[Rhodes22-list] Bill's Bahama Adventure

[Arthur H. Czerwonky]

Bill,
I'd really like to hear more about the autopilot use when your time permits.  Did you operate the remote from the cabin - any glitches with the remote or basic unit?  Did you use the 1000?
Art

-----Original Message-----
>From: "William E. Wickman" <wewickman at duke-energy.com>
>Sent: Jun 20, 2006 1:13 AM
>To: rhodes22-list at rhodes22.org
>Subject: [Rhodes22-list] Bill's Bahama Adventure
>
>Sorry its taken some time to post to the list, but I have scarcely had time
>to look a the pictures since my return.  I am working diligently on
>recording the events of this trip before my memory fades.  I would love to
>be able to post the pdf format like Chris did for his Baja trip, but I
>don't have the software to create pdf files....yet.
>
>While sitting on an airplane this morning I jotted down some of the things
>I learned on this trip.  Here they are listed in no particular order:
>
>+  The built-in ice chest easily holds 30 lbs. of ice, but lasts only 3
>days (I wish it had been block ice).
>+  I can motor for 12+ hours at or near hull speed on one tank of gas (6.6
>gals).
>+  The autopilot was worth its weight in gold.
>+  The remote control for the autopilot was ?nice to have? but
>non-essential.
>+  Wiring the autopilot to my GPS was worth the effort.
>+  Dead reckoning is an essential skill and fun to practice, but a mapping
>GPS sure is wonderful.
>+  Even with a mapping GPS, you can still run aground.
>+  It is true that you should NOT rely solely on a GPS.  It should be
>augmented with good paper charts; or rather the paper charts should be
>augmented with a GPS.
>+  Color coded ?sippy? cups were a good idea.  It was the little things
>that made the trip so much more enjoyable.
>+  The fewer dishes and utensils you take, the fewer you have to clean, but
>it is very nice to have the right pot or pan or utensil for the job.
>+  Joy baths really do work.
>+  Thunderstorms in the open water are scary.
>+  Don?t trifle with the Gulf Stream.  It is to be respected.
>+  The ocean is a really big place.
>+  Planning pays, but be prepared to deviate from those plans?..and just
>plain be prepared.
>+  There is nothing quite so nice as an ice cold "beverage" after being
>away from civilization with no ice for 9 days.
>+  The basic law of sailing/cruising that you have heard about is in fact
>true:  the wind almost always blows from the direction in which you want to
>go.
>+  Whenever you impose a ?schedule?, that is when sh&@ happens.
>+  Whenever you impose a ?schedule?, that is when the weather will turn to
>sh*%
>+  You really get to know someone when you live together on a 22 foot
>sailboat.
>+  Fishing is not like it looks on those sportsman TV shows.
>+  A protected calm anchorage at the end of a long day is a blessing.
>+  Mosquito netting is worth more than its weight in gold when it gets
>buggy.
>+  A good anchor is essential for a good nights sleep.  Make that two good
>anchors.
>+  Did I say that a thunderstorm with gusty winds and ground (that is
>water) strike lightening is scary?
>+  No air conditioning, rolly anchorages, windless buggy nights, dinner
>from a can after failing to catch a fish, warm drinking water, long boring
>open water passages interrupted by short periods of terror?..Yes, it was
>worth it!!!
>
>There are many more tid bits, but these happen to be the first ones to pop
>into my head.
>
>Stay tuned.....