Southwinds Sailing June 2004 - Southwinds Magazine

CUBAAnnual Hemingway fishing tournement sign welcomestravelers to the quay where boats and passengers arecleared into the country by Cuban officials.Against All OddsSailing to Cuba 2004By Morgan StinemetzIt was as if the Gulf Stream and the Straits of Florida hadbeen paying attention to presidential proclamations regarding travel to Cuba. This time, as opposed to four othertimes I have crossed that stretch of blue, the trip down toCuba was tough.My sole crew member, John Lollar of Texas, and I leftfrom the Dry Tortugas at 3 p.m. on a Thursday, after arrivingthere only that same morning at first light. The forecast was forwinds out in the Stream to get to 20. They were, however, asteady 25 knots. The gusts hit 30. The waves were most likely10-12, which is a large lump for a 27-foot boat. Some were breaking.Most were not. Still, it was more than we bargained for.I got both seasick and hypothermic. The former was afirst, which cleared up right after my obligatory bout of parkingmy lunch in my Ericson 27’s wake. The hypothermia came24June 2004 SOUTHWINDS www.southwindssailing.com