Houston we have a Problem! – Current Cut, Bahamas, March 18, 2022

And just like that, it’s over.  Sailing Hubby confirmed our major problem this morning and it is the sail drive boot that is leaking.  Sadly, this means we had to cancel the plane tickets to see daughter #2.  We spent yesterday trying to determine where we can haul out the boat which is required to fix this issue.  It doesn’t seem to make sense to do this anywhere but St. Augustine since only a couple places in the Bahamas can haul us out, the parts would be next to impossible to find and then likely have 50% Import tax.  We would also need to pay for our land accommodations as we cannot stay on the boat while it’s being fixed.  It makes more sense to get it hauled out and fixed reasonably in the US because the leak remains minimal and we intent to limp this home for an early haul out.   

I pouted that poor me and my first world problem.  When Ron and I started, we had hoped to find a way to give back in out retirement.  We did, a little.  What we didn’t bank on was being the recipient of such generosity.  One of our buddy boats has been thinking about ending their trip early anyway as the weather had been so bad this season and they decided to go back to the US with us in case anything would happen on our journey back.  Now that my friends, is true grace and selflessness and I am grateful beyond belief.

It kicks into gear a process we were not at all ready for and that is setting up land life again.  We need to get there first, get on the haul out schedule in St. Augustine, get a car, find an apartment for a month to get some of the repairs done and close the boat for hurricane season, then we will head to my parents to housesit for a few weeks before going to Ohio to see the girls.  It’s going to be a busy few months, and the adventure definitely continues, it just doesn’t look exactly like we thought but that in and of itself is the definition of adventure right?

There is a storm coming on Sunday evening and we need to be in a protected anchorage by then and the goal is to get to Green Turtle on a mooring ball for the blow.  We are on our way to the Abacos this morning, which is out last stretch of open ocean til the crossing, and plan to be in Hopetown by tonight.  After that, we will make the next jump to Green Turtle then Sail Cay.  Once we get a gentle weather window, we will do the crossing to the US and head north for our haul out.   

Sunrise in the open ocean.  Let’s get this day started!

Full moon to end a stressful day.