Monday, March 28, 2016
Thursday, March 24, 2016
inReach message from William Doar
Anchor down calabash crk north carolina. Home
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William Doar sent this message from: Lat 33.874079 Lon -78.570035
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inReach message from William Doar
Ican see buildings on myrtle beach
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inReach message from William Doar
1200 28nm to little river . Eta 1830
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William Doar sent this message from: Lat 33.419305 Lon -78.765793
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Wednesday, March 23, 2016
inReach message from William Doar
To doarway friday
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William Doar sent this message from: Lat 31.969979 Lon -80.073702
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inReach message from William Doar
Anchor little river for the night
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William Doar sent this message from: Lat 31.967533 Lon -80.076878
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inReach message from William Doar
Then north to little river
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William Doar sent this message from: Lat 31.963477 Lon -80.082049
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inReach message from William Doar
Willstay 30nm off charleston and cape romain
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William Doar sent this message from: Lat 31.960709 Lon -80.085804
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inReach message from William Doar
At noon 30 nm south east port royal. light wind easy sea
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William Doar sent this message from: Lat 31.937556 Lon -80.11694
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inReach message from William Doar
Plan C050 to wpt 33-00, 078-30,
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William Doar sent this message from: Lat 31.955291 Lon -80.093122
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Tuesday, March 22, 2016
inReach message from William Doar
I'm starting from here.
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William Doar sent this message from: Lat 30.676382 Lon -81.465704
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William Doar is sharing their location
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I'm starting my trip, follow along at my MapShare!
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Sunday, March 13, 2016
inReach message from William Doar
Anchor down USA
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inReach message from William Doar
Going to fernandina
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William Doar sent this message from: Lat 30.063239 Lon -80.699108
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Saturday, March 12, 2016
inReach message from William Doar
Am going to pass canaveral . Try for st augustine . Gulf stream very bumpy.
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William Doar sent this message from: Lat 28.324428 Lon -80.046322
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Friday, March 11, 2016
inReach message from William Doar
Off the banks and back in the ocean . cape canaveral 95Miles
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William Doar sent this message from: Lat 27.354519 Lon -79.213872
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inReach message from William Doar
3 knots
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William Doar sent this message from: Lat 27.220044 Lon -78.894882
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inReach message from William Doar
Oops . 4Kts and dropping
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William Doar sent this message from: Lat 27.208704 Lon -78.867309
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inReach message from William Doar
Light wind. Main genoa and drifter. 5Kts
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William Doar sent this message from: Lat 27.207438 Lon -78.863983
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inReach message from William Doar
I can see the loom of fla lights 90 miles away. start sailing now.
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William Doar sent this message from: Lat 26.977776 Lon -78.239994
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William Doar is sharing their location
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I'm starting my trip, follow along at my MapShare!
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Thursday, March 10, 2016
inReach message from William Doar
Great sale cay. Good anchorage. nothing here. no people
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William Doar sent this message from: Lat 26.979793 Lon -78.216712
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inReach message from William Doar
Av great sale cay just as it was getting dark
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William Doar sent this message from: Lat 26.979686 Lon -78.21667
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inReach message from William Doar
I'm stopping here.
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William Doar sent this message from: Lat 26.979697 Lon -78.216734
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inReach message from William Doar
8Mi from great sale cay. . wind died. Use d 6horsepower
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William Doar sent this message from: Lat 27.059444 Lon -78.215146
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William Doar is sharing their location
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I'm starting my trip, follow along at my MapShare!
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Wednesday, March 9, 2016
inReach message from William Doar
Computer problem no winlink
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William Doar sent this message from: Lat 26.7638 Lon -77.333386
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inReach message from William Doar
Success
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William Doar sent this message from: Lat 26.763833 Lon -77.333322
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inReach message from William Doar
I'm checking in, everything is okay.
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William Doar sent this message from: Lat 26.763833 Lon -77.333279
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Friday, March 4, 2016
Friday 04 March - Marsh Harbour
Friday 04 March - Marsh Harbour
After I got anchored, went below and got my thoughts together I looked at the wind speed indicator. It was reading 25 knots. The wind was unexpected and could have been a real problem if it caught me offshore. When I came through the cut at early this morning the wind was about 15kts, which had my attention because the forecast was for 10kts from SE clocking around to NW and N. As the day progressed so did the wind. I sailed all the way up the island to the north-east point, turned to the north-west for the final 3.5 miles to Marsh Harbour, and the wind hit me full force. I was planning to use the 6HP dinghy motor to get to the anchorage. It was running full power, and the wind just pushed the boat around as if it were not under power. If 6 horsepower will not do it, then 60 horsepower will. The big diesel runs, but it has a limited life remaining. I decided that this was a time to use some of that remaining life. Everything worked out, but it sure was unexpected.
Marsh Harbour is my last destination before heading across the Gulf Stream and back to the US. I will be here a few days recovering, and preparing for the big step across.
Reef Early
Bill Doar
s/v Advent II
After I got anchored, went below and got my thoughts together I looked at the wind speed indicator. It was reading 25 knots. The wind was unexpected and could have been a real problem if it caught me offshore. When I came through the cut at early this morning the wind was about 15kts, which had my attention because the forecast was for 10kts from SE clocking around to NW and N. As the day progressed so did the wind. I sailed all the way up the island to the north-east point, turned to the north-west for the final 3.5 miles to Marsh Harbour, and the wind hit me full force. I was planning to use the 6HP dinghy motor to get to the anchorage. It was running full power, and the wind just pushed the boat around as if it were not under power. If 6 horsepower will not do it, then 60 horsepower will. The big diesel runs, but it has a limited life remaining. I decided that this was a time to use some of that remaining life. Everything worked out, but it sure was unexpected.
Marsh Harbour is my last destination before heading across the Gulf Stream and back to the US. I will be here a few days recovering, and preparing for the big step across.
Reef Early
Bill Doar
s/v Advent II
inReach message from William Doar
Anchor down marsh harbour in 25Kts of wind. Where did that come from ?
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William Doar sent this message from: Lat 26.5474 Lon -77.056024
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inReach message from William Doar
I'm stopping here.
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William Doar sent this message from: Lat 26.54741 Lon -77.056046
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Friday 04 March - Abacos
Friday 04 March - Abacos
Getting through Current Cut yesterday set me up to make the crossing last night, and I am happy to be in the flat water of the "Sea of Abaco", which is really a sound behind barrier islands, about as wide as the Pamlico River. And it is absolutely beautiful; unlimited sandy beaches and anchorages. Thousands of boats could be here and it would not be crowded. I understand why people go cruising, get as far as The Bahamas, and never leave. It doesn't get any better than this.
The crossing last night was unreasonably choppy, very uncomfortable. But I arrived at the cut go between the barrier islands just at daylight. I was going so fast during the night (4.0 knots) I would arrive before light so I changed from drifter to genoa, slowed down some, and the timing was perfect. Today I will wind my way waypoint to waypoint, and hopefully sleep tonight in Marsh Harbour.
Reef Early
Bill Doar
s/v Advent II
Getting through Current Cut yesterday set me up to make the crossing last night, and I am happy to be in the flat water of the "Sea of Abaco", which is really a sound behind barrier islands, about as wide as the Pamlico River. And it is absolutely beautiful; unlimited sandy beaches and anchorages. Thousands of boats could be here and it would not be crowded. I understand why people go cruising, get as far as The Bahamas, and never leave. It doesn't get any better than this.
The crossing last night was unreasonably choppy, very uncomfortable. But I arrived at the cut go between the barrier islands just at daylight. I was going so fast during the night (4.0 knots) I would arrive before light so I changed from drifter to genoa, slowed down some, and the timing was perfect. Today I will wind my way waypoint to waypoint, and hopefully sleep tonight in Marsh Harbour.
Reef Early
Bill Doar
s/v Advent II
inReach message from William Doar
I'm checking in, everything is okay.
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William Doar sent this message from: Lat 26.40167 Lon -76.986458
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Thursday, March 3, 2016
Thursday 03 February PM
Thursday 03 February PM
Waypoint for Abacos 41 miles
When sailing offshore the wind in the sails is usually strong enough to keep the sails full and drawing. When the wind drops it takes a long time for the seas to calm down. The motion of the boat slaps the sails back and forth, flogging, very hard on the equipment, sails and crew. So most of the time when the wind drops I just drop the sails and start the engine. sailing in the Bahamas these last few days, however, the seas have been very calm, and I can keep sailing without flogging right down to losing steerage. It is amazing to me that the boat will be moving at 2.5 knots when the windspeed indicator shows 4-6. And it is really comfortable! Sailing is so peaceful.
I was just a little late getting to Current Cut and had to buck the incoming current to get out, but I made it. The significance of Current Cut is that it is the last of the "white knuckle" situations I will have to deal with until I get to inlets when I get back to the mainland. Not only is the current in the Cut faster than the boat will go, but the access channel is not but about 8 feet deep with rocky shallows just off the channel. If you run aground and the current gets you things can get damaging. That is true on the flood as well as the ebb. The only good time to run the cut is at the slack. The US inlets have swift currents, but it is generally OK to make the entrance on the incoming current. So, I am happy to have the worst of the bad locations behind me.
This morning, after I left Hatchet Bay, I was going about 3 knots using the dinghy motor. There was no wind. The water had not a ripple, was about 12 feet deep, and was absolutely clear. Looking down at the bottom I couldn't see the surface of the water. With no ripples there was nothing to see at the surface of the water. It looked like I was sailing up in the air! It was a little disorienting. Then some dolphins came to say hello. They did not stay long, but for a few minutes it was like a movie animation, like they were swimming in air. Wow.
Tomorrow I hope to be in Marsh Harbour, my final destination before crossing over to the mainland. The trip is not over yet, but the end is in sight.
Reef Early
Bill Doar
s/v Advent II
Waypoint for Abacos 41 miles
When sailing offshore the wind in the sails is usually strong enough to keep the sails full and drawing. When the wind drops it takes a long time for the seas to calm down. The motion of the boat slaps the sails back and forth, flogging, very hard on the equipment, sails and crew. So most of the time when the wind drops I just drop the sails and start the engine. sailing in the Bahamas these last few days, however, the seas have been very calm, and I can keep sailing without flogging right down to losing steerage. It is amazing to me that the boat will be moving at 2.5 knots when the windspeed indicator shows 4-6. And it is really comfortable! Sailing is so peaceful.
I was just a little late getting to Current Cut and had to buck the incoming current to get out, but I made it. The significance of Current Cut is that it is the last of the "white knuckle" situations I will have to deal with until I get to inlets when I get back to the mainland. Not only is the current in the Cut faster than the boat will go, but the access channel is not but about 8 feet deep with rocky shallows just off the channel. If you run aground and the current gets you things can get damaging. That is true on the flood as well as the ebb. The only good time to run the cut is at the slack. The US inlets have swift currents, but it is generally OK to make the entrance on the incoming current. So, I am happy to have the worst of the bad locations behind me.
This morning, after I left Hatchet Bay, I was going about 3 knots using the dinghy motor. There was no wind. The water had not a ripple, was about 12 feet deep, and was absolutely clear. Looking down at the bottom I couldn't see the surface of the water. With no ripples there was nothing to see at the surface of the water. It looked like I was sailing up in the air! It was a little disorienting. Then some dolphins came to say hello. They did not stay long, but for a few minutes it was like a movie animation, like they were swimming in air. Wow.
Tomorrow I hope to be in Marsh Harbour, my final destination before crossing over to the mainland. The trip is not over yet, but the end is in sight.
Reef Early
Bill Doar
s/v Advent II
William Doar is sharing their location
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I'm starting my trip, follow along at my MapShare!
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inReach message from William Doar
Thru current cut
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William Doar sent this message from: Lat 25.46014 Lon -76.85636
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Thursday 03 March - Hatchet Bay
Thursday 03 March - Hatchet Bay
Governors Harbour was calm, smooth, slick, glassy slick calm. Not a ripple. With the wind clocking all over the place in the next few days I did not particularly want to sit in Governors Harbour. I looked at the 6 horsepower dinghy motor, and wondered how fast it would push Advent. Back in South Side Marina I had built an outboard motor bracket for Advent's stern, but had never tried it out. It took an hour or so ti rig pulleys and lines to lift the motor and swing it over to the bracket, but it fit, I cranked up the motor, and picked up the anchor. Out in the open water, with smooth seas and no wind it would go 3.0 knots. I was really pleased. Five hours later I passed through the narrow rocky pass into Hatchett Bay. The little motor was a success.
Thursday morning - Hatchet Bay
I was set up to stay here for a few days until the weather settled down, but the
gribs and CPS (Chris Parker Says) agreed that I have a chance today to make another step, that is, using the little motor. Very light winds today, starting from the east, and clocking around to the south, into the west tomorrow. It is about 75 miles to the Abacos, the northern most Bahamas island. At 2.5 knots I can do an overnighter and be there tomorrow. I cranked up the motor, and picked up the anchor, and out the narrow rocky pass.
There is one trick to this plan. In 15 miles I need to go through Current Cut. Note in the guide book: "Check the tides. Strong Currents. A sailboat or trawler may have difficulty." The low tide is at 09:54, but "The tide here usually follows Nassau by 1 to 2 hours." I can go out with the ebb, but can not go out during the flood. I have to get there before the current reverses sometime between 11:00 and 12:00. At my present boat speed I will get there at 12:00, but the wind is supposed to pick up, and that will give me a boost.
10:00 - The wind has picked up and given me an extra 1/2 knot. I might make it.
Reef Early
Bill Doar
s/v Advent II
Adventtwo.blogspot.com
Governors Harbour was calm, smooth, slick, glassy slick calm. Not a ripple. With the wind clocking all over the place in the next few days I did not particularly want to sit in Governors Harbour. I looked at the 6 horsepower dinghy motor, and wondered how fast it would push Advent. Back in South Side Marina I had built an outboard motor bracket for Advent's stern, but had never tried it out. It took an hour or so ti rig pulleys and lines to lift the motor and swing it over to the bracket, but it fit, I cranked up the motor, and picked up the anchor. Out in the open water, with smooth seas and no wind it would go 3.0 knots. I was really pleased. Five hours later I passed through the narrow rocky pass into Hatchett Bay. The little motor was a success.
Thursday morning - Hatchet Bay
I was set up to stay here for a few days until the weather settled down, but the
gribs and CPS (Chris Parker Says) agreed that I have a chance today to make another step, that is, using the little motor. Very light winds today, starting from the east, and clocking around to the south, into the west tomorrow. It is about 75 miles to the Abacos, the northern most Bahamas island. At 2.5 knots I can do an overnighter and be there tomorrow. I cranked up the motor, and picked up the anchor, and out the narrow rocky pass.
There is one trick to this plan. In 15 miles I need to go through Current Cut. Note in the guide book: "Check the tides. Strong Currents. A sailboat or trawler may have difficulty." The low tide is at 09:54, but "The tide here usually follows Nassau by 1 to 2 hours." I can go out with the ebb, but can not go out during the flood. I have to get there before the current reverses sometime between 11:00 and 12:00. At my present boat speed I will get there at 12:00, but the wind is supposed to pick up, and that will give me a boost.
10:00 - The wind has picked up and given me an extra 1/2 knot. I might make it.
Reef Early
Bill Doar
s/v Advent II
Adventtwo.blogspot.com
inReach message from William Doar
Am going togo for an overnighter up to the abacos
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William Doar is sharing their location
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I'm starting my trip, follow along at my MapShare!
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inReach message from William Doar
I'm starting from here.
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Wednesday, March 2, 2016
inReach message from William Doar
I'm stopping here.
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Tuesday 01 March
Tuesday 01 March
That overnighter from George Town up to Eleuthera had a little bit of everything. Of course I raced the fleet up to the leeward mark, the out the cut to the Exuma Sound, which is the Ocean. The wind died. Boat speed 3 knots, 2.5 knots, 2.0 knots, 1.5 knots and the boat slowly turned in a slow circle, drifting aimlessly. But all calms come to an end. After 30 minutes she regained steerage and I charged off north-west at 2.5 knots.
At night I have a timer set for 30 minutes. It took me years to find a suitable timer. One day Normandie and I were in Hardee's getting a hamburger when over the noise and talking we heard Beep, beep, beep. The nice woman behind the counter showed it to us, and it was a turning point in my singlehanding. I also have AIS, which is wonderful, and the radar guard zone, which alarms if a target enters a defined area. As long as nothing is going on I sleep my 30 minutes, get up to sheck the sails, direction, wind, and look around for traffic, then back to sleep. If any boats are anywhere around I do not go back to sleep until I feel confident that, even if either of us changes directions or speed, it would take at least 30 minutes for us to come together. Last night the radar alarm woke me, showing a target approaching from astern, four miles back. Yep, there is a faint light way back there. I tracked his progress and he was gaining on me slowly. I modified the radar guard zone and went back to sleep. I repeated that until the guard zone was so small it was not really protecting me, so I stayed awake as the other boat caught up with me, slowly. He was going the same place I was and neither of us was going very fast. With him less than a mile away I could not go back to sleep. After a very long time I gave up and furled my genoa to slow down, just to get rid of him, which worked, but then after another eternity and he passed and I resumed sailing I had to make sure I didn't catch back up to him.
He finally passed and the light winds passed and by morning I was sailing 6 knots, then 6.5, and it was time to reef. The wind was blowing in the high teens and I was triple reefed when I got to the end of the Exuma Sound and the cut going onto the Eleuthera Banks. Exuma Sound is 5,000 feet deep, the Eleuthera Banks is from awash to 15 feet deep) The cut (or pass, or inlet) is an area where it is deep enough for a boat to go across the shallows, generally about 12 feet deep, and it goes in a north-east direction, and the 18 knot wind was from the east. I had to use the engine to get through. It was not a surprize that the engine would be necessary, but I had hoped that then light wind would be then. But no. Light winds were over and into the 18 knots and steep chop we went. Splash, spray, and busting through the waves into the wind, but the engine held together and we made it. Into deeper water (15 feet) where we could turn and sail for the destination. Beautiful sailing. 6.5 beautiful knots on a beam reach. This is going to be a beautiful day. My only regret was that I had been looking forward to going to Rock Sound Settlement. It is a good protected anchorage and a friendly village. A few years ago I went to Easter Services at the Anglican Church. I met and had a long conversation with the priest that day and I wanted to go back to say hello. When I got through the cut I would have to go straight into the wind to get to Rock Sound. So passed it by. But the sailing was wonderful. Another of those times when I wish you could be with me. For ten minutes. TEN MINUTES! and the wind suddenly dropped to almost nothing! It was so odd! It takes a minute or so for the boat to slow down, and the boat still had momentum and the sails were slack! But there was a little wind and after awhile it picked enough for me to go in the low 4's. It was one of those times when I didn't want to wind it was strong and when I wanted it, it went away. Ten minutes!
The next stop after Rock Sound is Alice Town at Hatchet Bay. It was 20 miles away. An alternate stop was Governors Harbour about seven miles away. I wanted to go to Alice Town because I may have to stay a few days, it is an excellent anchorage with a nice village. It was 15 miles farther along, and I would have to stop at Alice Town anyway. Last night I timed sunset and darkness. I determined that 18:30 there was enough light to enter a harbour but at 18:45 it was too dark. The Explorer's Chartbook says,"Carved as it is through a high rocky cliff, you can spot the narrow opening to Hatchet Bay only when you are almost on it." That is not the kind of harbour to enter in the dark. I had a firm no later than 18:30 arrival time. It was now 14:00. 20 miles to go. Boat speed was 4.5 kts. No, 4.4, 4.3, 4.5, 4.6 kts. To get there before 18:30 I had to go 4.5 kts. I was going 4.5, some of the time. After much anguish I turned for Governors Harbour, only seven miles away. Of course the wind picked up and I regretted the decision. I got to Governors Harbour and anchored about 16:30, the wind dropped to zero, and I was happy the way the day, and the jump up from George Town, played out.
Reef Early
Bill Doar
s/v Advent II
That overnighter from George Town up to Eleuthera had a little bit of everything. Of course I raced the fleet up to the leeward mark, the out the cut to the Exuma Sound, which is the Ocean. The wind died. Boat speed 3 knots, 2.5 knots, 2.0 knots, 1.5 knots and the boat slowly turned in a slow circle, drifting aimlessly. But all calms come to an end. After 30 minutes she regained steerage and I charged off north-west at 2.5 knots.
At night I have a timer set for 30 minutes. It took me years to find a suitable timer. One day Normandie and I were in Hardee's getting a hamburger when over the noise and talking we heard Beep, beep, beep. The nice woman behind the counter showed it to us, and it was a turning point in my singlehanding. I also have AIS, which is wonderful, and the radar guard zone, which alarms if a target enters a defined area. As long as nothing is going on I sleep my 30 minutes, get up to sheck the sails, direction, wind, and look around for traffic, then back to sleep. If any boats are anywhere around I do not go back to sleep until I feel confident that, even if either of us changes directions or speed, it would take at least 30 minutes for us to come together. Last night the radar alarm woke me, showing a target approaching from astern, four miles back. Yep, there is a faint light way back there. I tracked his progress and he was gaining on me slowly. I modified the radar guard zone and went back to sleep. I repeated that until the guard zone was so small it was not really protecting me, so I stayed awake as the other boat caught up with me, slowly. He was going the same place I was and neither of us was going very fast. With him less than a mile away I could not go back to sleep. After a very long time I gave up and furled my genoa to slow down, just to get rid of him, which worked, but then after another eternity and he passed and I resumed sailing I had to make sure I didn't catch back up to him.
He finally passed and the light winds passed and by morning I was sailing 6 knots, then 6.5, and it was time to reef. The wind was blowing in the high teens and I was triple reefed when I got to the end of the Exuma Sound and the cut going onto the Eleuthera Banks. Exuma Sound is 5,000 feet deep, the Eleuthera Banks is from awash to 15 feet deep) The cut (or pass, or inlet) is an area where it is deep enough for a boat to go across the shallows, generally about 12 feet deep, and it goes in a north-east direction, and the 18 knot wind was from the east. I had to use the engine to get through. It was not a surprize that the engine would be necessary, but I had hoped that then light wind would be then. But no. Light winds were over and into the 18 knots and steep chop we went. Splash, spray, and busting through the waves into the wind, but the engine held together and we made it. Into deeper water (15 feet) where we could turn and sail for the destination. Beautiful sailing. 6.5 beautiful knots on a beam reach. This is going to be a beautiful day. My only regret was that I had been looking forward to going to Rock Sound Settlement. It is a good protected anchorage and a friendly village. A few years ago I went to Easter Services at the Anglican Church. I met and had a long conversation with the priest that day and I wanted to go back to say hello. When I got through the cut I would have to go straight into the wind to get to Rock Sound. So passed it by. But the sailing was wonderful. Another of those times when I wish you could be with me. For ten minutes. TEN MINUTES! and the wind suddenly dropped to almost nothing! It was so odd! It takes a minute or so for the boat to slow down, and the boat still had momentum and the sails were slack! But there was a little wind and after awhile it picked enough for me to go in the low 4's. It was one of those times when I didn't want to wind it was strong and when I wanted it, it went away. Ten minutes!
The next stop after Rock Sound is Alice Town at Hatchet Bay. It was 20 miles away. An alternate stop was Governors Harbour about seven miles away. I wanted to go to Alice Town because I may have to stay a few days, it is an excellent anchorage with a nice village. It was 15 miles farther along, and I would have to stop at Alice Town anyway. Last night I timed sunset and darkness. I determined that 18:30 there was enough light to enter a harbour but at 18:45 it was too dark. The Explorer's Chartbook says,"Carved as it is through a high rocky cliff, you can spot the narrow opening to Hatchet Bay only when you are almost on it." That is not the kind of harbour to enter in the dark. I had a firm no later than 18:30 arrival time. It was now 14:00. 20 miles to go. Boat speed was 4.5 kts. No, 4.4, 4.3, 4.5, 4.6 kts. To get there before 18:30 I had to go 4.5 kts. I was going 4.5, some of the time. After much anguish I turned for Governors Harbour, only seven miles away. Of course the wind picked up and I regretted the decision. I got to Governors Harbour and anchored about 16:30, the wind dropped to zero, and I was happy the way the day, and the jump up from George Town, played out.
Reef Early
Bill Doar
s/v Advent II
Tuesday, March 1, 2016
inReach message from William Doar
I'm stopping here.
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