From Bimini to Nassau

We departed Bimini at 8:45, motoring North to North Rock and bearing east for an easy and fantastic sail in North winds of 13-15 knots, doing over 5 knots boat speed.  Chiheb kept quoting SOG - I guess it sounded more impressive. 

I filed our float plan with Norm and Jason, letting them know there would be no cellular connection for a while. 

The autopilot started making the nose, so we minimized its use. 

We anchored in the middle of the ocean around Mackie Shoal.  It was a lovely evening, but the night was very rocky, and we didn't sleep much.  The cockpit light was left in the cockpit and fell, rolling onto the floor, forcing Chiheb to get up and retrieve the broken light. 

The next morning, we weighed anchor at 8:30 and had another wonderful 8-hour sail to Chub Cay.

We regained cellular connection as we approached Chub Cay, and I reported our position to Norm, Jason, and Marie. 

Chiheb intensely argued again with me about how much scope to put out.  It was very nasty - no respect for the captain's decision to put out 75 feet of rode in 8 feet of water at low tide.  This time, we were pretty heated.  I've just completed 100 days, mostly single-handed, over 20 years as Captain. Chiheb has lots of courses, but I don't think he has ever captained anything but a Tanzer 22 on Lake St. Louis, which he rented or sailed in the Caribbean with a captain, and yet he knows better. 

He has Sail Canada intermediate sailing, and he should have known his position as CREW.

He said he would never sail with me again.  I'm not sure if I would ever invite him again. 

There was free Wi-Fi from the Chub Cay Club, but it was very marginal. 

Friday morning, I got up at 8 and opened the wheel pilot to find it dirty, but the belt looked good. However, one of the plastic tabs holding the tensioner mechanism had broken.   I epoxied and reassembled it, then drained the engine sump and tightened and WD40ed the inline auto reset fuse on the engine panel, hoping to prevent further engine starting issues.

We agreed to stay at Chub Cay for another night since there wasn't much to do in Nassau, and the winds would be better on Saturday.  Chiheb wanted to swim in the green Bahamian waters 

I cleaned the water line and the bottom of BELLUM 

Quiet Friday at Chub Cay 

Saturday morning, we departed with one reef with 18 knots of wind abeam.  It soon declined to below 15 knots broad from the port.  Easy run.   

Entered Nassau Harbour just before 3 PM.  Got permission from Harbour Patrol to enter the harbour.  Fueled and 20 Gallons of water at Rubes at Harbour Central.  Nassau Harbour was a little tense for me. 

We anchored and dinghyed ashore, but didn't go ashore since it was late and we weren't willing to pay $20 for the dinghy dock. 

On Sunday, we toured the city and then went our separate ways.  

I took the 12 B bus to the Airport to check it out for Natalia's arrival. 

I spent Monday cleaning and tidying the boat, studying Exuma navigation and opening up the autopilot wheel again.  The epoxy did not hold up.  Will need to retest on the way to the Exumas. 

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!