Alma's Only Bahamas Trip

[Almas Only]

Alma’s Only Bahamas Adventure

Day 1 (Saturday, May 19, 2007): A full drive day, which began in Richmond, VA at 0450, and ended in St. Augustine, FL at 1730. The Dodge Ram proved to be an excellent tow vehicle for the C-Dory, which was kept light for trailering by having empty fuel and water tanks, and all heavy gear loaded in the truck. Beautiful weather the entire time. Overnighted, as usual, at the nearby WalMart.

Day 2 (Sunday, May 20, 2007): A partial drive day, arriving at destination of Hobe Sound, FL at about 1115. Phoned C-Dory owner Carl Davino, who had agreed to provide storage for the tow rig while the boat was in the water. I suggested we meet at 1330, which would give me time to move gear from the truck to the boat, and play U-Boat Commander by trying to find a space for each piece of equipment, can of food, or roll of toilet paper. That task went better than expected, and I met up with Carl a few minutes early. Carl and his lovely wife, Barbara, proved to be gracious hosts, beyond my imagination. We launched the boat at their marina, where a guest slip had been reserved. Then, it was off to their home to visit, enjoy a drink, and dine on fish Carl had caught. Carl and Barbara also provided wonderful conversation throughout, and even offered to have me sleep in their home. I declined in favor of a night on board getting my sea legs, and making sure final adjustments were made properly.

Day 3 (Monday, May 21, 2007): Temperatures in the low 80’s, partly cloudy. Did shopping, and met my brother Dan, who had arrived in Miami, and taken the TriRail up to the Lake Worth area. We stowed Dan’s gear on board, then met up with Carl, and put the truck into his storage area. Carl provided transportation while we took on ice and a few other last minute items, and then, to the boat. Barbara arrived to wish us well. We cast off at T1808, and cruised down the Intracoastal Waterway to the Phil Foster State Park, located on the south end of Lake Worth, arriving at T2126. Had to use the chartplotter and radar to navigate the last portion, in near total darkness. Anchored at N26 46.803, W80 8.112, but were exposed to strong E winds, so pulled anchor at T0215 on 5/22 and, again using radar and chartplotter, relocated to a mooring ball S of Phil Foster State Park, at N26 46.981, W80 2.449.

Day 4 (Tuesday, May 22, 2007): Temperatures in the low 80’s, and a beautiful day, except for the continuing strong E winds, and 6 foot waves on the Gulf Stream. On mooring ball all day. Swam to shore, and found a grocery store to the E, and bought a can opener, to replace the one I’d left in the dishwasher at home. Now, we’re ready to cruise. Dinner was a pork roast on the new grill, and excellent fare. The grill will be an excellent addition to the Wallas, which continues to perform flawlessly after it’s winter servicing.

Day 5 (Wednesday, May 23, 2007): Temperatures in the low 80’s, partly cloudy, continued E winds of 15-20 mph, and 6 foot waves on the Gulf Stream. Took on fuel and ice, bought FL 3 day fishing licenses, and cruised to Peanut Island, N26 6.47, W80 2.87, and walked the perimeter trail around the island. An excellent public facility, with nature trails, informative signs, picnic, diving lagoon, and other facilities. Then, returned to moor at Phil Foster.

Day 6: (Thursday, May 24, 2007): Temperatures in the low 80’s, partly cloudy, and continued E winds of 15-20 mph, and 6 foot waves on the Gulf Stream. Went to Lott’s Marina at N26 48.501 W80 4.032 for fishing gear, bait, and ice, and walked to nearby West Marine while tied up at Lott’s, to get a pair of sandals. Fished in the southerly part of Lake Worth, at approx N26 48.357 W,80 2.921 and caught the proverbial big one, which we worked for over an hour, and never saw before it wrapped the line around an obstruction. In the course of locating a good fishing spot, managed to run over a wreck at N26 48.383 W80 2.768, and find it with the propeller. After returning to the mooring ball, dove the bottom of the boat, and confirmed no hull damage. So, pulled the three bladed prop, and mounted the four bladed spare. The prop sustained enough damage that minor pounding out would not suffice. This would need to be repaired or replaced before making the crossing.

Day 7( Friday, May 25, 2007): Temperatures in the low 80’s, partly cloudy, and continued E winds, with slight lessening in speed and persistence. Made calls on propeller repair, and was not able to get anything scheduled which would assure that the prop would be back before we were ready to cross. Located a new prop at West Maine, so, after pumping our portable toilet at Rivera Beach Marina, went back to Lott’s, topped off on gas, and walked to West Marine and picked up the new prop. Returned to the mooring ball, and installed the prop. The Memorial Day weekend crowd began filling up spots along the lee shore of Peanut Island, with anchored boats pulled stern to the shore, and tents pitched. We grilled chicken from the local market for dinner. Scuba divers, who frequently dive near the boat, spotted a manatee.

Day 8 (Saturday, May 26, 2007): Temperatures in the low 80’s, and partly cloudy. Winds continue from the E, but the major low pressure system in the Midwest, which had been pulling the air in, has changed. The wings are slackening somewhat, and the forecast is for continued E winds up to 15mph, with waves of 4-6 feet, slacking to 2-4 feet Tuesday. Perhaps our weather window is finally coming! We probed the inlet to get a feel for wave conditions, but ebb tide made the inlet very rough, and the waves beyond were every bit of 6 feet. With that experience under out belts, we turned around, surfed back into the inlet, and motored over to the mooring ball. I went for a swim while the tide was coming in, and the current was so strong that I couldn’t reach the beach. Instead, I made it to a concrete retaining wall, and managed to get a hand up and hold on to avoid being swept under the highway bridge, and having to swim out at the Phil Foster launch ramps on the other side, and then hoof it back across the highway. Dan deployed the throwable cushion, added some line to that already attached, and I swam over to the line, and got a free tow back to the boat. Lesson learned, so I left the throwable trail behind the boat, and enjoyed a continued swim back and forth along the line.

We’ll try the inlet again in the morning, at high tide, to test conditions.

Day 9 (Sunday, May 27, 2007): Weather reports are calling for waves in the 2-4 foot range in the morning, building to 4-6 feet in the afternoon, for the next several days. We depart for the inlet at T0625, about 45 minutes past high tide. The inlet was passable, but waves, although improved from our prior probe, are still pushing 6 feet, and definitely not 2-4. So, we turn around, and return to the mooring ball at T0710. Will plan on probing again in the morning, and be at the inlet at first light, so that if conditions warrant, we’ll have the best shot at crossing in the morning with enough speed to avoid the predicted deterioration of conditions in the afternoon. Also, will be watching West End weather closely for a decrease in windspeed there.

[Dora~Jean]

Great posts, brings back memories of our 2000 trip across from Key Biscayne to Bimini then to the Eluthera chain for 4 weeks in our 31' trimaran. We plan to go again in our C-Dory, but when we can go earlier in the year. Sounds like a small dingy might be in your future...!

[thataway]

There was a peroid last month where almost all of the boats were kept at anchor/mooring/marina in the Bahamas--and even 50 foot sailing vessels were not moving because of winds and seas. As June comes around, the winds should start to subside...

[Byrdman]

Good read. Thanks for and I look forward to your future crossing post. Stay safe.

Byrdman

[El and Bill]

delete

[El and Bill]

Thanks for sharing your cruise with us. Bon voyage

[Almas Only]

Day 10 (Monday, May 28, 2007): T0808, t80F, partly cloudy. Wind continues from the east, but continues to slacken at Lake Worth, although holding at West End/Settlement Point Station. Will watch the weather throughout the day for possible crossing windows Wednesday or Thursday. Plan for the day: minor boat maintenance, and fishing. Still unable to get the Uniden depth finder working when bedded in Marine Tex in a thru hull position. Since it worked when in a water bath, assume the problem is with the bedding, and will pull the transducer and rebed in another material. Since this is a backup, it’s not functioning is not a problem. Fished at the same spot we hooked a big one on 5/24, and tied into another. Circled the boat once, never surfaced, stayed on for about an hour before fouling the line on the bottom, and stretched about half the line on my Penn 6500 reel. We figure we’re getting into rays, and will try to revise our equipment accordingly. These guys are really big, and strong. Then proceeded to lose my bait to a barracuda at the mooring. Going to revise the equipment there, too, and use stingers on wire leader. Dropped Dan off at the beach so he could make an ice run, and then dodged the scuba divers to make the pickup. They’re everywhere when the tide is high, and clean ocean water has been brought into the area. Continued very heavy boat traffic on the ICW and around Peanut Island for the Memorial Day weekend.

Day 11 (Tuesday, May 29, 2007): T0810, t80F, wind continues from the east, but improving. Forecasts continue to be revised favorably to show what might be crossing windows Wednesday and Thursday, with waves of 2-4 feet. We’ve heard that before, and encountered some really big ones. Fished southern Lake Worth in the morning, but caught nothing but bait. The big one continues to elude us. Afternoon, took on ice, water, fuel, and pumped out the porta potti in anticipation of possible crossing Wednesday morning. Probed the inlet out to the outer marker, and it was passable, but could stand improvement, since we need to carry some speed to avoid prolonged exposure to weather changes. Water a beautiful cobalt blue, truly a sight to behold. This evening, I’m going to surprise Dan with a couple of steaks from the nearby market, cooked on the grill. A deserving treat to a very patient, and persistent, first mate.

[Pandy Girl]

Has any one heard anything form them?
Jim

[ffheap]

DOES ANYBODY KNOW WHERE DAVE IS ON ALMA'S ONLY? IT IS NOT LIKE HIM TO START SOMETHING AND NOT FINISH IT.

Fred

[Almas Only]

Alma's Only returned last night, safe, sound, and with a beard of barnacles, from it's southern adventure. After trying for two weeks to make a crossing to the Bahamas, in the face of persistent 10-15 mph E winds, we turned south, to the Keys, and were out of contact with the internet for the next three weeks. I'll post a summary of log entries in the next few days.

The trusty little craft served us well, and even survived an adventure or so. But, after a little over 5 weeks living on board, it's sure good to be home.

[ffheap]

Dave,

Welcome back. We were worried about you. I had visions of a Winslow Homer painting of you and your brother riding the Gulf Stream.

Keep in touch.

Fred

[El and Bill]

Sorry you couldn't make it across, but that's a tough crossing and you were wise to wait it out and then turn south. Looking forward to hear about that cruise.

[FGRVONROTH]

I don't know if you are aware of this great site for sea state between FL and the northern Bahamas you should check it out.

http://barometerbob.com/

You will find Gulf forecasts for a few days and also weather in and around Abaco. since its only 60 -70 miles from West End, Grand Bahamas its a very easy one day trip if you wait out the weather and leave from Lake Worth inlet at West Palm beach.