Week five- moving east

The past week has been marked by a stretch of great weather with warm sunshine under blue skies. As I mentioned in last weeks post we were waiting on the weather forecast to decide our next destination as we leave Plumb Creek in South Eleuthera. With lite east wind motoring was called for to head for either Exuma or the far islands to the east. We opted for the short 18 nm trip east to the anchorage at Little San Salvador.

Little San Salvador (AKA Halfmoon Cay)
     This island is owned by the Carnival group which includes Princess, Holland America and numerous others and is operated as a day stop for their ships. We love this crescent shaped harbor and  have visited here numerous times both on our own and aboard cruise ships. It boasts one of the most beautiful beaches we have found as long as you are here when there isn't a ship in. Even then they normally leave late afternoon and we have never been questioned for wandering the beach. Bahamas law states that all beaches are public up to the high water line but some private islands can make it unpleasant to go ashore (think roaming guard dogs).

Half Moon Bay all to ourselves

Cat Island
     With another calm day we continue motoring 18nm east to anchor in Bennetts Harbor. On arrival I noticed exhaust smell in the cabin and upon inspection found a crack in the elbow off our engine that mixes sea water with exhaust to cool the exhaust system. Digging further I found major corrosion indicating complete failure was imminent leaving us unable to run the engine. The decision was made to backtrack under sail the 120nm (approx 140 miles) to Spanish Wells where facilities for repairs were available. My first attempt at a temporary fix using JB Weld epoxy failed but a second try seems to be holding allowing us to use the motor in an emergency.

Life's a beach-Cat Island

Little San Salvador
      After 2 calm nights anchored at Cat waiting for some wind and allowing my patches to harden the promised trade winds started building and we set sail (slowly) back west for another quiet night in Halfmoon Bay.

South Eleuthera-Plum Creek 
      The east winds have built by morning allowing us a moderate but rolly downwind sail back across this ocean exposed stretch of rough water to anchor once again in Plum Creek. From here the normal route would take us thru northern Eleuthera and Current Cut but this involves transiting a narrow 7 mile  channel thru shallows then later the swift currents in Current Cut. Not wanting to run the motor any more than necessary we opted for the downwind sail across the exposed waters of Exuma Sound for a stop in Northern Exuma.


North Exuma, Ship Channel Cay
      With winds predicted to be in the upper teens we loaded the dingy on deck and prepared for a rough crossing. Thankfully the strong winds didn't materialize but we still had a brisk but rolly downwind sail the 40 st miles to a protected anchorage. The hi-lite of the trip was finally having some luck fishing. As we approached our destination but still in water 3000 ft deep we caught a nice Mahi (Dolphin Fish) and not long after lost another due to a knot failing attaching my hook to leader. You would think I would be getting better at these knots by now!

finally some luck

what does this portend? good weather I hope!

North Eleuthra- Meeks Patch
      Another day of favorable trade winds has us moving north at our best point of sail dodging the coral heads in the shallow waters leading to Fleming Channel. We covered the 50 miles in 7.5 hours making for some great sailing.

dodging coral heads in 12 ft of water

the view from the helm, wing on wing

     We are currently anchored 2 miles off Spanish Wells where we hope to have a slip where I can pull the engine to gain access to remove the failed part. Have ordered parts out of the Yanmar dealer in Nassau that once they arrive in Nassau will have to pass thru customs then be sent by ferry to here. I actually have the needed part sitting at home in Fl but the logistics involved in getting it here seemed daunting. Have spoken to a local mechanic who I hope can assist with big wrenches and torch to remove the elbow. We may be here a while but a great place to be stranded. Needless to say the past week has been rather stressful but we handled it well. It was quite satisfying to be a true sailboat but the good weather made it enjoyable.
    Our plan for today (Sun) is to get the dinghy back in the water and sail the short hop to anchor off the entrance to Spanish Wells where we can dinghy in to check things out.