Crossing the Gulf Stream

We weighed anchor at 6 AM in the dark and motored out into the North Atlantic, then motor-sailed for almost 8 hours in close-hauled conditions, occasionally heading upwind to improve our sail shape. 

Chiheb did not seem to understand my tactic, complaining we were off track.  But we were making good headway. 

All port tack with a southerly wind

Most of the other sailboats were ahead of us on our port side, and they were all bigger and thus faster. 

First time out of view of land

For the last 40 minutes, we turned off the motor because we could. 

Slowly, we motored into Alicetown, staying clear of the shallows.  Arriving at Big Game Club.  They quoted us $3.75 a foot, but the bill came out to $160. 

I cleared immigration and customs, and then got my fishing license.  The "click to clear" feature was troublesome, especially on the iPad, but it worked.  However, I never received my drone license, despite having paid for it and having the receipt. 

Chiheb really wanted to take a shower, so we did, had supper and walked the town at night.

The next morning, we walked the entire North Bimini, from the marina to the south cut and north to the Hilton resort.  

We picked up a loaf of Coconut bread at Nate's for $10.  I'm not sure if it was expensive, but I fulfilled the ritual. 

Chiheb wanted to go to the New Year's party at the resort, and I wasn't interested.  The Eventbrite site said it was sold out anyway. 

We got back to the Mariana Islands.  I went for a swim and tried to fly my drone, but we were in restricted airspace.  

I noted the bilge pump ran about 8 times and realized I had to tighten the shaft packing again.  Chiheb was at the marina using the final wifi. 

I decided to anchor just north of the marina instead of going further north, and we got stuck in the mud.  A local worker on a wreck came and towed us out, suggesting a place near the shore, but it was tight. 

I had never intended to use less than 50 feet of chain, and Chiheb argued that I had too much scope.  I took my time before agreeing to a smaller scope and used a line to make a snubber with a bowline.  

I still preferred to take my time to change my mind, and I still would have preferred to set the anchor with more scope. 

It was only then that I realized how clear the water was, allowing me to see the whole chain and where the anchor was.  Spectacular!