MIDORI ADVENTURES

In my last blog, we said goodbye to several boats bound for either the Bahamas or Florida. However, Irene and Perry on TEKLA BRAMBLE had to return from Chub Cay due to engine problems, so we got an extra two days of visiting before they headed back to Fort Lauderdale. Single-hander, Glen, was not able to depart with the first eastern bound group due to illness, so we have been enjoying his company. But with each weather window, another bunch of boats arrive - either from the Bahamas or from Florida. And so, we are hanging out with Group #2, consisting of Glen on s/v FOOTLOOSE; Ed and Cheryl on s/v SLOWDOWN; Duane and Diane on s/v DIVA DI; Ned and Cathy on s/v RITE OF PASSAGE. Many others come and go, but we were impressed by two single handers - Robby and Ratz who arrived on their boats directly from Cuba. Interesting guys who have decided to spend a month in Bimini.

And while Group #2 is watching for a suitable weather window for the Exumas, it is now our turn to watch for a window to Florida. We have met the CBP requirement of having the boat offshore for fifteen days, and we are ready to head back.

On Monday, April 14th, with winds forecast to be ESE 11 - 14 knots and seas SE 1 - 2 feet, we depart the inlet at 7:00 a.m. bound for Fowey Rocks, south of Key Biscayne.
FOOTLOOSE, SLOWDOWN, DIVA DI, and RITE OF PASSAGE depart shortly after us bound for North Rock on the Bahama Banks and onwards to the Northwest Channel and New Providence - an overnight trip for them - a day trip for us.

As usual, we are motor sailing. The gulf stream flows north with a speed of up to 2.0 knots, and we are trying to head south, so we are crossing it at an angle. We know when we're in the gulf stream because we've had a course change (heading further north) and we haven't touched the auto pilot. It soon becomes apparent that the current of the gulf stream is stronger than our two 9.9 Yamaha outboards. Although we have set our heading for 20 degrees south of the rhumb line, our "S" curve needs adjusting to head further south. We make a successful entrance at Cape Florida Channel, at the southern tip of Key Biscayne at around 3:30 p.m. It takes us another hour and a half to reach the mooring field at the Coconut Grove Sailing Club and we arrive at 5:00 p.m.

Another successful crossing of 55.2 nautical miles covered in 10 hours with an average speed of 5.6 knots and a maximum speed of 7.3 knots.

Stay tuned,

First Mate Lynn