Sea Gem Log – Thursday, May
3, 2007
Before we take off
from our home port of Titusville I need to tell you a little bit
about Titusville Municipal Marina. We have kept Sea Gem there for
about fifteen years, except for the time we have been blue water
sailing.
The marina is located on the Indian
River with fine recreational facilities of fishing, biking and the
beautiful Canaveral Sea Shore Park close by. The friendly staff and
good facilities are a credit to the town of Titusville. The marina
is also well protected from hurricanes, being located far enough
away from major inlets to reduce damage caused by surge during storm
events. Titusville has fine restaurant facilities, good provision
shopping, and a friendly atmosphere. Only forty five minutes from
our home, it makes keeping Sea Gem there a natural choice.
When we were looking for a place on the east coast to locate our
boat we drove into the Titusville Municipal Marina and the manatees
welcomed us. I don’t know if the manatees there now are the ones of
fifteen years ago, but they are just one of the many amenities of
our home port.
Leaving home is always hard, leaving
grandchildren is really hard. The picture of us with Caroline 13,
Kristen 10, Savannah 8, and John-John 4, illustrates why. Thanks to
our daughter-in-law, Stacey, for taking this photo, and to John who
arranged a portrait sitting before we left. Daughter Terese, and
her husband Tommy, supplied us with barbecued ribs for the trip
along with his famous lemon bars already in the boat freezer. I am
sure each of them including Lee in Montana, wish us well and
secretly think we might just be a little daft.
Until later…still preparing.
Saundra Gray
First Mate of the Sea Gem
Sea Gem Log – Friday, May 4, 2007
Cheryl Carlton, our
indispensable neighbor, drove us to Titusville early on the morning
of May 4, where we finally cast off the dock lines and headed out
for the first small step of a very long voyage. James and Joann
Alton had not quite finished up a couple of projects and decided to
bring those up to St. Augustine in a few days. We motored up the
Intercoastal Waterway as far as Daytona and anchored for the night.
Saturday May 5, rather than go outside at Ponce
Inlet we decided to motor up the ICW all the way to St. Augustine.
We rarely go “inside” and we enjoyed the scenery and beautiful
weather. At 2:30 we checked into Camachee Cove Yacht Harbour, the
base for ARC EUROPE 2007, where we will meet the other four boats
making the run for Bermuda.
On the trip from Titusville to St.
Augustine our two new fresh water pumps malfunctioned so this added
to the list of things for James and Joann to do when they reached
the boat. One pump was leaking great amounts of water and the other
did not work. This is a really good thing to find out before you
head out into the open ocean. Water is such a precious commodity,
even if you have a water maker. We carry 250 gallons of water but
when you think, “If that runs out, there is no more.” A leak becomes
a major worry. Salt water on the outside of the boat, fresh water
on the inside; that is the way you want to keep it.
Until later…still preparing.
Saundra Gray
First Mate of the Sea Gem
Sea Gem Log – Sunday, May 6, 2007
Charlie’s sister,
Linda Bergman and her friend, Carol, came up on Sunday to say
goodbye and we took them to lunch in downtown St. Augustine, since
Carol had a car.
As we were having lunch the sky turn black, the
wind piped up and a significant storm came up. During a lull we got
back to the boat and they took off for home. Since then we have
been weather watching. The tornados across the country and now a
major named storm has cranked up over the Atlantic between here and
Bermuda. We watch, we wait and as each day goes by we know the
ocean is building and it will take some time for it to again settle
down for those of us that go to sea in small boats.
Until later…watching the weather.
Saundra Gray
First Mate of the Sea Gem
Sea Gem Log – Monday, May 7,
2007
Our friends, and
crew members, Don and Lois Babson flew in from Ohio. We met Don and
Lois back in 1992 when they sailed with some friends in the America
500. We got to know them better when we sailed the Millennium
Odyssey from 1999 to 2002, we in Sea Gem, they in
Que Sera Sera,
traveling together on several land excursions and meeting in
various ports. Since arriving Lois has organized and packed every
nook and cranny on this boat with creativity and organization. I
just thought I knew how to pack a refrigerator, she is a pro. We
have made trips to Publix, Target and of course, West Marine. Don
has been helping Charlie for much of the time you don’t have to ask,
they just know what to do.
Tuesday, May 8, 2007 – Jim and Joann came,
finished up some loose ends, brought the new water pumps and
installed them and all is well. Until
later…still getting ready.
Saundra Gray
First Mate of the Sea Gem
Sea Gem Log – Wednesday, May 9, 2007
The skipper’s
meeting was today. Tomorrow morning the committee will decide
whether the race will officially start. Of course each skipper will
make a decision about whether the weather is favorable for
departure. The wind has settled but we are still watching Arlene,
the first named storm of the ’07 season romp around in the
Atlantic. This storm started with a low and has progressed into an
organized storm moving south instead of north and she bears
watching.
Tonight the St. Augustine Yacht Club
hosted a great BBQ dinner for the participants at the new
facilities. St. Augustine Yacht Club is the oldest yacht club in
the United States and so active in promoting sailing events. We
were hosted by them in ’92 and their hospitality continues to be
warm and welcoming. Commodore Randy Brunson gave all the
participants his cell phone number and offered assistance with any
problems while we were here in his city. We were made to feel
welcome and our voyage important. It is impossible to top that kind
of support. Until morning ….finding out if we are going.
Saundra Gray
First Mate of the Sea Gem
Sea
Gem Log – May 13, 2007
Last night we changed course to the south, following advice from
Herb Heilgenberg, South Bound II, the weather guru for blue water
sailors. We met Herb on the single side band in 1992 on our first
trip to Bermuda. When we arrived in Bermuda we made arrangements to
meet him in person, over lunch. Our friendship has lasted over the
years; we are always happy to hear his reassuring voice and sound
weather predictions. He has moved his operation to Canada where he
continues to offer advice to sailors all over the world from his
vast resource of knowledge of weather patterns and the best way to
stay out of harm's way. The advice from Herb coincided with the
information we are receiving from our on board weather prediction
equipment.
Going south will extend the trip but if we avoid the
high winds and seas caused by the low pressure area the extra time
will be well worth it.
Today the sun is shining; the sea smooth and we are
rocking along under sail at about five to six knots. May 13th
is a grand birthday for our nephew, Michael Hagood, our friend,
Hallie Quinn and our God Children, Morgan and Ellison Bentley.
Happy Birthday and Happy Mother’s Day to Ellison, Hallie and Stacey,
the mother of our four grand children. Hopefully mothers everywhere
will enjoy a nice day as we all pray for a more peaceful world in
which to raise and love our children and grand children.
Until
later from on board Sea Gem …
Saundra Gray
First Mate of the Sea Gem
Sea Gem Log – Wednesday, May 14 and 15, 2007
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There is nothing like 35 knot winds and 8 to 10 foot seas, (mostly 10s) that causes you to rethink your direction and things that are important. When the boat is rocking and rolling, everything moves. Your body is never still, even when sitting you are braced, lying down your are rocking and moving. Trying to accomplish anything means being braced or having one hand for what you are doing and one hand to hold on. Don and Lois are experienced sailors and have learned the operating mechanisms of Sea Gem rapidly. Lois is a master at securing things but as hard as we try, something always gets “loose” and careens across the salon. Minor note, crashing and rolling does not improve or enhance pears or apples. Our fresh fruits are placed in our Tongan baskets and rarely do they escape but when they do they rapidly become mush, loosely encased in skin.
Yesterday after listening to Herb, South Bound II, reading our weather forecasts and evaluating the worsening conditions we made the decision to turn south and head for the Abacos. Not only is there bad weather predicted for Bermuda by Friday, there is another front forming off of Hatteras, ready to inflect more mischief. After resting in the Abacos we can determine what will be the course.
Now, May 15, we are sailing downwind with following seas. The winds are from 25 knots with big seas and we are making between 6 and 7 knots under very little sail. We should reach Man O War Channel early tomorrow and if the nor’easter has not caused a rage we will slide right through and feel that we have arrived home in the Sea of Abaco.
Until later, from Sea Gem on a beautiful blue water sailing day.
Sea Gem Log – Wednesday, May 16 and 17, 2007
We all looked at each other and knew a decision had to be made on how to continue. The weather is worsening north of Bermuda according to the reports. We have
health concerns in several members of our family which weigh heavily on our hearts. We need to be accessible for many reasons and being old enough to know you can change your plans without losing face is a blessing.
With the decision made we set our course for North Man O War Channel and we were on our way. We should arrive shortly after daylight; you never want to go through a cut in the dark, no matter how well you know the channel. Until later…Sea Gem Abaco bound.
May 17, 2007
Early in the morning we motor through North Man O War passage and set our course for Marsh Harbor to clear customs and check in. We dock at Conch Inn Marina and the Customs officials came aboard and we were all checked in to our home away from home, the Abacos.
My watch had started at 0200 on the seventeenth and I had not gone back to bed so after one of the best dinners ever at The Curly Tail, Charlie, Don and Lois plugged in a great movie, I promptly went to sleep watching, then got up and retired to my real bed which was still for the first time in many nights, sleep, wonderful sleep.
Today we will do some cruising through the nearby waters, relax and enjoy the ambiance of the islands. Until later… from a very relaxed Sea Gem crew in the Abacos.
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