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