Gene in NC

Not a monster offshore boat but not too shabby run. Thought someone might find interesting.

Voyage of the Fortuna, 26 panga by Angler. 1,300 mi Bahamas/Caicos to NC

This was originally a set of emails forwarded at each report. Hope now cleaned
up but no more effort no matter how it turns out. Notes are mine,
collected in short bursts from Cap who was always running out of coins for the phone, Bahama cell phone minutes, or battery on his cell. Cap of the Fortuna has been on and or running 17 Boston Whalers since age five, is a certified white water guide up to the Gauley River level, a surfer, a sailor, and a surveyor. He spent several weeks off Provo surveying Dulles Cay, caught island fever and bot the panga.

Visited Cap 8/25 for demo of Fortuna. Very tame demo because his
mother was aboard. Understand panga owners are wild about their boats, but must say that ain't a very big boat.
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Sent: Sunday, August 20, 2006 2:02 AM
Subject: Fw: Voyage of the Fortuna


01:12 8/20/06 Fortuna reports approaching dock Wrightsville Beach, NC
after 150 mi offshore run at night. Cap sounded very tired after 350
miles made good with a with one refuel and 150mi miles off shore: 150
mi in 5 hr. That sounds like work of a pretty good skipper, or pretty
good boat, or both. Check map of SC to see that course was aprox. 20
mi off shore at max point..

With three days lost to weather in Spanish Wells, the Fortuna made
about 1300 miles in five days, give or take a little. Reminds me of
a song line, maybe Willie Nelson, "...got a long way to go and a
short time time to get there...........". Oh, by the way, the Fortuna
is a 26'9" by 8' beam Panga style hull byAngler Boats, powered by a
175 Johnson outboard with 15 OMC four stroke as aux..
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8/19, 18:30 Fortuna at Charleston gas dock taking less than 80 gal
after 200 mi in the ditch. Cap happy to run ditch today with frequent
rain/thunder storms. Lowered visibility and course winding through
the swamps created some lost time course recovery.

Fortuna will depart immediately to run outside, evening/night, 105 mi
direct to Masonboro Inlet, Wrightsville Beach, NC. By 22:30 Cap
expects to be whooping it up at Red Dogs.
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16:30 8/18/06 Fortuna underway bound for somwhere North. 22:30 Cap
repoted "In shadow of St Simon's Light." Had made about 100 mi.
Could not raise Becky and Cap was running low on cell phone minutes so
he proceeded to Brunswick Marina where he would put on the Frogg Togs
for protection from mosquitos and 40% rain probability and sleep on
the boat, with only the stars for company and no cover.
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Sent: Friday, August 18, 2006 6:02 PM

Subject: Fw: Voyage of the Fortuna

15:00, 8/18/06, the Fortuna is in St. Augustine. Cap is threatening
to make some way north this evening but is sounding and admitting to
feeling fatigued, especially after making about 225 mi offshore from
Stuart to St.Aug overnight and this am.

Tried to dicker a trade of the Fortuna for a trawler this afternoon
but couldn't quite make the deal.

Cap reported rough seas off shore this am. With west
with blowing off shore limiting effective speed to about 15 mph. Came
inside to the beach and ran just outside of the bar break making 30
mph. Nice surf, was tempted to anchor outside bar and break out the
surfboard, which for this voyage is officially classified as the dinghy.
Hopes to visit old Raleigh neighbor, Becky Lynch-Stanley, tomorrow and
possibly make Charleston.
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8/16 Fortuna departed Spanish Wells bound for for Great Abaco.
Weather not settled but Cap edgy. There are apparently two currents
that collide at Lands End, the S tip of Great Abaco. When combined
with the right wind 20' seas have been reported there.
Rough passage but better after clearing S end and proceeding up the
east side to Marsh Harbor by the afternoon.

Uncertain of schedule after Marsh Harbor but arrived West End by about
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09:00 8/17. Left West End after refueling and reportrd Stuart, FL by
about 14:00 for late lunch. Cap now wrestling with finding a cash
machine, and a cab to go through customs, apparently at Ft Pierce
airport. Traveled this wide world over, mo'er times than three, but
taking a vessel through customs at an airport seems mighty strange to me.

Next step is whether to do the ditch to Wilmington, or let the boat
sit til early next week to wait for trailer. Dullness of the ditch vs
impatience to get home, vs economics of tow vs go.
If do the ditch Cap will run off shore for most of FL. Has
potential overnight accomodations in St Simons and possibly in Charleston.

Agent, that'a me, working on deal in Jacksonville.
Plan is up in the air, but expect to settle tonight or by Cap's action
tomorrow morning. Cap somtimes files float plan but as often reports
course made good.
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August 13, 2006 5:30 PM
Subject: Fw: J. D.s great adventure

At 11:00 8/13 Fortuna reported from Spanish Wells (SW), bad news
and good news. Bad news was gas not sold on Sunday. Good news was
maybe gas not sold on Sunday.

Large commercial fishng vessel in harbor with, guess what, a Panga
as a dingy. Many more Pangas around. No cars seen. Golf cars seem
to be basic trans. Maybe like Baldhead or just no place to go. One
was jacked up and displaying Nascar "8" (Earnhardt), another had
"34". Cap reported SpanishWells most interesting site so far and was
looking forward to day off and maybe seeing Watkins Glen Nascar race.

SW is one of least affected by tourists. Google Spanish Wells for
interesting history and probable reasons for lack of tourists.
However, it is the jumping off point for the Abacos, Nassau or
Freeport. Weather will be consideration in float plan for Monday.
Cap is leaning toward Freeport, overnighting in West End and then
probably Gulf Stream and Stuart, Fl.. Googled Panga boats for better
idea Cap and vessel vs ocean.
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Sent: Saturday, August 12, 2006 9:25
Subject: Fw: J. D.s great adventure

20:45 Fortuna reported arrival Davis Harbor about half way up E coast
of Eleuthera. Must be Governor's Harbor. Anyway, following report
from Hawks Nest, Cat I at about 16:30 that gas dock was closed J. D.
put the hammer down and headed N. Reported having seen rougher
conditions on Lake Gaston. With Hydraulic steering, ran for about 30
minuntes w/o touching the wheel. minor course corrections by shifting
his weight/location. Has reported steering his Flying Scott 19 sail
this way. Arrived after dark but Guide was correct that channel well
marked/lighted.

Plans breakfast at Spanish Wells and decide whether to go by
Nassau/Bimini to Miami or Lauderdale, or by Freeport, West End toWest
Palm or Stuart. This "good time" made thanks to very favorable
weather conditions that are forecasted through Sunday.
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Sent: Saturday, August 12, 2006 12:36 PM
Subject: Fw: J. D.s great adventure

Fortuna at Clarence Town, Long I at 12:00 8/12.
Refueled, passed customs, and overnighted at Abrahams Bay on
Mayaguana I.

Note: missed something here because refuel was reported as place with
no name Next stop was north end of Crooked I for fuel. "Sorry Mon,
no gas Mailboat come tomorrow, then plenty gas. But, if you can make
it to Clarence Town, dot a nice pls." Arrived with 15 gal plus 3gal
emergency supply. MPG appears to be slightly less than two. Assume
conditions light to moderate so far but burn rate with safety factor
looks like 100+ miles. West End to West Palm is only 64 mi. So range
looks good .

Now has Bahamas phone card and nice stop over place at the Flying Fish
Marina.
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Fortuna departed Caicos Marina and Shipyard, Providenciales,
Caicos mid day 8/11/06, heading WNW bound for Mayaguana I and Bahamas.
possibly to refuel or overnight at Abraham's Bay or Betsy's Bay. May
have pressed on to Aklin I, or Crooked I where there are many
loactions for fuel.

No report of arrival.
We have been advised that some ports may not have communications
facilities suitable for progress reporting. Also, marinas typically
close at 17:00, so later arrival means next day access.

If all goes well may make Long I or even Cat I today.