tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-48716561496647438462024-03-05T22:14:45.711-05:00SV HoldFastUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger544125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4871656149664743846.post-42809779809764994392023-04-17T13:08:00.005-04:002023-04-17T13:08:44.603-04:00 Made run from Black Point to Flamingo with a stop at Rocky Point. Updated the position page. Its good to be back sailing Hold Fast..Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4871656149664743846.post-30934050858904074292017-04-05T10:53:00.000-04:002017-04-05T10:53:34.609-04:00Shifting Gears<!--[if gte mso 9]>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4871656149664743846.post-25887942294575891162017-03-17T22:02:00.000-04:002017-03-17T22:03:31.886-04:00Almost ThereWe planned our arrival to the boat yard for slack current, which was just before noon. After 11 am, we called the boat yard and confirmed our arrival. We were told to come straight to the dock, we were the only haul out today, except for an emergency lift for a vessel taking on water. The arrangements changed once we were tied up, then changed again. A boat was launched and is now between usUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4871656149664743846.post-20364502044264399742017-03-16T17:37:00.000-04:002017-03-16T17:38:46.703-04:00Surprise!The wind kicked up again last night, which was fine as long as it was with the current. Once the current was against the wind, Hold Fast danced around her anchor, sometimes at 1.2 knots. She would reach the end of her leash, then turn around and race to the other extreme. The holding is so good, it did not bother us at all. We slept well under all the blankets.
We woke up to temperatures Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4871656149664743846.post-57930948138007991532017-03-15T17:08:00.000-04:002017-03-15T17:09:15.214-04:00Back WaterWe took advantage of the current and moved to Back Water. The plan is to go through the main street bridge at noon tomorrow.
Myron
{GMST}30°23.77'N|081°30.42'W|5:03 PM|{GEND}Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4871656149664743846.post-34936978128200467332017-03-14T18:12:00.000-04:002017-03-14T18:13:02.189-04:00Through the LionsWe neglected to post yesterday. It was such a short day, New Smyrna to Daytona, I guess it did not seem important. We stopped in Daytona because we did not believe we could make Matanzas Inlet shoaling area with enough water.
Despite high and cold winds, a 7:15 am departure allowed us to make it to Matanzas Inlet with enough water left in the tide to negotiate the shoaled areas. The dredge Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4871656149664743846.post-47310184402032722862017-03-12T17:09:00.000-04:002017-03-12T17:10:42.490-04:00What? A Marina?This morning we came to the realization that we were just not going to be able to leave early enough to beat the low tide at Ponce de Leon inlet. It was not worth an attempt to negotiate those shoaled areas during a negative tide. When life gives you lemons.
Our lemonade was to take a slip at New Smyrna Beach City Marina. We are thankful that, Pat, the dockmaster, is a good natured fellow. Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4871656149664743846.post-87424034175100867852017-03-11T20:16:00.000-05:002017-03-11T20:17:15.964-05:00Moving NorthAnchored next to the NASA causeway.
Myron
{GMST}28°31.36'N|080°45.64'W|8:12 PM|{GEND}Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4871656149664743846.post-57583060964705463302017-03-10T18:55:00.000-05:002017-03-10T18:56:15.946-05:00Checked InWe left at midnight and began to wish we had left earlier. We fought a current coming off the banks that set us behind. Once in the Gulf Stream, we quickly made up that time and more, riding along well over 7 knots. When we were about 45 miles from the Ft. Pierce entrance, we got a small squall, but behind it was West wind, about 12 to 15 knots right on the nose. We began to get concerned Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4871656149664743846.post-68142867415737000442017-03-09T11:36:00.000-05:002017-03-09T11:38:28.434-05:00Mangrove CayOur plan is to stay at Mangrove till midnight then depart for Fort Pierce inlet and continue on Vero Beach.
Myron
{GMST}26°55.20'N|078°37.39'W|11:20 AM|{GEND}Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4871656149664743846.post-20877050154980010132017-03-08T18:41:00.000-05:002017-03-08T18:43:46.862-05:00Great SaleOther than a little uncomfortable rolling at the Whale Cay cut, we had a fabulous day. We made good time, leaving MOW Cay at 6:30 am and arriving the southern end of Great Sale Cay, via Jane Girl Cut, at 5:45 pm. We had cell phone coverage, data only, until Jane Girl Cut.
Time for some food and rest.
Love to all,
Dena
{GMST}26°57.42'N|078°13.28'W|6:23 PM|{GEND}Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4871656149664743846.post-22959147486353710082017-03-08T13:43:00.000-05:002017-03-08T13:44:39.667-05:00Off Fox TownVery nice day in the Bahamas. Next stop Great Sale.
Cross to Fort Pierce on Friday.
Myron
{GMST}26°56.84'N|077°46.56'W|1:40 PM|{GEND}Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4871656149664743846.post-50495317576577990202017-03-03T16:04:00.002-05:002017-03-03T16:04:30.917-05:00Pic - Rock Sound and Exuma SoundHold Fast anchored at Poison Point for the day, before moving to the west side for another weather system passage:
Looking east at Hold Fast anchored at Poison Point:
The sun setting on us as we sail up the Exuma Sound overnight with a WSW wind:
Morning breaks while we are still making our way up the Exuma Sound. Myron says the figure on the right looks like a bunny trying to eat Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4871656149664743846.post-14674435777322963692017-03-03T15:57:00.000-05:002017-03-03T15:58:28.470-05:00Pics - East End Point, Eleuthera IslandMore pics:
There is a beautiful semi-circle beach at East End Point, Eleuthera Island. The conditions were just right for us to stay one night after fishing for the day. Still some swell there, but tolerable to be alone with a view:
This point and extended reef protected us from most of the swell from the Exuma Sound:
One of the Princess cruise ships was anchored around the Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4871656149664743846.post-72919128601119132462017-03-03T15:44:00.001-05:002017-03-03T15:44:04.020-05:00Pics - MOW Cay to Rock SoundOpen internet means you get pictures.
This is our mangled ballyhoo after something tore it apart on the Northeast Providence Channel crossing:
Leaving Royal Island Harbor early morning. We have red skies in the morning ("sailor take warning"). We did and went straight to the west side of Rock Sound:
In lining up with Current Cut, we held back and let a tug and barge take the lead:
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4871656149664743846.post-71147745693502610752017-03-02T18:19:00.000-05:002017-03-03T15:09:04.626-05:00Record TimeLast night, the Northeast Providence Channel was a confused piece of water. On top of that, we had more traffic than usual: 5 or 6 cruiseliners and several cargo ships. I was off watch when I heard Myron speaking to a captain on another boat. I came up to see if I could help. It was another sailboat. A single hander coming up from Jost Van Dyke who wanted to round the corner of Eleuthera Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4871656149664743846.post-1926493351374255592017-02-28T19:19:00.001-05:002017-02-28T19:19:56.582-05:00Speedy CutAt Rock Sound, we were fortunate to get reacquainted with Greg and Lyn on 'Paperbird,' a Pearson 422, having met them years ago at Elizabeth City, NC. After attending church together, we were all set to enjoy a praise competition with many of the local churches represented. But alas, a 3 pm start time translated into after 6 pm in island time, and we were forced to enjoy the music from Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4871656149664743846.post-61406570944752086992017-02-25T08:54:00.000-05:002017-02-25T08:55:08.390-05:00Delayed DepartureOur 'plan' was to depart Georgetown by 7:30 am yesterday. Then we found out the forecast called for squalls on our passage, so we begged off. The dinghy had been stowed the night before in anticipation of going. Somehow, neither of us were inspired to go through the launch and stow process again for the day. The joy of it is we caught up on rest, and I almost finished another novel. Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4871656149664743846.post-27470936645789100082017-02-25T03:05:00.000-05:002017-02-25T03:08:20.867-05:00position report20.5 miles to Cape Eleuthera. Nice night for star gazing.
Should arrive Rock Sound around 8:30am.
Myron
{GMST}24°30.05'N|076°12.87'W|2:57 AM|{GEND}Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4871656149664743846.post-5058440669657870462017-02-24T21:06:00.000-05:002017-02-24T21:09:04.265-05:00Position ReportGeorge Town to Rock Sound
We left George Town around 4:30 this afternoon. Should arrive Rock Sound in the morning.
Myron
{GMST}23°54.04'N|075°57.18'W|8:51 PM|{GEND}Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4871656149664743846.post-31739875939980282112017-02-20T19:38:00.000-05:002017-02-20T19:39:50.845-05:00Lots of BoatsBig Majors is a busy place, and very interesting at night because the power yachts are all lit up. They actually look rather pretty. We were expecting the winds to decrease as they clocked around S then SW, W and finally N. It never seemed to let up. If you look at the map, you would see we were rather exposed from the SW. We waited as long as we could for a lull, finally got one just beforeUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4871656149664743846.post-70961473631712146742017-02-18T18:31:00.000-05:002017-02-18T18:32:49.763-05:00A Few Miles SouthYesterday we debated continuing south, as far as we could make it before we lost daylight. The fact that we were already anchored weighed in heavy on the decision to stay. However, when the SE wind came in at about 2 am, we wished we had made more southing on the light north winds. It made today not impossible, but a bit more work to get SE down to Big Majors Spot, aka Pigs Beach.
Along theUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4871656149664743846.post-5187890662423531772017-02-17T16:10:00.000-05:002017-02-17T16:11:41.864-05:00RemissI am sorry. I was remiss not to post on our last location change. We fished back up Eleuthera Island, to no avail, and topped off the water tanks. Back at Rock Sound, we launched the dinghy and went into town to say goodbye to our land based friends and apologize for not bringing home dinner. It distracted me and I forgot to give you all an update.
The next day we had strong south winds. WeUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4871656149664743846.post-49864519945842421672017-02-13T18:32:00.000-05:002017-02-13T18:33:07.217-05:00SkunkedWe put the dinghy away before dark last night and set out this morning with a few goals in mind: Make water (both saddle tanks were down), empty the holding tank (hey, everybody poops, we just have to deal with it), and go fishing. Notice the goal was not 'catch fish,' failing would be too disappointing. Who am I kidding, it was disappointing anyway that we did not catch any fish today.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4871656149664743846.post-57915135847760801422017-01-28T20:09:00.000-05:002017-01-28T20:10:16.469-05:00Water, WaterToday was a banner water-making day. Well over 200 gallons. We were low, obviously. It was a good travel day for it, especially compared to yesterday. Yesterday we got salt spray on the solar panels and the stack pack (sail cover). Marks of a rough ride. We fished anyway. At one point I saw a huge splash behind us, with a delayed hard spin on the reel. The reel spun out so hard and so fast, Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0