FIRST LIGHT

Vessel Name: FIRST LIGHT
Vessel Make/Model: Hallberg-Rassy 352
Hailing Port: Port Ludlow, Washington
Crew: Harv, Jen & various friends
16 February 2015 | Riviera Beach Municipal Marina
10 February 2015 | Chub Cay Marina
07 February 2015 | 23 52.7N: 76 14.5W
03 February 2015 | Emerald Bay Marina
30 January 2015 | Back at Emerald Bay Marina
27 January 2015 | Emerald Bay Marina
22 January 2015 | San Salvador, Bahamas
21 January 2015 | San Salvador, Bahamas
16 January 2015 | Marsh Harbor Marina
14 January 2015 | Marsh Harbor Marina
10 January 2015 | Marsh Harbor Marina
06 January 2015 | Treasure Cay
02 January 2015 | Marsh Harbor Marina
30 December 2014 | Marsh Harbor Marina
27 December 2014 | Manjack Cay
24 December 2014 | Green Turtle Cay
22 December 2014 | Marsh Harbor Marina
19 December 2014 | Treasure Cay
17 December 2014 | 26 58.2N77 59.1W
14 December 2014 | Hinckley Boat Yard, Stuart Florida
Recent Blog Posts
16 February 2015 | Riviera Beach Municipal Marina

Close

We departed Chub Cay as the winds began to moderate and headed to the cut between Cat and Gun Cays in the Biminis. This necessitated transiting the Great Bahama Bank, which is a misnomer as it is mostly barely 2 meters deep, but the aqua color is truly amazing and the seas there so slight it gives one [...]

10 February 2015 | Chub Cay Marina

Finally

Though our little hurricane hole was lovely, and the winds still in the 20's we opted to slip out and cross the bank at high water to make for parts north. After zig-zagging across some shallows we popped the jib and were finally able to SAIL ... and with Hydie steering!! It was a gorgeous beam reach [...]

07 February 2015 | 23 52.7N: 76 14.5W

Companionship

(sent via ssb) With 275 miles to go we are slowly making our way north along the ruggedly disjointed Exuma chain of cays. First stop, Lee Stocking whose anchorage held an odd assortment of boats. We picked a spot and dropped our hook thinking everyone would swing together, but the currents are as wacky [...]

03 February 2015 | Emerald Bay Marina

Northward

Lee Stocking Cay, the once-upon-a-time research island, has slipped further into oblivion – it doesn’t take nature long to reclaim her own. The houses are empty or boarded up… save the one Rob and Lauren set up with couches, empty beer bottle and book “Lone Survivor”. The lab is bare of cabinetry; [...]

30 January 2015 | Back at Emerald Bay Marina

Rough Bits

The Trade Winds, those consistent northeasterly winds that have over the centuries shaped the mariner's existence in The Bahamas have failed. Settlements, harbors and marinas here are all geared for those consistent winds. This, when the winds get weird, makes finding a 'safe harbor' problematic. What [...]

27 January 2015 | Emerald Bay Marina

One in Every Bar

The past few days have seen bouncy seas, fluky winds and a lot of re-thinking of routes. The trip from San Salvador to Conception, one of the Bahamian National Parks, started with calm seas and light winds, but we put up the main anyway - for good measure - and motored along westerly. By mid-day the [...]

Wacky - Super - Smart

30 December 2014 | Marsh Harbor Marina
jen / muggy, overcast
Hallie’s wacky non-super super-power failed her and we had a lovely sail yesterday. Unpredicted wind came up as we departed Treasure Cay and we SAILED!! Of course, it was from the exact direction we needed to go, but we were going like smack with the gunnel buried, over 30 degrees, 6+kts, Hallie and I unable to sheet in the genoa when we tacked; thank heavens for the brawn of Harv. Poor Ms. B was beside herself unhappy, finally settling athwartship level on her inclined scratchy-board and looking none too pleased.

Around 1500 we began to chat about how sailing to windward, dodging sand bars takes you twice as long to get anywhere. This didn’t seem a problem until we hit on the idea of how late The Fish House would be open. We’d hoped to score some lobster for dinner. After due consideration the genoa was pulled in, the course altered and we were making like mad for Marsh. Even the dingy motor cooperated and we were anchored, off and back with frozen tails by 1645! Dining under the stars was a hit – lobster flash-steamed (to release the meat from the tail) then sauteed in butter and garlic, with a bit of rice and homemade slaw… life doesn’t get much better.

It’s breathlessly muggy today – the no-wind that was predicted. We spent the morning scrubbing, patching the dingy floor, cleaning and refreshing for new guests. It was a drippy adventure, but when it was done the cool pool awaited, then tidy showers and, with gin and tonic in hand, we feel human once more. We’re hopeful the breeze comes up a bit to lighten the oppression for sleeping… otherwise we’ll all be topside for the night!

We are currently awaiting arrival of LilyWin (so named by his hilarious mom, Betsey). They made their 45 minute connection at Atlanta and are chilling in Lauderdale. We are hopeful they don’t have the frustration of delays Hallie had. A week ago Bahamian Air had gone on strike. We were stunned… until a local said, “Ya, that happens every Christmas Eve … it’ll be resolved by Boxing Day – no worries.” And we thought again, for the umpteenth time, ‘those wacky-smart Bahamians’!
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