I spent a few days in Ft Lauderdale.Had to buy a new anchor.A real windy night at West Palm left it looking like a pretzel...but it HELD.I was asleep when the wind picked up and then too lazy/sleepy to get out the plow anchor.
Planned a crossing to Bimini from the end of Key Biscayne,Florida keys.There is a great lil mini harbour there called 'no name bay. The sun set over biscayne bay with the little huts on stilts is beautiful
I got up at 1 15 am..left at 1 30 am to cross the 'stream' to Bimini.Called for 5-10 knt winds from s to se. Ended up with e wind right on the nose and steadily increasing ! Could not beat se into the 4 1/2 knt current....shot n if tried to beat ne !! After 10 hrs motor sailing into steeper seas ,I realized I would not make it as I only had 2 galls fuel left.ONLY 12 miles to go but had to abort the crossing.The total frustration of motoring for 10hrs in steep waves for nothing changed to excitement as the wind kept growing(and the seas)...I had one of THEE MOST enjoyable sails of my life as 'Revival picked up her skirt' and simply FLEW n on a beam and later a broad reach !!! Man these ole girls love a reach !! They simply defy their waterline !! This was the day my chart plotter showed 11.4 SOG breifly on one 'surfing surge' ...with the help of the gulf stream.Glad to have the 2nd reef that day....sailed ALL the way back to west Palm !!
One more aborted attempt to cross to West end this time...again , strong E winds....decided to go S to Ft lauderdale and try from there. Left Ft Lauderdale at 7pm ,weather window was perfect !! CALM !! I already posted about the phospherous and moon rise that night....here is a pic of "sunrise" approx 50 knm out.Note how calm the stream is.
MADE IT !! The narrow entrance to Port Lucaya Grand Bahama Island. Entered at 3pm after a 20hr 84 knm crossing and being awake for 33hrs.....yep,I was tired but still had to clear customs and arrange dockage before sleep
Frank, I just joined this forum to first of all congratulate you on the grand revival, then on your fine voyage! Last night I had to read your whole thread no matter what. The innovations like the shower, beds, etc were just terrific. Sure you had some support, but you put it all together while commuting from Canada! Hope you'll keep us updated. All The Best!
P.S I'm a retired fellow whose been thinking about living aboard in Sausalito, CA. You Pearson owners are getting under my skin with these lovely boats. It started with Tim w/Triton 381, then Epiphany with his Ariel, Atom, the Commander traveling Chicago to SF, and now your wonderful boat. Somehow you made it sound easy, but I know you put in a load of elbow grease as well skill. I admire you for it.
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