Arrived in Puerto Rico

We left South Caicos on Saturday, May 24 in the early evening under good sailing conditions. The weather outlook was good for making it all the way to Puerto Rico, but we were prepared to stop in the Domenican Republic if the traditional Trade Winds kicked in. The wind was good, either with us for sailing or non existant so that at least we weren't motoring against it and we skipped Luperon, the mosst common first port of call after leaving the Turks and Caicos.

Two days later and the decision was do we head down to Samana in the DR, or keep trekking for Puerto Rico. The weather report was still favorable with the trade winds still down although it would involve motoring. We were still pretty far north of the DR and thought we would have a pretty good shot at getting to Puerto Rico if we kept going.

Three nights down and on our third day we skirted around a squall catching minimal rain. It had been a long time since we had had rain and the boat could really use a wash down. It got a little bit but we really did manage to avoid most of that squall.

Later that day as evening approached we got the weather report of some severe storms coming off the west coast of Puerto Rico heading north west, right on our track!! We started watching the storm cells on our radar to pick our best course to avoid the worst of it. We succeeded in getting rain without the major part of the system affecting us. it was nice to not only get the boat cleaned off, but I got a cool down with a shower myself. The rain lasted long enoughfor me to wash my hair and soap down good.

Just as the rain lightened up we got a strike on the yoyo (a type of hand fishing line.) Yeah!!! We finally caught a tuna, a bluefin at that! Through all the Mahimahi and mackerel we have caught over the last 2 years, This is what I have been waiting for!!

If we kept going at a reasonable pace we were going to arrive in Boqueron in the middle of the night. We slowed down to 1-2 knots arriving as dawn was breaking.

Anchoring on the Bank to Morgan's Bluff

We spent two nights anchoring on the bank after leaving Bimini. One of these was spent near a reef where we enjoyed some snorkeling. Michael spotted some Lionfish wic have begun making an appearance in te Bahamas.

Michael, Justin and Josie share a hot water shower once back on deck.

The next morning we pulled into Morgan's Bluff on Andros nd anchored in the harbor there. We met two other boats that were spending a couple of months anchored there for the diving and fishing on the reefs.

We enjoyed a couple of days swimming and taking short hikes, snorkeling and kayaking before the wind came around from the north west in near gale force. Of course the northwest is the one direction from which this harbor is not protected!!About 4:00 am our anchor began dragging. We were able to reset fairly quickly, but were not comfortable going back to sleep under such strong winds. We spent all that day taking turns on anchor watch while bouncing in te waves. We watched the trimaran, Starship, go into the small inner harbor around midday. Michael didn't think there would be enouh room for us to follow so we stayed put. As evening approached Cordonazo, a 65' ketch started there engine and we knew they were planning on moving. We raised both them and Starship on the radio. Cordonazo was going to tie up to the fuel dock and Starship said there would be room for us to come in also. We followed Cordonazo after they were secured and tied up to their boat just in time to watch the sunset.

The calm inside the little harbor after bouncing around in the wind and the waves was like night and day with the entance throug the jetties as the sunrise.

We look so tiny next to Cordonazo.

First sunrise after clearing into the Bahamas

After a month long wait for a weather window, we finally made it across to the Bahamas. Of course the weather was not precisely as predicted, being more east-northeast instead of south, but at least it wasn't real strong winds and the seas crossing the gulf stream weren't too bad. Of course wind on the nose made for a slow crossing. We did not get to the Bahama bank before dark so we anchored on the bank north of Bimini and waited until the next morning to go into North Bimini and clear customs.

We made one of our rare marina stays in Bimini and enjoyed the facilities there as well as the company of other cruises. They were all waiting for a window back to the States!

While in Bimini we visited the shark research facility in South Bimini. We got a close up look at some lemon sharks and nurse sharks. We also got the opportunity to play with a Bimini boa constrictor living at the facility.

Waiting for a weather window in Miami

Michael did a google search a few months ago to try to find Jared and Jason, Turns out Jason is in Miami managing the Standard hotel in South Beach. Michael connected with him in February and justin and Josie got to meet their older brother! We got to spend a little bit of time with him during the Miami boat Show which Michael and I were both working, (me for West Marine and Michael for the boat show.) Jason came up to Fort Lauderdale with one of his friends and sailed the boat with us to Miami at the end of February. The plan was to hang out with Jason for a week and then take the first weather window out to the Bahamas.
We are finding that south winds are few and far between this time of year. What windows we have had have been so short that we have not felt comfortable leaving. If the current weather holds we make make it to the Bahamas at the end of the week.
I know that we have not done a good job of updating the website and will try to do better from the Bahamas. I may also try to include some snaps from some of our favorite places which includes Maine, Cumberland Island, St. Augustine and many more.
We have met some really neat people that we hope to run into again and recannected with some cruisers we met the last time we were out.
So far this year has been a great year and we look forward to more to come.