Preparing for the Crossing

12/14 – 12/16 - Upon our arrival at the Palm Bay Club and Marina we were treated to outstanding service. The marina staff made their own personal vehicles available to us and we graciously accepted their generosity. On Tuesday night they hosted happy hour for us and shared their knowledge of the Bahamas. All of them are avid sailors/cruisers and one guy had circumnavigated several times. On Wednesday evening we, along with the gang on Second Star, met our friends Gene and Diane for dinner. They live in the Fort Lauderdale area and drove down to Miami. We ate at a great little Italian restaurant, DeVitas, a couple of blocks from the marina.

We have spent the last 2 days checking weather, trying to decide what day would be best for a Bahamas crossing. What appeared to be a big weather window seemed to close up as the recent storm moved through. However, the winds have calmed and it appears we may be able to cross in the next day or two.

On Thursday afternoon we left the marina and headed out Government Cut. We wanted to drop a “bread crumb” trail we can follow out in the early morning. We have decided to try a crossing tomorrow. We will be traveling with Michael and Jana on Second Star and Bob and Sharon on Big Run, a Krogen 42. We met this couple at the anchorage in Boca Raton and they asked if they could make the passage with us. Check our “Spot” tracker to see what happens.

A view of Miami seen through the bridge

Approaching the Palm Bay Club and Marina

A view of our the boats - Monk's Vineyard is towards the right

Miami Beach just before sunrise

Sun peaking over the skyline

Second Star approaching the Venetian Causeway Bridge

The Beatles and the bridge

Looking back at the bridge and the city

Cruising down Government Cut

We ran parallel to the MacArthur Causeway

Holiday greetings from the Port of Miami

A shot of the buildings along Government Cut



A view of South Beach as we came back into the Inlet



Second Star in the anchorage

Skyline at sunset