
The Abacos | July 2015
On June 27, Sail On Charters left the dock at Stock Island Marina Village for its 14-day inaugural sail to the Abaco Islands, a 120-mile-long string of tropical Bahamian islands about 180 miles off the south Florida coast. We made it in time for the 40th anniversary of Regatta Time in Abaco. Known locally as The Abacos, these islands have long been among Captain Parker’s personal favorites, because they remind him of the legendary Key West of the 1970s.
July 1 | Sail On arrived safely in The Abacos — if a bit tired — early this morning. In Quarantine waiting for Customs officer. Arrived Marsh Harbor at 02:30 safe and sound. Biscayne Bay to Marsh Harbor 220 nautical miles (nm) in 36 hours ( including three hours anchored on Bahama Bank west of Berry islands to catch some shut eye and allowing squall line to pass). Thanks to a terrific crew. We’ll be posting more pictures and updates later today, so be sure to check back with us.
July 23 | A special salute and thanks to the intrepid crew who assisted with Sail On’s 800-nautical-mile voyage from Key West to Abaco, Bahamas and back to Florida’s Biscayne Bay. We caught up with the 40th anniversary of Regatta Time in Abaco for three of the four races. My first experience as skipper of a keel boat in a race. It was exhilarating. We managed to provide the race committee boat some entertainme nt. During race one and race two, we outmaneuvered our competition at the finish with quick tacks at the pin and across the the finish keeping pursuers at bay.
Countless stories, both personal and professional, were shared among newly made friends brought together by a kindred spirit for adventure, love of the ocean and a passion for sailing.
This week my amazing daughter, Amy Caroline, will meet me in Coconut Grove to take a break from her busy summer schedule of work and communications internship to spend a few days in advance of her 21st birthday. She’ll join Dad for the return of Sail On to her berth at the Stock Island Marina Village. The scuba tanks are filled and spear gun loaded — Watch out, hogfish! Amy will keep Captain’s Log’s posts lively this weekend, so check in and say hello.
Finally, a heartfelt thanks to KeyWestWatch Media’s Linda Grist Cunningham for her friendship, hard work, talent and expertise in helping make Sail On Charters’ Facebook Page and website a reality. Linda’s fielding of photos, videos and text updates while Sail On was underway gave life to this new enterprise.
July 27 | We were up with the sun this morning, ready to make the final leg of our Abaco adventure, which started a month ago. Thanks to daughter Amy for celebrating her almost-21 birthday crewing for Sail On. We passed Bahia Honda bridge at 0800 and are going to do a drive by Looe key to check out conditions for a dive on our way home.
Fair winds to all, Captain Parker
Captain’s Log: Sailing the Florida Keys and The Abacos in 2016
Welcome to our 2016 Florida Keys sailing season. Sail On Charters began its 2016 sailing season at its home berth at Stock Island Marina Village just outside Key West. Over the season, we cruised to the Dry Tortugas, Fort Pierce, Miami and on to The Abacos for...
CAPTAIN’S LOG | Mid-day Monday | Swimming with the dolphins
CAPTAIN’S LOG | Mid-day Monday | Swimming with the dolphins CAPTAIN'S LOG | Mid-day Monday | Swimming with the dolphins | The dolphins (30-40 of them surrounding Sail On) were with us for a solid 30 minutes from Looe key to American Shoal Light . We had a...
CAPTAIN’S LOG | JULY 27 | Sunrise and we’re headed to home dock
CAPTAIN'S LOG | July 27 | We were up with the sun this morning, ready to make the final leg of our Abaco adventure, which started a month ago. Thanks to daughter Amy for celebrating her almost-21 birthday crewing for Sail On. We passed...
CAPTAIN’S LOG | July 26 | Time to rest and watch a Bahia Honda sunset
CAPTAIN'S LOG | July 26 | We know Key West needs the rain, but we were glad the storms held off enough so we could make it safely into Bahia Honda this afternoon. Pretty sunrise this morning at Long...
Captain’s Log | July 25 | 30-45 kt winds make for a bit of excitement
CAPTAIN'S LOG | JULY 25 | 72 nautical miles today in 11.5 hours. We left the Matheson Hammock fuel dock at 0700 and turned south in Biscayne Bay. We averaged 7 kts under full sail in 12 kts from the west under sunny skies. At 11:30 we left...
2015 Abacos Videos
Enjoy our video sail to The Abacos where Sail On competed in her first race, Regatta Time in The Abacos.
Captain’s Log | Ready to bring Sail On back to Key West
CAPTAIN'S LOG | July 23 | A special salute and thanks to the intrepid crew who assisted with Sail On’s 800-nautical-mile voyage from Key West to Abaco, Bahamas and back to Florida’s Biscayne Bay. We caught up with the 40th anniversary of Regatta Time in Abaco for...
Regatta Time in Abaco 2015 | Sail On’s first race | July 4
Sail On Overtaking from Sail On Captain on Vimeo. CAPTAIN'S LOG | Inaugural Race | Regatta Time in Abaco | July 4, 2015 Snibbe on the Sheets from Sail On Captain on Vimeo. CAPTAIN'S LOG | Inaugural Sail | July 4, 2015 | Pay close attention to Snibbe's foot placement...
Captain’s Log | We’re back in the states
CAPTAIN'S LOG | July 12 | Just entered Biscayne Bay and threw anchor for lunch and a swim. Perfect weather for Sail On's two-week/800-plus nautical mile journey. All souls accounted for. It has been a wonderful inaugural sail. ...
Quiet time for the captain
CAPTAIN'S LOG | JULY 2 | It's not often we catch a glimpse of Captain John. He's usually the one behind the camera or completing one of the never-ending tasks that go along with being a captain. So, a with a tip of the cap to crew member Gabrielle Acha, who captured...