We left Lake Worth yesterday at 6:39am and arrived in Freeport, Bahamas at 12:39am. We knew we would have some choppy water because the forecast was for Northeast winds 10-15 knots. The Gulf Stream moves 3-4 knots North and so with the winds and swells coming from the North it would create a choppy sea. We motor-sailed for about 8 miles then pulled the motors and enjoyed a couple hours of great sailing moving about 8 knots. Even though the prediction was for 10-15 knots of wind after 10:00am the wind died down to 3-5 knots. This slowed us down to 2-4 knots. We decided we had nothing but time and so we didn't put the engines in, but continued at a snails pace. Every once in a while we would get a gust of 8-10 knots, but it never lasted long. Also while moving 2-4 knots in the Gulf Stream that moves 3-4 knots you don't make much mileage. In fact we were pushed North 4 miles. As the day moved on the wind picked up a little and we averaged 5 knots. We almost caught one fish, but lost him feet from the boat after he put up a good fight. What we thought would take us 10-12 hours ended up taking 18 hours to cross from Lake Worth to Freeport. By the time the sun was setting we could see the lights of Freeport and we were all ready to tie up and go to bed. Fast forward 6 hours and that is exactly what we did! We are proud of ourselves for not giving in a using the motors to get us here sooner. That's right we are back in Freeport. We didn't think we would ever want to come back here, but couldn't pass up seeing Finley one last time. I mean how could we not stop by if we were going to the Bahamas again? We only plan to be here a day maybe two. We will be heading south trying to get to the Exumas.
We thought this was Tiger Woods buzzing around our boat on this wave runner. Turns out his boat was docked directly behind us. It's named Privacy in the photo below.
Sunrise
Middle of the Gulf Stream and 9.2 feet?? What just swam beneath our boat.........
Sunset
Getting ready to clean the bottom of the boat in the crystal clear Bahamian water
Wow! Monkey toes on those ropes, Preston. Lucy makes a good blanket-glad to see she wears her life jacket. Missed you at our Halloween party.
ReplyDeleteI don't think I'm ever going to understand what knots are. And I'm not talking about the kind you tie with a rope. Sounds slow but relaxing.
ReplyDeleteKnots are nautical miles. Nautical miles are 1.151 miles. A mile is 5280 feet, and a nautical mile is 6076 feet. Knots are further than miles so if you are traveling 6 knots, then you going 6.9 mph, or 11.112 kilometers per hour.
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ReplyDeleteCurious if Xanadu Marina is still open?
ReplyDeleteJim and Kathie,
DeleteXanadu looks really rough. It has not been open any for a while now. When we were here in January, their docks were crumbling into the water, and now the docks are underwater. We are at Bahama Bay Marina just across from Xanadu.
Thx man, will prolly take the same route South so if you have any tips would sure appreciate it. Looked for Bahama Bay but no website. Jim
Deletedon't park behind Tiger's boat, I heard he was working on his chip shot!
ReplyDeleteTara does make your pictures look better.
ReplyDeleteI have to agree with Aaron.
ReplyDeleteTara's pretty cute!
So that really was Tiger on the Jet Ski right? That's pretty cool
ReplyDeleteWow! What a journey. Happy you made it to the Bahamas safely! Enjoying your blog & pics. Stay safe you three!!
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