Not All Sun and Fun

Cruising on a boat (sailboat in our case) is not all sun and fun; it’s a bit of work.

We have a 30 foot sailboat, though completely restored it still involves regular routine maintenance to keep it from developing major issues. 

This involves making water every third or fourth day, doing laundry, washing and cleaning the outside of boat to keep salt and rust at bay, washing our bodies, and also servicing consumables (filters changes every so often).  Other parts are performing boat system maintenance at rated hours.  For example changing engine oil and filter, fuel filter, replacing zinc anodes on heat exchanger and prop shaft, changing out a water pump impeller, complete pump due to leaking seals, adjusting belts, inspecting and adjusting stuffing box packing, and so on. We also service the seacocks regularly (greasing and working back and forth) to keep them operating correctly. Another maintenance item is inspecting our fire system monthly so they are ready for use in the event we have a fire on board.  Anchoring system is also very important to maintain; servicing the windlass (cleaning and greasing) and inspecting chain so we can weigh anchor each and every time without difficulty. 

Sail rigging is another area we inspect and service.  Such as checking for cracks, adjusting standing rigging, inspecting running rigging and roller furler.  There are several other systems we inspect which would make this a longer list for another time.

So, it isn’t all sun and fun, but it does break up the monotony of daily living on a sailboat when we aren’t having sun and fun.

I added this section to Chris’ blog because I think folks believe it is all sun and fun sailing in paradise on a sailboat based on YouTube videos that some folks watch on cruising in exotic places.  I believe if folks can truly see what cruising really is they can make an informed decision on whether they would like this lifestyle.  Well, that’s it for now from Chris’ other half.  Fair winds and following seas to all.

Chris’s Voice

In addition to being Bruce’s gopher when he is in the midst of a big job, I clean the inside of the boat daily.  Our boat is too small to allow it to become disorganized by clutter.  I pick up and return everything back to its allocated spot, sweep, make the v-berth bed, cook and wash the dishes.  Washing the dishes is usually not a big job and if it is, Bruce will help with that chore.  Usually I am washing a dish or two throughout the day, because there is no room for accumulation of unwashed dishes.  Most days I will also have one extra job that is usually done on a weekly basis that includes cleaning the brass, dusting, (it is amazing how much dust you can accumulate on a boat), adding tung oil to the bright work (done less frequently), etc.  I also have been baking our bread since reaching the Bahamas it is not as easy to find.  The one bright side of cleaning the cabin is it does not take long. 

So that is the summary of the other things we do on the boat when we aren’t having sundowners (isn’t it 5:00 somewhere?), snorkeling, checking out the local bar, having sundowners, trying to fish, or whatever takes our fancy.

Living in Paradise

Great Bahama Bank to Chub Cay

We left Bimini February 4 at 0640 arriving at Mackie Shoal at 1600 where we anchored for the night along with Ugowego, Last Chance, Kristteny, and Paradise Hunter.  In 12 feet of crystal clear water we could see clear to the bottom.  The Great Bahama Bank is a wide shallow body of water that lies mostly between the westernmost islands of the Bahamas.  The sea here is less than twenty feet deep in places and coral heads are scattered throughout.  The Bank stretches out for miles and there was no land in sight when we dropped the anchor for the night. 

We continued the next morning leaving before sunrise at 0515 to Chub Cay.  It just doesn’t seem right to get up and leave while it is still dark and I was just a little bit grumpy.  That disappeared quickly when we sailed into the beautiful bay with the crystalline waters striated into beautiful hues of blue. 

Sea Hawk is second boat from the left.

Chub Cay is a private island with a Marina and a beautiful resort.  In the past they have discouraged boats anchored near the Cay from coming in.  They have changed this policy and were very welcoming to us. Dan Scott beckoned us in to take us for a tour of the resort in his gulf cart.  He is great PR man and explained that with a change in management came a change in attitude.  Instead of chasing away people not staying at the Marina they welcome them to the restaurant and even let us use the pool.  We had an enjoyable lunch in good company at their restaurant and will definitely stop here again next year.

Pictures from our Tour

Chub Cay Resort

 Dan Scott

 Water storage for the island.

Resort Villas

With a few lessons from the experienced fisherman in our group, Jerry from Ugowego, we caught our first lobster.  Even though it was only one, it made a great omelet for the two of us. 

Having sundowners on the Paradise Hunter brought a great close to the day watching the colorful sunset. 

Does it get any better than this?

On Island time...........................

We are in the Bahamas!

We are in the Bahamas!

While anchored in Angelfish Creek cut by Key Largo on a Thursday night the conversation between Bruce and myself kind of went like this “Hey, look there are 2 sailboats headed out.  You think they are headed for Bimini?  Maybe we should go tonight?  Yep, let’s go!”
And with that we quickly finished dinner and got the boat ready to leave.  We left the cut about 4:00 in the afternoon.  Now this may sound like it was a spur of the moment decision.  But it definitely was not.  This was after a month of studying the weather and looking for that elusive weather window.  We had decided to leave on Sunday which looked like a better window.  But the seas had already had a day of easterly winds and were settling down.  We decided on the night sail to stretch our window a little.  With a full moon it was beautiful but a little rough.  The cruise ships were easy to see, they were lit up like Christmas trees and visible for miles.

We arrived in Bimini a little before dawn and not wanting to enter while dark waited til the sun rose.  It was a magical moment, crystal clear, turquoise waters made even more special by the long wait with miserably strong northerly winds.  We have heard over and over again, do not cross with any northerly component to the wind.  The Gulf Stream moves from south to north and with a north wind opposed to the current can kick up some nasty seas. 

We knew some friends of ours had made the crossing about a week ahead of us from Key Largo but had been out of contact with them since they made the crossing.  As we drew nearer to Big Game Club we saw the Paradise Hunter and our friend Roger wildly waving to get our attention.  He was a welcome surprise and a big help during that first sleep deprived day.  We had very little sleep during the crossing.  We usually take 3 hour watches but I was seasick the first 6 hours and wasn’t able to break Bruce until after midnight.  He was a real trooper taking my watches until I felt better.  I very seldom get seasick but it will happen when it is rough on occasion. 

We anchored just north of the marina and Roger came over to help us with a stern anchor.  We were in a tight anchorage with one other boat and a strong current.  We were able to get everything set and the anchors held well the entire time we were there. 

We were also met and welcomed by our neighbor boat, an adorable 8 year old boy with a big cheeky smile and lots of attitude handling his dinghy like a real pro (mom was with him). 

Roger walked Bruce over to Customs and they cleared us.  We are now displaying the Bahamian flag and not the yellow quarantine flag.  When coming into the Bahamas you must display a yellow quarantine flag until you are cleared by Customs and only the Captain is allowed off the boat until then. 

After looking at our options for staying connected in the Bahamas we chose to get an International Bahamian cell number as my phone is unlocked and we were able to get a new sim card.  Roger (bless his heart) walked Bruce to the BTC building and took care of that business.  We plan to come back to the Bahamas next winter and if we keep a balance with a new deposit every three months after suspending our account we can have the same number when we return. 

Next point of business?  Catching up with old friends and meeting new friends with Pina Coladas at a beach restaurant of course!  We finished up that wonderful day with a lobster dinner on the Paradise Hunter with friends looking for bull sharks.  Ahh, what a life!

Sundowners on the Paradise Hunter

 Roger (Paradise Hunter) John (Last Chance)

 Keith (Kristteny) Terry (Paradise Hunter)

Jerry, Rhonda and son Tim (Ugowego)

About Alicetown

No bread at the bakery, got to get there early!

Veterans Park

Cars drive on the opposite side of the road.  Bruce has pulled me off the road more than once because I think they are on the other side!

We are not waiting for a weather window……. WELCOME TO THE BAHAMAS