Katharine Smith

7-13 knots true wind close reach sail or upwind motor. We spent a day and night tacking upwind off Cuba and not making a lot of progress. Finally, decided to head to the Gulf Stream and we motored across obliquely to Key West. Waves were 1-4 ft and mostly from the front or corner front. Starboard engine would not start and this was troubleshot just anchored before key west in which the starter bushings were stuck. The parts were cleaned and lubricated and engine started up. Watermaker blew a fuse and is alo out of service until new membranes can be obtained. The current membrane appears partially occluded with the underperforming 25 gallons per hour metrics. This trip to US continues to be difficult and hard on the boat.

Up to 20 knots of wind with up to 6 foot waves. We had to tack 200 + nautical miles since our paths was directly upwind. We sailed to a wind angle of 37 degrees. We lost internet connection since we were off the grid. The wave slapping from the front was uncomfortable and we hit a couple squalls with 30 knot winds. We had to reef during those for about 1.5 hours. The radio started blinking and eventually died. The wind gauge also was intermittently working and then not. During the last 2 hours and as we were motoring with sails put away, the master switch pro malfunctioned as I went to turn on the interior lights and killed one engine, all the navigation controls, and all navigation lights. We did a complete 360 as the auto pilot disengaged. We had to hand steer by the iPad navionics in slamming waves with no light. Mark went to troubleshoot the switch pro and ended up cutting wires to disable the devices controls for navigation, lights and engine. We were only going 2-3 knots with one engine in strong current. Once navigation was back online, we discovered that the navigation light was not working. Radio, switch pro, and navigation light all broken. Wind gauge on deck for brokenness. We anchored with flashlight in a very slim waterway. No one else there but we had to reset as too close to shore.

Wind was anywhere from 6-20 knots. Mostly avg 9-10 knots apparent. We had anywhere from 30-70 degrees wind angle. Some sailing and some more sailing throughout. We decided to turn on the east side of Cozumel and proceed in the Gulf Stream to Cuba. However, we lost our wind angle, were directly upwind and waves were hitting from the front. We decided to alter course and go anchor in Cozumel on the west side of the island. It took 3+ more hours to get there though. Fished for the 1st time and caught none. Sea temp was 76-77 F. Waves up to 3 feet.

5 knots of wind and too light to sail. Motored with main. 1 ft waves and pleasant conditions. Had dinner in Placencia which was a nice local place with music and nice selection of restaurants. Made water for 6 hours after draining the tanks. Watermaker is only making about 20 gallons/hour and underperforming by 50%.

8-9 knots apparent wind close reach sail. Had to tack to sail but 90 minutes before destination, motored upwind. Picking up anchor was with thick clay and took some maneuvering to pull up. Dori sv was also in our anchorage and sailed similarly to placencia. Much nicer conditions today with 1 ft waves.

Started out motor sailing with 5-7 knots of wind close reach. Waves 1-2 ft. Once we cleared the inlet wind picked up to 20 knots upwind and we motored until eventually waves were 2-3 feet in 1-2 seconds from the front. We decided to pull into New Haven with front sail at 35 degrees of 21 knots apparent wind and up to 2.5 knots of current against us. The conditions were very uncomfortable at this point. The oscillating auto pilot in the river was no longer occurring once out to sea. However, the water maker is not working.

Motored to river outlet and check out spot for Guatemala. Ocean ahoy!

Motored in consistent rain from the marina anchorage to mouth of the lake after fueling and filling water tanks. Goodbye Guatemala home!

River motor with head sail out in 14 knot winds from behind.

Checked into customs using agent Raul. Witnessed monohaul being pulled to side to get through channel by 2 motor boats attached to halyard and hull. Motored up beautiful river to fishing village.