It has been a frustrating winter so far. Two Pelicans finally sailed from Nassau in a forecast lull in the weather on February 8th,only to run into a real blow from the NE which at times reached 40 knots. This made for a rather testing time out on the Yellow Bank in shallow water ......but I finally made it across to Normans Cay at the top end of The Exumas. Shifting sandbars at the narrow entrance to Normans ........Two Pelicans thudded to a halt.......swiftly unfurling the genoa I spun her around and slid into deeper water,finally taking a mooring at Shroud Cay with friends Joop and Albertein on their custom aluminium 37 foot sailboat .
No damage to TP below the waterline but some severe chafe to the full batten pockets at the leech,which I am presently repairing...... sewing the pockets shut after shortening the battens to a tight fit. The UV strip on the genoa is toast.......I will be sailing on our spare until repairs can be effected.
The next day I made it to Warderrick Wells Cay in the Exuma Park,having intended to get to Black Point .The winds wouldnt let up and the last 6 miles motoring into slabs of water to make my easterly landfall took 2 hours!
2 days later I was motoring in a dead calm the last 15 miles to Black Point,our stepping off point into the Exuma Bight for the leg to George Town on Great Exuma,some 45 miles SE.
2 days later,Friday 13th saw Two Pelicans motoring out of Dodman Cut ........with a 4 knot tidal race against her ,at timesshe was making less than 1 knot........things improved as soon as she cleared the cut..... it was a very lazy motor sail at 5 to 7 knots all the way to George Town,where I anchored at 1700.
Since arriving here I have been sheltering either on the west or east sides of this amazing harbour from 30 to 35 knots of wind brought by a series of deep lows,which finally eased last night allowing me to anchor near George Town where I will stay for a week or so stocking up and working on the sails. I also hope to receive the parts needed to install the Falkon windlass,as well as finish the V berth and install the watermaker.
More to follow.......
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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