Meandering Joy: Crossing the Gulf Stream

Easter Sunday, March 31, 2013

On Easter Sunday, March 31, 2013 after checking with www.windguru.com, we decided today would be a great day to head toward North Bimini. We pulled out at 9:25 after topping off the water and emptying all the trash. We said goodbye to Claude our neighbor for 2 days and headed out the Dania Cut to the ICW. It was a short ride up the ICW to the inlet to the ocean. There was a little maneuvering to be done around the dredging equipment and the tour boats, but we made it. The water temperature was 72 degrees when we left , at about 11:30 we noticed that the water temperature rose to 77 degrees. We had entered the Gulf Stream.

The waves were anywhere from 3-5 feet. Very few 5 foot waves, but enough so that we wouldn't be lulled to sleep. At about 12:30 we saw that we had 29 miles to go on our trip. At 1:00--we could not see land. At 1:45 we had 20 miles left on our journey. 15 miles at 2:25.

We kept checking the radar and could see that some islands were about 12 miles away, but we could not see them with our eyes or binoculars. We saw two freight ships that we initially thought were buildings, but discovered we were mistaken. Finally at 2:50--WE COULD SEE LAND!!!

We had been listening to VHF 16 on the way over. We had no internet so this was our only form of entertainment. We heard a PON PON call about a boat taking on water Boca Chita with 3 adults and 1 child aboard. This real life rescue attempt kept our interest for the ride into North Bimini. We were happy to hear that they boaters were rescued by Miami Dade Police.

As we approached North Bimini, we found the markers and headed in toward Weech's marina. After several calls by VHF to Weech's, which were ignored--someone at Brown's marina answered our call and suggested we stay at this marina--the very first one we were to pass. We made it into our slip with nary a problem. Mr. Adventure--the always worrying captain, was fearful of the winds, but he glided Meandering Joy into the slip handily. Our neighbor Pat and dockmaster Gus were ready to take the lines and tie us off. After securing the lines, we filled out customs paper work and Mr. Adventure took off for the customs office. The rules state that no one leaves the vessel but the captain. Piper and were left to our own devices…

I gathered up all the lines I had prepared that we didn't and secured them. I noticed a familiar looking boat coming towards me and realized it was a Fleming too. Grabbing my binoculars, I tried to figure out if I knew this boat. I did not, however, I got the name--TuTu Benne from Sag Harbor NY. They recognized us as a Fleming and the Captain came out and waved at me. They didn't stop, here , but it looks like they may be at a marina a few blocks down.

Steve finally came back and took Piper for a much needed walk. We hope to set out for a walk too.