A new chapter...

After three years of cruising onboard Makai and knowing that the cruising life was not a long term life style, Ed and I have decided to put Makai up for sale, hoping to give another adventurous captain and his crew an opportunity to enjoy her as we have. The past three years have been amazing times for us, meeting new friends, visiting new areas, and testing our limits.  But it is time to move on and see what other doors are ready to open. We have traveled up and down the east coast of the U.S. and to the islands in the Bahamas, viewing gorgeous sunrises and sunsets, walking the white sand beaches and swimming in the crystal clear waters.  As our chapter of sailing Makai closes, another chapter will soon open...so wishing all fair winds and calm seas until we meet again.

Makai is now offered for sale

     2007 Caliber 40 Long Range Cruiser Sailboat

Currently offered for sale by................ Beaufort Yacht Sales 300 Front St., Beaufort, NC 28516 ¨ 252.728.3155 ¨ Fax: 252.728.6715 E-mail: bys@beaufortyachtsales.com ¨ Website: beaufortyachtsales.com $279,900 US General condition and any additional information A well taken care of Cruiser for your consideration. Makai is currently en-route to Beaufort, NC. Standard features 40' Caliber LRC SEries “MAKAI” Year: 2007 Current Price: US$ 279,900 Hull Material: Fiberglass Engine/Fuel Type: Single Diesel Location: Currently in Bahamas, in route to Beaufort, NC in May Builder/Designer Builder: Caliber Yachts Designer: Michael McCreary, N.A. Dimensions LOA: 40'11 LWL: 32'6 Beam: 12'8 Displacement: 21,600# Draft: 5'1 Ballast: 9,500# Engine Engine(s): Yanmar 4 cylinder diesel 4JH4E Engine(s) HP: 54 Cruising Speed: 6.5 Knots Tankage Fuel: 212 gallons (2 tanks) Water: 179 gallons (2 tanks) Holding: 79 gallons Extra gear included Many extras included in description. This Cruiser is all setup for safe extended World Cruising. Just bring your dreams. Improvements to the hull, deck, rigging, engine, or interior Accommodations The interior of the Caliber is made of the finest teak and along with the soft headliner gives a feeling of warmth and comfort. The teak interior has a satin varnish finish and the teak and holly sole comes with a gloss varnish finish. All the cabinet doors are teak louvered with positive locks. The Caliber 40 comfortably sleeps 7. The spacious forward cabin to port features a large pullman berth with large storage lockers under the berth and a book shelf with security bar above the berth. There are cedar lined hanging lockers opposite to starboard. There is a dual function vanity mirror in the forward stateroom. The aft cabin features a doublewide seaberth with storage lockers beneath. In the salon area the L-shaped settee converts to double berth. The large bulkhead mounted dining table folds out of the way expanding salon space. There is a bottle rack storage area on bulkhead and large storage lockers under and behind both settees. The fully private forward owner's head with separate shower stall is forward. There is a second dual entry head aft accessible from either the aft stateroom or main cabin. Countertops are Corian. All tankage is built below the sole resulting in significant storage throughout the boat. There is a dedicated nav station with communication porthole to cockpit. The chart table lid is hinged with chart storage below. Nav station comes with dedicated red reading night light, extra space in nav station panel for placement of electronics and a dedicated nav seat w/ storage under seat. Solid Brass Seth Thomas clock and matching barometer mounted in main cabin Marine Air Systems 18000 BTU Air Conditioning and Heating Flat screen TV with DVD system Shakespeare omnidirectional TV antenna with gain control Sony AM/FM/CD and XM radio stereo system with main cabin Sony speakers and cockpit Kenwood speakers Galley Large L-shaped galley with abundant counterspace and storage, contains an LPG stove and over as well as built-in microwave. Ample Corian counter space and significant storage space including five custom made positive latching teak faced drawers. Refrigerator / freezer is 6 cu/ft top-loading, heavily insulated with 4" of premium two-part expandable foam that fills all voids. • Force 10 2 Burner LPG stove and oven • Built-in Tappan stainless steel microwave • 6 cu/ft top-loading refrigerator/freezer • Manual backup fresh water foot pump • Double stainless steel sinks near centerline • Corian countertops in galley and head • Hot/cold pressure water w/removable rinse nozzle. • Seagull X-1F IV water filter system • 6 gallon hot water heater, 110V, inverter or engine driven Sails and Rigging Sail plan is a cutter rig with roller furling jib. Roller furling in mast mainsail. Convertible Cutter Rig option is included that allows the sailplan to instantly convert from sloop to cutter. All halyards and sheets lead aft and there are extra length reinforced sea rails fore and aft. • Spare jib halyard. • Twin backstays for backup safety. • Keel stepped mast • Rigid gas piston boom vang • Selden keel-stepped, double spreader, aluminum mast with in mast roller furling • Doyle sails • Genoa halyard • Rigid boom vang led directly to cockpit • Self-tending staysail • Harken inboard genoa tracks • Harken batt car system • Selden Furlex system with extension tang • Color coded running rigging • Deck-mounted Harken 4 to 1 traveler with leads to cockpit • Twin backstays • Internal halyards led aft to cockpit • Internal adjustable outhaul • Upgraded oversized Lewmar 50 CST Primary winches • (2) Lewmar #44 Halyard winches • Line hangers for cockpit • Spare genoa halyard Electronics & Navigation Equipment Raymarine ST60002+ Autopilot with S3G Corepack, Type 2 linear drive, with display control at helm All electronics at helm Edson Pod mounted Raymarine 18” 2kw Radar scanner, backstay Questus self leveling mount Raymarine E-80 at helm with Raystar 125 GPS Raymarine SR100 Sirius Satellite Weather System Raymarine ST 60+ Wind and Close Hauled Wind Instrument Raymarine ST 60+ Tridata Raymarine Seatalk 110V dedicated computer outlet at nav station SSB Grounding plan built into hull Raymarine ST60 Speed, Depth & Wind in Edson pod at helm ICOM M-504 VHF Transceiver at nav station with remote mic control at helm ICOM SSB/Ham HF radio IC-M802 ICOM HF Auto Antenna Tuner AT-140 Bullet WiFi system with gain controlled antenna to pick up and transmit wifi signals up to 10 miles. Tri Lens Radar reflector Windex Insulated backstay for H/F Radio Electrical • Caliber Smart Electrical system • 12V DC Electrical System • 110V AC Electrical system • 27 Series AGM Battery (starting) • (3) 4D Series AGM Batteries, 600 amp house bank • 110 amp Alternator with Smart regulator • Xantrex Freedom Inverter/charger 2,500 watt w Xantrex Link 1000 controller/monitor • Sunsei Solar Panel package: (2) 8 amp each (1) Sunsei controller • Kiss High Output Wind Generator mounted on custom 3” stainless steel pole • Emergency Battery Selector switch system • (2) 50' Shore power cords • Polarity indicator and GFI • Numerous 110V outlets • (5) DC outlets Mechanical & Engine Equipment Caliber trademarks*: Triple Support Rudder System*, Water Tight Rudder Dam*, and Fluids Control Panel*. Fresh water cooling Fuel polishing system with backup electric fuel pump Independent dual fuel delivery systems Dual Raco filters • Dual pre-fuel filters • Automatic shower sump pump • Sea strainer with easy access • Manual bilge pump • Electrical auto. bilge pump with manual override • Emergency 2000 gph bilge pump • Engine panel with hour meter, rpm,oil, water, etc. alarms • Well insulated engine room • Vacuum gauge • Automatic engine room blower • Emergency tiller • 3-Bladed prop • Holding tank with Y-valve • Holding tank deck pump-out • Dripless shaft seal • Engine room light (red & white) • High output 110 Amp. Alternator Deck & Hull Caliber's trademark* design incorporates a Multi-Bulkhead Bonding System*, an Integral Strength-Grid System* for strength and safety, integral baffled tanks act as double bottoms while adding tremendous rigidity to the hull structure, with additional strength from the integral sub-sole. Additionally, there is a Water-Tight Collision Pocket*. Pedestal mounted compass Folding Lewmar Wheel/ Suede Pedestal guard Mathiesen custom companionway door with removable panels revealing screens • Anchor roller platform with double staggered rollers • Lofrans 1000 anchor windlass with chain & rope capstan with manual ability and controls on foredeck & cockpit • 28" Lifelines with gates port and starboard • Molded swim platform with boarding ladder and freshwater shower • Deep divide anchor locker with room for fenders, dingy fuel storage & spare deck lines • 15' Nylon anchor snubber, 5/8" rode w/ SS positive hook mounted at water level Stainless steel stern pulpit extends forward to gates Stainless steel bow pulpit extends to 2nd stanchion (2) main anchors with chain & rode Third Emergency anchor Fortress with chain and rode North Sail Dodger, Bimini, connector panel and custom sun/wind shaded Bimini Cantilever without view blocking supports Solar panel support system over bimini Sunbrella silver hatch covers (7) Epoxy barrier coat and bottom paint Kato Stainless steel dingy davits (2) Stainless steel dorado vents with guards and screens Low maintenance rub rail with stainless steel striker Low maintenance aluminum hand grab rails Dual separate water systems with inline filter SS rail mount fishing rod holder (6) Mooring cleats and chocks Mushroom vent in shower (closable) (5) Hatches with screens (2) Large hatches with Oceanair recessed sky-screens • (12) Stainless steel opening ports with screens • Cockpit ice box • (3) Cockpit drains • Cockpit coaming box Inspection & view ports on all water and fuel tanks Two-tone non-skid Safety Equipment USCG Safety package Viking 4 person life raft in SS deck cradle Lifesling inflatable rescue system Carbon monoxide detector in main cabin Hand held VHF radio Inflatable life jackets (3) USCG approved Life jacket USCG approved (5) Kiddie (3) Fire extinguishers Optional West Marine 10 foot Halopen hard bottom dingy with one year old 15 HP Mercury Outboard. Click photo for full-size view Navigator's station can accommodate an array of electronics. Large L-shaped galley offers abundant storage and room to prepare sumptuous meals. Forward stateroom features easily accessible offset berth, vanity, with lots of storage. Private fully enclosed shower stall with plexiglass door. Anchor platform makes  handling anchor safe.. 2nd large divided locker for storage of rode and fenders. Stern boarding platform adds convenience and safety without sacrificing seaworthiness. Private well-ventilated aft stateroom accommodates a couple in true comfort. Aft head with convenient access to cockpit. Extra roomy main salon with bulkhead table that folds out of way for entertaining. Roomy private fully enclose head independent of shower stall.

Great Sale Cay to Vero Beach, Florida

We awoke bright and early Saturday morning and noticed a lot of the boats at anchor had already headed out, so at 0700 hrs. we pulled our anchor and left  Great Sale Cay anchorage heading towards the Little Bahama Bank.  Very light winds were blowing so we motor-sailed most of the day.  We arrived at Little Bahama Bank at 1500, but instead of stopping and resting, we decided to keep on going and get back into Florida as quick as possible as the weather was due to change for the worse on Sunday. 

You can tell where the banks meet the Atlantic Ocean as there is a definite color change going from 20 feet of water to the mysterious deeper waters of the open ocean and gulf stream. Eva had to say goodbye to clearly seeing and watching the starfish in the shallows along with the fish swimming along side Makai.  As the afternoon quickly turned into evening the winds picked up a little and we put out full sail and looking grand.  We still only maintained between 6 and 7 knots as we were "crabbing" in almost two knots of current in order to get the right angle into Fort Pierce, Fl.  At 2330 hrs we encountered a Carnival cruise ship who was set on a collision course with Makai.  He had no plans of altering his course so as we got within a mile of him and watching their big screen television on deck, Captain Ed decided we needed to turn! An hour later, we were heading

 into the Fort Pierce Channel, which is very well marked making a night time entry a piece of cake.  As soon as we turned to starboard on the ICW we dropped anchor and headed for some shut eye.  It was a long 18 hours, but what we consider a very good crossing.  In the morning we headed to Vero Beach, where we are currently on a mooring ball and getting laundry and shopping done. We are seeing so many of our friends we had met in the Bahamas and will be traveling north with many of them.  We took a dingy ride to the marina to purchase 5 gallons of gas to keep on board for the dingy. Unaware a manatee was under the surface we started rising in the water being gently nudged up in the air and off his back!  

Our Crossing

We left Green Turtle Cay in the Abacos on Friday (3/19) and headed toward Great Sale Cay where we would spend the evening.  We encountered 20 knots of head winds directly and moderate 3-4 foot seas with an exhilarating salt water spray over the bow.  Our speed was only 5 knots for the majority of the day, picking up to 6 + knots for the last 2 hours.  The 60 mile trip took approximately 10 hours.  We enjoyed a quiet, peaceful night before we would be on the move again over the banks and into the gulf stream waters.

Heading home - back to USA

With the weather window looking good for Saturday and Sunday, we will be heading back to the USA and arriving in Florida where we will continue our blog!

Whale Cut/Green Turtle

When thinking about transiting the Whale cut, you always hear a story or two.  This season, it seems to be the one about a trawler who transited the “Whale” heading south. Just after they turned to port to head from the ocean and into the cut, a rogue, 10-foot breaking wave lifted the stern of their boat out of the water, they lost rudder control, the boat turned sideways and broached far enough over that water came in through the windows.  They struggled to gain control as debris flew throughout the cabin and fortunately the rudder finally grabbed and they slipped through the cut and into the safety of calmer water.  Ed and I never underestimate the power of Mother Nature when it comes to boating.  Captain Ed always takes the necessary precautions relating to weather and its effect.  Just north of Great Guana Cay lies the Whale Cay Channel where boaters need to take extra precautions.  Its at the “Whale” where boaters have to leave the relative safety of the Sea of Abacos and head into the ocean if they wish to travel further south in the Abacos.  You navigate  through a narrow reef out into the shallows of the Atlantic Ocean, making a 90-degree turn  and continue three miles to the lee of Green Turtle Cay. As fellow boaters reported, even under the best of circumstances, this passage is notorious for wreaking havoc, even sinking big ships when "rage" conditions (huge, breaking waves) are present.  We headed out at 7:30 am from Great Guana Cay.  There were no winds, so we couldn't put up a sail but did encounter some rollers of four feet. It was a little rolly, but very passable.  We were back into the Sea of Abaco in no time and heading to Green Turtle Cay.  Green Turtle has special meaning to us. It was the first settlement that we anchored at on our first trip to the Bahamas three years ago and it was there that we lost our "Max" who passed away only two weeks after arriving in the Bahamas.  After entering the channel, we called the two marinas, Green Turtle Club and Bluff House and found Bluff House to have a March Madness special of $1.25 a foot, free water and you can eat and drink in the restaurant using the amount of your dockage fee.  What a deal - stay free because we always have to eat!  After getting tied up into the slip the first thing we had to do was go and see Max's grave.  So Ed myself and Rylee took the short 10 minute walk to the beach where Max is laid to rest. RIP we miss you Max. 

We then met up with Pat and Bob from "Maverick" who are also at the marina and made plans for lunch.  Seems like alot of boats pulling in today all plan on making a crossing back to the states this weekend.  Another boat "Gorma" with Craig and Colleen are next to us and also planning on staging for a crossing.  No problem finding a buddy boat to cross with - someone is always going your way!

   We explored some of the settlement as it starting to drizzle, with the streets just wide enough for two golf carts to pass through.  Most of the properties are well maintained and painted in soft pastel colors.  We stopped at the grocery where the fresh hot homemade Bahamian bread was being delivered.  We purchased a loaf along with a few snacks and headed back as it began to rain harder. Had a nice relaxing day and as evening came, we noticed about 4 parrots circling overhead.  They reminded us of the wild parrots in Florida, so in the morning we took a walk and again saw them circling overhead close enough to see their colors. We found out that they are a subspecies of the Cuban Amazon parrot, 12-13 inches in length and its white head and green body makes it easily recognizable.  It has patches of red feathers on its cheek, throat and sometimes it abdomen, with it flight feathers a beautiful cobalt blue.  They are wild and very noisy. We are currently at anchor in Green Turtle as the Bluff House actually requested that we move from our slip in order to accommodate a larger power yacht.  We will be leaving tomorrow morning for Great Sale Cay, where there is no phone or internet connection and our last island in the Bahamas before heading across to Florida this weekend.

Great Guana Cay

With the winds down and now out of the north and east, we decided to leave Treasure Cay and head over to Great Guana for our anniversary dinner.  Our sail there was leisurely and uneventful. We entered the Fisher Bay anchorage in the late morning and being the only boat there at the time, we had our choice of mooring balls. In making our approach we snagged a long line that was floating just under the surface and it became tangled in the propeller.  Captain Ed quickly gave me orders to drop the anchor and we assessed the problem.  I suited up in my wetsuit and under the boat I went.  I could see lines wrapped around the shaft, so I tried cutting them off but could not manage my task.  The mooring ball owner Troy was called from Dive Guana as it was apparent we needed a diver as the Captain cannot leave his boat to go under and look.  Any way he said there are sharks in the water.    At 1300 hrs, Troy arrived and before you know it he was under the boat and all lines were cut free!  It would have taken Ed and I hours.  No damage done thank goodness. Great Guana is called the "party island" because of its' famous bars - Grabber's and Nipper's. It is the longest of the Abaco Cays which lies on the east side of the chain and stretches for seven miles.  The settlement is one of the smallest but is growing. There are only about 200 residents who call the Cay home.   Nipper's Bar and Grill sits perched high atop a forty foot dune overlooking the Great Abaco Barrier Reef.  Nipper's is known for it's strong rum drink called the

"The Nipper" and its famous wild boar pig roast held on Sunday afternoons where people from all the islands come for an  afternoon of food, drinks, dancing and fun. They also have a two level  swimming pool and provide a telephone where you can call home free!

  Grabbers Bar and Restaurant is on the other side of the island, also with a swimming pool and their famous "Guana Grabber" drink with just a word of caution - more than two Guana Grabbers and you never know what you 
will grab next!  On Wednesday evenings they sponsor a pot luck dinner where cruisers and locals come together for some great food, drinks and fun. 

Treasure Cay

After 14 days in Marsh Harbour, the winds have clocked around and it's time for Makai to head to another island to enjoy. But before leaving, Eva had a list of things that need done, so we were both up early and she washed the boat while Ed filled the water tanks and we got fuel ($4.27 gal. diesel).  Then we headed to the grocery store for a few last minute things and while in town decided to have breakfast.  Upon returning to the marina, we prepared Makai for departure and  left the marina at noon, at mid tide with plenty of water.  We need to be in Treasure Cay channel at high tide or we would be bumping the bottom.  Treasure Cay is listed in National Geographic as "One of the 10 best beaches in the world".

We anchored in a harbor (spelled harbour here as it is a British parliamentary democracy) with full protection from the winds. Because the anchorage is actually in a private resort community there is a minimal charge to anchor in the dredged harbour. This allows you to be considered guests of the marina with full use of all facilities and a great value. Many boaters in the anchorage opt to skip out on paying the marina which is a shame.  In the marina complex there is a pool, bar, restaurant, dive shop and jewelry store. Nearby is a grocery store with fresh produce at reasonable prices (for the Bahamas), a post office, community church, liquor store and a laundry where you leave your washing with an elderly lady and pick it up all washed, dried and folded.  As we sat and enjoyed some quiet time, Ed and I both noticed several turtles around the boat...they come up for a few seconds and then back down, but have been around the boat for several hours.

Off to the beach - what an incredible welcome sight. Three and a half miles of powdery coral sand in a crescent moon enclosing water colored with all the various shades of blue and turquoise stretching as far as the eye could see. The Cay itself is home to about 2,000 with about 1,000 private homes with full and part time residents made up of Bahamians, Americans, Europeans and Canadians. 



There are several restaurants/bars just steps away...Spinnaker Lounge and Restaurant, Coco Beach Bar and the Tipsy Seagull Bar which is right at the swimming pool and noted for their live entertainment. On Tuesday nights, they have a barbecue on the beach complete with a bonfire, Wednesday nights are "drive in movie" night where you take your lawn chairs or golf carts to the parking lot and watch an outside move and on Thursday nights, its pizza night. 

Marsh Harbor Week 2

We are enjoying ourselves at the marina here with daily excursions walking from place to place or taking the marina courtesy bikes.  This morning we were walking to Skaggs supermarket when we were asked if we needed a ride. We accepted the lift from a very friendly woman and even though the ride was short it was pleasant.  Skaggs is known for it's seafood (frozen) with lobster in abundance for sure.  We decided on frozen shrimp for dinner tomorrow.
The weather outlook is not that good and we should be here for another week.  At present it is blowing around 32 knots with a windy forecast for the remainder of the week.  We are getting the boat nice and clean with the fresh water washes every couple of days.  We also have cable TV with the Winter Olympics toping the list of watched shows and World News a daily event.  We have weather channels for Miami, New Jersey, Los Angeles, etc.,  so we know how bad this winter has taken its toll on those areas.

The marina where we currently are has a Happy Hour Social on Thursday evenings with drinks being 2 for 1 and everyone making their best appetizer.  
When we take our dingy into town a Bahamian rushes over to help us tie up and he is also waiting for us when we return.  He remembers us from last year when we gave him a bottle of rum in the morning for all his help.  That evening when we returned to the dock we found him laying on the cement ramp with 3/4 of the bottle gone.  Ed walked over to him to see if he was alive.  It took some doing but he managed to awaken him for a few seconds before he passed out again after his jacket was placed under his head acting as a pillow.  This year I think we will give him just a couple of Budweisers.
Our plans do call for leaving in a few days heading to Treasure Cay or Guana.  Wherever we go it will be nice.  Treasure Cay has a beautiful beach (one of the nicest in the world) and Guana is the party cay with Nippers and Grabbers toping the list as a great night out with the cruising as well as the land based tourist community. The Barefoot Man will make his yearly appearance at Nippers this coming weekend with several concerts. That place will be rocking to say the least.  They have a pool right next to the bar and at times the party turns into a naked free for all at the pool with cocktails in hand and the music on level 10!
All in a night out at Nippers.  Grabbers is another place that is somewhat keyed down but their food is the best.  Our favorite is Italian night.

Nippers pool area