Tuesday, March 29, 2011
Friday, March 25, 2011
Hope Town, Abacos, Bahama to Vero Beach, FL, USA
March 19th we left Hope Town and headed to Green Turtle Cay. The wind was from 0 - 5 knots all day so it was a motor boat ride, but at least it was an easy passage through Whale Cay Cut. Even with no wind it was still bouncy going through the cut. On days with wind against the current a "rage" forms and this area is often impassable. We were glad to get this little section of the trip home behind us. We anchored off Black Sound and dinghied into the marina with a jerry jug to get another 5 gallons of diesel, unfortunately they were out of fuel so we had to dinghy back to the boat, raise the anchor, re-anchor outside of White Sound and dinghy past the boat aground (the full moon tides made the very shallow entrance channel even more difficult than usual) and into the Green Turtle Club Marina. This marina had diesel and we had just enough Bahamian cash left over to buy ice cream. Doug from KITE came over for dinner and to talk about the crossing to the states. We had a great view of the sun going down and the enormous full moon coming up over the island.
Sunday we had a nice easy sail to Allans Pensacola Cay.
We were traveling with KITE and had planned on having the option to anchor on the bank for a couple of hours if the seas were calm. We decided to anchor as soon as it was dark and set our alarms for 1:00 in the morning so we could get under way by 1:30 a.m. This turned out to be good timing because just as the sun went down we saw six other boats anchored on the banks so we anchored near them on the theory it would be easier for anyone else who was traveling at night to avoid a group of boats in one place rather than many boats scattered randomly about. It was a weird feeling to be anchored miles from the nearest island.
After a nice nap we had a cup of coffee and were under way. The weather forecast was for winds out of the south which would have been nice. The west wind was more of a hinderance than a help. The wind on the nose combined with the gulf stream set us about 20 miles north of where we planned to be so we had to sail back down the coast once we were out of the gulf stream. Although it was a slow crossing it was very easy with 1 -2 foot seas. We anchored in Ft Pierce at 5:20 p.m. Before we had left Florida we had signed up for the Local Boaters Option which allowed us to call immigration and clear into the country by phone which was a lot easier (and less expensive) than taking a taxi to the airport.
Thursday we had a surpisingly nice sail to Vero Beach. Our timing was good and we arrived in time for Bill to get a haircut before going to the Thursday potluck. A nice treat was seeing Russ and Pat from CONSORT.
Sunday we had a nice easy sail to Allans Pensacola Cay.
KITE
We went for a walk ashore on uninhabited Allans Pensacola. When we returned to the boat we considered going for a swim until we looked under the boat and saw a nurse shark enjoying the shade from the boat. Many people feel comfortable swimming with nurse sharks which is fine for them but not for us!
Monday we had a fast downwind sail to Great Sail Cay. For a change our problem was slowing the boat down. We were often sailing between 7 and 8 knots with only the reefed mainsail up.Great Sail is a very busy place for an uninhabited island. There were 17 boats in the harbor at one point getting ready for the crossing. All afternoon and evening boats were coming and going.
Tuesday I spent the morning baking bread and cookies to prepare for the crossing and to keep busy until it was time to leave. At 11:30 a.m. we left Great Sail Cay. What a difference a day makes, we went from 20 knots of wind to a mirrorlike calm. It was so still the sky and water were the same color so it was hard to see the horizon.
We were traveling with KITE and had planned on having the option to anchor on the bank for a couple of hours if the seas were calm. We decided to anchor as soon as it was dark and set our alarms for 1:00 in the morning so we could get under way by 1:30 a.m. This turned out to be good timing because just as the sun went down we saw six other boats anchored on the banks so we anchored near them on the theory it would be easier for anyone else who was traveling at night to avoid a group of boats in one place rather than many boats scattered randomly about. It was a weird feeling to be anchored miles from the nearest island.
After a nice nap we had a cup of coffee and were under way. The weather forecast was for winds out of the south which would have been nice. The west wind was more of a hinderance than a help. The wind on the nose combined with the gulf stream set us about 20 miles north of where we planned to be so we had to sail back down the coast once we were out of the gulf stream. Although it was a slow crossing it was very easy with 1 -2 foot seas. We anchored in Ft Pierce at 5:20 p.m. Before we had left Florida we had signed up for the Local Boaters Option which allowed us to call immigration and clear into the country by phone which was a lot easier (and less expensive) than taking a taxi to the airport.
Thursday we had a surpisingly nice sail to Vero Beach. Our timing was good and we arrived in time for Bill to get a haircut before going to the Thursday potluck. A nice treat was seeing Russ and Pat from CONSORT.
Friday, March 18, 2011
Marsh Harbor and back to Hope Town
We spent a couple of days in Marsh Harbor because we needed groceries and propane. On our way in Doug from KITE took some great photos of the boat. Unfortunately we had the jib furled in already, but it was still a nice treat to have pictures under sail. The first day we were there ITS ABOUT TIME and LAST TANGO pulled in a couple of hours after we arrived and we all ended up on shore at the same time so we headed over to Snappas for a drink to catch up before walking over to Maxwells for groceries. After months of very small grocery stores with even smaller selections we were like kids in a candy shop at the giant well stocked store. That evening we went over to ITS ABOUT TIME and were joined by the crews from LAST TANGO, SOJOURNER and HOMEWARD BOUND.
Wednesday we had planned on heading over to Great Guana for the potluck at Grabbers but it rained most of the day so we stayed in Marsh Harbor. We were thankful for the rain as the islands desperately needed it, especially Great Abaco where a large forest fire has been burning for over a week. It was quite dramatic when the maintenance section of the power plant was on fire. With the help of the rain the fire department was able to get the fire under control.
Thursday we decided to go back to Hope Town for a few days as the dockage fee is the same as the mooring fee because we are under 40 feet. Somedays having a small boat is an advantage. On our way out of Marsh Harbor DISCOVERY (formerly MAGPIE) was leaving the harbor at the same time we were, it is always nice to see a Lyman-Morse boat.
In the afternoon we climbed the lighthouse again and this time I was brave enough to crawl through the little door out onto the platform. The day was so pretty that we spent quite a lot of time on the observation platform enjoying the cool breeze. That evening we had dinner on KITE. Doug is a good cook and eating outside with a full moon over Hope Town was wonderful.
Wednesday we had planned on heading over to Great Guana for the potluck at Grabbers but it rained most of the day so we stayed in Marsh Harbor. We were thankful for the rain as the islands desperately needed it, especially Great Abaco where a large forest fire has been burning for over a week. It was quite dramatic when the maintenance section of the power plant was on fire. With the help of the rain the fire department was able to get the fire under control.
Thursday we decided to go back to Hope Town for a few days as the dockage fee is the same as the mooring fee because we are under 40 feet. Somedays having a small boat is an advantage. On our way out of Marsh Harbor DISCOVERY (formerly MAGPIE) was leaving the harbor at the same time we were, it is always nice to see a Lyman-Morse boat.
In the afternoon we climbed the lighthouse again and this time I was brave enough to crawl through the little door out onto the platform. The day was so pretty that we spent quite a lot of time on the observation platform enjoying the cool breeze. That evening we had dinner on KITE. Doug is a good cook and eating outside with a full moon over Hope Town was wonderful.
Monday, March 14, 2011
Elbow Reef Light, Hope Town, Abacos, Bahamas
We climbed the Elbow Reef Light this morning. Bill had to be the photographer for this one because I am afraid of heights and was too busy hyperventilating and digging my fingernails into the concrete to take pictures. The view from the top was worth the scary climb.
Sunday, March 13, 2011
Scenes from Man-O-War
We enjoyed our time on Man-O-War Cay and hope that you enjoy these photos. The island roads are wide enough for one golf cart at a time. If two golf carts meet there is a traffic jam. One night we went to a lecture at the school. Rudy, who is 83 years young and fit, gave a slide show about climing 38 of the highest peaks in Europe, most of them in the last 10 years. Another night we were invited to a party on Dickie's Cay. We had a great time and met a very nice couple from Camden, Ruth and Cliff. Our last night in the harbor we had a get together on TAMURE with 8 other people. The cockpit was crowded with 10 people but it was a lot of fun. We are now in Hope Town for a few days.
Thursday, March 10, 2011
Lynyard Cay to Man-O-War
Monday, March 8th we had a fantastic sail from Lynyard Cay to Marsh Harbor. We had 13-14 knots of wind all day which is the "Goldlilocks" amount for RONDO. 10 knots is too little, 16 is too much, 13 is just right. We were sailing next to another red boat MERLIN at about the same speed so it was a lot of fun. We anchored in Marsh Harbor next to BLUE RONDO then went grocery shopping. The grocery store, Maxwells, was a nice treat. It is similar to a large supermarket in the states. Shopping with a list and being able to find the things on the list is surprisingly enjoyable.
Tuesday we spent the morning doing laundry in an exotic place which is one of the definitions of cruising. After lunch we decided it was too nice to sit on the boat in Marsh Harbor so we sailed over to Man-O-War. The Abacos are a fun place to sail because the islands are close together. We pulled into the harbor and picked up a mooring next to TAMURE. The boat on the mooring on the other side of TAMURE was KATHLEEN ANN. We had not seen Phil since Florida so it was nice to see him and hear about the great time he has been having.
Tuesday we spent the morning doing laundry in an exotic place which is one of the definitions of cruising. After lunch we decided it was too nice to sit on the boat in Marsh Harbor so we sailed over to Man-O-War. The Abacos are a fun place to sail because the islands are close together. We pulled into the harbor and picked up a mooring next to TAMURE. The boat on the mooring on the other side of TAMURE was KATHLEEN ANN. We had not seen Phil since Florida so it was nice to see him and hear about the great time he has been having.
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