23 February 2020 | Port of Spain, Trinidad
23 February 2020 | Port of Spain, Trinidad
23 February 2020 | Port of Spain, Trinidad
23 February 2020 | Port of Spain, Trinidad
23 February 2020 | Port of Spain, Trinidad
23 February 2020 | Port of Spain, Trinidad
23 February 2020 | Port of Spain, Trinidad
23 February 2020 | Port of Spain, Trinidad
22 February 2020 | Port of Spain, Trinidad
22 February 2020 | Port of Spain, Trinidad
22 February 2020 | Port of Spain, Trinidad
22 February 2020 | Port of Spain, Trinidad
22 February 2020 | Port of Spain, Trinidad
22 February 2020 | Port of Spain, Trinidad
22 February 2020 | Port of Spain, Trinidad
22 February 2020 | Port of Spain, Trinidad
21 February 2020 | Chaugaramous, Trinidad
Turn Around....
25 March 2024 | Bimini back to Marathon
Barry Bartholomew | Everything!
Hola!
We've had a fun visit to Bimini, entrance gate of the Bahamas's and explored the island from one end to the other. Had good meals, met neat people and enjoy the beautiful watercolors. Every shade of blue and greens one can imagine. A couple special treats were meeting Nate the Baker and experiencing his wonderful cinnamon/coconut rolls. Also having a couple of street venders make fresh conch salad for us to enjoy on the beach.
Fresh news, we have made the decision that it's time to turn around and start back towards Florida and Port Charlotte culminating this season's voyage. SeaSwift's new berth on the hard at Charlotte Boat Storage.
Unfortunately, challenge's getting the boat ready for this adventure caused delays that have caught up with us from a time standpoint. Originally, we had hoped to get underway in January and didn't get going until the first week in March.
A more important thing to us is the weather has been a challenge being an EL NINO year has really added an element to the fun. Some far we been thru 2 serious thunder and lightning storms and a Tornado watch. I might add that waiting for weather windows caused further delay. Frankly I have not seen the weather this consistently inconsistent for Florida and the Bahama's?
We are now anchored back in Marathon. We made a run to town for groceries and boat parts yesterday. Last night we made a seafood fettuccine with lobster and giant shrimp! Outstanding!!
Tonight it's dinner reservations for town, More lobsta for Terrie! We gotta catch up with our quota!!
Looks like the next window to head for Key West is Wednesday. Should be a good down wind sail. Well that's all for now, all is good!
Miss Terrie and the Pirate B
aboard sv SeaSwift
Hola Gringos!
17 March 2024 | Marathon, Boot Key Harbor, FL
Barry Bartholomew | 82 n Sunny, light SE wind
HOLA!
Up early and preparing for the next leg. Crossing to Bimini, Bahamas. It's approximately 132 miles across the Florida Straits.
Appears to be another motor sail as the wind has been coming from the direction we want to go for a week now.
Had a good time in Marathon, Boot Key harbor. listened to some good music and had some great food. At the "Counch Cafe" Terrie feasted on Counch and Lobster...learned once again I should order what she orders!
Had a great sail across the Gulf Stream. With the current heading our way, we reached of over 9 kts and arrived at Bimini entrance 6 hours earlier than expected! We waited until daylight before trying the cut. We wound up a little late waiting to make the entrance which has a shallow bar to cross over.
So we bumped the bottom a few times getting over it! ...not to worry these bars are all sand so no possible damage to the bottom of the keel. A little free bottom cleaning. Others call it sailing by braile......lol
We got in just fine and headed for the Big Game Marina to check in with Cico.
All is good,
T & B
sv SeaSwift
Marathon, Boot Key Harbor
12 March 2024 | Marathon, FL
Barry Bartholomew | 80 and sun, minor clouds
Hola Amigos!
Had a favorable window so headed east to the next stopping point, Marathon at Boot Key Harbor.
This a very cruiser-oriented harbor often a gathering place for east and west bound cruisers. Those heading east to Miami, up the east coast of Florida or to the Bahama's.
Those moving west are typically going to Key West, The Dry Tortuga's, anywhere in Mexico or up the west coast of Florida.
The wind was directly on our stern the entire way. We began with just the mainsail up to augment motoring, when it became ineffective, we dropped and put its cover on. Then raised the headsail to aid in being pushed along by the wind.
After dodging crab pots for 250 miles, we finally found one we really liked! So, we hit it! Nah, just kiddin', we didn't like it that much........ but it did pop up out of nowhere and we both saw it too late as it went under the boat at the last second. heard a good THUMP and watched for the float to pop back up. It did, however the float did receive a slight haircut! About a third of the ball was missing and new styro-foam was exposed.
The first day at anchorage, yesterday, was blowing 15 to 20 in the bay so I did not choose to dive on the propeller to assess the damage. Didn't know what to expect because there was no vibration? Right about the time it happened it seemed like we lost about 20% of our boat speed.
Today was the day to look see! The wind was down and the water fairly clear with no current. Time to get wet and dive on the boat!
Amazingly there "0" damage to the propeller!!!
Not a mark!!! Thinking it through we surmised that slowdown was from the gap in the Keys we had just come upon which allowed current from the north to slow the boat down. Also, the boat design has the prop in an aperture (a hole) between the sked and the rudder. Thus, it is pretty well surrounded and protected.
Funny me, had the repair all figured out, where to get it straightened and additional parts and so on and so forth. None of that needed. I did learn that one of the largest and most respected Propeller repair companies is in Marathon, Florida! Jot that down for future reference...
Terrrie has been under the weather for the past 24 hours and is now feeling pretty good, so we are going to dinghy to town shortly and see what's going on there. Of course, there's always a few things to pick up...... plus, we need to find a laundry.
So long for now!
Miss T and Me
on sv SeaSwift