The Next Attempt: Sailing from the Caribbean to Florida
Ahoy again, fellow sailors and adventurers! Welcome back to our ongoing saga of bringing Zosca, our Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 449, to California. After our initial attempt was thwarted by rough seas and unpredictable weather, we found ourselves surprisingly grateful. The Pacific hurricane season had been particularly active, and had we persisted, we would have been in the midst of those storms. Instead, Zosca was safely on dry land, waiting for our return.
Changing Our Plans
Due to the time we already had spent getting Zosca to California, we decided to change our sailing plans. Instead of navigating through the Panama Canal and up the coast to California, we opted to sail to Houston and transport Zosca by land from there. Our new route would take us through the Old Bahama Channel to Key West, Florida, and then to Houston.
Preparing for the Next Attempt
We got to work on the failed items from our first attempt. We ordered parts for the autopilot and made continuous improvements across all areas of the boat. Regular maintenance on the engine and other components ensured we were ready for our 1,000+ nautical mile sail. Finally, our new sails were delivered and installed.
Departure Delays
By December, we were ready to go. We stocked up on food and supplies, eagerly awaiting the arrival of our crew. Naturally, Mr. Murphy decided to pay us another visit—our crew arrived on time, but their luggage did not. This forced us to postpone our departure by a day.
Setting Sail
At last, we were off. The beginning of the journey was comfortable, with nice winds and mild waves. By day two, however, the seas turned choppy. We faced 4-6 foot swells from the starboard side and wind waves from behind. The wind picked up, gusting to nearly 30 knots. Despite the challenging conditions, our experienced crew and sturdy vessel handled it well.
A Close Encounter with the Bahamian Defense Force
A few days into our journey, as we approached the Old Bahama Channel, a vessel appeared on our stern. Initially, we thought it was a fishing boat, but as it got closer, we realized it was the Royal Bahamas Defence Force. Our radio crackled to life: “Sailing vessel ahead, prepare to be boarded.” We complied, though the rough seas made boarding difficult. After several attempts, they gave up on-boarding but instructed us to pass our boat documentation and passports over the rail. It was a tense moment, but after examining our documents, they allowed us to proceed.
Navigating the Old Bahama Channel
We entered the Old Bahama Channel, a narrow passage next to Cuba. Given our recent encounter, we kept as far from Cuba as safely possible, hoping to avoid a similar experience with the Cuban authorities.
Weather Woes
Checking our weather updates, we noticed a storm forming in the Gulf of Mexico, which was expected to hit Florida around our arrival time. To speed up our journey, we used the engine to help us make way. We didn’t want to end up anchoring at cays between Cuba and Florida, waiting out the storm.
On our last evening, with 70 nautical miles remaining, the wind picked up, blowing from the west. We saw that we would just barely make it to Florida before the storm hit. We lowered the mainsail and sailed only with the jib for the night. This proved to be a wise decision.
A Rough Night
The night was rough, with winds reaching up to 44 knots and 12+ foot wind waves pounding against the Gulf Stream. Zosca handled the conditions admirably, proving that our vessel was more than up to the challenge. By noon, we arrived at Key West, where friends were waiting to welcome us.
Adjusting Plans Again
After seven days and six nights of sailing, covering 1,051 nautical miles, it was great to set foot on solid ground. Our plan to continue to Houston was disrupted by the storm and stranded us for four days at Key West. With clear guidance from home—“come home for Christmas or stay there”—we needed to adjust our plans once more. We decided to sail to St. Petersburg, Florida, and ship Zosca from there.
The Final Leg
After waiting four days for the storm to pass, we departed for the last leg. The two-day sail to St. Petersburg was uncomfortable, with residual swells from the storm and headwinds. But we made it, and everyone was able to get home for Christmas.
Stay tuned for the next blog post, where we ship Zosca from Florida and continue our journey to California. As always, fair winds and following seas to all our fellow adventurers!
Stay tuned for the next chapter as we ship Zosca from Florida and get to sail her at the SF Bay. More tales of trials, triumphs, and tips for aspiring sailors await. Until then, may your sails be full and your compass true!