Chidrens Bay

December 22, 2008-Wednesday December 24, 2008
Ship's Log
On Board: Mark, David, Madeline, Gary, and Dana

Dana's Entry:

On Monday we flew in to meet the Stray Cat in Georgetown, Exuma. After provisioning the vessel we decided to anchor right outside of Great Exuma where we ate dinner at the Chat and Chill Restaurant and Bar. I ordered 2 Kalik Golds, they hit the spot. I ordered the fish and fries, Mahi Mahi, cooked fresh. After dining we moved back to the boat to relax and have some cocktails.

Today is Tuesday. Due to extreme winds at about 25 knots, we have decided to hang around the boat today. We will move tomorrow and fight the wind and waves for either 15 or 30 miles. Tonight for dinner we are having Mark's potatoes that I have heard a lot about accompanied by steak and vegetables.

Wednesday Dec. 24 (Christmas Eve) we had a light breakfast and decided to motor sail 15 miles to Children's Bay. After 6-9 foot swells for 15 miles we had finally arrived. Two of us on board were not feeling very well from the Atlantic swells so we made a decision to cut through to the inside area of the islands where it would be calmer. To cut through we would have to take the boat through a small area where the waves were breaking. After a quick turn and 2 waves that broke on the boat we made it through. On the other side the water was much calmer and was easier on our stomachs. I must say though that Mark gave me a little bracelet to shock some nerves in my wrist area, and suddenly I was cured of my motion sickness. (I will definitely be buying one of those when I get home! Thanks Mark!) So we are on the inside (west) of the islands and begin to find a cove to settle down for the night. Once in Children's cove we took the dingy to land to go for a small hike over to the east side of the island where the waves were breaking hard. Following our hike Gary and I decided to get into the 77 degree water and see what we could find with masks and snorkels. We saw 1 fish and plenty of "ant hills" that were probably clams underneath the sand. We will cook again tonight because the island is not inhabited and will sail to another island tomorrow that has a restaurant. Until then; good night friend.

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Continued

Back at the boat we decided to watch a movie called Bloody Sunday. I wasn't really into the movie right away so I started looking around at the boat. I noticed that Mark was looking out the stern a little concerned. He called Gary to come and look and our hearts dropped into our ankles. The dingy was GONE!! With no moon and 25 MPH winds we started to look for it with flash lights hoping that it ran aground on the beach near by. The other option is that it had gone out to sea. Of course I am sure you can imagine that we were definitely hoping for the beached outcome. After about 30-40 minutes of wandering with the catamaran and flash lights Gary had an idea to dock and look for the dingy by foot along the shore. Madeline, David, and I went one way, nothing. Gary went the other way in his booties and wetsuit, nothing. Back at the boat the rest of us could see Gary by the light moving on his flashlight. Suddenly his flashlight stopped for some reason. As we kept watching we suddenly got a call on the VHF radio. "I got it!" he said! At that moment our hearts moved from our ankles to our chests again and it was definitely time for a drink. Wow! I can't believe we found it. Gary found a $6000 bill just floating on the shore and motored it back to our catamaran. My hero…..for now :

Friday December 26, 2008

Last night the winds were howling louder than I have heard since my trips to Mexico in a tent trailer with my parents. In the morning we had some breakfast and quickly got moving to our next Cay. We traveled another 10-15 miles to a new island called Stanley's Cay. We first anchored near a beach, took the dingy into shore, to be greeted by a family of 4 wild pigs. On the beach we took several pictures with the pigs who were venturing into the water to meet the other boats for food. On the beach you could find random carrots and egg shells, etc. The pigs would come up to your hands to see if you had any food. The coolest was the baby pig who seemed to afraid to go all the way into the water but still liked to cool his feet. Once we walked the beach and got plenty of pictures with the pigs we decided it was time to go snorkeling in Thunderbull Cave.
Thunderbull cave got it's name because the James Bond movie filmed a scene inside. The cave had an extreme amount of current going through so it was a little difficult to get in but not impossible. Inside the cave we saw many different types of fish. One fish that was a surprise was a Voltan lion fish. Any time a Bahamian sees a lion they are supposed to kill it because it is a Pacific fish and does not belong here. Gary and I spent about an hour in the water swimming in and out of the cave through the different holes. When we tired out we went back to the boat to get ready for dinner. Dinner tonight was at Club Thunderbull and the choices were chicken or ribs dinner. I chose the chicken and boy was it great. It was served with a small piece of corn on the cob, a baked potato, and a hefty salad. Due to the strong current and snorkeling adventure I did not even mind that it was dark meat and before I knew it my plate was empty. Like yesterday with the lobster I don't usually eat dark meat chicken so you know it must have been great. Well, after a wonderful dinner and a small dingy ride back to the boat we are now settling in with some tea and dessert on the boat and will soon retire to bed for another day at sea. Until then, goodnight friend.

P.S. Hi Mom!

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Back Country Exuma sailing

Stray Cat Captain's Log
On Board: David, Madeline, Gary, Dana
Captained by: Mark

Thursday December 25, 2008

As I woke up on Christmas morning I quickly noticed it was still very windy here in Children's Bay Cay. We decided it would be safer and more enjoyable for all if we stayed inside the islands and weaved in and out of the shallow depths. We passed many different small cays today, that included cays owned by Faith Hill and Johnny Depp. As we were weaving in and out there were times that we were in 3.5 to 4.5 feet deep. It was incredible to see the different blues due to the depth changes around us. On the later part of our travels today we ran into 2 Atlantic bottle nose dolphins. That was exciting although they only hung with us for about 1 minute, not even enough time to get the bread treat from Madeline. Finally, after 2-3 hours of sailing we reached our final destination for the night, Little Farmer's Cay, where we fortunately were able to get dinner thanks to a nice man named Terry.
On shore was an interesting experience for me. As soon as I stepped on land I felt like I had already consumed 4 beers. My equilibrium was off and I could not find my balance at times. As we entered the Le Bleu Restaurant we were introduced to the owner Terry and we sat down for a drink at the bar. Suddenly, it went from a quaint bar with the 6 of us to a grand party with an attendance of about 15% of the islands population (approximately 60 total). Many different locals came into the bar to greet us and enjoy drinks with us. As we were waiting for dinner in the bar the officer from the island came to sit with us. We ask him several questions about his life as an officer of the Bahamas and he told us many interesting things about life as he knows. After a couple of Kaliks our wonderful dinner had arrived to our table. For dinner tonight: Bahamian Mac and Cheese, Cole Slaw, Peas and Rice, and the largest lobster tail I have ever seen.
I must tell you that I do not enjoy lobster very much, but when I was finished I looked at my plate and it was virtually empty (even the lobster was gone). I must say I have always made fun of my cousin because one time when we were younger she was absolutely sure that she hated lobster dinner. It is an ongoing family joke because when she actually tried it she loved it. Well, pretty much the same thing happened to me. I have realized that maybe I just have not liked the way it was cooked or prepared. Anyways, back to our story. So as we finished dinner the locals were starting to play bar games.
As they were playing we realized they were playing a game that we have never seen before. It consisted of a board on the wall with a hook attached, and a ring on a string about 8 feet away. The object was to throw the ring on a string to the wall and hook it. It was harder than it looked but we decided to give it a try and ended up being fairly good at it. After the festivities we decided it was time to go back to the boat for some relaxation and a movie. (continued)

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Chidrens Bay

December 22, 2008-Wednesday December 24, 2008
Ship's Log
On Board: Mark, David, Madeline, Gary, and Dana

Dana's Entry:

On Monday we flew in to meet the Stray Cat in Georgetown, Exuma. After provisioning the vessel we decided to anchor right outside of Great Exuma where we ate dinner at the Chat and Chill Restaurant and Bar. I ordered 2 Kalik Golds, they hit the spot. I ordered the fish and fries, Mahi Mahi, cooked fresh. After dining we moved back to the boat to relax and have some cocktails.

Today is Tuesday. Due to extreme winds at about 25 knots, we have decided to hang around the boat today. We will move tomorrow and fight the wind and waves for either 15 or 30 miles. Tonight for dinner we are having Mark's potatoes that I have heard a lot about accompanied by steak and vegetables.

Wednesday Dec. 24 (Christmas Eve) we had a light breakfast and decided to motor sail 15 miles to Children's Bay. After 6-9 foot swells for 15 miles we had finally arrived. Two of us on board were not feeling very well from the Atlantic swells so we made a decision to cut through to the inside area of the islands where it would be calmer. To cut through we would have to take the boat through a small area where the waves were breaking. After a quick turn and 2 waves that broke on the boat we made it through. On the other side the water was much calmer and was easier on our stomachs. I must say though that Mark gave me a little bracelet to shock some nerves in my wrist area, and suddenly I was cured of my motion sickness. (I will definitely be buying one of those when I get home! Thanks Mark!) So we are on the inside (west) of the islands and begin to find a cove to settle down for the night. Once in Children's cove we took the dingy to land to go for a small hike over to the east side of the island where the waves were breaking hard. Following our hike Gary and I decided to get into the 77 degree water and see what we could find with masks and snorkels. We saw 1 fish and plenty of "ant hills" that were probably clams underneath the sand. We will cook again tonight because the island is not inhabited and will sail to another island tomorrow that has a restaurant. Until then; good night friend.

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The sailing life

I completed a five day trip with five guys who went to grad school together; it was great to have them aboard. Since they went to M I T, I thought they would all have pocket protectors, glasses held together with duck tape and goofy clothes; stereotyping was wrong, as always.
I'm at anchor in Nassau harbor and have been for three days dealing with small but aggravating maintenance issues. My four year old GPS chart plotter began to malfunction on my way over from Miami and finally died. That's being handled by my next guest Gary who has purchased a new one for me and will bring it with him to George Town. That will be expensive, about 2k when all is done.
I was enjoying some BBQ ribs sometime last week and broke a four tooth permanent bridge. Dental work is the only thing I know that's more expensive then boats but fortunately I have been doing barter with my two Dentists for years so the only expense will be flying to North Carolina a few times to get this problem resolved. I just have to remember to not smile to broadly till then.
More maintenance, the anchor windless is slipping when I use it to haul the anchor up. That usually means I simply re torque the main spindle bolt thereby increasing the friction. Well the dam bolt is frozen, I have for two days been trying PB Blaster, extreme heat and ice. Last night I got the bright idea to use the wench handle (that's the way it's designed) with a leverage bar yep; the wench handle broke. What next, I don't know, anybody out there got an idea?
Here's a small one but very aggravating; Chef Mate Deb told me way back in Miami that there was water on the shelves below the two galley sinks. I replaced all the plumbing with new, it seems I only made the problem worse; I'm not good at plumbing would be a kind description of my plumbing skills.
While I'm venting, I was boarded here in the harbor by the Bahamian Defense Force yesterday. I presented myself and papers while covered in grease, with tools strewn inside and out, topped off by my smile at their comment. They said they couldn't believe the age on my passport compared to my physical condition; and where is all my help.
I quoted Captain Ron "it's the rum, sailing and woman" that keeps you young.

Here is the last one I'm dealing with: the raw water pump that brings up sea water to cool the diesel engine, which drives the generator, had a small water leak caused by a two dollar lip seal failure. No problem, I have a spare for that so, remove, repair and reinstall about two hours, wrong. The spare was damaged. I got in a taxi then visited six shops, I was slow to understand that lunch here means that one shop is closed 12 to 1 and the next might be 1 to 2, anyway four hours later and a $120 taxi ride I located the seal at the last shop that might have such a seal, it wasn't two dollars it was ten; I would have paid fifty at that point.
I put it all back together and it worked fine; this morning it is not drawing water up-see why I don't like plumbing!
At the end of four days I'm right back where I was at the beginning with the exception of dock and taxi fees.
I'm going to the dock after I post this log and find my friend Captain Tony who often knows more about certain plumbing issues then me, not to diminish Tony but most everyone knows more about plumbing

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MIT BOYS

Monday 12/22/08

We depart from Nassau this morning after four days with Captain Mark and crew of Stay Cat feeling somewhat like one feels after huge Thanksgiving dinner, very full and satisfied. I not sure if it was all of the great food, the picturesque spots we anchored each night, or the nine bottles of rum we consumed over four days. Most likely some combination of the above. We were not your typical carter customer, five grad school buddies with a hall pass from our wives to go relive some memories for a long weekend. We arrived last Thursday night with just enough time to make it out to Rose Island for the sunset. Our plan was to head south the following morning to explore the Exumas, however, there was one problem, we had polished off most Stay Cat's stores of Rum, Tonic and limes and needed to head back to Nassau to reload. I think at this point Captain Mark was beginning to question why he had accepted this charter, but in record time we had the bow pointed south again. We made it to Allen's Cay in plenty of time for a dingy excursion to the white sand beaches and some great snorkeling, which was followed by a sumptuous multi course dinner and a full contact poker game lasting well into the evening. We were loud and at about 11:30 PM had a visitor from a neighboring boat: we presumed to complain. As it turned out he wanted to join the party.

The following morning after two hours of snorkeling and given the relatively short duration of our planned stay, we decided to head north again to take advantage of the settled weather and to get a little closer to the barn in advance of an approaching cold front. We found a spot about two hours outside of Nassau and again strapped on our snorkels and fins. This time we found ourselves in a schools of six eagle rays - a spectacular sight. In the evening more food and booze - a special thanks to the crew of Dances with Dolphins (a neighboring cat) who had vacuumed all of the lobster off of the reef that afternoon and bestowed upon us some fresh tails.

On our final day, we decided we needed to act more like children (like some how we had been mature the previous three). We took a slip in the Atlantis Marina and spent the afternoon sliding down the waterslides giggling like 11 year-olds. Fun, lots of it and here we are getting ready to leave, full. A special thanks to Captain Mark and "Candy" the able bodies Cook Mate and card shark.

See again soon.

Jim Alden and the MIT boys

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Miami, Cat, Chub to Nassau

Time to get caught up again, a couple of weeks ago I was trying to decide to cancel a short charter in Nassau because the last hurricane of the season was headed for Cuba and might have gone on to the central Bahamas. The storm slammed into Cuba as a Cat IIII about 160 miles from my location. The upper air, (shear) and the high mountains tore it up, so the charter was on again. Debra chef mated for me so the food was great and the weather was fine.
Deb sailed back to Miami with me in some heavy weather- but great sailing -I think she wanted more weather, go figure.
I just finished a trip last night with a very special family of five from Bulgaria and Deb who was the able chef again. This family was just so darn nice I should have paid them for there company. A high point was the last night at Hurricane Hole when Diko's Dad Balcho started singing Bulgarian folk music. He has a very deep and strong singing voice that was heard through the anchorage and enjoyed by all who could hear. Diko will post a ship's log entry in a few days telling all about the holiday aboard Stray Cat with his family.
I got to sleep at about 9:00 last night and was up at five to get ready for this passage today to Nassau. I had plenty of help Robert, Deb and Candace all helped with laundry, beds, floors, food, fuel, water and such. I have two days to get to Nassau for my next trip.
Candyce is aboard and will Chef mate for me then fly out.
We are mid Gulf Stream on the back side of a cold front, the sea is running about seven feet and we are under sail making about 8 knts, the sky is clear. The sunsets in Miami and the Bahamas are legendary; looking back at Miami it's easy to see why, tonight's example is awesome. .
Mark

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Re: coming home?

That little bang got my happy but moving; the sea is flat the wind is light out of the SE and I'm just starting off from Cat Cay be back around 14:00. I'll call.
Lv M

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Nassau to Miami

Just finished a three day charter with a very nice extended family of six from New England. I had thought to cancel the charter before they arrived because of the dangerous potential and close proximity of the Cat IIII hurricane. The forecasters seemed convinced that the upper air wind shear, and the mountains of Cuba, would take the storm apart and they were right.
It was a hard decision to make, staying there, since my natural inclination is to sail away from the threat.
Talking with my guests by Sat phone, I learned that the airlines and hotels would make no concessions for them. That news, coupled with the forecasters consistent predictions, I decided to stay, it all worked out fine and a good time was had by all.
I'm underway with two sails up in twenty knots of wind making about eight knots. We are broad reaching comfortably on a starboard tack in six foot waves, It's about eighty two degrees out here.
Last night I anchored near the Yacht club since I was able to pick up a WIFI signal from a boat named Camelot. I woke up about midnight and couldn't get back to sleep, the wind was at times 30/35 but everything was good when I walked around the boat so back to bed. At two AM I heard a bang, jumped up and ran to the cockpit to discover that Stray Cat had dragged three hundred feet to the concrete sea wall inches from the bow roller of Camelot. Even though I was awake I didn't feel the slow drag of the anchor. The bang amounted to a two inch dent in the gel coat at the starboard aft transom. Lucky me, could have been much worse.
Mark

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Greetings from Stray Cay!

We just ended our 3 night charter with Captain Mark…what fun we had!! After meeting Mark online(Match.com…j/k) and reading about the Stray Cat, the six of us booked a trip from Boston. We almost had to cancel our trip due to Hurricane Paloma, but we seemed to have nothing but good weather and warm sun! Sara and I kayaked to white sand beaches, Matt and Joe speared lobster for a fabulous dinner last night and George and Marie, my mom and dad, dreamed about retiring on a boat in the Bahamas! I vote for them to do that…so I can come visit, whenever I'm not watching The Hills of course! Last night we had the most fun, we had all the neighbors over for cocktail hour, or multiple cocktail hours - so fun! We taught Mark all kinds of new hip words and made him listen to XM Top 20 on 20! Everyone had a wonderful time…Thanks Captain Mark and Deborah, Happy Sails, Kristin, Joe, Matt, Sara, George and Marie, the best charter from New England!!! : (Or ever!)

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Nassau - BIG NEWS - Another Adventure Sail

Anchored here on the southeast side of Rose Island, eight miles from Nassau in strong wind and light rain, the boat seems very quiet. My son Chris left two days ago, he and his girlfriend Susan and her friend Stasha spent five days aboard. It's always fun to get caught up with what is going on in his life and of course his daughter Ocean. It's all good.

Chris has directed a movie, a documentary about music which is getting a lot of 'buzz" as they say. He interviewed about eighty celebrities, many are very famous. The movie is, The Heart is a Drum Machine and will be out, I think he said, in February. I Googled his name and it turns out there are about 6 or 7 hundred pages on him, there may be a new boat in my future after all, lol.

A lot of people have asked if I will do another adventure cruise this year - last years Panama cruise was great. It was so popular, in fact, I knew there would be another this year. With the economic down turn we are all looking for value; this cruise will be a real value at $125 per person, per day, plus shared expenses; I've been known to spend that much staying home.

Like last year, you can come aboard at a port of call along the way and stay as long/short as you like, leaving from the next port. Some guests left the boat and came back aboard further along the route after land touring for a week. Some guests reserved a week at certain locations for a private charter. The theme for 2009 will be the same, that is to say, all guests will be working crew, cooking cleaning, setting sail, standing watch and navigating. No worries if you don't have the experience or knowledge - you will be getting it on this cruise.

The route of sail will be the same to a point, starting in Miami or Nassau about the 1st of June sailing through the Bahamas, passing between Cuba and Haiti in the Windward Passage to the north east point of Jamaica at Port Antonio. After visiting in this very safe port we will make for Cartagena, Columbia then on to the San Blas Islands of Panama and Colon at the mouth of the Panama Canal. Here is where the trip differs from last year; this time we will transit the Canal.Once on the Pacific side we will make for the Galapagos Islands, Ecuador, and Peru.

This trip will be posted in detail shortly, both here and the newsletter you can sign up for at my web site. An equally exciting return trip to Miami will also follow. If you like you can get the flavor and sites of last year by going to the Panama trip on the site also the ship's log, lot's of pictures and comments.If you have interest in this adventure send me an email I'll do my best to answer your questions.

To keep updated on the progress of the trip, sign up for The Stay Cat News using the form at the bottom of each page on the SailStrayCat.com website.

Also, be sure to check the Ship's Log on a regular basis.

Mark

Miami to Nassau

I haven't written in a long time, there simply wasn't much going on. I did a three day charter and a few day charters in the Miami area.
I'm currently 5 hours north of Nassau where I will meet my son Chris, his girl friend Susan, and her friend Stasia. We plan on some fun in the sun and catch up on family stuff; all is good.
Mark

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Coconut Grove

Saw my car yesterday for the first time in eight weeks; always wonder if it will be here when I finally get back to Miami. Towing/impounding cars is a municipal sport here, (big money) their competitors, "car thief's", want the money too; they just announce themselves more honorably. I wonder why I keep the hassle of it but it's sure nice to go where you want, when you want, without reliance on taxies and jitneys.
Miami dodged the bullet of direct hits from four storms so far this season, but they did get a fair amount of wind as evidenced by the two sunken sailboats I see near to where I usually anchor.
Yesterday was the first day in a month and a half that the tropics were quite; no waves or depressions all the way back to Africa, how nice.
Mark

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West Palm Beach

I have been at anchor here for a few days, visiting with my friends Mike and Sandi. Today is the first day that the winds from Ike have subsided, I'm very glad not to be anywhere near the Gulf of Mexico.

This is a note of interest for the "gonnabe" live aboard's. Since installing a new refrigerator and sperate freezer a while back I have been thinking of ways to use the space left vacant by the removal of the old, so called "holdover" freezer space. It's a fairly big space that I had thought to install a drop in 12 vdc refrigerator system for about $1,200, when all said and done.
The problem with boat refrigerator systems are, they are very expensive, require a lot of installation and reconstruction and whatever food product touches the evaporator plate freezes. Added to that they consume about 6 amps DC per hour.
Capt. Mike told me of a system, that in appearance looks like a Coleman cooler, but has a self contained cooling system that is powered through a 12 vdc cigar lighter plug. The system employs a small amount of ammonia and two small cooling fans. On start up it uses about 3 amps, then drops down a little after it has run awhile.
This system is not a refrigerator so there is no evaporator to freeze product, there's just cool air going in the box. It will only take the inside air down to 40 f below ambient, so if the air temperature in the galley is 80 f then the temperature in the box will be about 41 f, perfect for produce or juce. The price is really good at $100.
I have spent 4 days in reconstruction and installation, (I'm not a technician) I installed the cooler box in one piece and guess what; it works.
Mark

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West Palm Beach

Ike's track sure changed dramatically yesterday with the midday forecast. The day started with me sailing north up the southeast coast of Florida to a better location, knowing that time had run out for sailing to a completely safe location. Settling for a location still well within the danger zone was not a comfort but I was determined to work with what I was given.
The storm track was pushed more south and west by the persistent, semi permanent Bermuda high that directs the prevailing winds in these parts. The high was believed to slightly retreat to the north or diminish somewhat thus allowing Ike to track to the north west. The danger zone included all of the state Of Florida. The latest has the high holding fast, in fact it is extending west to the golf of Mexico all the way to the coast of Texas pushing or holding Ike to a west southwest tract. There is the possibility that the high will split in two, leaving a pathway for Ike to travel up the west coast of Florida and build in intensity.
The good news for me is that my location is on the extreme eastern edge of the danger cone, the bad news is that upper right quadrant of a hurricane is known as the dangerous semi circle or what is commonly referred to as the dirty side. The dirty side usually has the highest winds, the most rain, and tornados. If the track remains as forecast my location will be spared from the worst.
The above conversation is what we sailors talk about 24/7 during times like this, to a point of information overload, and mental shut down. You get calls; did you hear the latest's, if this happens, then; and so it goes.
I feel much better about things today, but of course I'll stay on the information overload highway till the storm is long past this area.
Mark

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Hanna-Ike

Hanna:
I sailed from the Bahamas four days ago to avoid Hanna, this morning I'm sailing north to Palm Beach on her remaining winds. I'm three miles off Miami cut in 25 kts from the west, hugging the coast to be in the lee of the main land. I was going to go out in the Golf Stream to take advantage of it's 3 kt northerly flow but it looks pretty ruff out there.
It's amazing to think that Hanna is probably 600 miles away from Miami and I'm sailing 8/9 kts on her wind.
Ike:
The computer tracks for Ike yesterday morning had me feeling almost comfortable running south and west, to Key West and perhaps beyond. While sailing down the bay towards Key Largo, I received the latest weather up date in which, the NHC expanded the danger cone to include the entire state of Florida, the Bahamas and most of Cuba. No place to run was my first thought, a thought that was hard to adjust to given my history of sailing away from the danger zone. No place to run, is to me, a chilling concept.
I stopped the boat and anchored near Elliot Key, I checked every weather source available, one forecaster after another. Weather bloggers, even the not so great weather channel, NHC and many more. I was kidding myself, I was looking for a forecaster that would give me what I wanted, an escape route, a way out, a place to sail to that was safe from the powerful wind that's surely on it's way; there is no way out.
Ten or so hours later, I accepted the concept of no where to run, I started to think thoughts like; the media always show boats mangled in marinas, it wouldn't be very interesting to show boats and marinas that did well in storms. In fact most boats that are properly made ready, do make it through. Anyway, I had to work on my attitude, get some positive thoughts going, go through the drill in my head, the long check list of items to make Stray Cat as safe as I can before I leave her to go to a place of personal safety.
Captain Mike ward and I have been talking about this storm for days, going over plans, his and mine. Mike drives very large luxury motor yachts, he knows I run from storms, he also knows exactly how to tie up a boat for a storm. Mike has a private dock on a inland cannel available to him, that I may use. Mike also has spare large dock lines, fenders and a big ass anchor I can use. So with Mike's help and Sandi his first mate, chef, and overall admiral, I'll enjoy expert knowledge, help, friendship and the very best food.
More later,
Mark

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Hanna

I didn't write yesterday, I slept the day away. When I made it to Bimini the wind and sea state of the Gulf Stream were so favorable I sailed right through to Miami. I arrived after midnight having sailed 135 miles from Chub in 16 hours; just a bit better then 8 kts.
Hanna is due to; forecasted to, guessed to, blow through here Thursday/Friday with lots of rain, the wind maybe 35 kts with guest. If all that holds true I'll be happy I sailed here. If the track wobbles a bit to the west, conditions will worsen; I'll run for the Keys.
Ike is projected to be here in the south east Florida area the Friday after next, if the projection holds true, I guess I'll sail north.
I had a problem with receiving emails for a day and a half, that caused a lot of concern for all the people who are keeping up with my adventures, not to mention my inability to get- up to date weather. Some sailing friends down in Nassau where I had just sailed from, called the Chub Cay dock master to see if I arrived safely, they wouldn't have known that I didn't check in, I just anchored in the cove for some sleep and sailed on for Bimini.
First step was to trouble shoot the HF radio, the automatic tuner, the Pactor III modem, power source and antenna system. After several hours of one eye on sailing, the other on the radio systems; I was sure there was nothing wrong with the onboard systems, I didn't know what to do next.
Labor day morning I was trying to recall when I signed up for the sail mail system that makes everything work. My guess was almost one year to the day when I was sailing in Panama. Sail mail is a wonderful program and worth the $250 per year; seems if you don't pay the fee the systems program automatically shuts off your in box (no mail) but you can send. I took a shot at sending an email to operations with credit card info. Three hours later, on labor day, I was turned back on, stress relief.
When the system came back up I had a huge number of emails, I have been working on them, just a few more to go.
The hurricane season is really building in number of named storms; I have already run from three and there are at least three more headed this way. Historically the season peaks on September tenth; Yeah well, they are lined up like freight trains, from the west coast of Africa to Miami. I don't see how it can get worse, so it has to get better, right?
Mark

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Hanna

This morning I discovered that I'm not receiving emails,I know this since when I requests weather reports I get no reply, also I normally get about ten emails each day. I seem to be able to send so I thought, Id get a log entry out to let people know I'm alright and I'm not ignoring them.
I made it to Chub Cay uneventfully, anchored there for a peaceful night in 20 kts from the north. This morning I watched Sat TV for Hanna news, which they are still not covering very well. I did see the cone of confusion, the track, such as it is, and decided to take off again, this time heading west for Gun Cay/Bimini and maybe even Miami.
This 85 mile passage is so far, really good, with 20-25 kts from the north while I'm sailing west. I have been averaging 9 kts, with a top speed of 11.9 kts. I'll make Gun Cay by 17:00 today, if the Gulf Stream looks ok I'll sail for Miami probably arriving around 24:00. If the stream looks bad (most likely) I'll stay in the Bimini chain for the passage of Hanna.
I will post another entry tonight and hope it gets out.
Mark

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Hanna

Still don't know for sure where or who will get the worst of this Tropical storm. I know the Bahamas will suffer from this storm, which it is believed will be a Cat, I to II in the next two days.
Because no one knows the track for sure, I can't do my usual hurricane plan, which is to sail away to a safe area.
I have been in the Nassau area for about two weeks and watching this storm for all that time, I didn't know where to go during those two weeks; here we are two days before I get run over by it and there is still nowhere to run to.
I checked all the usual places in Nassau to hole up, but either I didn't like one place or another or a few I would have liked were closed to me. Many boat owners here pay for rights in the best Marinas, for storm slips. They pay weather or not they actually have to use them for a hurricane or not. So the Marinas I would have preferred were sold out.
Without knowing which islands may be spared or which will have a better go of it, as of today, decision day, it doesn't matter. I have decided to sail for Chub Cay 40 miles to the northwest. The Marina there is new, located in the interior of the island offering a bit of wind protection and complete wave and surge protection. The marina was designed for mega yachts so the equipment, pilings, and docks should be very strong and in good repair. I checked yesterday and found that there were only ten boats there; I think they have about one hundred slips.
Such as it is, that's my plan. I'm about 15 miles from land fall at Chub Cay which is located at the southern tip of the Berry Islands. If Hanna does not develop from a tropical storm to a Cat I, I'll stay onboard; if it does develop I'll find shelter for myself on land.
More to follow as things progress.
Mark

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T D # 8

This hurricane season is starting to wear me out. I dodged the bullets of Fay and Gustav by a few hundred miles. Today I find an upgraded tropical wave, now to be known as TD # 8.
This one is about five days from me, as I'm located in Nassau Bahamas. TD #8 might change status again today to tropical storm Hanna as it continues it's development.
The tacking models show a path that is to wide for me to safely say I can stay here and hope it passes to the north, while it, maybe, tracts to the north east making for the area around Bermuda. I hope the weather guru's have more definitive track forecast later today. I may have to start sailing for Miami or Cuba tomorrow if things don't become more favorable.
Other news, good and not so good. Not so good a moment of inattention while maneuvering through a five mile coral/rock area in ten/twelve foot of water I hit something with my starboard prop. The three blades of the prop where all bent, how nice. I won't put you to sleep explaining all the details, but the good news is that after three days of effort I will dive down today and install the repaired prop.
I have been having a lot of fun with sailing (live aboard) families and friends. Last night was a home made sushi dinner at Jan N Wes Catamaran, Dances with Dolphins. We were eight adults and one very cute 3 year old girl, all from four boats. She only speaks Spanish since she, her mom and dad are from Argentina but she stole the show.
Been snorkeling every day and have bagged a few lobster and grouper, umm.
Tonight we will all get together for a joint birthday party, we will celebrate Jan, Carla's and mine; no one is talking about ages for some reason.
Mark

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Bimini-Nassau

Finally under way, 12 miles east of Bimini in bright sun and 25 kts out of the SW. The sea in these shallow waters of the Bahama Banks are three foot, short duration, so very bumpy.
Both engines on at low power with the jib out making 8.5 kts. The wind chafed a starboard side lazy jack through, so I can't use the main sail till I get to Nassau and make the repair. It's about 95 miles down to Nassau. All the other systems on board are in the green.
It's a great day and I'm having fun.
Mark

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Stuck in Bimini

I'm still here, the wind and waves will keep me here till tomorrow when I will sail for Nassau. The weather has been clear to partly horrible. Very high wind gusts and periods of heavy rain followed by bright sun.
watching the weather channel, I can see the bands from the storm that are still reaching out past me all the way to the central Bahamas. Ok, I'm tired of this storm but safe here in Alice town. It's still to windy to put the dink down and go to town, I'll try later today, there may be a meal and drink ashore in my future.
Mark

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Day Light

Things always look better in the morning, this morning looks fine. The feeder bands with their high wind and blinding rain have stopped for the moment. The wind is out of the south at 30 with gust to forty so I'm still pinned down here at Alice town. I'm getting cabin fever, I'd like to put the dink down and go to town but it's just to windy for that.
Bimini is about two hundred miles from the center of the low yet the bands are reaching out beyond Bimini all the way to Nassau, about three hundred miles from the center.

There was a small, about 22 foot, run about moored a few hundred feet behind me, close enough to walk ashore that sank sometime in the night. Looking around town I see people moving about on foot and golf carts. I don't see any wind or water damage on land from here. There is one sport fishing boat, about fifty foot, that is tied up in the marina next to where I'm anchored, it has damage to it's freeboard and rub rail on the port side.
I saw on CNN that there is a significant wave off the African cost. The wifi is down here so I can't get on weather underground to see what is being said about it; if anyone reading this has some info on that wave please let me know.
If conditions out here improve overnight I will sail for Nassau in the morning.
Mark

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Hiding out at Bimini

It's starting to look and feel like a strong tropical storm here at Bimini. It's strange to visit Bimini and be one of only two boats, normally about fifty or so during the week and more then a hundred on the week ends. I'm very close to the shore and the main street of Alice Town but have only seen a few people today.
The wind is about 25 kts with occasional gusts over 40 kts. The rain is none stop by and large, a soaking rain, steady but not hard but with periods of extremely hard rain. I think the wind and rain will grow in intensity through the night.
The wind is predicted to go south in the morning at about 20-30 kts, if that holds I'll sail for Nassau. The storms forward motion has slowed which may allow it to gain strength, so I'm not sure about tomorrows forecast but time will tell.
I decided to anchor rather then to take a dock since the potential damage from wind and waves battering the boat against the dock is great. anchoring at this little basin presents a few challenges; I can't put out the 300 foot of ground tackle I have available but only 125. I'm anchored in five to six feet over white sand which is good but if there is a large tide the boat will no doubt touch the bottom or be grounded. If the boat breaks anchor it will just run aground in white sand.
I have changed the batteries in my underwater flash lights, laid out life safety gear, removed or tied down sails, fishing gear, BBQ's or anything that presents a windage profile. I tested my emergency satellite locator, both VHF radios and the UHF SSB radio
I have just been goofing off the last few hours reading and watching the tube when the rain is light enough to allow the Sat signal through.
For all the good folks who are concerned about me, I feel safe and prepared for this storm and will up date this log in the morning, thanks for all your emails.
Mark

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Fay Continued

At 14:00 Saturday the latest track moved the storms path west with no part of the cone touching the Bahamas; looks like a new plan.
Food, fuel, water, systems checks and I'm on my way to the Bahamas.
Hectic, to busy to be scared, I made the sea buoy by 16:30. The wind was on the nose at 10 kts, of course it was. Just before encountering the Gulf Stream, still in the shallows the port engine died, of course it died. Anchor down in 22 foot of water over white sand, that part is good. Now the discovery phase, down in the hot as heck engine room I discover a fouled fuel filter and raw water skimmer. Three hours later all is good but I'm too tiered to face a night time passage of the Gulf Stream.
I woke at 05:00 after a bumpy night. While making coffee I click on the Sat TV for the latest up date. The usual, a local TV personality doing a man in the street interview with a local from Key West who said "what storm", ya really couldn't say he was going out for an early walk, or just coming home, when he spoke you could tell he was still out.
The track continues to look good for me to go to Bimini so anchor up and off we go for yet another Gulf Stream crossing in light north east air with three foot waves also on the nose, this proves to be an uneventful crossing as I approach Bimini at 14:00 Sunday.
More to follow,
Mark

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Fay

I have been watching this storm since it was just off the African cost, now I'm more involved as it bears down on Cuba and threatens The Florida Keys, generally the Florida peninsula, and me.
I canceled a trip last week for the first time in these many years; we were to go to the Cay Sol Banks which I believed would put us in the direct path of Fay, I wasn't far off, I feel good about the decision even though my guests would have made many plans such as time off, coverage, house or pet sitting, flights, you know the drill.
Some sailors get prepared for storms by going to what they think of as a "hurricane hole", a place that offers good holding, wind blocks like mangroves or hills and trees. I think of hurricane holes as a place where to many boats are stuffed into one place, when one boat breaks loose it usually takes a lot of others to a watery end with it.
My hurricane plan is simply don't be there. Last year I sailed to Panama where storms don't occur but no storms threatened Florida last year, go figure; oh well I had a great time anyway.
Three thousand miles east of here, a week and a half ago, Fay didn't have a name, it was an area of disturbed weather, and then a tropical wave identified as 92 invest.
If you're a sailor with little confidence in "holes" then what's your plan? I try to sail off ninety degrees from the storms path-that's the "rub". The best educated, the best equipped do what I think is a very good job but there are so many things that can affect the intensity and track of a storm, prediction is akin to a black art.
92 was approaching Porto Rico and the Dominican Republic a few days back when the experts pointed out that it was surrounded by dry African air which would no doubt impede it's development, it did. It was also believed that the mountains of those two island countries would knock the storm apart or at least hinder further development, that's what happened, Fay is still a small storm.
Three days ago I was in Miami wondering, consulting with other sailors; some called me for my thoughts. Two computer models had the track headed to the Bahamas, Two went towards Key West, and believe it or not one had the storm at Cat III sitting of the outer banks of the Carolinas.
Lets see can't go to the Bahamas, can't go south or west to Mexico. I called my friend Captain Mike Ward up in Palm Beach he suggested that I sail up there and tie up at the dock, inland in a back yard, near the Waterway, a local watering hole. Of the alternatives this was the best, so I'm set, I have a plan. As of 12:00 EST Saturday.

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Miami to Bimini to Grand Bahama Island

Angie Wyche - Age 43 - From Tallahassee, FL

Today is Thursday or so they tell me - - I'm so mesmerized by the beauty of the water around me I've lost all track of time.
We left Miami Sunday headed for Bimini - We spent Sunday night sleeping under the stars, it was AMAZING!!!!! Last night we slept in Bimini. We rented a gold cart and toured the island. We had a fantastic dinner @ Casa Lyon in Bimini Bay. We're off to Lucaya now. TTYL

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Cat Cay

I was on my way to Miami and decided to stop in at Cat Cay for a land based meal and ran into some sailors I know, that was the end of my schedule. I stared at about 04:00 this morning; I'll make Miami at noon today.
Here at mid Gulf Stream, I was just radio challenged by a large Cost Guard vessel. I answered all their questions and was told to standby, after a short time they said thank you for your cooperation and wished me a good and safe sail. Homeland Defense!
Yesterday I said I'd answer some questions that I'm frequently asked, so here goes.
The term singlehanding is a good place to start; the description will address most of the questions. The term generally means sailing alone without assistance but I think it more refers to a woman or man who makes long ocean passages alone. A short or long passage -alone - is the key word.
They have to deal with all the same things fully crewed skippers deal with like: weather, navigation, partially submerged containers, sleeping whales, malfunctions, ships who may not see your vessel, anxiety, fear and the like, but there are differences.
The big one is sleep, followed by the law.
Many singelhanders cross the Atlantic on 25 foot sailboats without engines, wow. You know they need to sleep; it can take 20 days or more. Ya can't anchor in 3000' of water so they break the law.
The law, rule 5 of the international regulations for preventing collisions at sea, COLREGS for short requires every vessel; shall at all times maintain a proper lookout by site and hearing and it goes on from there.
They begin with self-confidence, experience, a lot of knowledge, (hopefully) fear, anxiety, knowing that no insurance company will cover them in what might be there home. Here's what they do.
Collision with a ship is the big one so they may buy a fuzz buster at Radio Shack that detects a radar sweep from other vessels. They may also set up their radar to alert for new targets. I met a singelhander, an Englishman at Gibraltar who painted his boat the brightest yellow I've every seen, to be seen, he said. They sleep in fifteen minute to half hour increments with one or more obnoxious alarm clocks to wake them and hope for the best.
I often single hand but it's done in legs of about 100 miles where I know I can safely anchor or go into a port and dock, get some sleep then start the next leg.
I enjoyed a video of a young Australian girl name Kay Cotty who broke a singlehand world record; she went around the world alone. During her preparations she was advised to visit with a Ship's Doctor to learn how to deal with loneliness'. He said a lot but the fun part was to tell her she would hear human voices and that it was perfectly ok to talk to them but- never invite them aboard!
I'm getting into a heavy shipping lane so I need to go post a proper watch, if I missed something your interested in send me an email.
Mark

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Great Bahama Banks

04:30, Cat and Gun Cay,s of the Bimini chain are 40 miles West of my current position, that's where the transition from the shallow waters of the Great Bahamas Banks, (80 miles of 10 to 20 foot depths) to the Golf Stream waters occurs. The Stream separates the Bahamas and Florida with deep waters of about 2,500 feet that start and end abruptly. The stream is 50 miles wide in this location, flowing North between 1.0 and 3.5 kts. Today's conditions are the same as yesterday with the exception that there is no wind yet, but the forecast has it east at 15 kts.
I anchored up at about 19:00 last night in 15 feet of water on a white sand bottom, had dinner, a shower and watched an HBO movie for thirty seconds I guess, since I don't remember it. The wind picked up at about 02:00 so I got up for a look around, satisfied that all was well, I enjoyed the stars for awhile then went back to sleep. I'm well rested and will make Miami at 17:00.
Mark

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Nassau to Miami

I set sail at 09:30, 11 miles east of Nassau at Rose Island where I spent the night at anchor and had a very nice dinner in the good company of Jan and Wes aboard their 42 foot Norseman Catamaran, Dances with Dolphins.
I went out there, the opposite direction from Miami, to exchange my Dink and outboard for cash. Carla J is an American girl I have known several years, she's a Chef Mate and charter broker, her real thing though is diving. Added to that she and her significant other Peter house sit a charming island cottage with a beautiful view and white beach with a great stand of coral a few hundred feet off the beach; tuff life. Anyway, they have a dock on the south side of the island and beach on the north so Carla wanted a boat she could leave on the beach side. I had planned to purchase a new dink when I get back to Miami so timing is everything.
I'm single handing this 175 mile passage, I did have a few friends that would have liked to come along but I was not sure of departure dates/ times and they are normal people, you know like - they have real jobs with real bosses kinda thing, so timing is everything.

It's 14:00, Rose Island is now 70 miles behind me, the sea is running 2 feet on my stern, the wind is 10 kts also on the stern, the air temp is 85 and the sea surface is 82, the viability is unlimited, as close to perfect as I can hope for. I have the mainsail up with two diesels running at 2000 rpm. Not using much fuel but making about 8 kts.
People often ask me how I can single hand, is it scary, do I worry about pirates and what do I do about sleep? Do I just leave the boat on auto pilot and sleep while the boat moves on through the night? These questions have been asked so often I think it's time to answer them, I'll do it in tomorrow's log.
Mark

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Six Shillings Cays

Today I'm sailing from High Borne Cay where we spent the night in a beautiful cove with white beaches and lots of coral to explore, to Green Cay north of Rose Island.
Today has been picture perfect with a south east wind at 15 we have been sailing at 7 to 9 knots.
Earl hooked and lost, at the last moment, a Cero Mackerel, my favorite. We have both lines out now and are hoping for the best. Three days ago Earl landed a blue fin tuna which we all enjoyed at dinner follow by fish taco's the next day, really good.
Two days ago while sailing through Pipe Creek we were surrounded by thunderstorms but not really in any down pours, just on the fringes. The lightening and thunder were spectacular to see and hear off in the not to far distance.
Just as I was navigating a very deice channel with coral on both sides Earl, who had been helping to read the water, pointed his finger to direct me and seemingly a lightening bolt shot out from his finger tip. Booom! I could hear the electrical crackle, and then I felt the concussion in my chest and extremely loud thunder, wow that was close, about a quarter of a mile. Ok Earl, watch where you point that finger.
Later in the day I noticed that the music had stopped, that's when I discovered the lightening strike had ruined the audio system and the satellite radio receiver. As expensive as all that will be to replace it could have destroyed the radar, sailing instruments, auto pilot and chart plotter, computers, plus the TV's. I'm also thankful that my two new IPODS were not connected.
I'll be starting my approach to Green Cay in a few minutes so I better get back to the helm.
Mark

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More fun

Well we caught our dinner on Tuesday night. A 22 pound Mahi dolphin fish. The fish fed all nine of us easily and there was a little left over as well. Nobody has gone hungry on this trip.

Tuesday night, we tied off on a mooring ball off of Exuma Land & Sea Park. We took the dingy over to the island and hiked to Barefoot Beach where we swam for an hour or two. There were three or four beaches on the island, each more beautiful than the next. The white sand felt like baby powder on your feet and the water was a deep aqua blue and crystal clear. If you've ever seen a Corona commercial with someone sitting on a beach and thought, "Wow, I wish I was there!"…well that's where we were.

The next morning we sailed south to Compass Cay and entered Pipe Creek. The waters were very shallow through the Creek, which Captain Mark had to navigate manually. It was well worth it though because the scenery was awesome. We then headed south to Sampson Cay Yacht Club where we bought provisions. While we were there we saw several nurse sharks and a sting ray swimming around the dock. We then sailed past Big Majors to Staniel Cay where we anchored for the night. There we snorkeled around and into Thunder Ball cave, where the James Bond 007 movie was filmed. This was some of the best snorkeling we've done yet; a lot of different fish and some great coral. That night we had dinner for the first time off the boat since leaving Nassau at the Staniel Cay Yacht club. Great food and great atmosphere, much like a place you would read about in a Hemingway story.

Back at sea again, will keep you
posted….

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Nassau to Norman Cay

We sailed for most of the day yesterday and arrived at Norman's Cay about 7:30 last night. Norman's Cay is about 50 miles South East off the coast of Nassau and was once run by Pablo Escobar, a huge drug lord back in the 70's. They used this island as a distribution center and would fly cocaine from here right into the States. The runway they used is still operable today. Today the island is very primitive, home to a few private families, however plans are in the works to turn the island into a private resort.

We had another great meal last night. Grilled pork chops with a mint sauce, potatoes, broccoli, and salad. I think we've drank about 12 bottles of wine in the past two days, not to mention a lot of rum.

The sky was beautiful last night, untainted by the light of the city, it felt as if you were on the moon and could reach up and touch a one of the million stars above. Lying out on the trampoline looking up at the sky, I felt so small in comparison yet at the same time a part of something much bigger.

Today we are going to do some deep sea fishing. Hoping to catch a huge tuna fish to cook up for dinner, you cant' get any fresher than that!! Will keep you posted…..

Brad

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Nassau New Guests

Schadler Pirates of the Caribbean

Hello everyone. Here is your first of several updates from our trip in the Bahamas. I boarded the Stray Cat around 3:00 yesterday. Captain Mark had just arrived an hour prior running on 5 ½ hours of sleep in two days, after sailing 12 hours a day or more to meet us here on time. I helped the captain with a few repairs on the boat…well I mostly watched but I helped a little. I met my first white Bahamian, Captain Tony, a native of the Island. As we waited for the rest of the pirates to arrive, we drank rum and cokes and I listened to Tony and Mark tell stories of life on the island and past charter trips.

David, Peggy, Jared, Ben and Zach arrived around 8:30 and we had dinner at the Poop Deck, an open air restaurant at the Marina. I had the Conch Critters, Conch soup and a Kalik beer, the official beer of the Bahamas. After dinner, we all headed back to the Stray Cat…everyone was pretty tired from traveling so we all fell asleep pretty early.

After buying groceries this morning we sailed out to Rose Island, a small uninhabited island just a couple miles off the coast of Nassau. On our way there we passed the real Gilligan's Island (also called Sandy Cay) that they showed in the opening credits of every show. Unfortunately, it's privately owned so we couldn't actually go on the island. After anchoring at Rose Island, we did a little snorkeling and swam to the island to do a little exploring. After a couple hours of snorkeling and swimming, we then sailed to Athol Island. On our way there we passed where they filmed the movie The Blue Lagoon. We will be anchoring here tonight and then heading back to Nassau tomorrow to pick up Wendy and Michael who are friends of Peggy's from Santa Barbara.

Having a great time so far. We are grilling up some ribs and vegetables for dinner tonight and then relaxing on the boat with some rum and wine. Speaking of that, the ice in my drink is melting so I'm signing off. Til next time….

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Chub to Nassau

I was sailing past Chub Cay last evening and would have made Nassau at about 23:00 . Scanning out twenty four miles on radar changed my mind, there was a solid wall of perception about twenty miles wide. I made it to the anchorage just in time for strong wind and a very heavy down pour.
The good things about that storm were a fresh water wash, I had a good night sleep and the down pour flattened the waves.
This morning I'm motoring into a south east wind at 14, the sea is starting to build from three feet towards four with a few scattered clouds in bright sun I'll make Nassau at about 13:00 with one hour to spare before my guests arrive.
Mark

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Bahama Banks

I completed the Gulf Stream crossing at about nine last night then continued easting on the banks till about eleven.
During my pre sail checks this morning I found that the rope lacing that attaches the starboard trampoline had completely failed. I also found that the out haul car that attaches the foot of the mainsail had also failed I made temporary repairs and got underway at 06:30.
The wind is still east but at the moment it has dropped to 15 knts. The waves in this shallow water are short interval and so called square. Since the water is only about 10 to fifteen feet deep the wind driven waves encounter the sea bed which cases a friction or drag and piles up the waves in a very aggravating pattern that is ruff on boat and crew.
About fifty miles to the east locates the North west channel light marking safe passage where vessels transition from the shallow water of the banks to very deep water (2000 to 4000 foot). of course this body of water called the tounge of the ocean will have a different set of uncomfortable challenges.
The passage east from the banks to Nassau is about fifty miles.
mark

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Miami to Nassau

I haven't made an entry for quite some time so here is the back fill. I did one more week of charter with a very nice family in the Bahamas since the last entry then I sailed back to Coconut Grove. I left Stray Cat there and flew to Phoenix to visit my Son and Granddaughter Ocean. I sent some pictures to Mike to post to the site; Ocean is real cute at three years of age she calls me Pa Pa Mark. I really enjoyed seeing everyone, getting caught up and even driving past my last house.
Back at the Grove I did about seven day charters and what else- boat Maintenance over the next three weeks.
I'm sailing for Nassau right now; I should have started this trip Monday but the wind and sea state made that impossible. Mother Nature sent one more of her best cold fronts down here; I thought that season was over.
I started this morning, currently in very ruff conditions which are not predicted to improve till Saturday. The wind is from 090 at 20 with guests to 35 between have rain squalls. The sea is confused with wave heights at about 4 foot with occasional 6 and building. The sea surfaces temp is 81 and the air is 84. I'll need to sail at least twelve hours today and tomorrow to make Nassau in time to meet my guests. Peggy if your reading this, I have only been late once in all the years so keep the faith.
Call me crazy but it's beautiful out here, the ocean is vivid blue with translucent green wave tops. The course is south so as to avoid pounding into it, as a result I have both sails up making an average eight knots listening to good tunes from my new ipod played through the boats audio system. I better get back to the helm.
Mark

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Till next time

Guest: Chris& Ali, Ryan & Lisa
Cedar Hills, Utah
Today is the day to disembark from the beautiful Stray Cat. We are sad as we have to pull up to dock and pack our things up and help Captain Mark clean the boat for the next crew. Our experiences out here in the vast beautiful ocean have been incredible!! To that we are forever grateful to Captain Mark, for his never ending generosity, knowledge and gentle friendship. One that will forge to become everlasting. We have had the vacation of a lifetime and owe that all to our great Captain and new friend. Reluctantly, we go back to a regular lifestyle so we can work our butts off and come back to paradise again next year wherever Captn' Mark is calling home!
Thank you Captain Mark for giving us an unforgettable journey into your world of beautiful waters, nifty little "hidey holes" and incredible sunsets. I will miss the sound of pulling up anchor signaling the start of a new day, the sails as they blow in the wind, the humble sharing of all your incredible knowledge and experiences of the sea and of course, rum thirty. I don't think we will ever listen to Franky's "Fly Me to the Moon" again that it won't bring us back to the Stray Cat.
Can't wait until our highways on the water meet again!!!
Until then, friend
Your favorite crew mates,
Ryan & Lisa Dorius and Chris & Ali Kruger

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last day and night

Guests:Ryan & Lisa, Chris & Ali
It is Friday and we are on our way back to Nassau. Yesterday we went into the "Staniel Cay Yacht Club" next to the "Happy People Marina" and had lunch while Captain Mark hooked up with the internet and took care of some business. The guys played pool while the girls soaked up the sun. We went up the river a little ways in the dingy to a little store looking for a few things that Captain Mark needed then headed back to the Stray Cat. We then sailed up the "Pipe" and it was breathtaking. The water was the most absolutely gorgeous blue we had ever seen. We found a little hidey hole that we shared with a couple other sailors and dropped anchor. Captain Mark took us over in the dingy to see an old sunken air plane wreck and from there to explore a near by island. We had Mexican food for dinner and Captain Mark ate 13 tacos. (I think he has been missing his Mexican food!)
We hit the hay early, we were all very tired. We awoke to another fabulous morning in the Bahamas and set sail for "Allen's Cays" to check out the iguanas and do some snorkeling. Those iguanas are feisty little buggers. Hungry, hungry, hungry!!!!
The snorkeling was beautiful again, with lots of spectacular colors, gorgeous coral reefs and little Nemo's and Dori's swimming about. Captain Mark really knows how to pick the good spots.
We sadly set sail for Nassau and will spend one last night under the stars on the Stray Cat with Captain Mark.
Stay tuned

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Stanial Cay

Guests Ryan & Lisa, Chris & Ali
Good morning everyone! It's Wed. morning and blue sky is just over the horizon. Clouds and wind consumed the day yesterday. No matter the weather the sea is beautiful. Yesterday we sailed into the quaint "Sampson Cay Marina" for a few groceries. What a beautiful place. Big beautiful yachts, breath taking landscape, and neat little cottages constructed of ancient coral. One could stay the weekend for a mere $8,000, and this is off season! The true paradise is really aboard the Stray Cat with Captain Mark. As we were pulling in off the rough seas there was another larger catamaran coming up on our tail rather quickly trying to beat us to the fuel dock. Captain Mark out maneuvered him, (of course). The other Captain was just trying to show off for his guests, but we all know that size doesn't matter, its the Captain behind the helm that gets the kudos. LOL We sailed off with our groceries and found a nice little hide out to spend the night. We enjoyed shish kabob's and salad for dinner as Captain Mark shared stories of the sea. We say Captain Mark needs to document his tales of the sea in a book. The boys have their poles in the water and the sun is beckoning us girls. Stay tuned for further adventures from the Stray Cat. Wish you were all here.
love ya

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Sail to Highborn Cay

Hello Beautiful World!
We are on day three, didn't write yesterday due to an immense mount of relaxation Yah Mon!!!!
We mostly hung out off the shore line of Rose Island and waited out a cold front, so that we can continue south to visit more islands and small cay's. We enjoyed much sunshine and snorkeled over about 50 yards to a fabulous little island. There was a gathering of about fifty boats anchored by the bow with there sterns anchored to the beach, Mark called it a sail away, locals come to this wonderful beach with shallow reefs. They bring the whole family including their dogs to play and eat all weekend . Since it was Sunday the party was winding down. Chris & Ryan snorkeled for hours with spear fish in hand. Lisa & Ali investigated the quaint island. It was fully equipped with much party amenities! WOW! There were hammocks, shacks, bars, showers, volleyball, and little boats to take out. "Robinson's Caruso" was carved into a wood sign, giving the name of the party place. We hung out there and scavenged around like lil' kids. It started to rain so we geared up and snorkeled back to the Stray Cat, outa there, quicker than panties on a bride! We saw many breathtaking views! The visibility was great! Then we hung out on the boat the rest of the day. We enjoyed steaks for dinner and many great conversations with Capt. Mark. We are starting to adjust to doing absolutely nothing! We desperately needed this relaxation, and are glad to leave our worries behind. It is late morning and we are sailing at a good clip to the South to move ahead for more adventures……
Stay tuned, over and out!!

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Rose Island Bahamas

Guests: Ryan & Lisa, Chris & Ali
Hello everyone. We are from Cedar Hills, Utah. Just left the snow on Friday, April 11, 2008 to meet Captain Mark and sail away. It is absolute paradise and Mark is a GEM!!
Arrived yesterday after a long unforgiving flight, thanks Delta!! Our ground transportation was a large van wrapped in plastic, (kinda like CSI) after a scary, fast ride on the wrong side of the road, we arrived at the "Poop Deck" restaurant/marina in search of the Stray Cat. We found Mark, loaded our gear and got settled. We were stoked! The morning sunrise was beautiful. Captain Mark floated us right on up to main street where the men did our grocery shopping for the week at a quaint little market. With food, caffeine beverage, and good tunes we set sail for our much deserved and needed dream vacation.
As we passed the real life Gilligans Island, a storm approached. We sought refuge on the other side of the island and hunkered down. Ten minutes later the sun came out and we are dancing, swimin, drinkin, (coke) and soakin up every inch of this salty, sexy sea.
Happy to be tradin in the mountains for this vast beautiful ocean.
Hi to everyone: Shae & Mark, Beau & Les, Koda & Kennedy
Aubrey & Austin, Sissy's and grandma,
Juicy & Becky and all the chibs out there
LOVE YOU ALL!!!
Stay tuned for more adventures from the high seas!!!!!

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Back in Miami again

I've been lazy not writing in the log for a few weeks, I know better since friends and family get to wondering about me when I don't- so here's a catch up.
I have done three day charters on Biscayne Bay lately, plus a four day and a five day with the usual (never ending) boat maintenance in between.
The four day was with a very nice young couple. Mauricio who lives in Florida but travels word wide in his employment is very into music in fact his subject line says 'summon the wind" which I recall as a line in the Christopher Cross tune Sailing, no; as I'm writing I remember that his line was "the canvas will set you free" It was in a Kenny Loggins song.
His lady friend is from Hong Cong, a very smart, pert young lady. It amazes me how many people I meet these days who speak two or three languages. We sailed south to Key Largo avoiding as we could many cells with wind and rain and for the most part did a good job of not getting wet.
We had a plan to sail to Bimini but the wind and waves in that direction made the keys look like a better way to go; mother nature rules!
The five day charter was with a wonderful family from Hamburg, Hans and Annette who were joined by their daughters Luisa and Sophia ages 11 and 12. They were toasted at dinner as the most polite young ladies on Stray Cat this season. The girls, as they were leaving at the end of the trip presented my Chef/Mate Candyce with a one page thank you to the both of us. The note was in English and had drawings of the boat and the Stray Cat logo, very cute.
We sailed for Bimini under full sail and made good time in the Gulf Stream. The family enjoyed snorkeling the wreck south of Bimini and an overnight stop at Honey Moon Harbor. We went into North Cat Cay Club and Marina for some food items and rum. The ladies enjoyed the boutique on this exclusive private island.
We left the Bahamas a day early having spent the day and night before in the lee of South Cat Cay beach combing and swimming. The strong frontal passage that was forecast was the reason we bugged out early. We enjoyed a fast sail back in pretty big seas that were thankfully following seas.

I found a place in Miami to hide from the winds that at times reached thirty five knots. It was calm where we were hiding, perfect place to see a great sunset, the night skyline of down town Miami and enjoy yet another fantastic dinner prepared and severed by Candyce.
Mark

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Back in Miami

Arrived back in the Grove after a pleasant trip up from Nassau sailing at a good clip most of the way.
Sailing in view of fuel cost ranging between four and five dollars a gallon becomes more then fun its cost effective. I find myself sailing in light air much more when I would otherwise have just motored.
Miami is a beehive of activity (traffic Jams) parking issues, there's the boat and art show plus something else I can't remember going on over this three day week end.
I have about three weeks off starting now which is very unusual but I'll take it while I can and enjoy my self.
The weather is very fine so it's off to the boat show for me.
Mark

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Valentines Day

Underway at last; the cold fronts continue to roll in from the Florida peninsular making their way to the Bahamas with a little less punch. Then there's the cold front that runs you over morphing into a warm front that turns around and rolls over you again.
I'm sailing between fronts now with the wind a little east of north while sailing a little west of north. The sea is confused since the wind is clocking so the wind driven patterns haven't shaped up yet. I expect the wind to continue to clock giving me an east wind to work my way west with.
Hope you all have a special Valentines Day.
Mark

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Nassau, Bahamas

I have been sailing in the Bahamas for two weeks now enjoying the clearest water anywhere and seeing old friends. There have been two complex weather systems working down the Florida peninsula for the last five days. The spin off here has been very strong winds in fact they are so strong I have opted to stay on the boat rather then to launch the dink and go to town.
The weather has been a wind event till today now its wind and rain. Florida, one hundred and eighty miles west, is on an all day tornado watch today with flooding. Both Florida and the Bahamas are in drought so all is good except if like me, you want to sail to Florida.
The first evening in this anchorage (down town Nassau) a 45' Mono sailboat broke anchor, then both his main engine starter motor and windless failed when he needed them most. The boat ended up behind me on the public beach on its side. By happenstance two Bahamian guys I know came by, at high tide about 10pm we towed him off in strong winds.
Around 4pm yesterday the Bahamas custom/immigration authorities boarded every boat in the anchorage, they were fast and polite, don't know what they were looking for but they were on a mission.
I may be able to sail tomorrow which will get me back for the biggest boat show in the world (I think) the Miami in the water boat show. I haven't been to a show in years but it is fun to look at boats and see what new ideas might work on your boat, something like seeing new model homes.
Since I have three weeks off I would like to fly to Phoenix to see my son and granddaughter Ocean, she will be three soon.
Mark

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Exumas, Bahamas

Since my last note I stopped in Nassau to pick up my new guests, two couples from Canada who were all but snow bound at home last week.
We spent the first night near Rose island where it was pleasant but a with a bit of roll. Next morning it was a motor sail south east towards the Exumas which became motoring into the wind and waves as the wind shifted to the south east. We spent that night anchored off Norman's Cay with out roll, lots of stars and a roast on the Barb-i.
Last night was a very nice meal off the boat at the Stanial Cay Yacht club and today we are sailing and fishing our way north to Allen's Cay in light air and flat seas.
Mark

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From Florida to the Bahamas

I stared sailing from Miami for Nassau yesterday in a flat sea making about 85 miles before getting sleepy. I anchored off the normal sailing routes here on the Bahamas banks in eight foot of crystal clear water.
I'm now motoring into a light east breeze at about 7 knots SOG, it's peaceful out here alone with a sliver of a low lying moon and more stars then can be imagined. I'm in a reflective mood in this peaceful setting, seems I just got use to being back in the states, there's a lot to get use to after the Caribbean/Central America cruise. Now I'm off to another very familiar country.
People seem to impact me the most in this almost constant change life style I live. The last cruise stated in Miami with a number of people I know there stopping by to wish me well in the mist of the chaos of activity that is an inherent part of launching.
They asked lots of questions of me but most were trip related; how far, how long, when will you get back. At the time I wasn't sure I would be back at all. I don't think I realized how many friends and acquaintances I have in the greater south Florida area.
I can imagine that normally someone there might say "have you seen Mark", no I think he's out on charter, he'll be back in a day or two. No doubt my many friends on the various islands in the Bahamas say something like "no mon he's down island, be back soon".
Added to those good people are the hundreds of charter guests that have sailed with me. Many of them come back so I get to see and hear about the changes in their lives, a lot of them keep up with me through this log and email, and some of them have become close friends.
I think that most people who know me think of me in terms of interactions on their tuff so to speak; their place, while having some notion of the places and people I visit elsewhere. That's ok since I suppose I think of them that way as well.
Many people make flattering comments that suggest that someone who can do all of what I do alone is special, they would be wrong in my case, I know I couldn't manage this boat and charter business without the help, encouragement and financial support of so many.
So while I'm still excited by my sailing adventures, when the memory of an island or place starts to become fuzzy, I always recall the people.
Mark

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The last 300 Miles...

The last three hundred miles flew by at ten knots plus, it was a race to beat the arrival on Saturday of a strong cold front in south Florida. The last forty miles to Coconut Grove were spent motoring at seven knots; the quite before the storm.
This 1400 mile passage was for the most part sailed, we used seventy gallons of fuel which cost a stunning three hundred dollars here in Florida. It was an uneventful trip with one good blow and no maintenance issues, that's the way to go! We had eight sailing days and two overnight stops.
We went right to the dock at Scotty's Landing, where a band was playing American music, that was a different sound then I have been use to, got a number of high fives and a few hugs and kisses from the fairer set. High on the list was a good old American hamburger, health food, right?
I had the worst case of sea legs I have ever had, so much so that it was difficult to walk a straight line . Mark and Lee left at seven this morning for Tucson so I'm left here at anchor this cold, rainy and very windy Sunday morning building a due list to get my Florida/Bahamas orientation back. Seems like I"v been gone a year.
Mark

--

Captain Mark Pomerenke

StrayCatCharters

2829 Bird Ave suite 5 box 152

Coconut Grove, Fl 33133

954-684-6265

http://www.sailstraycat.com/

BOARDED!!

Captains note:
Sailing in a 10 knot SE wind on a flat sea about twenty miles off the north coast of Cuba. It's about 300 miles to Miami from here.
For the benefit of all the "gonnabe" live aboard cruisers who read this log here's one more bit of knowledge you'll need out here.
We were boarded two days ago by the USCG who approached us in a large vessel called the Tampa. They hailed us and asked all the routine questions then had me standby on VHF 16 for about 35 minutes. When they got back to me they said they were going to send a boarding party and perform a "safety inspection"-rrrrright!!
They commanded that all hands show themselves in the cockpit and remain there, also they inquired if we have weapons on board or if there are any dangers to their crew, like animals.
I answered their questions and had to wonder about our safety since they had the "BIG WAR SHIP" with a complement of about 160 crew, a canon, and were sending a vessel with six guys wearing all the gear they saw on an old Cops segment with nifty little blue crash helmets with boom mic's.
The boys were polite but definitely on a mission to find anything they could to site me. During a period of waiting, there was a lot of that, (while they checked the data banks) we learned that much of the USCG emphasis now days is on law enforcement.
After they went through every hatch and locker doing who knows what inside my vessel ( the boarded are not allowed to accompany or observe their activities) I was presented a citation for a paper work issue.
I guess one would have to wonder what threat my little boat presents to the big bad USCG that could in any way justify tying up the assets they deployed for three and a half hours and the interference they posed to my pursuit of happiness.
We have these wars with high sounding names like the war on poverty, the war on cancer, the war on drugs, and than there are the other miss leading names like the patriot act, all of which seem to be miss leading and miss managed with great skill!
Plying these waters you can be approached or boarded by the Florida Marine Patrol, Fish and Game, US Customs, US Immigration, US Navy and I noticed the USAF is out here too. Wow! They all seem to play a slightly different game but they all make the same threatening fashion statement.
When you purchase your new, very expensive floating retirement home be aware, the Supreme court some years ago declared that those who's boat is their home (about a million of us) have no constitutional protections because the drug threat is greater than individual rights.
I hope to make Miami before the next strong front arrives Saturday evening. I'll rest up a bit then get ready to sail for Nassau where I will meet my first charter guest of the season on the fourth.
Mark

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Swan Island, Honduras

Captains notes
It's 02:00 Monday morning the 14 th and we are located a few miles north of Swan island Honduras. Swan is all by it's little self way off shore. It has an anchorage that fisherman use, one lady, iguanas a radio transmitter and that's about it.
We had a plan to anchor there to get some rest but the wind and waves are favoring us and fatigue has not been a problem.
We are making seven knots in fourteen knots of east wind. The sea state is east sets, at about three to four feet. The forecast is more of the same for the next twenty four hours but, there's always a but, a cold front is coming down from the gulf and will overtake us in about 30 or 40 hours.
Conditions will change from near perfect to partly horrible with wind ENE at 20/25 and waves at eight to ten foot on the nose. If we can maintain seven knots over the next thirty or so hours we can maybe, arrive in the lee of the south western tip of Cuba. We will, if luck is with us, ride out the blow at anchor there. We are currently 249 miles south of that location.
Yesterday we were visited by a very large Columbian Navy war ship near the Nicaragua boarder. They launched a black jet chopper that flew around us getting our vessel name and probably, like the USCG, took some pictures of us.
I was sleeping at the time so Mark woke me to answer their hail, that was fun! I wasn't fully awake and had to answer a string of questions like, how many on board, document number, length, width, last port etc. I woke up my 50 or so Spanish words and fumbled through it. They were very polite, asked us if we needed anything and wished us a happy holiday and safe passage .Mark and Lee also saw some Pilot Whales while I was zonked out and while I was up we had a great number, I'd guess 50 or more Dolphin who came to play.
Mark

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Capt Notes

We arrived at the San Andre's sea buoy at about 14:00 yesterday after thirty hours at sea. We motored the first half then motor sailed about a quarter and finally encountered the trade winds and seas, hello sailing!

This Columbian island is beautiful,you notice right away that the water is clear, clean, Bahamas quality. I could see the bottom fifty feet below on the approach. There is a long barrier reef which protects the island from the trades and provides an excellent calm anchorage.
After getting the hook set I followed the instructions in the cruising guide for the paper work cha-cha to clear into the country. The use of a ships agent is a must, the only one that is recommended is the Livingston agency. It says call the Thomas Livingston agency on VHF 16 in English. I did that several times with no response I even tried in Spanish, Stray Cat is "Gato Vagabondo". That got a response which is that Livingston does not exist; como? he is dead. Talk about embarrassed!
They do population control here thus preventing mainland Columbian's or any other nationality from staying so we can stay twenty four hours with no additional fees excepting the $100.00 for the cha-cha. Beyond that period there is a $38. fee for up to 30 days per person. The exchange rate is 20 to 1 here so our dollar goes a long way but since this is a holiday meca for Columbian's things are generally more expensive then other locations.
I'm waiting for The "live" ships agent I employed to return with my Zarpe so we can leave. The Zarpe is an important document since the next country will not allow you to clear in without the Zarpe that shows you legally cleared out of the previous country.
If I had the time I would stay here for a while,I like the cleanliness, island charm, and so far the people have been very polite and there are no security problems here.
Mark

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Capt notes

Woke up at 05:00 and went through all the pre departure checks passing the sea buoy at 08:00, so begins a 1500 mile passage from Panama to Miami and Nassau. All systems are in the green and I had plenty of rest yesterday. My able crew Lee and Mark Wactor are so excited for this trip; they have been on the hard in Arizona since selling their Prout 39 catamaran two years ago.
The sea state is about 6-8 foot, forward of the beam to starboard and while we started off sailing we have lost the wind in the last few minutes. Things could be worse, at this rate we will reach the Columbian islands lying off Honduras at about 12:00 tomorrow. Isla San Andre's and Providencia are about 200 miles north of Bocas Del Toro Panama and the cruising guide sure makes them sound great, I'll let you know and try to get some pictures posted so you can see for yourselves.
Thanks to all of you who emailed your wishes to me for fair winds, I better get back on the helm
Mark

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