S/V Midnight Sun II and III: Happy New Year from Bimini, Bahamas

Yes, we have made it to Bimini in the Bahamas. We arrived December 30, just in time for NYE. A quick recap from where we left off, then a little about Bimini. I think we were in Naples, FL at the end of my last post. From Naples, we went to Marco island, staying at the Yacht Club (another free night and another plug for joining a FCYC yacht club).

The Crew at Marco island YC

From Marco, our next stop was a big more challenging. We were headed for Marathon so that we could cut off Key West, but this was a bit far for a day sail. Also, crossing Florida Bay, we wanted daylight due to the crab pots, shallow water, and unknown possible issues from storm damage. So we elected a stop at Little Shark River in the Everglades NP.

As we got close, we realized we were only seeing mangroves, and we needed to get Salty on shore. So we went a little farther south, still in daylight to Cape Sable, where we found plenty of beach access.

Yes, I am sure it was against park rules to take Salty, but oh well - a dog has to go. We were careful not to disturb anything.......like alligators and freshwater crocs. While we didn't see any, it was obvious that they were there from some of the tracks we saw on the beach..Cape Sable is a spectacularly unspoiled spot - except for the remnants of crab pots and other fishing debris from the recent storms that have been washed up on the beach.

Victims of Hurricane Irma

After 2 nights at Cape Sable - OK, Larry figured the tides wrong and got stuck!.......after 2 nights, we left and headed for Marathon. We arrived Marathon, Boot Key on Christmas Eve. Marathon has done a great job of recovering after the hurricane damage and is back in near full operation. Great job Boot Key!. Now, you either love or hate Boot Key. Yes, its a great cruiser facility and community adn for a couple of days, its a good place to hang and get caught up shopping, provisions, laundry etc. Then you realize that its a bit like an RV/TRailer Park on the water. I am sure others will disagree with me on that, bit its just the way I felt.

We met some great cruiser folks that were generally heading our way. An English couple (hi Hatty and Phil) who were on their way to Cuba. It was sad to see the damage that had been done to many boats. Most of the sunken boats had been removed, but still many damaged in the mooring field.

We had our Christmas in Boot Key, and it was good to spend time with other cruisers, but we were then ready to be on our way as we saw a slight weather window for a crossing. Not ideal with winds from the north, but only at 10-15. We headed north to Rodriguez Key to see if we cold cross.

December 30, 4:30 am, we left Rodriguez Key in the dark. a little anxious about what the gulf stream would be like with winds from the north. We had 72 miles to make before dark. it turned out to be a great crossing. Big waves, but they were rollers, some definitely up to 10 ft.but spaced far enough apart that we rolled over them for the most part.

Photos never show the magnitude of waves!

With winds on the beam, we were sailing good making 8- 9 kts for many hours. As we hit the center of the Gulf Stream, we saw the swells at their greatest - but it was a comfortable and fast ride. We made Bimini in under 10 hours.

New Year 2018

Dad and Aus!

We had our NYE celebrations in Bimini. I had been here once before, but it was just an overnight stay. After exploring the island a little more this time, I actually quite like it here. The people are friendly and there are some good little bars. We stayed at Bluewater Marina - at $1 per foot, definitely the best value. Facility are basic but Bahamian-clean, the docks are in good shape (fixed) and the staff great. Water is outrageous at $0.75 per gallon - so we are about to break out the water-maker. For reference, we heard other marinas charge around $3/foot and up to $6/foot at the Hilton Resort World.

NYE was a fun time on the island. We visited several bars - probably one too many, including the "End of the World Sand Bar".