After one aborted attempt to get across the Gulf Stream because of a fouled bottom,I finally left Key Biscayne at 5.00am on Friday 29th November. It was a rolly crossing on an almost windless sunny day to Gun Cay just south of Bimini. Then a direct run across the Bahamas Bank to the NW Channel marker where at 11.00pm I dropped the hook and slept 3 hours. Awoken at 3.00am by an unpleasant motion caused by wind/wave action in very shallow water I decided to slowly motor back and forth 4 miles west of the channel till daybreak when the markers became visible. At 7.30am I slipped past the Channel marker into the 5000 plus feet deep Tongue of the Ocean.
All was going well till 9.00am when a 60 ft power cruiser doing 30 knots almost hit me head on approaching from fine on my port bow. As he crossed my bow 40 yards ahead a radical swing to port just got Two Pelicans out of the way as he roared down my starboard side ,20 yards away.I shudder to think what would have happened if he had done the "right" thing!!
By 2.00pm the wind went south and I was bashing into a quickly building short sea. I steered east and succeeded in getting under the lee of New Providence which allowed me to down sails and motor the last 15 miles directly into the 25 knot wind.
Tired but happy I arrived in Nassau at 5.00pm Saturday 30th November and secured to a dock at The Nassau Yacht Haven to clear Customs and Immigration.
After a great nights sleep I set about cleaning up Two Pelicans........and now after 3 nights at the marina ($98 per night all inclusive!!) I am anchored ( yes, the new chain found its way into the chain locker)west of Potters Cay near enough to The Green Parrot.......a local watering hole with a dinghy dock!!
I am looking forward to seeing my niece Gemma who will be here for 2 weeks nannying to a family from the UK with digs at Lyford Cay(Sean Connery lives there) .Maybe we will get to visit........better dig out the smart duds eh?
The Cathedral Bluffs Yacht Club,Scarborough,Ontario,Canada.
My home from 1979 to 2005.
Pelican 1 hauled out at Bluffers Park Marina 2003
There have been some changes since then !!
Haulout 2003
My good friend Joe.....Captain of La Reine Brenda.
Daysailing on Lake Ontario 2003
My daughter and her fiancee . The last sail in freshwater!
Two Pelicans aka Pelican 1 refitting at Beaufort NC
The new inner forestay fitting is visible below my foot
Launch Day December 8th at Bock Marine
The completely repainted and rewired rig plus new windgenerator.
In the slings at Bock Marine
Jeremy having a "moment" !
Two Pelicans
First time in saltwater....wondering if she will be on her lines after all the extra gear we added!!!
Alongside at Bock Marine Dec 2006
A little bow heavy still !!
The Skipper
On a break during refit at Bock Marine. NC
Peter (yachtmaster) from the UK.
My sole remaining intrepid crew !
My other Crew!!
Derek, who jumped ship for the lovely Karen ! Who can blame him eh?
A toast after a successful launching.
Manadatory equipment: beer,kneepads and a Piggly Wiggly sweatshirt !!
Resting at Masonboro Inlet en route to Charleston. SC
The new Lofrans windlass and bowsprit.
at anchor in Charleston.SC
Water on the lens? A very enjoyable stop.
Great Harbour Cay in the Berry Islands.
Landfall in The Bahamas where we cleared in with Customs. Jan 2007.
Nassau.
Labour Day Parade
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