I leave Saturday to pick up the new Ventolines, currently called Argonauta. Her new berth is in Charleston. Her current berth is in Treasure Cay, Bahamas. About 385 miles as the frigate bird flys. Maybe not a frigate bird. I have never seen one fly in a straight line. But its a good jaunt in open ocean, with the lift of the Gulf Stream.
As expected, an unexpected tropical disturbance is forming over the boat. Seriously. Oh well. Nothing ventured, nothing lost. The weather doesn’t usually bother me. But in a new to me boat, that’s a bit different. I don’t know her quirks, her strengths or most importantly, her limitations. For most of my other boats, the first thing I did with them is sail them in conditions with a certain “pucker” factor; if you know what I mean. After such a sail if was obvious what needed to be fixed or eliminated.
Likely have to check the bravado for this trip. I have yet to experience a strong desire to chose to fix everything on the boat, 300 miles from the nearest store. Of course, I am bringing much of the store with me: solenoids, extra starter, tons of fuel filters, portable fuel polisher. Extra charts, chart books, 2 chart plotters, spare autopilot… hose clamps, rescue tape… The registered EPIRB. And a delorme in reach for tracking and text messages.
Most importantly, I am bring 3 people that know what they are doing. That is the most important safety item. One of the crew has done a couple of Newport-Bermuda races and logged hundreds of hours on multiple vessels like this one. Another I have sailed with for years. We know each other and can almost function without speaking.
The storm may or may not develop. Its a long range forecast. Hopefully, if forms by the end of the week. This could give it some time to move north and away from where I want to go. I would love to have 2 to 3 foot seas all the way to Charleston. For that to happen I need the storm to move off and a couple of days for the weather to settle into its normal pattern.
If not, its the waiting game. We will make the most of it, by staying inside the Little Bahamas Bank. If we get 2 1/2 days of good weather, we will try directly for Charleston. If the window is less, somewhere North of Cape Canaveral looks good. St Augustine? Jacksonville?
Unfortunately, I am on a schedule. In a boat I don’t know well, yet. I hope the Ventolines will help me out and get me back to port with favorable weather.