It was messy but we finally did it! Almost anyway.

[Want to sail]

For three years we have been trying to head down to the Bahamas. Now we are sitting below Miami waiting for weather to cross to the Bahamas. It was an eventful trip. We left Georgia and traveled outside the coast of Florida and lost our electronics one night during a storm. We did finally figure out where we were and used our paper charts to give us time to regroup and hang in there until daylight. Learned the importance of periodic location checks and redundant systems. We also felt the thrill of honestly traveling only under sail. WE are still absolute newbies but the dream is alive. Now to tackle the Gulf Stream!
Deby

[olepedersen]

Well good for you, but please get a hand held GPS,as backup to navigation and anchorwatch they are great. please keep us posted, and fair winds. Ole

[got seashells?]

I am just a bit envious and a lot excited for you. We are on the retirement countdown. 354 days but who is counting. Keep posting updates so we can live it thru you for a while and best wishes for full sails and beautiful skies.

[DeepFrz]

I am just a bit envious and a lot excited for you

^ ^^+1

[endoftheroad]

Super happy for you! This is big stuff! You are in the process of making great memories! Savor every bit!

[krafthaus]

+1 on having a hand held GPS (or two) on board as a back up (they don't cost much). Good Luck to you!

Since you're on a Wildcat I'm sure you've read the Bumfuzzles. They started in the Bahamas and have a good anchorage record you could make use of.

[samsiam]

Originally Posted by endoftheroad

Super happy for you! This is big stuff! You are in the process of making great memories! Savor every bit!

Living life...way to go.

[JazzyO]

Fair winds!


Onno

[Want to sail]

Thanks everyone. We do have handheld GPS. One Flea market Magellan which is what I used until Freddie got the gps puck hooked up ( I didn't know that he had, but it is a great little gizmo and I want one of my own for Christmas) and connected to his computer and Opencpn. I completely forgot that my handheld vhs although acting up, has gps on it and would register if I plugged it into my charger. But brains go blank when they are tired and hit with something unexpected. No worries we live and learn. Good news is that we made it! Cleared into Alice town in Bimini this afternoon. Our crossing was smooth and easy. We did get a little concerned when we saw a water spout in the distance but that was all. Waiting for the right weather window makes all the difference. Compared to our trip down the Florida coast our Gulf Stream Crossing was an easy day sail on lake Atlantic. Now to make our way down the Bahamas chain to meet our son in Georgetown in December. If anyone is interested you can follow our mis-adventures at Straycatsailing.com. Thanks for being there guys. I have learned tons on this forum from the time I began searching for a boat of our own to actually sailing.
Fair Winds and Blue Skies
Deby

[CS Cruiser]

Look forward to being in your position, happy sailing!

[Want to sail]

Update on our messy adventure. we are on our way home now to prepare for our son's wedding. We have made so many memories. We have traveled to Georgetown and now are back in West Bay on New Providence Island 9 aka Nassau) just found out today that this is JAWS Beach where they filmed the movie! We have had our share of issues but also countless beautiful sunsets, sunrises, new friends and done things we have dreamed about for years. To all the dreamers Go For It. Don't give up. You will undoubtedly have times that frighten,discourage and just plane make you angry but you will also have experiences that will amaze you and fill you with joy. Sad to be heading back but we will start out again next season.
Home

[svseachange]

Hey Stray Cat, we enjoyed listening to you on the way down the coast on the VHF even from offshore.

Wasn't it Summer Wind with 6' draft following close behind you? You did it! Enjoy the wedding and take care. The beautiful Bahamas will still be here next year.

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