Jun 2006

Mike: We're just about to depart from the Turtle Cove Marina. We're waiting for the tide to rise since we bottomed in the sand in the channel coming in yesterday. We'll be skipping Mayaguana and Plana Cay and shoot straight for Acklins. This'll be an overnight sail of about 115nm. We'll be south of Mayaguana, cut up between it and Plana and then head for the northern part of Acklins. So far, the weather's been just about perfect for all our passages. Anyway, by going to Acklins direct, we'll have two extra days to play elsewhere in the Bahamas - Clarencetown or maybe Georgetown.

Some of you noticed that the dates appear to be wrong. We've now found that when we post from the boat via satellite while underway, the posting appears up to a day or more later on the blog. So, we'll start putting dates at the top as well as part of the posting. Next time we get high speed access, we'll be posting more pics.

The boat's been reprovisioned now and we're ready... come on tide!

Mike: We're here! I'd post some pictures, but the internet connection just isn't allowing it.

Last night was the first time that the winds pretty much died altogether, so we ended up motoring the final 60nm throughout the night. Amazingly calm out on the Atlantic. We arrived this morning at about 8:30am at Caicos' Sellars Cut entrance through the reef that's all along the north shore of Providenciales which locally known as Provo. Being unfamiliar with the entrance, we took the guide book's suggestion and called for an escort to guide us in to the Turtle Cove Marina complex. We touched bottom in the actual entrance to the marina even though the guide book and escort indicated that there would be 7' MLW. After clearing customs, we fuelled and watered the boat, scrubbed the salt off and tucked her into a piling slip. Bill and Brian headed off for sight seeing while Alison and I lounged by the resort pool, sipping on cold ones and working on gettin' our land legs back. After all, we'd been to sea and out of sight of land now since Sunday.

If I'm not mistaking, the Turks & Caicos were at one time being considered as an addition to Canada. Wonder whatever happened to that? Too bad it didn't happen, 'cause the construction here is going strong. Prices for property is unbelievable. The island is very picturesque and Alison and I can see coming back for a holiday.

Tomorrow we'll be heading off again and maybe doing a jump all the way to an anchorage (Atwood Harbour) on the northern end of Acklins Island in the Bahamas. This would be an overnight passage.

Mike: It's Tuesday. We've now been at sea for over two full days. The boat's systems and crew are working well together. We've broken up the night into three watches of three hours each: 9pm-12am, 12am-3am and 3am-6am. The rest of the day is covered by whoever is topside and wants to.

There's nothing out here: no ships or other boats passing us by today. We feel truly alone. Only the automated voice from the San Juan weather office reminds us that we are not alone. Although we have an HF receiver set aboard, we haven't turned it on. Really no need since we're having a great time in stable weather. And just when you think it can't get any better... DOLPHINS! Must have been about 20 of 'em. Frolicking in the bow wave. I'd read somewhere that this was supposed to be a sign of good luck or a safe passage. We don't know, but they added to the whole trip.

For those interested: We did 142.5nm in the past 24 hour period which means that we averaged about 6kts. Our current position is now over 100nm off the northern coast of the Dominican Republic on a course of 305M bound for Provo in the Caicos. Our actual position is N20°45.76, W068°40.3. Current conditions are seas <4' and winds about 10kts. We want to make landfall at 9am on Thursday, so have reduced speed to around 5kts so that we'll make the landfall after first light in the morning.

Mike: We cast off the dock lines at 3pm yesterday and sailed west along the south shore of Tortola and deaked through Thatch Cut to our starting waypoint. Winds were from the south east at about 10 knots with seas 1 foot or less giving us a smooth ride. The 3/4 moon set just before 2am leaving an inky blackness that was punctuated by countless stars in the sky and phosphorescence in our wake.

Everything on the boat is operating smoothly. The engine purrs. The rigging is sturdy. The boat is sound. We've downloaded the weather forecasts and GRIB weather overlays for the chartplotter via our sat link and what we see is pretty much what we'll have for the coming days.

Today we flew the new spinnaker for several hours. This was after about an hour of setting it up. Darn if I didn't get the various lines all interfering with each other. Thank goodness for Bill and Brian who helped and showed the error of my ways. It was great, just set it and forget it. Our current position as of 6pm today is N19°27.18, W066°41.30, about 60nm north of the eastern end Puerto Rico.

• Note the flag... Haarrr!!!

This evening Bill fixed up a chicken and rice dish on the barby that just couldn't be beat. Does life get any better?

Bill: Brian and I stood the 12am to 3am and 3am to 6am watches respectively. Our only sighting all night was a cruise ship going by off on the horizon in the middle of the night. During the day, the only ship we saw was a container ship. We'll now be starting our second day at sea and have travelled 120 nautical miles and still have about 300 to go to the Turks. Winds are 10-15kts, seas are running about 8ft. We are certainly having too much fun. I for sure want to sail my boat down here. Was there ever any doubt?

Alison: Today, the plan was to head up to North Sound, Virgin Gorda and get ourselves prepared for the 3-4 day sail to the Turks and Caicos. Unfortunatley, our electric windlass decided not to cooperate when we were ready to haul up anchor at Marina Cay. Brian and Mike's muscles were put to the test as we had to manually haul up the anchor. We did continue on our way to North Sound, where marine maintenance is available at the Bitter End Yacht Club. We had a great sail up, past the Dogs and into the Sound.

At the Bitter End, we hailed the marine technician who dingyed out to our boat to check out the windlass. After a couple of hours (and a couple of hits on the windlass with our hammer), the technician did get the windlass working, but not realiably. We have decided that we'll go back to Road Town tomorrow to get the necessary parts replaced on the windlass and then head off for the Turks and Caicos mid-afternoon.

We spent the rest of the day here starting to get the boat ready for the passage (putting on the jacklines, checking the harnesses, working out the course), and a little snorkelling where Bill and Brian saw lots of conch and a shark.

After drinks on board, Saba Rock enticed us for more drinks, dinner, and more drinks. Ohhh-haa, and free internet access.

We couldn't resist getting our picture taking with the pirate welcoming us ashore!

The Kids are Worn Out By 9:30pm