Stats

Per request, here are stats as of Feb. 16, 2014.

Nautical miles traveled-609.

• ·         Sarasota to Palm Beach-202 NM.
• ·         Palm Beach to Miami Beach-103.
• ·         Miami Beach to Bimini-46.
• ·         Bimini to Berry Islands-87.
• ·         Berry Islands to Nassau-25.
• ·         Nassau to Highbourne Cay, Exumas-44.
• ·         Highbourne to Wardrick Wells-27.
• ·         Wardrick Wells to Compass Cay-13.
• ·         Compass Cay to Staniel Cay-10.
• ·         Staniel to Black Point-8.
• ·         Black Point to Little Farmers Cay-8.
• ·         Little Farmers to George Town-36 (via Exuma Sound).

Diesel used-610 gallons.

Gen set hours-130 (mainly to keep batteries charged. While at anchor I need to run it at least six hours a day to keep up with the refrigerator and freezer.  If I do this again I will add more battery capacity, and possibly a windmill charger).

Days at anchor-22.

Days at marinas-23.

Mechanical issues:

• ·         Port raw water pump crapped out.  Used spare, should have had two spares.
• ·         Anchor light quit working-had to borrow a ladder-and cleaned contacts, changed bulbs and all is well.  Need collapsible ladder on board to service mast head items.  A fellow boater lent me his. 
• ·         Holding tank duckbills were inverted and tanks would not empty.  There are no pump out facilities in the Bahamas, so this was a pressing issue.  Alexis and I changed the duckbills with spares on board-a truly crappy job.  Simple green and Odo Ban are both must have items on board.
• ·         Dingy steering cable bent-Alexis brought replacement from Houma.
• ·         Starboard starter quit working.  I took it apart and cleaned it, and amazingly it is working.  Should have brought a spare starter. 
• ·         I changed the oil and filters and engine zincs with spares I brought with me. 
• ·         I did not bring spare zincs for the hull, but should have.  They go twice as fast here, I guess due to the salty water and current.  Stan will bring replacements in a few weeks when he visits.
• ·         I hard wired a small GPS in the dingy, Alexis brought from Houma.  It is not unusual to travel 10 miles in the dink, and some people become temporarily misplaced.  I had my I Pad which works great with the Navionics App, but it is not waterproof. 

Water has not been an issue; I just have to pay for it.  We hold 250 gallons which lasts about eight days with Alexis and me.  With Stanwood on board, it lasted two days…  It ranges from .35-.50 cents a gallon at the marinas, and has been good quality.  We filter it before going in the tanks, and have a drinking water filter at the kitchen sink.  Bottle water is also available, but expensive.  Many boats have water makers on board, which I would consider if coming here a lot.  Water is free in the States, so not a real issue there. 

The dinghy has been my most valuable possession.  It is a 12’ Rigid Boat with a 40 Yamaha.  From snorkeling, beachcombing, exploring, grocery shopping, and going to dinner, it is a workhorse.  I am really glad we invested it the larger dinghy and Freedom Lift.  They have made life much easier here. 

Communications-the VHF is the primary tool for local issues, from booking a slip at a marina, making reservations for dinner, hailing a land cab or water taxi, etc.  Baltelco has decent cell coverage, but Verizon will not work.  AT&T does, but is expensive.  I purchased an international plan, and my first month’s bill was $800 (that includes data charges for the office e mail).  Many people buy a Baltelco phone here, and use it, which is cheaper.  I also have a sat phone, but have needed it rarely.  Wi Fi is crap. A booster helps, some.   That’s it for now!