Bahamas Trip Week 1 - Wednesday 4/22 til Tuesday 4/29

 

 Wednesday - We were anchored in Lake Worth while Sea Angel went to get a slip at Riveria Beach Marina so they could get their generator repaired.  We handled various issues; insurance, Bahaman cell phone coverage, and storage for boat in August.  We also talked to Once Around (Peter and Beverly) and they moved from Old Port Cove to Lake Worth. We had an entertaining day watching mega yachts go by and local activity.  Sea Angel gave us their blessing to make the crossing without them so we made plans with Once Around to make the crossing in the morning.

Some of our food stores. Don't think we will be hungry ?

One of the ships leaving Port of Palm Beach for points unkown with some large boats on board

One of the yachts that passed us at anchor in Lake Worth

 

Thursday -We left at 0630 and we are off to the Bahamas.  Cleared the Palm Beach inlet at 0650 and entered the ocean.  The weather was true to the forecast and seas were very calm with light winds.  We charted a course of 115 degrees to take into consideration the 3 knot current of the gulf stream and headed SE of our destination.  At 1055 we reached our half way point, 28 nautical miles to go.  At 1315, we sighted the islands, still 10 miles out.  At 1439 we arrived at Old Bahama Bay marina, into a slip and a victory beer.  We covered 56 nautical miles.  Late afternoon, Sea Angel arrived, their generator fixed.  We lay in a hammock and enjoyed being in the islands. 

Departing Palm Beach inlet

Sunrise on the gulf

In the Bahamas

Selfie in the hammock

Once Around, our buddy boat departing Lake Worth headed for the Bahamas

Arrriving West End, Grand Bahama Island

Old Bahama Bay Marina in West End

 

They had an adult size chess game we played

 

Friday – We departed 1053 with our buddy boats and headed to Double Breasted Cay – 51 miles away.  Another long ride.  We cut through Little Bahama Bank and encountered beam seas which made for an uncomfortable ride.  We made many course changes trying for a more comfortable ride and still reach our destination.  We arrived at Double Breasted Cay at 1819 and took two tries and 100 feet of chain to set the anchor.  We just settled into a gin and tonic when we received a call from Sea Angel for help.  Nancy had fallen and cut her forehead badly.  We dinghy over (via rowing) with medical supplies.  Peter called Rosie on Grand Cay and they came out with a fast boat to transport Nancy to the clinic where she had 5 stitches and returned back to the boat in less than 1 ½ hours.  Faster service than the states and cheaper – all for $85.  The gin and tonics tasted even better that night.

Double Breasted Cay ( pronounced Key)

The water is incredibly blue and aquamarine

Bahamian courtesy flag which you must fly while in the Bahamas

 

 

Saturday – 0901 started engines.  Sea Angel surprised us in that they wanted to move to a dock on Spanish Cay – another 7 hour run. We planned on anchoring out on Allans-Pensacola Cay.  On our way, Sea Angel changed their plans and decided to anchor with us.  At 1200, another change of plans.  The weather forecast makes our anchorage choice poor due to weather and wind conditions changing.   We, too, are heading for the marina at Spanish Cay after all.  At 1220, saw first sea turtle.  SW waves are off the bow which makes for a smoother ride.  Colletta is able to sit with me on the fly bridge today, nice company, and cats are sleeping.  Good conditions for another long day.  Arrived at 1549 after 46 nautical miles.  Ate dinner at the marina restaurant – fresh tuna caught that afternoon.  Ping pong and shuffle board in the bar closed out the evening.

Spanish Cay Marina. nice people managing it but $ 2.99 per foot per night and so rough in the marina the guy in the sailboat next to us slept in a chair on the dock

The gang after dinner playing shuffleboard.

This is the carcass of the tuna we had for dinner being fed to the sharks in the marina. Our cats did not get off the boat here.

Nobody said living in paradise was easy work.

 

 

Sunday –The wind blew!!! 20 to 25 mph winds kept us at the dock.  We went for a walk around the island to the airstrip.  Saw the generator, airport, a few houses on the privately owned island and a beautiful beach.  Overall an under-utilized facility.  A dip in the pool, played Mexican train and steaks on the” barbie” did not prepare us for another night or rocking and rolling.  Tom slept on the couch in the salon and Colletta in the V-bunk due to the slapping of the waves on the stern.

Monday – Wind is still blowing but we are leaving anyway – this marina is too expensive for our wallet.  At 0820 we departed from the slip with the assistance of 2 dock hands and a prayer, backed out of the slip, down the channel, spun the boat around and headed out onto the Bank.  A new record was set for dock lines – 7 on the starboard side.  We discussed the plan to exit the slip, executed it as planned, the boat handed the experience better than the captain and crew.  The ride to Green Turtle was overall comfortable but windy.  We arrived at Bluffhouse Marina at 1050 after traveling 17 nautical miles.  Walked to the restaurant on the beach, had lunch, enjoyed the beach and water and again a dip in the pool.  After a restful afternoon, we pulled the dinghy up onto the dock in preparation for repairs in the morning.  We met for a drink on the deck to plan tomorrow’s activities.  Change of plans again – we are leaving in the morning, weather permitting, going thru the “whale” and on to Marsh Harbor.  The repairs to the dinghy will have to wait. “Tomorrow is another day.”.



Now this is what paradise is supposed to look like.

 

Tuesday – Departed Bluffhouse marina at 0920. Entered the Whale Passage, which we heard so much about, at 1037.  The Whale passage is a passage where the boater must travel from the Sea of Abaco into the Atlantic Ocean, around Whale Cay, and then back into the Sea of Abaco.  The passage is only 3 miles but if the wind and current are going the wrong direction, the passage can be brutal.  The Whale was well behaved this day as we passed it with only 1 to 2 foot waves. We heard so much about this passage that we were apprehensive but things worked out fine.  We followed Once Around and Sea Angel into Marsh Harbor Marina.  The trip was only 24 miles.  We were pleased to get slips as the weather forecast was for storms.  The storms arrived around 1530 with stiff winds of 50 mph and rain.  The winds blew off bimini canvas tops and unfurled sails.  We bounced and rocked in our slip but no damage was done. 

The famous "Whale". No large elephant sized waves today. Easy crossing on the way to  Marsh Harbor

At the Jib Room at Marsh Harbor Marina. 85 cents per foot per night, $ 4.00 a day for water and metered electric. This might be heaven. Great marina with great people

Marsh Harbor Marina. They do catamaran charters out of here also so we met some interesting people