Sailing Pearl: Travels on a Beneteau Oceanis 373

The End

Pearl got hit by Hurricane Irma a year ago today. After much inspection and wrangling with boat yards and Insurance, she was designated a total constructive loss. The cost to repair the damage to Pearl was approximately $110K. On receiving the estima Continue reading ...!

Better look at Pearl

NOAA updated recently added aerial images of the damage Irma caused in the Keys. The maps are available at https://storms.ngs.noaa.gov/storms/irma/index.html Zooming in on Marathon, I managed to get a closer look at Pearl. Continue reading “B Continue reading ...!

Pearl Still Standing?

Ok. This rounds’s over. Irma has left the ‘hood — trashing the Keys but possibly not as badly as she could have. Most of our friends in the Keys should be ok. We haven’t managed to reach a few of them who stayed, but the surge Continue reading ...!

Irma Passing Pearl

For a little while, it seemed like Hurricane Irma’s track would pass directly over Pearl. Right now, it looks like Irma’s split the difference between where we used to live in Key West where Pearl’s currently located in Marathon. &# Continue reading ...!

Waiting for Irma

It’s been a while since we were on Pearl. She’s been on the hard in Marathon for coming up on two of years now, and we were contemplating going back to her this winter. Hurricane Irma makes me question whether Pearl will ever sail again Continue reading ...!

Bye-Bye Bahamas, Back to Reality

This entry is part 10 of 10 in the series The Abacos, BahamasThe Abacos have been wonderful for us. We sailed, we motored, patched, fixed, snorkeled, made close friends, and ate great food. We learned how much fun it was to take our boat out and us Continue reading ...!

Hopetown, Abaco, Bahamas

This entry is part 9 of 10 in the series The Abacos, BahamasI’ve put off writing anything about Hopetown on Elbow Cay in the Abacos. We ended up using it as a base (mostly for the internet connectivity) and spent the most time here of any place Continue reading ...!

Cruising: 10 Things We’ve Learned after 3 Months Away

Lisa and I cast off from Key West on April 15th. That was approximately three months ago. Time flies when you are having fun. We’ve learned a lot during this time that we figured we’d share. Here a bunch of random observations in no par Continue reading ...!

Guana Cay, Abaco, Bahamas

This entry is part 8 of 10 in the series The Abacos, BahamasGuana Cay is just the next cay up from Man O’ War. It is due North when leaving Marsh Harbor. We’ve visited Guana a couple of times. It’s complexion is completely different Continue reading ...!

Weather Windows and Crossing the Gulf Stream

Getting to the Bahamas requires crossing the Gulf Stream. For most people, the task is either intimidating or completely routine. The difference comes from understanding conditions one’s likely to encounter in the stream. The stream can be a ra Continue reading ...!

Critters: Man o’ War Jellyfish

I think most people have heard of Portuguese Man ‘o War jellyfish — and are terrified of the stings they can deliver. I believe very few people, on the other hand, have encountered one. Portuguese Man o’ War Jelly Fish are pretty co Continue reading ...!

Man O’ War Cay, Abaco, Bahmas

This entry is part 7 of 10 in the series The Abacos, BahamasMan O’ War Cay is one of the three “must visit” destinations in the Abacos. It’s a curious community of very closely related people, about 70% of whom are named Albur Continue reading ...!