Bahamarama 2008

In 3 legs:

• St-Augustine to Ft Lauderdale, FL  (42h)
• Ft Lauderdale, Key Largo, Bimini Bahamas, back to Ft Lauderdale (2 weeks)
• Ft Lauderdale to St-Augustine, FL (46h)

 
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BahamaRama Sailing Itenerary / Story

 

Wednesday, 27 February 2008

Mag, Gael, Erdem, Luis, Kristen and Rosanne depart St. Augustine, FL USA aboard Salsa Verde with high hopes and determination.

 

Thursday, 28 February 2008

Mag, Gael, Erdem, Luis sailed south through the night on 8-10 foot seas and surfing at 11 knots. After emerging from the cabin Erdem promptly sacrifices his life vest to Neptune instead of himself. Erdem was sea sick. The dolphins put on a nice show. Salsa Verde’s boom snaps in half with Luis at the helm. A new one is ordered from US Spars in Alachua, FL USA.

 

Friday, 29 February 2008

Mag, Gael, Erdem, Luis Arrive early in the morning in Ft. Lauderdale, FL USA after motoring through the night. The day was spent at a public dock next across from Fun in the Sun, home of Bertha Grand Pied. Seating and bathing facilities were provided by a nearby Borders Bookstore. Goldie was taped up to look as good as new.

 

Saturday, 01 March 2008

Everyone has arrived to join Mag, Gael, and Erdem! Canadians from Quebec (Marise, Joey, Renee, Danielle “Metal”, Daniel “Clochette”, Nancy, and Martin). Nicole (finally) with the new boom for Salsa Verde. Salsa Verde and Bertha Grande Pied with crews aboard depart for Miami, FL USA. Salsa Verde makes circles around Big Bertha because she’s SO fast! Arrive late at night in Biscayne Bay, FL USA. Nicole reminds Erdem to take a picture of the sunset.

 

Sunday, 02 March 2008

Spent the night in Biscayne Bay, FL USA. Sailed through a regatta (Star Bacardi Cup / Miami Race Week) in Biscayne Bay, FL USA on our way to Pumpkin Island, west of Key Largo, FL USA. Martin constructs a beer holder from a metal hanger (which still holds by the way!), so he can keep his hands free to be in his pocket. Clochette earns his name. Gael, Erdem and Joey took the dingy to Pumpkin Island. Nicole reminds Erdem to take a picture of the sunset.

 

Monday, 03 March 2008

Slept on the west side of Key Largo, FL USA. Departed for snorkeling on the east side of Key Largo, FL USA at North Dry Rocks. Erdem loses his snorkel by Bertha Grand Pied and seeks help from someone he doesn’t recognize: WHO ARE YOU? Nicole is named Michelle. Michelle reminds Erdem to take a picture of the sunset.

 

Tuesday, 04 March 2008

Spent the night in marina in Key Largo, FL USA. Headed back to similar snorkeling spot and waited until sunset for Gulf Stream Crossing. Everyone is a little VERDE on salsa since we’re rocking so bad for hours waiting to leave for the Bahamas. In fact some of us (Nancy) chose to feed thefish. LOOK AT OCEAN and GIVE ME SOMETHING SALTY are common phrases. Nicole is named Carol. We departed for North Bimini Island, Bahamas after Le Coucher du Soleil. Carol reminds Erdem to take a picture of the sunset.

 

Wednesday, 05 March 2008

Crossed the Gulf Stream over night to North Bimini Island, Bahamas slept for a while and then headed for Alice Town, North Bimini Island, Bahamas where we customized. (Definintion of customize: 1. Follow the orders of amiral emmerdeur Gael by staying on the boats until cleared, especially not to help some dude with his docking maneuver. 2. Surrender Erdem’s spear gun.) Along the way we rescued a Panama lifesaver from drowning by executing a awless man-overboard maneuver.

 

Thursday, 06 March 2008

Slept at Blue Water Marina, North Bimini Island, Bahamas and hung out around Alice Town, North Bimini island, Bahamas. Played board games all day. Nancy acheives the position as Erdem’s manager especially during board games.

 

Friday, 07 March 2008

Slept at Blue Water Marina, North Bimini Island, Bahamas. ½ group went fishing. Gael struggles to survive a sting ray sting and continuing to fish. ½ hung out around Alice Town, North Bimini Island, Bahamas. Gael was supplied with pain medication from the North Bimini Island clinic but only after Big Mama approved the credibility of the doctor. The group later decided not to cross to the Berry Islands, Bahamas with diplomatic vote. Nancy is shuffled from boat to boat.

 

Saturday, 08 March 2008

Slept at Blue Water Marina, North Bimini Island, Bahamas. Attempted to go to South Cat Cay Island, Bahamas but the 12′ waves made us turn around. Mag is amazing at the helm, and Martin provides guidance with hand in pocket and beer in holder. Erdem loses a green t-shirt. Erdem, Gael, Nancy, Renee, Mag, and Nicole took dingy in the ats. Got Stuck. We played some board games and Marise always seemed to have the best strategy. Nicole reminds Erdem to take a picture of the sunset.

 

Sunday, 09 March 2008

Slept anchored by Blue Water Marina, North Bimini Island, Bahamas. Sailed to Sapona, a sunken concrete barge. OOPS!!! With Joey at the helm, Big Bertha runs aground on the way to the wreck ( l’aventure just like Columbus, with no map!). A 1.5′ margin of draft is discovered on Bertha. Metal is continuing to improve her knowledge about her camera. WHO ARE YOU reminds Erdem to take a picture of the sunset.

 

Monday, 10 March 2008

Slept on the west side of Gun Cay Island, Bahamas. ½ went fishing at Sapona. ½ snorkeled and explored Gun Cay Island, Bahamas. Michelle reminds Erdem to take a picture of the sunset.

 

Tuesday, 11 March 2008

Slept on the west side of Gun Cay Island, Bahamas. More snorkeling, exploring and fishing around Gun Cay Island, Bahamas. Caught BIG fish. Erdem made a sand “castle” (no no nooooo no!!!). Played ultimate frisbee on an awesome beach. Built fire on the beach. The tide is going DOWN! Big Mama cooks some good fish.

 

Wednesday, 12 March 2008

Slept on the east side of Gun Cay Island, Bahamas. Salsa Verde’s anchor had to be dropped 5 times. Snorkeling and fishing. Departed to Alice Town, North Bimini Island, Bahamas to check out at customs.

 

Thursday, 13 March 2008

Slept at the Blue Water Marina in Alice Town, North Bimini, Bahamas. Played another game of ultimate frisbee. ½  left early to fish near South Cat Cay Island, Bahamas. ½ hung out at the Blue Water Marina pool on North Bimini. Boat moored South of South Cat Cay, Bahamas. Group saw a big hammer head shark.

 

Friday, 14 March 2008

Woke up south of South Cat Cay Island, Bahamas. Proceeded to cross the Gulf Stream and landed in Fort Lauderdale, FL USA. Ate Thai food and drank car bombs. Martin narrates the trip in Frenglish.

 

Saturday, 15 March 2008

Slept in Fun in the Sun Marina, Fort Lauderdale, FL USA. Shopped at West Marine. Ate at Ernies. Said good-byes.

 

Sunday, 16 March 2008

Gainesvillians woke up at home. Les Canadiens sont rentrés à la maison vers 19h00.