San Pedro onward February 25th
We had a wonderful sail northward from Belize City. We moved
out of Mojo Cay Marina at 7:00 & motored the 15 miles across the
bay into the shipping channel, sometimes having 0.0 water under
our keel. Just before we got into the channel we raised the
main expecting to have great sailing once we got through the
reef, and we weren't disappointed.
We motor sailed through the reef, rounded up to the north,
the wind filled our main, we put out the jib, we shut down the
iron jenny, and away we went at 7 knots for 6 hours. We had to
put a reef in the sail after about 4 hours because the winds
picked up, but Jerry was yahooing regularly. After we got out
of the lee of Turneffe Reef, the seas got quite heavy, but we
continued to sail right up until the break in the reef to
San Pedro then the excitement began.
The waves were too high to see the entrance which is quite
small and marked with a white stake and a stake on top of a
buoy. Our friends were inside the reef trying to guide us in.
One said there was a stake and a ball; one said there were 2
stakes, and a boat which had just come through told us to stay
close to the north stake because the strong winds forced him
toward the south. I was on the radio getting directions and
shouting them to Jerry over the sound of the engine. My little
squeaky voice and Jerry's (great) hearing did not make it
easy.
San Pedro's narrow passage through the reef with a shoal
directly in front of the entrance makes for a very tricky
entrance. Our friend was directing, Jerry was hollering,
"We're touching! Hang on!"
I have problems remembering to key the mike in stressful
situations but finally hear Mike, "90 degrees to port
right now!" We're through & into the anchorage with 6"
under our keel! Belize just needs more water! I just got
a new head of gray hairs.
We are waiting on a Norther due today. Everything seems to
be working well, so as soon as it passes, we will be making
the 35 hour sail to Isla Mujerus where we will take the
first window in which everything is working to make the 2
day passage to Marco Island, Florida.
- February 27, 2002