4/3/10 6:15 am
We eat the last of the cereal, milk dried fruit yogurt and granola bars for breakfast. Then at 7:15 we pull the past anchor and motor off towards Marsh Harbour. We get a call from Tranquility and can see them coming in from across the bay. They are about 15 minutes ahead of us and we follow them in and we have to scramble to move our docking lines to the other side but soon we are tied to the fuel dock. My father and brother and his family say a hasty good bye and rush for the airport to catch 10 am flights. Richard and I work with the Sunsail crews to get boats fueled and back in their slips and all the paper work finished. Then a hot shower at the marina and a last check for our gear.
My father never did find his missing pair of skivvies! Then we move off the boat and move out gear into storage. I put a few minutes charge on my laptop so I can turn it on to get through airport security and we say our goodbyes to the Sunsail crew and Richard and his family. Todd and Dave want to shop so we fit the few gift places that are open on Easter weekend and then smell frying fish and eat fried grouper and conch burgers and the Golden Grouper Café. Very tasty and a really nice staff. They call us a taxi and we ride back to the marina for our gear and then off to the airport.
We get there about 12:20. We check-in and say goodbye to Todd who flies out at 1:30 then Dave at 2:00 and me about 2:15. The travel gods are smiling on me and thereis no line and I breeze through both customs and security in West Palm Beach and get checked-in to Southwest flight and I reach my gate 10 minutes before boarding. There are plenty of seats and rooms to store luggage.
I settle in for a smooth lfight back to Tampa. My father arrived about 40 minutes before me and I find him sitting outside the door on a bench and soon Pippa pulls in to take us home. It’s been another great adventure! I enjoyed being captain through all the good weather and bad. I had a great crew and look foraward to sailing again in the near future! Until next time. Follow year dreams and get out there and travel! Step outside of your comfort zone and do something different. The rewards are amazing!
There are also pictures from Tranquility that can be viewed at:
http://picasaweb.google.com/109693709370069018435/Bahamas2010?authkey=Gv1sRgCIOPiabd18TucA#
Peace,
Allen
Monday, April 12, 2010
Manjack to Matt Lowe's Cay
4/2/10
We have been going to sleep about 9:30 or 10 pm so I am always awake before sunrise. I am almost finished with Solitaire when I hear my father. We get up and rustle up some breakfast from our supplies of cereal, milk, crackers, honey, jam and dried fruit. Again we are ready before the other crew so off we sail. We head out into deep water and around the sandbar off Green Turtle Cay and then head for the shoals at the entrance to the Whale Cay Passage. When we cross the waypoint for the track we radio base that we are going through. We are going to have to tack through and my father and I debate motor sailing through but we weather is nice and Todd is getting to be a good hand so we sail close hauled towards Whale Cay.
When we water starts getting shallow we make a perfect tack and head for the rocks on the west side of the passage. There are a couple of boats sailing though from the other direction but we have some sea room . Also we have the right of way on our close hauled tack … as long as they know the rules! When we get close to the rocks we tack again. Not so smooth this time and we lose some ground. We are still looking good and can tack again if we have too. We then lose a bit more ground to one of those sailboats who didn’t give us the right of way. Better to give a little than a collision!
We get some good puffs and ride up on them and soon we slid past the tip of whale Cay and fall off onto the next leg of the passage. We are though the difficult part and have another sailboat following us though now. We call into base that we are through and head on a broad reach out of the channel past an island that was created when they dug a channel for cruise ships to get to Great Guana Cay. It’s didn’t work out for the cruise ships but the channel and the spoil island remain. The tide is high and we have plenty of water and snack on the last salami and cheese and dried fruit as we sail on though and past the Fish Cays. They mighty fisherman has been trolling but no real bites. We have one but the fish gets off. Then we head for Fowl Cay which has a protected (marine park) coral reef. We have never been to this one. We tack towards Fowl Cay with Dave at the helm but the wind is picking up and it’s get to be too much for him so I take over. The wind is really blowing again and we get over-powered by our sail so we haul in the jib and zip in under just the main.
We get the main down and motor into the protection of the lee of Fowl Cay which is pretty tiny. We try to anchor in one spot but are blown down onto another boat. We pull the anchor and try another spot. This time we are holding but a little close to different boat. I stay in the cockpit and read and watch. We are in solid and they pass me ham sandwiches, and PB and honey crackers. Soon the other boat hoists his sails and off he goes. We get a call from Tranquility that they are through Whale Cay passage and where are we? They come close but decide to go onto Man o War Cay for some shopping. We have called into base and they reminded us that most shops will be closed for Good Friday. We decide to brave to waves and try to snorkel the reef. We get our gear and a dive flag and head out.
It’s wavey but we find the reef and tie our dinghy to a mooring buoy. Takes us a while o get the inflatable dive flag to work but soon we are snorkeling on another beautiful reef. The fish are not a fearful here. I guess they have gotten used to people and understand that they’re protected. I get some really nice pictures here as I can get really close to the fish. I m really curious to see how these pictures come out! When we are cold we motor back around the other side of the island and get ready to sail. We realize it’s getting late and try to reach Tranquility but no answer so we quickly motor across the bay to Matt Low Cay where there is a little anchorage which will give us protection in this wind and is about an hour from the Sunsail dock. It’s cold in this wind so I end up in my rain gear and warm hat! We get a call from Tranquility as we are pulling in that they are coming. But no sign of them by dark so they must have stayed at Man o War. Too bad as they have tonight’s dessert!
Todd motors into the beach to looks for shells for his kids but there are private island signs on the beach. Todd passes on a swim and he makes up the last of the vodka and lemonade for he and his father while I make black beans with the last of the Virginia ham The last of the fresh veggies and angel hair with clam sauce. It’s a true finish-ups meal! For dessert we scrounge up the last of the crackers with honey and jam. After dinner I get all my gear packed for the trip home. We are holding nicely with plenty of anchor chain out and are snug in our warm cabin with a chilly breeze blowing when I make a last check on deck before bed. And I climb under a blanket in my warm bunk. Good night!
We have been going to sleep about 9:30 or 10 pm so I am always awake before sunrise. I am almost finished with Solitaire when I hear my father. We get up and rustle up some breakfast from our supplies of cereal, milk, crackers, honey, jam and dried fruit. Again we are ready before the other crew so off we sail. We head out into deep water and around the sandbar off Green Turtle Cay and then head for the shoals at the entrance to the Whale Cay Passage. When we cross the waypoint for the track we radio base that we are going through. We are going to have to tack through and my father and I debate motor sailing through but we weather is nice and Todd is getting to be a good hand so we sail close hauled towards Whale Cay.
When we water starts getting shallow we make a perfect tack and head for the rocks on the west side of the passage. There are a couple of boats sailing though from the other direction but we have some sea room . Also we have the right of way on our close hauled tack … as long as they know the rules! When we get close to the rocks we tack again. Not so smooth this time and we lose some ground. We are still looking good and can tack again if we have too. We then lose a bit more ground to one of those sailboats who didn’t give us the right of way. Better to give a little than a collision!
We get some good puffs and ride up on them and soon we slid past the tip of whale Cay and fall off onto the next leg of the passage. We are though the difficult part and have another sailboat following us though now. We call into base that we are through and head on a broad reach out of the channel past an island that was created when they dug a channel for cruise ships to get to Great Guana Cay. It’s didn’t work out for the cruise ships but the channel and the spoil island remain. The tide is high and we have plenty of water and snack on the last salami and cheese and dried fruit as we sail on though and past the Fish Cays. They mighty fisherman has been trolling but no real bites. We have one but the fish gets off. Then we head for Fowl Cay which has a protected (marine park) coral reef. We have never been to this one. We tack towards Fowl Cay with Dave at the helm but the wind is picking up and it’s get to be too much for him so I take over. The wind is really blowing again and we get over-powered by our sail so we haul in the jib and zip in under just the main.
We get the main down and motor into the protection of the lee of Fowl Cay which is pretty tiny. We try to anchor in one spot but are blown down onto another boat. We pull the anchor and try another spot. This time we are holding but a little close to different boat. I stay in the cockpit and read and watch. We are in solid and they pass me ham sandwiches, and PB and honey crackers. Soon the other boat hoists his sails and off he goes. We get a call from Tranquility that they are through Whale Cay passage and where are we? They come close but decide to go onto Man o War Cay for some shopping. We have called into base and they reminded us that most shops will be closed for Good Friday. We decide to brave to waves and try to snorkel the reef. We get our gear and a dive flag and head out.
It’s wavey but we find the reef and tie our dinghy to a mooring buoy. Takes us a while o get the inflatable dive flag to work but soon we are snorkeling on another beautiful reef. The fish are not a fearful here. I guess they have gotten used to people and understand that they’re protected. I get some really nice pictures here as I can get really close to the fish. I m really curious to see how these pictures come out! When we are cold we motor back around the other side of the island and get ready to sail. We realize it’s getting late and try to reach Tranquility but no answer so we quickly motor across the bay to Matt Low Cay where there is a little anchorage which will give us protection in this wind and is about an hour from the Sunsail dock. It’s cold in this wind so I end up in my rain gear and warm hat! We get a call from Tranquility as we are pulling in that they are coming. But no sign of them by dark so they must have stayed at Man o War. Too bad as they have tonight’s dessert!
Todd motors into the beach to looks for shells for his kids but there are private island signs on the beach. Todd passes on a swim and he makes up the last of the vodka and lemonade for he and his father while I make black beans with the last of the Virginia ham The last of the fresh veggies and angel hair with clam sauce. It’s a true finish-ups meal! For dessert we scrounge up the last of the crackers with honey and jam. After dinner I get all my gear packed for the trip home. We are holding nicely with plenty of anchor chain out and are snug in our warm cabin with a chilly breeze blowing when I make a last check on deck before bed. And I climb under a blanket in my warm bunk. Good night!
Allen's Pensacola to Manjack Cay
4/1/10 6:30 am
I slept really well but am awake early so I read my book. I am reading a good science fiction novel called SOLITAIRE by Kelley Eskridge. It’s a good story. Just before dawn I hear my father moving around so I get up and put the kettle on. Soon Dave and Todd are up and we have a oatmeal and cereal breakfast and then I get a good picture of the sunrise. The sky is blue and the weather is calm. We need to sail back at least to Manjack Cay today and if the weather looks iffy for tomorrow on through the Whale Cay Passage while the weather is good. We try to catch the weather on the radio but it’s Thursday before Easter and al the radio stations are getting ready for Easter. The people in the Abacos are very religious. SO no weather forecast today.
We call the Tranquility on the VHF radio and they are just getting started on breakfast so we decide to sail on ahead. We are really working like real crew now. In no time we have the anchor up and as we raise our mainsail a nice breeze picks up and we are off on a broad reach. We have a great sail back down past Powell’s Cay and we miss the 3 ½ ft deep sandbar again and soon we are geeing close to Manjack. Tranquility radioed us that they we going into Spanish Cay for water, dinghy fuel and did we need any groceries? We could use some dessert type stuff. They radio back that they have us covered on the desert front and they will try and get a weather report at the Spanish Cay marina. We call them again as we near Manjack and they reply that the weather forecast is good for going through the Whale Cay Passage tomorrow.
We cruise into Manjack and anchor off the southernmost tip as it’s low tide and the passage out the reef will not have enough water. We will have to drive the dinghy around the south end of the island. Todd and I suit up and head out leaving the old guys to have a nap and if we are lucky start dinner.
We get out on the ocean side and go hunting for coral heads. We look at a few and head further out until finally I am seeing staghorn coral sticking out of the water. The tide is very low and the water is calm. It’s a perfect day to be snorkeling out here! I am back in the water with my camera and getting some great shots! Again I am glad to have to wetsuit as the water is chilly. Lots of fish and beautiful coral. Todd calls me over to show me a lobster down under a rock. Too bad he let his tickler in the other dinghy. We can’t get it out. No lobster dinner tonight.
We snorkel until we are both chilled and then motor back to Land Escaper. No sign of Tranquility. My father talked to them on the radio awhile back so we now they are nearby. Todd and I have a nice swim and a bath off the stern and a freshwater rinse. Nice to have a shave and wash my hair. Then we pull the anchor and motor around into the anchorage. We see a boat way up away from the other boats and assume it’s them but the water is way to shallow at a little past low. We creep on and a 3’ 4” we run aground. We call on the radio and discover that Tranquility is back with the other boats. About 10 minutes later the incoming tide floats us and we turn about face and head back to Tranquility and the rest of the boats. We drop out anchor and use reverse to dig it in deep. The forecast is for a calm night and there is no wind blowing. Todd and Dave bake the fish an serve it with canned green beans, corn and rice and white wine.
After dinner we get a radio message that double chocolate cookies are ready. We get in the dinghy and head over. Dave gets on board but grbs the steering wheel and falls onto a cooler. Luckily he is not hurt. He declared earlier that this will be his last sailing trip. His reflexes are just getting too slow. I think it’s a wise decision. A tough decision to make though. We can smell the cookies baking so I join the little girls at the galley table for a game of UNO while we wait. Richard tells me they put into much water and had to add some Bisquick to make up. They cookies are puffy like biscuits but very tasty! I eat a couple and eventually win the card game. Soon it’s time for the little people to go to bed so we thank the cookie chefs and head back to Land Escaper.
Soon I am sleepy and head for my cabin to head some more of my book. It’s been a really great day! Afer about 2 pages I am fat asleep. After a while I wake up enough to turn off the light. The sea is calm and there is no wind tonight. I fall right back to sleep.
I slept really well but am awake early so I read my book. I am reading a good science fiction novel called SOLITAIRE by Kelley Eskridge. It’s a good story. Just before dawn I hear my father moving around so I get up and put the kettle on. Soon Dave and Todd are up and we have a oatmeal and cereal breakfast and then I get a good picture of the sunrise. The sky is blue and the weather is calm. We need to sail back at least to Manjack Cay today and if the weather looks iffy for tomorrow on through the Whale Cay Passage while the weather is good. We try to catch the weather on the radio but it’s Thursday before Easter and al the radio stations are getting ready for Easter. The people in the Abacos are very religious. SO no weather forecast today.
We call the Tranquility on the VHF radio and they are just getting started on breakfast so we decide to sail on ahead. We are really working like real crew now. In no time we have the anchor up and as we raise our mainsail a nice breeze picks up and we are off on a broad reach. We have a great sail back down past Powell’s Cay and we miss the 3 ½ ft deep sandbar again and soon we are geeing close to Manjack. Tranquility radioed us that they we going into Spanish Cay for water, dinghy fuel and did we need any groceries? We could use some dessert type stuff. They radio back that they have us covered on the desert front and they will try and get a weather report at the Spanish Cay marina. We call them again as we near Manjack and they reply that the weather forecast is good for going through the Whale Cay Passage tomorrow.
We cruise into Manjack and anchor off the southernmost tip as it’s low tide and the passage out the reef will not have enough water. We will have to drive the dinghy around the south end of the island. Todd and I suit up and head out leaving the old guys to have a nap and if we are lucky start dinner.
We get out on the ocean side and go hunting for coral heads. We look at a few and head further out until finally I am seeing staghorn coral sticking out of the water. The tide is very low and the water is calm. It’s a perfect day to be snorkeling out here! I am back in the water with my camera and getting some great shots! Again I am glad to have to wetsuit as the water is chilly. Lots of fish and beautiful coral. Todd calls me over to show me a lobster down under a rock. Too bad he let his tickler in the other dinghy. We can’t get it out. No lobster dinner tonight.
We snorkel until we are both chilled and then motor back to Land Escaper. No sign of Tranquility. My father talked to them on the radio awhile back so we now they are nearby. Todd and I have a nice swim and a bath off the stern and a freshwater rinse. Nice to have a shave and wash my hair. Then we pull the anchor and motor around into the anchorage. We see a boat way up away from the other boats and assume it’s them but the water is way to shallow at a little past low. We creep on and a 3’ 4” we run aground. We call on the radio and discover that Tranquility is back with the other boats. About 10 minutes later the incoming tide floats us and we turn about face and head back to Tranquility and the rest of the boats. We drop out anchor and use reverse to dig it in deep. The forecast is for a calm night and there is no wind blowing. Todd and Dave bake the fish an serve it with canned green beans, corn and rice and white wine.
After dinner we get a radio message that double chocolate cookies are ready. We get in the dinghy and head over. Dave gets on board but grbs the steering wheel and falls onto a cooler. Luckily he is not hurt. He declared earlier that this will be his last sailing trip. His reflexes are just getting too slow. I think it’s a wise decision. A tough decision to make though. We can smell the cookies baking so I join the little girls at the galley table for a game of UNO while we wait. Richard tells me they put into much water and had to add some Bisquick to make up. They cookies are puffy like biscuits but very tasty! I eat a couple and eventually win the card game. Soon it’s time for the little people to go to bed so we thank the cookie chefs and head back to Land Escaper.
Soon I am sleepy and head for my cabin to head some more of my book. It’s been a really great day! Afer about 2 pages I am fat asleep. After a while I wake up enough to turn off the light. The sea is calm and there is no wind tonight. I fall right back to sleep.
Tuesday, April 6, 2010
Allen's Pensacola to Moraine Cay
3/30/10 7:00 am
I was only up once during the night to pee and check on the boat. We have swung around a little but wind is calm. I sleep a bit more then we are up just after sunrise for breakfast of cereal, fruit yogurt and milk. We weight out anchor and fight with our main again. We shake out the reef from the other day and check all the lines but it but our main still won’t deploy fully. Very frustrating. We get it to about the same place as usual then we have a nice following wind so we have put the Main out to starboard and the jib out to port and run wing and wing in light air down to Moraine. I finish my homemade camera sling because I am not forgetting my camera again! Dave the Mighty Fisherman gets a yellowtail on the pole sailing through the deep cut between Umbella Cay and Moraine. Dinner! We anchor and then I dive the anchor and reset it and dig it in. I check Tranquility’s anchor. We dinghy out to the reef. It’s a perfect day to snorkel. I get some really nice photos with my camera. It worked better than expected and my harness rig is good too.
Back to Land Escaper for a lunch of bratwurst and left over spaghetti sauce. We help Todd make lobster tickler as he is determined to spear a lobster. A tickler is a piece of bent wire on a pole used to reach is a hole behind a lobster and poke him in the backside until he comes out of his hole and you can grab, spear or net him. Then I take a short nap on deck while Todd. Randy and Richard drop the girls at the beach and go back to reef for an hour. When Todd is back on board. NO lobsters but he had a good time trying.
We sail back to Allen’s Pensacola. In the deep cut we catch another yellowtail and a nice mutton snapper! Yeah! At Allen’s Pensacola There are different boats and very calm seas. It’s low tide so we creep in and we hit 5 ft then 4.9 ft and turn around and anchor in 6 ft of water. We must not draw the 5 feet Sunsail told us! I dive and set the anchor and Todd goes in dinghy to help Grant look for main anchor. No luck and Grant gets cold in the water so Todd comes back for me. I drive and he hangs over bow and we search.
Richard and Grant search in other dinghy. Water is very calm and clear like glass. Just as the sun sets R and G find anchor! Yes!. We put it aboard Dark Petryl and Grant comes for dinner. We have chicken baked and grilled. Fresh broccili and canned green beans. With white wine we toast to successful anchor fishing! Then the moon comes up and paints a golden path to Dark Petryl for Grant to follow home. What a great day today! We all head for a deep restful sleep.
I was only up once during the night to pee and check on the boat. We have swung around a little but wind is calm. I sleep a bit more then we are up just after sunrise for breakfast of cereal, fruit yogurt and milk. We weight out anchor and fight with our main again. We shake out the reef from the other day and check all the lines but it but our main still won’t deploy fully. Very frustrating. We get it to about the same place as usual then we have a nice following wind so we have put the Main out to starboard and the jib out to port and run wing and wing in light air down to Moraine. I finish my homemade camera sling because I am not forgetting my camera again! Dave the Mighty Fisherman gets a yellowtail on the pole sailing through the deep cut between Umbella Cay and Moraine. Dinner! We anchor and then I dive the anchor and reset it and dig it in. I check Tranquility’s anchor. We dinghy out to the reef. It’s a perfect day to snorkel. I get some really nice photos with my camera. It worked better than expected and my harness rig is good too.
Back to Land Escaper for a lunch of bratwurst and left over spaghetti sauce. We help Todd make lobster tickler as he is determined to spear a lobster. A tickler is a piece of bent wire on a pole used to reach is a hole behind a lobster and poke him in the backside until he comes out of his hole and you can grab, spear or net him. Then I take a short nap on deck while Todd. Randy and Richard drop the girls at the beach and go back to reef for an hour. When Todd is back on board. NO lobsters but he had a good time trying.
We sail back to Allen’s Pensacola. In the deep cut we catch another yellowtail and a nice mutton snapper! Yeah! At Allen’s Pensacola There are different boats and very calm seas. It’s low tide so we creep in and we hit 5 ft then 4.9 ft and turn around and anchor in 6 ft of water. We must not draw the 5 feet Sunsail told us! I dive and set the anchor and Todd goes in dinghy to help Grant look for main anchor. No luck and Grant gets cold in the water so Todd comes back for me. I drive and he hangs over bow and we search.
Richard and Grant search in other dinghy. Water is very calm and clear like glass. Just as the sun sets R and G find anchor! Yes!. We put it aboard Dark Petryl and Grant comes for dinner. We have chicken baked and grilled. Fresh broccili and canned green beans. With white wine we toast to successful anchor fishing! Then the moon comes up and paints a golden path to Dark Petryl for Grant to follow home. What a great day today! We all head for a deep restful sleep.
Powell Cay to Allen's Pensacola
3/29/10 8:00 am
If you are interested in seeing some charts of the Abacos including the Whale Key Passage look at this website. http://yachtsmansguide.com/store/product_info.php?products_id=76
We make Pancakes for breakfast. Served with irish butter and raspberry jam or syrup. We used to always get butter from New Zealnd in the islands. Now it’s a choice of Land o Lakes or butter from Ireland. It’s very good butter and cheaper than the LoL. Wind still blowing. We hoist sail and head for Allen’s Pensacola. Still fighting with main sail. Decide to put a reef in the sail as thunderstorms are predicted for afternoon and the wind is picking up again. We dodge around Tranqility for a bit and the get our reef in and head north. We pick a beautiful line and sail through the Crab Cay passage without having to tack. Doing 7.5 knots at one point. This boat likes to sail.
We reach Allen’s Pensacola in good time. This is the only nearby anchorage and not a good one the way the wind is coming around. We creep in around the rocks and find a spot. We drop the hook and it drags. While getting it up we almost blow down on another boat. We get clear and try again. Another drag. Three is a charm and we get a good bite. Wind is blowing up harder and raining. I put up the dodger and sit on anchor watch while ham sandwiches are made. Nice to have dodger for some protection against the blowing wind and rain. Anchor holds through lunch, so I head below for a nap.
My father takes over anchor watch. My brother radios over that there a boat on lee shore aground. Some other people are going over to help. Todd and I get into our rain gear and run over in the dinghy to lead a hand getting Moxie back in deep water. We run anchors out and through a mighty effort of many we winch Moxies off the beach and back into deep water! Shew! Wind is still coming around and picking up. We decide to stay put and I am keeping an eye on the weather. We hear that Tranquility has made German chocolate cake so Todd and I dinghy over for some. We are offered back beans but return to find that out crew has not started dinner yet. Grrr! So Todd and I jump in and I bake the rest of the pork chops with onions and yellow squash and fry potatoes with onions. We have yummy chocolate cake for dessert.
After dinner I am beat. I go on deck and it looks like the weather is clearing so I ask crew to watch for dragging anchor and retire to my cabin. I doze off but am awakened by the wind picking up again. Wind is really howling and bouncing. I hear aboat horn and jump up. We are dragging down on another boat. Crew has engine started and we begin to haul anchor. We swing across anchor line of the boat Dark Petryl and our rudder get caught on his line. Our anchor is not up yet. My father revs the engine to get to anchor and our prop gets wrapped in the anchor line and kills engine. Our anchor comes up but we are tied to Dark Petryl. He lets go his line and we barely miss Tranquility as the wind blows us towards the shore. We pull our second anchor out of a lock and toss it over the side and it drags. Welet our first anchor back out and even with three anchors we drag slowly into shallow water until we stop close to the shore. We attempt to run one of our anchors out in the dinghy as a kedge anchor but the dinghy motor flies off into water. Todd get the motor back into the dinghy. The wind blows dinghy on shore.
Todd ties it off and swims back to boat. Richard comes in Tranquility’s dinghy with spare anchor and we set it up wind but we are too stuck on the outgoing tide to try and kedge off and the wind is howling. We then batten down the boat and go below to wait out storm and plan for morning. No one is hurt and the boat is in sand not coral. We catch our breath and try to sleep a bit. After a while our bimini blows out the stitching around the center pole. We tie back the rest, for the night. My father takes first watch and reports the boat position is steady. Luckily we went aground nearly at low tide. A few hours later at low tide we are not heeled much and our position is steady.
We all try and sleep a bit. At dawn the wind is still blowing hard. At dawn we are close to floating so we call Tranquility to send Richard in the dinghy with a long line. A man from Moxie floats down in dinghy. Todd gets into his wetsuit and goes under the boat. He reports that our rudder almost free of bottom. He cuts the fouled anchor line free from rudder and starts cutting the line off the prop. Richard arrives in dinghy and we set a long kedge anchor then release bow anchor. She begins to swing around. We begin to winch around and into deeper water. We are making headway. Todd goes back to freeing prop while we reset anchors. Soon prop is free!
We winch into deeper water and try motor. It starts. We try forward. Prop is spinning and feels good. Rudder feels good. We add power and winch towards deep water. Soon we are afloat again and we return the borrowed anchor and lines and head to deeper water and redeploy anchor. Richard brings us back out dinghy. We check it out. It looks okay so we remount engine and after a while get it started! It runs okay. The wind is still blowing but not as hard and the sun is coming out.. I sit on anchor watch while the crew makes breakfast. Tranquility comes back into the anchorage and she anchors. We all rest and eat eggs and potatoes. The wind is slowly decreasing so Dave sits anchor watch while the rest of us take a nap. When I wake up the wind has moved back around but is still blowing some.
The sun is out and the water looks beautiful. We decide to take a rest day and not sail up to Moraine. There is not a good anchorage there. We are better off here. We help Moxie get her borrowed anchor back to Dark Petry so he can return a borrowed anchor to the German on a catamaran. He is not very happy and leaves right a way. Then we a take dinghy and drag the dinghy anchor (it’s like a grappling hook) looking for Dark Petryl’s two lost anchors. One lost during rescue of Moxie. The second cut by our prop. We find the small anchor from Moxie but not his main anchor.
Finally the weather is calming and wind moving back south. Dave and Todd head with Tranquility’s crew for a walk across the island. I deploy more anchor chain as we are staying the night. Father and I stay with boat and enjoy some peace and quiet, and I make tomato., salami ,veggy sauce for pasta then have a nice nap. By dark wind has dropped to a light breeze and we watch a beautiful sunset. We have a nice dinner and then crash. I am greatly relieved that no one was hurt during the scramble in the night and that the boat is unharmed. Todd even sewed up the ripped bimini with fishing line. He is a surgeon’s assistant and used his sewing skills. The wind has shifted and dropped to a gentle breeze and finally I get a good night’s sleep!
If you are interested in seeing some charts of the Abacos including the Whale Key Passage look at this website. http://yachtsmansguide.com/store/product_info.php?products_id=76
We make Pancakes for breakfast. Served with irish butter and raspberry jam or syrup. We used to always get butter from New Zealnd in the islands. Now it’s a choice of Land o Lakes or butter from Ireland. It’s very good butter and cheaper than the LoL. Wind still blowing. We hoist sail and head for Allen’s Pensacola. Still fighting with main sail. Decide to put a reef in the sail as thunderstorms are predicted for afternoon and the wind is picking up again. We dodge around Tranqility for a bit and the get our reef in and head north. We pick a beautiful line and sail through the Crab Cay passage without having to tack. Doing 7.5 knots at one point. This boat likes to sail.
We reach Allen’s Pensacola in good time. This is the only nearby anchorage and not a good one the way the wind is coming around. We creep in around the rocks and find a spot. We drop the hook and it drags. While getting it up we almost blow down on another boat. We get clear and try again. Another drag. Three is a charm and we get a good bite. Wind is blowing up harder and raining. I put up the dodger and sit on anchor watch while ham sandwiches are made. Nice to have dodger for some protection against the blowing wind and rain. Anchor holds through lunch, so I head below for a nap.
My father takes over anchor watch. My brother radios over that there a boat on lee shore aground. Some other people are going over to help. Todd and I get into our rain gear and run over in the dinghy to lead a hand getting Moxie back in deep water. We run anchors out and through a mighty effort of many we winch Moxies off the beach and back into deep water! Shew! Wind is still coming around and picking up. We decide to stay put and I am keeping an eye on the weather. We hear that Tranquility has made German chocolate cake so Todd and I dinghy over for some. We are offered back beans but return to find that out crew has not started dinner yet. Grrr! So Todd and I jump in and I bake the rest of the pork chops with onions and yellow squash and fry potatoes with onions. We have yummy chocolate cake for dessert.
After dinner I am beat. I go on deck and it looks like the weather is clearing so I ask crew to watch for dragging anchor and retire to my cabin. I doze off but am awakened by the wind picking up again. Wind is really howling and bouncing. I hear aboat horn and jump up. We are dragging down on another boat. Crew has engine started and we begin to haul anchor. We swing across anchor line of the boat Dark Petryl and our rudder get caught on his line. Our anchor is not up yet. My father revs the engine to get to anchor and our prop gets wrapped in the anchor line and kills engine. Our anchor comes up but we are tied to Dark Petryl. He lets go his line and we barely miss Tranquility as the wind blows us towards the shore. We pull our second anchor out of a lock and toss it over the side and it drags. Welet our first anchor back out and even with three anchors we drag slowly into shallow water until we stop close to the shore. We attempt to run one of our anchors out in the dinghy as a kedge anchor but the dinghy motor flies off into water. Todd get the motor back into the dinghy. The wind blows dinghy on shore.
Todd ties it off and swims back to boat. Richard comes in Tranquility’s dinghy with spare anchor and we set it up wind but we are too stuck on the outgoing tide to try and kedge off and the wind is howling. We then batten down the boat and go below to wait out storm and plan for morning. No one is hurt and the boat is in sand not coral. We catch our breath and try to sleep a bit. After a while our bimini blows out the stitching around the center pole. We tie back the rest, for the night. My father takes first watch and reports the boat position is steady. Luckily we went aground nearly at low tide. A few hours later at low tide we are not heeled much and our position is steady.
We all try and sleep a bit. At dawn the wind is still blowing hard. At dawn we are close to floating so we call Tranquility to send Richard in the dinghy with a long line. A man from Moxie floats down in dinghy. Todd gets into his wetsuit and goes under the boat. He reports that our rudder almost free of bottom. He cuts the fouled anchor line free from rudder and starts cutting the line off the prop. Richard arrives in dinghy and we set a long kedge anchor then release bow anchor. She begins to swing around. We begin to winch around and into deeper water. We are making headway. Todd goes back to freeing prop while we reset anchors. Soon prop is free!
We winch into deeper water and try motor. It starts. We try forward. Prop is spinning and feels good. Rudder feels good. We add power and winch towards deep water. Soon we are afloat again and we return the borrowed anchor and lines and head to deeper water and redeploy anchor. Richard brings us back out dinghy. We check it out. It looks okay so we remount engine and after a while get it started! It runs okay. The wind is still blowing but not as hard and the sun is coming out.. I sit on anchor watch while the crew makes breakfast. Tranquility comes back into the anchorage and she anchors. We all rest and eat eggs and potatoes. The wind is slowly decreasing so Dave sits anchor watch while the rest of us take a nap. When I wake up the wind has moved back around but is still blowing some.
The sun is out and the water looks beautiful. We decide to take a rest day and not sail up to Moraine. There is not a good anchorage there. We are better off here. We help Moxie get her borrowed anchor back to Dark Petry so he can return a borrowed anchor to the German on a catamaran. He is not very happy and leaves right a way. Then we a take dinghy and drag the dinghy anchor (it’s like a grappling hook) looking for Dark Petryl’s two lost anchors. One lost during rescue of Moxie. The second cut by our prop. We find the small anchor from Moxie but not his main anchor.
Finally the weather is calming and wind moving back south. Dave and Todd head with Tranquility’s crew for a walk across the island. I deploy more anchor chain as we are staying the night. Father and I stay with boat and enjoy some peace and quiet, and I make tomato., salami ,veggy sauce for pasta then have a nice nap. By dark wind has dropped to a light breeze and we watch a beautiful sunset. We have a nice dinner and then crash. I am greatly relieved that no one was hurt during the scramble in the night and that the boat is unharmed. Todd even sewed up the ripped bimini with fishing line. He is a surgeon’s assistant and used his sewing skills. The wind has shifted and dropped to a gentle breeze and finally I get a good night’s sleep!
Monday, April 5, 2010
Manjack Cay to Powell Cay
3/28/10 7:00 am
We are up early to catch the high tide. Cereal, fruit , yogurt and tea or coffee for breakfast. Then we dinghy out through a shallow passage out to the ocean side to the reef. It’s very shallow in the passage but we have enough water. It’s all four from our boat and Randy and Richard from the other boat. They have a more powerful motor and a slightly bigger dinghy. It’s pretty wavy were the passage meets the ocean and my father is doubtful about the reef. I get Richard and Randy to come back to us. They say the waves smooth out just ahead.
I transfer to their boat to even out the weight and we head out. It does smooth out so we find a nice coral head and anchor our boats and go snorkeling. Richard and Randy have their spears and are going hunting. We all have wet suits including me in an old farmer john style wet suit my father used for windsurfing. I am glad to have it as the water is chilly. Then I realize I forgot my camera. Damn! I have the waterproof camera I bought last year and this is the perfect place to learn to shoot underwater. Next reef for sure.
I am floating along on top of the reef in about two feet of water, and I look to my right and there I see lobster right on top of the reef waving his spiky antennas at me. Now I really wish I had my camera. It’s rare to see them out in the open like this. It’s pretty small and I don’t have gloves on but I try to grab it.. No luck but I probably would have gotten spiked anyway. Todd is nearby so I call him over and show him the hole. He gets down for a peek. I swim on and am fascinated by a blue fish with glowing spots on his head. I have been here in 25 years and it’s sad to see that the staghorn coral is much diminished in 25 years. Soon I see that my father and Dave are cold and tired and back in the dinghy. I join them and we head back. I have a short swim and a salt water bath. Then a cup of hot chocolate. My father makes his famous Virginia Ham sandwiches and Todd make ramen noodle instant soup. My father loves these heavily salted and smoked Virginia hams so we ordered a boneless precooked one. Luckily they never check us at customs. I don’t recall them ever really checking but it’s been 25 years since I have visited. The sandwiches taste great!
After lunch we hoist sail and head north to Powell’s Cay.
When we get to the anchorage at Powell Cay we set a temporary anchor. Then we dinghy in to shore. Tranquilty did the same and her crew met us on the beach. We walked the beach and found hard hats washed up and wore them for fun. Then we hiked up to bluff. IT was a nice view, then back to the beach. We saw a large sting ray swimming in the shallows. Too bad I don[t have my camera again. Go to remember it. Then we hiked a different trail across to the ocean side. It was a longer trail and people have hung lots of flotsam from trees and bushes as decoration. They have also clipped a lot of the palmetto leaves into cool patterns! Very interesting. I wonder who did it! It’s a longer trail and goes all the way to the Atlantic side. There is big surf coming in and it’s very beautiful. Todd goes for an ocean dip. I soon follow. It’s a nice swim once you get out past the breakers. Not too much rip either.
Estill, Randy, Martha and Michele come over and walk beach. After w while we all walk back. Michele lost sunglasses. Martha, Richard and Michele retrace her steps to look. The rest of the crew pile into our dinghy back to the yachts. We have so many people that there is very little freeboard. It’s wavey and slow going. We eventually make it back to the yachts. We move the big boats more into shelter and closer to shore as wind is blowing pretty hard from the South East. Not much shelter here. Then we start on dinner. Getting the charcoal to light in wind is an exercise in futility. Todd goes begging next door. Tranquility has lighter fluid. Yes!!! Soon grill is alight. Chicken in olive oil and spices. Squash and onions and yellow rice on the stove. Very yummy dinner. Then we break into our cookies for dessert. We chat and eat fig newtons and pecan sandies until we are tired then into the rack for the night. Captain has a Restless night as the wind is blowing and bouncing us around a bit. Anchor holds thru the night. It’s pretty calm by morning.
As always pictures can be seen at http://picasaweb.google.com/allenloyd/AbacosSailingTrip32610?pli=1
We are up early to catch the high tide. Cereal, fruit , yogurt and tea or coffee for breakfast. Then we dinghy out through a shallow passage out to the ocean side to the reef. It’s very shallow in the passage but we have enough water. It’s all four from our boat and Randy and Richard from the other boat. They have a more powerful motor and a slightly bigger dinghy. It’s pretty wavy were the passage meets the ocean and my father is doubtful about the reef. I get Richard and Randy to come back to us. They say the waves smooth out just ahead.
I transfer to their boat to even out the weight and we head out. It does smooth out so we find a nice coral head and anchor our boats and go snorkeling. Richard and Randy have their spears and are going hunting. We all have wet suits including me in an old farmer john style wet suit my father used for windsurfing. I am glad to have it as the water is chilly. Then I realize I forgot my camera. Damn! I have the waterproof camera I bought last year and this is the perfect place to learn to shoot underwater. Next reef for sure.
I am floating along on top of the reef in about two feet of water, and I look to my right and there I see lobster right on top of the reef waving his spiky antennas at me. Now I really wish I had my camera. It’s rare to see them out in the open like this. It’s pretty small and I don’t have gloves on but I try to grab it.. No luck but I probably would have gotten spiked anyway. Todd is nearby so I call him over and show him the hole. He gets down for a peek. I swim on and am fascinated by a blue fish with glowing spots on his head. I have been here in 25 years and it’s sad to see that the staghorn coral is much diminished in 25 years. Soon I see that my father and Dave are cold and tired and back in the dinghy. I join them and we head back. I have a short swim and a salt water bath. Then a cup of hot chocolate. My father makes his famous Virginia Ham sandwiches and Todd make ramen noodle instant soup. My father loves these heavily salted and smoked Virginia hams so we ordered a boneless precooked one. Luckily they never check us at customs. I don’t recall them ever really checking but it’s been 25 years since I have visited. The sandwiches taste great!
After lunch we hoist sail and head north to Powell’s Cay.
When we get to the anchorage at Powell Cay we set a temporary anchor. Then we dinghy in to shore. Tranquilty did the same and her crew met us on the beach. We walked the beach and found hard hats washed up and wore them for fun. Then we hiked up to bluff. IT was a nice view, then back to the beach. We saw a large sting ray swimming in the shallows. Too bad I don[t have my camera again. Go to remember it. Then we hiked a different trail across to the ocean side. It was a longer trail and people have hung lots of flotsam from trees and bushes as decoration. They have also clipped a lot of the palmetto leaves into cool patterns! Very interesting. I wonder who did it! It’s a longer trail and goes all the way to the Atlantic side. There is big surf coming in and it’s very beautiful. Todd goes for an ocean dip. I soon follow. It’s a nice swim once you get out past the breakers. Not too much rip either.
Estill, Randy, Martha and Michele come over and walk beach. After w while we all walk back. Michele lost sunglasses. Martha, Richard and Michele retrace her steps to look. The rest of the crew pile into our dinghy back to the yachts. We have so many people that there is very little freeboard. It’s wavey and slow going. We eventually make it back to the yachts. We move the big boats more into shelter and closer to shore as wind is blowing pretty hard from the South East. Not much shelter here. Then we start on dinner. Getting the charcoal to light in wind is an exercise in futility. Todd goes begging next door. Tranquility has lighter fluid. Yes!!! Soon grill is alight. Chicken in olive oil and spices. Squash and onions and yellow rice on the stove. Very yummy dinner. Then we break into our cookies for dessert. We chat and eat fig newtons and pecan sandies until we are tired then into the rack for the night. Captain has a Restless night as the wind is blowing and bouncing us around a bit. Anchor holds thru the night. It’s pretty calm by morning.
As always pictures can be seen at http://picasaweb.google.com/allenloyd/AbacosSailingTrip32610?pli=1
Marsh Harbour to Manjack Cay
3/27/10 7:30 am
We are up and having tea, cereal, fruit and yogurt. We continue check out the boat. Head (toilet) Check! Kitchen stove, Sailing systems (Simon says the mainsail is tough to raise), dingy (small motor boat) check! We request a few more of this and that and finally we are given out full boat check out. I have had to sign a couple of waivers because we going outside the normal chartering area. Finally all the paperwork is done! The weather is beautiful and with a nice sailing easterly breeze blowing 12 to 15 knots.
We cast off and motor slowly out of harbor and spend a little time fiddling with out main sail. It does really fit the rig. The sail doesn’t quite go to the top of the mast and is baggy at the base. Not ideal but we are sailing. We get the jib (foresail) up and off we go. Our goal is to get through the dreaded Whale Key Passage while the weather is good. My father and I have sailing experience but Todd and Dave don’t have much. So we are figuring out the boat and teaching at the same time.
My father and I don’t have much experience with a GPS chart plotter and we are having trouble selecting waypoints. There is a series of waypoints used to navigate safely through the rocks and shoals of the Whale Key Passage. You have to sail almost a Z pattern to get through. We finally get the waypoints figured out on the GPS and call into base that we are going through and head into the passage. The wind is blowing from a good direction and We tack our way through the rocks. It’s a beautiful sail and we have no trouble.
We radio that we are through and head North between Green Turtle and Great Abaco island. We cut a bit close to Green Turtle Island and have to change course a bit when the water gets shallow but soon we are heading toward Manjack. Where we will anchor for the night. We are headed into the anchorage when Dave’s fishing line starts to squeal. Dave grabs it and there is a fish. He hands off to Todd who reels in a nice mackerel. Then we hurry to get the sails down and drop our anchor.
I put on my snorkeling gear and dive the anchor. We only have one boat length of anchor chain out but the anchor is dug into the sand. Todd let’s out more scope (anchor chain) when I feel we are safely anchored, I swim to other boat. I check their anchor and climb on board for a cold beer. While I am on Tranquility my father and Dave clean the mackerel. While Dave is cleaning the fish he falls on the knife and cuts his arm badly. He is 80 years old and not very stable. We are really lucky that is was not too serious. They get the bleeding stopped and my father tells me about it when I swim back. I make sure the wound is clean and but antibiotic ointment on it and rebandage it. He cut 3 inch slice along the top of his forearm. Not very deep and no veins or arteries luckily. We will have to keep a close eye on Dave and the wound.
We all lie down for a napand then I start dinner. We have an oven so I bake the mackerel, and pork chops, I make yellow rice and squash and onions to go with it. Dave is drinking Crystal Light lemonade and vodka and the rest of us beer. After dinner we get a call on the radio from Tranquility that they have made brownies. So we climb in the dinghy and motor over for Brownies on other boat. After dessert and conversation we head back to Land Escaper and soon cash. Other than Dave’s laceration it’s been a good day. Great sailing and Todd is learning quickly. In spite of the baggy mainsail Land Escaper sails well. There is a fair breeze blowing and I sleep restlessly through the night. I am up a few times to check our anchor due to wind and shifting boat. We stay firmly anchored through the night.
We are up and having tea, cereal, fruit and yogurt. We continue check out the boat. Head (toilet) Check! Kitchen stove, Sailing systems (Simon says the mainsail is tough to raise), dingy (small motor boat) check! We request a few more of this and that and finally we are given out full boat check out. I have had to sign a couple of waivers because we going outside the normal chartering area. Finally all the paperwork is done! The weather is beautiful and with a nice sailing easterly breeze blowing 12 to 15 knots.
We cast off and motor slowly out of harbor and spend a little time fiddling with out main sail. It does really fit the rig. The sail doesn’t quite go to the top of the mast and is baggy at the base. Not ideal but we are sailing. We get the jib (foresail) up and off we go. Our goal is to get through the dreaded Whale Key Passage while the weather is good. My father and I have sailing experience but Todd and Dave don’t have much. So we are figuring out the boat and teaching at the same time.
My father and I don’t have much experience with a GPS chart plotter and we are having trouble selecting waypoints. There is a series of waypoints used to navigate safely through the rocks and shoals of the Whale Key Passage. You have to sail almost a Z pattern to get through. We finally get the waypoints figured out on the GPS and call into base that we are going through and head into the passage. The wind is blowing from a good direction and We tack our way through the rocks. It’s a beautiful sail and we have no trouble.
We radio that we are through and head North between Green Turtle and Great Abaco island. We cut a bit close to Green Turtle Island and have to change course a bit when the water gets shallow but soon we are heading toward Manjack. Where we will anchor for the night. We are headed into the anchorage when Dave’s fishing line starts to squeal. Dave grabs it and there is a fish. He hands off to Todd who reels in a nice mackerel. Then we hurry to get the sails down and drop our anchor.
I put on my snorkeling gear and dive the anchor. We only have one boat length of anchor chain out but the anchor is dug into the sand. Todd let’s out more scope (anchor chain) when I feel we are safely anchored, I swim to other boat. I check their anchor and climb on board for a cold beer. While I am on Tranquility my father and Dave clean the mackerel. While Dave is cleaning the fish he falls on the knife and cuts his arm badly. He is 80 years old and not very stable. We are really lucky that is was not too serious. They get the bleeding stopped and my father tells me about it when I swim back. I make sure the wound is clean and but antibiotic ointment on it and rebandage it. He cut 3 inch slice along the top of his forearm. Not very deep and no veins or arteries luckily. We will have to keep a close eye on Dave and the wound.
We all lie down for a napand then I start dinner. We have an oven so I bake the mackerel, and pork chops, I make yellow rice and squash and onions to go with it. Dave is drinking Crystal Light lemonade and vodka and the rest of us beer. After dinner we get a call on the radio from Tranquility that they have made brownies. So we climb in the dinghy and motor over for Brownies on other boat. After dessert and conversation we head back to Land Escaper and soon cash. Other than Dave’s laceration it’s been a good day. Great sailing and Todd is learning quickly. In spite of the baggy mainsail Land Escaper sails well. There is a fair breeze blowing and I sleep restlessly through the night. I am up a few times to check our anchor due to wind and shifting boat. We stay firmly anchored through the night.
St. Petersburg, FL to Marsh Harbour, Abacos Islands
ABACOS SALING TRIP
3/26/10 5:00 am
My alarm goes off and I crawl out bed. It’s adventure time again! My family and some friends are headed to the Bahamas for a week of sailing, snorkeling and good times. Breakfast, close up the house and my stepmother’s car is out front for a ride to the airport. Pippa (my stepmother) doesn’t like boats so she is staying home. My father and I get through security and onto a Southwest flight to West Palm Beach.
We have a long layover so we ask a security guard for a good place to eat. We take his advice and hang around and stroll through the shops and then lunch at and Irish place then check - in with BahamasAir and discover that we are outside the guard directed us outside the secure zone! GRRR! So we go through security again. We make it through intact and rush down to our gate and end up waiting and waiting. Finally 1.5 hours late we walk out the plane jump on and are in the air.
A hour later we touch down in Marsh Harbour on Great Abaco Island. Todd Lipphardt is waiting for us. We grab a taxi to the Conch Inn and Marina. We check-in to Sunsail and are told there will be a captains briefing upstairs in 5 minutes. I thought we would have to wait until tomorrow morning. It will be good to get it done. We turn around and there are Michele and Katherine sitting on the sofa. They are the wife and son of my sister-in law’s brother Richard. We say hello and determine that Richard is food shopping and go upstairs for the captain’s briefing. About 10 minutes into the briefing Randy and company show up. The briefing covers all the anchorages and danger areas, radio frequencies, rules etc. After it’s over we say hello to Richard and my brother and family then Todd, Pop and I walk up to the Price Right and buy a weeks worth of food. My father and I checkout and Todd heads for the liquor store which will be closing soon. $200 later we grab another taxi, load the groceries, stop for Todd and some beer and wine then back to the Marina.
The sky id looking ominous as we haul our gear and food out to our home for the next 8 days. Her name is Land Escaper and she is a Jeanneau 36. The Sunsail crew are just finishing cleaning her and some rain drops are falling so we hustle our gear and supplies on board. We stow all the food and gear and I start my checklists and paperwork. We request a few more blankets and other items and start checking out the systems on the boat. Soon Todd’s father Dave shows up and we get him on board and finally Simon from Sunsail comes onboard and we get a preliminary checkout. My brother and his family and Richard’s family are all checked out on Tranquility a Jeaunneau 40.3 and then a bunch of us walk to Jamie’s Restaurant for dinner. It’s late and they are very crowed, but we get seated to find they are out of almost everything. My father and I split a Broiled Snapper and a salad. They are delicious.
Some of us get a mocha ice cream cone for the walk back. Back on Land Escaper we finish settling in brush teeth and crash to the sound of the local reggae band from the club across the way. This is my first time captaining a sailboat and I am a bit anxious but we are off to a good start. Pictures will be posted on my pictures site at http://picasaweb.google.com/allenloyd/AbacosSailingTrip32610#
Enjoy,
Allen
3/26/10 5:00 am
My alarm goes off and I crawl out bed. It’s adventure time again! My family and some friends are headed to the Bahamas for a week of sailing, snorkeling and good times. Breakfast, close up the house and my stepmother’s car is out front for a ride to the airport. Pippa (my stepmother) doesn’t like boats so she is staying home. My father and I get through security and onto a Southwest flight to West Palm Beach.
We have a long layover so we ask a security guard for a good place to eat. We take his advice and hang around and stroll through the shops and then lunch at and Irish place then check - in with BahamasAir and discover that we are outside the guard directed us outside the secure zone! GRRR! So we go through security again. We make it through intact and rush down to our gate and end up waiting and waiting. Finally 1.5 hours late we walk out the plane jump on and are in the air.
A hour later we touch down in Marsh Harbour on Great Abaco Island. Todd Lipphardt is waiting for us. We grab a taxi to the Conch Inn and Marina. We check-in to Sunsail and are told there will be a captains briefing upstairs in 5 minutes. I thought we would have to wait until tomorrow morning. It will be good to get it done. We turn around and there are Michele and Katherine sitting on the sofa. They are the wife and son of my sister-in law’s brother Richard. We say hello and determine that Richard is food shopping and go upstairs for the captain’s briefing. About 10 minutes into the briefing Randy and company show up. The briefing covers all the anchorages and danger areas, radio frequencies, rules etc. After it’s over we say hello to Richard and my brother and family then Todd, Pop and I walk up to the Price Right and buy a weeks worth of food. My father and I checkout and Todd heads for the liquor store which will be closing soon. $200 later we grab another taxi, load the groceries, stop for Todd and some beer and wine then back to the Marina.
The sky id looking ominous as we haul our gear and food out to our home for the next 8 days. Her name is Land Escaper and she is a Jeanneau 36. The Sunsail crew are just finishing cleaning her and some rain drops are falling so we hustle our gear and supplies on board. We stow all the food and gear and I start my checklists and paperwork. We request a few more blankets and other items and start checking out the systems on the boat. Soon Todd’s father Dave shows up and we get him on board and finally Simon from Sunsail comes onboard and we get a preliminary checkout. My brother and his family and Richard’s family are all checked out on Tranquility a Jeaunneau 40.3 and then a bunch of us walk to Jamie’s Restaurant for dinner. It’s late and they are very crowed, but we get seated to find they are out of almost everything. My father and I split a Broiled Snapper and a salad. They are delicious.
Some of us get a mocha ice cream cone for the walk back. Back on Land Escaper we finish settling in brush teeth and crash to the sound of the local reggae band from the club across the way. This is my first time captaining a sailboat and I am a bit anxious but we are off to a good start. Pictures will be posted on my pictures site at http://picasaweb.google.com/allenloyd/AbacosSailingTrip32610#
Enjoy,
Allen
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