Staniel Cay, once again — Cupcake Afloat

Guess what? More free wifi, that’s what.

This morning when we made our way on deck we saw these two big cats scooting past us with their asymmetricals flying. That was all the inspiration we needed.

These early risers provided us with incentive to get moving.

So Ellen hoisted anchor, we set sail and had a magnificent run from Galliot Cay (where we passed a very pleasant night at anchor (although things got a little rocky around 4am when wind and tide conspired against us for a little while)) to Staniel Cay. Flew the asymmetrical the whole way from Galliot to Harvey Cay, about 17 miles. Days like today are one of the reasons we are on this adventure. Perfect sailing. Perfect. Sailing. Perfect.

(Here are the thrilling details: we averaged over 6 knots (which is pretty good for a comfy cruising boat of only 36’) and occasionally screamed along at more than 7 knots. That’s a big deal until you stop and realize that now that she is out of her wheelchair, even my mother-in-law could hobble along faster than we were sailing.)

The water was actually a little cool this morning. Yesterday we saw 78 degrees…

Anchored in a new spot for us here in Staniel Cay. We are so close to the Staniel Cay Yacht Club we can pick up their wifi. (Remember, the password is guest1234.) Also because we were unsure if we could get the outboard running in time to collect Jim, Sherry, and Eliot at the airport tomorrow morning, we anchored super close to the Staniel Cay beach, figuring we could row ashore if necessary.

Not necessary.

With help from Ellen and Moss I pulled the carburetor off the outboard again (it’s really a straightforward process (just need a screwdriver and a 10mm socket) and a super simple carb once you get to know it) and gave it another cleaning. The Nissan NS 5B gurus online all advocate treating carburetor problems with a thorough cleaning that includes blasting the thing clear with compressed air. I realized that we actually have a tank of compressed air on board: the SCUBA tank I pulled off the seafloor the last time we were in Staniel Cay. (Good thing I didn’t sell it to Davey on Barefoot II for the $15 he offered me last week.)

This is the greasy, rotten, worthless…oh wait, it works now. Never mind.

Blasted the carburetor. Reinstalled it. And we are back in business. Celebrated by running to shore and picking up some groceries. Even if the outboard doesn’t start tomorrow morning, I’m calling this a successful repair.

Also, check this out: after we anchored today I was making lunch (ok, just ramen, but still) and Ellen jumped in the water to check out the anchor (because there are some corally rocks about 150’ off our stern). She took a look at the fuzzy bottom of Cupcake and started scraping. Then Moss ate her lunch and jumped in to scrub as well. So I was alone on board, eating my lunch, while the girls cleaned the hull. That is evidence of a life well lived.

The cleaning party broke up when a nurse shark swam within a foot of Ellen (who, oblivious to mortal peril, was so focused on the scraping). Moss announced the shark’s presence and everyone clambered back aboard the mother ship.