Hey everybody! Bahamas trip part one is up... sorry it's so short, there's just not much internet access here. We'll be back to St. Augustine this week... and will try to post more then... enjoy!
- Status
Always enjoy your photo journals
Your adventures and ingenuity are always fun to see. With all that you've done to that boat I can't believe you couldn't sew the sail in the V-berth or cockpit (on solar power)! Just kidding, Better luck on the BASNEV (Brian and Steph's Next Epic Voyage
Your adventures and ingenuity are always fun to see. With all that you've done to that boat I can't believe you couldn't sew the sail in the V-berth or cockpit (on solar power)! Just kidding, Better luck on the BASNEV (Brian and Steph's Next Epic Voyage
Enjoying as always
You guys are great. Stories, pictures and the adventure. Thanks for sharing. I look forward to part two. Bob sv Kathryn, Stamford, Ct
You guys are great. Stories, pictures and the adventure. Thanks for sharing. I look forward to part two. Bob sv Kathryn, Stamford, Ct
Can't wait for the next installment
Would like to do this same trip in our 29.5!! Where did you locate the fuel/water jug covers? Would like to get some on those.
Would like to do this same trip in our 29.5!! Where did you locate the fuel/water jug covers? Would like to get some on those.
Showroom condition 25.5
That boat looks like brand new! Now Brian..... whats up with the sails coming unstitched. That just doesn't sound like the detail cruising guy we've all grown to admire. I suspect you got anxious and thats understandable. Hey, I guess it wouldn't be a sailing adventure if something unexpected didn't happen(or 10 things at once). To the Abacos with a late start you had bit off a lot by bucking the gulfstream and a headwind from St Augustine with a sick cat and shredding sails. I'm sure the 2nd try from further south went better. Lookin' at your boat I'm always amazed at the attention to detail, theres some cool idea I have to do to mine in every shot. Glad you got there had fun and returned safe. We'll certainly look forward to the commentary and pics. Congrats on the June Cruising World mention too. Where to next? Michael and Kelli
That boat looks like brand new! Now Brian..... whats up with the sails coming unstitched. That just doesn't sound like the detail cruising guy we've all grown to admire. I suspect you got anxious and thats understandable. Hey, I guess it wouldn't be a sailing adventure if something unexpected didn't happen(or 10 things at once). To the Abacos with a late start you had bit off a lot by bucking the gulfstream and a headwind from St Augustine with a sick cat and shredding sails. I'm sure the 2nd try from further south went better. Lookin' at your boat I'm always amazed at the attention to detail, theres some cool idea I have to do to mine in every shot. Glad you got there had fun and returned safe. We'll certainly look forward to the commentary and pics. Congrats on the June Cruising World mention too. Where to next? Michael and Kelli
Hi there...
Enjoying your adventure...Are you both from St. Augustine? Do you need a place to keep your boat for a week or so? My wife and I are less than two ours South and have an extra dock you are welcome to use.
Enjoying your adventure...Are you both from St. Augustine? Do you need a place to keep your boat for a week or so? My wife and I are less than two ours South and have an extra dock you are welcome to use.
Great Log of First Attempt
One thing for sure, it's really easy to get pumped-up for a trip and what you went through on the first attempt is similar to some of the experiences we've had. In a way, it makes the second attempt much more rewarding. In flying they say that "trouble comes in bunches" and that's something to watch out for because that's how accidents are made. You mentioned about being without sleep and the stiching on the jib was coming apart - those are two "troubles" right there, and then with the added rough sea state and sailing conditions you didn't need much more before the cumulative effect would have added up. I remember one time we tried to cross Queen Charlotte Sound and the forcasted westerly never materialized. The problem is the distance was so great that to motor it would have burned up a lot of our fuel so, that plus the large swells that came from two directions that gave the boat a sickening motion, I decided to turn around and go back. That decision meant that we'd arrive at the closest "anchorage" in Fitzhugh Sound (just a slight indent in the coastline around the inside of Cape Calvert, one that was exposed to SW winds, however, but with the NW winds it was okay). We'd arrive sometime around 11 PM in the dark with no moon but there was a navigation light fairly close by (not for visability but to help with location). Anyway, after turning around, on the way back, the wind started to pick up out of the W-NW which provided a broad reach, the formerly glassy surface changed fairly quickly to white caps and it wasn't long before we were running at over hull speed. At this point we were really glad we made the right decision to turn around - but the night was still young! Navigating to avoid the various charted rocks we finally rounded Cape Calvert and entered Fitzhugh Sound where the waves abated as we were in the lee of Calvert Island. We dropped the hook in about 40ft on a ledge on the southeast point of the island. The exposed anchorage was a bit rolly. After having dinner and listening to the weather forcast before we hit the sack we learned that SW gale-force winds were expected! Well, by now it was around midnight and totally pitch dark - what to do? We weighed anchor and headed about 10 nm further north up Fitzhugh Sound to small closed-in bay that we came across a couple years earlier. The wind started building up out of the SSE (another broad reach) and by the time we got to the entrance the seas had really built up with whitecaps. It was really dark as turned to enter the bay and the wind and waves were beam-to. We navigated the narrow rock-strewn entrance into 'our' small bay and dropped the hook. By now it was around 2AM and we were totally exhausted. For the past several days we had pushed ourselves and really couldn't take much more. The decision to abort crossing Queen Charlotte Sound was a really good one as was leaving our first anchorage. Anchored in this small bay with the steep side slopes densely covered by the forest with the wind howling in the rigging, but not near as bad as "outside", we felt very secure, ever so glad that we did what we did. One can only imagine what it might have been like out there on Queen Charlotte Sound with the left-over swells we'd experienced earlier, added to being clobbered by westerly on the nose, and then the gale-force southeaster. It would have been like being in a washing machine. The Charlottes would be there for another day. The moral of this story is to trust your instincts - if it doesn't feel right then go with plan B. Well, Brian, I'm looking forward to the next installment of your great trip. Bahamas in a 25-footer, that's good! And a trailerable one at that!
One thing for sure, it's really easy to get pumped-up for a trip and what you went through on the first attempt is similar to some of the experiences we've had. In a way, it makes the second attempt much more rewarding. In flying they say that "trouble comes in bunches" and that's something to watch out for because that's how accidents are made. You mentioned about being without sleep and the stiching on the jib was coming apart - those are two "troubles" right there, and then with the added rough sea state and sailing conditions you didn't need much more before the cumulative effect would have added up. I remember one time we tried to cross Queen Charlotte Sound and the forcasted westerly never materialized. The problem is the distance was so great that to motor it would have burned up a lot of our fuel so, that plus the large swells that came from two directions that gave the boat a sickening motion, I decided to turn around and go back. That decision meant that we'd arrive at the closest "anchorage" in Fitzhugh Sound (just a slight indent in the coastline around the inside of Cape Calvert, one that was exposed to SW winds, however, but with the NW winds it was okay). We'd arrive sometime around 11 PM in the dark with no moon but there was a navigation light fairly close by (not for visability but to help with location). Anyway, after turning around, on the way back, the wind started to pick up out of the W-NW which provided a broad reach, the formerly glassy surface changed fairly quickly to white caps and it wasn't long before we were running at over hull speed. At this point we were really glad we made the right decision to turn around - but the night was still young! Navigating to avoid the various charted rocks we finally rounded Cape Calvert and entered Fitzhugh Sound where the waves abated as we were in the lee of Calvert Island. We dropped the hook in about 40ft on a ledge on the southeast point of the island. The exposed anchorage was a bit rolly. After having dinner and listening to the weather forcast before we hit the sack we learned that SW gale-force winds were expected! Well, by now it was around midnight and totally pitch dark - what to do? We weighed anchor and headed about 10 nm further north up Fitzhugh Sound to small closed-in bay that we came across a couple years earlier. The wind started building up out of the SSE (another broad reach) and by the time we got to the entrance the seas had really built up with whitecaps. It was really dark as turned to enter the bay and the wind and waves were beam-to. We navigated the narrow rock-strewn entrance into 'our' small bay and dropped the hook. By now it was around 2AM and we were totally exhausted. For the past several days we had pushed ourselves and really couldn't take much more. The decision to abort crossing Queen Charlotte Sound was a really good one as was leaving our first anchorage. Anchored in this small bay with the steep side slopes densely covered by the forest with the wind howling in the rigging, but not near as bad as "outside", we felt very secure, ever so glad that we did what we did. One can only imagine what it might have been like out there on Queen Charlotte Sound with the left-over swells we'd experienced earlier, added to being clobbered by westerly on the nose, and then the gale-force southeaster. It would have been like being in a washing machine. The Charlottes would be there for another day. The moral of this story is to trust your instincts - if it doesn't feel right then go with plan B. Well, Brian, I'm looking forward to the next installment of your great trip. Bahamas in a 25-footer, that's good! And a trailerable one at that!
And More Thanks!
Thanks for taking the time to respond to our posts. Can't wait for Part II ! Season in the Northwest? We get one month of unusual weather each year and it comes in August. Season? Depends what your weather threshold is. If you don't mind cold and wet then it can be much longer - say Jan/Feb/Mar to Oct/Nov for the Main/Mass types and, say, August plus the first week in September for the Florida types. If you're thick skinned and have a good heater then the off-season has some nice sailing. Port Hardy, BC and north, however, is mostly cool and foggy at best - that's one reason why very few people live there. In fact, Cape Scott at the north end of Vancouver Island was originally homesteaded by people from Findland but they couldn't take it and left - and Findland gets a wee bit cool. I think it's the combination of wet and cold that gets most people. There have been an occassional person/couple that have taken their 25-footers north, however, but you need time to play the currents and weather windows. Plus, there are very few settlements so supplies are few and far between. You asked the question so I'm pretty sure what you're thinking - plan about three months, minimum. It would be a good cruise. What about a magazine article for Trailer Sailor or Sail magazine for your latest trip?
Thanks for taking the time to respond to our posts. Can't wait for Part II ! Season in the Northwest? We get one month of unusual weather each year and it comes in August. Season? Depends what your weather threshold is. If you don't mind cold and wet then it can be much longer - say Jan/Feb/Mar to Oct/Nov for the Main/Mass types and, say, August plus the first week in September for the Florida types. If you're thick skinned and have a good heater then the off-season has some nice sailing. Port Hardy, BC and north, however, is mostly cool and foggy at best - that's one reason why very few people live there. In fact, Cape Scott at the north end of Vancouver Island was originally homesteaded by people from Findland but they couldn't take it and left - and Findland gets a wee bit cool. I think it's the combination of wet and cold that gets most people. There have been an occassional person/couple that have taken their 25-footers north, however, but you need time to play the currents and weather windows. Plus, there are very few settlements so supplies are few and far between. You asked the question so I'm pretty sure what you're thinking - plan about three months, minimum. It would be a good cruise. What about a magazine article for Trailer Sailor or Sail magazine for your latest trip?
From Landsend
You are certainly welcome any time. Love to hear your stories over dinner. Do you have a personal e-mail? Our's is: karl_bradley@bellsouth.net. My wife and I are both early retired and fun and own a few boats. We have two boat docks. E-mail us. Karl
You are certainly welcome any time. Love to hear your stories over dinner. Do you have a personal e-mail? Our's is: karl_bradley@bellsouth.net. My wife and I are both early retired and fun and own a few boats. We have two boat docks. E-mail us. Karl
From Landsend
You are certainly welcome any time. Love to hear your stories over dinner. Do you have a personal e-mail? Our's is: karl_bradley@bellsouth.net. My wife and I are both early retired and fun and own a few boats. We have two boat docks. E-mail us. Karl
You are certainly welcome any time. Love to hear your stories over dinner. Do you have a personal e-mail? Our's is: karl_bradley@bellsouth.net. My wife and I are both early retired and fun and own a few boats. We have two boat docks. E-mail us. Karl
Great articles
We are in the middle of winter so photos and stories like yours make us feel a little warmer downunder. Can you change the settings on your camera for as you can see most of the photos are terribly dark?? Otherwise keep up the great work!
We are in the middle of winter so photos and stories like yours make us feel a little warmer downunder. Can you change the settings on your camera for as you can see most of the photos are terribly dark?? Otherwise keep up the great work!
Hey Brian
When you relocated from Tarpon Springs to St Augustine did you cut across the state at Ft Myers and through the lake or did you take EP down through the keys? While I haven’t done it myself (yet) we have done some quirky trips and I sail with a 93 yr old guy who has done the ditch 6 times and many times to the Bahamas. Kelli and I are looking at a '93 Catalina 28 in Lauderdale and may trailer it back or motor/sail through the lake to bring it home. This forum is all about you and Steph but we do occasionally get to our favorite SA B&B so I'll save my tales for a day over a cold one or java. Adios Michael
When you relocated from Tarpon Springs to St Augustine did you cut across the state at Ft Myers and through the lake or did you take EP down through the keys? While I haven’t done it myself (yet) we have done some quirky trips and I sail with a 93 yr old guy who has done the ditch 6 times and many times to the Bahamas. Kelli and I are looking at a '93 Catalina 28 in Lauderdale and may trailer it back or motor/sail through the lake to bring it home. This forum is all about you and Steph but we do occasionally get to our favorite SA B&B so I'll save my tales for a day over a cold one or java. Adios Michael
THAT SOUNDS LIKE A PLAN!
We'll look forward to that "java"! We went from the West coast, down to the Tortugas, through the Keys and up the East coast in the Gulf Stream from Key Largo to Daytona... we've talked about crossing the lake, but have never done it. Catalina 28, huh? Good Boat! Brian
We'll look forward to that "java"! We went from the West coast, down to the Tortugas, through the Keys and up the East coast in the Gulf Stream from Key Largo to Daytona... we've talked about crossing the lake, but have never done it. Catalina 28, huh? Good Boat! Brian
Hey Michael
Congrats on the new boat! What are you going to do with your 240? I'm agonizing over whether to swap mine out for something a wee bit heftier but can't deal with two boats at once. Any idea how long it takes to divest oneself of a two year-old 240?
Congrats on the new boat! What are you going to do with your 240? I'm agonizing over whether to swap mine out for something a wee bit heftier but can't deal with two boats at once. Any idea how long it takes to divest oneself of a two year-old 240?
Every man should have 2
I'm thinkin' if you had two 240s' it would be twice the fun, I know a guy who'd give you a sweet deal
Seriously though, Mines tweaked and really a fine boat for my area and even short coastal trips but especially for trailer trips around the whole cntrl fla area where shallow water is a limiter. My season is Fall through mid june so it's in the barn/shop now. I'm broilin' in fla dodgin' hurricanes, shopping for next seasons boat while my kid is sailing up in the cool of Chesapeake bay all summer as an instructor boo-ha The 240 will sell if it shows good and gets good exposure with newer/casual sailors. Trailer boats are gaining value down here with our marina cost issues. I may actually have to trailer the C28 too. heave-ho We now return to our regularly scheduled Bahamas quest M&K ~~_/)_~~
I'm thinkin' if you had two 240s' it would be twice the fun, I know a guy who'd give you a sweet deal
Seriously though, Mines tweaked and really a fine boat for my area and even short coastal trips but especially for trailer trips around the whole cntrl fla area where shallow water is a limiter. My season is Fall through mid june so it's in the barn/shop now. I'm broilin' in fla dodgin' hurricanes, shopping for next seasons boat while my kid is sailing up in the cool of Chesapeake bay all summer as an instructor boo-ha The 240 will sell if it shows good and gets good exposure with newer/casual sailors. Trailer boats are gaining value down here with our marina cost issues. I may actually have to trailer the C28 too. heave-ho We now return to our regularly scheduled Bahamas quest M&K ~~_/)_~~- Status