Sailing Miles

Time to check the inflatable life vests for leaks. Eeeeeks! Two out of seven are headed for the dumpster. (Saving the D rings, harness straps, auto-inflators, and CO² cartridges because I am a cheapskate.) Besides, most of the islands burn their trash. Random explosive devices are rude. #usvi #sailinglife #safetyfirst

We sailed off Punta Tuna, Puerto Rico, this morning. I was hoping to catch a tuna. Makes sense, right? I did hook a spanish mackerel, but the shark wanted his half... 🦈

 SV Miles found a decent weather-window to cross the dreaded Mona Passage. Yes, it got a bit sporty out there, but we did not arrive with tales of broken boat parts.  Yay! Puerto Real was a great place to check into Puerto Rico. The dockmaster, Jose, was so helpful with everything we wanted to accomplish, including renting cars, filling dive tanks, buying gear and food, and even recommended restaurants.  We have heard that Jose has sold the marina, and moved on.  I hope the new owners picked up on his cruiser-friendly vibe.

Click here for a Google Photos video https://vm.tiktok.com/TTPdyx3MTT/ 

https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZTdGEfXjJ/?k=1 

  Bucket List: Elbow Cay Lighthouse in Hope Town, Bahamas We docked the dinghy, with a stern anchor out, right at the lighthouse dock for our free self-guided tour. The woman in the gift shop was very friendly and informative. The light in this ligh thouse is the only one in the world that still runs on kerosene and is hand-cranked! We saw the block-and-tackle they use to bring up the kerosene to the pressurized tank. OSHA has no jurisdiction here... 101 steps to the top. It's fascinating to us that a cochlea   is a naturally occurring geometric shape. Part of the beautiful way God made order in the universe. According to the brochure, "The lighting source is a 325,000 candlepower "Hood" petroleum vapour burner. A hand pump is used to pressurize the petroleum (kerosene) which is in the heavy green iron containers below the lantern room. The fuel travels up a tube to a vapourizer within the burner which sprays into a preheated mantle. Pressurized camping lanterns oper...

 While we were spending the five nights anchored in our "only one night" anchorage off Lynyard Cay (it was that fantastic!), we went up to Sandy Cay to snorkel twice. Both times were amazing.  I mentioned before that someone said it's the best snorkeling spot in the Abacos.  The good part of hitting it first, is that we did actually enjoy the best snorkeling spot in the Abacos.  The bad part is that it will all be downhill from here. We had learned that the Pelican Cays Land and Sea Park maintains a couple of moorings near the reef.  They were not rated for a 50-foot boat, and besides it is easier to grab a mooring from the dinghy.  We took the 2.5-mile ride on two consecutive days to enjoy the reef. The water is that amazing clear water of the Bahamas.  Heck, I think I've bought bottled water that is not so clear.  We shared a mooring with a family that was taking a sabbatical for a year and cruising the Bahamas and Caribbean on their trawler, Se...