2 Runs And The Berrys

Happily, there's not much to report regarding the run across the Gulf Stream. A bit chunky and wet's about all.

For those who watched our progress online, you probably noticed our wandering course. Maybe, "wondering course", is a better descriptor as we did change our minds and the day's destination several times. But in the end we settled on Cat Cay as a place to check-in. Customs and Immigrations offices are onsite making the process a simple task.

Mel went about the paperwork as I desalted Istaboa. Pizza for dinner at the only restaurant on the island then early to bed... early to rise.

In proper conditions, Cat can present a nice sunrise.

So, after more plan changes, on the fly, we pieced together a route across the bank to Great Harbour in The Berrys.

Mel had read good things on ActiveCaptain about Great Harbour and she wanted to experience it. I wanted to make it to Nassau and the Exumas so we could stop for a while.

Here we are in The Berrys.

As usual, Mel was right. It seems to be an interesting little island group and the marina's great. It kinda reminds us of the Abacos back years ago. The first restaurant we tried was just up the hill at the marina. Rocky Hill served us fresh pan fried Snapper that was truly fine. The marina here is surprisingly nice and has, (they're probably the only marina in the Bahamas offering), Free Internet. It's not incredibly fast, but it's fairly consistent and because of the huge Batelco tower at the marina we have strong cell service also. So, I guess we're back on the technology chain.

We've stopped in The Berrys before but never explored, just anchored out for a night then continued on to Cat or Florida. I think we'll like it here for a few days. And, the weather appears to be deteriorating which means we'll have time to find out.

This morning, as I look out the window at mirror like seas, I realize that today would've been a good day to run. But...  sometimes you just have to stop and smell the proverbial roses — and God knows we have a nose for roses.

So we shall.

Adios,

Istaboa

Damn Interesting

A great sea story and a Damn Interesting website.

The Demise of the SS Morro Castle

Always Something Else

And, that's why we come to Lauderdale to start off. As much thought as we put into provisioning and preparation, there's always something else to be done or pick up at Publix.

Yesterday I woke early to do a quick beach walk. Ft Lauderdale has a very active beach. Not like Jupiter with smiling pups running in the surf, but mostly young locals doing Cross Fit classes and having a nice time doing them.

So tomorrow we'll depart for somewhere TBD. Again, it's all weather dependent, but the weather seems to be favorable.

Adios,

Istaboa

Classic Doonesbury

Finally! We Toss the Bowlines

Enough of the house projects for a while — now it's back to our true love; floating and traveling aboard Istaboa... It's been a while.
It felt good to crank up and head out to sea, even if only for a short run offshore to Ft Lauderdale.

Today was a bit of a shake out cruise to see how the adds and changes we've made played out in real life; everything worked as it should.
Our old pal Craig came along as he's the fellow who implemented these modifications.
Some will remember Craig from the Boatronix days back in Tennessee. He's now home in Ft Lauderdale.

So now we're tied up at Bahia Mar marina, amongst all the real yachts of Lauderdale, looking for a weather window to head to the islands. Maybe Exumas, maybe Abacos, maybe both, maybe somewhere we've never been.

Like —




The weather's the deciding factor because Istaboa's loaded with full tanks of fuel and we've got all we need, including time.

We'll see...

Cheers,

Istaboa

Great Band

Louis C.K. Sails Around NYC

Drone Footage Of 46 Nordhavn — St. John's, Newfoundland

I was checking the Nordhavn Owners Forum and came across this drone shot video.

Amazing!!

MV Maritime II leaving St. John's Harbor

The Thrill Is Gone

Club Paradise in Memphis — 1972ish

Roy El' — The Tenn-Tom Takes A Trawler.

Our friends aboard Roy El' have hit a hard spot on the Tennessee-Tom Bigbee Waterway. I'm told Royel's been towed to Demopolis, Alabama where hopefully she can be repaired and returned to her owners, Roy and Elvie Short. These folks are cruising friends from way back. This is their home and everything they own.

We've had dinner on that aft-deck many times.

12 /13 years ago, we were just closing the chartbook on another uneventful run up the Tenn-Tom, the last leg of our long journey that started in the Abacos and ended at Pickwick Lake in Tennessee. On this final day of locks, as we slowly eased up the waterway, we shared the channel with just one boat. Roy El'.

Due to mechanical difficulties, the folks aboard Roy El' were late leaving Midway Marina that morning and they held us up at the first lock. We didn't mind waiting and the couple aboard was apologetic as they approached the lock.
These final miles of the waterway can wear you out. There are 7, 100' locks within 35 miles; when you start locking through with strangers, you've become well-acquainted by the time the gates on that last lock close.
We talked to each other on the radio as Roy El' and Istaboa motored across Bay Springs lake and by the time we were turning into Yellow Creek, almost home, Mel had invited them to stay at our marina and use a friend's empty slip for a few days. Roy and Elvie were tired and the weather was starting to blow and rain; they thought a covered slip would be a nice place to rest and do some engine repairs. RoyEl's crew was very appreciative.
As we left them the next day to head back home to Memphis we loaned them our old jeep because we boat people just do things like that. No, we didn't know them, but yes, we could tell they were good folks and it wouldn't be a problem. It wasn't
We didn't see Roy and Elvie again for a few years, but when we did happen upon them anchored in Hope Town Harbor, Abacos they were surprised and happy to see us. To their friends that day, they enjoyed recounting the same story that's written above.
We've crossed wakes many times since and have loosely kept up with each other. Back in 08, while both our boats were tied up in Panama City, Mel and I shared a New Years Eve with them and we met their kids and grand kids. Roy and Elvie are part of the small and spread out community of boat folks we call friends.

The last couple of years have been pretty hard on Roy and Elvie. Health issues kept them ashore and inland for a while, but they managed to get things back together and back aboard their home and vessel,

This news and the pictures of Roy El' aground and listing to starboard, taking on water, makes us sad and concerned. We've heard they were immediately rescued by another boat that, like us on that day years ago, was running up the waterway with them. We've read they're physically okay, but they must be so upset. They love their boat and the life it allows them.

Someone has an idea about a Gofundme campaign and we're hoping it will be put together. We'd certainly be contributors and be happy to promote it.

Roy and Elvie, you're in our thoughts and apparently the thoughts of many others.