Back in Florida

Thursday, June 11, 2015. (Day 41)

Sadly the sun is setting on our 2015 Bahama Cruise.  Marlin Striker and Stocks & Blondes left Key West early in the morning headed for St. Charles Yacht Club, Ft. Myers.   The seas were quite choppy when we left Key West but by the time we reached St. Charles at about noon the seas had smoothed out and we cruised into the Sanibel bridge at about 30 knots. 

What a great trip! We saw sights and water colors that were just so beautiful that the pictures do not do them justice and words can't describe.  We meet some wonderful people that we already have plans to meet up with again (new friends) and have become much closer friends with some of the people that traveled with us for the last 41 days. 

Plans are already in the works for future boat trips. 

Departed - Key West - A & B Marine - 6:40 AM
Arrived - St. Charles Yacht Club, Ft. Myers - 12:00 PM
Seas - 3-5 foot chop in Key West, less than 2 feet at Ft. Myers
Winds - E 10-15
Water Temperature - 79 degrees
Air Temperature - 88 degrees
Travel Time - 5 hours, 28 minutes
Average Speed - 22.9 knots
Total Distance Traveled Today - 125.6 NM


TRIP SUMMARY 


Total Time Traveled - 109 hours, 53 minutes
Average Speed - 13.7 knots
Total Distance Traveled - 1507 Nautical Miles

Abaco to Key West

Tuesday - Wednesday, June 9-10, 2015

Stocks & Blondes and Marlin Striker had a wonderful day seeing the sights in Key West. 

Tomorrow we will leave early for Fort Myers. 


Monday, June 8th, 2015

Stocks & Blondes and Marlin Striker had a great trip from Chub to Key West.  We crossed Grand Bahama Bank at South Riding Rock, the gulf stream, and onward to Key West. 

Departed Chub - 8:00 AM after fueling
Arrived - Key West 4:45 PM
Time Traveled - 8 hours and 54 minutes
Average Speed - 25.9 knots
Seas - 1-2 feet, 3-4 in the gulfstream
Winds - ESE 5-10
Total Distance Traveled - 230.6 NM
Total Trip Time Traveled - 104.24 hours and 24 minutes
Total Trip Distance Traveled - 1382 NM


Sunday, June 7th, 2015

The tournament is over and now it is time to head for home.  We would like to thank our St. Charles friends for joining us at the Abaco Beach Resort.  A special thanks goes to our friend Glenn for being our mate during the tournament, Laurie for preparing the lunch everyday, Dave R. for the photography (and laughs), and Dave G. for his fishing experience.  We had a great team!

After saying our goodbyes to our friends and new tournament friends, Stocks & Blondes and the Marlin Striker headed toward Chub Cay and home. We had a great day and arrived in Chub Cay early afternoon.  We enjoyed the remainder of the afternoon in the pool then dinner on Stocks & Blondes. 

Note:  Afterwires meet up with The Maine Event sometime last week while we were at the tournament. 

Departed Abaco - 10:30 AM
Arrived - Chub Cay at 2:45 PM
Time Traveled - 4 hours and 6 minutes
Average Speed - 26.3 knots
Seas - 1-2 feet
Winds - ESE 5-10
Total Distance Traveled - 108.3 NM
Total Trip Time Traveled - 95 hours and 30 minutes
Total Trip Distance Traveled - 1151 NM. (including fishing)

NOTE: PHOTOS HAVE BEEN ADDED TO THE TOURNAMENT BLOGH

Off to Marsh Harbour



 

 

 

Sunday, May 31 to June 6, 2015 (Days 30 - 37)

This week has been filled with FISHING for Marlin.  We practice fished the beginning of the week since we have never really done this fishery before.  We saw several fish and hooked up to one.  The Abaco Tournament started on Thursday and we caught one of the first Blue Marlin.  At the end of the day we were in fourth place overall.  One Blue Marlin was landed, one mahi escaped, and one GIANT who knows what managed to show Dave G. who is really boss.  On the final day we lagged behind the "professional" boats but managed to finish 7th overall in our first Blue Marlin Tournament.  A total of over $500K was given out in prize money.  We are extremely pleased with our first tournament.  

Day 1 - Marlin Striker is 4th

Final Results - Marlin Striker 7th Overall

Saturday, May 30, 2015 (Day 29)

The morning was filled with housekeeping chores and then off to the beach for the afternoon.  Gabby (Afterwires dog) loved playing on the beach and swimming.  I cannot express just how amazing the water colors are here and the water temperature is good also.  Although neither Bill or I are beach goers, we have really enjoyed the beaches on this trip. 

We will be doing a cookout on the back of the Marlin Striker before we leave for the Abacos in the morning.