May 28th-Current Island, Eleuthra
With all the inclement weather we have been experiencing of late we decided a change of plan was in order. We have wanted to make our return trip take us thru the Berries then across to Bimini but this weather has us returning to Fl by our usual route. An early start has us motorsailing north thru the 40 miles of shallow coral studded waters to Current Island. This is best done in good light and calm seas to make it easier to dodge the coral heads that abound. Caught 2 big Barracuda that we released but no keepers. As we approach Fleming Channel the engine overheat alarm sounds and Chris takes the helm under sail only while I find the problem. A clogged cooling water filter solved the problem for a while but also found intake thru hull partially clogged with weeds after overheating a couple more times. Spent a quiet night at anchor off of Current settlement.
May 29th-Royal Island
Sail north to Spanish Wells for fuel and a few fresh Veggies the on to Royal Island to be ready to head north across the Providence Channel at first light.
May 30th- on to Abacoe-Lynyard Cay
Off at 6:30 to cross the 55 miles of open ocean to Little Harbor cut. No wind has us motoring and right away the engine overheats. After many tries messing around replacing the water pump and checking water flow thru the system finally found some blockage in intake thru-hull that must have been reducing water flow enough to only cause problems at higher engine loads. Would run fine at speeds under 5 kts but I wanted to keep up our speed for this long crossing to enter the reef in daylight. The highlight of the trip was hooking a huge Dolphin(Mahi) on and foughting it for quite a few jumps before it broke my line after stripping nearly all the line off the reel. Even after our engine problems we were still anchored by 5:30 for a quiet night.
Thursday, May 31, 2012
Monday, May 28, 2012
East to the Exumas
Georgetown, Exuma
May 12th-16th
With the wind at our backs we set sail for Georgetown. The weather is predicted to turn nasty soon so we are heading for a protected anchorage. Large seas and strong wind on our stern made for a long trip as I had to be steering the boat thru each wave. Was a little nerveracking entering the harbor thru north channel rocks with the seas running but anchored in calm water off Sand Dollar Beach in the lee of Elizabeth Island by mid afternoon.
Spent Mothers Day hiking and hanging out on the beach. The next few days were spent anchored off of town so we could take care of chores- laundry, propane and shopping as we tried to avoid the worst of the rain.
May 16th-Lee Stocking Island
Motorsailed in light winds to the marine research center where we wandered about the mostly deserted facilities. Hiked the island and spent time on the beach.
May 17th- Musha Cay
Spent the morning exploring Normans Cay by dingy as the mosquitoes chased us off the island. Made our way to Musha Cay fishing along the way. Quiet beautiful anchorage but visits ashore to this exclusive resort are not permitted.
May 19-20th- Little Farmers Cay
Showers thru the day as we motor to Little Farmers. Coctails aboard with crew of Lamaru. Wander about town where all was quiet on Sunday afternoon.
May 21st- Big Majors Cay
Motorsailed north to piggy beach where there were 20 boats (half huge Yachts) anchored. Rainy afternoon with two big storms keeping us on watch much of the night. A few big boats dragging anchor made for an exciting time for some of our neighbors. Thankfully all was fine around us.
May 22-25th- Wardrick Wells
With more stormy weather predicted we decided to move to the protected moorings at the Exuma Park HQ. Windy and showers much of the time but we got to trade a bag of books at the office library. Hike up Boo Boo hill to fetch our boat sign so I could carve our new name and date. Most visiting boats leave a driftwood sigh on this hilltop cairn to mark their visits to this wonderful place. Drinks aboard with young newlyweds Dave and Janae from Wave Dancer. They were married during their extended cruise while in Little Harbor, Abacoe.
May 26th-Hawksbill Cay
Sunny skies finally found us sailing north to Hawksbill Cay where we enjoyed the beautiful beach. After all the rain we have been having the bugs are fierce and we try to anchor a decent distance from the mangroves but still must be sure to have the screens in well before dusk.
May 27th- Allens Cay
Sail north trying to keep ahead of building storms. Anchor in the protected harbor with 5 other boats. We set 2 anchors as the tide rushes thru and there is very little swinging room. Protected iguanas call this uninhabited island home and draw many visitors here.
May 12th-16th
With the wind at our backs we set sail for Georgetown. The weather is predicted to turn nasty soon so we are heading for a protected anchorage. Large seas and strong wind on our stern made for a long trip as I had to be steering the boat thru each wave. Was a little nerveracking entering the harbor thru north channel rocks with the seas running but anchored in calm water off Sand Dollar Beach in the lee of Elizabeth Island by mid afternoon.
Spent Mothers Day hiking and hanging out on the beach. The next few days were spent anchored off of town so we could take care of chores- laundry, propane and shopping as we tried to avoid the worst of the rain.
May 16th-Lee Stocking Island
Motorsailed in light winds to the marine research center where we wandered about the mostly deserted facilities. Hiked the island and spent time on the beach.
May 17th- Musha Cay
Spent the morning exploring Normans Cay by dingy as the mosquitoes chased us off the island. Made our way to Musha Cay fishing along the way. Quiet beautiful anchorage but visits ashore to this exclusive resort are not permitted.
May 19-20th- Little Farmers Cay
Showers thru the day as we motor to Little Farmers. Coctails aboard with crew of Lamaru. Wander about town where all was quiet on Sunday afternoon.
May 21st- Big Majors Cay
Motorsailed north to piggy beach where there were 20 boats (half huge Yachts) anchored. Rainy afternoon with two big storms keeping us on watch much of the night. A few big boats dragging anchor made for an exciting time for some of our neighbors. Thankfully all was fine around us.
May 22-25th- Wardrick Wells
With more stormy weather predicted we decided to move to the protected moorings at the Exuma Park HQ. Windy and showers much of the time but we got to trade a bag of books at the office library. Hike up Boo Boo hill to fetch our boat sign so I could carve our new name and date. Most visiting boats leave a driftwood sigh on this hilltop cairn to mark their visits to this wonderful place. Drinks aboard with young newlyweds Dave and Janae from Wave Dancer. They were married during their extended cruise while in Little Harbor, Abacoe.
May 26th-Hawksbill Cay
Sunny skies finally found us sailing north to Hawksbill Cay where we enjoyed the beautiful beach. After all the rain we have been having the bugs are fierce and we try to anchor a decent distance from the mangroves but still must be sure to have the screens in well before dusk.
May 27th- Allens Cay
Sail north trying to keep ahead of building storms. Anchor in the protected harbor with 5 other boats. We set 2 anchors as the tide rushes thru and there is very little swinging room. Protected iguanas call this uninhabited island home and draw many visitors here.
Saturday, May 12, 2012
South in the wake of Columbus
May 2nd -3rd
After sitting out the past 6 days of storms and rain in Governors Harbor we are finally rewarded with sunny and breezy weather for a sail to Rock Sound. Enjoyed wandering around town and exploring a group of caves and a blue hole that were close by.
May 4th
With settled weather predicted for the next week we decided to modify our plan to cross to the Exumas and instead continue south and east to explore the more remote islands of the far Bahamas. Most of the anchorages we will be visiting offer very limited protection from any winds other than the prevailing trades so good weather is essential for visiting this area. After a pleasant sail managing to catch a small Barracuda for our dinner, our final anchorage on the southern end of Eleuthera is off of Plum Creek. Spent time exploring another fine beach and another beautiful sunset.
Little San Salvador
May 5th
Off early in light winds motorsailing to Half moon bay on Little SanSalvadore. A cruise ship was anchored in the protected cove that serves as a day stop for some of the cruise lines but they left by late afternoon and we had the beautiful spot to ourselves for a quiet walk on the beach.
Cat Island
May 6th-7th
Calm winds finds us motoring south all day to Fernandez Bay. The upside was the fishing was great bringing in a large Grouper, 1 large and 3 small Jacks, and a Barracuda we released. We now have plenty of fish in the freezer. Spoke with friends aboard Glennis via radio that were in the anchorage on the southern tip of the island off of Port Howe. We had heard that passage thru the reef into this anchorage was hazardous as the gps charts were incorrect so we hadn't planned on attempting it but after Glennis gave us coordinates to enter the reef we decided to join them.. On Monday we motored south catching and releasing 3 large Barracuda along the way. Entrance thru the reef in calm seas and bright sun was very simple but the chartplotter would have had us on the reef. This is one of the few times that the electronic charts have been inaccurate and we are told that the 2012 version has been corrected. Enjoyed sunset cocktails with Janice and Greg then spent a rolly night as the ocean swells pass over the reef.
Conception Island
May 8th-9th
Motoring in flat seas we pass Columbus Point and cross open ocean to make landfall at Conception Island. The crescent shaped anchorage boasts a beautiful beach unspoiled by human habitation. The island is part of the national park system and is a no take zone. Known for its gin clear water, sea turtle habitat, flocks of Tropicbirds, magnificent reefs and beaches it is described as the crown jewel of the Bahamas by the cruising guides. Time spent snorkeling and exploring the miles of creeks passed much to quickly but the fair weather is predicted to end and with no protected anchorage we must move on
Long Island
May 10th-11th
With strong breezes from the southwest we had an exciting sail covering the 20 nm before rounding Cape Santa Maria and its Columbus monument atop the cliffs. The best part of the day was when both reels started screaming at once each with a Dolphin(Mahi) on. I managed to loose the first after a few jumps but brought the second along side only to lose it trying to gaff it from the pitching deck. It was an exciting time as Chris got to handle the second rod for quite a while. These fish display brilliant colors and put in quite a show leaping straight out of the water numerous times. Also released a large Barracuda that put up quite a fight. Anchored in one of our favorite spots off Hog Cay where we spent our time walking the beach, snorkeling and exploring the miles of shallow mangrove creeks. Sunset cocktails aboard Maholo with Tom and Delwin who we had met snorkeling at Conception.
After sitting out the past 6 days of storms and rain in Governors Harbor we are finally rewarded with sunny and breezy weather for a sail to Rock Sound. Enjoyed wandering around town and exploring a group of caves and a blue hole that were close by.
 |
| Caves at Rock Sound |
May 4th
With settled weather predicted for the next week we decided to modify our plan to cross to the Exumas and instead continue south and east to explore the more remote islands of the far Bahamas. Most of the anchorages we will be visiting offer very limited protection from any winds other than the prevailing trades so good weather is essential for visiting this area. After a pleasant sail managing to catch a small Barracuda for our dinner, our final anchorage on the southern end of Eleuthera is off of Plum Creek. Spent time exploring another fine beach and another beautiful sunset.
Little San Salvador
May 5th
Off early in light winds motorsailing to Half moon bay on Little SanSalvadore. A cruise ship was anchored in the protected cove that serves as a day stop for some of the cruise lines but they left by late afternoon and we had the beautiful spot to ourselves for a quiet walk on the beach.
 | |
| Just a few of the days catch-best fishing yet! |
Cat Island
May 6th-7th
Calm winds finds us motoring south all day to Fernandez Bay. The upside was the fishing was great bringing in a large Grouper, 1 large and 3 small Jacks, and a Barracuda we released. We now have plenty of fish in the freezer. Spoke with friends aboard Glennis via radio that were in the anchorage on the southern tip of the island off of Port Howe. We had heard that passage thru the reef into this anchorage was hazardous as the gps charts were incorrect so we hadn't planned on attempting it but after Glennis gave us coordinates to enter the reef we decided to join them.. On Monday we motored south catching and releasing 3 large Barracuda along the way. Entrance thru the reef in calm seas and bright sun was very simple but the chartplotter would have had us on the reef. This is one of the few times that the electronic charts have been inaccurate and we are told that the 2012 version has been corrected. Enjoyed sunset cocktails with Janice and Greg then spent a rolly night as the ocean swells pass over the reef.
Conception Island
May 8th-9th
Motoring in flat seas we pass Columbus Point and cross open ocean to make landfall at Conception Island. The crescent shaped anchorage boasts a beautiful beach unspoiled by human habitation. The island is part of the national park system and is a no take zone. Known for its gin clear water, sea turtle habitat, flocks of Tropicbirds, magnificent reefs and beaches it is described as the crown jewel of the Bahamas by the cruising guides. Time spent snorkeling and exploring the miles of creeks passed much to quickly but the fair weather is predicted to end and with no protected anchorage we must move on
 | ||
| another perfect beach- Conception Island |
Long Island
May 10th-11th
With strong breezes from the southwest we had an exciting sail covering the 20 nm before rounding Cape Santa Maria and its Columbus monument atop the cliffs. The best part of the day was when both reels started screaming at once each with a Dolphin(Mahi) on. I managed to loose the first after a few jumps but brought the second along side only to lose it trying to gaff it from the pitching deck. It was an exciting time as Chris got to handle the second rod for quite a while. These fish display brilliant colors and put in quite a show leaping straight out of the water numerous times. Also released a large Barracuda that put up quite a fight. Anchored in one of our favorite spots off Hog Cay where we spent our time walking the beach, snorkeling and exploring the miles of shallow mangrove creeks. Sunset cocktails aboard Maholo with Tom and Delwin who we had met snorkeling at Conception.
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