Sailing Sirius

Our friends, Rich and Kathyrnn, bought a 1985 47' Moody a year and a half ago.  They've spent that time upgrading just about everything on board.  However, one thing they had never done before they bought her was sail.  So, now that she's ready and in tip top shape, Rich asked if David could take them out and teach them how to sail.

The first lesson was the day that Alex and I had fun in Key West (March 6th).  Our friend, Paul, went with them.  This past Sunday, was Lesson 2.  Paul's wife, Angela, went with us on this excursion.  It was a great day, with relatively light winds and calm seas.

Kathrynn stowing the fenders

David and Rich in the cockpit

Angela: supreme spotter of crab pots!

Rich with the GoPro on his head

Brand new sails!

Pretty soon, Rich and Kathrynn are going for a day sail all by themselves!

Autopilot, it's a beautiful thing

Sailing away from Seven Mile Bridge

Adjusting the GoPro

Did I mention brand new sails??  :)

It was a picture perfect day

The Captain and First Mate

Thumbs up!

Sombrero Light in the distance

A fun time was had by all!  We can't wait to hear about Sirius' sailing adventure and hope to meet up with them again soon!

Counting down to the Bahamas

Our weather window for a Thursday crossing still looks good.  However, we haven't worked through all the items on our To Do list......mainly installing a new water pump (cools the engine) that has yet to arrive (mail, FedEx, and UPS are all late today, of course).

David removing the old pump

Damaged bicycle box

Small dent between the "r" and "n"

Tern assured David that that dent would not affect the integrity of the frame.  So, we're keeping that bike.

Bikes on board.  Repaired bimini re-installed.

Said goodbye to the old dink

Our life raft has been inspected and recertified

Caribbean Canvas repaired the bimini which ripped in a storm in Fernandina Beach in January

West Marine wanted $35.99 for a look bucket.  David laughed and said he'd make one (cost of materials: $11).

As of this moment, our water pump has arrived....woo-hoo!  BUT, we have a date with Paul, Angela, Rich, and Kathrynn to have wood-fired pizza and beer in an hour...........pump installation will be an evening job. Stay tuned!

Key Biscayne, finally!

I had photos on four cameras from our stay in Key Biscayne in early February.  It has taken me this long to gather and sort.  Gah!  Note to self: do not get behind!

We spent five great days in Key Biscayne and Coral Gables visiting family, catching up, and sharing delicious meals.  Here is a glimpse of our time there :)

We absolutely lucked out and got a great slip at Crandon Park Marina on Key Biscayne.  Sunset our first night.

Moorings in the morning light

Beautiful sunsets!

Quick rain shower during sunset....the water really did look coppery.

Tio Roberto made delicious dinners -- picadillo was my favorite, yum! -- and Bebo and Bibi's dinner was outstanding.  Bebo has started aging his own beef.  It was delicious.......and so was dessert....chocolate and vanilla ice cream drizzled with espresso.

Great visit!

We missed Tina, Juan, Juancho, and Maggie :( but loved a little poochie time with Tony

One afternoon, Gigi, Nani, and I had lunch at the Key Biscayne Yacht Club.  Picture perfect day for ladies who lunch :)

Leaving Crandon Park Marina, saying goodbye to Miami

Very calm Biscayne Bay -- it's only about 11' deep (where we were)

I had never seen Stiltsville "up close and personal"

Kinda crazy!

Cape Florida Light - southern tip of Key Biscayne - on our way to Rodriguez Key

We made it to Versailles twice, once with Duncan before he flew home and repeated when Alex flew out.  Glad Gigi and Tio Roberto could join us both times!

From now on, I will not fall behind on our photos.  I will not fall behind on our photos.  I will NOT fall behind on our photos!

Prepping for the Bahamas

On Sunday, after Alex took off from FLL, we met with Pam Wall, cruising consultant extraordinaire.  We spent three hours discussing everything from our route, to best anchorages, to off-the-beaten-path treasures, to provisioning items we hadn't thought of........the list goes on.  It was a serious -- and sometimes hilarious -- discussion, and we are more excited than ever to get over to the Abacos and experience it all!  We cannot recommend Pam highly enough.  With decades of knowledge and a sailboat that also carries a 6.5' draft, she provided some really key advice, especially when entering shallow harbors.  She knows the Abacos like the back of her hand and we took notes as fast as we could.  Thank you, Pam, it was a pure pleasure meeting you.  We will certainly stay in touch!

So, there's been lots of activity on our To Do list:

• got the life raft inspected and re-certified (good for 3 years)
• registered with the Department of Homeland Security/Small Vessel Reporting System
• received Virginia Dare's new decal
• provisioned for an extended trip away from American "conveniences" (2 trolley loads of groceries and beverages....we'll make one more trip just prior to departure)
• fixed SSB issue (thank you, Paul!!)
• got the Bimini repaired and binnacle cover altered (Andrea at Caribbean Canvas was great)
• ordered and received two folding bicycles (must assemble)
• got a Bahamian courtesy flag
• bought a fuel filter
• and, drum roll, please........bought a new RIB and 15 hp Yamaha engine for it!  Merry Christmas, Happy New Year, Happy Birthdays, and Happy Anniversary to us!  It'll arrive on Tuesday. Woo hoo!

Accessing the SSB tuner at the foot of our bed and trying a new control cable

Soldering

Behind the control panel

Paul, the SSB wizard :)  Without him, our SSB would still be non-functional.

Gotta love Amazon Prime -- speedy delivery!

We're legit

I think my next task will be to assemble our new Tern folding bicycles (white for me)

Black for David

My cousin lent us a DeLorme inReach Explorer to try.  It has more capabilities than our SPOT.  Thank you, Bebo!  We'll keep you posted.