The island of Big Majors Spot proved to be a good windbreak. We rode out the gusty west winds from the cold front without any problem. Lightning lit up the sky at 0230 and voices on the radio were a little excited when a large powerboat named “Pirate” dragged anchor a few boat lengths to our north. They fired up their engines and reanchored without incident. Winds gusted to 30 kts and a couple of boats grounded in the sand, but no one suffered any damage and the boats floated off during the next high tide.
Noah decided that he would like to celebrate his birthday with the kids from Iceni, so we headed north on Sunday so they could make progress towards their visa appointment in Nassau. The winds are predicted to be NE 20-25 through the end of the week and we plan to go to Warderick Wells where we will be able to go ashore and explore the Island instead of being boat bound. Too many of the islands between here and there are private and don’t let people come ashore.
Pulling anchor we headed to the Staniel Cay Yacht Club to top off our fuel and fill the water tanks. There is a rock named the “Crown of Thorns” between the cut and banks here that is barely visible at high water. A sailboat spent most of yesterday freeing themselves from the rock, so check your charts and look for the stake marking the rock when transiting this area. The current was running three knots near high water when we passed the “Crown” and headed for the SCYC fuel dock. It is easy to see
how boats could be driven off course through there.
Approaching the SCYC fuel dock, the wind and waves were blowing towards the dock, making us a bit nervous. The current that slowed us down coming through the cut, helped us here by offsetting the wind and letting us sit just off the dock as if we knew what we were doing. While Noah helped with fueling and taking on water, Beth turned on the wi-fi and updated our .mac email. I looked for the Neuse Sailing Association burgee that we had seen in the restaurant to take a photo for the NSA newsletter, but it was no longer there. Guess we need another member to sail down and replace it.
At 1030 we headed out onto the banks flying the jib and running the motor enough to give us a little boost and charge the batteries. Running west of the plotted line allowed us to sail at 6.6 kts watching for starfish through the clear, shallow waters.
My problems with gravity continue. It appears that I’ve lost a little too much weight as my wedding ring slipped off my skinny finger while pinning Noah’s wet shorts to the life line. After bouncing once on the deck it became part of the treasure of the Bahamas. Although the water was clear, we were moving a little too fast to make stopping for a search worthwhile.
By 1335 we gave up on sailing and motored into the wind towards the Malabar Cays. After catching up with Iceni we picked up a mooring ball at Emerald Rock in the Exuma Land and Sea Park. Looking forward to a calm and relaxing night we encountered a problem no boater wants to find. The head was clogged. We pumped and prodded and decided to let things soak overnight.
Monday morning brought no improvement in the head situation, so another project was undertaken. We’ll spare you the details, but we worked from 0900 to 1836. The bolts holding the unit to the boat were rusted and we ended up fabricating a new base for the “throne” out of starboard. Even though the water was cold, Beth and I truly enjoyed showers last night.
After Noah finished school, he went off exploring Warderick Wells with the crew from Iceni. This saved him from having to wear a clothespin on his nose. Tomorrow brings the big Ninth birthday party. With the head working we can host a party!