A Big Move Today!

 Not.

 We moved from the Port Lucaya Marina over to the Grand Bahama Yacht Club. While the Port Lucaya Marina is right in the center of activity for the area, we get a better rate here so in the interest of saving some dollars we moved over. It was extremely convenient to stay there a couple of days to take care of fueling and checking in, but after that, moving over to Grand Bahama is a good deal. If you look at the GPS track I loaded you will see exactly where we are and it's a great spot. Bow in with a bit of a view off the aft deck where we can have dinner in privacy.

 By the way they have a fabulous swimming pool here, the WIFI seems a bit more stable, and we don't have all the arrogance of a Megayacht running its generator all the time to save dollars over the locally billed electricity rate.

 But we will miss the restaurants the locals hang out in at Port Lucaya while over there. Agave, was terrific place for a beverage and food. It was a Latin inspired fusion sort of place and the food was terrific. While we only had a couple of appetizers they were excellent. The calamari was tender and well spiced as was the shrimp bruscetta. Their margaritas were very good also and I recommend their Golden Cadillac. Since it was happy hour they were half price and well worth the expense.
 The real loss at hands of the economy at the Port of Lucaya was Jade. They did excellent sushi and rolls. Alas, they are also gone now another sign of the times.

 Anyway here we will remain until what looks like Sunday when the tide and winds align to allow us a good traversal of Dover Sound. The North end of the Grand Lucayan Waterway is not to be taken lightly. Anyone with expensive running gear (most boats) will want to ensure that if they pull 4 feet of water, they had better time their arrival for a rising tide or at least high tide. Given all of the work we invested in this past stay at Indiantown we are hesitant to risk it even having passed through that area at mid-tide.

 It isn't all that bad though. I've added some photos to the bucket outlining what happens here once in a while. It seems they had some photo work to do down here. Someone rented a boat and said if you want photos of this girl you will have to pay. Believe me, who ever sponsored this shoot paid. And big time. And they got ripped off. Up close she wasn't all that much to look at.

 Stay tuned, we'll be on the move again soon enough.

http://s252.photobucket.com/albums/hh40/danno53/Boating%202010-2011/

Gulf Stream crossing, you're doing it wrong.

 As part of the preparation for the Gulf Stream crossing we regularly checked the weather looking for a break that included low sea height projections from a few sources. While they might all use the same data or models, some have a person look it over and add the human spin to it. The forecast for Saturday November 27 was very good. All sources agreed that the waves would not be significant, the period of time in between the waves would gradually grow to about 10 seconds, and that there was only a 20 percent chance of showers. With that news we spent quite a bit of time the night before making sure we had everything locked down, stowed and accounted for. The ditch bag was loaded a bit more than usual, the PLB was secured as well as the dink, and bolt cutters were made available in case we had to drop the dink in a hurry.

 We planned our departure from the dock at the municipal marina by the 3rd avenue bridge for about 6:00 AM. This would put as at the inlet after the arrival of the cruise ships in Port Everglades (Ft. Lauderdale, Fl). This information is available on the web at http://www.porteverglades.net/cruising/arriving-and-departing/ on one of their radio buttons. They were all supposed to be docked by 6:00 AM. However our arrival at the inlet was greeted by the Carnival Miracle. Out in front was the Homeland Security inspired escort. Note the boats out in front of us are just off the shore of the inlet considering when it will be safe to sneak past the transom and get to the serious business of fishing. Everyone is obliged by law to keep about 100 yards off of these ships. We waited with them and after about 10 minutes of idling we all left the inlet.

 Getting outside we were greeted by an accurate forecast. It was even better than we had hoped. The water was calm and we were making about 9 knots on our course made good for West End. We were surprised that there were not many folks out fishing, perhaps they were home sweating off the holiday. But they were out there and we could hear reports of some good luck on VHF 68. 

 Eventually we hit the Gulf Stream and the water color shifted to an appealing blue. Our speed over the ground picked up as the stream current swept us North towards West End. We were now making 11 knots over the ground. Life is good we thought since this meant we would be arriving earlier than we planned, something like 1:15 PM.

 But we started seeing some ominous clouds. After checking WxWorx radar we noted that some of them had some very active centers. There were cells that had the peak color for reflectivity. Knowing people that were in Lucaya last March when the Tornadoes hit we were concerned and steered North for a while to avoid them. This put us on a course away from West End and everything else including what appeared to be all of the storm cells. We watched this for a while hoping that the cells would dissipate since many had already. But that was not to be as eventually we saw the first of many water spouts. Fortunately it was about 12 miles off the bow (click on the photo it will be easier to see). This got our attention in a hurry since no one wants to get hit by one of these things and the clouds started to line up behind us on a course to West End. That is to say, they were going to line the course we needed to follow to our destination. Because we had tried to go North for a while (see the GPS track) we now had a line of storm cells developing behind us and to the South West as well as a line going to West End. We were boxed out of West End and Florida was looking like where we should go. This is happening in the middle of the Gulf Stream. Better than half way across.

 By this time I had tuned the radar to spot the water spouts and it was doing a good job of letting us know where they were forming. We continued North hoping the cells would dissipate but in a while one started forming right over us. I asked Deb to look up and behind us but there was nothing there. Thinking this was an anomaly I continued on with a wary eye on the radar. Then the blob on the screen started growing, and that was when I said to myself, later for this, and pulled a donut in the Gulf Stream. This is quite visible on the track as well. What I did was swing around and look for a break in the clouds. Once at the break we cut under them and got on the East side of the freight train.

 Sure enough not long after we left that area a spout dropped down making us glad we left that spot but wondering what else was in store for us. And there was more. The show started to intensify and spouts started dropping in a line to the North of us, following the cloud line. We were now only 6 miles off of the line and some of the spouts were quite threatening. We were clearly able to see the water spray up at their bases and how they changed color when they touched down. We supposed they got darker with all of the water they ingested.

 With the cat and mouse game in full play we tried steering a course that put us towards Grand Bahama in between West End and Lucaya. Every now and then things started to improve and we were actually within 10 miles of West End. We kept poking towards West End until the "BOW Echo" came on the radar screen. Those are associated with severe Tornadic activity. This put us on course to Lucaya with all possible speed of about 17.5 knots in a beam sea of about 2-4 and a period of about 4 seconds.

 Farque'

 And by the way, to our "pleasant" surprise another squall line developed to the South of us moving North and this was headed for Lucaya. Fortunately this only indicated rain and gusty winds, with no bright echos within it. Freedom had the salt washed off her before we tied up at the dock.

 We pulled into the Port Lucaya Marina, and to our advantage they fueled us up while we filled out all of the required immigration and customs forms. Happily they granted us the full 6 months as opposed to the 3 months others were seeing at other stations. Filling out the marina guest information and turning that in was all that was left of a long day. Instead of something like 73 nautical miles on the water, or 86 nm to Lucaya directly, we wound up putting in 100 nm screwing around in the Gulf Stream. It's not all bad, because in spite of all of the heavy handed throttling, we still wound up with 1nm/gallon. Even though we like almost 2, 1nm/gal under the circumstances was well received. 

 In retrospect, I'm wishing I had taken some more photos of the spouts. Even some video. But we were too occupied with where we were, where we were going, the water, the gauges, the radar, the plotter, and WxWorx to relax enough. The first one we saw was cool. It was 12 miles away, and we thought it was a loner. Wow, were we wrong. When the large one showed up 5 miles off our port side with all of the spray at the base, we were more interested in making tracks instead of watching it. 

 So here we are, and we are safe thank you, pondering what the next batch of forecast data has in store for us. We still have to make our way around the North side of the Bank to the Abacos. Given all of the issues launching the boat and waiting on weather it looks like we will skip over Guana Cay until March so we can be on Elbow for the holidays.

   

No it's not broken down.

 I've loaded a video of a tow on Facebook: Tow in progress Sorry this is on Facebook but I didn't want to upload it twice. Next time I'll load to Youtube.



 These photos ought to provide enough insight regarding navigation on the New River. Here we see a generic Mega Yacht being towed up the New River. When they pass by us they are quite close at perhaps 10 yards or so. And they are moving right along with a tow on the bow and one on the stern. Note the stern tow is facing away and being pulled backwards. 

 When traveling up the river everyone is obliged to be listening on VHF Channel 9, since the tow operators will announce their position and what they are up to. It's good to know about these movements because it is very narrow on the New River in many sections. And that is why the mega yachts have tows to get them up and down the river.  

 But it doesn't have to be a mega yacht to fill up the New River in a hurry. There's always the African, oops, Jungle Queen going up and down the river with tours. Last year we had the distinct pleasure of meeting up with this boat at the weary hour of 5 AM. We were departing for the Bahamas early in the morning so we could make Lucaya before sunset. Just as I managed to leave the other side and get Freedom swung perpendicular to the current, here comes the Queen (no saving graces were said or heard) around this corner. It stopped maybe 10 yards off our port side and then started to dart back and forth as though he was in a hurry to keep going. But the bridge wasn't open so we danced a bit with the Queen until she decided I needed some room to finish the turn and get out of her way.

 And that we did

Up the New River

 We wanted to economize a bit so we moved up the New River to the Ft. Lauderdale Municiple Marina which occupies quite a bit of the river front from downstream of the 3rd Avenue bridge to upstream beyond the Andrews Avenue bridge. If you look at the webcam you will see our transom faces the third avenue bridge.
 Looking at the GPS track one can see there is a confused path up between the bridges. We reserved in advance and were assigned spot #31. The attendant told us it was between the bridges. When we arrived we went between the bridges which required the 3rd avenue bridge to open. This bridge gets a huge amount of river traffic requiring openings. Anyway once inbetween the bridges with the 3rd avenue bridge closing we spoke with the marina and the spot was on the down stream side.
 Being in current in a tight area with traffic is not exactly a relaxing situation. Especially since an 80 footer had to squeeze by us while I was on the phone with the marina. Learning where we were supposed to be, I asked the bridge to open again and since timing is everything, we had the tide running and a string of emergency vehicles that had to cross the bridge before it could re-open.  

 Swell.

 Once downstream of the bridge again we find that someone is in the spot we were assigned. Talking on the phone with the marina once more we worked out another spot just down stream of the bridge and turned around once more. In the middle of our turning around the bridge opens and sure enough the Jungle Queen is coming at us blowing her whistle to let us know down stream vessels have the right of way. Like I didn't know it. I managed to get Freedom swung around and on the wall just as the Jungle Queen floated by.

 We've had better boating experiences. At least the marital issues that can creep into special times like this didn't invade the situation.

 But we're in and tied up and safe. A whopping 3.6 nm on the GPS today. I'll update this entry with a couple of photos including a shot of the Jungle Queen to add some perspective to the story. Perhaps sometime I'll have a wifi hotspot that allows folks to point the webcam and look at video. Adding to the fun on the day the generator refused to put water over the side so I'll be in the bilge trying to square that away. It's a good thing we always check for water when starting engines, the generator or the airconditioning. Especially in this case since it is a water cooled exhaust. It sounded louder than usual to me and the proof was no water going over the side.

Ft. Lauderdale on the ICW and the wait for a crossing begins

 Yesterday we moved the boat down to Ft. Lauderdale from North Palm Beach with the hope of getting into a geography that supports a more comfortable Gulf Stream crossing. Last year we learned that the wave heights taper off since more of the coast of Florida is sheltered by the Bahama bank. In other words, more of the Gulf Stream is protected by the bank the more South we move the boat.

 We were wishing we moved the boat down on Monday to capitalize on the Wednesday through Thursday weather window but there is no need to rush and this way we have a better handle on the boat and what it needs. As we settle into a rhythm and develop more confidence we have the boat issues resolved the peace of mind goes up supporting confidence in the Gulf Stream crossing. Looking out at the stream over the palm trees one has to wonder why we sat here in Ft. Lauderdale.

 So did we miss a window or avoid a train wreck?  Both. We could have crossed over today and made Bimini easily. We probably could have made Lucaya or West End as well. But considering the outlook towards the end of the day and a forecast that was shifting in a negative direction we elected to sit here in Ft. Lauderdale until the next window. Given the notion that the word "probably" entered the scenario, we bailed out. Over the last couple of years we have had weather windows slam down on us and the last thing we need is to have one come down on us when we are in the Gulf Stream. So we'll hope for a window that offers us a cushion of fair weather after our planned crossing. It's always better to leave some room in the itinerary for unexpected events.

 This is not a bad thing because we can focus on more preparations while we enjoy the sites and sounds of Ft. Lauderdale. There are much worse places to be stuck waiting for weather to improve. The area offers many places to dine, as well as a long clean beach to walk. Early in the morning there aren't so many folks on the walks but this is a far cry from the emptiness of the Bahamas and the peace that brings. No honking horns, or crowds to deal with. Since the Gulf Stream doesn't look as though it's going to settle down for a while we will be moving up the New River and closer to shops of necessity instead of curio shops.

Getting her ready and the trip to Lake Worth

 I know.

 It's been a while since I wrote about our progress. We've finally had some break throughs enabling Freedom to move on. It seems like we were in and out of the water 4 times before the shafts were finally straight enough to run with. Each lift is no small task and very stressful. To put it into perspective, think about someone coming along with a crane and lifting up your house every few days. Anyway after letting Freedom rest in the water subsequent to the last launching the dial indicator told us there was virtually zero run out at a point about 1 foot from the hull exit point. Finally, no drunken drive shafts wobbling through the hull.

 I have to hand it to the folks here at Indiantown.

 They took a loss for the sake of dignity at the expense of the shop that was working on our prop shafts. We are very happy with the folks here.

 So we took her out and ran her up. The Detroits screemed like 426 CID two stroke diesels do, and we plowed along at about 19 knots. It's not fast but that's good speed considering Freedom weighs in at 20 tons, we have plenty of the stores aboard, and a full load of fuel. I was surprised she wound up that fast. But in keeping with our luck up to that point the port engine sprang a fuel leak. Since this was a trial run for the work we had done the mechanics were aboard. After we turned around he ran up to let me know there was antifreeze everywhere on the port engine.

 Insert expletive. "Farque" works for me.

 I asked where the leak was and he said the aft most part on the inside of the engine. I said that isn't antifreeze and he said it was. He asked if we used the pink antifreeze and I said yes, but there is no way there is AF coming out of the engine there. So I went to the bilge and sure enough it was diesel. It's pink like antifreeze but easily differentiated from AF. Before leaving the helm to Deb I had throttled back so by this point the leak subsided. He indicated it was a cooler, and subsequently I pulled it out and had a look because it was soaked with diesel. It was NTF proven by a pressure test that was not required IMHO. My next guess turned out to be the correct assessment of where the fuel was coming from. It was a fuel pressure activated switch that turns on the engine hour meters and other trivia. Once replaced the leak was resolved and subsequently verified by throttling up Freedom at the dock in neutral. 

 With a sigh of relief since this was only 35 bucks and sweat equity to resolve we kicked back for the Saturday evening marina sponsored BBQ. It's a great time where the marina kicks in a main course and everyone in attendance brings a side and their own beverages. Lately everyone needs to relax because many of us here have been slogging through some major repairs. After eating, a married couple brought up their guitar and organ from their boat and began to play. They have done this for several weeks here and they are pleasant folk fun to listen to and be around.  

 But we heard yet another rendition of "Hotel California" that they like to play for the crowd at the marina. After hearing some of the repair stories people were going through we began to associate their singing of "Hotel California" with the plight of many of the boaters here. You know the lyrics "you can check out but you can never leave?". Many people were waiting on new engines, insurance claims and other issues. Every time they played that song it started to ring home adding to the incentive to move on.

 In spite of the dull drums this maintenance has driven home we were in Stuart on Saturday to visit West Marine on US 1. It happens to be relatively close to the airport where they happened to have an air show running this past weekend. It wasn't a very large show but it managed to draw an Airforce contingency that included an F-16, an F-18 , various transports, and private stunt planes as well as crowds. We pulled into the parking lot at West Marine and to our surprise we had a great viewing of an F-18 pulling slow passes, full after burner ballistic shots, and 85 degree banked atmosphere shredding passes that went right overhead. We could clearly see the air condensing over the wings as it passed about 300 feet overhead totally banked pulling "G"s. I saluted the pilot and I could clearly see the helmet that's how close it was to us.

 It scared the heck out of Debbie it was that loud but wow, was that cool. I wish I had the camera. Dang.

 And today we moved on. Finally. Freedom behaved within expectations and brought us to Lake Worth and the North Palm Beach Marina. Along the way we were met by two exceptional AH's. One plowed along right at us and refused to back down. It was a good rocking. Then there was the bimbo driving her boat right at us with her leg hanging over the side. Yes, she was alone in the boat. If she fell in, it was going to get ugly. Given we know several people that have fallen out of a running boat left unattended, she had us concerned. We're unsure what her agenda is but some might think she was advertising.

 I've created a new link off of the blog to the latest GPS data called "The 2010-2011 Voyage". It will contain the Google Earth compatible tracks so the trip can be reviewed. Depending on how you set up the tour play options it can be interesting. Particularly when reviewed from a higher altitude so you can see the properties that are along the ICW.

 Some people know how to live. We do ok, but some people REALLY know how to live.

 The first photo is Jupiter inlet. It looks placid enough but they are saying the Gulf Stream is still running high seas and it starts about 4 miles off shore lately.

I think I'd rather see dolphins next to Freedom

 Today we had Freedom hauled yet again. So far this commissioning has to be the worst we've ever experienced. Freedom has been lifted and re blocked in the work area, lifted and launched, hauled and blocked and launched, hauled inspected and launched, hauled and blocked and launched, and we anticipate this will happen one more time tomorrow.
 See something missing in the photo? In between all of the hauling, blocking, and launching etc., both sets of running gear found their way to a propeller shop. Today we removed some of this reworked hardware and brought it back in so the owner of the propeller shop could review the work.

 It did not go well. He was certain we would find the shaft was true, but much to his dismay that was not the case. I was able to observe some of the measurements. As they approached the problem area the dial indicator moved quite a bit and I looked at the owner, the team leader for the marina, and said, I think we are out of here now. That was as if to say we know where the issue is, the shaft is still bent.

 Not too much time went by before I heard the owner screaming at the employee. Right about that time I told the marina's team leader it was time for us to leave. Since Freedom had been re floated with a stub shaft installed we had a place to run to. If you click on the photo of Freedom you will see the bright spot at the back end of the intermediate strut. That's the end of the stub shaft we are using to keep Freedom afloat while the real shaft is repaired.

 While we were moving about taking care of the re floating details left unattended to while we went to the shop, a bit of company swam up to the side of Freedom.

 Ali was in town. Real stealthy. Not even a ripple in the water when it moved. Real peaceful looking as it slithered by. Unless you were looking for it it probably would have gone by with us thinking it was a log in the water.

 Hopefully we keep floating.

Another turn of the wheel.....

 All of the Kings Men have fallen on their faces. After pulling shafts, props, and couplings for all of the running gear, reworking it, and then reinstalling it, the same problem exists. I didn't even need to sea trial the boat to spot it and flag it again.

 So Monday we get hauled again and they go to work. If we are lucky someone will find out what is happening here.

 With that, I'm going in. LATER!