On To Nassau !!

 

     We left the Berry Islands just as a cold front was approaching.  It was leave now or wait another three days.  The weather wasn't really that bad, but the 30 NM trip to Nassau was a "slog" through 5-7 foot waves.  Mavourneen handled the trip beautifully, it just wasn't much fun for the occupants.  Approaching Nassau, the first thing one seas is Atlantis. 

      We were only planning to stay a few days in Nassau but my anchor windless motor decided to "ark and spark".  Fortunately, it worked fine in the Berry Islands but it needed to get fixed before heading to the Exumas.  Sooooooooo, I had to send it off to Florida for repairs and wait another four days to get it back and installed.  It's called boating !!!

 

(Sorry Pics not in order)

 

 

Entering Nassau Harbor passing the cruise ship terminal

 

The Nassau Harbour Club Marina.  Nice place, they are refurbishing the Hotel, the pool is great, and the staff is most helpful.  Several crewed yachts call this marina home and book charters from here ( most average over $100,000 per week PLUS expenses like fuel, food, etc if you want to go somewhere) 

 

Great pic of Atlantis entering Nassau !!

 

Nassau is a very conjested place.

Exploring Deserted Beaches

 

Beaching the "dink" on Cabbage Cay

 

Mavourneen at Anchor

 

Bettilynn looking for whatever !!

 

 

 

Berry Islands -- Anchored Out

 

After a few days at anchor off Bullock Harbor, we headed South in the Berry Islands.  Our original destination was the cut between Devil's Cay and Hoffman's Cay and an intent to hike up to a "blue hole".  After entering the cut, we discovered several other boats had the same idea and there was just no room for another boat to anchor.  So, we headed further South for about 2 miles and entered the cut at Little Harbor Cay and found a great anchorage between Lizard and Cabbage Cay.

 

 

 

Anchored just off Cabbage Cay

 

Little Harbor Cay Anchorage

 

Flo's Conch Bar

Update !!

 

 

New Friends !!  106Ft M/Y "Gallilee"

 

 

     Just before leaving Sunrise Resort, this M/Y came in.  We made friends with the crew, got some great cruising advice and we all enjoyed the Bahamian "Junkanew" festival in Freeport on Jan 2.  We left for the Berry islands on Jan 3, spend around five nights at anchor.  Three at Great Harbour and two night at a remote anchorage near Flo's Conch bar off Lizard Cay.  (I am having some trouble installing pictures on the blog but am working to correct the problem.)



As the weather began to deteriorate (winds and waves) we decided to slog it out and proceeded SE to Nassau in 5-7 foot waves.  Fortunately, we only had about 30 miles to get through it all and, once again, the boat performed great -- the ride was just no fun at all.  But, we arrived in Nassau, made arrangements to stay at the Nassau Harbour Club Marina and settled in for what we thought was going to be just a short stay.  Unfortunately, our anchor windless decided to do a bit of "ark and spark" so we are here for a short time longer as I had to ship the motor back to Florida for repairs.  We expect the moter back tis week and our plans are to spend a couple of days at the Atlantis Marina before heading South to the Exumas around 20 January.

 

 

Grand Bahama -- Sunrise Resort and Marina

 

Tracking 104 degrees true on a heading of 130 degrees true through a northerly gulf stream current of 2.5 knorts, a mild 10 knots wind from the SE, two to three foots swells with a > 10 second period, "Otto" (autopilot) at the helm keeping us on a steady course for 70 nautical miles at 8.5 SOG (knots speed over ground).  WOW, what a seven hour ride!!  In fact we arrived early off the coast of Grand Bahama and had to slow down a bit to arrive at the inlet to Sunrise Resort and Marina at high tide.  The red and green buoys were actually stakes in the sand.  The inlet was very narrow.  I had Bettilynn on the bow looking and pointing at dark patches under the water meaning rocks and coral heads -- hitting bottom here would not be the same at pushing through soft mud or sand !!   Great experience for narrow approaches to come.  But, we came in with no less than 5 feet under the keel and entered the marina with 10 foot depths.  The dockmaster met us at out assigned spot and had already called customs and immigration.  They have done this before.

 

The Bahamian authorities came to the boat, we filled out all of the required paperwork, paid our $300 cruising fee, and settled in for the night.  The cold front came through the next day with all of the winds and rough weather that would have made the entry nearly impossible if not plain dangerous!!  Great timing!

 

 

 

A view South toward the inlet entrance.  Mavourneen is moored port side to on a floating dock.

Another view of Mavourneen with the resort in the background

The water is so clear in the marina, the entire hull, rudders and props are visible,  Big difference from being moored in the Chesapeake Bay.

Some resort amenities.

We chose this marina fron reviews posted on the Active Captain website.  That site along with Passage maker website for weather information is invaluable for cruising.  They offer transient fee discount for retired military, Boat US, or Active Captain members.  We plan to stay a week, catching the next weather window to head South to the Berry Islands.  In the meantine, we'll drop the dingy, find some place to do a bit of snorkling, visit the international marketplace in Lucaya and enjoy the warm Bahamian weather.

Christmas Crossing To Grand Bahama Island

 

Arriving in Palm beach, we cleaned the boat, fiiled the tanks with expensive Florida marine diesel, called everyone with Christmas wishes and turned in early.  Cruising is all about catching "weather windows" so Christmas Day, we departed the USA for Grand Bahama Island knowing a Cold Front was following the next day.  The forcast winds and wave height would have made the crossing very uncomfortable,

 

 

 

Lake Worth inlet -- heading east against inbound traffic.

 

Loofing back throught the inlet -- last chance to turn around -- Nope!!

This is what the North Atlantic looks like with a good "weather window".  Perfect !!

Florida and the high rise apartments getting smaller as we head east !!

Patrick AFB To Palm Beach

 

We left Patrick AFB on 23 December in great weather and headed South.  Leaving the Bananna River we "scraped bottom" but, thankfully, no damage except to my nerves.  Back on the ICW for an uneventful trip to Jensen Beach and a great overnight anchorage.  On Christmas Eve day, we got underway early, went to the "outside" and cruised to Palm Beach through the Lake Worth inlet.  No more ICW !!

 

 

 

Sunset view of the Jensen Beach bridge from our anchor spot

 

Domino the Cat seldom emerges from his numerous "hiding" places when the engines are running but cnnot resist a comfortable perch by the firepit.