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Something Funny
Happened on Our way to Miami
1/31/02
Blaine Parks
The
winds were light from the northeast as we motored out of Ft. Pierce inlet
bound for Miami. We had left
Vero Beach the day before and spent the later part of that same day
picking up final provisions. We
were heading to Miami where we’d wait for the right weather to cross the
Gulf Stream to the Bahamas. Ft.
Pierce was going to be our last US destination where we could shop before
arriving in the Bahamas so Janet did a good job of topping up our
supplies. We filed our float
plan with our parents, giving them all the details of our trip in the
event that something went wrong. Then, sailing under a clear sky with our cruising chute, we headed south
for Miami. We had gone about
ten miles when Janet said, “It’s so nice out here, why don’t we just
make a left and head straight for the Bahamas?”
My first
protests were that we were too far north to make our way across.
The Gulf Stream would push us even further northward with its
current of three knots or more.
Everyone always says you have to be at least in West Palm before
crossing in a sailboat. Secondly, Herb (SouthBound II, 12.359 MHZ @ 1500 EST) said
the weather window for crossing the Bahamas was open but would really look
better the following day (hence our trip to Miami to wait for it).
The last of my protests, which were getting milder by the second,
was that…well, I’m sure there was another reason for not going.
When I
listened to myself, I realized that the only reason we hadn’t already
made that ‘left turn’ was that other people said I shouldn’t.
It was our first crossing of the Gulf Stream, but we’d sailed in
it before and knew its effects. We
could adjust our course to be more southerly and expect a slower passage.
And, Herb is usually right on the money when it comes to weather,
but today the good weather seemed to arrive sooner than expected.
Even that third protest that got lost in my throat wasn’t enough
to convince me to keep heading to Miami.
That lump in my throat wasn’t really a protest at all.
It was that nagging fear of the unknown so common to us all.
This would be our first international check-in aboard our own boat.
But hell, millions have gone before us.
The number
of cruisers who sit at anchor listening to the weather, listening to each
other, and reading all the books about cruising but never trust their own
instincts always amazes me. I know it sounds funny to think that people have chosen to
live independently aboard their boats and are still bound by the rules laid
down by statements that begin with: “Well,
they say…”. My problem is that I’m never
really sure who “they” are. I
watched boats anchored in Marathon last year as they raced to and from each
other’s boats in their dinghies discussing weather and trying to decide
when to leave. We were there
for three weeks and saw several windows that we would have taken had our
plans been to cross the Gulf Stream.
However, if there was one person in the group of boats who didn’t
feel comfortable, they all sat and waited again.
This went on for over six weeks.
Many were still there when we returned from cruising the west coast
of Florida.
My favorite
example is the infamous Albemarle Sound.
We always enjoy stopping in Elizabeth City on our way north or
south from North Carolina to Virginia.
Each time we’ve come through we’ve seen several boats who
refuse to cross the Albemarle if the wind is blowing more than 10 knots.
We’ve made our away across in everything from flat calm to 20
knots. Most times we motor across, as the wind is too light to sail.
Yet, back in Elizabeth City are five to ten boats that have
convinced each other that it would be too rough to cross.
Each encouraging the other to sit and wait for better weather.
Folks, 10-15 knots IS good weather.
Even after poking fun at our fellow boaters for their indecision,
here I was stammering about why we shouldn’t turn left based on the
advice of others without weighing in with our own experience and
observations.
As soon as I
realized what I was doing, we began making preparations to turn left.
We placed a few calls to our family informing them of our change of
plans and sent an email via our cell phone with all the exact details of
our trip. We also confirmed
that our check had arrived to activate our boat insurance for the Bahamas. With all of that finished, I sarcastically declared, “Helms
Alee”, and we were on our way to the Bahamas.
The decision was completely liberating and again reminded us why we
love this lifestyle so much. You
are in complete control of your destiny – if you work out the details
with Mother Nature first.
Like any
other undertaking, you should ensure that you have a good foundation
before making decisions regarding your cruising.
We have always preached safety first.
With just the two of us we never leave the safety of shore without
a good weather report, filing a float plan with our family, rigging our
jack lines, double-checking our ditch bag, moving the life-raft to an
easily accessible spot, getting out our personal safety gear and putting
up our lee cloths for safe sleeping offshore.
The boat also gets a good review before departure.
The mechanical systems, standing and running rigging undergo a
thorough inspection to uncover areas that may cause trouble offshore.
With the crew’s safety and the boat inspection tasks out of the
way, we feel confident to make our own decisions regarding the next
destinations.
If you’re
already cruising, or contemplating going cruising, do your best to educate
yourself about the weather, safety gear, communications, and become
familiar with what you and your boat can handle.
We handle winds and seas much greater than some people would be
comfortable with on different boats. Our boat is very forgiving in a seaway and, except for my
seasickness, the crew does very well offshore.
Knowing what we can handle has allowed us to listen to the opinions
of others, but still make the final decision ourselves. We can’t emphasize enough the importance of that
independent decision-making.
It's tough enough out here without leaving those important decisions to
people you only met yesterday.
So, after an
uneventful motor-sail across the Gulf Stream, we arrived at West End,
Grand Bahama. We cleared
customs and immigration with no problems (even with the dog's importation)
and have been enjoying sailing in the Abacos ever since. We’re not completely sure what tomorrow’s destination
will be, but we’re sure that we’ll make our choices without consulting
the book of “They Say...”.
We'll
see you on the water! That is, whenever YOU decide to join us.
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