Stuck again Bob

Well we finally made it to the USA. The Bahamas was everything I had heard. Some areas a bit tooooo busy for my liking, but pretty all the same. I was told I would get stuck, well we did. Only 7 times. Some more dramatic than others. Fortunately we managed to get stuck at low tides, so there was never a real problem. We left Walkers Cay to come across to Florida early on Sunday morning. I had considered leaving on Saturday evening and sailing through the night as the charts had been so accurate I had few concerns, BUT as it was, it was a good thing we did NOT as a few shallow banks appeared right on our path. About 3 hours after leaving, I was making a grand cup of tea and cup cakes. I thought I should take a quick look outside. Good thing I did as there was this bank. We turned hard left and had to go about 1/2 mile to go round it. Then after another 3 miles there was another. Where the chart showed a good 3m depth. The second bank took some paint from our keel as I thought we were clear, but when I turned the bottom came up to meet us. We thought we were in a 4 x 4 as we bumped along over it under full power.   Then we had to cross over the Gulf Stream which I heard much about. Well this bloody current is something to sail across. We sailed best we could in a westerly direction, but for some of the time I thought we would be lucky to hit the coast anywhere south of New York City. We did. As we got across the current, we managed to get some west in our northerly path. It seemed like the God's were conspiring against us for some of the time, as the wind had gone westerly. So we had the wind straight on the nose the whole way. Poor little engine ran for 30 hours straight at full power. Not bad for a 1969 rebuilt VW diesel engine with gammy fan belts and an oil leak.   Finally arriving in Ft. Pierce, now late, we had to contend with an outgoing tide to enter the ICW (Inter Coastal Waterway). The tidal flow almost prevented us from entering. It took 2 hours to cover the 2 miles of the entrance. We then motored up the ICW 12 miles to Vero Beach where our friends John and Dotty Noble have a house and a mooring.   Just coming off the ICW to their dock we got stuck again. REAL WELL. With the assistance of Gerda, Alex and James in the dingy hauling on an extended halyard, full sails, engine full ahead, and the wake of a passing boat, we managed to scrape our way in to the canal over the sand bar. Once again, Low Tide. When we leave here in a week or so it will be on the High tide for sure.   We are now pretty good at getting un-stuck. The keel has no growth, but also no paint, and the engine has blackened the side of the boat with diesel exhaust smoke. But we made it......  :)   Rob

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Quick Update

Hellooooo !

Since we collected Gerda in Nassau, we have sailed to some of of the most wonderful places.
The day we were to meet up with Gerda, we woke to find the current had swung us around, the tide had gone out, and we were laying on our side. MMMMmmmm
and we still had to sail the 35 miles to Nassau from Allans Cay. So we were going to be late. We got to see the Allans Cay Iguanas again while we were waiting. (Had to just be cool about our boat laying on its side. You know this is how we anchor. Don' have to worry about the anchor dragging, do it all the time ). The Iguanas if I have not told you, Only live HERE on this tiny dried out spit of land. They are real curious creatures, and if you sit still will come to investigate up close. Eat berries and lettuce, very Nice!
Finally when the tide lifted us almost enough, with the help of some friendly sailors coming past in their dingy. With them pulling on one of the halyards while we gave full power, engine and full sails, and Alex and James digging round the keel with salad spoons, we managed to move off the sand bar and head for Nassau. My Poor little engine ran the whole day. We dropped anchor at 19:15 in Nassau, went ashore and set off to find the Airport. Gerda had been waiting for the last 2 hours. Lucky I had sent a email to warn her of our predicament. I had planned to just walk the 2 miles to the airport, which got many a raised eyebrow. It turned out that the Airport I was heading for closed down about 5 years ago. I got a taxi the 12 miles and found my wife :)She was happy not to have to walk back to the boat.
She had a huge bag (Just like Father Christmas, Full of wonderfull goodies, ...Fanbelts, Smarties, Undies, Iced ZOO cookies, XBox Games ...."Very Cool stuff")
The Peppermint Crisp box was however a little light. The Customs officials took a bribe to allow her in on a one way ticket.

After 3 nights in Nassau we sailed across to Eleuthera for a few great days. One night was very exciting. We were hanging on to the anchor while a thunderstorm raged. Lucky I threw out an extra anchor when the storm started. The wind switched 180 deg and was blowing 35 to 40 Kts straight onto the beach off which we anchored. Real close. Could have been a mess. A real beautiful beach. Salt Kettle Beach. Here there is a cliff to jump off, ans rope swings out of a cave which you have to swim into and then climb up to get to the hole from where you swing. Great place to play.

From Eleuthera we sailed up to The Great Abaco's. About 50 NM. All anchorages very protected from the ocean by the barrier islands. Quite busy in comparison to the southern Bahamas. We have stopped at Sandy Cay (FANTASTIC snorkling ), Man O War Cay, Great Guana Cay (Party Island, at Nippers, Green Turtle (super busy spot, there was a regatta on the go while we were there, Manjack, Allans Pensacola (very cool, and we got to hang a sign on the "Signing Tree"), Moraine, Big Carters (where we got stuck REAL WELL. Left a 100m long scar on a sand bar, then had to wait for high tide (again). When we had 0.2m clear at 02:00 we moved to where we would not end up on our side at the next low tide). Then on to Double Breasted Cay, and today Grand Cay.
Tomorrow we will get ourselves to Walker Cay for a couple of nights, hope to get in some diving before heading across to USA

What a Great Great Place (photo's when we get to USA ...OK )
Rob

My Wife is BACK

Today My Darling Wife got to the Bahamas, and she is now back with me on our little boat :)

After a late start from Alan's Cay (we were stuck on a sand bank at low tide, so had to wait while the water rose. eventua;ly we got away at 12:12
Motor sailed up to Nassau, run, taxied, to the airport and found Greda sitting quietly reading her book.

We now are having tea and ZOO biscuits.

Cool

What a Wonderful World !

Just Fantastic, Amazing, Unbelieeevable....... :)

Today we sailed up to Big Majors Spot. ( 24 11,01 N ... 76 27,49 W )Where Pigs roam wild on the beach. (and swim out to great you )
We had to check them out real close, so we dingy ed over and fed them a few apples. They are quite friendly, and persistent, but really quite polite.
There is a family of about 15 that we met, some braver than others. The big ones swam out and pushed the dingy around, while the others just stood on the beach waving. They are some of the biggest Pigs I have ever seen.
There are also quite a few chickens, but none that I saw swimming.

On the anchorage around here we are by far the smallest boat. There are another 8 boats, ranging from 75 ft to 150 ft, but none with sails. (Ag shame )
The trip around the island from the East side where we entered in to the Island chain between two Islands, was quite nerve wrecking as we draw 1.9m and the chart reads 1.8m in many areas we passed. Most of this time we had a reading of 0.2m under the keel. That is really not alot.
Alex and James hang onto the stern ladder to watch the depth, and direct me if we are about to run aground....again !
This is The Bahamas, so we spend plenty of time doing this. (running aground, and hanging onto the ladder )
The water is so clear and warm that it is no hardship. All smiles!
They also comment on every Ray, Shark and Crab they see.....and sometimes climb back up real quick if a Barracuda is stalking them. There are some real big Cuda here, like 2m big.

Tomorrow we will do some diving before cruising up to Alan's Cay where Iguanas rule. It is the only Cay where this peculiar Iguana is found.

So apart from the incredible water and diving and fish and sun and beaches and wonderful weather, there is also some interesting stuff !

Chat Soon
Rob

Bahamas

Hello All,
We have been in the Bahamas for the last 10 days. FANTASTIC.
The sail over from Puerto Rico was very slow. No wind, so we motored for 2 days. Lucky I got some decent fan belts in Puerto Rico.
The ones I picked up in Antigua lasted about 5 hours each before shredding into little chunks (DAYTONA , REAL CRAP ! )
The first one that got shredded ended up between the timing belt and the gear. Lucky I didn't wreck my motor. That was in St Martin. Since then I have changed 5 belts.
All hopelessly ussless !
Then I got Dayco, Top Cog belts. which have been great so far. The first one has done 61 hours so far. THAT's Better :)

Hey we finally got to the BAHAMAS
The water is all I have ever heard about. Clear clear clear.
It is just a pity it is the start of Hurricane season. so we have had to hurry along toward USA.

Our stops so far have been
Mayaguana, where we checked in and met some friendly locals. Scully should be called on if ever visiting again to go bone fishing !
Aklin Island, Crooked Island, (hooked a Marlin for all of about 10 sec, as I was pulling in the lines, he jumped, shook and snapped the line, very exciting )Rum Cay, Conception Island, Long Island, (nice big Dorado, which I ate )Stocking Island, and Lee Stocking........so far.
The diving is fantastic. Lobster out of season, pity :( as there are plenty. but there is the most beautiful coral and loads of fish, and always a barracuda watching.

We are going to meet Gerda at Nassau on the 24th, then head further north for about a week before crossing to the USA.

This is sent via HAM radio, so no pics, sorry!
As soon as I get an internet connection I will post some.

Chat soon
Rob

Arrived in The Bahamas

Hi,
Now I am beginning to understand why I built our boat.
This place is Truly MAGNIFICANT. (22 21.40 N.... 72 58.73 W )
We are anchored Mayaguana Island, Abraham's Bay, after a 4 day sail up from Puerto Rico. Dropped anchor in 3m of crystal clear water, and went for a swim in 34 degC water with about 60m of visibility.
You can study the sand on the bottom while standing on the deck. :)
Chat soon (with pics )NO No No, not of the sand, Silly!
Rob

To The Bahamas we GO !

Hi Again,
We have left for the Bahamas from San Juan, Puerto Rico.
Our exact position is 20 deg 44.6 N .... 69 deg 15.08 W for those of you that like to look at Google Earth.
There is nothing here except Beautiful Ocean.
If I were to describe the Ocean here in one word it would have to be
Absolutelyfantisticallybeautifullyamaizingblueclear.
Yes that would just about cover it.
I have never seen such clear blue water in all of my life.
Unfortunately right now there is NO wind, so we are motoring along at all for 4 knots. Now this is not fast. It Landlubber terms. 7km per hour.
Jo Berg to Cape Town in 8 days. But it is wonderful to be out here.
The last 48 hour we have covered 225 NM, Alex and James and Myself have been taking turns on watch, but now also we have a active AIS. so other ships out there can see us on their chart plotter, and no longer only by radar. It is rather nice to see how they avoid you, by altering course a few degrees long before you can even physically see them. This we know as we too can see them on our chart plotter.....mmmmm !
No ships to worry about right now anyhow.

We should arrive at Mayaguana, on the 9th (of this month I hope! :)
22 20,41 N..... 73 01,36 W

Till then, All the Best
Rob, Alex, James,
Crew on SV "Margie"

From Culebra

Hi, I just thought I would add a few photos to prove we have been out there doing it.
Living the dream
WHAT A DREAM
Rob....😊

James relaxing 😊

Alex swimming with Dolphins on the way to Culebra
if you look carefully you can see one in the bottom left

Alex getting some air time

Roxys in Great Harbour on Jost van Dyke BVI

We went for a walk

They even provide chairs and iced water on the way
how civilized

Salt pan in BVI
Salt island

BVI, Cuebra and Barracuda

Hi,
So we have made it as far as Culebra. It is a fantastic Island.

The BVI is very busy and expensive. Every anchorage crowded with charter Cats, tethered to mooring buoys(cost US$ 30 per night ). Zero space to drop an anchor in most places. And every spot worth diving or snorkeling is overpopulated. The coral has been badly damaged and the fish life is minimal. There are beautiful areas however, and on another stop here I plan to explore them a little more.
The last two nights in the BVI we spent on the Northern Island of Jost van Dyke. One day at Green Cay on the east point, and the last night in Great Harbour where we cleared out to head west. Both were really great. Green Cay has the most exquisite "desert Island". White sand beach, Palm tree, some junk, and you can walk all the way round in 2 minutes. Cool. Alex spent most of the day Kite surfing, while James and I did school. (not quite so exciting )
Great Harbour which is a small bay flanked on the north with a white sandy beach, many places to quench your thirst and party all night, and a police station. Good fun stop. just mind the sand fleas. Donner!

Our sail to Culebra from Jost van Dyke was the longest for a while. WOW 37 miles. But what a lovely surprise. Friendly people, uncluttered anchorages, and the most fantastic dive areas. There are mooring buoys here too, but here they are FREE. The coral is incredible, and the fish life is great. The Barracuda are cool, They just hang around under or behind the boat virtually motionless. Average size 1,5m in length.
Quite good fun for fishing especially on light tackle (you need a steel trace )Catch a small fish as live bait. (good luck getting it to the surface, the barracuda normally nab it) Hook it on (with your steel trace ), then get ready as you drop it back into the water. It takes maybe 5 seconds, then WAM, he takes it and runs off 100m, leaping into the air. It will then take you half an hour to bring him in, with many more dashes off into the distance. Finally exhausted you can unhook him and watch him swim away slowly.
Beautiful fish.!

Tomorrow we sail for Puerto Rico.
It is a great pity we have to hurry along, but the Hurricane season is June to November, so I really don't want to hang around to experience one.

Chat soon
Rob

St Maarten and moving along

Hi, as usual we have spent longer than planned.
We are on our way tomorrow evening to BVI for a bit of diving, fishing, kite boarding.
Tony Brewer and his family have been truly fantastic. Home from home, AND All our laundry is now acceptable again, and we no longer smell quite so yachtie......

We have even managed to get a good section of school behind us.
Tomorrow we stock the bilges and head off on the 100 nm to our next stop.
Just wish I had a bigger freezer

Hopefully no more engine troubles.....😃

Chat soon
Rob

windy lagoon

Anchored in St Martin Lagoon last night our anchor started to drag, no problem, we just motor forward and drop it again.
Well that would be easy. The fan belt started squealing, then shredded it self and got eaten by the timing belt after wrapping itself round the crank end pulley. For goodness sake why when I was already stressing.
we then had to put the anchor out at speed with the dingy.
To replace the timing belt after cutting away all the old fan belt I had to figure out where tdc is, what posi the cam should be in, and what marks are relevant to the injector pump.
All in about 6 hours later working with a tiny torch, my little engine is running again
phew
thought I had lost it there for a mo..

much relief !

St Martin

Hi, so we have got as far as St Martin.
Have had a great time on the way. The plan now is to sail this week to the BVI, Culebra, Bahamas and then on to USA

Antigua was fun, Alex found a position as crew on Vagabundo, a 45 foot classic, which came in 2nd. Very well done
I spent time on the judges boat, and on the last day on a Carricou sloop. We were not quite so lucky. We had a port, starboard collision, last our mast, and had to retire.
Here are some photos of our time.
Rob

Alex giving Gerda some kite lessons

Alex after a week of fun at Green island

Beautiful places to swim

The Start of one of the Classic races

My Mermaid

My two silly sons

Sunset in St Pierre, Martinique

We sent it sailing as a "message in a bottle"

Painting on our registration

VAGABUNDO

Antigua, Fun and Games!

Hi,
We are only as far as Antigua. 5 April. We have been here for a week now, and just found a grand place for kite surfing. It is on the East coast of Antigua around Green Island. There are free buoyed moorings, about 20 in a reef protected anchorage. Pity the wind right now is now quite enough, but it is sure to pick up as the day progresses.
The sail from Guadalupe to Antigua was anything but comfortable. Only 42 Miles, but eventful. While motoring out of Deshaies, just after we had stowed the anchor, the alternator / coolant pump fan belt broke. Not a major crisis, but I needed to replace it. Fortunately I had one spare left, (started the voyage with 6 spares) Replacing it is not as simple as initially it may seem. First as we are sailing, the boat is now at 20 deg and moving around a lot. Next the engine is hot from the motoring while lifting anchor. Then to remove the offending belt, you must start with water maker belt, off, then Jabsco salt water pump belt, off, then the alternator / coolant pump. All this adds up to being a fiddly, dirty and awkward job, filled with profanities. Lucky I have had practice. My alternator is too big for just one belt, so I go through one every 100 hours or so.

Finally, after all was tidied up again, we got to the task of sailing north. Two reasonable wind squalls later I had a sick wife. Lucky I have spare........ Helmsman Alex. Now Alex likes to sail fast. 8 knots fast? For us it is OK! So we sailed on our side through the squalls, then we had NO wind, so we motored. Then the BLOODY fan belt was slipping. Not enough tension! The whole boat smelt like a day at Drag racing. Fuel and burnt rubber. That really got my Poor Wife Green.
Bucket Green!

Well the anchorage at Antigua in English Harbor was fantastic. Calm, clean water, Beautiful 120 ft boats, Classics Boats, New Fast Plastic Boats, Wooden Boats varnished to Museum display grade, and some ordinary boats too. All too Beautiful and too comfortable ! So we moved up to Green Island. An eight mile move which took 4 hours and 18 miles of sailing. Beating against wind and current. Poor Wife....

The kite surfing is good :)
Chat soon
Rob

Snail is moving

Hey, here is an event worth noting
We moved, from Rodney Bay, St Lucia to Marin, Martinique (26 miles)
WOW!
Tomorrow perhaps up to le Saints.
Need to first get some wine and cheese here. Stock is dangerously low.
Weather is fantastic. Sea is like pond, wind is 12 kts ESE. Boat sails like a rocket......... well, ok, not quite.....
Have a great day
Rob

Hey, here are some pics for fun

Bequia

Hi,
Having left Grenada, where we had a great couple of weeks, and James had his birthday :) we sailed up to Carriacou,(2nights), then Union Island, which is our best for kite boarding. Alex has it, but James and I, well lets just say "not so good"
We anchor just behind Frigate Island, a small peninsula on the south side of Union which provides great protection, and creates lagoon like conditions. Here you can spend weeks, if you had provision enough, as there are no shops, but if you are prepared for a long dingy ride to Clifton, the main town, there is an assortment of shops with "tourist" prices.
Unfortunately (as we were having fun), we had to leave a bit prematurely. The weather was turning nasty. We managed a mid afternoon departure, a 6 hour (very wet and lumpy) beat up to Bequia, where we arrived at 21:00.
So right now we are anchored in Bequia, Port Elizabeth which is reasonable calm and there is plenty to do.
The weather looks like it will only let up in a week, so till then we do school, boat improvements, and maybe some diving.
Projects in hand include: Raise the cockpit floor, build shelves in the TV cupboard (yes we have TV), fix the bloody grey water pump again, fix the leaky garden tap on the stern which is making big ugly rust stains down the transom, and of course chip and paint some other rusty spots.
Or we could do all that stuff tomorrow, or the next day, as we have a fridge that works, and it has many beers which are not drinking themselves ;)
Present anchor position 13 00,00 N 61 14,86 W
Rob

Trinidad

Hi, while in Trinidad, we had a marvelous time!
Apart form meeting great people, we hauled "Margie" (The Teddy Bears Picnic) for new antifoul, hatch over the heads, a hard top roof, new through hull fittings and some other things that needed attention.
We are all now ready for the adventure to carry on. Too long in one spot.

Tanzi, Alex and Michael

"MINE   !!"...... "MINE !!"

Backing in to be hauled out. Reverse???? This is a boat it goes forward!

All good

All Rats are happy when messing around in boats.... what life is all about.

"MY KEEL."

Leaving Trinidad

Looking back at Chagauramas.

Alex , Birthday morning. He got woken by Girls with presents. ;)

Happy !

Building me a roof in Trinidad

Bending up a pipe for the edge

 

 

James always over the Moon when helping.

And ME, Always happy when building stuff

Roof Ready to go up

Roof up

Anchored in Grenada. What........

On Friday we should be starting our way up toward The Bahamas.
The plan is to stop off in Bequia, Martinique (for bread and wine), Le Saints, Antiguia, Barbuda, St Martin, BVI, Puerto Rico, then The Bahamas.

Hope all works out (especially the wine!)
Rob