We left Miami sailed to Key Largo via intercostals way. From Key Largo we sailed north in Gulfstream waters to Fort Lauderdale and came back to Miami via intercostals stopping for the night at different islands and marinas. This was first charter and a prelude to many more later. On board were: Waldemar Flanczewski, Stefan Magnuszewski, Andrzej and Mary Bijowski and Danuta Luber

This time it was more serious cruse. Again we left Miami for Pumpkin Key, where we spent the night. Early morning next day we passed through Key Largo via Angel Fish Creek and set course for the Bahamas. It took us most of the day to cross Gulfstream. Every one had a great time in Cat Key and later Bimini. On board were: Kazimierz Chlebek, Kazimierz Skowron, Stanislaw Potemski, Leszek Iwanski, Marek and Harriet Koszalka, Leon Omel Janowicz, and Danuta Luber

We reserved 65 foot catch, however in my opinion this vessel was not seaworthy. I scrambled and was able to charter two new yachts. I stayed on 44 foot Irvin (that was her maiden voyage) and tried to command the other vessel via radio. Needles to say the other crew learned how to use on and off switch. Morgan OI 41 had a wiled crowed, while crossing Gulfstream had a fire on board and tried to hide the evidence while cleaning the vessel at Cat Key. Walter did some fishing and caught many groupers and one large shark. Hungry crew of OI 41 ate this shark for couple of days. Crossing Great Bahamas Bank was rough; several thunderstorms gave us hard time day and night. We were to pick up Mark Tarczynski on the 3 day at 6 PM after we left Miami. I showed up at Nassau Harbor at 6:25 PM, Mark gave me hard time for being late. After Nassau we visited Exuma Island and beautiful National Park on the Island. There were many spices of iguanas. From Exuma we sailed to Berry Islands via Nassau. On the way from Berry to Bimini my boat lost steering. Pulley broke and we had to use emergency tiller. That’s where Janusz Barsh saved the day steering this boat across the Gulfstream while seating on the floor of the aft cabin without the compass. Needless to say we came to Miami in heavy seas without any further mishap. Crew was divided between two vessels. With me on Irvin 44 were: Danuta Luber, Walter Kotaba, Jan Dopek, Mark Tarczynski, Janusz and Ela Ciurla. On Moran were: Elzbieta Magnuszewski, Leon Omel Janowicz, Dr. Walczynski, Waldemar Flanczewski, Witold Nowicki and Mark Koszalka.

First trip for club members to beautiful Virgin Islands. It is a paradise for sailors. We met people from all over the world. On board were: Zdzislaw and Mary Geblewicz, Jan Dopek, Stanislaw Potemski and Danuta Luber

Second trip with club members to VI. This time we decided to push the envelope and sail between the reefs north of Bitter End on Virgin Gorda. Leaving the fat virgin was no problem, but coming back against the setting sun turned out to be much more difficult but we made it. On board: Danuta Luber, Jerzy Jablonski, Andrzej Rychlak, Stanislaw Potemski, Jerzy Faustman, Bob Maute with Char.

This boat can sail as compare to Morgan IO which needs strong winds to move. Again the beauty of the Virgins is mostly under water. There are numerous reefs to explore, starting with Saint John and ending in The Baths. Baths are mostly known by huge boulders formation. There are many underwater passages between the rocks that we had the pleasure to explore. On board: Janusz and Jasia Barsh, Mietek and Halina Panek, Danuta Luber, Janusz and Ela Ciurla, Jan Dopek, Stanislaw Potemski

We left Miami south to Key Marathon, visiting most the keys in between. Weather was great with some thunderstorms along our route. We had an opportunity to really get this boat to move. She was a ketch rigged cruiser. On board: Danuta Luber, Stanislaw Potemski, Andrzej Piotrowski, Bogusia Kosina, Barbara Wozniecka, Jasiu and Elzbieta Ciurla.

Sailing in Hawaiian waters is very tricky. Boat will be sitting becalmed while a mile or two away there will be gale strong winds. These winds are caused by venturi created by the mountains. Practically there are no anchorages due to sharp dropping shoreline. Harbors are full all the time. Local people on Lanai welcome us with home made pineapple rum and accordion music. At that time Lanai was a private island closed to tourists. Whale watching is great during the day and at night we were listening to their songs. On the way from Molokai to Oahu we had a pleasure to ride single about 35 foot high wave that came from the northeast.

We spent Easter Holidays on the Islands. After traditional Polish Easter breakfast we decided to do some sail surfing, all I remember that after many tries in Tortola Harbor I managed to stay on the board for few seconds and covered several hundred feet sailing upright. Other enthusiasts did not do any better. On board; Janusz and Jasia Barsh, Mietek and Halina Panek, Adam and Anna Kluczewski and Stanislaw Potemski.

On this cruse we found out that it dose not make much sense to mix sailors of different cultures. In this case Polish and American crews. After few days crews separated. We chartered another vessel and went on our way. On board CYC 55; Mietek and Halina Panek, Pawel and Asia Podedworny, and Jacek Dabrowski. English only speaking crew Bob Moute with Char and Miles family: James, Marshal and Martha boarded Morgan 45.

As always Virgin Islands do not disappoint. For the first time we decided to visit Anegada the forgotten Virgin. Its called that way because very few sailors go there. She is very hard to sail into. There is small anchorage next to the beach. Once you there you are in heaven. There is self service bar with blackboard. With the piece of white chalk you suppose to make a mark after each drink. For dinner you have to pick your own life lobster out of the trap. On board; Janusz and Jasia Barsh and others.

Weather is the best in VI during the month of March. Steady trade winds are blowing from the east at 20 knots on average. There is no rain and temperatures are in the low 80s during the days and high 60s at nights. Waters are warm and very clean. We spotted many sea animals including turtles. On board; Janusz and Jasia Barsh, Mietek and Halina Panek, Stanislaw Potemski and others.

This time we also visited Anegada the forgotten virgin, which is different than the rest of the islands, is flat like it was in the Bahamas Island. Getting into anchorage next to the beach bar is very difficult between many coral heads and shallow water, if you unfamiliar with the passage you can get help via radio from the shore. On board: Pawel Podedworny, Jacek Dabrowski, Janusz Figiel, Jacek Zawacki, Olek Owczarz and Wojtek Galas.

We also visited Saint Bart, Antigua, St. Kitts and Nevis. There was Fazisi in Jolly Harbor in Antigua. I felt unease; we were there during high season. To my surprise harbors were half empty. Wasn’t until we sailed to St. Kitts and observe drug smuggling operation in progress where I realized why there was so few boats. It was too dangerous. On board: Jan Zieda, Pawel Podedworny, Jacek Dabrowski, Janusz Figiel, Andrzej Budys, Olek Owczarz and Wojtek Galas.

Belize is old British Honduras, it is offshore banking heaven. It is protected by second largest barrier reef on earth. There are numerous “Blue Holes” which are very deep round volcanic craters surrounded by shallow reefs. Waters are clean and warm with good snorkeling and diving. On board were Jan Zieda, Pawel Podedworny, Mirek Oryszczak, Jacek Dabrowski, Janusz Figiel, Olek Owczerz, Stefan Nawrocki, Stanislaw Tchurzewski and Wojtek Galas.

The childhood dreams for many of us came true. We were in South Pacific. On the way to our base in Raiatea we stopped in Tahiti but we were not impressed by big dirty city Papeete. Water is polluted with bacteria that gave a stomach problem for most of us. However the small islands were beautiful especially Bora Bora. In Raiatea we met local that was of Polish decent. Also on Bora Bora there is a restaurant and bar named Bloody Mary established and owned by Polish man. Inside we met many polish couple on their honeymoons from Poland and US. Sailing was great, waters are well mark, however they use European system which can be confusing at times. Sailing along the reefs is breathtaking, getting to the atolls through narrow passages in the reefs can be exciting but once you inside is like being in heaven or sailing inside a swimming pool. Clean quiet waters with good anchorages among palm beaches with great views. On board: Pawel Podedworny, Mirek Oryszczak, Jacek Dabrowski, Janusz Figiel, Olek Owczarz and Wojtek Galas.

Brand new boat just acquired by Mark and Dana Jozefowicz club members from the 70s. They Christian the boat “Numero Uno”. Its like a reunion. Its maiden voyage with some problems. We lost fresh water, had to divert to Key West. Decided to sail across military training grounds, that was not very good idea. There was a loud explosion that shook the boat and made the log work. We made it to Key West without more excitements. After fixing problems with hoses and filling tank with fresh water we left in the evening for Dry Tortuga. Next morning we beached the boat at Fort Jefferson. That is great with the swing keel boat, you do not need dinghy, we were able to get from the bow on to dry land. On the way back we visited many keys and motored on the intercostals for some distance.

Adriatic great waters to sail warm and clean. Winds in the summer time are gentle. There is Croatian National Park north of Split consisting of hundreds islands most are unpopulated. Anchoring is good and local people friendly. We were invited by locals into beautiful area inlands for a dinner at old water mill on great water falls. They prepared two lams on the camp fire. For seasoning they used nothing but the salt. We had an opportunity to see a beautiful country devastated by the war. Some fields and houses are still mined. On board were: James Luber, Pawel Podedworny, Mirek Oryszczak, Jacek Dabrowski, Janusz Figiel, Stefan Nawrocki, Stanislaw Tchurzewski and Wojtek Galas.

Numero Uno with new owner on board. 51 hours (record time) single tack. Very low visibility due to smoke. Excellent winds due to subtropical depression moving west over Orlando. We did quite a bit of surfing down following seas.

Greek Waters are not very friendly for sailors for many reasons. First nautical charts are from 19th century therefore not very precise. It was in 2007 that ocean liner during the day in nice weather hit the reef and sunk. All the modern navigational equipment (radios, radars, GPSs, sonar, depth sounders, etceteras) did not mean much. You have to be very vigilant with extra distance from shore or other obstructions. In some places while you still a mile away you have to depend on your eyes. Second problem are the local fishermen. They want to collide with yachts, they want insurance money. You have to stay clear of them, but it is difficult at night since most of them do not have any lights. There are only few good harbors which are full during the high season. Anchoring is also difficult since it is becoming very deep very fast next to the shore. And the last are the local winds, which come all of a sudden with the great force. We experienced gale strength wind for two days with no cloud in the sky. But we had great time. Visited many islands and harbors including one of the most beautiful Island on earth Santorini. Also we spent couple of days discovering Athens. On board: James Luber, Pawel Podedworny, Mirek Oryszczak, Jacek Dabrowski, Janusz Figiel, Stefan Nawrocki, Stanislaw Ziemkiewicz (Lufka), Slawomir Plaszowski and Wojtek Galas.

This time we explore Abacos Islands it is archipelago approximately 50 miles north of Nassau and stretches to Grand Bahamas. Island. Islands are protected from Atlantic by long reef with few safe passages between coral heads. On the southwest side of the Islands are mostly shallow waters with good fishing grounds. We visited two lovely small cities, Hope Town and Marsh Harbor. However for some reasons crew did not want time on the town. All meals were prepared and served onboard away from land. Miro, our chef did the miracle. I ordered enough provisions for two dinners on board and the rest we were supposed to consume in local restaurants. However, we caught some groupers and had eight dinners on the boat On board: Jasiu Bartechko, Pawel Podedworny, Mirek Oryszczak, Jacek Dabrowski, Janusz Figiel, Pawel Kosciolek, Stefan Nawrocki, Stanislaw Ziemkiewicz (Lufka), Slawomir Plaszowski and Wojtek Galas.

Pawel Podedworny, Jacek Dabrowski, Janusz Figiel, Pawel Kosciolek, Stefan Nawrocki , Stanislaw Ziemkiewicz (Lufka), Slawomir Plaszowski, and Wojtek Galas. Right after leaving Marigot Harbor of St. Lucia Jacek caught 12 pound grouper which supplement our provisioning. We ste sail for Martinique. Weather was beautiful late evning we arrived at Saint Pierre on north side of the Island. It is small town with beautiful church and sugar plantation. Next day we sail south to Case-Pilote a small fishing town with great harbor. After visiting some local bars we had great fresh sea food dinner. Next day we sailed to Forte De France a busy capital of the island with great channel separating both sides of the town. We spent to interesting days in the city. After doing paper work we left for St. Lucia. Crossing Martinique St. Lucia Channel was rough. Steady winds from the northeast at 32 knots gusting to 40. Made the crossing in less than 3 hours with 2 reefs in the main and full jib. We spend the night at the anchor outside the Rodney Harbor. Next morning we enter the port and spent Friday night at the dock. Rodney town on Friday nights is the place to be in Saint Lucia. Next morning we sail to Marigot and disembarked.

On board: Pawel Podedworny, Mirek Oryszczak, Jacek & Antek Dabrowski, Stefan Nawrocki, Slawomir Plaszowski Janusz Figiel, and Wojtek Galas. This time we went south, we sailed non stop over night from St. Lucia to Granada. After spending a day and a night in Granada we decide to work our way back to St. Lucia via The Grenadines and St. Vincent. Grenadines are beautiful archipelago of small islands between Granada and St. Vincent. We visited several including Carricou, Union Island, Tabago Keys, Canoun, Mustique and Bequia. Snorkeling is great. Leaving Bequia during thunderstorm we caught 4 tunas. Next we stopover at Saint Vincent where crew went to see area where the part of the move “Pirates of the Carrabin” was filmed. Tradicionaly we spent the last night in Rodney Harbor on St. Lucia.