Bimini, Bahamas Guest Monica Hennessy:

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Friday, July, 29, 2005, 20:23 UTC
Bimini, Bahamas

Guest Monica Hennessy:
First day we boarded our vessel, little scary at first with my broken ankle and all but Captain Mark made us feel totally at ease. We didn't have much wind but we made it across sometimes at 8kts. Our plan of action has been that there is no plan, we found that Lynne likes a plan she's a planner, so we tell her the plan of the day than we don't do it.

We had a beautiful wedding on board by Captain Mark. I love my new sister- in- law Kim. I haven't seen Brian so happy. The next day we went a to ship wreck called Sapona (The Concrete Ship). We snorkeled the entire wreck which was too cool. It was built during World War I as one of 12 ships constructed of concrete in order to save steel. She was anchored off Bimini's western shore until the great hurricane of 1926 came and laid her to rest. Toooo cooo!!! At that point Monica started to feel the effects of lack of proper hydration. Tom and Jim were kind enough to build a sun shade to keep me cool. Something that you learn is to hydrate your body.

That night we went dancing at the Complete Angler (Hemmingway Museum) Awesome fun to be had!!! We sailed to a place called the rock.. Anchored close to a fantastic beach and swam all day. Now this was the day that Captain Mark saved another sailboat that lost its fuel system and engine. Surviving on the sea brings a whole new meaning to life. We have caught four Barracuda; Mark taught us how to unhook the fish without getting bit, it is a two guy job. Brian reels it in, Jim does the unhooking. Jim has done it three times so he owns that job! The beach we landed on had more shells than you could believe just trying to figure how we can get them home.

Best part of this day (Friday) was the wind finally picked up. Captain Mark has instructed Tom, Brian, and Jim to set sails .We were all allowed to take the helm and the seas were angry that day my friend. It was like an old man tossing a cold cup of soup in a deli. We were in 35 knot winds while trying to reach the harbor. Yes, children we are okay!!!! The rain was pelting like hail on our bodies and the guys were in hog heaven. Captain Mark calls us the motley crew but, me thinks he likes us. We all love him dearly and he will be our teacher on the ocean. Of course, Brian asks a lot questions. What's up with that?

NNNN
/EX

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engine failure

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Tuesday, July, 26, 2005, 10:16 UTC
Berry island, Bahamas

Capt. note:
I have been battling a fresh water cooling problem on the port engine for a month; I now know that the engine has a cracked block, no repair. I have ordered two new engines which will be available to me next week.
I'm on charter at Bimini now and will complete this trip in Miami on the 31st. I will have a quick turn around and head out for Nassau to meet the Nash family (my Dentist) for a week of fun with them in the upper Exumas.
When I return I'll take Stray Cat out of commission and out of the water to install the new engines, two new shafts, props, cutlass bearings, couplings and seals. If I don't go broke first I will install a large solar array and two new 12vdc refrigerators. All up I will probably spend 26k; get ahead, break even, a sailor's life.
I had the best time with a group of Girl Scouts and their three troop leaders for a week in the Keys; look for their pictures on the web site next week. They took instruction very well and could set sail and hold a true course respectably. They were all very polite and helped with ships duties; talk about feeling like a grandfather!
On that subject, my youngest granddaughter Nicole Marie Macias graduated high school two weeks ago and also lost her status as youngest since Kelly and Christopher called to announce the birth of Ocean my new youngest granddaughter, wow.
I preformed a wedding ceremony on the fore deck last night at Honeymoon Harbor for my current guests Brian and Kimberly Hennessy; everyone had a goodtime under the stars anchored just off a white crescent beach.

NNNN
/EX

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Girl Scout cruise in the Keys

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Wednesday, July, 20, 2005, 12:51 UTC
Berry island, Bahamas

Guests: Wind in My Sails - Pines High Adventures - Pines of Carolina Girl Scouts

This trip is the Grand Finale of a two year program where the girls had to get certified in Basic Sailing (on Sunfish) and had a class on snorkeling. There are 7 girls and 3 adults in addition to Capt Mark on this sailing adventure cruise. We are from the Raleigh, Durham, Garner, Sanford and Fayetteville areas of North Carolina. We boarded the Stray Cat last Friday afternoon and moored in the bay area so we could see the beautiful night skyline of Miami. A must see for any tourist! Saturday we sailed out to northern Key Largo. Capt Mark reviewed detailed parts of rigging, directional terms - all the necessary info one must know to function on a sailing vessel. We set sail Sunday - Winds were Great (spin off of Hurricane Emily) - Sun was Hot - Water visibility not so good because of the winds - Rip Current Warnings on the Reef. The girls all had a go at the helm - Top speed was 8 knots - made it in record time to Islamorada. The girls had time to do a little snorke!
ling/shelling right outside of docking area. Most of Monday we spent on land - Capt Mark had to go to get some parts for his boat and one of the adults needed to see a doctor for an ear infection. We left the island late in the afternoon and moored off Tavernier. We have had wind every day (smile) and a quick rain shower/storm every night Due to time constraints we had to motor back up, with only the Jib out, to the North end of Key Largo. Thus far the girls have had a great time - they have learned a lot about sailing cats thanks to Capt Mark - Capt Mark still has hair on his head - We have Wind In Our Sails and Sunny Skies - What more could someone ask for? - Bunny Pere, Guest Crew Member

NNNN
/EX

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On to the Berry Islands

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Monday, July, 11, 2005, 15:42 UTC
Marsh Harbor, Abaco,Bahamas

Well, it's day 3 of a vacation. The boat is awesome. We were slightly afraid the space would feel a bit crowded since there are 9 of us travelers + the captain "Mark". Myself "Tamara", my boyfriend Matt H, my parents Jon and Tammy, my sister Mary and here husband Richard, my brother Matt E. with his wife Deena, and my little bro Jeff. First day here was getting groceries and settling in as of course we all over packed. The storm, surprisingly never affected us much except for the flight in. After steaks the first night, we were all prepared for our next day of adventure.

Day 2: Bright and early we sailed to Hope island, a beautiful tropical paradise of small colorful wooden homes, flowers, and the of course the caribbean feel. Unfortunately, there were not many stores open, as it was the countries independence day, but all in all great. To end the day we sailed to a quaint small spot where we all jumped in for a cool down and snorkeling. Jeff and Matt H. spent all day exploring the reefs and spear fishing, of which they were actually able to get a fish or two. After the long day and everyone was pretty worn out and me, Matt H., Tammy, Jon, and Jeff spent the evening viewing the magnificent star spectacular. We even caught a firework show far away in the distance.

Day 3: We have been on the open water for the majority of the day as we are making a 10 hour sail to a far away island. We have been trying to catch fish, sun, and sleep, all of which we have been successful. We do hope to catch more fish as we have only reeled in one which we in turn re-released due to its size.

NNNN
/EX

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Capt. note

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Friday, July, 08, 2005, 10:09 UTC
Marsh Harbor, Abaco,Bahamas

Judging by the number of phone calls and emails I'm receiving I thought I better up date the ships log to let everyone know that I'm not in harms way of Hurricane Dennis.
I'm at anchor in Marsh Harbor Abaco in the Bahamas. We are expecting winds of less than 40kts here which is enough for me.
I advised my last guest to cut short their two week vacation by leaving two days early just to be sure they could get out. With the expected winds we would not be going anywhere anyway.
Speaking of my last guest we really sailed everyday, that is to say, if we wanted to visit another island we went with the wind that day and sailed and tacked. Imagine that, not driven by a need to motor everywhere but just the beauty and joy of sailing.
This is Abaco sailing week here with a race everyday and a party every night. As a result of race week there are a number of boats here and no dockage available resulting in a crowded anchorage. I hope it isn't a Chinese fire drill tonight with slipping anchors and boats dragging down on me.
I better cut this short and get Stray Cat ready for a wind, rainy night.
Mark

NNNN
/EX

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overnighter

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Sunday, July, 03, 2005, 12:02 UTC
Hope town Abaco

Guest: Jessica age 11
July 1, Goombay Festival night
Got and early start, about 10:30. We needed to get to Marsh Harbor for Goombay night. When we got to Marsh Harbor we had many difficulties backing into the dock. Mark only has one motor working right now so my dad had to get out on the dinghy and push the side that is missing a motor. But we got into the dock and Tutu, Tutukane, and Mom went to Solomon's to re-provision. Finally it was 7:30 and we left for junkaroo night. A Bahamian holiday that occurs every other Friday. There's hair braiding, souvenirs, dancing, music, and a ton of great food. Kenzie and I of course had to get our hair braided. There is also a Junkaroo parade and there are many dancers and lots of music. There was a little boy who joined the parade and stared to join. His sister was not letting him be part of the parade but all he wanted to do was join the parade. After the parade it was 9:30 and we all went home. Kenzie and I slept in the hotel with Tutu and Tutukane.

Guest: Shane

July 2, 2005

We departed the Hope Town Marina about 10:30 A.M. after a large breakfast at the Conch Inn Marina. We had a nice sail through the Sea of Abaco to Whale Cay, where we entered the Atlantic. We were all a bit surprised that a very substantial island was not on the chart plotter. It sure pays to keep the eyes and brain engaged!

We sailed to the east side of Green Turtle Cay and when tutus called for sandy beach, good snorkeling and calm seas, we threaded our way through the reef. Jessie learned to drive the dinghy and we made a safe landing on a wonderful, white-sand beach. We all had a fine time on the beach and the girls dove for shells and "sea glass." Kenzie learned to drive the dinghy on the way back and we managed to thoroughly cover all points of the compass repeatedly.

We had a relaxing dinner and threaded our way back out through the reef. We decided that an all night sail would be a good learning experience for us all. At first I thought it was going to be a pretty boring, flat-calm night, but around 2 a.m. the wind began to steadily rise. I kept reefing the Genoa and when we were still skipping along at eight knots, I decided to wake Mark. He thought we should reef the main and turn around to give all a better ride, so we did. Had a great night of sailing with wonderful stars. Morning brought a pretty exciting thunder and lightning storm, so we had to reduce and eventually eliminate all sail. 11 a.m. we're heading into the cut at Whale Cay and observing a sailboat regatta under way ahead.

NNNN
/EX

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