December 4
Early in the morning, we studied the weather on NOAA and PassageWeather.com to see if it would be suitable to leave later this evening for a crossing to Grand Bahama Island. The winds were predicting 15-20 knots from the South East (beginning around 9pm, possibly later.) Wade made the decision that we would leave later tonight… attempting to stay at dock as long as we possibly could. Wade went to ask the dock master for permission to stay at our slip until 5pm. He said “that’s not a problem”. It was a full day of preparations to get S/V Joana ready for the ocean again. We went to Publix, the common grocery store here in Florida to purchase more fresh produce and frozen items. Extra little items needed from West Marine, since they don’t have any in the out islands and then the rental car needed to be returned. Still many other things needed to be secured until we were ready to hit the high seas. Once all the required work was done, we rested and waited for the tide to come up, the sun to set and the winds to start blowing. At 5:15pm we casted our lines off from the dock, waved our goodbyes and prepared for the unknown. The sunset was very spectacular, just as we left Dania Canal. However, the “no-see-ums” were fierce all throughout the Mangrove. Thank god for bug spray!! We hoisted the main sail just before exiting the Port Everglades area. Lots of constant commercial traffic in this port, we must have seen two or three coast guard vessels, two cargo ships, three tug boats, two cruise ships and maybe a few power yachts/ sailboats all transiting in or out of the port. After having passed all the chaotic traffic... we ate dinner in the cockpit and decided on watch schedules. I was scheduled for 2am to 5am! Headed to the forward berth to rest and pray for a good sail across the Gulf Stream. Let's just say that around midnight... I had my head elevated on the starboard side of the boat and my feet pushed up against the port side of the v-berth. A little awkward! Went up to begin my night watch and noticed that the wind was quickly picking up, the seas were building and we were hand steering the boat. (It was too hard on the autopilot.) At this point in the crossing we were approximately half-way at 45 Nautical Miles under our belt. I got a few good salt water splashes from head to toe. Constant reminders of the unpredictability of the ocean. The ride was rather realistic, wild and somewhat crazy! Throughout the passage Diane was consumed by seasickness and nausea, while Wade was at the helm and possibly contemplating his decisions. I couldn't leave the cockpit in case I was needed for something, but the presence of the ocean was still very apparent. Every once in a while, a huge rogue wave would dump buckets of water into the cockpit! There is something about being on the open water that makes you feel so small and vulnerable, yet very much alive!!
Early in the morning, we studied the weather on NOAA and PassageWeather.com to see if it would be suitable to leave later this evening for a crossing to Grand Bahama Island. The winds were predicting 15-20 knots from the South East (beginning around 9pm, possibly later.) Wade made the decision that we would leave later tonight… attempting to stay at dock as long as we possibly could. Wade went to ask the dock master for permission to stay at our slip until 5pm. He said “that’s not a problem”. It was a full day of preparations to get S/V Joana ready for the ocean again. We went to Publix, the common grocery store here in Florida to purchase more fresh produce and frozen items. Extra little items needed from West Marine, since they don’t have any in the out islands and then the rental car needed to be returned. Still many other things needed to be secured until we were ready to hit the high seas. Once all the required work was done, we rested and waited for the tide to come up, the sun to set and the winds to start blowing. At 5:15pm we casted our lines off from the dock, waved our goodbyes and prepared for the unknown. The sunset was very spectacular, just as we left Dania Canal. However, the “no-see-ums” were fierce all throughout the Mangrove. Thank god for bug spray!! We hoisted the main sail just before exiting the Port Everglades area. Lots of constant commercial traffic in this port, we must have seen two or three coast guard vessels, two cargo ships, three tug boats, two cruise ships and maybe a few power yachts/ sailboats all transiting in or out of the port. After having passed all the chaotic traffic... we ate dinner in the cockpit and decided on watch schedules. I was scheduled for 2am to 5am! Headed to the forward berth to rest and pray for a good sail across the Gulf Stream. Let's just say that around midnight... I had my head elevated on the starboard side of the boat and my feet pushed up against the port side of the v-berth. A little awkward! Went up to begin my night watch and noticed that the wind was quickly picking up, the seas were building and we were hand steering the boat. (It was too hard on the autopilot.) At this point in the crossing we were approximately half-way at 45 Nautical Miles under our belt. I got a few good salt water splashes from head to toe. Constant reminders of the unpredictability of the ocean. The ride was rather realistic, wild and somewhat crazy! Throughout the passage Diane was consumed by seasickness and nausea, while Wade was at the helm and possibly contemplating his decisions. I couldn't leave the cockpit in case I was needed for something, but the presence of the ocean was still very apparent. Every once in a while, a huge rogue wave would dump buckets of water into the cockpit! There is something about being on the open water that makes you feel so small and vulnerable, yet very much alive!!
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