Koinonia Sailing and RVing

Vessel Name: Koinonia II/III
Vessel Make/Model: Hunter 41DS/Winnebago Navion
Hailing Port: Jacksonville, Florida
Extra: Previous owners of a Hunter Marine 41DS sailboat
09 February 2019 | Salt Springs Ocala National Forest
23 December 2018 | Jacksonville, Florida
04 June 2013 | Jacksonville, Florida
17 May 2013 | Georgetown, Exumas, Bahamas
15 May 2013 | Yuma, Arizona
09 May 2013 | Many islands
10 April 2013
05 March 2013 | Nanny Cay - The Boat Yard
28 February 2013 | Virgin Gorda, Salt Island, and Peter Island
27 February 2013 | Virgin Gorda BVI
26 February 2013
15 February 2013
10 February 2013
Recent Blog Posts
28 February 2019

South Florida, the Everglades, and Southwest Florida

This was Our first real RV travel experience as we headed to South Florida and the Everglades! Our travels took us all the way to Flamingo Campgrounds and the Florida Bay, then across to the Cypress National Forest on our way to visit Linda's cousin Debbie and Aunt Mickey who is 99 years old! Along the [...]

09 February 2019 | Salt Springs Ocala National Forest

Ocala National Forest

Linda and I visited the Ocala National Forest Salt Springs campground for 2 nights. We hiked the Bear Swamp Trail several times and swam in the Salt Spring! We also did some low level biking around the campgrounds.

23 December 2018 | Jacksonville, Florida

Next phase of life...

It has been awhile since we returned from cruising aboard Koinonia II and since then, much has taken place in our lives. Linda and I are now planning to spend some time traveling around the US and Canada in our RV motorhome "Koinonia III".

05 May 2014

Koinonia II has new owners

Well I guess it wasi bound to happen Koinonia II has found some new owners...

04 June 2013 | Jacksonville, Florida

Home Again

Linda and I were planning to depart Nassau first thing Sunday morning June 2 with the option to spend the night in a Berry island anchorage or continue on to the West End of Grand Bahama island before crossing to Florida. However, the weather update Saturday morning showed a weather window that was [...]

17 May 2013 | Georgetown, Exumas, Bahamas

Linda returns to crew in Bahamas

With Koinonia anchored off of Stocking island, one mile from the dinghy dock in Victoria Lake, Geoegetown, and the wind blowing 15 to 20 knots, I headed to the airport to meet Linda upon her arrival back to Koinonia after a month of shore leave!

South Florida, the Everglades, and Southwest Florida

28 February 2019
Don Gilbert
This was Our first real RV travel experience as we headed to South Florida and the Everglades! Our travels took us all the way to Flamingo Campgrounds and the Florida Bay, then across to the Cypress National Forest on our way to visit Linda's cousin Debbie and Aunt Mickey who is 99 years old! Along the way we experienced overnight camping at a Harvest Host site (golf course), a commercial lakeside campground, and a Florida water management district land management area.

Ocala National Forest

09 February 2019 | Salt Springs Ocala National Forest
Linda and I visited the Ocala National Forest Salt Springs campground for 2 nights. We hiked the Bear Swamp Trail several times and swam in the Salt Spring! We also did some low level biking around the campgrounds.

We utilized full hookups.The campground was very nice and semi-rustic.

Next phase of life...

23 December 2018 | Jacksonville, Florida
Don
It has been awhile since we returned from cruising aboard Koinonia II and since then, much has taken place in our lives. Linda and I are now planning to spend some time traveling around the US and Canada in our RV motorhome "Koinonia III".

We will keep our travel logs as best as possible on this blog site, so stay tuned...

Koinonia II has new owners

05 May 2014
Don
Well I guess it wasi bound to happen Koinonia II has found some new owners...

Bitter sweet, but I think she will be well taken care of and it is my hope she serves and takes care of the new owners as well as she has for the Gilbert family and guests.

Koinonia II will be renamed to Carolina Girl with the home port of Beaufort, South Carolina. Watch for her and the new owners as they begin their retirement life cruising the East coast and eventually the Caribbean...Oh what a life!

Home Again

04 June 2013 | Jacksonville, Florida
Don
Linda and I were planning to depart Nassau first thing Sunday morning June 2 with the option to spend the night in a Berry island anchorage or continue on to the West End of Grand Bahama island before crossing to Florida. However, the weather update Saturday morning showed a weather window that was going to be tight unless we left ASAP. So within a matter of hours we readied the boat and ourselves to make our last passage to Home!

With our early afternoon departure, we arrived at the first anchorage option after dark, which we passed up. As forecasted, this weather window was proven to be much drier after a week of wet weather albeit with lighter winds requiring motor sailing to make distance at a 5 VMG to assure making it to Florida before the weather turned bad.

As we moved closer to the West End, we decided to forego more fuel and rest at marina to get across to Florida. This meant an extra night at sea for Linda making for her longest passage to date. Our float plan called for entering Florida at the Ft. Pierce inlet and heading north in the intracoastal waterway to visit our good friends the Lamberts, in Melbourne Florida. We were looking forward to this visit, even though it meant an extra 4 days getting home on the intracoastal waterway. However, as we tried to kill time in the Gulf Stream waiting for daylight to enter, we had a hard time staying south of the inlet and had to point our boat way south towards Miami. Furthermore, we were picking up NOAA weather forecast calling for bad weather out of the gulf in 2 days, but still unpredictable where it would head. So, we decided to just take advantage of the northern flow of the Gulf Stream and head for Jacksonville, even though it meant another night at sea.

We made good time and made it to north Florida approximately 30 miles off St. Augustine as the sun was setting for Linda's third night at sea. However, the NOAA forecast was reporting severe afternoon thunderstorms heading offshore near Jacksonville. Reports indicated the storm cells were heading northeast. Unfortunately, the weather became more widespread and began to close in on our location! As the skies became darker in front of us, we kept changing our course towards the lighter skies. Eventually we were heading due south away from Jacksonville. Finally the weather caught up with us and we had no other choice but to head directly into it. We rolled in all the sails and secured any loose items. The seas got rough, the wind got high and we set the boat speed and course for the most comfort possible. We could not see 10 ft. In front of us and we just hung on in the cockpit as lightning was occurring as close as a 1/4 mile away. This lasted for about 30 minutes until we broke into the other side. After another 10 minutes or so, the seas calmed down and the skies began to clear and we were back on course for the St. John's river and home!

Linda returns to crew in Bahamas

17 May 2013 | Georgetown, Exumas, Bahamas
Don
With Koinonia anchored off of Stocking island, one mile from the dinghy dock in Victoria Lake, Geoegetown, and the wind blowing 15 to 20 knots, I headed to the airport to meet Linda upon her arrival back to Koinonia after a month of shore leave!

Linda spent the night before her 6:00 am departure in the Jacksonville International airport. She flew first to Miami where she boarded Bahamas Air for her arrival in Nassau Bahamas where after 6 hours she changed to a puddle jumper that first took her to Rock Sound and then on to Georgetown where I met her waiting on her luggage. After she picked up her normal carry on bag, we discovered her main luggage was no where to be found. After filling a missing luggage report, Linda discovered that she was suppose to pull her luggage in Nassau and personally take it through customs and then recheck it, despite being told that the bag was going to be checked all the way to Georgetown. We located the luggage, but had to return the next day to get it. Oh well, it was just another $40 taxi ride!

Linda says it was just as well, because the one mile dinghy ride back to the boat was against the wind and waves and was a wet ride. The next day her luggage had a drier dinghy ride.

While in Georgetown, we joined fellow cruisers at the Chat 'n Chill volleyball beach to play what else, some volleyball. We had a great time, but it was time to head northwest toward home while exploring the Exumas.
Koinonia II/III's Photos - Koinonia in Greece Part 3
Photos 1 to 38 of 38 | Main
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On the way to the Corinth Canal with Mike and Debbie Lindell and Patty Chambers...btw, Don
Mike, Patty, and Debbie waiting at the eastern end of the Corinth Canal for Captain Don to obtain clearance.
Debbie and Linda at the eastern end of the Corinth Canal
The crew of Koinonia II crossing through the Corinth Canal from the Saronic Gulf to the Gulf of Corinth.
Mike and Debbie enjoying the sites of the Corinth Canal...it is an amazing waterway.
Debbie, Mike and Patty enjoying the view from the deck as we traverse the Corinth Canal
It is always fun to have the dolphins visit Koinonia II, especially in the crystal blue waters of the Gulf of Corinth.
Don and Linda at a nice taverna overlooking the valley of Delphi while Mike, Debbie and Patty explore the ancient sites.
Mike and Debbie relaxing for a moment on Koinonia with a nice view of the harbor
Debbie and Patty on another shopping spree...they sure know how to shop!
The old adage still applies..."Best to let sleeping dogs lie!"
Patty cooking up a delicious morning treat of crepes with real maple syrup! yummy...
Patty enjoying life aquatic in the beautiful clear blue Ionian waters
Yea! We are sailing through the Med!
Patty ready to race any comer who is willing to take her on...
Patty found a contender to race...good luck Debbie!
Linda and her new Greek hair cut...doesn
Linda is now the new model for the hair stylist industy
The rugged trek up the hillside to a killer view.
A typical view from one of the hills of any Greek island...the views are many and so are the collection of photos we have taken! Stay tuned...
The pistachio tree of Corfu
Don relaxing in the tree...come down from there!
Patty relaxing at the top of a hill after a challenging trek.
Don and Linda with one of the forts of Corfu island in the background.
Linda at the top of Corfu
Don and Linda
The gang contemplating the climb to the top of the hill behind us...
Ah cruising life is good!
Time to gather for another meal ashore...
Just another beautiful view from our dinning table.
Don
"Your not the waiter and no we are not finished yet!"
In Greece, all kinds of animals come and go while you are dining, cats, dogs, donkeys, birds, lizards, etc.  Here this dog is pretending to be our waiter and wants to know if we are finished with our plates...
Just one of many fascinating landscapes we explored...
Patty and Linda swimming in the caves lining the shores of Antepaxos
The water is perfect in the Med in July!
Don and Linda relaxing with another great view...
 
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18 March 2019
51 Photos
20 February 2019
15 Photos