Bahamas Here We Come!
After waiting on front after front in the Northern Gulf, we finally got off the dock and underway. With a plan to leave January 4/5, our actual departure was January 11. We have still had some weather to contend with, but so far, we have seemed to pick the best windows. I was somewhat concerned about our Big Bend crossing, but Neptune was kind to us. We found a break and had a very smooth crossing.
At the time of writing (Jan 26, 2024), we have made it to Venice, FL and have travelled with a great group:
- SV Impulse
- SV Viking
- SV Kingfisher
- SV Chick-a-Lou
While we are not necessarily traveling as a "Flotilla", we sometimes stay at the same place and sometimes a few miles apart - but we are maintaining contact with everyone. We have some boats ahead of usm and some behind - but all generally heading to the Bahamas and to Black Point for the Gathering on March 15 at Lorraines Bakery and Cafe. Here's a screenshor from NOFOREIGNLAND of all boats signed up for our East Coast and Gulf Coast Rally - 56 boats in total! and while some may not go all the way, wow what a great resonse! You may not be able to count 56 on the plot below as some are overlapping.
- Panama City
- Port St. Joe (marina)
- Alalachicola
- Dog Island
- Clearwater (thanks Clearwater YC)
- St. Pete's Municipal where we visited the boat show
- Tampa Sailing Squadron (thanks! they offered us free dockage and facilities to Group Members)
- Bradenton YC
- The Field Club (very fancy- we had to clean up for that!)
- and now Venice (Crows Nest)
Our small group hopes to meet up again in the anchorage at Pelican Bay, Cayo Costa tomorrow, when we expect to hunker down for the next front.
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| Night Before Departure - Ft. McRee, Pensacola |
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| The Group having a Pint at Oyster City, Apalachicola |
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| Dinner with SSCA Members - Ford's Garage, Tampa |
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| Midnight Sun III at the Field Club |
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| The Field Club, Sarasota If you are following along and wish to join us, let us know and we will look out for you! Here's some useful contact info, or read on below for more info! Sign-up LinksRally Sign-up: Bahamas Rally Gathering Sign-up: Bahamas Gathering Black Point NOFOREIGNLAND AppAlso, if you have not done so, please consider getting the free sailing app NOFOREIGNLAND. Create an account and join the Group called "Bahamas Rally and Gathering 2024" We will use the app for group communications and tracking..........if you have a tracker, please link it to your account. Its very easy and there are instructions on the NFL website |
