We left Great Harbour Cay Marina on Monday, 2 April, anchoring out in order to get an early start for the run to Bimini. We pulled anchor around 6am and crossed over to Bimini, about 75 miles. Wind and a light chop from behind us made for a pleasant trip.
We anchored just southwest of the cruise ship dock in nice white sand. Plenty of boat wakes in the evening, followed by a mild swell overnight that rocked us to sleep. At first light we upped anchor and headed out for West Palm Beach. Almost immediately we picked up a knot or so of GS current. Some Dolphins arrived to play off our bow. Always a good omen for a safe passage.
No idea why they do this. We often see them off in the distance, changing their course when they see us, then coming over to race ahead of our bow. They will do this for 5-10 minutes then go on their way. I hesitate to anthropomorphize, but I assume its some sort of game for them.
About half way across a USCG cutter approached us and called for information about us. They ran along side us for a few minutes while they checked out who we were. Apparently we are good guys so they released us to go on our way.
The GS is much closer to the Florida coast than I am used to. For most of the trip we were getting about a 2.5 kn boost. At our angle I would estimate the current to be about 3.5 kn. About 10 miles off the coast the current increase to over 4 kn and was still at least 2 kn as we approached the sea buoy at Lake Worth inlet.
Our plan was to anchor in the north end of Lake Worth, but the weather was a bit inconvenient, a 270 degree wind shift over night and some rain predicted, so we took a berth at North Palm Beach marina, a favorite of ours. This closes the loop, so to speak for our trip to the Bahamas this year as we left from this marina in December.
Our reentry to the US was painless. We used the CBP Small Vessel Reporting System (SRVS) and although the system requires lots of complicated preparation, it works. We were able to clear in with just a phone call. In past arrivals we have been boarded and inspected, or have been required to report in person. Much better this way.
We will sit here for a day, then run up the ICW to Stuart. In Stuart we have a long list of boat maintenance actions, some warranty related, some just repairs and clean up after being gone for 4 months. Plus a road trip to Tallahassee to watch our son Grayson graduate from FSU.
When we get back to the boat we will prep for the trip back to Newport. This year Lisa will step off and I, plus a few friends, will take the boat back. The goal will be to stay outside as much as possible, weather permitting. We shall see.
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