"Next Adventure"

Vessel Name: Satagraco
Vessel Make/Model: Hunter 460
Hailing Port: Fairplay, Colorado
Crew: Paul & Karen Harris
14 December 2017 | Green Turtle Cay
30 November 2017 | Port Charlotte, FL
21 June 2016 | Port Charlotte, FL
20 May 2016 | Port Charlotte, FL
09 May 2016 | Green Turtle Cay
23 April 2016 | Green Turtle Cay
16 April 2016 | Green Turtle Cay
04 April 2016 | Hopetown, Abaco, Bahamas
29 March 2016 | Marsh Harbor
19 March 2016 | Great Guana Cay
19 March 2016 | Green Turtle Cay
03 March 2016 | Green Turtle Cay
25 February 2016 | Key Biscayne, Florida
21 February 2016 | Marathon, FL
08 November 2015 | Port Charlotte, FL
08 November 2015
27 October 2015 | St. Augustine, FL
21 October 2015 | Charleston, SC
11 October 2015 | Chesapeake, VA
01 October 2015 | Deltaville, VA
Recent Blog Posts
14 December 2017 | Green Turtle Cay

Green Turtle Cay

After a 12/3 departure in the wee hours of the morning we dodged crab pots along the west coast of Florida and sailed on. After a couple overnight stops we made a 26 hour run from Marathon to West End. With a nice breeze and help from the Gulf Stream we ran 8-9 knots all night. Our smoothest and fastest crossing yet. Sadly had to sit in West End a few days but then we moved on and arrived in Green Turtle Cay. 9 days-we were happy. Andrew, the ever great dockmaster greeted us. The weather has been cool but we are enjoying it. Improvements around the area included a PAVED road all the way to town WOW. Family will join us for the holiday and then we will do some more exploring ourselves. We look forward to this winter sailing season.

30 November 2017 | Port Charlotte, FL

Heading out

After a summer sitting behind the house and surviving hurricane Irma, the boat is ready to go. I don't think she has ever been this clean. You could almost eat out the lockers. Because she was beyond naked for the hurricane, we pretty much started from scratch. We actually have our spare bedroom [...]

21 June 2016 | Port Charlotte, FL

Done for this season

Well Satagraco and her crew got to the house and her dock. Thanks to tropical storm Colin there was plenty of water in the canal system. We had an uneventful overnight sail from Marco Island. Leaving in the evening and sailing overnight probably gave us a little cooler temperature.

20 May 2016 | Port Charlotte, FL

ALMOST THERE

We left Green Turtle Cay (sadly) and spent a couple of days crossing the banks and anchoring in a couple more cays. We wanted to enjoy all the beautiful water while we could. We positioned ourselves in West End and had a lovely crossing of the gulf on 5/13. We had to motor across which after [...]

09 May 2016 | Green Turtle Cay

HERITAGE FESTIVAL

Well we waited a little longer and enjoyed the Green Turtle Cay Heritage Festival. The event covered 3 days but we decided to go yesterday (Saturday). We were told it was the Big day. After riding our bicycles into town we joined the festivities. We found some lunch--grouper burgers and watched [...]

23 April 2016 | Green Turtle Cay

MESSAGE IN A BOTTLE

During one of our recent dingy trips to different beaches and coves we found a bottle with a message in it. How often does that happen? On a little spit of land not far from the end of Green Turtle Cay the Atlantic sits on one side and Gillium Bay is on the other. All kinds of items come ashore [...]

Green Turtle Cay

14 December 2017 | Green Turtle Cay
Karen
After a 12/3 departure in the wee hours of the morning we dodged crab pots along the west coast of Florida and sailed on. After a couple overnight stops we made a 26 hour run from Marathon to West End. With a nice breeze and help from the Gulf Stream we ran 8-9 knots all night. Our smoothest and fastest crossing yet. Sadly had to sit in West End a few days but then we moved on and arrived in Green Turtle Cay. 9 days-we were happy. Andrew, the ever great dockmaster greeted us. The weather has been cool but we are enjoying it. Improvements around the area included a PAVED road all the way to town WOW. Family will join us for the holiday and then we will do some more exploring ourselves. We look forward to this winter sailing season.

Heading out

30 November 2017 | Port Charlotte, FL
Karen
After a summer sitting behind the house and surviving hurricane Irma, the boat is ready to go. I don't think she has ever been this clean. You could almost eat out the lockers. Because she was beyond naked for the hurricane, we pretty much started from scratch. We actually have our spare bedroom and garage back. Everything that was stored there from the boat has returned to its rightful place. Guess I will have to vacuum that room now!

We hope to arrive in the Abacos in about 7-10 days and acquaint ourselves again with the beautiful clear water. Part of the family with join for the holidays and hopefully the others will come a little later in the spring.

It has been awhile since Satagraco has cruised. Our first few days could be interesting. We will be taking it slow. Definitely time for a water adventure again.

Look for more to come

Done for this season

21 June 2016 | Port Charlotte, FL
Karen
Well Satagraco and her crew got to the house and her dock. Thanks to tropical storm Colin there was plenty of water in the canal system. We had an uneventful overnight sail from Marco Island. Leaving in the evening and sailing overnight probably gave us a little cooler temperature.
After getting the boat to the dock we spent a few days getting her "summer naked". Sails, lines, dodgers, and all the extras came off. We made the short trip to the boatyard and of course got caught in a rain shower as she was being hoisted out. A little lightening slowed the process as we all took cover. She was moved to her spot and we then put the sun cover on. The process went pretty well despite the heat and humidity. Even though she is all prepped, let us hope there are no hurricanes in the area this year.
We will now have a land adventure. There are a couple friends to visit on our way. Then we will be spending time with our children and grandchildren this summer. The west and midwest calls. OK, so in reality the first mate here needs children and grandchildren fix.
Until the next adventure begins---------

ALMOST THERE

20 May 2016 | Port Charlotte, FL
Karen
We left Green Turtle Cay (sadly) and spent a couple of days crossing the banks and anchoring in a couple more cays. We wanted to enjoy all the beautiful water while we could. We positioned ourselves in West End and had a lovely crossing of the gulf on 5/13. We had to motor across which after the crossing we had getting to the Bahamas was OK with us. Twice we had little birds hitching a ride with us. I can't blame them. That is a long way for them to cross with no where to stop and rest.
Halfway across we put our note into the message bottle we had found earlier and sent it out into the sea. We are hoping the gulf stream will carry it somewhere interesting and some one will find it. Who knows. Only time will tell.
We arrived in Lake Worth and had a very quick check in over the phone for customs. Got to love the Local Boaters Option and the Float Plan.
We pressed on anchoring in Rodriquez Key, Marathon, Ponce de Leon and then stopping at a marina in Marco. Scouting reports let us know that our local lock is under going maintenance for the week and would be closed during the daylight hours. Oh, no. I night entry through the canal. Not that we have not done it before but that society of Nocturnal Canal Navigators is not always our favorite club. Other reports also exposed low water levels in the waterway. After much thought Satagraco will sit a little longer in Marco Island. We drove to the house and unloaded many items. Hopefully we will get rain in the area and raise the canal levels a couple inches. The big ships arrival is delayed a little.
We felt we had one of the best seasons sailing. We completely enjoyed the Abacos this winter and have already started working on plans to go back next winter. So many friends were made and stories shared.
In the meantime we will enjoy family this summer. Visiting with them and visiting with a few friends along the way.

HERITAGE FESTIVAL

09 May 2016 | Green Turtle Cay
Karen
Well we waited a little longer and enjoyed the Green Turtle Cay Heritage Festival. The event covered 3 days but we decided to go yesterday (Saturday). We were told it was the Big day. After riding our bicycles into town we joined the festivities. We found some lunch--grouper burgers and watched the Royal Bahamian Defense Force Marching Band. They were really good. Both men and women playing trumpets, trombones, clarinets, saxophones, piccolos and drums. They were very entertaining. Then came the May pole event. The young ladies wore costumes and did a nice job winding the ribbons around the pole. Then of course they recruited "volunteers" to join in. Certainly I tried. Decorating went well while they helped us but when we were on our own the project took on a different look. No organization with design but wrapped around the pole. We will leave it to those who practice and know what they are doing. It was a great community event with what seemed like everyone in town coming out.
Now we finish getting the boat ready to head back. A few projects today and we should be just about done. Many boats left today. Supposedly there should be good crossing weather all week. Let us hope they are correct. A nice crossing going back would be well appreciated.
Not excited about returning to some hot weather but our time in the islands has been wonderful. The adventure is not over yet. We have many days of sailing ahead us. Let us hope the canals are full, the lock is working and we have calm seas and delightful winds. Only in a perfect world. What awaits?

MESSAGE IN A BOTTLE

23 April 2016 | Green Turtle Cay
Karen
During one of our recent dingy trips to different beaches and coves we found a bottle with a message in it. How often does that happen? On a little spit of land not far from the end of Green Turtle Cay the Atlantic sits on one side and Gillium Bay is on the other. All kinds of items come ashore and can be found. Admitted most is junk and the stuff that falls off or is blown of ships but the message in the bottle has to have been our most interesting find. Thanks to Paul and his mismatched flip-flops he found to walk on the rocks he spied the bottle. I believe this was after he found the hard hat and crab pot bouy. We have tried to contact the sender but so far we have not heard back from them. The bottle was sent from Treasure Cay on Super Bowl Sunday. Not a huge distance but since it was found on the Atlantic side of the island we figure it left the Sea of Abaco, possibly around or through the Whale and ended up on the back side of No Name Cay.
Our plan is to put another message in the bottle and send it off as we are crossing the gulf stream on the way back to Florida. Hopefully we won't get caught for littering. Who knows if anyone will find it or better yet contact us.
Who knows what other treasures we can find.

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