Scott & Ruth's Dingy Adventures

With Esperanza tied up to the dock in the Boatyard while waiting for her precious "parts", we venture out on Dingy rides as much as possible. Today we went in the opposite direction from our favored Southport Raw Bar, and crossed the Bay to another Canal which led us to our former anchorage: Lake Sylvia.....then we passed through another channel and discovered a favourite Fort Lauderdale spot (apparently) the Bahia Cabana Bar where Ruth finally got a Pina Colada, Scott had a Corona, and we enjoyed Grilled Garlic Shrimp. Gotta love the Seafood dishes here!
Ruth was snapping pics continuously so you will see a collage of our day: the Bridge we haven't got under yet, which leads to the ocean and the Bahamas; Ruth is fascinated by the Pelicans; views of the canals, boats, and beautiful houses.
We saw an Iguana on one of the docks - what a hoot! Also,  as we were boating along, very often coconuts fall off the palm trees into the water and they are floating by so I wanted Scott to grab one for me....well, just before he reached for it I said...."No, it's a dead rat"...lol...I nearly fell out of the dingy I was laughing so hard!! It was a really big, dead, wharf rat - ugh! I guess we won't be gathering coconuts! And...we both need our eyes examined!
All in all another lovely day in sunny Florida. We're just waiting now to enjoy the Stuffed Crab and Beer Bread we have in the oven.....Life is VERY good!

View from Esperanza - you can see rain clouds rolling in yesterday

                                         One of many of Ruths pelican pictures

                                         Todays bar - the world famous Bahia Cabana

                                         Dingy ride back home - Lake Sylvia

                                         One of the many canals

After paying off the aftercooler this is my next purchase

The bridge we just can't seem to pass under to the "other side"!

Our future home - lol!

Christmas Eve and Day

 Christmas eve Ruth and I prepared a fantastic sea food chower ans she is always full of surpises comming out of the aft cabin in a red miss santa clas outfitt, funny funny but looking great.
Well the day started out with sun shining  upon the boat,  windows and doors, about 70 degs. Santa had found Experanza at her new home, and the stockings were stuffed with care. After a great breakfast eggs Mtl smoked meat, Bagels. We spent the rest of the day relaxing on the deck in the sun.
For dinner Ruth prepared stuffed Cornish hen. You would not believed how much stuffing you can get into that small hole. Roasted potato's, carrots, sweet potato and cramberry sauce.
 A feast

 
                            
    
                             

a great aftenmoon

 Christmas Dinner

Santa's Elf

Merry Christmas

Ho-Ho-Ho From Esperanza and Cable Marine boatyard. We are making the best of our stay here, Getting work done sanding paints all the little things that just keep being put off. Just getting back from the smallest hardware store in North America but they had everything that a Canadian Tire would have and better prices then most chain stores.Then back to the Raw Bar for soft shell crabs and oboy shrimp. god what a meal.
On my birthday  morning the boat all done up with birthday balloons and banners.
Eggs and montreal smoked meat from MOES in Montreal. Ruth had brough it down with her. She has become quite the first mate.

 Ruth took me out for birthday dinner what a feed.

 Esperanza all lite up

Another Boat Yard

On Tuesday we were towed by my cheapest and best investment: Tow Boat US to Cable Marine in Fort Lauderadale. The after cooler started to leak - well, spray, not leak after I broke a bolt the day before leaving for the Bahamas.

The after cooler was removed and taken to the shop for disassemble where the damage was worse then I had expected. The price of a new one $5000.00 so I called my good friends at home and we started a search for a rebuilt or used one. Nothing available so we discussed locktite, liquid metal and other products. No doubt they would work but if the internal o ring failed and the seat for the tubes was not perfect, the raw water could get into the engine and then I would have even bigger problems.
So its been decided to bite the bullet and buy a new one. With the Holidays and businesses shutting down, the part will not arrive until 2013!!!Meanwhile, we are living in a boat yard again at Cable Marine - all the comforts of home, just can't go anywhere. Well, they say it never rains but it pours and I am trying to get the leak in my Dingy fixed so we at least have that transportation. As Jim calls me: "Duck Tape Scott"....duck tape just doesn't work on the dingy ....last resort Locktight 5200. That Dingy will be fixed!!
When all is fixed and after seriouse "Sea Trials", we will make the decision whether to head to the Bahamas or not in the New Year.

Ruth and I are enjoying each others company and have the boat all decorated for Christmas and we are planning a nice dinner on board!

So you want to be a live aboard

Perfect day Tomorrow for everyone else

Well, we all planned to leave tomorrow under perfect conditions, but Esperanza just does not want to make the trip. After securing everything, loading the dingy on the front deck for the crossing and repairs (another long story), I decided to have one last check in the engine room, and noticed the salt crystalization on the heat exchanger was back so I tried to see if the bolts were loose. With less than a quarter turn the first bolt broke off - now I have water spraying all over the engine room. I turned off the engine and then called my new best friends at Tow Boat US.!! They will be towing us into a new Boat Yard: Cable Marine (we are doing a market study of all local Boat Yards) at 9:00 AM tomorrow!

So, for the last two days we have been on Esperanza, anchored in Lake Sylvia, Fort Lauderdale, with no dingy, no engine, but still smiling and floating. Thank God for Ruth's sense of humor - I would be crying now but she keeps me smiling and laughing despite all the adversities.

Visiting our Buddy Boat: Time & Tide Sunday night. Gary & Christella are from Trenton, Ontario. Gary was kind enough to come get us in his dingy/water taxi. :)

This was what we passed coming down the waterway on Saturday - thank God our steering and bow thruster were working. If you look to right in picture, you can see the port side of another yacht that was tied to dock - very narrow passage!!

Some Christmas pictures

They go all out decorating here in Fort Lauderdale!

Even decorate barges for Winterfest as a friendly Alligator! :)

Our Christmas tree aboard the Esperanza!

Sea Trials

Ruth cast the lines { she is getting very good with the boat work and learning fast} off we went down the river, steering and expensive bow thruster working great. It is winter fest here and i will let My Honey describe that to you. We are in Lake Sylvia still waiting for that weather window.

We tried to download pictures but this $1.00/day Internet does not seem to allow any extras...kind of like Dollarama!! Well, there definitely is money in the U.S. and we think it is all in Florida (probably thanks, in part, to innocent boaters from up North - lol). Hopefully, we will get pics on later, meanwhile I have to tell you my jaw dropped at the expenditure and opulence so many times I had to close it so I wouldn't catch too many flies! Fake snow, lavishly decorated houses and boats, Santa's swinging from Palm Trees, tables set out along the river dressed in Christmas finery waiting for Guests to arrive to watch the Winter fest Parade of boats down the waterway this evening. One of the barges was well done - it looked like an Alligator! They really go all out here and no snow and it's warm!!! All good!

so you want to be a live aboard?
I say yes 
and Ruth too
have to love it!

When it rains in Florida

Yes sometimes it rains in Florida heavy rain off and on for most of the day. But mine started at 9am when Ed Ruff arrived with my bow thruster motor. I was in the engine room looking at another potential problem when Ruth yelled to me. Crawling out i was presented with a bill for 1057.00 my face dropped to the engine room floor. The motor was completely rebuilt but my god what a price.
At 3PM we went up to the office to pay for three days at the yard and one hour of service total $500.00 now I am just waiting for my generator pump  to arrive and we can leave tomorrow. We decide to go and get some more supplies before leaving. When we returned my pump was waiting - you won't believe this $288.00 for a pump that you can hold in a child's hand.
So when I say it rains in Florida it pours!!!
On the bright side the bow thruster and steering are all working.

Day 2 - Living In a Boat Yard

Life isn't so bad living in a boat yard. Everyone can find you - especially at $1.50/ Ft. - not a bad rate for Fort Lauderdale. In a boat yard you do not have the amenities of a Marina, so we still have to shower on board and today we took our laundry to local Laundromat...the Skipper did a wonderful job of doing laundry while Ruth shopped - got awesome new sandals!!! :) Also found a few Christmas decorations and made a wreathe for the Esperanza tonight!

After a lovely supper out last night at O'Connor's Irish Pub, it  was a quiet night and 8:30 AM today, Ed arrived from Rough Marine to inspect the Bow Thruster ....out the motor comes once again to be rebuilt and hopefully we'll have it back tomorrow. Fellow came and fixed the Hydraulic Steering - all a go on that end! Ordered a new Water Pump for the Generator - 3rd one in 3 years - and hopefully it will arrive tomorrow. The weather window does not look good until Wednesday of next week so cross your fingers that we can cross to the Bahamas then. Meanwhile, life in the boat yard is fairly peaceful and people are friendly! After dragging anchor Tuesday night and having an interrupted supper, I asked Ruth to make the same supper tonight - curried stir fry shrimp with egg noodles - God it was good (Editor's note: Can you tell he is spoiled???) Update tomorrow! Goodnight! :)

Off to th Bahamas....Not!!!!

Today was a good weather window so up at 6:30 AM to head to the Bahamas....within 2 miles of pulling anchor, approaching our first bridge, Esperanza decided to have a hissy fit and had talked with the Bow Thruster....they decided to mutiny!!!! Suddenly, all steering was lost...OMG....beautiful yachts all around and a bridge,  and 2 knot currents pushing us to bridge we weren't sure we would clear! Dropping anchor in the middle of the channel. and calling Tow Boat US and placing a security alert to Channel 16 that we were blocking the bridge and channel. Keeping the boat in reverse, our Skipper tried to maneuver the boat to the nearest dock or Bridge Fender. Ruth dropped Boat Fenders, just instinctively, having never been in this situation before! Ruth's ballet came in handy as she leaped to the fender with a line in hand, managing to hold this vessel against a 2 knot current while Skipper Scottie tried to attach a spring line to the fender.
Tow Boat US was 15 minutes away......when we finally got lines on, we ended up ripping the light off the bridge fender....while Ruth politely apologized to Bridge Keeper, Chris, and with very little damage to Esperanza. We had a scary tow up narrow waterways and Ruth could not believe we didn't hit another Yacht or Bridge..."me nerves were rubbed raw"!
Arriving at our final destination: the Riverbend Marina and Boatyard...where we are currently living  - lol....we decided to have ALL repairs done so the Bow Thruster and Steering would not mutiny again!!! We met a lovely lady, Lori, in the office there who invited us to join her for the Winter fest events this Saturday, if still here, and a Pig Roast at her Brother's....most people are sooo nice...life is good!
Skipper's Note: after 1 week, Ruth has become a very valuable First Mate. Very calm under stressful situations and handles everything very well. We will let you all know when repairs are completed and heading out again. I still want to show Ruth the beaches and waters of the Bahamas.

Bah Humbug Bow Thruster

Ruth arrived last Wednesday. Picked her up at West Palm Beach Airport in a black convertible...yahoo! Had an enjoyable ride back with top down....scenic route after getting lost few times. Lol. Made it back to the Marina in Stuart.
Before Jim left, he took Bow Thruster battery to NAPA and it was good....so I decided to take Bow thruster motor out and have it tested...seemed to be fine. Next, I had Diver John (according to Ruth a cute, young thing) come out to boat - he cleaned the bottom and the dreaded Bow Thruster. After the cleaning and hours of work, still no improvement in Bow Thruster performance.....Bah Humbug!!!
Donald and Susan - "Old Sam" - were planning on leaving Stuart for Lake Worth on Saturday so we fueled up and joined them. Anchored in Lake Worth expecting to leave for Bahamas Sun. AM but before we managed to raise anchor, new acquaintances from Trawler: "Time & Tide", Gary and Christine, radioed that they had started at 4:00 AM to cross to West End Bahamas but had to turn around due to "beam sea". Susan and Donald continued on and had a rough trip but arrived safely!
So, Monday AM we attempted to leave with our New "Buddy Boat" - Time & Tide, and after about 7 miles our predicted 2-3' seas, were 3-5' - making very little headway, we decided to turn around and come back. We all then travelled down the Inter coastal Waterway to Lake Boca Raton where we dropped anchor for the night. Ruth is becoming very good at steering the boat, reading charts, and helping with lines, etc.
Today we continued South down the ICW to Fort Lauderdale hoping it will make for an easier crossing from here. With the Gulf Stream pushing us along we hope to leave tomorrow AM for the Bahamas.
Ruth cooked a beautiful curried shrimp stir fry tonight that was interrupted by a dragging anchor and fellow boaters yelling at us....
My new nemesis is going to be the Bow Thruster...spent all morning working on it and talking to the factory to no avail so..."Bah Humbug Bow Thruster" and off to the Bahamas tomorrow...cross your fingers!!

This pic is just before turning back - 1st Gulf crossing attempt.

Breakfast on Esperanza.

Bow Thruster

On Thursday before leaving Jim took the bow thruster battery to napa thinking it was bad. They tested the battery and it is fine so reinstalled and tried the thruster again. It was still doing the same thing after 10 seconds it was losing torque like the battery was going dead. While operating it Jim noticed sparks at the top of the motor could be bad brushes. So today i removed the motor and took it to a motor rewind shop. They put it on the test stand and it ran fine so back to the boat and reinstalled and you guess it its running fine god knows what i did. but I now no how to take apart a bow thruster.
so Feet up and relax for the rest of the day, and off to don and sue boat for dinner

Off we go

Finally Sunday Morning Jim, Rae, and I are ready to go great day sun ,warm flat seas, the boat seems a little slow the bottom will have to be done. Arrived Fort Myers about 5pm and headed to the city of fort Myers marina. I was told that it was just pasted the second bridge on the port by the big Texaco sign.
Well it was not after the first two bridges it was after the sixth bridge and guess what is was on the starboard. So much for getting instructions before leaving.  haha. Well going up the river in the dark was bad enough but when i send Jim down to get big Bertha{light} it fell apart. After three weeks of working I never picked it up. O-well have extra lights. will miss the old girl. Into the marina the bow thruster battery goes dead again. Will get new one tomorrow morning well guess not NAPA is 3 miles away and will only delivery new battery's not ones under warranty. Will get one in Steward.
The next morning we head out for More Haven Glades Marina nice marina very friendly and 1.00 per ft.
Next Morning have a great breakfast at the local grill {gulf cart provided with slip} and then off to Clewiston to Roland Martin Marina a short day but we need a short day. again $1.00 a ft. good food and entertainment.
Up Early and across the lake to Steward. arriving 5.00pm another great day.

Sea Trials

After three weeks of work lugging 150gallons of diesel 15 gallons at a time we are ready for a little trip. Left the sea wall the bow thruster seemed sluggish will check the 11 month old battery when we return.
Well got the engine up to 1200 rpms and the black smoke just started pouring out of her. I could only get 2000rpm under full power. so keep it at 1500 rpm then went into the engine room and it was full of smoke so shut down engine and investigated. I turned out that I had spilled oil when changing oil and it was burning off. Started engine again but black smoke still pouring out. We started heading back home after about 45 minutes and it started to clear up and despaired in about 15 minutes. Guess it was a stuck injector. Checked the bow thruster battery the terminals good so i put on charge over night.
So supplies some food last of tender repairs and plan on leaving South Gulf Cove on Sunday.

sunny Florida

Well I arrived in sunny Florida on Nov 4th, Jim was at the airport to pick me up and off to South Gulf Cove.
It was dark by the time we got there so it was the next day before I visited the boat.
The boat was dirty, with some mold on the inside but generally in good shape.
Generator would not start and house battery was dead and the engine would not start. Placed the generator battery on charge and started clearing out all the stuff stored inside. Washing and cleaning the walls and ceiling. Next morning tried the generator and still would not start so off to NAPA i go for a new battery while there pick up all spare filters etc. $275.00.
Change oil in both engine and generator install new battery and connect inverter and start the generator.
IT"S running and charging.
But still cant get the engine started so off to Harvey's for a 200anp battery charger (someone in Jim's family will have what ever you will ever need to keep a boat going} Put the charger on and still the engine would not start. We tried jumping the started and everything else to no success. Determined that it has to be the house battery the big d-8 heavy, heavy. Thank god the the young fellow Greg was still working on the outside on the boat and was able to help me get it out. So back to NAPA I must go. NAPA to southern boaters is like going to Canadian tire haha.
With the engine now working, Its time to install the new motor in the front head {you all now about how i love working on heads) well the job went well and its working.
Decided sense i had everything out of the bilge that I would paint it and the water tank. Well in the middle of that job I had to go to the head so the closes was the new front one flushing I was shocked to see all my shit coming out the bottom of the toilet on the floor.Cleaned it up and back to my painting.
Well the next day out with the forward head for repairs. Just a seal but had to take the complete toilet out.
Next came the leaking taps galley sink well had to take the sink out to get at the taps off to home depo for parts.
Tried the holding tank, whale pump and you guessed it a clog somewhere well another two day in shit on my newly painted bilge. Off to west marine for a new pump.
Solar panels arrive and Jim and I spend the next two days installing them and there are working good.
Now to the tender spend the next for days gluing cleaning and patching and put the new motor on and off to the lake to test it. Everything worked great just two small leaks which i repaired and everything seems to be great.almost ready for test run.

Martin River Regatta

The long weekend in Sept. was rhe Martins River Regatta. I was great racing again. With co-skippers Donald the pink pussy cats took first place in ceol-cat-rata.
A great meal and party to follow.

Great to spend time old and new friends.

Mid Summer Report

It's been awhile sense I wrote Things have been busy. But on this rain day in Halifax I though I would do a little update.
Returning to Halifax not knowing what to expect, and how things were going to work out was scary and emotional.  But with family and friend at my side things did get easier.

I would like to thank my good and dear friends Lane and Tina, They have opened there home to me for the summer and for loaning me a car for my stay back in Halifax all my love to you both.

Mon and Dad for opening there doors when I first got home and for a much needed shoulder there strength and love is always there.

My Daughter and family who I have spent a lot of time with this summer getting to know each other all over again I love you all.

To my good friend Donnie for offering me his cottage in NFLD  Good luck my old friend with the back surgery come to Florida and I help with your recovery.

 Donnie's daughter Tanya and family for offering the spare room in there home.

My good friends Donald and Susan for offering me a room in there home and for Susan ear.

and to all my other friends that i have not mention thank-you all.

If a mans wealth was measured  by his family and friends then I am a very rich man

to my Florida family thank you for taking care of my boat and I look forward to seeing everyone in November.
Love you all
Skipper Scott

A Beautiful Night

Esperanza in the Bahamas

A Year To Remember

Well the year is coming to a close. Jim and his father Rae (85) rented a car in Port Charlotte and drove to Marathon to join me on my last voyage of the season. With a little delay Thursday morning and a trip to see super Kendal again with a Generator problem we stayed at Marathon Boat Yard for the night and departed the following day. And what a trip it was three of the best days on the water that I have had all season.A light breeze flat sea's and good company. with everything working great.  If only the hole season could have been like this.
Rae was great he started of a little slow but at the end of the trip he was moving around the boat like a old pro and even took the helm when I went down for my rain jacket the last hour of the trip.
Arriving in South Gulf Cove Saturday afternoon at 6 pm.
the next 7 days were very busy closing down the boat. In a lot of ways its the same as closing down a boat at home except it 85deg and sunny skies.  In preparing it for summer storage you have to prepare it for the.Little things like BUGS,Snakes, and other critters are the big problem's  and the Sumner sun will bake everything.
So with the boat put away I am ready to leave Jim's for home with a little side trip to Detroit were I am delivering a car to Jim's son's, meeting another cousin and enjoying a evening.. Brother Rae will be picking me up at the border crossing on Monday morning where I will visit for a week before returning home for the summer.
Well until next season all be safe.
and remember
So you want to be a live aboard
And I Say YES

Not Again

Well Jim and his Father Rae arrived at Docksides yesterday afternoon. Esperanza finally has a good weather window to leave for Port Charlotte Tomorrow Wed. Morning.
But Marathon will not let me leave. This morning the generator failed, so down in the hole I go, check oil , change fuel filter no luck. So phone call to super Kendal and off to Marthon Boatyard for repairs.
Well repairs only were done within an hour but it now 10.3am and to late to leave for the 10 hour crossing.
Will try again tomorrow.

Having a Great time

Well has been great having Donnie here. We have been having a good time. Had planned to leave for Port Charlotte Today but the weather is saying no no. and winds from the NE at 25k for the next 3 days. So we just have to enjoy Marathon for a little while longer.

Donnie Arrived

lobster dinner

swimming off Esperanza

Marathon At Last

Up early on Friday morning leaving the marina at 7.45am Heading for Jewfisk Creek arriving at 7.30pm and anchor for the night. The weather forecast looked good with winds 14-17k out of the SW with a moderate chop. Well I learned what NOAA {the national weather } meaning of chop are today. Light chop is a Very Pleasant day boat hardly moves. Moderate chop, chop spraying occasionally over the bow. Heavy chop sea spray slapping you in the face on the Fly bridge. Winds building 20-25k I had all three conditions today.
Now Saturday up early again leaving at 7.45am arriving Marathon at Docksides 5.30pm  one of those perfect days that makes everything all worthwhile winds NE light chop sunny just perfect. Everyone was here to help with my lines and a Big hamburger waiting for me. To bed early two very long days. Sunday the boat had to be washes inside (took several heavy chops with the side door open stupid) the decks covered with salt.
Have to get the forward cabin ready for Donnie's arrival tomorrow.

Just got back from the Fort Lauderdale marine and the Officer did what he said he would and gave me my cursing permit. So after 5 hour bringing the boat back and 3 hours waiting at the office. I am back on the boat no fines or jail. So I poured myself a stiff pop and relaxed for am hour now to supper water tanks and get ready for am early start tomorrow.
still no e-mail

update

Rented a car and drove back to fort Laurdale but no go. because the is in Miami he could not give me a permit, and because I checked in at customs in Fort Laurdale Miami will not issue me a permit so now I have to toke to boat back to fort laurdale tomorrow. What a miss I got myself into. O lost all my passwords on all my accounts today so I can't get my e-mails right now

Will I ever get a break

The weather projections for Sat. were good. Wind guru, Passage maker, and NOAA all said to go. Winds 7-10 k sea's 2ft or less out on the ESE perfect. Up and gone in the morning . well 10 miles out the winds started to pick-up, 15 miles out the sea's started to pick-up and 20 miles out the sea's were SW at 5-6 ft on the beam. To late to turn back I buried the bow twice and had to change course. Not knowing were I was going to end up I just went with the sea's.
Ending up in fort Lauderdale 20 miles from Miami. Tired and sore I found the Harbour town Marina and checked in for the night. another $97.00 dollars. O well, a good nights sleep was needed..
Off to customs in the morning checked in and were out of there in 5 minuets. Over to get a cruising permit but they only do that Monday to Friday 8-4. So I asked the officer if I could continue on to Miami and get the permit on Monday, well I guess I misunderstand her reply. {yes} she said and I asked do you no here the office is in Miami and her reply was no I don't go to Miami. Well what part of yes I did not understand I don't no. But Yes is yes and now I am in Miami and can't get a cruising permit, can't get an answer on how to get one, my 48 hours has expired and I am anchored in Miami harbour.No one can tell me anything, do I have to go back to Fort Lauderdale, I can't take the boat that's cruising after 48 hours I have already run out of time.
So at 8 am I will call the office again, After 22 call's and messages so far I have no answers. If have to rent a car and drive back to Fort Lauderda tomorrow I will.
I guess maybe I should have not have bother, now they have all my info, its to late.

Florida Tomorrow

Could have left today but gave it one extra day for the sea's to die down a little more, Weather tomorrow looks great with under 2ft sea's and less then 10k wind both out of the south east. Lobster tails for dinner tonight $20.00 for a dozen six meals about the only cheap thing here.
By the way if you just want to get out of the USA for a month. The monthly rate here is $500.00 per month and you can do allot of day trips from here. Cat Cay, Guy Cay great beaches, Good fishing, Etc.
If I had only checked into it on the way through.
Well Florida and customs tomorrow and then back to Marathon for a short visit before heading to port Charlotte> Esperanza's resting place.
Keep you feet warm at home.
OOO Mon will need shoes at the airport haven't had any for six months lol
and thanks to all that respond to the blog sometimes I begin to think that I am only doing it for me.

ready to leave but

Well ready to leave, but decided to take it easy today,a me day a maintenance free day no  repairer's just a me day. having fun.

Sorry fokes, I just learned that my camera has a timer so I can take pictures of myself thanks Dan. So here I am taking pictures of myself

Decided to have a good time.

and went to the pool.

And then back to the boat for dinner curry shrimp and egg noodles.
In for a penny in for a pound.
will be leaving on Sat. I hope.

VOODOO'S AT THE POOL


Sorry to hear the leafs did not make the play off, Lane but who would have though they would;hd .lol

cleaning the uper helm head

love you all
back in Florida on Sat.

Bimini

Arrived In Bimini this morning, It was a long trip. Departed from Big Run at the start of the Bahama Banks they were heading north west and I was going west. I spent 11  hours at the helm and had to stop. Drop ed the anchor dinner and bed was the plan. But weather gods had different plans for me and the wind picked up over night from the southwest with 3-4 ft sea's. So without much sleep, it was rise anchor at sun rise and fight a beam sea to Gun Cay 6 hours away. On arrival I dropped anchor for lunch and an hour rest.Leaving Gun Cay I could see the breaker hitting the rocks but I was on the inside so continued on my journey.
2.6 mile from Alice town was as far as I could get turning the corner I was facing the 5-7 footers on the beam. So I went looking for an anchorage. While looking at the chart plotter I drove the boat aground and was stuck pretty good. High tide not until 10.46pm, so empty the water tanks of my .50cent a gallon water. dropped anchor and waited until 1/2 tide and got her off. Setting anchor a little ways out in 6 ft of water. With winds blowing 20-25k I stayed up watching anchor again. Arriving in Bimini this morning the sun out and a warm day I sleeped all afternoon.
Waiting for a weather window to make the final crossing 44miles to Florida.

Out of here

Well should be out of here tomorrow, weather looks good for the next two day should be in Bimini Sunday afternoon. Makes for two long days but I can handle it. Put another 100 gallons on board today $550.00 dollars but should get me to Florida.
Talked to Ron and Jan tonight, I will miss them in Nassau but you have to go when the weather is good.
My buddy boat Big Run has had a ruff time as well but we will cruise together tomorrow for about 10 hours until they start heading north to lake worth. At least we will be running together to test both our transmissions.Bob and Sharon can run all night but I can only do about 10 hours before I need rest. So plan on dropping an anchor on the banks again and continuing on the next morning.
There is another front coming in on Monday with north winds so I will be in Bimini at least until Thursday until the winds shift to the east.
So hope to be back in Florida by the end of next week.
When the cruising guides say not to be in a rush to leave the Bahamas they are right. Its a waiting game.
Report again from  Bimini  maybe I will  try to catch a fish on the way.
lv to all

Still in Nassau

Not much to report the winds continue to blow out to the north east and sea's still running 3-5 ft. Broke the share pin on the outboard yesterday and paddling the dingy against a 3knot current was not easy. So not having a replacement I called out to fellow sailors and got some cudder pins to use. Up and running again.
After sitting in Nassau for two weeks I am looking forward to getting moving again.
Hopefully my next report will be from Florida.

New Date

Well weather looks good for next saturday, winds shifting to the south east with 10k winds. At present I have 2 boats to cross with Big Run should have there transmission up and running on tuesday and a mainship just met today don't no the name of the boat but they plan on leaving the same day. will not have e-met for a couple of days but will keep you updated when i can

Turned around again

Not having much luck leaving Nassau, left this morning at 7am with a forecast of 3ft sea's and light winds 10k. I left with 6 sail boats they were heading to Freeport (north) straight into the sea's I was heading East with the sea's on the beam. Esperanza does not like a Beam sea. So once again I was fooled 5ft sea's I returned to Nassau. It does not look like I will be able to try again for 4-5 days. So I am going to enjoy my time here and do some sight seeing and resupply the boat again and go back to the anchorage. Get the dingy in the water and find a beach and a bar close by Will eventually make it back.

Not going to fast

Left Nassau this moring weather calling for light winds and sea 3-4ft from the east would make for a good run with the seas on the starboard quarter.
But when I left the seas were north right on the beam at 5-6 ft so had to turn back to safe harbour.
Found a anchorage and see what tomorrow brings. I never though I would see FOG down here. did not last long but you could not see across the harbour. Not like our fog but still fog. Talked to my good buddy donnie from NFLD for about a hour and I am feeling better, he is sitting in -47deg with wind chill. so I guess i still have it pretty good. He will be joining me in Miami for 2 weeks. We will do some fishing and cruise down the Keys. Will be good to have some company and someone to talk to..
Esperanza does not talk back just kicks me now and then

On the move

Well Esperanza is on the move again. We left $3300.00 in Highbourne Cay $750.00 pressure plate $800.00 for the service and $1500.00 dockage. and the balance in other fee's.
We crossed from Normans Cay to Nassau on Sat with lite sea and winds and set anchor in Nassau. Saturday was a good night but the winds blow up to 25-30k on Sunday and I was up all night watching the anchor.
We moved to Nassau Harbour Club in the morning requiring supplies and some rest.
Waiting for a weather window to cross to Chub Cay 35miles of deep water and then unto Bimini 80 miles from there and waiting for a weather window to get back into the good old USA.
The cost of everything except rum is very high, Marinas, water, electrical, food, parts everything so after Highboure cay I will be glad to be back in the USA. I figure this little adventure will have cost $ 5-6 thousand by the time I get back to Marathon, I should have went to Cuba as I had planned.
To Donald and Susan and Ron and Jan I have not enjoyed the Bahamas the winds NE all the time the sea's running on average 3-5 ft and I have not found many people all that friendly or helpful other than fellow Canadians and fellow USA sailors.
I am sorry If I sound like I am bitching but I just got back from the grocery store and that even hurts.
O Mom please send money for me to get home. lol
On a better note I have been swimming and beaching when ever I can and my blood suger are low.
have fun
and see you soon

10 days and still waiting

Its 10 days and $1000.00 so far and my pressure plate is in Nassau but with the strong NE and 7-10 ft sea's  the boats are not leaving Nassau so have to sit and wait. Well last night and today were spent in the hole my generator quite working last night. I have replaced the filters again but it is not getting fuel. I have sucked and blown in every fuel line but still have not found the problem yet so as of last night I have no engine no generator and no shore power Unless I bypass the new inverter which I don't want to do yet. until I try everything else. Young Simon just came by and my pressure plate is coming into Normans cay by plane tomorrow, the local generation station broke down last night and they had order parts so my parts will come on the same flight.
Never though I would say this but Can't wait to get back to the USA were things are easy to get and repair.
As a note I would not recommend the Magnum Inverter charger system I have less then 4 month on two units and will require the third, and even under warranty it cost $150.00 per replacement and the failure cost even more.
I am sorry for not being able to be more positive on my remarks but it has not been a good year.
If I can make it down next year the boat will be staying at a marina somewhere on the west coast of Florida probably replacing Inverters every two months
Sun,beaches, and warm weather
but not having fun

Repairs in process

Reairs have started the tramsission has been removed and the problem is the pressure plate. Von who works at the local gereration startion is a Eng. and also workes at the marina. He seems to no what he is doing. The parts have to come from Nassua by boat so don't no how long I will be here. I would take pictures of the engine room but my cameras flash has decided not to work. But lots of little jobs are getting done.
Well fill the cooler and head to the beach..