some playing room. We looked at the forecast ad it was grim. Fog set for the next 2 days. A decision was made, given the accuracy of weather forecasting, anything could happen. So we braved it. July 4th was spent on the waters ofon island sound watching the fireworks, early July the 5th we begin motoring up the east river just at the turn offbeat tide, and it pushed us along the River past manhatten downtown new york up to the Hudson and out into new York harbour proper, with all the boat traffic and the liberty statue. We sailed out past Staten island and anchored off Coney island for a bit of dinner and preparation before pushing onto more southerly climes. By the way, the gambit paid off the weather up the new York sound and right through New York was perfect, the forecasted fogs never appeared.