It was to be our first trip to the Bahama's. We had chartered a Hunter passage from Florida Yacht Charters. The charter company told us the night before (when we arrived) that the weather was looking rough for our first day, and they would not allow us to cross if the winds were over 20 knots. We got up in the morning, went through the dreaded "Check out" on the boat, and checked the weather. The wind was 19 knots. Captain Don was very specific when he talked to the charter company "it is 19 knot winds, that is less than 20." They relented, but not until after they informed us about a German gentleman that was driven by his schedule. He sailed regardless of the weather, anchored out one night in the Bahama's and was washed up onto the reef. Lost the whole boat. Specifically because he HAD to make his destinations according to schedule. (there was a moral in this story, but it was conveniently ignored by Captain Don - another man of German decent ;)
We headed out of Miami East toward Bimini. As we started, the sun was out, and the entire crew was basking in the sun. The waves were about 10 -12 footers. The boat was riding rather nicely in the seas. As the day wore on, the weather blew in. As the front rolled past, the clouds came in. It grew very dark grey. The wind picked up - averaging about 25 knots actual (a little over 30 kts apparent). We reefed the main sail, and rolled in the Genoa to roughly a king size blanket. Slowly but surly the crew disappeared below to hide. The seas grew to about 20 - 25 footers. You would lose sight of the horizon as you dropped into the troughs. Just walls of waves on either quarter. To add to the fun, the seas were confused due to the change in wind direction from the front that rolled in. This would provide rogue waves every so often as the two waves combined and multiplied their height.
I was in full weather gear. Actually having a really good time. I felt like Luitentant Dan in "Forest Gump". I was hootin' and hollerin'. I felt very secure as the boat was handling the seas fantastically. Just enough sail to have strong control of the helm, but not too much so as to create weather helm. It was a solid boat, and felt very secure. Winged keels really help stabilize a boat in serious weather.
My sister and her friend Laurie came out to join me in full weather gear. They were getting sick below and wanted to see the horizon. When the made it out into the cockpit, they both stood in front of me facing back toward the stern. They held tight to the helm. Me spinning the wheel, and they watched and looked shocked. About 15 minutes after they came up, we hit a rogue wave. They were watching me, I was looking forward. It appeared on the port quarter, and they saw my eyes go WIDE. They braced for the impact. It slapped hard against the hull and sent a sheet of water half way between the first and second spreaders on the mast. (About 25 feet above the cockpit) the wall of water collapsed into the cockpit. Filled it with about 2 feet of water, pushing the girls against the helm. That was enough for them, back into the cabin. I had a good chuckle. After about 3 hours of this rough passage, we entered into the shelter of Bimini Islands. The seas calmed down dramatically as the wind was out of the NE and you enter the harbor through the reef to the West of the Islands. This entrance is interesting. You pass through a reef, and then run between the reef and the beach (100 yards only between the two) until you pass between the islands and into the harbor. I was glad the wind and waves were from the right direction for that entrance. If the weather was from another direction we would have never been able to make it into that harbor. Especially the first time into the harbor.
Beer tasted really good that night at "The End of the World Bar". I will never forget that sail. Never.
Another top 5 sail.
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