Finally….crossing the Bluewaters to Bahamas’ on Tuesday, January 22 at 00:22 hour.
It’s hard to believe, after twenty-five years of talking about it, we are finally here. The crossing of the Gulf Stream couldn’t have been planned any better. We timed it so our exit of Lake Worth Inlet, FL was at slack water (high tide). This will assist our boats to get good current out into the Gulf Stream and gain speed. Twelve hours later we entered West End, Bahamas’ – Old Bahama Bay Marina for clearance.
The weather window allowed for two days of good weather with a front coming in on Thursday. We had great seas for the first half of the crossing. With a stern sea for the last half, Ted relieving the auto-helm by taking things in hand. Five boats crossed together, Callisto (Bob and Bobby from Baltimore, Maryland); Syzygy (Bob and Lynda from Troy, NY); Seabird (Bruce and Nancy from Maine); Pilgrim from Toronto and of course Xcelsior. Within the first four hours, we had a visitor on Xcelsior; the flying fish was a blue and black back, silver sides and belly. The nets worked perfect, but we released him as one isn’t enough to feed us both.
Pilgrim is the only boat that continued to Memory Rock, while the rest of us cleared into Customs and Immigration at West End. Bahamas’ cruising/fishing liscence for 35 ft. and under is $150 US, while 36 plus is $300 US. Marina fees were a minimum of 40 feet at $60 and water $10 (whether you took it or not). I was worried all night as to whether Topaz would be allowed in, we had the permit but her Health Certificate was one year old. I worried for nothing.
Heading out the next morning, to our first anchorage at Mangrove Cay (pronounced Key), where we toasted Wendy and Bill in NS, with the port they gave us back in May. This was shared with Callisto crew and Syzygy crew. The wee hours, of Thursday morning, we weighed (raised) anchor, to move onto Great Sale Cay, as a storm was approaching but noon. Like clock work, the squall hit us by noon, with one hour away from anchorage. Thirty-three knot winds and twelve feet of water creating three to six foot swells. Topaz was like a trooper, scared and hiding her head into the blanket under the dodger, she remained still and out of the way. The bimini was taking a beating, as mother- nature was trying to take her down by undoing the zippers. We ended up tying it down so it wouldn’t blow into the wind generator.
It’s mind bogging to look down into clear water and see bottom. Twelve feet of water has been the average dept to date, which is clearer than seven feet. So far Ted has caught two fish, both a Sand Diver, which is related to the Lizard Fish. According to our fish books they have no food value. So it was their lucky day to be released to catch more shrimp and small fish. To satisfy our fish desire, we had Tuna Salad Sandwich for lunch.
After four days since arriving in the Bahamas’, we arrive at a small Island called Green Turtle Cay. This island has protection from most wind directions. It is a small community but very quaint. Automobiles consist of golf carts and/or small cars and trucks. It reminds me of England or Marblehead area, with narrow streets for only one vehicle. In most cases the streets are one way. It’s Saturday and most stores close by six and nothing open on Sunday. I have placed our name on the list for Coconut Bread for Monday morning. Coconut pie was the treat for the day. Conch was tried in two forms, fritters (deep fried) and salad and enjoyed extremely. The homes are small built of concrete or Spanish stucco with bright colours of green, yellow and blue. Each household seemed to have one if not more roosters, in which, we woke to the sound of “Cockle doddle do” this a.m. A lovely sound if I might add.
It’s hard to believe, after twenty-five years of talking about it, we are finally here. The crossing of the Gulf Stream couldn’t have been planned any better. We timed it so our exit of Lake Worth Inlet, FL was at slack water (high tide). This will assist our boats to get good current out into the Gulf Stream and gain speed. Twelve hours later we entered West End, Bahamas’ – Old Bahama Bay Marina for clearance.
The weather window allowed for two days of good weather with a front coming in on Thursday. We had great seas for the first half of the crossing. With a stern sea for the last half, Ted relieving the auto-helm by taking things in hand. Five boats crossed together, Callisto (Bob and Bobby from Baltimore, Maryland); Syzygy (Bob and Lynda from Troy, NY); Seabird (Bruce and Nancy from Maine); Pilgrim from Toronto and of course Xcelsior. Within the first four hours, we had a visitor on Xcelsior; the flying fish was a blue and black back, silver sides and belly. The nets worked perfect, but we released him as one isn’t enough to feed us both.
Pilgrim is the only boat that continued to Memory Rock, while the rest of us cleared into Customs and Immigration at West End. Bahamas’ cruising/fishing liscence for 35 ft. and under is $150 US, while 36 plus is $300 US. Marina fees were a minimum of 40 feet at $60 and water $10 (whether you took it or not). I was worried all night as to whether Topaz would be allowed in, we had the permit but her Health Certificate was one year old. I worried for nothing.
Heading out the next morning, to our first anchorage at Mangrove Cay (pronounced Key), where we toasted Wendy and Bill in NS, with the port they gave us back in May. This was shared with Callisto crew and Syzygy crew. The wee hours, of Thursday morning, we weighed (raised) anchor, to move onto Great Sale Cay, as a storm was approaching but noon. Like clock work, the squall hit us by noon, with one hour away from anchorage. Thirty-three knot winds and twelve feet of water creating three to six foot swells. Topaz was like a trooper, scared and hiding her head into the blanket under the dodger, she remained still and out of the way. The bimini was taking a beating, as mother- nature was trying to take her down by undoing the zippers. We ended up tying it down so it wouldn’t blow into the wind generator.
It’s mind bogging to look down into clear water and see bottom. Twelve feet of water has been the average dept to date, which is clearer than seven feet. So far Ted has caught two fish, both a Sand Diver, which is related to the Lizard Fish. According to our fish books they have no food value. So it was their lucky day to be released to catch more shrimp and small fish. To satisfy our fish desire, we had Tuna Salad Sandwich for lunch.
After four days since arriving in the Bahamas’, we arrive at a small Island called Green Turtle Cay. This island has protection from most wind directions. It is a small community but very quaint. Automobiles consist of golf carts and/or small cars and trucks. It reminds me of England or Marblehead area, with narrow streets for only one vehicle. In most cases the streets are one way. It’s Saturday and most stores close by six and nothing open on Sunday. I have placed our name on the list for Coconut Bread for Monday morning. Coconut pie was the treat for the day. Conch was tried in two forms, fritters (deep fried) and salad and enjoyed extremely. The homes are small built of concrete or Spanish stucco with bright colours of green, yellow and blue. Each household seemed to have one if not more roosters, in which, we woke to the sound of “Cockle doddle do” this a.m. A lovely sound if I might add.
As I post this story we are in Marsh Harbour, Abaco - Bahamas'.
Anxious, to walk the beach and do some snorkeling. Hopefully, for this section of the blog we will have some underwater pictures.
Anxious, to walk the beach and do some snorkeling. Hopefully, for this section of the blog we will have some underwater pictures.
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