On the 17th we departed West End, Bahamas for Brunswick, Georgia. Here are some of the highlights of the trip:
The Window – Going north this time of year is somewhat rare. You have to wait for a window after a front where the wind blows with a southerly component. Boats should not enter the Gulf Stream unless there is a southerly component or no wind. The other issue in the winter is the remnants of cold fronts leave big waves days after passing. We left as soon as there was a southerly component knowing there would be bigger waves from the East.
Hurdle Champ – We left at the first sign of light before sunup. We doubled back the lines so we could cast off unassisted. The last line to go was the bow but it would not run around the piling. With the boat in reverse to keep off the opposite dock, the stern was swung out. Amy leapt over the forward lifeline (above waist level) to the dock, released the line from an errant nail head, and jumped back over the lifeline with the bowline. She obviously missed her opportunity running hurdles in high school.
Reboot the Router – We employed the services of Chris Parker for weather routing because the Gulf Stream in the winter is no joke. The report is very helpful because you get waypoints to stay in the center of the stream. We were going slower than predicted because the wind clocked due south early and we were on a run for the first half of the trip vs a faster broad reach in the forecast. Because of this we departed the stream earlier than planned to get a better angle downwind.
Rock n Roll – As you can imagine, with wind astern and 2.7 meter waves with short intervals on the beam, to boat was really rocking. Our heal angle would go from 10 degrees to negative 10 every 8 seconds. We were going fast but having to stay braced. I found sitting on the cockpit floor with cushions on each side was comfortable.
Rogue One – When the wind lighted up we decided to head directly to Brunswick for a better wind angle. At 4:30 AM, not long after changing course, we were hit by a big wave on the starboard quarter . It pushed the stern hard port and induced a crash jibe as the autopilot maxed the rudder angle. Under the full moon looking at the backside of this wave I could see it was unusually wide and tall. After the jibe, the genoa was cross sheeted and the boat was in a heave to position so I locked the wheel to keep it there until we got things sorted out. Amy was in the head when the action occurred so she had quite a surprise when she came out! Thank goodness I had put the boom brake on before departing. We furled the genoa, started the engine, and turned through the waves with a controlled jibe, setting the same course to Brunswick. I waited until dawn to take a good look at the rig. When it all checked out I deployed the genoa and pondered if there were any more waves like that. I was happy we were leaving the stream.
The Front Approaches – Our goal was to make landfall before a cold front arrived that would give us a headwind. The wind died off Fernandina so we turned on the engine to make it to port it time. We made it to the channel as the sun was setting. As an added bonus, the tide was coming in and we had the current at our back. We anchored in St. Simons Sound south of the Sidney Lanier bridge because the marina was closed.
Regatta Time – The next morning we went up the channel to the marina. To our surprise there was a high school 420 regatta taking place in the skinny channel off the marina. There were 50 or more parents on the fuel dock watching. We cruised 30 feet behind the line during the starting sequence. I apologized to the grand stand for blocking their view to the start. The parents laughed it off as we powered by and swung into our slip. Another successful trip in the books!
