Hi from Allens Cay
06 January
After a few days in the big city of Nassau, it was
time to leave the marina and head for the Exumas. We filled up with biodeisel
at the Texaco pier taking on 28.7 gallons so we burned a little less than a
gallon an hour on the 30 hour crossing from Miami. Had trouble raising Nassau
Harbor Control to clear out of this busy port, but it turned out that the radio
just needed to be turned off and on again. If you have a VHF with a remote
head, don’t plug the remote in while the radio is on. It may seem to function,
but won’t work quite right.
time to leave the marina and head for the Exumas. We filled up with biodeisel
at the Texaco pier taking on 28.7 gallons so we burned a little less than a
gallon an hour on the 30 hour crossing from Miami. Had trouble raising Nassau
Harbor Control to clear out of this busy port, but it turned out that the radio
just needed to be turned off and on again. If you have a VHF with a remote
head, don’t plug the remote in while the radio is on. It may seem to function,
but won’t work quite right.
1054 Cleared out with harbor control. Can see shallow
water on both sides, but we’re in 28 ft of light blue water.
water on both sides, but we’re in 28 ft of light blue water.
1300 Approaching the “Yellow Banks.” This is
where there are scattered coral heads. Today is our first day of trying to
“read” the water and we are a bit nervous. Noah and Beth are at the
bow with an FRS radio so they can tell me to change course if necessary.
where there are scattered coral heads. Today is our first day of trying to
“read” the water and we are a bit nervous. Noah and Beth are at the
bow with an FRS radio so they can tell me to change course if necessary.
1330 Dark patches and we are a little concerned. We
motor slowly over them and the depth is 14 feet. In the Neuse we wouldn’t be
nervous as we couldn’t see anything anyway. The dark spots appear to be rocks.
Need to check the autopilot wiring as it is cutting out every once in a while.
motor slowly over them and the depth is 14 feet. In the Neuse we wouldn’t be
nervous as we couldn’t see anything anyway. The dark spots appear to be rocks.
Need to check the autopilot wiring as it is cutting out every once in a while.
1400 Spotted five coral heads since 1330. They are
obvious, large black patches in the water that you can see from a good distance
away. Depth is 19 ft and our speed is 7 kts.
obvious, large black patches in the water that you can see from a good distance
away. Depth is 19 ft and our speed is 7 kts.
Noah and Beth are great spotters. We’ve passed through
the area of the banks with the most coral heads.
the area of the banks with the most coral heads.
1500 Exumas in sight! Depth is 20 ft. The freighter
“Island Trader” is passing by our stern on the way to Eluthera.
“Island Trader” is passing by our stern on the way to Eluthera.
1545 We originally planned to go to Highborne Cay, but
talked to Contented Turtle on the radio and they encouraged us to anchor with
them at Allens Cay. Changed course.
talked to Contented Turtle on the radio and they encouraged us to anchor with
them at Allens Cay. Changed course.
1632 Anchored just Wast of Allens Cay in 19 feet of
water. 38.7 nm from Nassau. The shore is coral with small caves. Wind is out of
the East at 15 kts, keeping us in the lee of the island.
water. 38.7 nm from Nassau. The shore is coral with small caves. Wind is out of
the East at 15 kts, keeping us in the lee of the island.
07 January
Good nights sleep. I fell asleep on the setee after
finishing Noah’s bedtime story (Mr. Chickees Funny Money) and didn’t wake up
until 5 am. It was one of those looong days of school where we didn’t know if
Noah was going to finish. About 1330 we called school off and decided to go exploring
with the crews from Contented Turtle and Ministry. Leaf Cay is the place to go
and see the Rock Iguanas. We beached the dinghies and were greeted by twenty or
more iguanas looking for a handout. This is as close to a dinosaur as I’ve ever
been. Quite an interesting first step ashore in the Exumas. From their we took
the dinghies over to Flat Rock Reef to go snorkeling and the reef was alive
with all kinds of fish. The other crews did some spear fishing and caught a
lobster and a crab. We were just happy to be in the clear water viewing the
fish. This is the first time on the cruise we’ve really been snorkeling! Noah’s
friend David speared a fish and that was really exciting. By the time we returned to the boat we were all
famished. I grilled turkey burgers and Beth made fresh cole slaw that was
delicious. Sunset was beautiful in a clear sky over the banks. After sunset a
large dive boat anchored behind us and lit up the water as they took a group on
a night dive. The stars were out in plenty with the nearest lights being one
house on Highborne Cay to our south and a slight glow from Nassau to our west.
The wind turned a bit more southeast and waves started curling around the
island into our anchorage, catching us on the beam. It made for a rolly, noisy night
in which only Noah really got sleep. The positive side was getting up several
times to see the stars. We will move to another anchorage before tomorrow
night.
finishing Noah’s bedtime story (Mr. Chickees Funny Money) and didn’t wake up
until 5 am. It was one of those looong days of school where we didn’t know if
Noah was going to finish. About 1330 we called school off and decided to go exploring
with the crews from Contented Turtle and Ministry. Leaf Cay is the place to go
and see the Rock Iguanas. We beached the dinghies and were greeted by twenty or
more iguanas looking for a handout. This is as close to a dinosaur as I’ve ever
been. Quite an interesting first step ashore in the Exumas. From their we took
the dinghies over to Flat Rock Reef to go snorkeling and the reef was alive
with all kinds of fish. The other crews did some spear fishing and caught a
lobster and a crab. We were just happy to be in the clear water viewing the
fish. This is the first time on the cruise we’ve really been snorkeling! Noah’s
friend David speared a fish and that was really exciting. By the time we returned to the boat we were all
famished. I grilled turkey burgers and Beth made fresh cole slaw that was
delicious. Sunset was beautiful in a clear sky over the banks. After sunset a
large dive boat anchored behind us and lit up the water as they took a group on
a night dive. The stars were out in plenty with the nearest lights being one
house on Highborne Cay to our south and a slight glow from Nassau to our west.
The wind turned a bit more southeast and waves started curling around the
island into our anchorage, catching us on the beam. It made for a rolly, noisy night
in which only Noah really got sleep. The positive side was getting up several
times to see the stars. We will move to another anchorage before tomorrow
night.
