Back in The The USA

Nassau. May 18th. 2008. My crew,Chris from Evansville IND arrived sans luggage...........it arrived on the 19th........we departed on the 20th for The Berry Islands,arriving Great Harbour Cay,Bullock Town Marina that afternoon.
Superstition says don't go to sea on a Sunday so we enjoyed a weekend on the beach,leaving for Bimini on Monday 23rd May.......arriving in the dark at 8.30pm.........very hairy entrance as all but 2 markers have gone!!! Thank god for "plotters" ! Big tide running but we finally banged into Weeches dock at 9.00pm. My crew took me to The End of The World Bar for refreshments........a cool place with white sand floor.........and cold beer, where we met the crew of the Dive/Charter 60 foot sailboat Avalon who helped us dock.
The next morning the skipper dithered about the weather/crossing issue.....finally deciding to "go for it" at 9.00am
We headed out for Lake Worth Inlet,75 miles away under full main and genoa...light SE winds engine at 2000 RPM..........around 1130am we were hit by a squall line/thunderstorm...big mistake to have the main up...........our performance getting it down as well as when the mainsheet block shackle came apart.......nearly throwing skipper overboard as he held on to the mainsheet for grim death was faithfully recorded by a US Coastguard Cutter which snuck up on us out of the gloom !!! After all was secured and we were under control again they departed with the parting words.." give us a call if you need assistance".........bruised and battered ...we said Thank you!!
The rest of the trip went well and at 10 knots we made incredible time aided by The Gulf Stream running at 3.5 knots,arriving at Lake Worth Inlet at 5.45pm.......anchor down at 6.00pm.
The next morning we cleared in......big drama as skips didnt phone in,we just walked the 100 yards to report in person..........very much a NONO!!! I am now officially warned !!!
Anyhow....that afternoon we motored up to North Palm, where the shops are.......and taxis etc as Chris was flying out the next day the 26th May.
After she left at 930am on the 27th I motored up to Manatee Pocket just by Stuart and got stuck in oozy black mud......I know this because at 4.00pm a huge thunderstorm hit with winds at 50 knots.........and we didnt move an inch!!!
The next morning 0730 using full engine power and the windlass(manual) I managed to drag us off the bank........feeling really good about getting off so lightly I cut a corner on the way out and ooops.....this time a passing fisherman using has twin diesels persuaded Two Pelicans to go the right way!!
I arrived back in Vero Beach and hooked onto Mooring #20 at 4.00pm.........the same mooring I had left with Alex as crew on December 22nd 2007.
Two Pelicans will be in Vero Beach for the summer while the skipper visits Toronto for August. He is very excited about the impending birth of his Grandson.
In September Two Pelicans will be scheduled for a much needed haulout. An insurance survey is also in the works........
I have decided not to install an electric windlass........the manual Lofrans Major Royal has performed really well.......I will install a new holding tank(our old one has been patched up too many times.....constructed of plywood/glassed over inside and out) it split because the vent was blocked!!! An electric head will complete this improvement.
2 Ventillation hatches in the pilothouse are desperately needed........also the watermaker might finally get installed !!! Its been in its box long enough !!
Seriously considering a hard dinghy........davits........and some new upholstery in the pilothouse and Fwd cabin.
To be continued........