The adventures of Mr. Whiskers

The adventures of Mr. Whiskers Welcome to the sailing adventures of Mr Whiskers. Check out our live location below (predictwind)

We left to head towards the Florida Keyes. To get out of the area we had anchored, required to go through a loch and an...
07/05/2025

We left to head towards the Florida Keyes. To get out of the area we had anchored, required to go through a loch and and a moving bridge. Surprisingly, there was a lot of wildlife in and around the lock. We saw various birds, dolphins and manatee were inside the small lock with us. We also were able to see some more space X equipment. The coolest was “Bob”. Bob is a recovery marine vessel that retrieves Space X’s reusable parts. If you look closely at Bob’s deck, you can see what appears to be recovered heat shield? We also caught a nice Wahoo, that fed us for a few days. Each day on the water brings a new adventure and experience….
I forgot to mention, I made my first attempt at oil painting. It is not completed but off to a good start…

With the daily launches fueling our imagination, we had to visit the Kennedy Space center. A short dinghy ride down a t...
07/01/2025

With the daily launches fueling our imagination, we had to visit the Kennedy Space center. A short dinghy ride down a tributary, we found a cute marina nestled in the mangroves. Along the way we were treated with a variety of birds, but no manatee’s, which we were on the look out for.
The Space center was very informative and a attestation of modern advancements and the amazing potential of human effort. We learned about the history of space flight and was able to get a glimpse of what living in space entails. Personally, I will not be on the waiting list to live on Mars…

06/27/2025

While in Fort Lauderdale, Tripp returned to Mexico and Carmen returned from Europe. If you remember last year we enjoyed watching a Space X launch from Turks and Caicos. Since then we have seen several more and have been fascinated by them since. Having some spare time, awaiting Mexico paperwork to be completed, Carmen and Rob decided to visit Cape Canaveral. We sailed what is refered to as North, but actually North East. We were following the current as we went and logged some amazing speeds. It was a two day trip and forced us to anchor along the beach, totally expose to the waves. Fortunately both of us are accustomed to what others call a “rough night”. Carmen refers to as being rocked to sleep, like a baby. We were able to anchor right along the security zone, with nothing but water between us and the launch sites.
We watched five launches and a couple test fires. Due to our close proximity, not only could you see the details of the rocket and its boosters, but also the sound and feeling. The entirety of Mr Whiskers would begin to vibrate in the water as the sound waves hit us. The roar of the rocket engines overtook the moment and the glare from the rockets was difficult to film. We could see the booster rockets burn, seperate from the rockets and fall back to Earth. Each launch had an element of excitement..
Some pics and videos found in comments…

While Steve and Michelle were preparing to depart Mr Whisker’s, Tripp arrived to cross to Florida wiith Rob. This was t...
06/16/2025

While Steve and Michelle were preparing to depart Mr Whisker’s, Tripp arrived to cross to Florida wiith Rob. This was the first time in awhile just Tripp and Rob were on board together. It was a time to reflect on all the wonderful times, challenges and accomplishments we have experienced. We shared our favorite moments and realized how our relationship has grown.
It was a beautiful, nearly downwind sail most of the way. We flew our parasailor, which has a magic all it’s own. The silence as you glide through the water, powered by only the wind, never seems to loose its tranquil feeling. A group of dolphins joined us. We sat on the bow sprite, as the dolphins danced across the bow. We watched as the would turn their bodies, near the surface, to make direct eye contact. One can not help but realize the beauty and grace of nature. The balance that exists in all but the human species. It causes ones mind to ponder a vast array of thoughts, but mostly a sense of overwhelming gratefulness to share in the moment with another species.
We spent a couple nights at Bimini. We had hoped to enjoy the town, but actually, we were so busy preparing to meet vendors for maintenance, securing a over priced slip and arranging a haul out of the boat, that we never left Mr Whisker’s. Early in the morning, we set out for our final trek across to Fort Lauderdale, Florida. This involved crossing the infamous Gulf Stream.
We had ensured the weather would give us a safe and mild crossing. Rob decided to plan a good portion of our navigation the old fashioned way. Mr Whiskers is equipment with some of the best navigational tools. With a click of a button, we can plot a coarse through currents, shifting tides, wind changes and other anomalies. It does an incredible amount of mathematics in seconds. Rob decided he needed to test his skills at navigating without technology. After nearly a page of math, he set a straight coarse to Fort Lauderdale. If done correctly we should be able to set a coarse and not change coarse throughout crossing the varying currents running at 90 degrees to our direction of travel. After completing the calculations it showed Mr Whiskers literally pointing 17 miles south of Fort Lauderdale. Filled with doubt that it was correct, Tripp and Rob set the coarse as figured. At times there was almost up to a 6 kt side current. Old fashioned math still works, we arrived right at the inlet to Fort Lauderdale.
To get to our marina we had to travel through the InterCoastal Waterways. This involved numerous moveable bridges to cross. The canal took us right through a business portion of town. To be traveling in a 44’ sailing catamaran, through a narrow canal with tall buldings surrounding you was crazy. It was nice to be waved at by Florida residents, as they walked their dogs through the city streets, felt like a welcome home parade.
Once at our Marina, the work we had planned began immediately. Rob left Mr Whiskers to visit his Mom and Tripp agreed to remain and oversee the completion of the work. In the meantime, we were finally in America to buy all the American comforts we had been waiting for…

After seeing all the fun Andy and crew had. My brother Steve asked to come visit Mr Whiskers. The answer was of coarse...
05/15/2025

After seeing all the fun Andy and crew had. My brother Steve asked to come visit Mr Whiskers. The answer was of coarse, “Yes” and a few days later he was on board with his wife Michelle. We made a trip through the Exumas at a rather fast pace. More lobsters, lots of snorkel time and a chance to reconnect.
Life had kept us busy for the last 15 years and beyond traditional family gatherings we had not had the opportunity to share time together. Two brothers, that were at one time inseparable, had become caught up in “traditional life”. Time together on Mr Whiskers provided us a chance to reconnect and to reminisce of our younger shenanigans.
Love you Steve and Michelle amd lets do
It again soon…
Ps.. That may be Rob’s biggest lobster yet!

A few days after Tripp, Tisch, Nick and Jeanine departed Mr Whiskers, Rob’s son Andy and crew came on board. This inclu...
04/25/2025

A few days after Tripp, Tisch, Nick and Jeanine departed Mr Whiskers, Rob’s son Andy and crew came on board. This included Stefanie, Tony and Cailey. Now Tony and Cailey had never experienced ocean travel. It was well above their comfort level, but as they mentioned numerous times we trust Cpt. Rob. We all have been friends for several years and this led to an incredible adventure of discovery and epic experiences.
We basically worked our way back through the Exumas to George Town. Initially we did not have the time needed to get to George Town, but they decided to extend their trip nearly a week and we definitely made the most of it.
We visited the pigs, swam grotto, filled the boat with lobsters a few times over, explored underwater caves, swam with sharks, turtles and explored several reefs. The last picture is my favorite. Tony is a character everywhere he goes. The joy on his face is priceless. The grateful nature of everyone on board was undeniable. We had one epic day after another of which I will remember forever.
… and yes not only was the entire pallet sized stack of beer drank, we had to get more in Staniel Cay. Also I know that our crew on this trip have some more amazing pictures so please feel free to post in comments. Sending love from Mr Whiskers….

After the Plavec’s Christmas in Turks and Caicos, we sailed to George Town Bahamas to pick up Nick and Jeanine. We had ...
04/21/2025

After the Plavec’s Christmas in Turks and Caicos, we sailed to George Town Bahamas to pick up Nick and Jeanine. We had a couple days with all the Plavec’s, Nick and Jeanine all hanging out in George Town. Chat n Chill beach bar was busy with our shenanigans…
Once Cole and Hailey left us to return to the real world, we headed through the Exumas. Six adults, good weather and beautiful water. We snorkeled daily, hunted lobster, explored the plentiful and beautiful islands as we sailed toward Nassau. We visited the Grotto, the famous pigs, the aquarium, and even found two new caves, whose entrances were barely swimmable at low tide. Amazing times with amazing people. Hurry back Nick and Jeanine….
Also I could not find the great pictures that Tisch and Jeanine had taken so please feel free to share in comments…

01/21/2025

We have been quite busy having fun. Just before Christmas we had Tripp, Tisch, Cole and Haley on board through New Years. We sailed to George Town, Bahamas catching lobsters and fish a long the way. In George Town, Cole and Haley departed and Nick Viscount and his Jeanine Jankowski Viscount came aboard the same day. On board is Robert Walker, Tripp Plavec, Tisch, Nick, Jeanine and Carmen. I, Rob, have mastered lobster hunting. Matter of fact we are eating Tuna and lobsters tonight. So delicious.
To save some time organizing a post, Tisch gathered our photos and Facebook put together a video. I share that with this post and hopefully can share more individual photos of some epic experiences we have had along the way. Everyday has been a wonderful experience…

We were blessed with the opportunity to have Carmen’s Dad (Marc) on board, along with Alfonso (a family friend of Carmen...
12/28/2024

We were blessed with the opportunity to have Carmen’s Dad (Marc) on board, along with Alfonso (a family friend of Carmen’s). Marine is also on board and fun times and family time was ahead of us.
We spent a couple days in the Blue Haven marina due to unfavorable weather. The French love good food and the restaurant just off the dock was superb. We also have full access to the wonderful resort that accompanies the marina. Beautiful beach access, a pool with swim up bar, and two outstanding restaurants. What more could you ask for in a marina.
As soon as we had a weather window we sailed to a small uninhabited island called French Cay. The weather was still not optimal, but the small bay offered us some protection. We snorkeled, hunted lobster and conch, explored the beach and a nearby wreck. It was a chance to spend quality times with loved ones and was priceless.
As you can tell by our pics we got silly regularly and despite the weather it was epic time. Carmen loved her fresh conch, we made a Caribbean Christmas tree on the beach, snorkeled daily and played Pirates of the Caribbean…

Mr Whiskers got a new sail. It is a 72 square meter parasailor. This sail falls under the spinnaker catagory, yet offe...
12/26/2024

Mr Whiskers got a new sail. It is a 72 square meter parasailor. This sail falls under the spinnaker catagory, yet offers so much more. Based upon its design and foil technology it flies effortlessly. It automatically adjusts for wind changes, up to 30 or so degrees. It also handles wind speeds and gusts higher than you would probably want to sail it. Double digit speeds are a breeze, no pun intended. Our first time we flew it, we ran it through the night for over 24 hours and then the wind died. To top it off it is cusomized and just plain sexy….

While in St. Maarten we are blessed with two cultures. One side is Dutch and the other is French. This offers a divers...
12/08/2024

While in St. Maarten we are blessed with two cultures. One side is Dutch and the other is French. This offers a diversity in dinning and purchasing products. Needless to say the French side hosts better food and restaurants. We filled Mr Whiskers with French groceries and our bellies with French food. I have developed a passion for duck and nobody cooks it better than the French.
Marine Vogel joined us to help with our crossing toward BVI’s and then Turks and Caicos. Before we left, we went inland to visit Parrot Village. What a unique experience. We were amoung a couple hundred parrots of serveral different species. Not only was it educational, it was extremely entertaining.

We were fortunate to have Brad Nichols on board for about four weeks. We dealt with several maintenance and equipment f...
12/08/2024

We were fortunate to have Brad Nichols on board for about four weeks. We dealt with several maintenance and equipment failures, yet he remained consistently uplifting. He is a pleasure to be around and always had a positive outlook. We sailed a good distance during his stay and found time to explore and enjoy our surroundings. Brad and Tripp left Mr Whiskers in English Harbor, Antigua. Brad is a wonderful human and we hope to spend more time together in the future. Always sending love your way Brad.
Rob and Carmen continued on to St Maarten to have a air condition unit replaced and more boat work.

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