Homing In

Yes, we could definitely tell we were in the Bahamas when we woke to the sound of roosters. Time to get everything unloaded at Abaco Yacht Service's dock. Once again Barry and Barb came to our rescue and helped remove all the batteries from Ganesha's engine room and then hauled our stuff on board New Horizon.

This was the first time that we had seen the boat since the spring. The old girl is really starting to age although she fared the summer fairly well. There wasn't too much mildew inside, although later I found quite a bit in closets and drawers, so everything had to be cleaned and all clothes had to be removed and aired out.

New Horizon was launched the following day. It was a bit challenging to line up the travel lift but we figured they got it into that spot so they can certainly get it out.

 

 All 40,000 lbs. were hanging over the well and ready to float again.

Barry was right there to help move the batteries (yet again) on board and Dave installed them down in the engine room. This was an exhausting project for the guys. The engines started right up and were raring to go, but as usual the generator needed bleeding and coaxing.

The winds were right to press on to Hope Town the next morning and we had an uneventful trip through Don't Rock Passage. Arrival in Hope Town Harbour was monumental and we sounded our horn twice to announce that we were 'home'.

After much discussion we decided that we would try staying at a marina this winter so that it would be easier for Dave to get around. Plus by using power and water it would be less wear and tear on the boat's systems....and us. It has been 10 years since we have stayed at a dock and we had to figure out where the power cords were and how to hook them up. Since our arrival here at beautiful Hope Town Inn and Marina, we have really enjoyed it (click HERE for my post on it from last year). There are two pools and even a hot tub for Dave and a laundromat for me. I think he gets the better end of the deal, although I can't complain because there is also a small beach that I can keep my kayak on! A shuttle runs from the marina to anywhere in the settlement on the other side of the harbor. Internet is included (usually a big expense for us here in Abaco) and we are at a dock where the router is pointed right at us. We do pay for dockage, power, and water, but it doesn't cost that much more than renting a mooring and buying fuel for $6.35/gal. to run the generator, watermaker, and washer. Our dock is a little bit further away from the main hub-bub of the marina and so far it has been quite quiet, allowing us to get projects done....and there sure are many of those to accomplish.

Our skiff has been launched also, although it was out of commission at first with a frozen steering cable. Dave bypassed the steering system and rigged up two lines to manually steer the outboard from side to side. As usual, we were quite a sight...until the battery died for some reason, and off Dave went to Marsh Harbour for parts. Now we're back in service and we have our 'wheels' to get around.

Check out http://www.hopetownmarina.com/marina.html   

We are out at the end where that Sportfisherman motoryacht is (no one is there presently), only he is on the outside dock and we are on the inside dock. This will be home for the winter.

Rapid Transit

It took awhile for the planets to line up, but what a fantastic trip across the Gulf Stream we had on beautiful Ganesha! It truly was worth the wait for this exciting experience with our gracious hosts Heinz and Jacqueline!

We had to wait an extra day for the winds to calm down and that meant we could shop a bit more and fill up every nook and cranny on the boat, including the end of our bunks.

Dave helped Jacqueline tape up the bimini struts so they wouldn't vibrate while Heinz taped up the windows so that water couldn't come inside if the seas were rough (we think that's the reason why we had such a smooth crossing...if you prepare you probably won't need it!).

Heading out towards St. Lucie Inlet and the tide was extra high because of the new moon. 

Captain Heinz had to go cautiously because of the dredging operation.

Out the inlet and it's time to get up on a plane with the twin Caterpiller 732 cubic inch 660 h.p. each engines!

 This took a bit more power because of the extra weight of us and all our stuff (including 6 batteries for New Horizon, carefully secured in the engine room), plus the full tanks of fuel and water. You could feel the boat get lighter as the fuel level went down, which was rather quickly going between 25-28 m.p.h.! We did have to alter course once when a tanker crossed our course.

For a time the seas were between 2-5 feet in the Gulf Stream and occasionally we would hit a wave that slightly slowed the boat down and sent up a huge spume of water and spray.

As we got closer to the edge of the Bahamas Banks the seas became calmer and calmer. Eventually we lost the horizon as the ocean and sky became one.

We easily found Memory Rock, literally out in the middle of nowhere, which marked the beginning of the shallow banks and eventually the Sea of Abaco. It only took 3 hours to cover the distance from Stuart to this point! What a concept!

Dave stands watch at the helm for a little while.

We passed this large yacht towing a skiff on a very long towline. 

The trusty captain and crew...

We were treated like royalty and the food coming out of Jacqueline's galley was amazing. It was so calm that during the afternoon coffee and chocolate break, the cups didn't vibrate on the dashboard, even going that fast.

 If you don't believe me, check out the GPS plotter...

Mangrove Cay and Great Sale Cay are two islands that sailboats and slower moving trawlers stop at for the night after their crossing, but no need for us to stop at 1:30 PM , so we quickly passed them by and arrived at Green Turtle Cay at about 3:30 P.M. Jacqueline let down the anchor off New Plymouth. The yellow quarantine flag was put up until we were cleared in with Customs (it was replaced with the Bahamas courtesy flag afterwards).

 

There was a bit of a problem launching the dinghy so Beach Cruiser Barry, who happened to be there extending his cruising permit, came to the rescue and the check in with Customs and Immigration went smoothly.We 'done reach' and Dave couldn't resist a nighttime swim in the clear warm water. Of course I stood by and kept watch for sharks.

As we all headed to bed early, we just kept saying "We're here, we're here!"

Done Reach

We have arrived in Green Turtle Cay and New Horizon is floating again. We had a fantastic trip across the Gulf Stream and Sea of Abaco on Ganesha and cannot thank Heinz and Jacqueline enough for taking us and all our supplies. I have lots of photos and will post them and the details of the trip soon. I am using a temporary internet connection right now, so more to follow asap!!!!

Off We Go!

We have been here in Daytona for a month and it is now time to head to the Bahamas. We are crossing the Gulf Stream with Heinz and Jacqueline on board their East Bay 49 motor yacht Ganesha.  The winds will hopefully diminish enough so we can have a fairly smooth passage on Monday. In a few days we should finally get to see how New Horizon made it through the summer months (this will be the first time Dave has seen the boat since his accident over 8 months ago). However, I am also looking forward to seeing the clear water.

We are packed and ready for whatever comes our way. Stay tuned...I'll do an update again as soon as possible, depending on internet connections.

Giving Thanks

We certainly have been counting our blessings this year and have so much to be thankful for! Happy Thanksgiving from the both of us.....

Wind Blown

The wind has really picked today with gale force conditions. We rode down to Ponce Inlet at high tide to see how rough the ocean was. Wow, it sure was dynamic!

If we were in the Bahamas I would say there was a rage on.

Dave walks through the sand, trying to get a bit of protection from the dunes and lifeguard tower.

 

He had to crawl over the railing in the lee of the tower because the sand was blowing so hard by the jetty walkway entrance.

 

 

The kite surfer and windsurfer on the New Symrna side of the inlet were getting quite the ride with the wind and waves.

A lone tenacious fisherman must have been getting sandblasted.

 

It was amazing to see these conditions after going to the beach yesterday and having it totally warm, sunny, and calm. We certainly are glad we are not out there in a boat...and that's the reason why we are still in Daytona!

Stuff!!!

Thanks to their Craig's List ad, we found a picker's dream....Benson Junction Trading Post. It had a little bit of everything for everyone!

Is it an exercise room or a torture chamber?

 

 Some metal items were sold by the pound.

 

 Everything is for sale including the kitchen (and bathroom) sink!

Dave in the stripper cage. Woo Hoo!

 

  Everything was so organized...

Lots of stuff outside too.

 

A cauldron full of drawer pulls.

Bicycles of all shapes and sizes.

 

It's hard to take in everything in one trip. Now that we have had a little taste of the place, we'll be back in the spring to pick some more.