Island Bound, Mon

Sailing to the Bahamas

We finally made it! We are in the Bahamas!  On Monday, November 21st after checking the weather we saw there was a good window for a night crossing from Lake Worth, Florida to Great Sale Cay. So we decided to go for it.  We moved “Little Lara” to the city docks at West Palm Beach where we had been anchored and filled the water tanks, deflated and stored the dinghy on the foredeck, rigged the safety jacklines, put on our life jackets and tethers, and pushed off making the 2:15 PM Flagler Bridge opening.  Our plan was to leave early enough that even if the waves in the Gulf Stream slowed our crossing, we would still make it to Great Sale Cay (pronounced “Key”) before sundown.

Our Route: Lake Worth to the Bahamas

By 3:00 PM we were motoring out the Lake Worth inlet in fairly calm seas and light winds from the northeast.  As predicted when we got into the Gulf Stream the waves were 3-4 feet with an occasional 5 feet, but they were not steep because the wind was only 5-10 knots.  It was fun sailing for about 6 hours when the wind died and we started the motor.  Just at dusk, Jay caught a 20 inch “Little Tunny” and filleted it by flashlight in a rolling cockpit.

Sunset Offshore -- West Palm Beach, Florida

During the night we enjoyed a beautiful clear sky with stars so bright you felt like you could reach up and touch them, plus a spectacular light show as several large meteors darted across the horizon. We each took three hour watches and were actually able to catch a bit of sleep in between since the waves weren't too uncomfortable.  Once we were well into the Gulf Stream, we dodged two cruise ships and two tankers.  The cruise ships look like moving cities with their brights lights lighting up the night skies.

We crossed the Bahama Banks just south of Memory Rock. It was no problem in the dark, but a little disconcerting when the waters shallowed up from 2,500 to 32 then 16 feet all within a distance of a half mile.  We had calms seas on the banks and made great time averaging 4.7 knots (5.4 mph) arriving at Great Sale Cay by noon. We joined one other boat in the anchorage, dropping the anchor in gorgeous turquoise waters. We celebrated our crossing by taking a much needed nap!

Anchored at Great Sale Cay
(note the clear turquoise colored waters)

We stayed several days at Great Sale Cay waiting for the winds to shift. Initially, we left for Spanish Cay on Thanksgiving Day, but after three hours of motoring into steep, confused seas we turned around and sailed back to our anchorage electing to postpone Thanksgiving until we could arrive at Spanish Cay and clear customs. The day after Thanksgiving we left much earlier to allow time to get to the marina before dark.  Along the way we found ourselves surrounded by a huge school of flying fish. They were splashing, jumping and flying as we raced one another eastward. It was thrilling even though we lost!  The most exciting moment was being welcomed to the Bahamas by our very efficient and helpful Customs lady at Spanish Cay.  We had officially arrived!

Its Official!

After getting Little Lara settled in her slip at the marina (we were the only boat there), we were admiring the myriads of fish swimming in the ultra clear waters around the pilings when we were amazed to see a huge manta ray lying on the sea floor and a small Black-tip shark swimming nearby.  At this point we decided against snorkeling at the nearby reef and sunken plane!  It was wonderful to get off the boat after four days, and walk along the powdery-white sandy beaches.  We stretched out under a tree to enjoy the warm sun and beautiful scenery… did we mention the temperature was in the lower-80's?  As we explored the rest of Spanish Cay we found that this private island also boasts condos for rent, an airstrip, a store, a restaurant, a swimming pool, a laundry, and best of all - hot showers!  The staff were all very friendly and exceptionally helpful. What a great place to celebrate Thanksgiving!

Little Lara in Spanish Cay Marina

Until next time, Fair Winds

All for Peanuts

We left Stuart, Florida on November 15th and headed south 42 miles for West Palm Beach.  Along the way we stopped at Hobe Sound, North Lake Worth and Peanut Island.  Peanut Island was created in 1918 with material dredged from the construction of the Lake Worth inlet.  It was named Peanut Island because there were plans to ship peanut oil from the Island. In 1930 congress authorized the building of a Coast Guard Station on the island.  The station officially opened in 1936 and subsequently closed in 

Peanut Island
Coast Guard Station

Entrance to
Presidential Bunker

1995. In 1961 a secret bunker was built to provide a shelter and command post for President John F Kennedy who frequently vacationed in Palm Beach with his family during the winter months.  We anchored off Peanut Island when we crossed over to the Bahamas in 2001.  At the time we had four of our six children with us (see the "Memories" post).  We did not go ashore because the island was still off limits. In 2003 the US Army Corp of Engineers had all nonnative vegetation removed and created a 30 acre wildlife habitat.  Then in 2005 the island was opened to the public as an eco-adventure county park.  There is no charge to visit the park, unless you want to tour the Coast Guard Station or Presidential Bunker.  

Peanut Island Lagoon

While we were there we hiked its 

Peanut Island Park

1.25 miles of trails; enjoying the lagoon with its diverse wildlife and colorful fish.  The Coast Guard Station was interesting with it many artifacts. The bunker on the other hand was built to be used by the President, his family and staff members in the event of a Cuban launched nuclear missile.  It could house up to thirty individual and contained enough food and water to sustain life for 30 days.  It was built in two weeks by Navy Seabees out of corrugated metal, lead and 12 feet of earth (cost: top secret).  The bunker itself is accessed through a steel reinforced door, then down a long metal tunnel.  At the end of the tunnel to the right is a generator of electricity and to the left is the decontamination room.

Presidential Bunker's Main Living Area

To access the living area you have to pass through the decontamination room.  The main living area has beds, chairs, food, water storage, restrooms and a desk for the President. Yet the bunker for the time period is very primitive. For example, there was no running water, sinks or flush toilets.  We felt fortunate that we were not required to live there, underground, for thirty days.  The bunker is 1500 square feet, and we thought "Little Lara" was small.  President Kennedy was never known to have used the facility, as it became obsolete with the end of the Cuban Missile Crisis.

President Kennedy's Desk and Chair

 

Until next time, fair winds

On the Water Again

Indiantown Marina

After visiting with our children and grandchildren in Utah and Idaho we flew to West Palm Beach, rented a car, and drove to Indiantown where we had left Little Lara during hurricane season.  As we drove up she looked pretty good, a little dirty but we were relieved to find no damage from hurricane Matthew.  Opening her up was another story.  There was mildew on every surface despite the "Damp Rid" we placed throughout the boat.  It took us several days of cleaning with vinegar and Lysol to get "Little Lara" back to normal.  The other disappointment was the varnish on the exterior teak had cracked and peeled at every joint.  So we spent several days sanding and varnishing. Now "Little Lara" is ready for another cruising season!

Little Lara on the Hard

We have to count our blessings...the little issues we have been working on these past few days have all been annoyances.  Our boat is sound, all the electrical systems are working well, the engine and the outboard motor are humming without a hiccup.

Little Lara going back into the water

The travel lift put her back in the water and it sure felt good to see her back in her natural environment.  We motored down the waterway to Stuart, enjoying beautiful weather the entire way.  

Mooring Field, Sunset Bay Marina

Folks at Sunset Bay Marina tell us that ever since hurricane Matthew came through the area, the weather has been absolutely beautiful.  So here we sit wearing shorts and T shirts, in 70 - 80 degree temperatures!  Jay is disappointed, however, because while we have been working on boat projects there was perfect crossing weather to Bahamas.  This week the weather window is closing and stormy weather, with north winds is in the forecast.  Perhaps it is time to head south for the Florida Keys instead.  We will see. Until then,

Fair Winds

Little Lara on a mooring ball
at Sunset Marina