Off to Cat Cay and Nassau

Ahoy Shipmates!

On Wednesday, our plans to leave Marathon and head for Cat Cay in the Bahamas after crossing the Gulf Stream in the Straits of Florida looked promising. The Buoy reports and other sites suggested that on Wednesday into Thursday moderating winds and seas should make for a memorable passage.

We had a lively sail throught the Hawk Channel paralleling the Florida Keys, wind was a brisk 15 to 20 knots with 3 to 4 foot seas in this protected area. The promise of moderating wind and waves never occurred. Weather reports I guess can be like the main street media….FAKE NEWS!

We exited the Hawk Channel at Angelfish Cut, southeast of Miami at 2200 (10:00pm) and spent the next two hours successfully dodging huge squalls while rockin’ and rollin’ in a building sea that was supposed to moderate. While alternating watches Robin danced with the 8 or so cargo and cruise ships in the Gulf Stream. With the wind on the nose we were forced to motor sail and tack with frustrating regularity. In doing so we weren’t able to take advantage of the 2 to 3 knot current to help us along.

24 hours and 123 nautical miles into a supposed 20 hour trip we arrived at the Cat Cay Yacht Club on Thursday and were delighted to have calm once again. We tied up in a slip close to the amenities and it was off to Customs and Immigation on site to get legal and get our Cruising Permit for the Bahamas.

The check in procedures were convenient and the Customs and Immigration Officials were kind, efficient and courteous which is one of the reasons we check in at this location. Now it’s back to the boat to hoist the Bahamas Courtesy Flag and grant permission to the Admiral to step ashore.

Dinner at the Nauticat is something quite special due to the fact we were the only couple there to enjoy such personal service and delicious fare.

With the weather forecast showing improvement, we cast off after a 24 hour hiatus and were back at sea on Friday morning. Crossing the Great Bahama Bank is one of the great pleasures of sailing. We will travel over 60 miles in 7 to 13 feet of crystalline clear water with shades of blue, turquoise and teal that defy description.

The wind was still strong at 15 knots plus with 3 foot seas making the usual sailing nirvanah a bit of challenge. The wind demanded that we motor sail again with reefed main so we were using a bit more fuel than planned…time to dip into the jerry cans and add some fuel to the tank for the longer than planned trip as we were already 3 hours behind our original estimate.

The Northwest Channel Passage from the Bahama Bank to the Tongue of the Ocean to Nassau is usually a slog. With a strong Southeast wind and a very strong current as you leave the shallow bank and enter the 7800 foot deep water you can expect some turmoil….the sea was high and confused and we were pounding against it a bit more than one would call comfortable. This becomes evident when you see water coming over the bow. This is not a trip recommend for most people without a Dramamine drip!

 

This leg of the trip was 126 nautical miles over 26 hours. Needless to say we were delighted to be back at Nassau Yacht Harbor right in the middle of the Marina District and close to shopping and services. We tied up, rinsed off an ample coating of salt from the deck from all of the spray and tidied up the cabin before a shower, two hour nap and a great dinner at the Poop Deck…always fun with good Bahamian food right at the Marina.

Morning had us walking the three blocks to Starbucks for a coffee and some internet tasks and then on to the Fresh Market next door. Nothing better than a well stocked grocery with a great bakery to replenish our stores.

Then, a short walk to the Potters Cay Market, a great local spot for some fresh Conch Salad. The location is a bit rough, but the conch ceviche is superb. Here you see Robin and I consulting with Conchmaster Craig of Skinnys Place.

 

 

Back to the Marina for some boat chores and blogging while Robin gets household chores totally under control. Not only is Robin a good navigator, pilot, planner, cook and First Mate, but she is lovely to be with. To quote Eric Hiscock, famous author and sailor, “the only way to get a good crew is to marry one.”

As always, wish us fair winds. So far have 469 nautical miles (540 statute miles) under our keel and it’s off to the Exumas tomorrow after a two day stay in Nassau. It should be a pleasant 45 mile sail with 10 to 15 knots of wind and 2 foot seas….if that news isn’t fake too!

Captain Bobby and the Commish