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SEA
GEM LOG:
October 21,
2002. Thanks from the Captain
To circumnavigate the world in a sailboat has been a lifelong dream.
I want to express my thanks to the many people who helped make this
dream a reality. My wife, Saundra, joins me in thanking everyone,
however my biggest thanks goes to her, my First Mate and my Partner
for almost 47 years for persevering over these last three years.
My Partners at my law firm, Gray Harris & Robinson, PA, have
been very supportive and, although I've been back in the office
a total of thirteen months during this three year sailing odyssey,
Tom Cloud, Fred Leonhardt, Stumpy Harris, Kent Hipp and other partners
have not missed a beat servicing clients and filling in for me during
my absence.
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SEA
GEM LOG: October 20, 2002 - The Trip is Over, Memories Last Forever
We are attempting
to wind up the material for the web site. Going over logs and photos
brings memories into a sharp focus again. These experiences will be
part of things we learned and ways in which we grew as human beings.
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SEA
GEM LOG:
September 11,
2002. Bahamas to Titusville
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here for a full photo log
September 1,
Vintage Airlines carried Saundra and I from Daytona to Marsh Harbor,
Bahamas where we caught Aubrey's Ferry to Man-O-War Cay, Sea Gem's
home for the last five months. There we had her bottom re-painted
and other work done. Removing the Maxi-prop propellers, returning
them to the manufacturer for reconditioning entails recording the
exact pitch of these (automatically feathering propellers which reduce
drag while under sail) and keeping track of which is the port and
which the starboard prop for the purpose of reinstallation. We removed
the worn out Spurs, which are the knives attached to each shaft just
fore of the props. These cut lines and nets before they can wrap around
the prop. These heavy-duty knives do a pretty good job but we had
run over too many lines and nets during the last 16 years.
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SEA
GEM LOG:
March 24 -
April 1, 2002. The Homeward Run.
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here for a full photo log
A granddaughter's
eighth birthday is a strong magnet to pull grand parents toward home.
Along with missing our family, we don't want to miss another of Caroline's
birthdays. Charlie wants to get back to the office, as there are a
lot of exciting things happening right now. We decided in Nevis, after
the lobster sandwich, to cut our planned sail a month short and make
a run for Man 'O War Cay in the Bahamas, 1000 miles distant. Although
this is not technically home port, we have kept Sea Gem docked there
so many seasons that every time we round the bend into Man 'O War
Cay we feel like we are coming home. The plans now are to have Sea
Gem hauled and have the bottom painted, a thru hull replaced and a
few minor repairs. We will travel back to the boat as schedules permit
and enjoy one of our favorite places on earth this summer. Then we
will take Sea Gem back to her homeport of Titusville where we will
begin doing some refitting after the very long and at times rough
journey she has accomplished.
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SEA
GEM LOG:
March
23, 2002. How Far Would YOU Go for A REALLY GOOD LOBSTER
SANDWICH?
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here for a full photo log
Our friends Kyle
and Steve Miller from Orlando joined us for a week. While they were
with us, we visited Antigua, Barbuda, Nevis and St. Kitts (St. Christopher).
One evening we went ashore for dinner and while strolling around in
Charlestown we were referred to "UNELLA'S BY THE SEA" a
restaurant on the second floor overlooking Charlestown Harbor in Nevis,
W.I. That evening was memorable for several reasons: first we celebrated
Charlie's birthday, second, the food, ambiance and waiter "ED"
were excellent, and third we experienced the most beautiful and
prolonged sunset
we have ever seen.
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SEA
GEM LOG:
March 22, 2002 Antigua-Barbuda
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here for a full photo log
Sailing in the
Caribbean is such a pleasure. The distances are not great, the sun
is warm, the water clear, and each island has its own special character.
One of the most delightful anchorages is Antigua. English Harbor is
a delightful
anchorage. You can walk across the isthmus to Falmouth Harbor which
is much larger and more commercial. The fort is a fine example of
the efforts made by the rival colonial powers to hold on to their
conquests. The old fort is in good shape and has been remodeled to
hold restaurants, gift shops and other business establishments.
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SEA
GEM LOG:
March
7 - 11, 2002Guadeloupe and Iles de Saintes
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here for a full photo log
Our friends Carmen
Dominguez and Jim Cooper joined us for some sailing, relaxation and
gourmet dining. Carmen is a world class cook and even brought her
own ingredients with her on the trip. Besides having the treat of
Carmen cooking we also ate in some fine restaurants on Iles de Saints
and Guadeloupe. I believe one of the finest restaurants I have ever
experienced is on the island of Guadeloupe, The Palms, French of course.
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SEA
GEM LOG:
DOMINICA February 28-March 4, 2002
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here for a full photo log
When you find
a place in the Paradise of the Caribbean that is not yet crowded
with cruising boats there is a temptation to keep the news to yourself,
hoping that it is not found before you get a chance to return for
a longer visit.
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SEA
GEM LOG:
February 25-28, 2002 - Martinique
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here for a full photo log
We anchored in
Marin Bay and launched our dingy.
During our
short time in Martinique had a spare starter motor for the Yanmar
reconditioned because our spare parts locker had salt water damage.
We had to empty the locker and clean all the plastic zip lock bags,
and any parts not in plastic had to be cleaned sorted and again
stored for future use. A port hole not tightly dogged down can ship
a lot of salt water in heavy seas. Charlie has carried so many spare
parts and so much "back up" equipment we have been able
to fix almost everything while on the trip.
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SEA
GEM LOG:
A Visit From the Younger Set - Bequia, St.Vincent, Mustique and
St. Lucia February 16-24, 2002
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here for a full photo log
Our Godson, Morgan
Bentley, Charlie's partner Dean Cannon, and his wife Ellen,
flew down to sail with us for a week. It was fun having them on the
boat, especially since Dean and Ellen were celebrating their second
wedding anniversary. Morgan's wife could not come and we missed her.
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