Monday, February 28, 2011
Successful fishing in the Exumas last week--now back to Florida
Ken and Patina have stayed in Staniel Cay and had a leisurely time that included fishing and general low-key out island life.
Will arrived back onboard yesterday (Sunday). They had a farewell dinner with John and Barbara aboard Bamboushay. They plan to leave at first light and proceed from Big Majors Spot near Staniel Cay in the Exumas and head directrly for Nassau on New Providence Island. Hoping for a 75 nautical mile broad reach sail in 15-20 knots wind. On Tuesday the plan is to sail from Nassau across the northern portion of the Tongue of the Ocean through the Northwest Channel to the Great Bahama Bank where the plan is to anchor near Northwest Shoal. On Wednesday they plan to cross the Great Bahama Bank westward to the vicinity of North Rock near North Bimini Island. That would put them about 55 nautical miles from the Florida Coast. The weather is not looking favorable for a crossing at that time but they will be poised to take advantage of the first good weather window to get across the gulf stream. Stay posted as the SPOT notices come in to tell of their actual progress!
Fair winds and following seas!
Will arrived back onboard yesterday (Sunday). They had a farewell dinner with John and Barbara aboard Bamboushay. They plan to leave at first light and proceed from Big Majors Spot near Staniel Cay in the Exumas and head directrly for Nassau on New Providence Island. Hoping for a 75 nautical mile broad reach sail in 15-20 knots wind. On Tuesday the plan is to sail from Nassau across the northern portion of the Tongue of the Ocean through the Northwest Channel to the Great Bahama Bank where the plan is to anchor near Northwest Shoal. On Wednesday they plan to cross the Great Bahama Bank westward to the vicinity of North Rock near North Bimini Island. That would put them about 55 nautical miles from the Florida Coast. The weather is not looking favorable for a crossing at that time but they will be poised to take advantage of the first good weather window to get across the gulf stream. Stay posted as the SPOT notices come in to tell of their actual progress!
Fair winds and following seas!
Monday, February 7, 2011
Staniel Cay Luau!
Will and I picked this one for the Luau, but it wasn't cooperating and in fact got downright antagonistic. 
Staniel Cay in the Exumas on SuperBowl Sunday.
The guys made it to Staniel Cay yesterday afternoon. On Will's first snorkel, a 7' nurse shark shark right under the boat!
Saturday, February 5, 2011
Leaving Nassau Saturday morning.
Heading for the Exumas. Mostly visual navigation.
The plan at the moment is to leave Nassau Harbor heading Easterly for Athol Island and then ESE to Porgee Rocks (a total of 5.2 nm). From there, generally SE along the Great Bahama Bank from Porgee Rocks to Allens Cay (28.6 nm). From there, we would continue proceed S and SE along the Great Bahama Bank to Staniel Cay (an additional 41.3 nm.), where we will hang out on the hook.
The plan at the moment is to leave Nassau Harbor heading Easterly for Athol Island and then ESE to Porgee Rocks (a total of 5.2 nm). From there, generally SE along the Great Bahama Bank from Porgee Rocks to Allens Cay (28.6 nm). From there, we would continue proceed S and SE along the Great Bahama Bank to Staniel Cay (an additional 41.3 nm.), where we will hang out on the hook.
Friday, February 4, 2011
Boat Troubles!
Patina has had a few problems with the welds on the pushpit assembly. While in Ft. Lauderdale , at the end of January, I noticed a widening crack at a welded joint by the curved section of the aft starboard rail. I keep the grille at this location and was worried that it might fall off. Since we were leaving for the Bahamas in a day or two, I hired a local welder who repaired the crack at the dock before we left.
While transiting Northwest Channel between Bimini and Nassau yesterday, the innermost portside rail sheared off at the bottom weld by the attaching bolt and the entire assembly seemed poised to come off taking with it the GPS antenna, bimini, davits and dinghy. A crack also developed at the same location as the one at the starboard rail that we had had welded in Ft. Lauderdale . We removed the GPS antenna and rigged some lines to support the assembly temporarily as we approached Nassau . There is also a sizeable break in the gelcoat near the innermost starboardside rail near the swim platform entry.
For our trip to Staniel Cay, we have beefed up the portside rail supports with some heavy ties attached to the aft stern cleat, but decided to stay in Nassau and get it all welded.
The welder is here at the dock repairing the cracked stern railing and we hope to make Staniel Cay in time for the Superbowl .
Sure Glad John and Barb on Bambushay have Satellite System ( so they don't miss any Duke BasketBall Games) so we will get to see the Super Bowl.
Looking forward to getting under way from Nassau to Allen Cay tomorrow.
While transiting Northwest Channel between Bimini and Nassau yesterday, the innermost portside rail sheared off at the bottom weld by the attaching bolt and the entire assembly seemed poised to come off taking with it the GPS antenna, bimini, davits and dinghy. A crack also developed at the same location as the one at the starboard rail that we had had welded in Ft. Lauderdale . We removed the GPS antenna and rigged some lines to support the assembly temporarily as we approached Nassau . There is also a sizeable break in the gelcoat near the innermost starboardside rail near the swim platform entry.
For our trip to Staniel Cay, we have beefed up the portside rail supports with some heavy ties attached to the aft stern cleat, but decided to stay in Nassau and get it all welded.
The welder is here at the dock repairing the cracked stern railing and we hope to make Staniel Cay in time for the Superbowl .
Sure Glad John and Barb on Bambushay have Satellite System ( so they don't miss any Duke BasketBall Games) so we will get to see the Super Bowl.
Looking forward to getting under way from Nassau to Allen Cay tomorrow.
Wednesday, February 2, 2011
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