Solo Nassau to Cape Canaveral

Miriam is leaving on April 30th and I head out for Cape Canaveral the same evening. Patrick shall arrive at the Cape on May 3rd and I don’t want to have him wait on me. This shall become the longest solo passage I have ever done: 3 nights.

The first night takes me to Grand Bahama, West End Harbor, where I formally clear out of the Bahamas. It is a busy night, with traffic around me and currents doing their best to keep things interesting. There is not much sleep, but I arrive at West End during office hours and manage to check out successfully.

I immediately continue and head out on a Gulfstream intersect course. Sure enough, the trusty conveyer belt picks us up and we fly north towards the Cape. The night is satisfyingly uneventful, and I manage to sleep in 20-minute intervals. During the third night I exit the Gulfstream and sail all the way to the entrance of Cape Port.

I prepare the boat meticulously for the upcoming marina maneuver: redundant fenders, extra lines, everything laid out and ready. The wind in the marina is unusually cooperative and makes for ideal docking conditions. After the marina fails to answer my radio calls, I decide to simply go ahead. The maneuver goes exactly like something out of a textbook — unfortunately without any witnesses.

Now, immigration!Read more