About Good Fortune

Predictably, GOOD FORTUNE departs her summer port of Beaufort, NC around the Thanksgiving holidays for a 2 week cruise south via the Intracoastal Waterway to Miami where she is based for the winter months. She departs Miami in March for 2 months in the Bahamas and begins the northern trip up the Intracoastal Waterway by the end of April.

During the spring and summer around the southern Outer Banks of North Carolina, Capt. White is the host and guide for birding expeditions, island hopping and exploration of pristine beaches with ports of call at coastal villages full of character and history.

Winter access to GOOD FORTUNE is easy by airline connections into Miami where GOOD FORTUNE is at home in Coconut Grove at Dinner Key Marina. Winter trips depart Coconut Grove for cruises via Florida Bay to the Everglades or for oceanside day trips to port of call in the Florida Keys. On the bay side of Key Largo, stops are made at the winter rookeries of tropical birds including Brown Pelicans, Reddish Egrets, American Egrets, Cormorants and Roseate Spoonbills, and rare rookeries of pelagic birds such as the magnificent Frigate bird.

Further cruising in the Florida Keys includes stops in Marathon, New Found Harbor and Key West with Gulf Stream fishing and snorkeling on choice reefs along the way. From Key West, GOOD FORTUNE takes a 3-day trip to the Dry Tortugas where the surrounding islands are deserted and tropical, the fish are plentiful, the reefs are spectacular and where Fort Jefferson rises from the clear water to make a visually imposing historic statement. Here are rare rookeries of Sooty Terns and Noddy Terns.

From Mid-March through April, GOOD FORTUNE is accessible in Nassau where departures are made for cruises through the Exumas. This immaculate chain of tropical islands is home to the rare Rock Iguana and the other protected natural life in the Exumas Land and Sea Park. Along the way, sightings of such pelagics as the gannet, petrel and shearwater are frequent. At Warderick Wells, the Red Billed Tropicbirds are engaged in the springtime rookery activity along the limestone cliffs. The beauty of these islands, their inviting waters, pink beaches, opulent reefs, caves and mysterious blue holes are accessible only to the cruising yachtsman. Their allure is unforgettable.

The late spring and late autumn Intracoastal Waterway trips aboard GOOD FORTUNE are a fascinating way to see the East Coast, and an unprecedented way to slow down and relax. A day’s progress typically covers 60-70 miles during which a passenger may relax on deck reading, writing, studying natural beauty rarely seen unless by boat. Bird watchers enjoy sighting migratory birds and stops to visit rookeries of the White Pelican and Wood Ibis. Nightly ports of call along the way are outlined in advance of each trip for the convenience of those needing an itinerary. Each port has its own interest, including dining spots, which are explored in the evenings.

The first mate provides meals while aboard unless, as in the case of waterway trips, it is preferable to dine ashore. A typical day’s menu onboard begins with a light breakfast so as to quickly get underway; club sandwiches, salad and fruit are served at mid-day; snacks with evening cocktails, an evening meal such as seafood amandine, wild rice, steamed broccoli, French bread and a surprise dessert. All provisioning for meals prepared and served aboard is included in the rate schedule shown below. Any alcohol provisioned is the guest’s responsibility.

Plans aboard GOOD FORTUNE and reservations are made by contacting Cap. Ron White well in advance of the planned vacation time period. Wishes should specifically include preferred activities, food choices (likes and dislikes), dates, ports preferred and the extent to which you would like to be involved in sailing the boat.

Receipt of a deposit (amount determined by Capt. White) confirms your reservation. In case of cancellation, the refund of your deposit is the captain’s decision based on the reservations he has not made with others due to your reservation.