02 Jan – The plan is to cross to Nassau with
“Contented Turtle” an Island Packet 38 that has made this crossing
several times before. We hope to run all night and be in Nassau in about 26
hours.
“Contented Turtle” an Island Packet 38 that has made this crossing
several times before. We hope to run all night and be in Nassau in about 26
hours.
0900 We pulled anchor in Miami and headed towards
government cut. Called the coast guard to see if it was okay to use the main
channel as it is shorter, but is closed to pleasure boats if there is more than
one cruise ship in the channel. There was only one Royal Caribbean ship there
and we were granted permission as long as we kept 100 yards away. We hugged the
opposite shore and the ship launched a boat to make sure we kept away. They
told us we couldn’t go through, but I yelled over that the coast guard said it
was okay, so they backed off and let us pass. It is a busy port and there are
car ferrys crossing every 15 minutes to add to the congestion. We stopped at
Miami Beach Marina to fill our diesel jugs before heading out. They also had a
great marine store, so we picked up some electrical supplies we need to improve
our windlass wiring.
government cut. Called the coast guard to see if it was okay to use the main
channel as it is shorter, but is closed to pleasure boats if there is more than
one cruise ship in the channel. There was only one Royal Caribbean ship there
and we were granted permission as long as we kept 100 yards away. We hugged the
opposite shore and the ship launched a boat to make sure we kept away. They
told us we couldn’t go through, but I yelled over that the coast guard said it
was okay, so they backed off and let us pass. It is a busy port and there are
car ferrys crossing every 15 minutes to add to the congestion. We stopped at
Miami Beach Marina to fill our diesel jugs before heading out. They also had a
great marine store, so we picked up some electrical supplies we need to improve
our windlass wiring.
1046 we leave the marina and head out into the
Atlantic. The cut is narrow and deep and considered a class “A” inlet
– the safest kind. Unfortunately the tide was going out and the wind was
blowing in, creating waves that were square and tightly spaced making for a
wild ride on the way out. Adding to the fun, a 100+ foot power boat passed us
at high speed bouncing us around even more. The outboard started swinging back
and forth, and waves were breaking over the bow. Glad we have a sturdy dodger
to keep the crew dry. The alternator alarm starts beeping at this point as
well. Beth secured the outboard with a line and we turned out of the channel so
the waves calmed down. In the ocean the waves were only two feet and the wind
was blowing 11 kts. Of course the wind was blowing from the east, where we are
headed, but we expected that. Through all of this, Noah was laying on the cabin
sole reading a book of ghost stories! Beth takes the helm and I head
below to investigate the alternator problem. The diagnostic codes pointed to an
overheating situation, so we gave ourselves an hour to fix it or turn around.
It turned out to be a broken wire right at the ring connector on the field
wire. This is the wire that tells the alternator how much power to put out —
zero at this point. Beth sailed so we could cut the power and I could replace
the wire. Of course the clearance was so tight that the nut wouldn’t come off
the lug. Used a spade connector rather than a ring to get around that. Will
have to remove the alternator to do a more permanent fix. Not a service
friendly installation!
Atlantic. The cut is narrow and deep and considered a class “A” inlet
– the safest kind. Unfortunately the tide was going out and the wind was
blowing in, creating waves that were square and tightly spaced making for a
wild ride on the way out. Adding to the fun, a 100+ foot power boat passed us
at high speed bouncing us around even more. The outboard started swinging back
and forth, and waves were breaking over the bow. Glad we have a sturdy dodger
to keep the crew dry. The alternator alarm starts beeping at this point as
well. Beth secured the outboard with a line and we turned out of the channel so
the waves calmed down. In the ocean the waves were only two feet and the wind
was blowing 11 kts. Of course the wind was blowing from the east, where we are
headed, but we expected that. Through all of this, Noah was laying on the cabin
sole reading a book of ghost stories! Beth takes the helm and I head
below to investigate the alternator problem. The diagnostic codes pointed to an
overheating situation, so we gave ourselves an hour to fix it or turn around.
It turned out to be a broken wire right at the ring connector on the field
wire. This is the wire that tells the alternator how much power to put out —
zero at this point. Beth sailed so we could cut the power and I could replace
the wire. Of course the clearance was so tight that the nut wouldn’t come off
the lug. Used a spade connector rather than a ring to get around that. Will
have to remove the alternator to do a more permanent fix. Not a service
friendly installation!
1335 We fired up the engine and we were filling the
batteries once again. By this time Contented Turtle had caught up with us.
While the engine was off, we drifted North at 2.5 kts, so we had entered the
Gulf Stream.
batteries once again. By this time Contented Turtle had caught up with us.
While the engine was off, we drifted North at 2.5 kts, so we had entered the
Gulf Stream.
1535 Beth and Noah napping. I’ve still got an
adrenalin rush from fixing the alternator. Winds are down to 7 kts and we
are making 6.4 kts speed over ground running the engine at 2400 rpm with the
staysail up.
adrenalin rush from fixing the alternator. Winds are down to 7 kts and we
are making 6.4 kts speed over ground running the engine at 2400 rpm with the
staysail up.
1710 Sighted Bimini in the Distance, the closest of
the Bahamian Islands.
the Bahamian Islands.
1806 Sunset Winds are 11-16 kts and we’ve covered 51
miles.
miles.
1847 The depth sounder started reading again at 134
feet. We’ve found the banks!
feet. We’ve found the banks!
1908 Passed safely by North Rock Light. Japanese
Noodles for dinner. Speed 5 kts. Wind 6. Noah falls asleep in the cockpit using
the sail cover for a blanket. Air temp is 77.
Noodles for dinner. Speed 5 kts. Wind 6. Noah falls asleep in the cockpit using
the sail cover for a blanket. Air temp is 77.
2104 Full Moon rises . Speed 5.7 kts. Depth only 15.5
feet.
feet.
2316 Increased speed to 6.5 kts in order to compensate
for increased wind speed of 11 kts. The boat cuts through the waves better at
hull speed. Beth takes the helm while Mark heads below for some rest.
for increased wind speed of 11 kts. The boat cuts through the waves better at
hull speed. Beth takes the helm while Mark heads below for some rest.
03 Jan 0104 Mackie Shoal Light – Speed 6.5 kts.
0102 Slowed speed to make arrival at NW Channel closer
to slack tide.
to slack tide.
0300 Mark back in cockpit. Beth goes down to attempt
sleep. Speed 5.5
sleep. Speed 5.5
0400 Winds up to 15 kts. Speed 5.4
0600 Waiting for dawn to enter NW Channel. Several
freighters pass us, then wait for light as well. Two other sailboats catch up
with us.
freighters pass us, then wait for light as well. Two other sailboats catch up
with us.
0713 Follow a freighter and pass NW Shoal light 120
miles from Miami. Depths drop off to 3000 feet. A boat behind us catches a Mahi
Mahi as they come off the banks.
miles from Miami. Depths drop off to 3000 feet. A boat behind us catches a Mahi
Mahi as they come off the banks.
1000 We see flying fish. Winds 18-24 knots. Waves are
closely spaced around 4 feet every 2-3 seconds. Every 3-5 minutes a pair of 6-8
foot waves would come. The first wave would lift us up and then drop us down
into the second wave, sending spray everywhere. The ocean doesn’t have any
problem bouncing a 20,000 lb boat out of the water. Motion is not conducive to
resting. Speed through the water is 6 kts, but we are only making a little over
5 kts over the ground due to the waves and wind. This is much rougher than the
Gulf Stream crossing. Trying to rest below, the boat falls out from under me
every twenty seconds or so and the setee greets me again rather abruptly. Beth
did a great job making the lee cloths that hold us from falling of the
cushions. We are pleased to hear fifty foot Benetaus behind us complaining of
the same motion and not making any better speed.
closely spaced around 4 feet every 2-3 seconds. Every 3-5 minutes a pair of 6-8
foot waves would come. The first wave would lift us up and then drop us down
into the second wave, sending spray everywhere. The ocean doesn’t have any
problem bouncing a 20,000 lb boat out of the water. Motion is not conducive to
resting. Speed through the water is 6 kts, but we are only making a little over
5 kts over the ground due to the waves and wind. This is much rougher than the
Gulf Stream crossing. Trying to rest below, the boat falls out from under me
every twenty seconds or so and the setee greets me again rather abruptly. Beth
did a great job making the lee cloths that hold us from falling of the
cushions. We are pleased to hear fifty foot Benetaus behind us complaining of
the same motion and not making any better speed.
 |
| Contented Turtle in the Tongue of the Ocean |
1404 Winds 13-16 kts. Still on the nose, but the
waves have decreased as we get closer to New Providence Island. Called several
marinas, but only one answers and they don’t have any room.
waves have decreased as we get closer to New Providence Island. Called several
marinas, but only one answers and they don’t have any room.
1506 Called Nassau Harbor Control for permission to
enter the harbor. Permission granted and we raise our yellow “Q” flag
and pass between a lighthouse and the Royal Caribbean Cruise Ship that we
passed in Miami. Called another marina and they have room for us!
enter the harbor. Permission granted and we raise our yellow “Q” flag
and pass between a lighthouse and the Royal Caribbean Cruise Ship that we
passed in Miami. Called another marina and they have room for us!
1545 Tied up in Nassau Yacht Harbor after covering 177
nautical miles in just over 30 hours. They don’t have dock hands to help with
lines, just one dock master and several boats coming in. There is strong current,
a bridge and a reef just off the docks, so we just took the first open slip we
found. The dock master called and said, “just stay there mon” it is a
sixty foot slip, so we have plenty of room!
nautical miles in just over 30 hours. They don’t have dock hands to help with
lines, just one dock master and several boats coming in. There is strong current,
a bridge and a reef just off the docks, so we just took the first open slip we
found. The dock master called and said, “just stay there mon” it is a
sixty foot slip, so we have plenty of room!
The customs officer came right away and granted the
boat clearance for 6 months. After dinner, and just as we had given up hope and
Beth got undressed for a shower on the boat, the immigration officer arrived
and cleared us all in. We went ashore and luxuriated in long, hot showers
before falling into a well deserved sleep. Not a fun passage, but we made it
safe and sound to Nassau.
boat clearance for 6 months. After dinner, and just as we had given up hope and
Beth got undressed for a shower on the boat, the immigration officer arrived
and cleared us all in. We went ashore and luxuriated in long, hot showers
before falling into a well deserved sleep. Not a fun passage, but we made it
safe and sound to Nassau.
 |
| Safe and Sound in Nassau |