25:43.25N 79:17.41W

 

April 1, 2014

 

After waiting for a nice day to cross the Gulf Stream we finally left.  The wait was a result of a front coming through that presented winds from the North.  North winds against the Gulf Stream current result in steep chop that is unpleasant to cross.

 

Of course the day before we were to depart we found the Port water tank sprung a leak at the top.  We kept adding water but iut was not filling up.  It was spilling into the bilge and the bilge pump was dutifully pumping it overboard.  Solved with a couple of wooden wedges between the floor rafters and top of the tank.

 

Then departing the next day we fueled up at Lauderdale Marina, easy fuel dock.  Calling ahead to the 17th Street Bridge to arrange an opening was no problem but when we needed full power the engine was fuel starved.  With some nervousness we passed under the bridge and once through switched fuel tanks and problem solved.  Appears to be related to the fuel filter maintenance performed earlier and the valve was not fully open on the starboard tank.

 

So finally after almost two year we were at sea again.  Our good friend John Balletto from the PSE&G employment days came along.  He was also with us on our maiden voyage in France when we bought the boat.  This trip was also the first real trip for our new dog Gibbs.  Gibbs had taken two trips from Fort Lauderdale to West Palm and return about the same length.  This time however we were going to an island outside the USA.

 

The crossing was calm, winds were good for the first half and we reached 10.5 knots under sail for a short time.  Mostly we were in the 6 - 8 knot range.  Then by mid day the winds dropped too low to make decent progress and make it to Bimini before custom and immigration closed.  So on with the motor and 8 knots toward out destination.

 

Entering the channel in Bimini was supposed to be simple.  All recent guides and notes said it was 9 - 10 feet deep.  Not true, we touched bottom as we entered at very low tide.  Not enough to stop us but enough to get your attention.  We had a reservation at Big Game Marina with hopefully deep enough water.  They answered the radio promptly and directed us to the berth.  No good touch bottom again.  So he selected another deeper berth and that was just deep enough for our deep keel.  Now we were in and filled out the customs and immigration forms with the agents and got our cruising permit.  Gibbs got his needed walk to land and got over his fear of walking on a dock that he could see water below through the gaps.  Nothing like a strong nature call to overcome fear.

 

Big Game marina was not crowded at all and the staff was very accommodating.  They have a nice restaurant on the upper deck with a great view of the sound.