Archive for October, 2010
One of the great things about cruising is the day to day freedom to go and do what you want to do. You quickly learn that to enjoy those carefree days you have to choose whether today you will head out on a nice downwind run, stay in the harbor, or tuck yourself and your boat in a mangrove canal in preparation for a passing front or tropical system. The key to making those decisions and the root source for weather information is the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s forecasting. There are many places that take NOAA’s data and repackage it, some with great insight, but the 1st place I look each morning is NOAA.gov.
On of the critical skills that Margie and I teach couples that join us on for our cruising classes is finding and applying today’s weather forecast to our days activities. It is an inexact science and having different viewpoints when big systems are coming is great. There is some really wonderful computer modeling out there but, and this is a big caveat, you still need to be able to interpret it to for your area with the knowelege that things can change. Getting different viewpoints is a big part of the interpretive process.
Back to NOAA, I was reading a post this morning from Dr. Jeff Masters of Weather Underground, he is visiting the national hurricane center this week as a new tropical system (Tomas) ramps up in the Atlantic;
Since this is such a large increase in intensity from what was forecast–Tomas was not supposed to have 60 mph winds for another 24 hours–this necessitates issuance of a special advisory package. A full set of forecast maps, a marine advisory, wind probability forecast, and a discussion just went out to the world. While all this was occurring, several phone calls to Barbados, St. Lucia, and Martinique were made, alerting the islands to the fact that a Hurricane Warning may be required with the 11pm advisory tonight. NHC has both French speaking and Spanish speaking meteorologists on staff that can coordinate with the islands that don’t have English as their main language. I listened in on a 5-minute conversation in French between the weather service in Martinique and NHC meteorologist Mike Tichacek, as they discussed when Martinique may want to issue a Hurricane Warning.
What a great job our government does in providing this information and making it available to the world. Sometimes it’s hard when you get your tax bill to immediately appreciate all that we get, Noaa is one of the unsung heroes in the US.
When Margie and I leave Miami to sail to the Bahamas one of the scariest parts of the trip are the lights of a big ship heading towards us. The recent development of AIS has made this passage much easier. AIS transmitters are required on all boats over 150′ and optional on smaller boats. They give the location, heading and the name of the boat and are broadcast on a VHF radio frequency with a range of 20 to 30 miles. If you have a AIS receiver on board it can interface with your chart plotter or be a stand alone unit. Now you can you see where the ships are going in relation to you and if you have a transmitter they will see you. It is also easy to contact them on the radio because you know their name.
You can a live feed from our area below;
Josh surprised Purdy with a sunset sail with us in Florida bay, then the big surprise was when he asked for her hand in Marriage.
A happy couple enjoying dinner at sunset in Everglades National Park
With the romantic setting of a calmwater sail, a beautiful ring and a bottle of champagne she had no choice but to say yes. Afterwards we served them a fresh fish and lobster dinner with chocolate covered strawberries for dessert. I did not do nearly as good a job when I proposed to Margie 33 years ago!
It does not get any better than this!
Join Captain Jeff and Captain Jean on their Skye 51′ on a 2 week passage from Florida to the Virgin Islands. The boat is a true blue water cruiser with 7′ draft equipped and the latest in marine electronics. You will be able to experience a real open ocean passage with two captains who are both also ASA sailing instructors. What a great way experience an ocean crossing, learning how to stand watches, navigate and do weather route planning all while under sail.
Having this kind of experience can answer the question of whether you want to cross an ocean in your own boat. If you are thinking of buying a liveaboard sailboat to liveaboard and cruise on, this passage can help you decide what kind of boat you really need. You can contact Jeff and Jean directly and learn more about the trip at offshore sail training.
Open Ocean Sail Training with Jeff and Jean
They will be leaving in the middle of November, I think its really going to be a fun trip, to bad Margie and I can’t come!
After a very rainy day when the upper end of tropical storm Paula moved eastward (the storm was over Cuba) cool dry air has moved in. It’s time to turn off the A/C and enjoy one of my favorite times of the year. I was reading the forecast discussion on NOAA’s website this morning and came across this;
THE RADAR REFLECTIVITY ANIMATIONS ALSO ILLUSTRATE AUTUMN BIRD MIGRATION WITH SPLENDOR. THE 25-30 DBZ ECHOES SUGGEST OVER 10000 BIRDS PER MILE ARE FLYING SOUTHWARD TO THEIR WINTER HABITATS... ACCORDING TO RADAR ORNITHOLOGY STUDIES
The birds know how to follow the weather.Flying South for the Winter?
Margie and I really enjoy the many species
that we see in the wintertime when we are
cruising and anchored in Everglades National
Park. We have a sunset sail today, our 1st
of the "snowbird" season. It will be nice to
have the boat sailing again.
Margie and I were moving the sailboat back to BSA Seabase and I managed to make this video with my phone.
I just got this from a couple that joined us last spring;
Harold & Margie,
Sorry for not writing sooner but since we arrived home from out trip with you (May 2010) our lives have been at full speed. We cannot thank you enough for the hospitality and education you both provided during our ASA 103 & 104 classes.
It was a great educational vacation. From the moment we stepped on board the Island Dreamer, you and Margie made us feel at home. Chris especially enjoyed Margie’s cooking. Each morning started with a good breakfast and then right into the hands on education, which was the purpose of our trip.
Not only did we increase our skill level daily, but you made time for us to enjoy the sites, snorkel and even listen to some island music at the Tiki bars. We loved stopping at the different Keys along our journey.
Once home, we went right into sailing season and we felt more confidence with our skills. I raced against Chris last month. We crewed for different captains on Hobie Tigers. We had loads of fun, but I came in second. I don’t mind, it was a learning experience and I hope to beat him next season.
Chris finished the spinnaker for our Hobie 16 and I am attaching a picture. We also have video coming.
Thank you both for a wonderful vacation and an education we will use for a lifetime.
Best regards,
Kathleen & Chris G.
Virginia Beach, VA.
See you at the Sail Boat Show!
Hobie Sailing with a spinnaker
Looks like lots of fun. It may be a little bit wetter than sailing on Island Dreamer, but it’s certainly faster!
Margie and I have had some great families join us for sailing vacations. Its a lot of fun watching them explore a new environment, giving you a new perspective on what sailing and cruising is about. Here are few fond memories.
Caleb and Reid at the Helm
Caleb (13 mo.) spent much his week long trip with us in the center cockpit of our sailboat. we put the first hatch board in each companionway, it was tall enough to see over but he wasn’t able to climb out. What a great life, he could look down in the cabin at Margie in the galley, his parents or his brother steering the boat, or maybe a smile and a wave from me hanging out below. Having someone around within sight to interact with kept him from getting bored. Of course he also enjoyed playing on the beach at Boca Chita Island, giving him a chance to burn off a little steam.
We like to serve some type of dessert after each dinner, about the 3rd or 4th day of our trip with Mia (5 yrs) she announced to her family at the dinner table “I live for dessert”. Truly a statement I can relate to. Toward the end of our trip she asked her parents if Captain Margie and Captain Harold could come visit them at home. I think it was because she suspected that dessert would be served every day we were there visiting! Just so you know her
Underway in Florida Bay
parents do give her dessert during weekend meals, she is not really deprived.
When we sail with the Boy Scouts (14-18 yrs) they are given jobs on the boat that are their responsibility. In the summer we sometimes get thunderstorms, after dark one night when we were at anchor when a strong cell hit us. I was sitting watching the chart plotter to make sure we did not drag anchor (visibility was near zero, very gusty winds and rain) and the boys were zipping down the side curtains of our cockpit enclosure. All of the sudden a hand reached over and swiveled the chart plotter around. Trying to remain calm I asked what was happening. I should have known that he needed a light to see how to zip the zipper. No, you can’t use my $1,000 chart plotter for a flashlight! We didn’t drag, stayed pretty dry, and the chart plotter made it through. I even showed him where to find the flashlight next time.
Living in a small space with kids might seem to be hard but there is enough to do to keep them engaged. The boat is small, but the surrounding are open and ever changing. It creates some wonderful memories.