Sue’s Blog: Now That’s What I’m Talkin’

Sue’s Blog: Now That’s What I’m Talkin’.

sunset on West Bay

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Today I’m ready to tie up. The spring lines are neatly tied to the rail on both starboard and port; the aft lines are in place and the bow lines secured. I am pleased with myself as we turn the corner for the fuel dock at Lyford Cay Marina. As I prepare to hand the spring line to Dock Master John Kelly I am greeted with, “that’s ok mam we have our own lines. I will pass you the bow line first.”

“Darn, “I thought as I secured his bow line to the cleat, “ this time I was ready.” It is a panic when the mate doesn’t have the lines ready to hand off as you are heading to the dock. Each trip out I am getting more confident and competent with my mately duties and I don’t mean the married ones.

After securing the bow line to its cleat I hear, ’”Now that’s what I’m talkin’ about.” I’m looking all around for JR, Bimini Blue Water’s dock master, who speaks that phrase at every tie up. All I see is John Kelly. Are they related or do they learn that at dock master school?

“Now that’s what I’m talkin’ about,” has become our little motto  whenever something meets our expectation or goes particularly well.

friends on the dock at Bimini Where is Marilyn?

After our leisurely sojourn in Bimini at Bimini Blue Water Marina we cast off at 6:15 am on Thursday morning. Leaving on a rising tide or at high tide is always the plan there as it is a little tricky going through the channel  if the surf is up and the troughs are deep. Claude on Pantheon had to turn back twice on his departure day because he was hitting bottom on the swells. We had no problem this time. After clearing the channel we headed south to Triangle Rocks. What a difference this year – we motored through, the swells were gently rolling.   Last year my captain proved his worth as he sailed through stormy sea conditions with great skill. He briefly chided me at one point in last year’s sail,”stop your moaning. Panacea is a sturdy strong boat she has done this before.”  I didn’t reply that it wasn’t Panacea’s attributes that I was worried about. However my admiration for Derek’s sailing ability hit an all time high that day.

Once we hit the rhum line for the Northwest Channel the sails went up and our speed went up too. Heeled over, rails in the water we sped down the channel at 6.5 to 7.5 knots. At this point I looked around to see who else was taking this course and noticed a trawler yacht cutting a diagonal line from the shallower waters in front of us. We kept this yacht in our sights all afternoon. The next afternoon at sundowners in West Bay we found out it was Lois and Dom on Sunshine , a Bayliner 32, who had taken the short cut from South Bimini.

I did moan a little as I looked at the blue sea water spilling over the rail. Again Derek proves his sailing skill as he keeps Panacea from stalling. I wondered, “What am I going to do when it’s my turn to take the helm?”

Fortunately by noon when I took over the winds had quieted and we weren’t heeled as much. This is my first time at the wheel since we started this trip from Fort Pierce. I was a passenger while Tristan was with us. Well I was the cook. The challenge at the wheel is keeping the sails full and getting as much speed as you can. I must say that I do a pretty good job. Now that’s what I’m talkin’ about made its way into our conversation several times during the glorious afternoon sail. I am pleased to announce that I sailed my share that afternoon and am a happy fair weather sailor.

Taking the main sail down at dusk requires me to head into the wind as Derek goes out on deck to bring the sail down and secure it. I looked at the tell tail that Derek had wrapped around one of the stays and watched it as it pointed directly at me, “ Ah that’s what they’re for hmm.” As long as they are flapping toward me I’m pointed in the right direction. More experienced sailors can tell because the wind is on their face. As I steer the boat to anchor I was reminded what a difference a couple of years make.  “Steer into the wind while I drop anchor,” doesn’t confuse me as much anymore. Now if I can learn to throttle down and shift into neutral with as much ease lol. Many women sailors take the helm while the captain handles the anchoring and I always admired them for their skill at the controls. Now I too am adding that to my repertoire.

sunset on the banks

After a twelve hour sail we are sitting at anchor as the sun sets on the beautiful Great Bahamas Bank near Russell light looking around at the other bobbing anchor lights of the sailboats and that trawler yacht we followed all day. Now that’s what I’m talkin’ about. (pic of cat at dusk)

We slept in! We hear the trawler yacht cruise by. It’s 7 am and the sails of the other boats are two miles ahead of us.

I take my position at the helm while Derek weighs anchor and off we go. I manoeuvred from the anchorage as Derek hoists the sails as we head to the Tongue of the Ocean (TOTO). The winds are still southeasterly, we are closed hauled (yes that means we are heeled over) and Derek is back at the helm for awhile. Maybe someday I will be able to have that much control of the helm. Derek has to have a turn so he can have the hard stuff.

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 On entering TOTO we kept the sails up briefly for an exhilarating sail making a reach and tacked back to take up our original navigational  line. At this point the wind is in our face and unfortunately the sails must come down. I thought,” this is a piece of cake. We are already facing into the wind.” As the sail is being secured I am doing a complete 360 and hoved to. I commented that maybe my blog name should be road warrior instead of sailor sue.

By 10am I am at the wheel while the captain is reading and napping. We did turn off the engine long enough to change out the squealing alternator belt . I am relieved at noon to make lunch and for much of the afternoon we trade off every five miles. According to the garmin chart plotter we will be in west bay by 5:30 pm and we were. At sundown Lois and Dom dingy over to our boat and we hear that they were tempted to lay on the horn to wake us up as they motored pass that morning.

We will anchor out here for a few days, provision the boat, purchase some spare alternator belts and make some repairs. The weather is a little unsettled and we are not in such a hurry to sail in high winds and high seas. We will enjoy West Bay, Lyford Cay and Nassau while we are here. Isn’t that what this cruising life is all about?

Woke up this morning to the gentle rolling of Panacea in an easterly breeze thinking that this is what it’s all about. We both are starting not to feel guilty about the simple pleasures we are deriving from this life style far from the rat race.

Who’s for a cold shower in the cockpit. Now that’s what I’m talkin’ about.