Alkemi Ship's Log: Details of the Lahue Family Adventure
May 2016 Southampton, England, UK to Baltimore, Maryland, USA
Alkemi, our Malo 45 sailboat was shipped from Southampton, Hampshire Country, England to Locust Point, Baltimore, USA. We took a long weekend to receive her and sail her to Bert Jabin's Yacht Yard in Annapolis, Maryland. After our successful first sail on Alkemi, we returned to New Jersey highly motivated to complete the school year, sell our home and dramatically reduce our possessions!
June & July 2016 Annapolis, Maryland, USA
In June, Alkemi was put on dry land at Bert Jabin's Yacht Yard for a total refit. Her total make-over included: new Quantum sails, new rigging from Annapolis Rigging, a conversion from butane to propane (LPG) for the stove, total overhaul of engine and generator (all major elements replaced), new gas/carbon monoxide and smoke detector safety systems, replacement fire extinguishers, new through hulls, completely new electronics top to bottom. She was returned to the water on July 30 and made ready for sail trials.
July & August 2016 Moving Aboard, Day Trips & Shakedowns
As the final touches and test runs were completed for Alkemi's new systems, the Lahue family of 5 moved aboard. After a full cleaning of all cabinets and spaces, we began organizing our galley, cabins and determining where to fit homeschooling books and materials. Everything fit! Day trips and long weekend shake down cruises in the Chesapeake commenced. The first day of Alkemi School started on August 22, 2016.
September 2016 US East Cruising: Maryland to North Carolina
We left our Annapolis dock slip for the last time with a friendly send off by our marina neighbors on 5 Sept 2016. Here is a quick run down of the stops.
October 2016 Carolinas and Georgia Cruising
We spend a few weeks visiting family in Wilmington, North Carolina and Hurricane Matthew forced us to move from a less sheltered marina up the Cape Fear River to brace for the storm. Here is a run down of our travels through Halloween.
November 2016 Florida to The Commonwealth of The Bahamas
After a relaxing time in St. Augustine, we set off again with the goal of crossing the Gulf Stream to Bahamas when the weather permitted. We got there just after our first Thanksgiving on Alkemi.
December 2016 Yuletide in the Bahamas
With literally hundreds of islands to explore, the Bahamas kept us moving to new idyllic cays and harbors all of December. A highlight was a pristine state park in Exumas where we spend Christmas along with a dozen or so cruising families. A special treat was spending the holiday with a cruising “family” – friends like Don from First Light who started his adventure with us in Maryland and several families that we’d met along the way (on Counting Stars, Perla, Thalasso, and Dessert First).
January 2017 New Year, Bahamas to Puerto Rico
We’ve been exploring Bahamas since late November and there is still more to explore! But this month will take us on our longest sail to date and into the real Caribbean sea.
February 2017 Puerto Rico to Virgin Islands
February gave us a taste of the charter boat experience. In the Virgin Islands, we could do easy day trip sails between gorgeous anchorages. Often taking a mooring in a calm bay, we could experience many caves, snorkeling and hikes.
March 2017 More UK, Netherlands, French & Other Island Countries
March continued our exploration of the Virgin Islands and the beginning of the Leeward (away from the wind) Islands of the Caribbean.
April 2017 Leeward to Windward Islands
We learned that the British coined the terms "Leeward" and "Windward" denoting the direction of the wind between their island colonies. Others called them Greater and Lesser Antilles. Regardless of what the islands are called, they were all gorgeous!
May 2017 From One Happy Island and Destinations South America
Feeling hot, hot, hot as we drop in latitude!
June 2017 South America to Central America
July 2017 Panamanian River, Various Comarcas and Archipelago Excursions
September 2017 In and Around Town of Bocas del Toro Panama
MORE TO COME
Alkemi, our Malo 45 sailboat was shipped from Southampton, Hampshire Country, England to Locust Point, Baltimore, USA. We took a long weekend to receive her and sail her to Bert Jabin's Yacht Yard in Annapolis, Maryland. After our successful first sail on Alkemi, we returned to New Jersey highly motivated to complete the school year, sell our home and dramatically reduce our possessions!
June & July 2016 Annapolis, Maryland, USA
In June, Alkemi was put on dry land at Bert Jabin's Yacht Yard for a total refit. Her total make-over included: new Quantum sails, new rigging from Annapolis Rigging, a conversion from butane to propane (LPG) for the stove, total overhaul of engine and generator (all major elements replaced), new gas/carbon monoxide and smoke detector safety systems, replacement fire extinguishers, new through hulls, completely new electronics top to bottom. She was returned to the water on July 30 and made ready for sail trials.
July & August 2016 Moving Aboard, Day Trips & Shakedowns
As the final touches and test runs were completed for Alkemi's new systems, the Lahue family of 5 moved aboard. After a full cleaning of all cabinets and spaces, we began organizing our galley, cabins and determining where to fit homeschooling books and materials. Everything fit! Day trips and long weekend shake down cruises in the Chesapeake commenced. The first day of Alkemi School started on August 22, 2016.
September 2016 US East Cruising: Maryland to North Carolina
We left our Annapolis dock slip for the last time with a friendly send off by our marina neighbors on 5 Sept 2016. Here is a quick run down of the stops.
- 7 Sept 2016 Wye Island to St. Michael, MD
- 8 Sept 2016 St. Michael to Oxford, MD
- 10 Sept 2016 Oxford to Solomon Island, MD
- 11 Sept 2016 Solomon Island to Cornfield Harbor, MD
- 12 Sept 2016 Cornfield, MD to Deltaville, VA
- 17 Sept 2016 Deltaville, VA to Hampton, VA
- 23-24 Sept 2016 Hampton, VA to Wilmington, NC (272 miles!)
October 2016 Carolinas and Georgia Cruising
We spend a few weeks visiting family in Wilmington, North Carolina and Hurricane Matthew forced us to move from a less sheltered marina up the Cape Fear River to brace for the storm. Here is a run down of our travels through Halloween.
- 4 Oct 2016 Masonboro Marina to Port City, Wilmington, NC
- 17 Oct 2016 Wilmington to Bald Head Island, NC
- 19 Oct 2016 Bald Head Island, NC to Georgetown, SC
- 20 Oct 2016 Georgetown to Charleston, SC
- 26-27 Oct 2016 Charleston to St. Simon's Island, GA (142 miles)
- 29 Oct 2016 St. Simon's Island to Cumberland Island, GA
- 31 Oct 2016 Cumberland Island, GA to St. Augustine, FL
November 2016 Florida to The Commonwealth of The Bahamas
After a relaxing time in St. Augustine, we set off again with the goal of crossing the Gulf Stream to Bahamas when the weather permitted. We got there just after our first Thanksgiving on Alkemi.
- 14-15 Nov 2016 St. Augustine to West Palm Beach, FL (210 miles)
- 24 Nov 2016 West Palm to Key Biscayne, FL
- 26 Nov 2016 Key Biscayne, FL to South Cat Cay, Bahamas
- 28 Nov 2016 South Cat Cay to South Bimini anchorage, Bahamas
- 30 Nov 2016 South Bimini to Great Harbour, Berry Islands, Bahamas
December 2016 Yuletide in the Bahamas
With literally hundreds of islands to explore, the Bahamas kept us moving to new idyllic cays and harbors all of December. A highlight was a pristine state park in Exumas where we spend Christmas along with a dozen or so cruising families. A special treat was spending the holiday with a cruising “family” – friends like Don from First Light who started his adventure with us in Maryland and several families that we’d met along the way (on Counting Stars, Perla, Thalasso, and Dessert First).
- 4 Dec 2016 Great Harbor to Bullocks Harbour, Bahamas
- 4 Dec 2016 Bullocks Harbor to Soldier Cay, Bahamas
- 6 Dec 2016 Soldier Cay to White Cay, Bahamas
- 7 Dec 2016 White Cay to Little Harbour, Bahamas
- 8 Dec 2016 Little Harbour to Nassau, Bahamas
- 15 Dec 2016 Nassau to Kravitz Beach, Eluthera, Bahamas
- 16 Dec 2016 Kravitz to Pittman Cove, Gregorytown, Eluthera, Bahamas
- 17 Dec 2016 Pittman Cove to Alabaster Bay, Bahamas
- 19 Dec 2016 Alabaster Bay to Cape Eluethra, Bahamas
- 20 Dec 2016 Lobster Cay to Norman Cay, Bahamas
- 21 Dec 2016 Norman Cay to Shroud Cay, Bahamas [Bobby turns 40]
- 22 Dec 2016 Shroud Cay to Warderick Wells, Land Sea Park, Bahamas
- 26 Dec 2016 Land and Sea Park to North Compass Cay
- 27 Dec 2016 N. Compass, Pipe Cay to Big Major, Staniel Cay, Bahamas
- 30 Dec 2016 Staniel Cay to Black Point Cay, Bahamas
January 2017 New Year, Bahamas to Puerto Rico
We’ve been exploring Bahamas since late November and there is still more to explore! But this month will take us on our longest sail to date and into the real Caribbean sea.
- 1 Jan 2017 Little Farmers to Big Farmers Cay, Bahamas
- 2 Jan 2017 Big Farmers Cay to Staniel Cay
- 7 Jan 2017 Staniel Cay to Stocking Island, Georgetown, Bahamas (Grandma Wilson Visit)
- 16 Jan 2017 Georgetown to Fowl Cay, Exumas, Bahamas
- 17 Jan 2017 Fowl Cay to Calabash Bay, Long Island, Bahamas
- 18-19 Jan ‘17 Long Island, Bahamas to Blue Haven, Turks & Caicos
- 19–22 Jan ‘17 Turks and Caicos, UK to Puerto Real, Cabo Rojo, Puerto Rico, USA (643 Miles)
- 28 Jan 2017 Day Sail near Playa Buye (Nana and Papa Justason Visit)
- 30 Jan 2017 Puerto Real to Bio Bay, La Paguera, P.R.
- 31 Jan 2017 La Paguera to Caja Muertes, P.R.
February 2017 Puerto Rico to Virgin Islands
February gave us a taste of the charter boat experience. In the Virgin Islands, we could do easy day trip sails between gorgeous anchorages. Often taking a mooring in a calm bay, we could experience many caves, snorkeling and hikes.
- 1 Feb 2017 Caja Muertes to Salinas, P.R.
- 3 Feb 2017 Salinas, P.R. to Vieques, P.R. (Green Beach)
- 4 Feb 2017 Vieques to Fajardo, P.R.
- 7 Feb 2017 Fajardo to Rosario, Culebra, P.R.
- 8 Feb 2017 Rosario to Flemenco Beach, Culebra, P.R.
- 9 Feb 2017 Flamenco to Culebrita to Magen’s Bay, St. Thomas, USVI
- 12 Feb 2017 Magen’s Bay to Big Lameshur Bay, St. John, USVI
- 13 Feb 2017 Big Lameshur to Salt Bay, St. John, USVI
- 14 Feb 2017 Salt Bay to Round Bay, St. John, USVI
- 15 Feb 2017 Round Bay to Leinster, Cruz and Francis Bay, St. John, USVI
- 16 Feb 2017 Francis Bay, St. John to Christmas Cove, St. Thomas, USVI
- 17 Feb 2017 Christmas Cove to Charlotte-Amalie, St. Thomas, USVI
- 21 Feb 2017 Day Trip for Snorkeling (Keeney Family Visit)
- 22 Feb 2017 Charlotte-Amalie, St. Thomas to Leinster Bay, St. John
- 23 Feb 2017 St. John, USVI to Jost Van Dyke, British Virgin Islands
- 24 Feb 2017 Jost Van Dyke to Sopers Hole, East End, Tortola, BVI
- 26 Feb 2017 Tortola to Norman Island, The Bight, BVI
- 27 Feb 2017 The Bight to Peter Island, BVI (Stop for Cave Exploration)
- 28 Feb 2017 Peter Island to Beef Island to Great Camanoe, BVI
March 2017 More UK, Netherlands, French & Other Island Countries
March continued our exploration of the Virgin Islands and the beginning of the Leeward (away from the wind) Islands of the Caribbean.
- 2 Mar 2017 Lee Bay, Great Camanoe to Marina Cay, BVI
- 3 Mar 2017 Marina Cay to The Baths to Leverick Bay, Virgin Gorda, BVI
- 4 Mar 2017 Virgin Gorda to Anegada, BVI
- 5 Mar 2017 Anegada, BVI to Simpson Bay, Sint Maarten
- 17 Mar 2017 Sint Maarten to Saba, Netherlands Antilles
- 20 Mar 2017 Saba to Sint Eustatia (Statia), Netherlands Antilles
- 22 Mar 2017 Statia, N.A. to Anguilla, United Kingdom
- 24 Mar 2017 Anguilla, UK to Sint Maarten, Netherlands
- 28 Mar 2017 Sint Maarten, Netherlands to St. Barthelemy (St. Barths), France
- 30 Mar 2017 St. Barths, France to St. Kitts, St. Kitts and Nevis
- 31 Mar 2017 St. Kitts to Nevis, St. Kitts and Nevis
April 2017 Leeward to Windward Islands
We learned that the British coined the terms "Leeward" and "Windward" denoting the direction of the wind between their island colonies. Others called them Greater and Lesser Antilles. Regardless of what the islands are called, they were all gorgeous!
- 2 April 2017 Nevis to Jolly Harbor, Antigua
- 4 April 2017 Five Islands, Antigua to English Harbor, Antigua
- 6 April 2017 Antigua to Monserrat, UK
- 7 April 2017 Monserrat, UK to Guadeloupe, France
- 8 April 2017 Deshaies, Guadeloupe to Pigeon Island, Guadeloupe, France
- 9 April 2017 Guadeloupe to Les Saintes, France
- 12 April 2017 Les Saintes to Portsmouth, Dominica
- 15 April 2017 Dominica to St. Pierre, Martinique, France
- 17 April 2017 St. Pierre to Fort de France, Martinique, France
- 18 April 2017 FDF to Les Anses D'Arlet, Martinique, France
- 20 April 2017 Anse D'Arlet to St. Anne, Martinique, France
- 21 April 2017 St. Anne, Martinique, France to St. Lucia
May 2017 From One Happy Island and Destinations South America
Feeling hot, hot, hot as we drop in latitude!
- 1-4 May 2017 St. Lucia to Aruba ("One Happy Island")
- 11-13 May 2017 Aruba to Santa Marta, Colombia
- Land Excursions to Medellin and Bogota, Colombia
June 2017 South America to Central America
- 12-15 June 2017 Santa Marta, Colombia to Shelter Bay Marina, near Colon, Panama
July 2017 Panamanian River, Various Comarcas and Archipelago Excursions
- 4 July 2017 Colon, Panama to Chagres River, Panama
- 7 July 2017 Charges River to Portobello, Panama
- 9 July 2017 Portobello to Playa Blanca, Panama
- 11 July 2017 Playa Blanca to Linton, Panama
- 13 July 2017 Linton to Isla Grande, Panama
- 15-31 July 2017 Isla Grande to Guna Yala (San Blas), Panama (various islands and cays such as Holandes, Lemmon Cays, Banedup, Chichime, Carti)
- 1-13 August 2017 Guna Yala (San Blas), Panama islands and cays (including Isla Gunboat, Wester Hollandes, Coco Banderas, Rio Diablo, Central Hollandes)
- 14 August 2017 Lemon Cay to Playa Chiquita, Panama to Turtle Cay Marina, Panama
- 16 August 2017 Turtle Cay to Portobello, Panama
- 17 August 2017 Portobello to Playa Blanca, Panama
- 18 August 2017 Playa Blanca to Shelter Bay Marina, Colon, Panama
- 24 August 2017 Colon to Euero, Panama
- 25 August 2017 Euro to Escuedo, Panama
- 27 August 2017 Escuedo to Bluefields, Panama
- 29 August 2017 Laguna Bluefields to Bocas del Toro, Panama
September 2017 In and Around Town of Bocas del Toro Panama
MORE TO COME
