Migration

Finally!  This is the year we will begin cruising on our sailboat.  After 15 years of working towards this goal, it is nearly here.  It won’t be until next fall, but at least we are in the same calendar year.  In the mean time we watch our neighbors test their systems, check their sails, load up their boats then head out to the Bahamas or points south. 

This is the time of year sailboats travel south and there seems to be two groups of sailors.  One group leaves their boats down here on the hard over the summer and the other group sail their boats down and up the Intercoastal Waterway (ICW) each year.  The ones that leave their boats have them put back into the water before their arrival then just clean them up and get ready to sail when they fly in from up north.  We have seen some people in and out of the marina in under a week, while others take their time, catch up with friends and wait for the perfect weather.  The ones who move there boats from their home ports have to take the time to sail/motor their boats down and back each year which takes a month or two of their time, but then they have their boat to cruise on over the summer and they are cruising during the time they are moving the boat.  So, benefits either way.  I guess it just depends on how much free time people have.

The ones who sail down mostly use the ICW to get down to the Florida Keys or get to a point where they can easily jump over to the Bahamas.  Most come from the US east coast, but some come from as far north as Canada.  As our marina is just off the ICW we often see boats sailing or motoring south.  Occasionally, they'll stop in the marina; maybe fill up on diesel, buy some ice and re-stock their pantries.  Mostly they just pass on by.  Yesterday was a beautiful day and coming back from PT, I saw eleven sailboats heading south through the ICW.  That was during 15 minutes of driving along the ICW!  There was a nearly constant stream of boats heading south in search of blue water and warm weather.  We look forward to joining that group next fall.

Sailboats head south along the ICW

 

 

Several of our neighbors have packed up and headed that way, too.  Here in the marina we’ll meet someone and start to get to know them only to have them load up and leave us behind.  Later in the spring we’ll probably see them again as they return to store their boats for the summer.  They’ll head back up north to live on land once the temperatures are fit for human habitation and return again next fall as the temps begin to drop once more.

 

While we are getting left behind this winter, next winter we will be among those heading out.  In the second half of Oct we will start looking for a “weather window” - several days of nice weather with the wind out of the south will ensure that we have no trouble with crossing the Gulf Stream. We’ll move the boat south to Lake Worth (just north of Palm Beach) then jump across the Stream to West End, Grand Bahama.  From there we'll sail over to visit the Abacos then start heading south towards the Caribbean.

 

We're really looking forward to that day and we're glad that it is finally within sight.  Until then, we have plenty to keep us busy.  Our repair/update list is as long as my computer monitor is high.  We'll keep working on it until it comes time to cast off and complete as much as we can.  We'll take care of the most important items first then after that what gets done, gets done, but the list won't prevent us from starting cruising nine months from now.