Chinook is Bahamas Bound

[C Striker]

New year but same story for me. Looking for input on mods, but get hung up on my favorite topic... another Mac is Bahama bound !!!

Love it! I bet that yacht won't take on any seawater around the steering bar coming out the transom ( if X's are set up that way )

Fair winds to my newest heroes

[bscott]

Chinook--excellent travelogue. You made the right decision to avoid I-94 as I made the round trip from Denver to Coeur d'Alene, Id. in January--high winds with semi(s) blown off the road on their sides, black ice, lots of big hills and snowed-in rest stops. Did I mention "cold"? If you can make your way south to I-70, things will improve once you get past Kansas

Enjoy the tail wind trucking east bound and a look forward to a sweet beam reach on the crossing.

Bob

[jaguar496]

Hi Chinook: If you are going to stop around Smithfieild, NC for lunch or overnite, let us know. We wish to host you for a meal, and give you a "Carolinian" send off. Godspeed. Ali and Stew of "THE RESTLESS TWO"

[Chinook]

Bob, you're dead right about that tailwind. We rode it all the way from Rock Springs WY to North Platte NE today, and I got incredible mileage. I started with a full tank of diesel and made it all the way to here (491 miles) without a fuel stop. I got 16.5 mpg, which is the best I've ever recorded while towing the boat. I held her at 65 mph. The tailwind and gradual drop in elevation, plus nice smooth road all helped. I doubt I'll be able to get mileage that good again on this trip.

Hey Alice and Stew, we might just be able to meet up with you both. Our route after leaving Lexington Park MD will take us right down I-95, and it looks like you're located along that route. We project to be passing through that area on either March 15 or 16. Send me a PM with your e'mail and/or phone number and I'll get you our cell number. I'm sure we can work something out.

For those following the journal posts, son Ken has put up the past few days (not including today), so you can check in with the start of our drive. It's going well, but we're sure looking forward to temps above freezing.

Cheers, Mike and Sandy/Chinook

[Love MACs]

BWY sponsoring your trip or just hosting your posts Inquiring minds wana know Best of Luck Very envious and looking forward to your posts.


Allan

[Chinook]

Not sponsoring, just a convenient arrangement for hosting the posts.

[NiceAft]

Chinook.

I just got in from Scotland and saw your post about the Bahamas. I salute you

Don't just post about the water part of your journey, but the highway part also.

Ray

[Chinook]

Hi Nice Aft,

Journal does include entries on planning, prep, and road trip. Check the site out at http://bwyachts.com/chinook/bahamas_2011.

[roger]

Reading your blog, thank you very much. Why arent you using your camper as in the first trip overland trip ?

[Chinook]

Our 2003-2004 trip was 11 months in length. We used the camper for our shore based home, when not on the water. It was just an 8 foot camper, and so I could tow the boat with a standard trailer hitch. We now have a newer 9 1/2 foot camper, and would need to set up a hitch extension if I were to use it while towing the boat. With the price of fuel, along with the shorter amount of time we'll be shore based camping, it makes more sense for us to just camp in the boat.

By way of update, we've now arrived at our son's home in Maryland. We'll be here until next Tuesday, catching up with grandkids and family here. We'll have some journal updates covering our cross country trip soon.

[DaveB]

Chinook,
I have sailed most of the Bahamas except the Abaco's. I spent 6 mo. traveling thru the Bahamas back from a 3 year trip to the Leeward and Windward Island from Cape Cod, Ma. and also Venezula and out Islands.
I loved every 6 months I traveled and explored the Bahamas. You have a much better advatage than I with a 5ft 6 inch draft.
You can go to coves little or no one has been to with the shallow draft.(Oh and the Conch and Lobsters..and Grouper)
Take advantage of that shallow draft and go to the shallows and explore.
Fair Winds and Safe Passage my friend and follow the Water signs .
Dave

Our 2003-2004 trip was 11 months in length. We used the camper for our shore based home, when not on the water. It was just an 8 foot camper, and so I could tow the boat with a standard trailer hitch. We now have a newer 9 1/2 foot camper, and would need to set up a hitch extension if I were to use it while towing the boat. With the price of fuel, along with the shorter amount of time we'll be shore based camping, it makes more sense for us to just camp in the boat.

By way of update, we've now arrived at our son's home in Maryland. We'll be here until next Tuesday, catching up with grandkids and family here. We'll have some journal updates covering our cross country trip soon.

[jaguar496]

Hi Chinook: The Admiral was told this morning that she will undergo oral surgery next weds. at 0630 Unfortunately, we will now have to beg off a lunch or ? next week. Perhaps on the way back, if you return and go north on I95 before heading west. So sorry, Ali and Stew

[Chinook]

You're right, Dave, about the advantages of shallow draft. Most people think a mac's defining feature is that big outboard, but shallow draft is what I appreciate most. I do love sneaking into places where the water is thin.

I hope Alice's surgery goes well. We do now plan on starting our drive south on Tuesday, so will pass by your neighborhood that afternoon. Let us know if a visit would still be possible.

[raycarlson]

boy is that ever true.don't u just luv it coming into a shallow cove sliding by everyone who is anchored 50yards off the beach and you can pull the bow right up on the beach, kinda makes those people in those quarter million dollar boats a little jealous i think.

[jaguar496]

Hi Chinook: thanks for the update. Unfortunately, Ali will be admitted to the hospital that P.M., so that she can do the early surgery. Have a safe and blessed trip. Ali and
Stew.