Free Spirit - Rockin it, Mon!

16 May 2016We left Bahia Mar Marina early this am, in time to catch the 8 am bridge opening.SV Nimble, one of our ARC USA FL Fleet boats is right ahead of us in the bridge queue.We understand that SV Aurelia won't be far behind.SV Altair and SV Karina have already left.SV Big Friskie is remaining behind in FL for a few more days.We basically sailed out into the gulf stream then hung a left.Once we found the current, it was sit back and enjoy the ride.We've had a beautiful day of sailing, sunshine and a gentle wind.We are rocketing up the coast, clocking speeds of 10 and up to 11.6kts!It doesn't get any better than this.We hope it will last long enough to get us home ahead of the next storm front.Andrea & Mikesv Free Spirit. read more...

Free Spirit - Hail and farewells

14 May 2016It's time to scrub all the salt off Free Spirit and get things back in order following the passage from Tortola.Sadly, reality sets in and it's also time to say good bye to David and Alex, who are flying back home to family, friends, and that 4 lettered word called work.They've been a wonderful crew and we have really enjoyed sailing with them.After fond farewells, we hope our paths will cross again, be it on land or at sea.Our crew for the remainder of the passage home to Virginia flies in today and will join the boat in the am.Tonight is the ARC USA Florida Fleet final dinner, as we gather at a local restaurant to swap passage stories, as well as compare notes and plans from here.Everyone knows to give us a holler when they get to the Chesapeake Roads area for a continuation. read more...

Free Spirit - Surfing USA

13 May 2016Another quiet night without much wind to speak of.We're continuing to motor and eagerly anticipating hitting the gulf stream as we feel the need for speed.We're determined to make it in tonight, preferably with daylight.About 10 am we added 10 gallons of diesel to the tank from the jerry cans on the rail.We were cooking right along until about 1230 when the block on the second reef clew gave way.Fortunately we were able to quickly replace it with a spare without losing too much time.By 1400 we were surfing the gulf stream, clocking 10.9 kts speed over ground… yeehaw!The skyline of Miami is on the horizon and our excitement continues to build.We know we're making it in tonight!!!!We just missed the 1830 bridge opening, so had to circle and wait until the next opening at. read more...

Free Spirit - Amazing how we spring to life

12 May 2016We had another beautiful night underway, cruising off the northern coast of Cuba.We had decent wind and were sailing until about 6am when the wind died.We turned the motor on and put the pedal to the medal as we are close enough and have plenty of fuel to reach our destination.Cruising up the Old Bahamas Channel is very civilized, as islands and reefs on either side break up the waves to provide fairly calm waters.Talk on the passage has turned to the subject of boats, with Mike and David tempting Alex with visions of his future boats.Alex has his notebook out and is carefully making notes.I think we have a future Caribbean 1500 skipper in the making.This afternoon's Ladies Chat featured a special guest, Mrs. Doubtfire, with an analysis of the Gulf Stream and strategies for. read more...

Free Spirit - Sunshine and more sunshine

11 May 2016We had a beautiful evening last night.The sky was littered with stars and the moon was in her glory.The nightly lightening was in the far distance and the squalls were reduced to a light sprinkle.The waves have settled down and we're enjoying a very civilized passage off the coast of Cuba.The sun came up on schedule this morning and everyone is working on a tan.David fixed a big farm breakfast for the guys with plenty of protein this morning.With dinner leftovers for lunch, bellies are full.The fishing line is out again today, but no hits yet.Andrea & Mikesv Free Spirit. read more...