12 Mar 2009 1730 hrs GMT 1330 hrs local
Lat 22º 36.732' N Long 84°14.614' W
Underway, making way off the N coast of Cuba
Wind 17.7 knots E
Sea State – 4’ to 6' - Beaufort 6
Air Temp 77.6ºF Barometer 30.29
Scattered clouds
What a longgggg crossing of the Straits. After midnight the seas continued to build to a solid six feet with and occasional 8 to 10 footer thrown in to test our resolve. At no time was Second Star endangered, but her crew was tense and uncomfortable. We couldn’t alter course enough to take the seas fully astern because the strength of the Gulf Stream would knock out speed over the ground (SOG) down to a crawl so we suffered with a aft quartering sea on our port. It was the best compromise between comfort and headway, which as in most compromises it delivers neither very well.
Eve hunkered down under my pillow on our bed and suffered the most of all. I hope she gets used to cruising as much as she has gotten used to loi9ving on board. She seems to really enjoy being at anchor, what with all the new smells and wildlife to keep her attention. And of course the fresh fish scraps and long cat naps in the sun on the aft deck.
The Gulf Stream was affecting our SOG substantially as well as the toll on our progress from the waves. What should have been a 16 hoiur crossing was going to be much longer. At 0330 hrs I decided do a fuel transfer from the forward main tank to the day tank. Harry and I initiated the procedure and immediately lost the prime in the main fuel filters and both engines went down leaving us not under command and wallowing. All hands were called. Aeon went to the helm while15 minutes of hot nausea inducing work by Harry and I brought the starboard main up which gave us steerage. The port followed 15 minutes later. Followed by my dinner. A modification to the procedure and we successfully transferred fuel and went back on ouu three hour watch rotation.
The rest of the night was spent under a full moon watching the vessel traffic on the radar and waiting to sight the coast of Cuba. Finally mid morning the mountains of Cuba could be discerned through the haze.
All day sailed against the Gulf Stream but now we had a following sea which improved the ride dramatically. We were running well albeit slowly against the Stream and proceeded up the coast of Cuba and around the San Justias light. Finally into much calmer waters and with the diminishing effects of the Gulf Stream our SOG came up nicely. this is more like the cruise we were expecting. I ordered extra naps for the crew along with hot showers which refreshed everyone. Dinner was lasagna with a salad and bread. As we entered our second night it was back on our three hour watch schedule making way for Cabo San Antonio.
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This began many years ago for Johne. Somewhere along the way, he decided that someday he would have a boat and sail around the world. Through the years bits and pieces of the dream have changed, but the one thing that has remained the same was the desire to see the world from the deck of a boat. In July of 2000 the opportunity presented itself. Johne found a boat in Florida that was literally a "fire sale." The galley had caught fire and destroyed the housing, but the potential was there. Johne and Susie made the leap. They bought the boat and moved from Reno, NV to Ft. Myers, FL. Immediately they began the process of tearing down the old and rebuilding the new. By December of that year, all that was left, was a good, solid hull. For the past several years, Johne has build Second Star almost entirely by hand. Built with love and fueled by desire. Now that the construction has nearly reached completion we would like to share our dream with you. Please join us as we head out for the adventure of a lifetime.
What's in a name? It is supposed to be bad luck to rename a boat. In this case, however, the old boat died, and a new boat has reemerged from the ashes. "Second Star" comes from a quote, "second on the right and straight to morning." Recognize it? It is Peter Pan's directions to Neverland.
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This began many years ago for Johne. Somewhere along the way, he decided that someday he would have a boat and sail around the world. Through the years bits and pieces of the dream have changed, but the one thing that has remained the same was the desire to see the world from the deck of a boat. In July of 2000 the opportunity presented itself. Johne found a boat in Florida that was literally a "fire sale." The galley had caught fire and destroyed the housing, but the potential was there. Johne and Susie made the leap. They bought the boat and moved from Reno, NV to Ft. Myers, FL. Immediately they began the process of tearing down the old and rebuilding the new. By December of that year, all that was left, was a good, solid hull. For the past several years, Johne has build Second Star almost entirely by hand. Built with love and fueled by desire. Now that the construction has nearly reached completion we would like to share our dream with you. Please join us as we head out for the adventure of a lifetime.
What's in a name? It is supposed to be bad luck to rename a boat. In this case, however, the old boat died, and a new boat has reemerged from the ashes. "Second Star" comes from a quote, "second on the right and straight to morning." Recognize it? It is Peter Pan's directions to Neverland.
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