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Walkabout Voyage - Galesville, MD to Marsh Harbor, Bahamas
by WalkAbout
2009-11-13
Bahamas Abacos Marsh Harbor
Sailing
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My Adventure Story

THE BOAT: 
WalkAbout, built by Gib'Sea in Marans, France in 1989, is a 37' sloop displacing 11,500 lbs.

 

She normally cruises the Chesepeake Bay from her berth at Pirate's Cove marina and restaurant in Galesville, MD not far south of Annapolis.  As days got shorter and nights got chilly, she successfully lobbied her captain, mate, and assorted friends and family to take her to the sunny south seas...Marsh Harbour, Abacos Islands, Bahamas in this case.

 

THE SAIL PLAN:
Her intrepid crew (Captain Randy Howard, Michael Howard, Jason Fuchs, Dave Huchette, and Ryan Risley) will depart Pirate's Cove 13 November.  Sail plan is to cruise south approximately 110 nautical miles, turn east (left) for 50-100 miles to clear the Gulf Stream, the turn almost due south (right) for 550-600 more miles to Marsh Harbour.  At a nominal speed of 6 knots, boat and crew should arrive at destination wednesday night.  All plans are, of course, subject to weather, boat operations, and - most impportantly - the health and safety of the crew.

 

WalkAbout sailed this same voyage 2 years ago and returned home safely in April 2008...but those trips are another story.

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WalkAbout • 2009-11-17
We are about to start some fishing!


WalkAbout • 2009-11-17
The Walkabout and it's crew are back underway. We are leaving Moorehead City and putting up the sails as I type. We'll have only Satellite Communications soon so check for our updates on www.twitter.com/followwalkabout or on the live feed at www.walkaboutvoyages.com Thanks everyone for your text and emails to the sat phone. We can't always reply, but we have been getting your messages!


WalkAbout • 2009-11-16
Posting picture of the trip so far here: http://myrisley.smugmug.com/Vacation/WalkaboutNov09/10335726_dVaMb#714765358_Sn4X6 Check them out if you like :)


WalkAbout • 2009-11-16
Those of you that follow the twitter feed already know. www.twitter.com/followwalkabout. Around 10am, as we were surfing the waves of the gulf stream, the forestay let go, leaving just the roller furling. Given that it is pretty important to "sail" in a sailboat, we turned in the head for Beaufort, NC for repairs. We should arrive there by 4am. We have a slip ready for us and riggers have been called. The jib halyard also probably needs replaced as the line cut when the jib fell like into the water like a lumberjack felling a 40ft pine (don't worry it was recovered!) Good times! Crew is in great spirits and had another hot meal tonight (thanks to Michael and Dave). Cruising into Beaufort we have had very calm seas, great stars and even a meteor shower.


WalkAbout • 2009-11-13
Off to work in the PCU so think of me as I'll need your support :) Hope you're staying warm and laughing! Cheers, Elizabeth, PCU Nurse Extroidinaire, HA!!!


WalkAbout • 2009-11-13
If you are interested in seeing a gallery of pictures from last year's trip.. Go here: http://myrisley.smugmug.com/Vacation/Walkabout2008


WalkAbout • 2009-11-13
Follow us on twitter! www.twitter.com/followwalkabout


WalkAbout • 2009-11-09
Send us messages for free directly to the satellite phone with this web page: http://messaging.iridium.com/ For the "To:" line should read 881631847817 (8816 will already be there) and return address can be your name or cell phone number, if you can receive text messages. Keep your messages short, and say who you are since we won't have caller ID! :) Words of encouragement are always appreciated!


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