Grand Bahama -- Sunrise Resort and Marina

 

Tracking 104 degrees true on a heading of 130 degrees true through a northerly gulf stream current of 2.5 knorts, a mild 10 knots wind from the SE, two to three foots swells with a > 10 second period, "Otto" (autopilot) at the helm keeping us on a steady course for 70 nautical miles at 8.5 SOG (knots speed over ground).  WOW, what a seven hour ride!!  In fact we arrived early off the coast of Grand Bahama and had to slow down a bit to arrive at the inlet to Sunrise Resort and Marina at high tide.  The red and green buoys were actually stakes in the sand.  The inlet was very narrow.  I had Bettilynn on the bow looking and pointing at dark patches under the water meaning rocks and coral heads -- hitting bottom here would not be the same at pushing through soft mud or sand !!   Great experience for narrow approaches to come.  But, we came in with no less than 5 feet under the keel and entered the marina with 10 foot depths.  The dockmaster met us at out assigned spot and had already called customs and immigration.  They have done this before.

 

The Bahamian authorities came to the boat, we filled out all of the required paperwork, paid our $300 cruising fee, and settled in for the night.  The cold front came through the next day with all of the winds and rough weather that would have made the entry nearly impossible if not plain dangerous!!  Great timing!

 

 

 

A view South toward the inlet entrance.  Mavourneen is moored port side to on a floating dock.

Another view of Mavourneen with the resort in the background

The water is so clear in the marina, the entire hull, rudders and props are visible,  Big difference from being moored in the Chesapeake Bay.

Some resort amenities.

We chose this marina fron reviews posted on the Active Captain website.  That site along with Passage maker website for weather information is invaluable for cruising.  They offer transient fee discount for retired military, Boat US, or Active Captain members.  We plan to stay a week, catching the next weather window to head South to the Berry Islands.  In the meantine, we'll drop the dingy, find some place to do a bit of snorkling, visit the international marketplace in Lucaya and enjoy the warm Bahamian weather.

Christmas Crossing To Grand Bahama Island

 

Arriving in Palm beach, we cleaned the boat, fiiled the tanks with expensive Florida marine diesel, called everyone with Christmas wishes and turned in early.  Cruising is all about catching "weather windows" so Christmas Day, we departed the USA for Grand Bahama Island knowing a Cold Front was following the next day.  The forcast winds and wave height would have made the crossing very uncomfortable,

 

 

 

Lake Worth inlet -- heading east against inbound traffic.

 

Loofing back throught the inlet -- last chance to turn around -- Nope!!

This is what the North Atlantic looks like with a good "weather window".  Perfect !!

Florida and the high rise apartments getting smaller as we head east !!

Patrick AFB To Palm Beach

 

We left Patrick AFB on 23 December in great weather and headed South.  Leaving the Bananna River we "scraped bottom" but, thankfully, no damage except to my nerves.  Back on the ICW for an uneventful trip to Jensen Beach and a great overnight anchorage.  On Christmas Eve day, we got underway early, went to the "outside" and cruised to Palm Beach through the Lake Worth inlet.  No more ICW !!

 

 

 

Sunset view of the Jensen Beach bridge from our anchor spot

 

Domino the Cat seldom emerges from his numerous "hiding" places when the engines are running but cnnot resist a comfortable perch by the firepit.

 

St Augustine to Patrick AFB via Daytona Beach

 

Leaving St. Augustine, noticed a leak in the generator's raw water pump.  So, we made arrangements to stop at the Aquamarine marina in Daytona Beach.  Explaining my problem to the dockmaster, He knew who to call.  A boat mechanic arrived on scene 30min later, removed the pump, and returned within a hour. To make a short story even shorter, the pump needed a new seal (one I did not have in my assembly of spart parts -- of course) and all is back to normal.  We left the next morning for the Manatee Marina at Patrick AFB.  Thanks to Dave and "T" on "Pagan Lady" back at NAS Pax for the tip on Patrick AFB

 

 

 

 

 

One can never get tired of watching Dolphins ride your bow wave !!

Pierside at Manatee Cove Marina, Patrick AFB.  Its a bit tight and shallow coming up the Bananna River, a few scary moments of shallow water and "where's the channel" concerns.  But we arrived safely in this truely gem of a marina.  Big Exchange and Commissary within walking distance, super golf course nearby and lots of activities going on every night.  Yup, we are moored right next to an outdoor Tiki Bar.

 

A Bow view with an outdoor patio.

Mavourneen from inside the Tiki Bar !!  Tom, the marina manager, told us Dave and "T" came to stay for just a few days and decided to stay for almost "forever".  We can see why.  A must stop and stay for anyone with a Military ID cruising anywhere in Florida.  Our plans are to leave Thursday morning, two day trip South to catch (we hope) a weather window for crossing to the Bahamas.

St Augustine !!

 

   Left Jacksonville and continued South to St Augustine.  After stopping for fuel we arranged for a mooring ball with the St Augistine city marina.  Our first experience at a mooring ball.  Bettilynn and I worked out some hand signals for anchoring and they worked equally well for retrieving the mooring pendant.  She drove the boat and I did all the work in the cold rain!!  Seems fair.

 

 

 

 

 

 

We liked swiging on the "ball"; far less expensive ($20 / day) than paying transient fees at a slip AND it gave us the opportunity to bring the dingy down and explore St Augustine..  The marina also had a free water taxi, but it was more fun in our own boat.

 

 

Bettilynn in one of the many alley shops and restraunts in St. Augustine.  This is a great city to explore!!



 

 

Lots of old churches and buildings, some dating back to the eary 1800's.

Another view of Mavourneen "on the ball".  We met several other boaters doing the same thing -- heading South to the Bahamas.  We hosted a few on our sun deck the night before leaving, exchanging e-mails, blogsites, and promises to meet at various places in the Exumas!!

Leaving Jacksonville -- heading South!!

 

Our Slip At Ortega Landing Marina

 

 

Clubhouse,Pool, Hot Tub, free laundry, showers, great rates etc. -- Ortega Landing Marina is a first class marina operation 

The pool and hot tub

Bettilynn's son Wesley and his girfriend Rachel.  Wes is in the Navy, stationed at Pensacola and came for the weekend to visit !!  The weather cleared up on Sunday, so we went out for a few hours, cruising through dowtown Jacksonville.




Ortega River Bridge -- Very narrow, opens on request.

A Mega-Yacht visiting Jacksonville

 

 

Downtown Jacksonville

 

 

 

 

  It is December 9, 2012 and this is our last evening at Ortega Landing Marina.  We have been here two weeks, taking care of administrative details, stocking the boat, doing oil changes, some maintenance, etc.  Tomorrow, we get underway early for St Augustine and plan to stay on a mooring ball.  So far the weather has not been very cooperative.  Only a few days of our trip have been clear and sunny but the long range forecast suggests a change for the better latter next week.  It has been getting warmer as we move South -- that's a good thing.