Sailing Rubber Duck

We have POWER!

Yes, I know it's been a while since our last post here. The time since we got our boat up to the Chesapeake hasn't been idle however.

Our first priority has been power. If we ever plan to 'disconnect' from shore we need to have sufficient power to meet our power demands. The list of appliances and their related power requirements add up surprisingly fast. Lights, winches, radar, navigation, etc. Then there's the cell phone chargers, toaster oven, microwave...

But we're doing what we need to to meet those needs. The most recent upgrades are new solar panels on an arch that we had installed now on the back of the boat. For those techies out there - these panels will give up roughly ~1735W on sunny days from sunshine. We also have a pair of wind generators, each giving us up to 400W on 'not so sunny' days.

One could wonder if all these upgrades are worth it, just to let us run our coffee machine and (someday soon) an air conditioner...

Why 'yes', yes it is...

Duck Update! Trip competed!! (Well at least this leg...the first of many, many more...)

With trailing weather and the Gulf Stream adding to our nothbound pace, we made it to the Chesapeake in record time from Florida. Clear skies of the Atlantic were replaced by a fog bank along the stretch of the Bay where close eyes had to be kept for big boat traffic.

Now home at last we've got tons and fixes and upgrades a coming, but only after a well earned breather.

More to follow!

Duck Update!! Ok I didn't mean to leave you hanging there. Did they make it?

Why yes they did! Debbie and crew arrived safely at Inagua Island, Bahamas about 11pm last evening. Not without a little excitement, but the crew has been working great together in dealing with minor issues as they arise.

The Windward Passage by Cuba & Haiti was expected to be a bit challenging anyways since the whole way was going against the weather. Additionally both of these countries are ones that our insurance explicitly forbid us to enter. Not to be deterred, the crew pushed forward being slapped constantly by wind and waves for the last couple of days.

About halfway up one of thier two engines' alarms went off due to overheating so had to be shut down. Pace was slower but they eventually arrived in Inagua where they found a sandy spot and anchored for the evening.

Today started off tracking down the one person that sells diesel ($7 p/gal) on the island (population 1000) on a Sunday, and to get some minor engine mechanic assistance.

Dinner is on the town tonight (hopefully taking it easy on the Caribbean Rum) with a renewed plan and a refreshed crew, departing early tomorrow. ETA in Miami is most likely Wednesday.

Quick update to pass along!

So far so good - the sailing trip north is going well. Over the last several days Debbie and crew have made it across the Caribbean Sea, up from Cartagena and finally into the Windward Passage between Haiti and Cuba. The current path is heading north towards Inagua Island, Bahamas for a first stop.

The conditions so far have been fairly good, but due to the time of year the majority of the travel has had to head straight into the wind - not very conducive to being able to sail on a sailboat.
Once they reach the Bahamas later on today they're planning on taking a brief rest breather and refuel - both needed and well deserved.

And then when they depart again it should be a little easier too being a downwind trip towards Miami.

I'll pass along updates as I get them.

Just when we thought it wouldn't happen, our sailboat delivery from Cartagena, Columbia to Annapolis, MD is finally underway!!

Two days spent provisioning, getting spares, fueling...all the preparations needed for the long trip ahead. The crew, Debbie and our hired crew, started the day in good spirits and pulled out at 9am. Heading north now, first waypoint Jamaica!

Status Update! We started our voyage, but shortly into it had to turn back. Wind and waves were tolerable, but a broken jib halyard and reefing line issues turned us around to keep the trip & crew safe.

So we're back in Cartagena. We're not easily discouraged though. While we did miss the planned weather window, planning is in the works. 😁⛵️⚓️

We finalized provisioning, filling the fuel tanks, securing the hatches, and on and on...we're about on our way!!

We're hoping to set sail by about 7pm tonight and be on our way to Jamaica! We'll keep you posted on our progress.

Anchors (almost) away! 😁⛵️⚓️

We're almost there!! We were just notified that our new boat's international 'deflagging' from Spain has now been completed and that we'll most likely be able to take possession of her by the end of the week. Soon we'll be joining up with our crew and then sailing up to U.S. waters. We can't wait!

For now we just have to survive...packing.

More updates & pictures to come!

So who says you can't have fun on a sailboat during the winter? Ok, so maybe we weren't exactly out on the 'water', but we did spend the day out on our current sailboat and giving her a little attention on a dreary day. We've had some good memories in the short time that we've had her, but we're now looking to find her a loving home so we can make room for our incoming new addition.

And today while we were lost in our little own world of lugging items up and down the ladder and trying to get some order to what we were doing, we had a couple folks stop by to pass along well wishes to our tasks at hand, but we also got to share brief glimpses into each other's adventuring aspirations. We must say, we do love the sailing community!! 😁🏝⛵️

While this picture was from a couple months ago during a sailing venture here around the Chesapeake, this is where our hearts continue to be in thinking of the near future of time spent out on the water. And in coming weeks Debbie will be getting a head start on those adventures by joining a crew down in warm & sunny Columbia, helping in the delivery of our catamaran addition all the way here to Virginia! Fair winds ahead!