ARRIVED BACK IN FERNANDINA. TIGER POINT MARINA 19th July 2015

Recovering from jet lag! Mum on the mend again.

Have been frantically getting ready to haul out.

Tuesday 28th July. hauled and washed... let the fun begin

Well the haul-out took a week and we had a reasonably leisurely time of it considering we did anti-foul and modifications to the stern tube flange. The heat was manageable because we jagged some decent weather over the weekend for below waterline work. The hull was pretty clean and a quick wet and dry saw it fit to paint. I put a bit of red lippy.... boot stripe for the yachties..... on the waterline. looks pretty.

All pretty in Red lippy.

Taipan was re-launched on the 4th of August and on the 5th at 3am we departed Fernandina for Savannah. Spent the night and the following day at Daufuskie Island Savannah before weather moderated in the late afternoon and we headed out towards Hatteras. It was a struggle!. The wind and current fought us the whole way and we finally gave up on Monday morning and headed into Beaufort, North Carolina. We were going to miss a suitable weather window for the notorious cape by 6 hours. We followed the radar images of the forecast storm the following day and were relieved we stopped. Followed Chris Parker's advice! Well done team! It would have been very unpleasant off Virginia Beach and in the entrance to Chesapeake had we continued.

Next we had to find a spot to leave Taipan and drive to Alexandria in Virgina to meet my brother and Jo before they headed back to Australia after touring the east coast in our trusty Cadillac. We put Taipan on a dock at Bock Marine and drove to Alexandria on Tuesday. We stayed with darling cousin Judith and husband Bob, for 4 nights full of fine food and family frivolity. More trips into Washington and a couple more of the Smithsonian Museums ticked off. We had fabulous weather and a great time. 

Return to Taipan on Sunday was arduous, with the terrible traffic it added 4 hours to the trip. Uuugh!. 

More pictures of Jacksonville and Fernandina 

LIFE ABOVE GROUND. 19th November 2014

Since returning in the Cadillac, from the outward bound tour of the Eastern States, its been a mixed bag of boat jobs on the hard at Tiger Point Marina, Fernandina Beach, Florida! 

Taipan was waiting patiently for us in the work area when we returned, having been retrieved from the long term storage yard across the road. Still snug in her cradle she squats right outside the main office and close to the great amenities here. The amenities I refer to are the WC and shower. The only amenities relevant at this temperature. A pool would only serve as a reminder of the need for another jumper. The first job was to reinstall the in-hatch air conditioner. Oh dear... that was an anti climax. It has been used once for several hours only, and today I removed it so I could more securely shut up the boat.

 
Within a few days the temperature started to rocket downward and the heavy duty cold weather clothes and the heater were unearthed from the deep darker recesses after consultation with "The Book." (The Book is a small note book with an alphabetical index into which we write all the items aboard the boat..... in a column next to the item we put its current hiding place, in pencil as it changes all to frequently.) The heater has not been turned off now for a week. This is Florida... this morning it was 26°F outside ... thats about -4°C.

Jobs commenced with the replacement of several thru hull fittings... I hear you say we have done them before. Its true we have looked at some and checked them and moved on. This time we bit the bullet and actually removed some. They were  fine. The new ones don't look as good. We put some new ones in and put some of the old ones back. All good and we even managed to glass in a couple so the number of holes in the hull is gradually decreasing. I think we started with 22. Now we are down to about 16. We also installed a new speed impeller with temperature sensor.

While the thru hull stuff was happening I put the clears and covers back on and did a few sewing repairs. The canvas lady from St Augustine had to come back to pick up the Boom Bag  because she had sown up the batten pockets when she did some repairs so its still not back aboard.

Just hauled out.

Next job of course is anti-foul. The boat was a mess when we pulled it out. We had the bottom cleaned by divers before we left Jacksonville about a week before we hauled out here, but it was not a pretty sight out of the water. The worst looking bottom we have ever had. We had noticed that the anti-foul appeared to be wearing off after only 6 months. Way down in the Caribbean David had to start diving on it and cleaning it frequently. The whole bottom was covered in small barnacles and the remains of long hairy growth which the bottom cleaners had missed. When the high pressure cleaner had finished it was evident that not much paint had gone onto the boat in South Africa. That was the first and last time we get someone else to put on our anti-foul. What it means is that the whole hull had to be heavily sanded with machines to get rid of the barnacles. About doubling the work required before anti-foul can commence. We had to have that done by contractors because the environmentalists insist on the use of fancy tools with air extraction. Finally we were ready to start painting.

Taped and painted with 5 gallons of  Marine AG 45% copper Ablative Black things started to look better. The scheduled dunking was postponed due to tornados and tides. We are off north again into the seriously cold weather for Thanksgiving so Taipan will remain on the hard until we return in the first week of December for relaunching.

MOVES AFOOT. 20th August 2014

We have had a busy time since arriving back to Taipan roughly a month ago. We hired a car, toured all over Jacksonville and St Augustine primarily looking for a decent 2nd hand car in which to do some more extensive touring. Second hand car buying is a huge raffle anywhere and here is the same. We decided on an Escalade or a Expedition both large 4x4 V8 gas guzzlers. We need to fit all our camp gear plus be able to sleep in it in bear country! Finally after much deliberation we settled on a Cadillac Escalade 1999 model. We met some people who recommended a good mechanic so we took it along and had some oil leaks fixed and a full service etc. It was pronounced fit for purpose so we are now mobile.

Last night on the marina in Jacksonville.

On the 14th of August we left River City Brewing Company Marina and headed to Sisters Creek anchorage at the mouth of the St Johns River in preparation for our first leg of the inter coastal Waterway. This waterway is  made up of natural inlets, saltwater rivers, bays, and sounds while other sections are artificial canals which create a safe waterway for traffic and the transfer of goods.  It became apparent during the British Blockade after the1812 war that the waterway was justified. The legacy is a fantastic water highway, 3000 miles long, from southern Florida to the Great Lakes and including the Gulf. 

Trying a spot of Bass fishing.

The major difficulty for us is that it was designed for masts shorter than 65 feet and some of the dredging is a little lacking in places causing a potential depth problem for Taipan. At 7 ft 6 in we are told we are marginal. Taipans mast is 65ft 6in. This all means that we have to navigate the waterway on a rising tide and the bridges at lower tide. This take a bit of planning ahead and it all takes quite a while to get far. We spent the first day traveling steadily along at about 5 knots, managing to avoid the shallower water although we were pleasantly surprised at the depths. Almost nothing under 6feet below the keel. The only bridge we had to negotiate before arriving in Fernandina Beach 25miles north was showing 66 feet when we arrived. We touched with the antenna which is fine but decided to wait till the tide dropped to allow 67ft of air. At dusk we approached the bridge on a falling tide and with 67ft we didn't touch anything. 

We successfully negotiated out first 65 ft bridge.

We loved our day on the marshes. Its like a garden. Marsh grass is like long lawn. All even and smooth on top and neatly finishing at the water. Its very green at this time of year. There was very little traffic as it was Friday but Saturday there were lots of small fining boats out bristling with rods and full of families out to catch "theyselvs" a fish. The bird life is  phenomenal. Would seriously consider doing some more legs on the waterway despite the inconveniences and slowness of progress.

For now though we have tied up at Tiger Point marina in Fernandina Beach where Taipan will be hauled and set upon a very big strong cradle for the last couple of months of the Hurricane Season while we do a little land travel in the "new" Cadillac.

Photos of Fernandina and Jacksonville

WILD LIFE AND OTHER ADVENTURES July 2014

Side trips during our search for a second hand car have been varied but a highlight was definitely a visit to Clarks Fish Camp Seafood Restaurant. Friends, Cindy and Bob who live on a houseboat in the marina, took us down to dinner at this amazing place. It's is absolutely chocked to the rafters with stuffed animals! Every sort of stuffed animal! Even a kangaroo! Apparently they are mostly donated. the food was sensational and the setting, right on the water, is lovely. If you ever get to Jacksonville don't miss it. We had a fabulous evening in great company.

St Augustine is a major center not far south of Jacksonville and is the oldest continuously occupied European-established settlement and port in the continental USA. Founded in September 1565 by Spanish admiral Pedro Menendez de Aviles., and subsequently served as the capital of Spanish Florida for two hundred years.Amongst its many historical attractions is an old fort, some amazing old public buildings and some lovely traditional southern homes. We spent some time in the Lightner Museum and enjoyed the historic precinct.

Lightner Museum St Augustine

Observations since arriving in the USA. Things we have most noticed here is the prevalence of legal practices and Churches.  There seems to be one at least on every corner, and huge billboards urging people to take legal action for mostly car injuries. There are churches of every denomination and many I've never heard of! 

We have also had to learn to drive on the wrong side of the road! There have been a few hairy moments but I won't comment because as of this moment I still have not plucked up the courage to give it a go!  Cars here are BIG! There are of course normal size cars but the big ones are really BIG! Likewise the freeways are great knotted, convoluted concrete mazes. Lucky we don't have deadlines because we got in the wrong lane many times and ended up somewhere else! Thankfully the Maps on the iPad mostly saved the day. The other thing is these big cars drive FAST! There are speed limits but no one seems to take any notice. Thankfully the traffic isn't as congested as Perth. Most drivers are more polite too.

Architecturally I am hoping to see some improvement. There are many lovely old Southern style timber homes set amongst ancient Oaks draped in Spanish Moss. Real picture book stuff. I am yet so see however any modern or innovative homes anywhere! Not one! Tradition seems to rule. The use of vast expanses of glazing appears not in any housing! Likewise food. There is plenty of it and it's tasty but again terribly traditional! Maybe is a southern thing!

More images from Jacksonville and St Augustine. 

FAREWELL TO THE CARIBBEAN 11 March 2014

Catching up with Balvenie. 

It has been a brief visit to the Caribbean, however we are left with the impression that there are still a few jewels out there we need to go back and discover. There was insufficient time to get into the rum punch mood. Our main impression was not that positive, with overcrowded anchorages and over inflated prices. We haven’t written it off though, and if we get another chance at it we will take the opportunity more slowly. For now matters of family are calling and we must make a hurried trip to Florida to fly back to Australia. Because the hurricane season starts on the 1^st of June we need to get the boat into an insurance approved hurricane place to leave it. The plan is to be back before then but we are taking precautions anyway.

Lovely protected anchorage at Luperon

Our trip from Culebra to Boqueron was easy and pleasant, predominantly downwind. It was great to catch up with old cruising buddies Mark and Amands on Balvenie, from the Sail indonesia Rally in 2006 in Boqueron. We have been following their adventures in the Meditereanean and USA and now we may even follow their tracks! We were thrilled to be able to get their cursing guides for the Bahamas and US so we feel a little better informed before we set off on the next 1000nm hop to Florida. 

We left Boqueron on the West coast of Puerto Rico on the 7^th of March to sail direct to Florida via the Bahamas. Our first few hours out were hectic with strong following wind and sea. We even threw back a nice Cobia because it was too rough to bother cleaning it. As the night wore on however the wind died and we resorted to motor sailing. The forecast was for the rest of the 800 nm to Florida to be light weather so we reluctantly decided to divert to Luperon on the north coast of Dominican Republic. What a pain.

Beautiful waters of the Bahamas. Big Farmers Cay

The Cmap 93 charts on the computer are useless. Its lucky our Furuno Chartplotter has CMap charts loaded because the Navionics on the iPad are very inaccurate. The Plan2Nav on the iPad is good. (Cmap by Jepperson.) The really good charts for the Bahamas and I believe the USA East Coast are called Garmin Blue Charts, with Active Captain notes included.

There is only 3M of water at the shallows in the entrance to Luperon. We were forced to check in at $140US because they don’t recognise the International Maritime Law which allows stops for emergency fuel, water, medical or repairs. Then we met rascally Ronnie. We have since heard that several other cruisers have been caught by this rouge. He was happy to oblige with fuel at an extra US$1 per gallon. The fuel turned out to be badly contaminated and even after using the Bahja filter which we always use, we had to run it repeatedly through the fuel polishing system and change out several filters. We had the engine stop twice. 

Black Grouper and we ate it. No Ciguitera.

We should have used Papo on Chanel 68 but he was not answering the radio. It was Sunday... another bad idea. We gave up keeping our tanks full when having reached South Africa with most of the fuel we bought in Asia intact, we had to pump it out and give it away because the change in temperature and bugs contaminated it. We will have to re-look at the strategy.

The town itself has been described as quaint. That is putting it in its best light. Don’t go late in the afternoon, its just plain dirty. There is a friendly bar called Wendys where you can pick up free WiFi but Im pretty sure the Rum Punch at $7US ea is industrial strength there.

Well its now Monday afternoon and the fuel is loaded and David has to run the Immigration man to ground to get our check out done. Now What!! 3 Men...not in any uniforms get a ride out with David... “need to INSPECT the boat.” Truely!! This place is really hopeless. And that will be another $20 US to someone for something??? And now its 4.30pm!

Always nice to have company. 
Off Eluthra. Bahamas

Finally we were underway for the passage to Florida. The wind was good for the first day or so then it died and we motored and motored and motored. Just made it into Georgetown in the Great Exumas of the Bahamas 4 hours before the predicted frontal system hit. It wasnt as severe as they were predicting around 40 to 50 ins squalls. We only saw 30s but good to be tucked into the nice anchorage of Stocking Island. 

A couple of days later we moved north to Big Farmer Cay. Pleasant spot. Its all so pretty we would have loved to just stay and stay but pressure is on to get back to OZ so off we go again after 2 nights waiting for another small system to go through. Eluthra Island was the next destination and we planned to sail on through the western side overnight and exit Fleeming Chanel in the morning. The area is very shallow but it all looked clear going. However towards midnight we were pushing 4 knots of current so we diverted to South Palmetto Point and anchored until morning. On our way out we caught a nice Black Grouper.

From there on it was pretty straight forward on and on and a lot of motoring again as the wind dropped out pending the arrival of another frontal system from the north. On Saturday the 22^nd of March we arrived in Jacksonville, north Florida. Only 2 months since arriving in Grenada from South Africa. Going too fast and missing too much.

Our clearance was the easiest ever. We phoned the Border Protection number, gave them a few details including the Cruising licence number we got in Culebra, and we were done!!. No visiting anywhere. No stamps. Amazing.

After anchoring behind the island just after the Mathews bridge almost 20 nm upstream in the St Johns river for the night, we motored on another couple of miles to the Jacksonville Landing in the morning. Its a free dock available first come first served for 72 hours.The Main Street Lifting Bridge just before the Landing  is open on demand and was very easy .

 MORE PICTURS BVIUSVIAndSpanishVirginIslands

Taipan is in the middle of the picture in front of the Jacksonville Landing.