West Palm Beach to NYC
Wednesday, May 11
West Palm Beach FL.
A hard day's work on board the vessel getting ready for departure. Significant time was spent familiarizing the crew with all of the safety systems. The boat is a 74-foot CNB built in France, and the owner has stipped the decks to create an almost flush appearance from bow to stern. Unfortunately, the vessel has very few handholds, and moving about it will prove to be difficult. There are no dodgers or Biminis to hide from the weather, just one very large steering wheel aft an 74 feet of perfect teak.
We had very strong wind in the afternoon and we watched helplessly as an unfortunate sailboat of around 35 feet long broke its mooring and drifted perilously underneath the Flagler bridge. It snapped its mast as it passed underneath and finally came to rest in the shallow water in front of one of the multi-million dollar houses. There was nothing we could do but watch the scene unfold.
Thursday, May 12
On departure day, five people were to take the trip with us. We waited an extra day for the wind to shift to the SW. Departing West Palm Beach, the swell was some of the biggest that I’ve seen in the area. I only wish I had known about it earlier in the day as the surfing looked amazing. The wind died departing the jetty and then veered as we had hoped. This push to the north was exactly what we needed.
Friday, May 13
The wind blows out of the southeast and all sails are flying. It’s been an interesting day with little finches with yellow tails hopping around the boat and flying around the cabin. We missed three fish including a rather intense moment when a marlin chased our lure. One good-size Mahi got away, unfortunately. The crew was unable to get to the throttle fast enough to to slow the boat down.
We got into the gulf stream early which increased our speed by 3.5 knots. We averaged between nine and 10 motor sailing. The seas calmed down, giving a much sweeter ride with very little rolling despite the lack of wind early on.
Sunday, May 15th
Motoring all morning and all afternoon. We passed a large pod of pilot whales leisurely hanging by the surface. We polished some stainless and told plenty of stories while trying to stay out of the hot sun. We rounded Cape Hatteras with next to no wind, but expect the southerlies to increase significantly over the last day as we get closer to New York City.
I got a text message through the spot messenger about another delivery from the Dominican Republic to the Bahamas onboard a Viking 92. Good timing and it should allow me to go home and see my dad and dog as well.
Monday, May 16th
The wind increased significantly after midnight so it was all hands are on deck to take in the large asymmetric furling head sail. We had such a nice time flying this giant red sail off the bow sprit. But, as a squall line approached we knew it was time to get it down immediately.
Once on deck, we had a few wet watches standing in the rain. Remind me to have a nice dodger installed on my boat someday! The temp dropped 20 degrees and never came back up. In the morning and the seas had calmed as we were nearing NYC. It never gets old sailing past the statue of liberty. There is a constant procession of helicopters flying in and out of the city. Must be a nice way to commute from the Hamptons.
We tied up at a nice marina a Brooklyn. Everybody got outside to help wash down in the sun. We rewarded ourselves with a great NYC pizza dinner for another great trip in the books.