Question:
Escape Sail Boat. Help?
I guess you can say our adventure began 2 years ago on Charlotte Harbor in
beautiful Punta Gorda, Fl. Before that Scott or myself had never sailed a
boat. Charlotte Sailing, Inc located next to the motel that I manage had
just gotten a new type of sailboat called the Escape. After watching a few
people sail them I asked if I could try one out. After one hour I was
sailing. I told my friend, Scott Endicott about the boats and so he tried
one out. Before long we were sailing every other day. We loved the boats and
decided to get involved with the racing program at Charlotte Sailing. Within
6 months Scott and myself had bought our own boats. We dominated the racing
and started sailing on short trips around the Harbor. We sailed to Boca
Grande which is 26 miles from the sailing center and on the way back we
thought it might be a great adventure to sail the Escapes on a long trip.
Well, where else would you Escape to? Cuba!!
We wrote to the Escape Sailboat Company and told them of our quest, to
Escape to Cuba on a 11.5 foot Escape. The response we got was "you must be
crazy" But if you insist on going we would like to send you 2 new boats for
the trip. We were on our way to the planning stage.
We talked to sailors from our local sailing club to find out what we should
bring for this estimated 40-50 hour trip. If we carried all that was needed
we would have to have a support boat along. We talked Gary Trimmer, owner of
the Sailing Center, into coming along in his Beneteau 305.
Its a good thing we started planning 9 months ago. We never dreamed what is
necssary for such a short trip from Key West to Hemingway Marina in Cuba.
First of all the paper work was needed to leave the Country to enter a
forien port. Passports were also needed. The food stuffs were purchased at
the local Sam' Club. Area business donated other items like bottled water,
safety equipment, and money. Garmin Electronics loaned us 2 Garmin 170s.
GPS/VHF handheld units.
Now for the route and weather window. Our local weather man, Tom Rector of
NBC2 plotted the weather for us. Gary Trimmer plotted the course across the
Florida Straights which has currents running at 2-3 kts to the East.
On April the 18th at 10:00 P.M. I got the call from Tom Rector. Leave now.
Its a good thing we were packed and ready to go. Within 2 hours we were
sailing out of Charlotte Harbor on the Beneteau lacking 1 crew member that
couldn't be found. Scott was to trailer the 2 Escapes to Key West the next
day and we would leave ASAP. We arrived in Key West on the Beneteau at 8:00
A.M. the morning of the 20th. Scott pulled in around 10:30 A.M. and we
proceeded to provision the 2 Escapes and set sail for our destination, Cuba.
It was noon and the winds were 8-10 kts from the SE when we sailed pass the
large cruise ships in Key West, Scott and I looking toward the South with
great hopes of reaching our destination.
As we sailed across the Reef we were amazed at all the debris you could see
on the bottom. There were old military shells, sunken boats and other
unrecognizable objects. But knowing we had a long trip ahead of us we
focused on sailing the Escapes as fast as they would go. We each had our
Garmin 170 to navigate and keep in contact with each other, so we listened
to the weather channel off and on for wind and sea conditions. At 12 miles
out the wind died to 0-2 kts and the sea was like a sheet of glass. At least
we were out of the grip of the incoming tide, but we were not making any
headway. We decided to board the support boat "Something Special" and head
West. Our thought was that when we were on the support boat and traveled
West we would not sail toward Cuba unless we were on the Escapes. At 5:00
A.M. the 21st we climbed back on the Escapes and headed SW. in 13-15 kts of
SE winds. This was great sailing. The 3-4 ft seas didn't bother the
performance of the boats at all. So we prayed for 15-20 kts and that
afternoon we got it. We got wet, even though we had our gear in water proof
containers somehow water found its way to spare batteries instantly turning
them to rust. We decided we had to much gear aboard and we came along side
the support boat and unloaded keeping only the Garmin and safety equipment
and bottled water. With the thought of losing our gear gone now, we tied
ourselves to the boat and headed on a close reach toward Cuba. The evening
of the 21st brought light winds as we were entering the currents, so we
again took advantage of it and headed for "Something Special" for some long
needed food and a quick rest. The winds came up again so we climbed back
aboard the Escapes and headed SW. in 15-20 kts. Wonderful, we thought, as
night fell we turned on our improvised lights to keep visual coact with each
other as well as the support boat. With the seas running 5-6 ft now we lost
each other in the swells. Now in the darkest of night I have ever seen
before the Gulf was letting us know why this trip is not to be done in a
small boat, unless you are "Escaping From Cuba, not to Cuba" To make matters
worst the lights began to fail and my heavier weight {180 lbs} allowed me to
sail faster than Scott {110 lbs}, even when I reefed the sail I was still
faster. We were broad reaching now and one mistake at that high speed on the
Escape could mean a "pitch pole". Before we started the venture we agreed
that if conditions threatened our lives beyond our control we would abort
and head West on the support boat until the conditions changed in our favor.
The only commutation between us was the Garmin 170, thank God it was both
GPS and VHF. I radioed Scott and ask him what he thought about aborting the
last leg of the trip, before I got his answer back the support boat came
over the radio and said "its not your decision anymore" and gave us the
order to come along side to board. Now with the seas at 6-7 ft and winds
gusting to 32 kts this wouldn't be an easy task. As it turned out it was the
hardest part of the trip both physical and emotionally. It took over an hour
to get in tow and board "Something Special".
Our hats are off to the Captain and Crew of "Something Special" for there
Seamanship and knowledge of the open seas. They through us hot food in
baggies when we were hungry and bottled water when we were thirsty.
The work had just began on the support boat as the 2 Escapes began passing
us from the huge swells pushing them as we dived into the next swell on the
305 Beneteau. Scott and I spent the rest of the night keeping slack out of
the tow lines and guiding the Escapes towards Cuba.
When daybreak came we were 3 miles from the Sea Buoy at Hemingway Marina. No
celebration was to be had yet because the channel going in has reefs on both
sides. It is said not to make an approach at night if the winds are coming
from the West. Our winds were coming at our backs from the North. I think
that should be the warning Other sailing vessels are dry docked with crushed
hauls and gaping holes in the sides from trying to make an approach with
North winds.
But we made it in the channel and the fun began with the guards, customs,
immigration, etc.
Those of you that have been to Cuba know that this is only a formality and
takes about an hour.
From there we were assigned a slip number. As we motored through Hemingway
cheers came from the shoreline from all directions. I had completely
forgotten that weeks earlier I had E- mailed the Comodoro at Club Nautico
and explained our venture. It was easy to tell who we were with 2 bright
yellow sailboats with the word ESCAPE on the sides. A word most Cubans know.
The Reception we got was as one would only dream of upon entering a foreign
port. We received "fully hosted" status from Club Nautico. The people were
amazed at the Escapes. One sailing instructor ask if he could try one out.
And then another and another. Scott and I looked around at what the youth
program had for sailboats. "Are you thinking what I'm thinking" as we looked
at each other. We decided right then to donate the 2 famous 11.5 Escapes to
the Youth Sailing Program of Club Nautico on behalf of the Escape Sailboat
Company. At that the Comodoro's interpreter asked if we would return to the
Club around 6:00 P.M. We would love to and with
that we headed back to the support boat for some rest. When we returned at
6:00 that evening the Club Nautico had changed from a sailing center into a
reception area fit for a President. Tents were set up and the 2 Escapes were
set on pedestals with the sails full and cleaned as if they were new. The
interpreter said "please come with me" We went to center court with the crew
of Something Special and received cheers and applauds from all who had
gathered including sailors from around the World that were docked at
Hemingway Marina. They brought out the paper work for us to sign which was
read aloud in both English and Spanish. Again applauds and handshakes were
plentiful. From there we were introduced to "Cuba Libre". I can't quite
remember how long the celebration lasted, 1 or 2 days, I think.
The next day the sea conditions weren't favorable for us to leave Hemingway
for the sail back to Key West, so we had a stand down and did some laundry
and rested for the next days trip.
On Friday the 24th we decided to head back to Key West. As we motor-sailed
out of Hemingway Marina we got waves from everybody on shore. There ahead of
us was the 2 Escapes with 2 kids on each boat. As we passed them one of the
kids yelled in broken English "these Escapes, they are very fast". I'll
never forget the smiles on those kids faces. As we sailed out of sight I
couldn't help thinking that someday those 2 Escapes will turn up in the US
with 4 Cubans on each boat. I only hope they will get the same kind of
reception as we got. After all they will have set a new record on the 11.5
Escape.
So please keep your eye out for "The Sailboat That Could"
Answer:
- Great story... perhaps you could tell us about the reception you
received upon return to the US. I, for one, would love to sail
to Cuba at some point, but I'm concerned about what I'd find when
I return.
- Don't worry Neal and Ed will be still here or are you referring to your
private life?
- There is a race (2nd) year making the Havanna run from Fl. Who says you
have to finish first if you are a cruiser. If you want info let me know.
I think I have an old issue of "SouthWinds" around and can steer you in the
right direction.
