Perseverance2

Vessel Name: Perseverance2
Vessel Make/Model: O'Day 39
Hailing Port: Burgess, VA
25 April 2014 | Closing in on Home
25 April 2014 | On to the Alligator River
25 April 2014 | North of Charleston
01 April 2014
05 March 2014 | 2014 Georgetown, Exumas
09 February 2014
09 February 2014
09 February 2014
26 January 2014
25 December 2013
19 December 2013
29 November 2013 | Vero Beach, FL
02 November 2013
26 October 2013
23 October 2013 | Oriental, NC
29 March 2012 | Fernandina, FL
25 March 2012 | Bahamas & the US
Recent Blog Posts
25 April 2014 | Closing in on Home

2014 #12

Wednesday we headed north on the Alligator River, aiming for the Virginia Cut of the ICW. But first......as we turn north onto the river, we are met with strong north winds, in the 20-27 range, making for a rather bumpy ride. Another boat, well ahead, radioed back that the Albemarle Sound was ‘not [...]

25 April 2014 | On to the Alligator River

2014 #11

Another spell of unpleasant weather was being forecast, and not wanting to be stuck in Myrtle Beach, we again hopped outside and went from Winyah Bay north to Southport, NC. Rain and wind coming - time for another marina. One day to walk around the town with the azaleas and dogwoods blooming, one rainy [...]

25 April 2014 | North of Charleston

2014 #10

We had wanted to spend a few days in Charleston, but marina space would not allow it. So after one night at anchor, not in the main Charleston harbor, we hit the ICW to head north. Saturday, April 12, we traveled from Charleston to Winyah Bay on the ICW. Became reacquainted with the shallows of several [...]

25 April 2014

2014 #9 St Augustine-Charleston

A few days in St. Augustine stretched into almost a week at Rivers Edge Marina. Not super fancy, but very close to a lot of things, and very friendly. With friends nearby from Belum, Shearwater, and Sequence, our social calendar was not lacking. We managed to attend a Rhythm and Ribs Festival (great [...]

01 April 2014

2014 #8 USA Again

We did our homeward-bound crossing that Wednesday and arrived in Lake Worth/Palm Beach, FL, Thursday morning, March 20. An uneventful, calm, motoring trip of 28+ hours. A day and a half to rest, recuperate, clean fuel filters, and on Saturday morning we headed back out to go north to Fort Pierce, which [...]

18 March 2014

2014 #7 George Town to Nassau

We moved north through the Exumas and, of course, had to find a spot to protect us from some coming strong west winds. We did a tour through an area called Pipe Creek, about which everyone raves. We agree it was beautiful, but yikes, the pressure to stay in the deep areas, don’t anchor in the channel, [...]

2014 #02 Bimini

09 February 2014
Back track a little in time. One of three boats travelling together, we arrived in Bimini, 129 nautical miles from Marathon, at approximately 7:45AM on Monday, having dallied at the Bimni entrance for the sun to rise. A well marked entrance (a rarity in the Bahamas). The crossing was 99% motoring, but pretty calm, especially compared to 2012 - no water spraying into the cabin! We tied up to the first marina we came to, Brown’s, and the captains walked to the appropriate offices to check in.
Tom highly rated the procedure - they were friendly, polite, gave us the amount of time requested - 120 days for us, 180 for the other two boats - no problem, mon. For those who have not done this, upon entering the country and stopping, one must contact Immigration, and get permission to stay and visit and pay your entrance fee. Many times, even though you ask for 120 or 180 days, they give you 60 or 90 - whatever the current whim is. Then at 60 or 90 days, you have to visit another Immigration office to get an extension. It has been a favorite bone of contention among cruisers, because there seemed to be no rhyme, reason, consistency. This year seems different, and better. Also, contrary to rumors the fee has not increased since 2012. $300 for our size.
Unfortunately, we stayed in Bimini only long enough to accomplish the check-in, and for the current to slacken in order for one of the boats to get away from his tie-up.
Then north around the top end of Bimini, and onto the Banks. P2 was hoping to continue and go overnight again, ending in Nassau the following morning.
Well! First, the opportunity to sail. A light 10-12knot wind, south/southwest, beautiful aqua blue water, and we could sail almost on the exact heading. What question? After several hours, the wind died and the motor started again. Still on plan. Then about 6PM, this inversion layer set in and we felt we were in a fog. We slowed down to rejoin the other two boats, and all three ended up pulling over to the side at about 8PM, about 3/4 mile from the main route and anchoring, probably 36 miles from the closest land in all directions. Nothing but water and each other. Talk about being alone! But, by VHF radio, we determined that other boats were doing the same thing about 8 miles ahead of us.
The following morning, Tuesday, we headed out again, thru Northwest Channel, past Chub Cay, and into West Bay on the southwwest corner of New Providence Island, home of Nassau. We stayed there on Wednesday. The other two boats found a ride that got them to marine suppliers for a new alternator for the one boat. P2 stayed in the anchorage, and later walked the beach. Yes, those who listen to the ham nets, we walked the famed Jaws Beach. No problems.
Photo is of the Bimini dock.
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