2017-2018 1
11 April 2018
After two years spent in Florida we once again traveled to the Bahamas. Three weeks getting the boat back out of it's summer storage place, cleaning, making repairs, updating, provisioning and getting the boat bottom painted, we were back in the water looking for a window to cross the Gulf Stream. At first the weather report indicated a front was coming at the end of our crossing and if we had trouble or just got held up there was not going to be a good place to weather the front, but luck shined on us and the front did not materialize, so we left with little to worry about on 12/14/17. Light winds coming from astern we motor sailed the whole distance from Lake Worth to Great Harbour Marina in the Berry Islands. We started out around 3 am, got by a dredge and barge making the cut out of Lake Worth Inlet very narrow. After light we set out our fishing rigs and around 1 pm while Nancy was just getting some lunch ready the clothespin jumped off the lifeline and I checked and found a snag but the other pin tripped about the same time. If Nancy had not been down getting lunch it would have been her fish. It turned out to be a 36 inch Mahi. He fought hard and Nancy and I had a tough time getting it over the lifeline. She stuck it with the gaff but it jumped away so I just pulled it up and over as it flopped against the boat, the lifeline and finally into the cockpit where it settled down when we gave it a drink of alcohol. We wanted to keep fishing, especially Nancy but we had provisioned enough that we had no room in the fridge or freezer to keep it fresh.
Around 3 am on 12-15-17, when Nan was coming up from below she stepped on the lower step of the companion way and it gave way. The latches that hold it in place had vibrated loose and it came down on her foot. It caused her a lot of pain and concern that it might be broken. We anchored outside the entrance to the marina around 5 am and got some rest. In the morning after check in with Customs and getting a ride from a marina employee, Nan was able to go to the local clinic. A doctor was present and Nan felt that he did a very thorough examination. A bad sprain but not likely any bones broken, the doctor said. If she wanted to get it x-rayed she would have to go to Nassau. She gave it a bath in ice water twice a day and rest. We gave it a few days before we decided to move on.