The Spike

As we leave Key West, it is worth posting how great Stock Island Marina Village was in Key West during Hurricane Irma. The combination of floating docks, being on the west side of the storm so we received north winds (cut from SIMV is to the south) so only a few feet of storm rise, and having a finger pier on the north side of the Spike, so that the wind held it off the pier rather than grinding it against the pier, left us with absolutely no damage.

SIMV was a great hurricane shelter.

Spent about 15 months at SIMV after return from Havana. Great place and very helpful people. $$$ but really one of the best. Continues to grow. Incredibly reliable service from Warner Boat Works. Thank you SIMV. Bimini for a while now. Never been in there before.

Cuba: Thoughts and Observations

I spent about three weeks in Havana during April of this year. It was an opportunity to meet and share experiences with many Cubans, both professionals and service providers such as taxi drivers and owners of restaurants, government officials, and sailors (we and our boat partners sailed our boat, The Spike, to Havana).

This allowed me first hand observations of a "land of mystery" since Cuba essentially closed to those of us with US Passports.

I was surprised at the look and feel of the country. I grew up with the understanding that the people of Cuba were badly oppressed by the collateral effects of Fidel's socialist affinity. I expected an unhappy people. I was wrong.

I found a people that wished for more, but were excited about the opening of Cuba to the US. A people that freely acknowledged the difficulties of life under Fidel Castro (without showing fear of someone overhearing them), but at the same time loved Fidel and much of what he had accomplished. A people that did not have really anything in material items, but at the same time had happiness through community.

I did not see evidence of government tracking, tight security, fear of reprisal, or the other hallmarks of communist countries such as modern Vietnam and to a lesser extent Cambodia (each of which I have visited several times in the last few years). In Cubans I saw an almost childlike (and I mean this in a good sense, not in any derogatory way) innocence and delight in the coming opportunity of capitalism and opening of trade.

I have a number of thoughts on why this is, but I will save those for a later writing.

Attached is a photograph of us entering Havana Harbor under a special permit, a "parade" if you will of 57 US boats in a good will event. I believe we were the first US boats in Havana Harbor since the closing of Cuba in the late 50s. That is Castle Moro in the background, Spain's fortress to store all of the gold being taken to Spain from the New World.

In the meantime, I recommend a Cuban murder mystery writer, Leonardo Padura, and a recent book by him, Havana Fever. It is in translation (which is pretty good) through iBooks and Kindle. Try it to get a taste of Cuban life, crime, and what the average Cuban considers good murder mystery writing. I assume that the life he portrays is accurate for Cuba during its dark years.

More to come.

Mike

A wild ride. Some damage, mainly tiring. Came off the face of 10' wave approaching at about 60 degrees apparent starboard side, wind about 25 knots at 60 degrees off starboard, blowing against the Gulf Stream. Rolled off and landed rudder first, destroying the gears instide our old "Autohelm" Type 2 Linear drive unit. Remaining 14 hours were all hand steering. Somewhat tiring.

Made good time through the stream, averaged 6.8 knots running at about a 90 degree angle. Exited the stream a little to far below entrance to Key West Main Channel, so had to motor back up 20 miles to the main channel in 25 knots of wind, very slow.

Great day with Coxwell and Graham aboard.

We are incredibly excited to be sailing the Spike from Key West to Hemingway Marina, leaving Thursday afternoon, March 30, 2017.

Crew of 5, on the Spike, myself (Mike Graham), my boat partner, Todd Holt and his wife Jessica Holt, my daughter, Holly Mitchko, and our great friend, Jeff Coxwell.

First skipper briefing today. We are allowing for an average of between 5-6 SOG. Leaving Stock Island Marina on Key West at 3:00 pm, we will be in Hemingway Marina at 9:00 am at 5 knots, and 6:00 am at 5 knots.

We are part of Crusing World magazine's Cuba Rally. How great.

See below for new pumps, but most important, added bilge pump cycle counter for both primary and secondary bilge pumps, located on the main wall of Nav Station. Now know immediately if either pump is cycling and keeping me from knowing about a problem.

Replaced primary bilge pump with a Rule Mate 2000 GPH with built in float switch sensor. Have replaced four or five rule Rule float switches, which seem to break down about every six months.

Added a secondary rule non-automatic bilge pump about 12 inches higher in bilge, Used Rule 2000 GPH with a Johnson electronic external switch. Fabricated a sheet metal mount, and mounted immediately under the sliding trap door that an IP 44 uses to keep you from dropping tools in the bilge.