In a boat's own words: Sunny Florida! What sunny Florida?

[CAN DRAC]

Well, here we are. Finally anchored in Florida waiting for a solar panel. You'd think that "sunny Florida" would be close enough to paradise, where the air is warm and the breeze is gentle. Well... not really. We have 20 knots gusting from the North and evening temperatures in the 30s.

I know, I was the one that wanted to go South to escape the cold. And now, Andrea and Franc blame it on me because it's MY solar panel that's holding us back. But for a 43ft sailboat, I have very thick skin. So I don't care. I like my alternative energy, thank you very much! I know these two are going to be thirsty for my battery power over the next few months so they will have wait.

Cameron from Transmarinepro.com installing solar panel

The good thing has been getting to know Cameron and Leighia and their children Fynn and Maya, from Tranquility, as well as their guests Sam and Jamie and the little 1 year old "Captain in training". Cameron is the boat doctor that's installing my solar panel. He has a whole workshop on board Tranquility and makes a living doing all kinds of work on boats. And Leigha is the one that cooked the fabulous lentils with chicken and salad we had for dinner last night. She even makes her own bread! Franc and Andrea have soooo much to learn from these guys.

And we can't forget about SeaKnots member Stu from S/V Shearwater. His generosity, driving Andrea and Franc around town to provision was very much appreciated. Just check out the amount of stuff loaded on the dinghy!

So once Cameron is done we'll be heading South a bit further and then cross over to the Bahamas. But first, let me tell you about the first thousand miles. Those were done by Franc and his buddies Bill, Tom and Dan G, delivery style. No mercy. Let me put it this way: we pretty much motored from Maryland to well into Florida. No fun for me. And one more thing: those guys are heroes. Franc had no choice but they volunteered and put up with the coldest temperatures any of them have ever experienced at sea. Kudos to them!

The other highlight was the people we met in Beaufort, SC where I spent a few days. Pierre and Kim from s/v Victoria recommended Port Royal Landing and boy was that good advice! From Kelly offering to pick Franc up at the airport to Gene fixing my reverse cycle heating system for free, including Ryon from Port Royal Lannding Marina and Brian from Dock Supply and Boatworks for staying open late to allow us a last minute purchase. And let's not forget about Chuck from Beneteau in Charleston, who had my rudder reinforced before the Holidays as promised.


Dolphins (or sharks?) in our way

But now that Andrea is here, it's just the three of us. I can see how intimidating this is for them right now. They come from sleeping on steady beds and sitting behind desks, their skin white as snow and their fingers tender to the touch of my lines. Their muscles ache with every pull of my jib sheets. But now they're signed up for the real deal. And I'm not sure they know what they're in for. They think that having been out in the middle of the Western Med while a Mistral was blowing is indicative of offshore sailing. Wait until they see the size of the Atlantic waves. They don't call it the high seas for nothing!

And their increased concern for my well being is not lost on me either. They pay attention to every noise I make, double up on every knot and stress about all the little things. That must be because when I was their summer toy I was only part of a bigger picture. If I got hurt I could ruin a weekend or two and cost them a few bucks they could earn easily by just waiting for their next paycheck. But not now. From now on I am their home, their only vehicle, their shelter to a foreign world. Heck, there's no Sail for water without my sails! So now I'm front and center of that big picture. And I intend to take advantage of that. :-)

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Andrea and Franc would like to thank the following donors:

Andres Martin Perez, Bob & Mary MacEwen, Boghigian Enterprises, Chung Lee, Daniel Goldberg, Dennis Kramer, Dina Templeton, George & Mary Ann MacEwen, Henry Schmitt, Jason Carrasco, Joe & Carol Crifo, Joe & Maureen Malone, Joey & Debi Malone, John Trumpbour, Mario Mendolaro, Melissa MacEwen, Michael Kantrowitz, Michael MacEwen, Patrice Malone, Phillip McBurrows, Rishi Mirchandani, Sharyn MacEwen, Stephanie Lopez and The wonderful District Office Ladies in Teaneck: Wendy, Minny, Shirley, Sheila, Liz and Eileen.

Have you made your donation yet?

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[Mary Ann]

I hope you're in the warmer weather zone now... You left us behind to freeze in 24F ( you can imagine the double standard for THAT "F") degrees for the next few days....Miss you both but know that you're happy!!!

[YACHTASEA]

Thinking of you!
Christopher & Kathryn
YACHTASEA

[Kevin]

Hope your sail to Bimini goes great today, give us northerners some pics (-18F today)

[CAN DRAC]

We're planning on crossing from Ft Lauderdale to Bimini tomorrow morning. After that, we'll proceed to the Exumas, Turks & Caicos, DR, PR and beyond...

Veranda, Cameron from Transmarinepro.com installed a 195W Evergreen panel with a BlueSky controller and we're already getting 10A when the boom is out of the way, which is more than we expected!

[Veranda]

So what size array did you install and which regulator did you choose?

Bill
s/v Veranda

[Kevin]

yea, winds have been pretty strong across the US this week, they look to be dying down over the next few days though. you have a complete mapping of islands you're stopping at on here somewhere?

[Art Dufresne]

bear up, cold weather only lasts a few days down there...we still have Feb to deal with up here. I suggest not rushing to cross to the Bahamas if the wind is from the north....use it to go to the Keys!

[uaclady]

Of course this arctic chill picked this time to come out of hiding! You guys are amazing to deal with that. This is exciting stuff and I wish you the best in all you do! Can't wait for the next installment! Where to next?

[macip]

Andrea, you forgot the wine!! Too much coke in your diet, not enough grape! ;-)
Well, the adventure starts. Good luck! And keep us posted!