Slidin' Up the ICW

Wagons Ho!

West End Bahamas to USA, West Palm Beach: 14 Jul 09

Everything's big in America including the cocktails

Given the number of large boats, both power and cruise-ship varieties, travelling over the Gulf Stream, the Motleys planned a daytime crossing.  “All the better for Mr Coast Guard to see you!”  Again, despite many fears expressed by others, the Gulf Stream for us was another lengthy motor across a glassy surface.  Even our wake stretched out far behind us to the horizon….

We did happen upon the Coast Guard….  After answering 10/10 correctly, our Cap’n breathed a sigh of relief when “no boarding necessary” was determined.  We were later buzzed by a low flying aircraft; then a dark grey rib gave us the once-around!  Perhaps border patrol is taken more seriously here and not just aired weekly on television as a comedy show.  Oh, it’s drama…really?

Palm Beach Mansions

Yes, we have to confess we were happy to see tower blocks, traffic and busy narrow waterways again.  Sad really!  Cap’n negotiated our way along our first mile of the ICW (Intracoastal Waterway) to our anchorage (mile 1019) in Lake Worth.  We admired the very grand houses of Palm Beach on one side and very grand marinas on the other.  In our later search for Customs and groceries we were shooed away from on very grand marina – “security reasons, sir” (yep, sure!).  Riviera Marina was more for the likes of us; they even had a dingy dock, a sure-sign welcome mat!  They also had a nearby restaurant, so for the first time in 5 weeks (& 3 days), we ate out!  Not that GS was counting!  Our stock of tinned provisions and clean clothes was rapidly diminishing!

Scraping under the Blue Heron

During our dinghy meanderings, the Cap’n sized up our next challenge – a fixed bridge, the Blue Heron.  Standing at 65ft above high water, we hoped that WJ3’s mast (63ft with wind instruments & antennas sitting proudly above that!) would really make it under.  A couple of yachts with broken masts sat sadly at anchor nearby; grim reminders of those who didn’t.  What had we done????

From: West End, Bahamas   Lat/Long: 26 42N  78 59W Date/Time: 14/7/09: 0515

To: West Palm Beach, USA  Lat/Long: 26 45N  80 03W Date/Time: 14/7/09: 1340

Time Taken: 55nm (8.5hrs)  Distance (this year): 1768nm (354hrs)

Distance Total (since 2008): 2617nm  (532hrs)   Fastest Speed: 9.5kts**

Weather: Winds ESE  8-12kts;  Seas 2-3ft;  Swell generally E

(Gulf Stream adds 2.5kts to our speed!  Sure is some river of water!)