JOURNEY ROUND
St. Augustine to Palm Beach (2/13/08-3/12/08)
It is hard to believe that we are still in the ''states", USA that is. Having returned from NH in January we were docked at Camachee cove in St. Augustine until Feb. 10 where Updates/repairs (surprise, surprise) were done on the boat---lots of new wiring, new line bags, new pumps, generators, additional solar panels, etc, etc, etc,.... Our goal is to be as sustainable as possible. A great crew of mechanics, sail makers, electricians traversed the boat daily. I became the gopher running for much needed supplies. I did design the new bags that store our lines and fit snugly into our bike racks ( which we found at a marine flea market and had installed). While there I kept sane by visiting local farmer's markets for fresh veggies, took some Zumba dance classes and Yoga. We also went to a wonderful "Richie Havens" concert. I had not seen him since the early 80's (whoops, times does fly) and Marc had actually met him in 1968. We regularly went to a local "Tasting Room" restaurant and enjoyed tapas, great Spanish wine and Cuban music/ dancing.) Also went to a local Blues Fest and Marc ran into an old U of Penn alumnae who was a fellow fraternity member.
It is hard to believe that we are still in the ''states", USA that is. Having returned from NH in January we were docked at Camachee cove in St. Augustine until Feb. 10 where Updates/repairs (surprise, surprise) were done on the boat---lots of new wiring, new line bags, new pumps, generators, additional solar panels, etc, etc, etc,.... Our goal is to be as sustainable as possible. A great crew of mechanics, sail makers, electricians traversed the boat daily. I became the gopher running for much needed supplies. I did design the new bags that store our lines and fit snugly into our bike racks ( which we found at a marine flea market and had installed). While there I kept sane by visiting local farmer's markets for fresh veggies, took some Zumba dance classes and Yoga. We also went to a wonderful "Richie Havens" concert. I had not seen him since the early 80's (whoops, times does fly) and Marc had actually met him in 1968. We regularly went to a local "Tasting Room" restaurant and enjoyed tapas, great Spanish wine and Cuban music/ dancing.) Also went to a local Blues Fest and Marc ran into an old U of Penn alumnae who was a fellow fraternity member.
We left Camachee Cove and traveled up into the river of ST. Aug. to have fiberglass work done on the boat. Capo and Son, Byron and his dad provided concierge service for whatever Marc needed- reworked the anchorage plate, installed new hydraulics on salon table. A real working class dockage with shrimping boats docked beside us. We of course secured mucho shrimp for future dining. A boat captain left us crab cakes. Needless to say, they were probably a "thank you" gift. The night before, Marc ended up pulling a drunken crew member out of water. He had unfortunately fallen off of the dock and was swimming/treading? toward our boat and calling out unintelligible words.Unfortunately, we had just watched the movie, "Dead Calm" with Nicole Kidman about a couple on a sailboat who picked up a "psycho". Use your imagination!!!!! 5 days later we were on our way once again.
Byron Capo with Marc
Our course------ Palm beach to meet a technician to work on the water maker. WE have since gone from 6 to 12 gallons an hour. Whenever we are docked and waiting for deliveries of products (pumps, paper, security dog barking speakers,) we ascertain what else needs to be done and try to get it done or purchased now since products will be hard to find in So. America.
(views from Alpha @ Riviera Beach, Fl) A place we hope never to visit again.
The Unbelievable Day.
Today is Thursday. We were all set to take off Tuesday. Boat was stowed, all systems checked, double checked, much money spent to get new “everything” from pumps to generators to heaters to water makers, etc, etc, etc…… The weather turned to a North Wind preventing us from crossing the stream on schedule, preventing us from meeting Virginia in Jamaica. As Marc was on the phone completing the new airline arrangements to re-route Virginia to Nassau, a major confrontation (aka known as a T-bone) occurred between Alpha Wave and a submarine. Now don’t get excited we did not sink. A submarine to be used for tourism in Antigua, recently purchased by a young Canadian, and shipped from Greece and is to travel via barge from Ft. Lauderdale to Antigua. This Marina, this dock , of all in the world was the testing ground for the sub. A recently hired captain could not control an underpowered 3 ton vessel.
A T-bone, by the way is like it sounds. A boat hits you across the beam. So now we are dealing with having the boat hauled to determine any possible internal damage. Superficially, it looks like the fiberglass was just scratched and gouged, but we have to check it out.
The Mean Sub checking out its prey! (us) Yeah the whole damn thing actually goes 100” below the water…it looks like an over weight shark ..can you hear the Jaws theme song? It is coming at us!
Above is the pic of the Sub taken about an hour before the accident occurred. Imagine those two bullet-like projectiles, one of which connected with Alpha wave. I was literally standing on deck as it was coming toward us and the “crunch” sound traveled through my whole being to the point of being all shook up-literally trembling as I saw all the hard work we have done seep out of me. Talk about helpless----
Tomorrow is another day. The boat will be hauled and we will know where to go from there. I was all ready to send photos of this wonderful sub, which we toured the day before with a wonderful engineer from Martinique. I think I will let is pass for now.
The Unbelievable Day.
Today is Thursday. We were all set to take off Tuesday. Boat was stowed, all systems checked, double checked, much money spent to get new “everything” from pumps to generators to heaters to water makers, etc, etc, etc…… The weather turned to a North Wind preventing us from crossing the stream on schedule, preventing us from meeting Virginia in Jamaica. As Marc was on the phone completing the new airline arrangements to re-route Virginia to Nassau, a major confrontation (aka known as a T-bone) occurred between Alpha Wave and a submarine. Now don’t get excited we did not sink. A submarine to be used for tourism in Antigua, recently purchased by a young Canadian, and shipped from Greece and is to travel via barge from Ft. Lauderdale to Antigua. This Marina, this dock , of all in the world was the testing ground for the sub. A recently hired captain could not control an underpowered 3 ton vessel.
A T-bone, by the way is like it sounds. A boat hits you across the beam. So now we are dealing with having the boat hauled to determine any possible internal damage. Superficially, it looks like the fiberglass was just scratched and gouged, but we have to check it out.
The Mean Sub checking out its prey! (us) Yeah the whole damn thing actually goes 100” below the water…it looks like an over weight shark ..can you hear the Jaws theme song? It is coming at us!
Above is the pic of the Sub taken about an hour before the accident occurred. Imagine those two bullet-like projectiles, one of which connected with Alpha wave. I was literally standing on deck as it was coming toward us and the “crunch” sound traveled through my whole being to the point of being all shook up-literally trembling as I saw all the hard work we have done seep out of me. Talk about helpless----
Tomorrow is another day. The boat will be hauled and we will know where to go from there. I was all ready to send photos of this wonderful sub, which we toured the day before with a wonderful engineer from Martinique. I think I will let is pass for now.
Pati
2/29/08
THE FIASCO CONTINUES
The boat was hauled, checked out and, with the exception of minor fiberglass damage, was given an okay by the surveyor. We decided to forego fiberglass repair because it would take 2-3 days, rain was coming and we needed to meet Virginia in Nassau. So the boat was put back in the water. As soon as we got aboard and started to head back to the dock we heard major noise, and vibrations. It seems that when the boat was hauled they briefly lifted the weight of the boat on the shaft causing it to bend. Before finding the right lift points and doing it properly. Being the responsibility of the “YARD” they have tried to correct the problem.
2/29/08
THE FIASCO CONTINUES
The boat was hauled, checked out and, with the exception of minor fiberglass damage, was given an okay by the surveyor. We decided to forego fiberglass repair because it would take 2-3 days, rain was coming and we needed to meet Virginia in Nassau. So the boat was put back in the water. As soon as we got aboard and started to head back to the dock we heard major noise, and vibrations. It seems that when the boat was hauled they briefly lifted the weight of the boat on the shaft causing it to bend. Before finding the right lift points and doing it properly. Being the responsibility of the “YARD” they have tried to correct the problem.
AlphaWave Being Hauled…again! our“Tree House” Not quite like Thailand however
Thinking the problem corrected, we put the boat back in the water and gave it a test drive.
Vibrations still exist. Mechanics back on board to trouble shoot. We take another test drive. Vibrations still not corrected. We just got hauled again. It is now 1 week from the first hauling.
AND WE WAIT AGAIN
I have never felt more like a prisoner in my life. Held here for almost two weeks because a sub hit us- living on the boat in a boat yard, climbing a 10 foot ladder to get up and down the boat, trekking ½ block to use facilities. Lack of responsibility between boat mechanics and boat yard management feeling rushed to get things done. And the people
Never smile. Our boat as Marc said is a “tree house” but we are careful not to use the heads and to only take showers during rain storms.
Out of all this our dear mechanic CHRIS, we are thankful for. He was aboard when the sub hit, took a trial sail after the shaft work was done and became 3rd party eyes and ears giving feedback and overseeing the work that could potentially have become very political.
I guess this whole set of circumstances could be metaphorically like eating sauerkraut on New Year’s eve- starting the new year with a bitter taste so the coming year will only be sweeter. (an old German ritual). We look forward to the “sweet” and hope we can sail soon.
Peter turned 3 on March 2, and Ben is now 6 mos.old. I think Peter will be old enough to sail with us next year.
Thinking the problem corrected, we put the boat back in the water and gave it a test drive.
Vibrations still exist. Mechanics back on board to trouble shoot. We take another test drive. Vibrations still not corrected. We just got hauled again. It is now 1 week from the first hauling.
AND WE WAIT AGAIN
I have never felt more like a prisoner in my life. Held here for almost two weeks because a sub hit us- living on the boat in a boat yard, climbing a 10 foot ladder to get up and down the boat, trekking ½ block to use facilities. Lack of responsibility between boat mechanics and boat yard management feeling rushed to get things done. And the people
Never smile. Our boat as Marc said is a “tree house” but we are careful not to use the heads and to only take showers during rain storms.
Out of all this our dear mechanic CHRIS, we are thankful for. He was aboard when the sub hit, took a trial sail after the shaft work was done and became 3rd party eyes and ears giving feedback and overseeing the work that could potentially have become very political.
I guess this whole set of circumstances could be metaphorically like eating sauerkraut on New Year’s eve- starting the new year with a bitter taste so the coming year will only be sweeter. (an old German ritual). We look forward to the “sweet” and hope we can sail soon.
Peter turned 3 on March 2, and Ben is now 6 mos.old. I think Peter will be old enough to sail with us next year.
PETER BEN
3/14-3/24 NASSAU, BAHAMAS, EXUMAS
ON OUR WAY TO NASSAU
We have 2 days to get to Nassau to pick up Virginia at the airport. We made an overnight crossing of the “Steam” which was relatively calm and we sailed most of the way. We docked in an anchorage off the Berry Islands. Lo and behold the devil was still with us. We heard yelling/babbling sounds coming from the beach. A man was tossing and turning while 2 others were trying to calm him. To no avail- they literally had to take him out and dunk him in the waves. We thought they were drowning him. Maybe the devil was in him and he needed to be baptized or something.
Marc and I decided to have a cleansing ritual- taking anything off the boat that wreaked of West Palm/Riviera Beach and burning and letting fly off into the night any papers as well.
ARRIVING IN NASSAU
Nassau Harbor is very choppy. We put in at the Bayshore Marina. First attempt did not go well- waves pushing us into the dock and another boat. We abort and go around to a more acceptable spot. In any condition it is hard to dock here. Mediterranean style docking of two pilings at our stern and one-sided docks combined with chop and lots of speed boats. All secured, we head out to our favorite local “conch salad” stand and enjoy fresh fish and are treated by a local Bahamian who works for Bahamian Cable to Kalik beer. We will pick Virginia up tomorrow and than head out to the Exumas.
After waiting for an hour after the scheduled arrival time, Virginia comes out. They have lost the bags of the 2 people who traveled from Boston. Our intent was to sail immediately to the Exumas. So now we wait, once again. Her bag will be delivered by 8:30 pm on this evening- she arrived @ 1:00 pm. We are, after all, on Bahamian time.
TO THE EXUMAS!
We had a wonderful 3 days in the Exumas. Revisiting places Marc and I had been and sharing them with Virginia. Shelling on deserted beaches, snorkeling, sharing the beach with Iguanas at Allen’s Cay, making jewelry from found shells, wonderful uninterrupted conversations to catch up on Virginia’s life. Than back to Nassau to see the city life.
3/14-3/24 NASSAU, BAHAMAS, EXUMAS
ON OUR WAY TO NASSAU
We have 2 days to get to Nassau to pick up Virginia at the airport. We made an overnight crossing of the “Steam” which was relatively calm and we sailed most of the way. We docked in an anchorage off the Berry Islands. Lo and behold the devil was still with us. We heard yelling/babbling sounds coming from the beach. A man was tossing and turning while 2 others were trying to calm him. To no avail- they literally had to take him out and dunk him in the waves. We thought they were drowning him. Maybe the devil was in him and he needed to be baptized or something.
Marc and I decided to have a cleansing ritual- taking anything off the boat that wreaked of West Palm/Riviera Beach and burning and letting fly off into the night any papers as well.
ARRIVING IN NASSAU
Nassau Harbor is very choppy. We put in at the Bayshore Marina. First attempt did not go well- waves pushing us into the dock and another boat. We abort and go around to a more acceptable spot. In any condition it is hard to dock here. Mediterranean style docking of two pilings at our stern and one-sided docks combined with chop and lots of speed boats. All secured, we head out to our favorite local “conch salad” stand and enjoy fresh fish and are treated by a local Bahamian who works for Bahamian Cable to Kalik beer. We will pick Virginia up tomorrow and than head out to the Exumas.
After waiting for an hour after the scheduled arrival time, Virginia comes out. They have lost the bags of the 2 people who traveled from Boston. Our intent was to sail immediately to the Exumas. So now we wait, once again. Her bag will be delivered by 8:30 pm on this evening- she arrived @ 1:00 pm. We are, after all, on Bahamian time.
TO THE EXUMAS!
We had a wonderful 3 days in the Exumas. Revisiting places Marc and I had been and sharing them with Virginia. Shelling on deserted beaches, snorkeling, sharing the beach with Iguanas at Allen’s Cay, making jewelry from found shells, wonderful uninterrupted conversations to catch up on Virginia’s life. Than back to Nassau to see the city life.
Nassau On the Beach in the Exumas…Shroud Cay
We anchored off of Paradise Island, renowned for the “Atlantis Resort” and were in front of the actor, Nicholas Gage’s estate. A beautiful lot next to his (the Bahamian style building of historical significance had been torn down in preparation for condo’s that did not happen-what a waste) provided a walkway to a magnificent beach.. Lo and behold we asked a woman to take our picture and she was from Hampton, NH. (Jerry Sorelli)-unbelievable. She and hubby own a house down the beach from Atlantis. The people here are great-kind, considerate, very helpful and smart. Just read (for all you golfers) that TIGER WOODS is in a partnership to develop a huge golfing resort on Providence Island.
Our Anchorage in Nassau at the digs of Nick Cage……ok so we don’t know Nick…
Of course we took the dinghy and went to ATLANTIS. They have a great public Aquarium, casino, galleries, restaurants, mega yachts, etc. Not having had Italian food for a while, we decided to branch out and go to “Carmines” a family style Italian restaurant. Which meant- large portions, high prices, and NOT gourmet as it turned out. Should have opted for the SUSHI. Dancing with the Kids at Senor Frog’s - Spring Breakers, was an interesting evening of adolescent ritual watching as, Marc and I too, managed to shake our booties.
Of course we took the dinghy and went to ATLANTIS. They have a great public Aquarium, casino, galleries, restaurants, mega yachts, etc. Not having had Italian food for a while, we decided to branch out and go to “Carmines” a family style Italian restaurant. Which meant- large portions, high prices, and NOT gourmet as it turned out. Should have opted for the SUSHI. Dancing with the Kids at Senor Frog’s - Spring Breakers, was an interesting evening of adolescent ritual watching as, Marc and I too, managed to shake our booties.
A fish named Wanda jamming mon….
Neptune’s seat….Atlantis At the abandoned house of a drug lord… Iguana @ Allens Cay
The week was not long enough and sadness prevailed on me as we took Virginia to the airport to return to NH. She returned, as stated, to snow still covering the grounds of Plymouth State.
And now we sit for a few more days until we head off for the Turks/Caicos enroute to Jamaica, Belize, Honduras, Colombia, Panama...... Thanks for joining us on our journey and email us anytime at :
pati@novationsinc.com.
Alphawave anchored at Norman Cay, Exumas
