Oct. 27, 2021 we left Oxford, Md with our newest crew recruit, Walter L. Started out with 2 reefs in 20 knots of wind at 1630 but had both reefs shaken out before dark. Walter and I took watch, alternating every two hours with Andrew, while mostly motor sailing and dodging tugs or cargo ships. We arrived at Bluewater Yachting Center in Hampton, Va. at 10:30 am on 10/28 to join the 2021 Salty Dawg Rally to The Bahamas.
Walter’s wife KC picked him up the next day and they proceeded to drive down to Florida making coastal stops along the way. Andrew and I continued preparations for the offshore segment to the Bahamas. We had two more crew joining us and all kinds of COVID protocols to go thru, not to mention getting the boat ready. We had to get negative antigen tests elevated to the Bahamian government website along with all of the passport & vaccination information for each crew member. Then each crew had to apply for a Health Visa on the site which was elevated to their personal page and had to be downloaded and re-posted on the Click to Clear site where we would apply for our cruising permit. Ugh, I can’t imagine the process for having animals on board!
Meanwhile, Andrew replaced the bilge pump that had crapped out on us and we re-packed the spinnaker which was twisted in a messy takedown. We did the last minute grocery shopping and technology testing and had identified a good weather window for our departure. All we needed now was crew. Our crack crew, Jon S.and Dick R. were scheduled to arrive the day before departure but the weather window was moved up and we were now planning to have them jump on board and leave immediately. On 10/31 at 1500, we left the dock for Marsh Harbor, Abaco, and got this picture of Norfolk, Va. just as it was getting dark.
We had an easy sail, averaging 7.5 knots during our 3 hour, two man shifts that night. Day 1 of our southbound adventure, we had the chute up and we’re passing boats that had departed the day before us. We saw lots of dolphin pods and enjoyed watching them play chicken with the bow of the boat. All was going well until the wind dropped out. That evening we motor sailed all night and saw only two other boats on the radar.
Day 2, we were still motoring! Caught a tuna around 830 am, filleted and ready to cook for dinner by 9am. Boat speed was averaging 7 knots and we were headed straight for the Abacos but still no wind. It was so calm, Andrew was hoisted up the mast to retrieve a batten that was coming out of its sheath (due to the flogging mainsail).
Day 3 was a beautiful sunny day with white puffy clouds and calm seas. Unfortunately, along with that came even less wind. Jon was so bored, he made himself a huge breakfast! That evening we saw the most amazing pink & blue sky!!
During the evening we played ring around the Rosie with another Salty Dawg boat on the rally. Taste of Heaven passed us on our starboard motoring at 9 knots, then we passed her on our port when she was sailing 3.5 knots and around and around it went all night. I think someone was bored.
Day 4 - Flat calm. Still motoring. Everyone is bored! That night we creeped thru the cut at Man of War channel in the dark and dropped anchor in Marsh Harbor around 11:30 pm. The next day we motored around Point Set Rock and into a slip at Abaco Beach Resort & Marina. And so begins our next season with Billy Ruff’n sailing in the islands.
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