Watching TS ERIKA

Watching TS ERIKA

Tropical Storm Erika continues to move toward the Leeward Islands. A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for Anguilla, Saba, St. Eustatius, St. Maarten, Montserrat, Antigua, Barbuda, St. Kitts, Nevis, St. Martin, St. Barthelemy, Puerto Rico, Vieques, Culebra, and the U.S. and British Virgin Islands. A Tropical Storm Watch is in effect for Guadeloupe. Interests in the Dominican Republic should monitor the progress of Erika. A Tropical Storm Watch may be required for a portion of the Dominican Republic later today.

Erica is centered about 285 miles east-southeast of Antigua, moving toward the west near 17 mph. A west to west-northwest motion is expected over the next 48 hours. On the forecast track, the center of Erika will move near or over portions of the Leeward Islands tonight, move near the Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico on Thursday, and be near or just north of north coast of the Dominican Republic on Friday.

Maximum sustained winds are near 45 mph. Little change in strength during the next 48 hours is forecast. Tropical storm conditions are expected to first reach the warning area in the Leeward Islands tonight, and reach the Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico on Thursday. Tropical storm conditions are possible in the watch area tonight and early Thursday. Tropical storm conditions could reach portions of the Dominican Republic on Friday. Erika is expected to produce total rain accumulations of 3 to 5 inches with maximum amounts of 8 inches across portions of the Leeward Islands, the Virgin Islands, and Puerto Rico through Friday morning.

Get the latest on this tropical cyclone by visiting the NHC website at www.hurricanes.gov

SVSeaDragon and crew are watching this one VERY closely! We are taking every precaution necessary to protect ourselves and our vessel, tying on extra fenders, doubling up on lines and securing things topside. We do need some extra supplies and we are very low on funds right now, so if anyone would like to donate we would appreciate it.
Also, We are in one of the best hurricane safe marinas but if it looks too bad we will evac.
We will keep everyone updated.

Video – Australian skipper surfs a 46ft catamaran on a huge wave to make it into port - Yachting World

Wow! You have to watch this to believe it!

Video – Australian skipper surfs a 46ft catamaran on a huge wave to make it into port - Yachting World

Keeping the Dinghy Clean

This is what happens when you leave your dinghy in the water too long.


We had been keeping a dinghy in our slip for the last 3 months until our mates came back from NY to retrieve it. We agreed to watch over it while their boat was being hauled out on land and worked on.
Algae, seaweed,  tube worms, and barnacles all attach to the bottom and become one big growth that is just nasty.

We pulled it out of the water and this is what the bottom looked like.

Warning! Graphic Images: Don't let your bottom get this dirty! :)

Sailing About....

 “Some years ago, never mind how long precisely, having little or no money in my purse, and nothing particular to interest me on shore, I thought I would sail about a little and see the watery part of the world.” -Herman Melville

Sunday Funday on Disappearing Island

I just had my first experience with a SUP ( stand up paddle board ). Another couple on our dock took me and Kim out on their boat down to the inlet for a little island time. This island called, Disappearing Island, is really just a gathering place to hang out and socialize with other boaters. Every day at low tide the water is so low the island appears and it is one large sandbar everyone parks their boats up close and enjoys soaking up some sun and fun! At high tide the island slowly disappears and the party is over. There are many activities that happen on the island.  Some people set up volleyball nets, play frisbee, kayak, or just float around on their inflatables.  A lot of people bring their coolers and barbeques along but there is a boat that comes by that sells snacks, refreshments and ice cream, ice and even bait for fishing.

Ponce Inlet Light House, Florida

A group playing volleyball

Friends hanging out on the sandy beach near the mangroves

Boaters enjoying the island life

A ketch style catamaran anchored near Ponce Inlet

This is my first time on a SUP.  This one is made by Hobie, and is inflatable.
I enjoyed it very much and hope to get one soon! I am going to check West Marine to see when they are going on sale next!

Once you are on you steady yourself with a wide stance and bend your knees a little it is easy to navigate the waterways, the paddle is concave and you swipe it in deep down the board lengthwise.
I paddled my way through one of the tributaries on the backside of the island and turned around remembering I had to actually paddle against the current. My legs certainly got a workout after that! This is a great way to keep in shape and work into your fitness routine. Plus you can see a lot of cool wildlife as you are coasting by near the mangroves.  Overall I had a great experience and even some thought I was a pro as I passed by them,  they were asking me lots of questions  and I had to tell them I was a newbie. I am glad they were so impressed with my newly learned skills however.
Watch the video below to see how I got started.

When Opportunity Doesn't Knock

I love this tweet from    +LovePop Cards .   The quote from Milton Berle is spot on!

    "When opportunity doesn't knock, build a door" -Milton Berle

  It often reminds me that you have to make your own change if you feel you are doing the same thing over and over again and not getting the results you want. It is not always the easy way but it will make you stronger and possible help others find their opportunity as well. Waiting for something to happen doesn't always work, you have to be there, be ready and most of all want it. Create your own path. Change happens but not without you at the helm to steer into the wind.
 

When opportunity doesn't knock, build a door -Milton Berle. #MondayMotivation #innovate pic.twitter.com/GgIvLrUWWI

— lovepop (@lovepop) August 3, 2015