Tag Archives: gulf of mexico

10,000 Bluewater Miles

Posted on May 9, 2018 by anniedike

Ten.  Thousand.  I almost can’t believe it myself, but that’s my number.  10,025 to be exact.  I’ve been keeping track and when Phillip and I sailed our gallant Niagara 35 back into the Pensacola Pass on our recent return from … Continue reading →

Posted in Atlantic Crossing, Bahamas Bound, Cruise to the Keys 2014, Sail Skills, Voyage to Cuba | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 6 Comments

Article in SAIL Magazine: Conquistadors and Cruisers!

Posted on January 17, 2018 by anniedike

“Nice piece in SAIL!  Made my lunch!”  Ha!  This is so cool!  I had several friends and followers send me messages in the Bahamas letting me know I had an article that came out in the February issue of SAIL … Continue reading →

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BV2: The Best of Times, The Worst of Times (Night Shifts)

Posted on January 11, 2018 by anniedike

You’re out there.  Nothing but denim blue water lapping the sky as far as you can see.  The sun has just set, so each chop has a bright pink cap reflecting the magenta sky.  Colors and senses are heightened.  The … Continue reading →

Posted in Bahamas Bound, Sail Skills, Storm Prep | Tagged , , , , , | 10 Comments

VIDEO: 5 Days Across the Gulf of Mexico

Posted on January 1, 2018 by anniedike

Go offshore with us, followers! As Phillip and I sail our Niagara 35 five days across the Gulf of Mexico in some sporty bluewater conditions. This was one of our more intense offshore runs with 24 hours of 20-25 kts … Continue reading →

Posted in Bahamas Bound, Gulf Crossing, Sail Skills, Videos | Tagged , , , , , | 5 Comments

’Twas the Night Before Shove-Off

Posted on December 8, 2017 by anniedike

‘Twas the night before shove-off, and all through the boat Not a creature was stirring, not even a goat! (A goat on a boat??  Think it, I don’t!) The produce hammock was hung above the settee with care, In hopes … Continue reading →

Posted in Bahamas Bound | Tagged , , , , , | 11 Comments

Wind Chicken Gone Wild! (Article in SAIL Magazine)

Posted on June 21, 2017 by anniedike

The wind chicken did what?  Another really fun article here for you guys that was just recently published in SAIL Magazine’s July 2017 issue about our five-day voyage across the Gulf of Mexico this past December to Cuba.  As I … Continue reading →

Posted in Voyage to Cuba | Tagged , , , , , | 9 Comments

#90: Cuba Voyage II: Heavy Heeling

Posted on January 13, 2017 by anniedike

Get ready for it to blow!  These weren’t super heavy winds but they were on the nose and had Plaintiff’s Rest really heeled over during the second night and day of our voyage to Cuba.  Our Niagara 35 proved she … Continue reading →

Posted in Sail Skills, Videos, Voyage to Cuba | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 8 Comments

#89: Cuba Voyage I: Cast-off!

Posted on January 4, 2017 by anniedike

And they’re off! Plaintiff’s Rest is finally headed south for Cuba. Follow along as we cast-off the lines (finally!), make good way our first night under sail, get used to the new hydraulic auto-pilot, hand-steer just for fun (that wouldn’t … Continue reading →

Posted in Videos, Voyage to Cuba | Tagged , , , , , , , | 5 Comments

SIDEBAR – The Bathtub Effect

Posted on December 31, 2014 by anniedike

“If you want your boat to stay pretty and polished, then keep it at the dock.  If you’re bumping into stuff, that just means you’re getting out there.” His name was Larry.  He was an old salt living there on … Continue reading →

Posted in Sidebars | Tagged , , , , | 7 Comments

April 17-23, 2013 – The Crossing: Chapter One – Sail Groupies and Sardines

Posted on May 27, 2013 by anniedike

So the boat, while ours, was still down in Punta Gorda, with only one way home: across the Gulf of Mexico. The plan was to drive down on the 17th, a Wednesday, set sail on Thursday morning and, over the … Continue reading →

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