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Sunday, December, 18, 2005, 10:21 UTC
Nassau

12/18
.Just left Highborn Cay, cruising south to Georgetown. We left Miami, main sail and genny sheetd out, propelled across a bumpy Gulf Stream by a stiff 20 knot wind out of the south. Stray Cat performed like a champ. We made Nassau Yacht Harbour at about 7 in the evening. and spent several hours at Nikos, weathering a heavy" Rum front"( as Captain Mark likes to say). Having a great time. Gotta go swab the deck. Dr.T
NNNN
/EX

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TRACKING: 1132872581
Thursday, November, 24, 2005, 17:51 UTC
Honey Moom Harbor

Guest; Amanda; SLC, Utah
Hey, we are having the time of our lives! We are getting ready to go fry some turkeys for Thanksgiving on an island in the middle of the Caribbean somewhere. Doesn't get much better than this! I love it, and I'm never coming back. Cheers!

NNNN
/EX

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Thursday, November, 24, 2005, 16:07 UTC
Honey Moom Harbor

Ship log 11-24-05
Guest Dean Schmidt-Gunnison,Colorado.

Left South Bimini approx 11 am, headed for cat cay. Arrived cat cay approx noon. Met Tony at Cat Cay, he rode Colorado the 500 had his top end shell, and sun sports fixed it for them. Before I worked there, but he was appreciative non the less. Asked me what I needed, and took me to his garage and boat to get me outfitted. Gotta love fisherman! Great minds think alike. Weather today good, a little cool, but great! Dove on the cement weck. Pretty cool. Wind died down today, hope turkey is good!!!

NNNN
/EX

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Thursday, November, 24, 2005, 15:54 UTC
Honey Moom Harbor

Ship log 11-24-05
Guest Dean Schmidt-Gunnison,Colorado.

Left South Bimini approx 11 am, headed for cat cay. Arrived cat cay approx noon. Met Tony at Cat Cay, he rode Colorado the 500 had his top end shell, and sun sports fixed it for them. Before I worked there, but he was appreciative non the less. Asked me what I needed, and took me to his garage and boat to get me outfitted. Gotta love fisherman! Great minds think alike. Weather today good, a little cool, but great! Dove on the cement weck. Pretty cool. Wind died down today, hope turkey is good!!!

NNNN
/EX

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Tuesday, November, 15, 2005, 14:58 UTC
Rose Is. Bahamas

11.15.05
I have received so many emails inquiring about my safety and how Stray Cat faired during the three storms I thought I better write. This high seas email system just recently started working again since so many towers were destroyed in Florida.
Where to begin; just prior to Katrina I returned to Coconut grove to start a long list of maintenance issues after a very long period of back to back charters; I think about 190 days.
I had been watching an area of disturbed weather off Rum Cay in the Bahamas for about a week, thinking that if it developed and aimed at south east Florida I would not have time to do what I usually do, which is to sail out of harms way. When it decided to develop it did not waste any time almost over night it became a cat I hurricane "Katrina."
There were four meteorological models that showed the forecasted storm track, three of which had it making land fall above Ft Lauderdale than moving strait a crossed the peninsular into the gulf and building from there.
I felt good about the forecast since I was south of the eye (the clean/weaker side) by about 35 miles and had about 48 hours to move Stray Cat further south. I bought food and fuel and got underway to move south, two other sailors decided to follow me on their boats. We got as far as northern Key Largo and realized that Katrina was going to make land fall 20 hours sooner than predicted.
I didn't tell you about the fourth model that was assumed to have little likely hood of coming about; it did. This model was to make land fall at the same place than turn south along the cost to about the Keys than turn west for the gulf. If I have been clear in this description so far than you know what happened, I was on the dirty side of the storm and it was coming for me fast.
I picked a spot with Key Largo close in on one side of me and the extensive John Pennycamp reef system on the other to lessen the effect of wave fetch. I put out a 35lbs. Delta and 100' of chain than shackled a 35lb. CQR to the chain than I let out 200' of rode. I used chaff protection, turned off the propane, removed all items of windage, inspected all three engine rooms, inspected all interior items and in other ways made ready for the blow.
When the winds reached 40kts I put on my inflatable SOS life preserver and harness and had my eprib and other life safety gear at hand. At 45kts I started both engines and used idle forward to relive some strain on the ground tackle. My last chance plan for breaking anchor was to power my way the less than a half mile to beach the boat at Key Largo.
Continued

NNNN
/EX

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Wednesday, November, 09, 2005, 15:05 UTC
No Position Data

Guest Andy age eleven
We are familea Tupin out on the big blue learning to sail and enjoying ourselves. Today we got up and decided to sail to Little Farmer's key from Bareterre Great Exuma, so hauled up the anchor and set out. I got to steer through some of the hardest navigating ever with my mom navigating. When it came time to give command to Mark and my dad, my mom and I didn't get lost but Mark did while it was raining but we go back on course. Yester day I caught a fish and ate it before getting sea sick. Well that's all for now, by.

NNNN
/EX

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Monday, August, 08, 2005, 12:47 UTC
the Exuama's

Guest Sophie, age sixteen:
I've been at sea for four days now and already miss land. Not enough to quit my journey though. I suppose I miss the necessities of living in a house, the showers, toilets, hairdryer's and so on. Fortunately I have some of the best company around. My father the eccentric grown up little kid who sweats profusely near a grill and my mother the over protective wild child who when she was a kid would most likely have been the one to suggest playing with fire works have not yet started to annoy me. Yay! No forgetting the other family that we share our adventures with is completely crazy. The good kind of crazy though. The father (a motivational speaker) is completely out of his mind, he talks in a made up language only he and all of his imaginary friends can understand. The mother reminds me of my own except less adventurous. She doesn't like the water and takes pleasure in jumping off the front end of the boat. Nicole their daughter is 3 or 4 years younger than me. We have a lot in common I guess but there still is an age barrier we can't connect on. She is outgoing and wild so we're a non stop-laughing group. Then there is the captain, one in a million. A mix of Gene Kelly and Jack Sparrow, the hidden smile, no bs and lots of charm. Sure he took us to a place where he thought was another and only has one working engine but I wouldn't want to be anywhere else.
Today I'm going to make it national pirate talk day, full of "ahoy matey" and terms like "scallywag"! I'm brilliant.

Everything seems ten times better out here, except maybe the bottled water. It all looks so delicate. It reminds of when I was a toddler and my mother would scold me if I touched anything in a pottery store. "You can look but don't touch Sophie" she would say. The water looks like glass and our boat a sharp blade cutting through the shiny material. At night you can pin point every star and make up your own constellations. But if you reach your hand up to high you might put a crack in the sky. The breeze for the past dew days has been awesome. It's just enough to make the weather bearable. We've been snorkeling where a reef had been terminally damaged from a storm and everything was dark excluding the fish. Every animal was so vivid due to their bright colors and the brown coral. Then a selective few and I snorkeled an amazing un-destructed reef where every peace of coral was more vivid than the last, the population of fish grew and more and more fish traveled in schools. The captain pointed to a school of fish swimming directly next to my left shoulder, the most beautiful blue fish I'd ever seen, but the surprise wasn't the school it was the barracuda swimming next to the school. Obviously I decided to swim the opposite way but then ran into a massive amount of different types of jellyfish. That's when I decided that I had seen enough of that reef.
We made a quick shopping stop in Nassau to buy groceries and take a stroll through the straw market where I found an adorable red necklace with a shell attached. The next day we were on the water again off on an eight hour journey to a small island in the middle of nowhere with no convenience store, but iguana's. We stepped foot on the infested island and thought, they thought, we were lunch. The islands were swarming with big and little iguanas. The wild mother of mine and crazy father of the other family decided they would scare them offnot a good idea, more came, more angry than before, or so we thought. Later we noticed tourists flocking to the island feeding them snacks and such petting the iguanas as if they were house cats. They weren't threatening us, they wanted food. Oh well. Back at sea, hot and sweaty again.

NNNN
/EX

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Monday, August, 08, 2005, 12:41 UTC
the Exuama's

Monday, August 8, 2005

Outside Hybrid Cay, Bahamas

Another Day in Paradise. This is what I love about these trips last night we ate filet mignon and roasted potatoes with a great bottle of red wine and listened to Al Jarreau sing jazz. The stars and Milky Way were the evening entertainment. We slept in the web forward on board. I woke up sometime in the early morning hours to a light show of lightning 30 or 40 miles away. Absolutely beautiful.

The shopping in Nassau is okay - it's great if you are a shopper. The straw market is wonderful for the bargain hunters, jewelry, local crafts, purse knock-offs, t-shirt buyers. There are stores for the more luxurious shoppers - fine jewelry, boutique clothing, etc. But, you can do that anywhere. I love coming on Captain Mark's Stray Cat III to get away from all of that.

The hidden cays are a delight to come upon. The water is pure azure. The relaxation is so abundant it is profound. I haven't worn my watch or wedding ring since boarding (can't wear shiny jewelry while diving hence the doffing of the ring). My hair has been either. 1. Wet 2. Under a Hat 3. On it's Own. I am sure I look a bit like a rodeo clown with hair flying out from under a hat in every which way - but. How nice not to have to care.

It is great not having time commitments pulling at me. I wake up and don't know what time it is. I eat lunch when I feel like it. I have no idea when we have dinner or what time I go to bed. How nice to live according to my body time clock instead of one worn on my wrist. This is a great place to get quiet with self - and also to connect with family and self. It is also a great way to play with family without electronics, media or paid-for stimuli.

How fun to walk on Iguana Island and swim off shore with the family. How fun to explore the waters, the islands - each other. This has been a great trip - once again I am reminded how wonderful it has been to meet Captain Mark and be with him in his water home.

NNNN
/EX

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Friday, August, 05, 2005, 19:39 UTC
Green Cay, Bahama

August 5, 2005

Great morning! Last night we headed out from Yacht Haven in Nassau & stopped for the night about 15 miles to anchor off lovely little island. Capt. Mark was bringing a part to another Catamaran and we rendezvoused with two other "Cats" to share stories and information about snorkeling, nearby reefs, etc. Everybody has a story about the sailing prowess of Capt. Mark. He has helped more people around the world! We heard of couples who got bailed out of hurricanes by the Captain, boats that were repaired, hours of sleep lost by Capt. Mark while he was helping other sailors out of trouble. This guy is quite something.

Last night, we dined on fresh lobster tails, chicken, corn on the cob and chocolate cake. The cabins were kept cool with air conditioning running all night. The girls (13 and 16) slept on deck last night - it is their favorite spot.
This morning, Ross and Gary woke up to do their "morning workout" - they stretched, did push-ups on board and then swam to the little island. When they came back, they took the kayak back out and explored the circumference of the island. Upon their return, Capt. Mark tied the kayak to the back of his dinghy and towed the girls like a banana boat while I made eggs benedict for the group. Capt. Mark finished our breakfast by giving us our briefing about safety, latrines, water and electricity usage.

This is our fourth trip with the Captain - how lucky we were to find him 7 years ago for our first adventure. He has never disappointed us - whether it be the secret snorkeling places, the funky new found islands with little bars filled with locals or fishing off the back of the boat. And his strength of character shows in everything he does. He makes everyone feel welcome - our daughters (13 and 16) are treated with tender respect. He will become as involved or as detached as the group requires. There might be other catamarans - bigger, fancier, but there is only one Captain Mark.

The girls hopped a ride on the dinghy to the little island where they gave themselves a natural "spa treatment" - exfoliating with the sand. Gary and Cherisse are going exploring in the kayak, Sophie is sunning while Ross is napping inside. Nicole is snorkeling and I am going to journal and read. The great thing about this trip is there is a lot to do and there is nothing to do - you choose. And this group is fine playing together or being alone in peaceful mode

It's time to read.signing off Debra Nash

NNNN
/EX

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Friday, July, 29, 2005, 20:23 UTC
Bimini, Bahamas

Guest Monica Hennessy:
First day we boarded our vessel, little scary at first with my broken ankle and all but Captain Mark made us feel totally at ease. We didn't have much wind but we made it across sometimes at 8kts. Our plan of action has been that there is no plan, we found that Lynne likes a plan she's a planner, so we tell her the plan of the day than we don't do it.

We had a beautiful wedding on board by Captain Mark. I love my new sister- in- law Kim. I haven't seen Brian so happy. The next day we went a to ship wreck called Sapona (The Concrete Ship). We snorkeled the entire wreck which was too cool. It was built during World War I as one of 12 ships constructed of concrete in order to save steel. She was anchored off Bimini's western shore until the great hurricane of 1926 came and laid her to rest. Toooo cooo!!! At that point Monica started to feel the effects of lack of proper hydration. Tom and Jim were kind enough to build a sun shade to keep me cool. Something that you learn is to hydrate your body.

That night we went dancing at the Complete Angler (Hemmingway Museum) Awesome fun to be had!!! We sailed to a place called the rock.. Anchored close to a fantastic beach and swam all day. Now this was the day that Captain Mark saved another sailboat that lost its fuel system and engine. Surviving on the sea brings a whole new meaning to life. We have caught four Barracuda; Mark taught us how to unhook the fish without getting bit, it is a two guy job. Brian reels it in, Jim does the unhooking. Jim has done it three times so he owns that job! The beach we landed on had more shells than you could believe just trying to figure how we can get them home.

Best part of this day (Friday) was the wind finally picked up. Captain Mark has instructed Tom, Brian, and Jim to set sails .We were all allowed to take the helm and the seas were angry that day my friend. It was like an old man tossing a cold cup of soup in a deli. We were in 35 knot winds while trying to reach the harbor. Yes, children we are okay!!!! The rain was pelting like hail on our bodies and the guys were in hog heaven. Captain Mark calls us the motley crew but, me thinks he likes us. We all love him dearly and he will be our teacher on the ocean. Of course, Brian asks a lot questions. What's up with that?

NNNN
/EX

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Tuesday, July, 26, 2005, 10:16 UTC
Berry island, Bahamas

Capt. note:
I have been battling a fresh water cooling problem on the port engine for a month; I now know that the engine has a cracked block, no repair. I have ordered two new engines which will be available to me next week.
I'm on charter at Bimini now and will complete this trip in Miami on the 31st. I will have a quick turn around and head out for Nassau to meet the Nash family (my Dentist) for a week of fun with them in the upper Exumas.
When I return I'll take Stray Cat out of commission and out of the water to install the new engines, two new shafts, props, cutlass bearings, couplings and seals. If I don't go broke first I will install a large solar array and two new 12vdc refrigerators. All up I will probably spend 26k; get ahead, break even, a sailor's life.
I had the best time with a group of Girl Scouts and their three troop leaders for a week in the Keys; look for their pictures on the web site next week. They took instruction very well and could set sail and hold a true course respectably. They were all very polite and helped with ships duties; talk about feeling like a grandfather!
On that subject, my youngest granddaughter Nicole Marie Macias graduated high school two weeks ago and also lost her status as youngest since Kelly and Christopher called to announce the birth of Ocean my new youngest granddaughter, wow.
I preformed a wedding ceremony on the fore deck last night at Honeymoon Harbor for my current guests Brian and Kimberly Hennessy; everyone had a goodtime under the stars anchored just off a white crescent beach.

NNNN
/EX

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Wednesday, July, 20, 2005, 12:51 UTC
Berry island, Bahamas

Guests: Wind in My Sails - Pines High Adventures - Pines of Carolina Girl Scouts

This trip is the Grand Finale of a two year program where the girls had to get certified in Basic Sailing (on Sunfish) and had a class on snorkeling. There are 7 girls and 3 adults in addition to Capt Mark on this sailing adventure cruise. We are from the Raleigh, Durham, Garner, Sanford and Fayetteville areas of North Carolina. We boarded the Stray Cat last Friday afternoon and moored in the bay area so we could see the beautiful night skyline of Miami. A must see for any tourist! Saturday we sailed out to northern Key Largo. Capt Mark reviewed detailed parts of rigging, directional terms - all the necessary info one must know to function on a sailing vessel. We set sail Sunday - Winds were Great (spin off of Hurricane Emily) - Sun was Hot - Water visibility not so good because of the winds - Rip Current Warnings on the Reef. The girls all had a go at the helm - Top speed was 8 knots - made it in record time to Islamorada. The girls had time to do a little snorke!
ling/shelling right outside of docking area. Most of Monday we spent on land - Capt Mark had to go to get some parts for his boat and one of the adults needed to see a doctor for an ear infection. We left the island late in the afternoon and moored off Tavernier. We have had wind every day (smile) and a quick rain shower/storm every night Due to time constraints we had to motor back up, with only the Jib out, to the North end of Key Largo. Thus far the girls have had a great time - they have learned a lot about sailing cats thanks to Capt Mark - Capt Mark still has hair on his head - We have Wind In Our Sails and Sunny Skies - What more could someone ask for? - Bunny Pere, Guest Crew Member

NNNN
/EX

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Monday, July, 11, 2005, 15:42 UTC
Marsh Harbor, Abaco,Bahamas

Well, it's day 3 of a vacation. The boat is awesome. We were slightly afraid the space would feel a bit crowded since there are 9 of us travelers + the captain "Mark". Myself "Tamara", my boyfriend Matt H, my parents Jon and Tammy, my sister Mary and here husband Richard, my brother Matt E. with his wife Deena, and my little bro Jeff. First day here was getting groceries and settling in as of course we all over packed. The storm, surprisingly never affected us much except for the flight in. After steaks the first night, we were all prepared for our next day of adventure.

Day 2: Bright and early we sailed to Hope island, a beautiful tropical paradise of small colorful wooden homes, flowers, and the of course the caribbean feel. Unfortunately, there were not many stores open, as it was the countries independence day, but all in all great. To end the day we sailed to a quaint small spot where we all jumped in for a cool down and snorkeling. Jeff and Matt H. spent all day exploring the reefs and spear fishing, of which they were actually able to get a fish or two. After the long day and everyone was pretty worn out and me, Matt H., Tammy, Jon, and Jeff spent the evening viewing the magnificent star spectacular. We even caught a firework show far away in the distance.

Day 3: We have been on the open water for the majority of the day as we are making a 10 hour sail to a far away island. We have been trying to catch fish, sun, and sleep, all of which we have been successful. We do hope to catch more fish as we have only reeled in one which we in turn re-released due to its size.

NNNN
/EX

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TRACKING: 1120831575
Friday, July, 08, 2005, 10:09 UTC
Marsh Harbor, Abaco,Bahamas

Judging by the number of phone calls and emails I'm receiving I thought I better up date the ships log to let everyone know that I'm not in harms way of Hurricane Dennis.
I'm at anchor in Marsh Harbor Abaco in the Bahamas. We are expecting winds of less than 40kts here which is enough for me.
I advised my last guest to cut short their two week vacation by leaving two days early just to be sure they could get out. With the expected winds we would not be going anywhere anyway.
Speaking of my last guest we really sailed everyday, that is to say, if we wanted to visit another island we went with the wind that day and sailed and tacked. Imagine that, not driven by a need to motor everywhere but just the beauty and joy of sailing.
This is Abaco sailing week here with a race everyday and a party every night. As a result of race week there are a number of boats here and no dockage available resulting in a crowded anchorage. I hope it isn't a Chinese fire drill tonight with slipping anchors and boats dragging down on me.
I better cut this short and get Stray Cat ready for a wind, rainy night.
Mark

NNNN
/EX

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Sunday, July, 03, 2005, 12:02 UTC
Hope town Abaco

Guest: Jessica age 11
July 1, Goombay Festival night
Got and early start, about 10:30. We needed to get to Marsh Harbor for Goombay night. When we got to Marsh Harbor we had many difficulties backing into the dock. Mark only has one motor working right now so my dad had to get out on the dinghy and push the side that is missing a motor. But we got into the dock and Tutu, Tutukane, and Mom went to Solomon's to re-provision. Finally it was 7:30 and we left for junkaroo night. A Bahamian holiday that occurs every other Friday. There's hair braiding, souvenirs, dancing, music, and a ton of great food. Kenzie and I of course had to get our hair braided. There is also a Junkaroo parade and there are many dancers and lots of music. There was a little boy who joined the parade and stared to join. His sister was not letting him be part of the parade but all he wanted to do was join the parade. After the parade it was 9:30 and we all went home. Kenzie and I slept in the hotel with Tutu and Tutukane.

Guest: Shane

July 2, 2005

We departed the Hope Town Marina about 10:30 A.M. after a large breakfast at the Conch Inn Marina. We had a nice sail through the Sea of Abaco to Whale Cay, where we entered the Atlantic. We were all a bit surprised that a very substantial island was not on the chart plotter. It sure pays to keep the eyes and brain engaged!

We sailed to the east side of Green Turtle Cay and when tutus called for sandy beach, good snorkeling and calm seas, we threaded our way through the reef. Jessie learned to drive the dinghy and we made a safe landing on a wonderful, white-sand beach. We all had a fine time on the beach and the girls dove for shells and "sea glass." Kenzie learned to drive the dinghy on the way back and we managed to thoroughly cover all points of the compass repeatedly.

We had a relaxing dinner and threaded our way back out through the reef. We decided that an all night sail would be a good learning experience for us all. At first I thought it was going to be a pretty boring, flat-calm night, but around 2 a.m. the wind began to steadily rise. I kept reefing the Genoa and when we were still skipping along at eight knots, I decided to wake Mark. He thought we should reef the main and turn around to give all a better ride, so we did. Had a great night of sailing with wonderful stars. Morning brought a pretty exciting thunder and lightning storm, so we had to reduce and eventually eliminate all sail. 11 a.m. we're heading into the cut at Whale Cay and observing a sailboat regatta under way ahead.

NNNN
/EX

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TRACKING: 1120145632
Thursday, June, 30, 2005, 11:35 UTC
Hope town Abaco

Guest: MacKenzie age: eight almost 9
Yesterday we sailed from Hope town to Sandy Cay. We did some snorkeling. Tutu=grandmother found out that she can snorkel! While everyone went snorkeling except for Shane (My dad) and I stayed back and slept. It was a little cold for me. So I snuggled under my dads arm. Daddy's arm is like a blanket. We got up to see that Tutu was in the water with a life jacket around her arm with the hurt thumb. We also went to the beach. Before we found out that Tutu could go in the water, we went to the beach I stayed with Tutu at the beach. We picked up little and big shells. They were mostly all Turbans. They weren't all turbans. We found 2 big ones and 1 extra small one. We also found about 8 medium ones. All those add up to11 shells. We already had some shells so we couldn't keep all of them but I might be able to bring some back for my friends. We came back and ate dinner. After dinner Jessie and I slept in the Hernandoe's hide away ( the fifth cabin) I think that I slept better then I ever have (on the boat). Now were motoring tooooooooooo I don't know.
Good-bye,
Mackenzie

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/EX

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Tuesday, June, 28, 2005, 20:05 UTC
Hope town Abaco

Guest Maxine:
The Bahamas at their best! This is 'tutu of the thumb' reporting. (See previous log posting!)

The low pressure area that had followed us around a few days finally departed and left us with a perfect sailing day! Winds upward of 20 knots with drifting clouds and skies that were the perfect reflection for these islands incredible blue, green and turquoise seas.

We left Manjack for Great Guana. It was a joy to watch our apprentice sailors learn to do perfect tacks. Capt. Mark is a patient tutor and the kids learned fast. Even the grandkids (11 and 8) take a turn at the wheel and have learned to read the compass, maintain a heading and read the wind.

After some pretty intense sailing, we opted to take the dingy in, and had dinner at the famous 'Nipper's', a brief walk across the island from the Abaco sea side to the ocean side. The Bahaman experience - conch burgers, kalik beer, served on the bluff overlooking the ocean. A walk on the beach., the grandkids tried out the colorful pool after dinner.

Back aboard Stray Cat we discovered how NOT to drain water from the cold chest on the deck. With the aft cabin hatch open. The entire chest containing many gallons of cold water was now soaked into the sheets, pillows and mattress. The inhabitants slept on deck! Another bright and breezy sailing day followed - and everything is dry.

I'm pleased to report the thumb with 8 stitches had the dressing changed today by a local EMT at Hope Town. So far so good.

Looking forward to more good sailing tomorrow. These apprentices are getting pretty professional! Capt. Mark is prepared to just sit back and relax --- in a few more days!!

Happy sailing!

NNNN
/EX

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Sunday, June, 26, 2005, 13:48 UTC
N. Abaco

Guest Lybby

Hi. I'm mother of guest Jessica. I was selected to tell the exciting tale of Saturday's adventures. The excitement was provided by our beloved tutu (grandmother in Hawaiian, i.e. my mom). Tutu loves to travel all over the world and as of late, she tries to hit a hospital at every local. This trip is no exception. It all began with the desire to have a glass of lemonade, then the 35 pound, granite upright freezer door slid out of here hand and nearly sliced the top of her thumb off. Captain Mark quickly became paramedic Mark with the ice packs and gauze. We wrapped the finger, iced it and made Tutu lie down with the thumb above her head. Luckily, I had just read in the guide book that Cooperstown, the closest town to our Manjack Cay location has a medical clinic. Off we went trying to verify medical facilities an arranging a taxi to meet us at the dock via VHF. Well, we knew Tutu was feeling ok when Mark announced he had an injured 79 year old lady aboard. Tutu promptly corrected him of her youthful 76 years! While everyone else got things prepared to transport the patient, Jessica and MacKenzie read Lezzy Maguire "totally crushed" book to her and made sure she drank water and stayed hydrated. At Cooperstown, the word had spread and the taxi driver was there. They called the nurse and told of our arrival but we beat her to the clinic which was closed because it was Saturday. Anyway, 8 stitches, pain killers, antibiotics and a dt shot later the nice nurse Cornish drove us back to the boat. I'm glad to report that Tutu is doing fine and has managed to get out of all the cooking and dishwashing. She can swim with thumb carefully out of the water. I believe her domino skills will greatly improve this trip, much to the delight of MacKenzie. Now that the hospital adventure, Mark's first, is over, we look forward to smooth sailing.

NNNN
/EX

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MAIL FOR: ships log
TRACKING: 1119630520
Friday, June, 24, 2005, 16:03 UTC
Hope town

Guest: Jessica Moore age 11
The weather has been great; it rained a little last night and a little this morning. We went into town and got lunch meat because we ran out. I got a conch shell to bring back home. The water is smooth; none of us have had to get out the seasickness bracelets. We haven't gone snorkeling yet. There hasn't been good water. We have gone swimming though. We found a live conch (2). The beds are great. And we all slept well. Most of us are into good books and have them out. The parents are having a great time helping with the sails. The grandparents are well into good books and enjoy swimming and are mostly game for anything. Right now we are heading to a spot to try to find snorkeling and prettier reefs. But we are all having a great time and are enjoying ourselves.

NNNN
/EX

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TRACKING: 1118865801
Wednesday, June, 15, 2005, 20:22 UTC
Mid Bahama banks

Guest Suz Bear:
Ahoy to all of you good folks out there! Rick and I joined Captain Mark in Miami last Saturday for sailing school. Having sailed with the good Captain once before, we have been looking forward to this learning trip with great anticipation! As we hail from wintry Steamboat Springs, CO. - yes, it snowed a few days before we left - we have been anxious to get into warm weather and beautiful, crystal clear blue water. Add the challenge of learning as raw beginners, and what a great adventure we are having. We crossed the Gulf Stream (second time - just checking to see that, yes, we can do this) and headed for Bimini. We spent a lovely night with good breezes and started our day out learning about chart readings, pilotage, GPS, navigation systems - it is so fascinating. I am starting to realize that sailing puts all of your senses to good use. No wasting away out here! We went into Bimini to get a few grocery items as we walked down the dock we saw a cooler with Lou Rabin, Steamboat Springs, on it. Then, in talking with him, we found out that Steve Evans boat was two boats away he's also from Steamboat Springs. Either it's that two degrees of separation or Steamboat people have a lot in common! Travel and adventure! We made our way down to Honeymoon Cay, did some swimming and spent another beautiful night listening to good music and eating better than in most restaurants. This morning, Captain Mark had us review what we had learned and fed us some more information - learning about weather, barometric pressure, reading the waters (color determines what is lying under the surface), and off we go thru a cut between Gun Cay and Cat Cay on to the Bahamas Banks heading for Chub Cay and then on to the Abaco's. As I type this, Rick is at the helm and we are plotting our course every hour to practice our charting skills. Mark is napping (think we should wake him - after all, we are beginners)?! Only kidding, of course, as the waters are the most beautiful clear blue and calm we have ever known! And, this actually gives us the feeling of confidence we had hoped for - besides, Mark was up way earlier than us!
Hope all is well with you and a Happy Father's Day to our Dad's! More to follow from Ricardo later. We are having the best time ever - just as we had anticipated. Thanks to our generous Captain and friend.

NNNN
/EX

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MAIL FOR: ships log
TRACKING: 1118321298
Thursday, June, 09, 2005, 08:50 UTC
Coconut Grove Fl.

Capt. note:
I have been watching an air mass of disturbed air near Honduras that is taking shape. It is about 500 mi south of Miami and moving north. The depression will become a storm (winds of 39kts.) late today.
This soon to be the 1st named storm of the season will not become a hurricane, it will move towards the north western part of Florida and make landfall sometime Saturday.
The impact on my adventures will be sloppy, rainy and windy conditions on Friday and Saturday in Miami. I will be leaving for the Abaco islands Saturday, I will be hoping for favoring winds.
Today is new icemaker day and follow me TV installed to a Satilite dish. Yesterday I purchased a new faucet for the galley sink, would you believe $189.00 at Home Depot, if it had the word marine in front of it the price would have been 400.
I better get to installing that faucet.
Mark
NNNN
/EX

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TRACKING: 1117906895
Saturday, June, 04, 2005, 13:43 UTC
The Tongue

Capt.note:
My eight guests left yesterday, I was all set to sail single hand to Miami but I was just too tired so I turned on the A/C, plugged in the cable TV and passed out. Sometimes you just need to do that.
Got up early and went to a local's restaurant in Nassau for a traditional Bahamian breakfast of stewed grouper and Johnny cake sounds bad but it is soo good.
Currently I'm in the so called tongue of the ocean with 3,000 feet of water beneath the keels abeam Chub Cay in the Berry islands 27 miles south of NW channel light. I can hear some radio chatter but I pretty much have the ocean to myself. I will enjoy the peace and solitude for the next day and a half. The usual nonstop whorl wind of cleaning Stray Cat and maintenance activities await me in Miami. I will have three days to Prep for my next trip which begins Friday and goes to the Abaco islands.
Mark

NNNN
/EX

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TRACKING: 1117553790
Tuesday, May, 31, 2005, 11:38 UTC
Ships Channel the Exumas

Capt. Mark
The weather and forecast has not changed in five days, no one on board is complaining.
I have eight guests on this trip and they are very experienced free divers. They have been bringing home Grouper, snapper, black Margate and also angled a very nice Spanish mackerel. We have been slowly exploring all the primitive spots in the northern islands of the Exumas, with their long white beaches and crystal clear waters why go fast?

NNNN
/EX

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TRACKING: 1117372984
Sunday, May, 29, 2005, 09:24 UTC
Allens cay

Guest: Anne O'Connell

Today we are anchored at Allen's Cay. Cloud cover is 1/3, winds are from the SE at 10 kts. Air temperature 82, water temperature 79. It's day 2 and we're in full relaxation mode.

Beautiful anchorage for sleepingflat calm and the starriest night we've seen in a long time (no city lights to interfere). Looking forward to more of the samestay tuned!

NNNN
/EX

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TRACKING: 1116603726
Monday, May, 23, 2005, 14:42 UTC
S. FL.

Capt. note

Well I'm back in Coconut Grove, FL. For those yachties out there who wonder about what I do when I'm not chartering, here is what I have been doing since the day after my return from the Bahamas.
Removed the high pressure fuel control of the starboard engine and sent it out to the lab for rebuild, installed a new microwave/convection oven, installed five new mattress, ten new pillows, replacing all four 12vdc distribution panels and one 120 vac, ordered a new stack pack sail cover, installed a new inner forestay, installed one new Magma gas grill, installed 15 new roll stops and gaskets to port lights and hatches. I will try to complete the remodeling of the navigating station and install a new radar before leaving for Nassau Wednesday.
That's how I spent my days off, about sixty hours and money, about $8,000. It's all kind of normal Captain stuff.
After my next charter in the Bahamas I have a real week off. I will be the guest of my dentist and his wife, Ross and Debra Nash at an island resort near Hilton Head, NC. It's so nice to have such good friends but it presents a problem. Amongst "live-aboard sailors" such as myself, semi-formal dress code is considered to be deck shoes and shorts and for formal we add socks, I think I have a problem. Add to that, in the back of my mind, wait I better say in the very front of my mind, I was thinking the resort might be an excellent opportunity for me to meet a lady but then they probably have requirements we live-aboards don't know or have forgotten. Sometimes it's hard to be a sailor. Maybe I should vary the way I dress each day; say one day deck shoes and shorts, the next day Tevas and shorts, or maybe I should consult with a land person. If you have any suggestions let me know.

NNNN
/EX

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