Day 17 – Still beating upwind Porky is in racing mode! Despite her shoaldraft keel, which already came in handy in many shallow anchorages, river estuaries and reef passes, but when beating upwind creates more drift to leeward, we have been able to point high upwind for several days now. Yesterday, the waves were veryContinue reading “North Atlantic Crossing Part 3 – Beating upwind and landfall in Horta”
Tag Archives: cruisers
Grottos, pigs and white beaches in the Exumas
After 5 days at sea we made landfall in Bimini, only 45 miles East of Miami. The island is not particularly known for it‘s beauty, but offers a very protected anchorage for the Porky crew to catch up on sleep and to relax. After clearing in to the Bahamas and one night of very soundContinue reading “Grottos, pigs and white beaches in the Exumas”
Tacking upwind to the Bahamas
Departure Day End of April: it was finally time to sail to the Bahamas! All preparations were completed and we were officially cleared out of Mexico. Porky and crew were ready to hop on the golf stream, which hopefully brings us quickly and smoothly the 550 nautical miles to Bimini. We planned to be atContinue reading “Tacking upwind to the Bahamas”
Cenotes, tacos and friends in Mexico
This is it: our last stop in the Western Caribbean before we sail to the Bahamas. We just realized that we are theoretically on our way back to Europe as we have already reached the southern (in Panama) and westernmost point (in Guatemala) of this journey. Thinking about it generates mixed emotions in me. LifeContinue reading “Cenotes, tacos and friends in Mexico”
Running with the gulf stream to Mexico
I suddenly wake up and open my eyes. My dreams were deep and sound, as always at sea, but a loud smacking noise brought me back to the real world. I just lie in my bunk for a few moments and listen. All seems as usual. The water rushes past the hull, the wind howlsContinue reading “Running with the gulf stream to Mexico”
Belize’s pristine barrier reef and offshore atolls
Just looking at a map and photos, it becomes clear that Belize is highly attractive to visit by sailboat with its long, beautiful barrier reef along which many small cays line up and offer shelter for hundreds of secluded anchorages. Somehow entering Belize by boat has developed a bad reputation within the sailing community inContinue reading “Belize’s pristine barrier reef and offshore atolls”
Camping in the ancient Mayan city of Tikal in midst of Guatemala’s rainforest
Ever since we planned to come to Central America, we knew we wanted to see the ancient temples and remains of the Mayas and learn more about this fascinating culture. Knowing that Tikal was one of the biggest agglomerations back in 200 to 900 AD, we took a long 5-hour bus ride from Rio DulceContinue reading “Camping in the ancient Mayan city of Tikal in midst of Guatemala’s rainforest”
Entering the Rio Dulce in Guatemala
It was time to sail to Guatemala. We decided to go to Utila first to make the trip to Guatemala shorter, knowing that the weather will not be very favorable. We had 2 days of light winds before the cold front would bring stronger winds and choppy waves from the north. We filled up onContinue reading “Entering the Rio Dulce in Guatemala”
Covid isolation at anchor
Since we travel by sailboat we tried to dodge as much news and updates of the pandemic as we possibly can. The only relevant information for us are entry protocols and local safety measures in the countries we visit. Now the virus unfortunately caught up with us. After experiencing flu-like symptoms, we tested positive forContinue reading “Covid isolation at anchor”
New Year’s Eve and dreaming of whale sharks on Utila
We had an easy downwind sail from Roatan to Utila. The flat island was not visible until the last few miles and we kept scanning the horizon expecting to at least see Pumpkin Hill, the only elevation there is. We approached the barrier reef and spotted dive boats bobbing in the waves, patiently waiting forContinue reading “New Year’s Eve and dreaming of whale sharks on Utila”
Por Que No Sailing 