Hurricane Hole and Atlantis Marina

Wednesday, April 25, 2018 - Day 14

We finally got the right weather and seas to move on to Hurricane Hole Marina on Paradise Island in Nassau.  Upon arrival we found out that Hurricane Hole had been sold to Sterling Development Corporation who plans on upgrading the marina and building condos.  This also meant that this marina no longer has Atlantis privileges.  This was quite disappointing that we were not told about this before our arrival.  Especially since the sale was after we had made our reservations.  Given this we decided to split our time on Paradise Island and spend two days at Hurricane Hole and then move to Atlantis Marina.

Departure Time: 9:45 AM
Arrival Time: 11:29 AM
Travel Time: 1 hour 44 minutes
Trip Distance: 38.2 NM
Winds: 5-10
Seas: fairly calm with a few bigger rollers as we crossed the Tongue of the Ocean and entered the Atlantic Ocean.
Average Speed: 21.9 kts.
Max. Speed: 27.9 kts.

Hurricane Hole Marina

While in Hurricane Hole Marina we decided to take advantage of being able to easily unload our dingy's and cruise around Nassau harbor.  We saw some beautiful homes, cruise ships and checked out the Atlantis Marina which is located only a very short distance away (the other side of the Paradise Island bridge).

The Poop Deck Restaurant

We took the dingy's across the river to the Poop Deck Restaurant for lunch.  When we finished, some of the group decided to take a cab downtown to a rum brewery to sample some Bahamian Rum.

Atlantis Hotel

Connie and Mike Spiller

Connie Spiller and Mary Ann Courtenay tried their hands in the casino but neither had much luck.

On Friday morning, April 27th  (Day 16) we moved over to the Atlantis Marina which was slightly more expensive per foot for the boats, but saved each of us from paying $166 per person per day to enter Atlantis and enjoy the aquarium, casino, and water park. 

Sandy and Jerry Houlder

Manta Ray

The huge aquarium is always a great treat.  The Manta Rays fascinated all of us and were a new addition since we were here the last time.   We even got to enjoy the Manta Ray feeding session where the staff hold a bucket of fish out over the water right in front of the ray and then dump the contents into their mouths.  The huge aquarium was loaded with a wide variety of fish, sharks and rays.  It was quite entrancing to watch all of the activity. 

Friday evening we enjoyed dinner at Carmine's Restaurant.  Carmine's serves "family style" in the form of huge platters and helpings.  The process of ordering was a challenge but once we got the hang of it, we all seemed to be able to finish off most of the food.  We had a few take home dishes but not nearly as much as we first thought.  I think everyone enjoyed the take of the family style food as well and the uniqueness.  

Saturday, April 28th - Day 17

It is a rainy morning so we are all doing some catch housekeeping, errands, and repairs.  Sandy used the morning to make cookies.  This afternoon we plan to go to the Atlantis water park.  

Most of us spent the afternoon riding the lazy river ride at Atlantis water park.

Kids at heart.  What fun!

Sunset our last night at Atlantis

Sunday, April 29th  (Day 18) we will be crossing Yellow Bank moving on to Highbourne Cay.  As we move into the Exuma's our access to internet and other means of communication will become more and more limited.  We will do our best to send the blog whenever possible.  

Games at the Beach

Monday, April 23, 2018 - Day 12

Another very windy day, but we all made the best of it with an afternoon of swimming and games on the beach.
The group soaked in the warm water most of the afternoon.  The ocean water was warmer than the pool. So we decided this was much more desirable.

Rob and Kerry Howard

 Several decided to take a try on Patrick and Laura's paddle board.  Some were much more successful than others.  The videos tell the tale but they are too much to load onto the blog.

Laura and her dog, Bower, were the real hero's of the day.  Bower just loves the water and he was not bad on the paddle board either.







We spent the evening having an old fashion dock party on the dock.  

Dock Party

Mary Ann and Whit Courtenay

All was great until a very rude boater pulled in with two large golden doodles that were totally untrained and allowed to run loose off the boat. 






Tuesday, April 24, 2018 - Day 13

We are still in Chub Cay.  The sea heights from here to Nassau are 4-7 feet so we are holding tight until the seas subside.

Our entertainment today is a golf cart tour of the island.

This is the new Clubhouse with a beautiful dining room, two bars, the registration area and sitting areas.  The upstairs has nine hotel rooms and a suite. 

Below is the brick roadway through the villas which can be rented by the night and residential housing. 

 The Blue Hole is located at the far end of the island on the airport side.  No one knows how deep it is but there are cars, airplanes and a helicopter located along the edge.  This car serves as an excellent habitat for large fish, turtles and many other smaller fish.  The locals like to fish here as it is salt water. 

Along the road away from the marina we saw lots of gardens, plant nursery and the areas for water storage, maintenance, island generators and everything that is needed for the island to be self sustaining.


Tomorrow we will try to make our way to Hurricane Hole Marina on Paradise Island in Nassau.

Crossing the Gulf Stream

Our last night in Marathon - Lazy Days Restaurant

Thursday, April 19, 2018 - Day 8

It is a beautiful morning and we are all anxious to get going and get across the gulf stream.   It was a fantastic ride.  We could not have asked for a better day.  It was sunny, warm but not hot and the seas were for the most part flat.  Marlin Striker and Moon Shadow lead the way and the others followed right along.

With Bimini Sands in sight we began calling the marina.  After several minutes of no answer we cruised on in and too any available slip - that is because with the exception of Alibi (the Magers) all of the slips were available.  I found out later that the marina had just cleared out after several fishing tournaments and that from April 29th through September they are completely full for the summer.

Upon arrival at Bimini Sands Marina we immediately went to check in at the marina office.  The less than ambitious staff told us they could not check us in until we cleared customs which was a cab ride ($5/person) over to the airport.  Sandy and I got the cab and proceeded to the airport to clear customs.  No problems there, it was very quick, although we were lucky because the remainder of our group found out that if a flight comes in, the flight has priority.

With everyone through customs, we decided to do a pot luck dinner on Mary Alice.  The restaurant at Bimini Sands was closed and it was a ferry ride over to Big Game Club.  We did learn from Patrick Magers, who spent the last week at Big Game Club that it has been rebuilt and is now very nice with a good restaurant.  The last time Marlin Striker was there it was very run down.  It is good to know that Big Game is a viable option in the future.  Especially since customs is only a walk away.

Departure Time:  7:00 AM
Arrival Time: 12:43 PM
Travel Time: 5 hours 44 minutes

Trip Distance: 122.3 NM
Winds: S-SE around 5 kts.
Seas - Slight roll to start out but go flat in the gulf stream
Average Speed - 21.3 kts
Max. Speed - 28.6 kts.

Mike always has a story!

Friday, April 20, 2018 - Day 9

It was very quiet at Bimini Sands. 

Marlin Striker

Given the storms and high seas moving in we opted to move on to Chub Cay a day earlier than our reservations.

L' Sum'n Sum'n headed to Chub Cay

With the exception that Aquanaut who had some overheating issues, which seemed to be fine at slower speeds (10 knots), but he could not get up to speed and hold it without getting an alarm.  Everyone arrived at Chub Cay Marina by early afternoon, got lunch at the gorgeous new Clubhouse and then enjoyed the rest of the afternoon in the pool.

Departure Time:  7:36 AM
Arrival Time: 11:45 AM
Travel Time: 4 hours 6 minutes
Trip Distance: 87.3 NM
Winds: Around 5 kts  
Seas - S-SE 1-2 feet
Average Speed - 21.2 kts
Max. Speed - 28.1 kts

Sneaky Sandy 

Happy Birthday Jerry

Young at heart. 












Saturday, April 21, 2018 - Day 10

Today is very blustery and a little cool for the cool pool so the gents spent the afternoon trouble-shooting the over heating problem on Argonaut while the ladies played a game of Mexican Train Domino's on Mary Alice.  

A BIG THANK YOU to MIKE SPILLER for a great night of fabulous music and laughter.  Mike got out his keyboard and played and sang for all of us and everyone around us.  What a great night!

Now who stepped in?

Sing along now

Sunday, April 22, 2018 - Day 11

The thunderstorms have rolled in so this is a laid back morning to catch up on my blog and enjoy a good breakfast.

If the weather clears and the seas calm down (now 5-7 feet) we hope to make the journey to Hurricane Hole Marina, Paradise Island, Nassau on Tuesday. 

Making the Best of Down Time

Sunday, April 15, 2018 - Day 4

This was a very casual day. The group got together at the end of the day to go to Sunset Grill for dinner.  That was a different experience.  While we were there the storm front came through providing us with a fabulous thunder and lightening storm.  For those of you who are not familiar with the Sunset Grill, it is a huge tiki hut with a thatch roof.  Although the staff lowered the side curtains there were still "drops" coming through the ceiling it was raining so hard. We tried to watch the radar and find a "little hole" in the system to make the mad rush via cab back to our boats.  That did not work very well.  Before the cab came the power went out in the restaurant and the fire alarms started going off and the torrential rains came back.  Needless to say, we were soaked before we could make it to the boats.

Enjoy dinner, laughs and the thunderstorm at Sunset Grill

Monday, April 16, 2018 - Day 5

We decide it was time to do something besides work on the boats.  So off to the Turtle Hospital we went.  We learned about the five types of turtles in southern Florida and many other turtle "facts".  The word of the day was "bubble butt"!  Following the Turtle Hospital we enjoyed lunch at Keys Fisheries.

Connie Spiller

Tuesday, April 17, 2018 - Day 6

Today was a day of beginning errands, and restocking for the crossing into the Bahamas.  There were several trips to Walgreens, Publics, and West Marine.  Everyone began loads of laundry and cleaning up the boats.  After all, who wants to wait until the last minute when there really was not much more to do. 

Wednesday, April 18th, 2018 - Day 7 

Kerry and Rob Howard arrived today.  Their boat was repaired in Marco yesterday and they had a great cruise with flat seas.  Sandy and Connie decided to venture out and go to Pigeon Key today. 
It looks like tomorrow is going to be our weather window to cross the Gulf Stream to Bimini.  The plan as of now will be to spend only one night at Bimini Sands and then move on to Chub Cay on Friday as long as the weather holds.  After that it looks like we may have to sit for a few days as another front is coming in and seas will be building. 

Relaxing and Re-Grouping in Marathon

Friday, April 13, 2018 - Day 2

This was a day of regrouping, repairs and rest. The sea conditions for the next several days looks like we will be here in Marathon until at least mid-week.

We were not the only ones relaxing.

Jerry Houlder and Bill Lussier

We all enjoyed dinner and an evening of great fun and laughter aboard Mary Alice.  Although Mike and Connie may not consider their boat "a houseboat", it is absolutely beautiful and very much like "home".  The galley contains a full size refrigerator, stove, etc.  just like home.  And the salon is much more like a spacious living room which easily accommodated all of us for the evening.

Saturday, April 14th, 2018 - Day 3

We decided to take advantage of the sunny day and do lunch at Burdine's and then do some exploring of Boot Key before expected weather (rain and wind) blow in for tomorrow.  Mary Alice and Marlin Striker unloaded their dingy's, picked up the others and we headed out.

Lunch at Burdine's

Boot Key Mooring Field is HUGE

Swimming Iguana in Marathon

Sandy and Jerry Houlder

What are you doing Whit?

2018 Bahama Cruise

We are beginning our cruise to the Bahamas.  Anyone receiving this email has either requested to be added to our blog or added yourself.  If at any point you wish to discontinue receiving the Marlin Striker (Bill and Debbie Lussier) blog,  please go to the blog and click unsubscribe. 

We will post blogs whenever possible, but please note that Internet access in the Bahamas is extremely limited.  When we are able to connect we would love to receive emails from our family and friends.   Let us know that someone is reading our blog.  Connection to our friends and family is important to us. 

Enjoy your summer and be safe😊 🎣

2018 Off to Slow Start to the Bahamas

Thursday, April 12th, 2018 - Day 1

After a very hectic last couple of weeks of reloading our boat from being down for painting and standard stocking for this trip and a few last minute repairs we are finally setting course for the Bahamas again this year.  

Cruising with us or joining in route are:

L'L' Sum’n Sum’n - Rob and Kerry Howard.  Little Sum’N Sum,N is a 46’ Grand Banks power boat.

Moon shadow - Jerry and Sandy Houlder.  Moon shadow is a 49’ Beneteau power boat.

Argonaut - Whit and Mary Ann Courtenay.  Argonaut is a 61' Tollycraft.

Mary Alice - Mike and Connie Spiller.  Mary Alice is a 65' Pluckebaum (house boat). 

Alibi- Patrick and Laura Magers.   Alibi is a 41' Hunter sailboat. 

Patrick left on Sunday, April 8 with buddies from California on board and arrived in Bimini on Wednesday April 11th were he will wait for his wife Laura to fly in on Tuesday, April 17th and for the rest of us to arrive, hopefully the same day.  

Our first leg has taken us from Tarpon Point Marina to Marathon Marina. The trip was not without its trials and tribulations.  First the Howard's, who had gone to Marco Island (Factory Bay Marina) the night before met the group at the Capri Pass entrance and with a couple of miles lost an engine and had to turn back to Factory Bay.  They were able to get a mechanic and found that the water pump was missing teeth.  Further investigation will be done on Friday to be sure there is no more damage before catching up with the group.

Seas changed from what was suppose to be a 2-3 foot following sea (North-Northeast) to a Southwest wind and much stronger than predicted.  Wave heights from Cape Romano to into the 7 Mile Bridge channel (Green 13) were a solid 4-5' making for a less than comfortable ride for most.  NBeing from the northeast, Bill and I found it to be a normal day at sea, anything less is a great day.  However, as Marlin Striker was passing under the 7 Mile Bridge the fireboy system decided to shut down our starboard engine and we had to back out of the bridge while Bill changed the fuse and got us up and running again.

It was a slow bumpy ride for Argonaut and Mary Alice, they arrived approximately an hour after Moon Shadow and Marlin Striker.  Mary Alice had a broken bow rub rail and will work on repairs during our planned down day in Marathon.  All in all Mary Alice did an excellent job considering they are used to cruising on the Alabama rivers.  This was one of their first journeys in open water and challenging seas.

Once at the Marathon Marina, we were all put on the new floating docks, what a treat!  We thought.  Marlin Striker was unable to plug into the electric because we have an inverter on our boat which searches for power and if it does not find any, it turns on for our refrigerator and freezers.  Seems the new power system does not allow that to happen and when we plugged in shut down the power to the entire dock.  Oh, inverters are not the only thing that shut down the power, if you own an older boat then it will probably shut down power.  With that said, Marlin Striker ran on generator all night and will move to the old docks tomorrow so we can plug into electric.

All arrived safely in Marathon by about 5:30 PM and after washing the boats we all decided it was time for dinner and drinks at the marina restaurant, Lazy Days.

Depart - 8:00 AM

Arrive - 3:18 PM Marathon Marina

Total Travel Time - 7 hours 18 minutes

Trip - 130.8 NM

Wind - S-SW 15-20 was suppose to be N-NE 10-15

Seas - departing to Marco Island - 2-3 feet, Cape Romano solid 4-5 to Cape Sable and beyond back to 2' at about the Green 13

Average Speed - 18.3 kts,  Max. Speed - 26.4 kts.