Author: Steve

Captain’s Log – Mon 3/17/25

Exciting news, this morning the weather guy gave us a likely “go’” to sail to Bimini on Thursday. 🤞

After the morning weather report, we took care of some boat chores. Hula Girl needed a bath from the salty sail yesterday. I’m not sure when we’ll be able to give her another one after we leave so I gave her a spa day. I repaired the sail cover zipper which pulled loose and one grommet that holds it on. Cleaned the bilge, re-stowed all the stuff that we thought was stowed good before the rough waves. 🙄

This place is rich with Bogart history. The African Queen, from the 1951 movie of the same name, is docked about 30 yards away from us. We saw her go out today and I want to try to get a ride tomorrow. Also plan to go to the Caribbean Club tomorrow where Bogie’s Key Largo was filmed.

“We have it all
Just like Bogie and Bacall
Starring in our own late, late show
Sailing away to Key Largo” – song by Bertie Higgins

At this very moment and single point in time, that feels so true. ✌️❤️⛵️

Captain’s Log – Sun 3/16/25

Hula Girl made a sporty and bit salty passage from Marathon to Key Largo today. We departed, a little less than gracefully, at sunrise, making it to Key Largo (53nm) in just under 8 hours for an average speed of 6.9kts. Hula Girl had some wings today, because she was flying! There was 20-25kts for most of the day, with 3-4’ seas. We had a reef in the main and 90% headsail for most of the day, Pretty much the limit for a comfortable passage on this boat. What a ride though!

We are minus one life ring that decided to go for a swim in Marathon as it snagged the dock when we were leaving in the 20kt cross wind. I used an advanced dock technique to depart that almost worked flawlessly until it didn’t and we lost the life ring. We were stern in, so this involved having both stern lines set with the engine in gear and wheel slightly to windward. The boat holds in place as all other lines are removed, followed by the leeward stern line, leaving one line to gradually work out forward keeping your bow to the wind. In the famous words of Paul Walker, I almost had it. So if any of my friends find our life ring swimming around Marathon, there’s a rum reward for its safe return.

I originally thought we’d anchor out for the night because I didn’t think we’d make it into Key Largo before low tide, but since we flew getting here, I got a slip so we’d have a comfortable place when the cold front comes through. With that, we cooled off in the pool with some drinks then had dinner dockside at Skipper’s where Hula Girl had front row parking.

Now we wait here for a good weather window to Bimini.

Captain’s Log – Sat 3/15/25

Spent the morning reviewing weather forecasts, consulting with our weather guy and looking at options. Not a great week to get to the Bahamas. After looking at staying, going tomorrow, going Wed/Thursday we’ve decided to sail to Rodriguez Key tomorrow, anchor for the evening then try to get into a marina Monday morning for the front that’s coming through. We will have 15-20kts of SW wind tomorrow pushing us to Key Largo.

Swapped the big headsail for the little one today, topped of the water tanks, planned the course, setup the safety jack lines and made a provision run to Publix. Got everything ready to go in case we got a “go” for a 24hour straight through to Bimini passage. In the end, it looks like the sea will be too rough after all, but at least we can get 50 miles closer so it won’t take 24hours.

I think I’m working harder now than when I was working!

✌️❤️⛵️