Well Esperanza and her slaves left Bimini on a beautiful day after a two night stay. The Bahama Banks started out calm but as always the weather forecasts in the Bahamas are not always reliable, so half way across we started getting hit by
some strong winds from the south on our beam. Trying to make Frazers Hog Cay for a good anchorage, we fell short and had to go into Chub Cay Marina in the dark {not recommended) at $4.35 per ft. Ouch. The next morning of to Frazers Hog Cay - good holding ground thank god because it blew 25k that night and with the current we were on the beam to the waves - very rollie and Ruth did not like it.
The next morning off to Great Harbour Caybut as would have it, we hit a sand bar off Hoffmans Cay and ended up having to wait for high tide to get off the sand bar. We decided not to go for a swim when we saw two sharks swimming around the boat. By then it was too late to go any farther so we anchored and and waited for the next high tide. Well we raised anchor and off we went until we took a 6ft over the bow, It was the first time i have seen Ruth turn white, so we turned back and re-anchored.
It was a good thing and we ended up meeting another sail boat called Vita with Rob and Serena spending the day exploring the key and the Blue Hole. The next morning was great we had received up to date weather forcast from old friends Time and Tide who happened to hear my request for a weather up date over the VHF radio.
Arrived in Great Harbour Cay two days before the next big weather front.
We had a great time - Gary and Christelle gave us a tour and off for drinks at the local bar.
What a great spot to stay, we went conching one day and only allowed 6 Conch per boat, we were full within 10 minutes, but let me tell you these people should be charging 50.00 bucks a pound. After trying to get the meat out of the shell and then cleaning it and then the final stage of taking a hammer and beating the shit out of it(Scarely done by Ruth), it was a very long day.. but Ruth cooked it up sooooooooooooooooooooooo good.Had Cracked Conch Bites & another night in a stir-fry with Shrimp - delicious! While on this island, Ruth rented a Jeep - well it challenged her driving expertise - 4-speed stick, brake light that always stayed on, ditto, turn signals, and it shook, rattled, & rolled but overcoming all that, and driving on the left hand side of the road to boot, Ruth toured us all over this beautiful 7 mile Island!Not a hardship to be stuck on Great Harbour Cay due to weather - high winds & waves - we tried fishing a couple of days - with no luck but our friends: Christelle & Gary from Time & Tide had great success. We took a tour up Shark Creek - well let me tell you if you don't get back down it before the tide starts to recede you have to lift the motor and row. Thank goodness Gary & Christelle came back for us as his motor was a Trolling motor and would lift up - regardless, we enjoyed seeing dozens of turtles, sting rays, Barracuda - one of which Christelle caught - about 4 Ft. - yes we saw it but it broke her line & got away!!
Due to the weather we ended up spending about a week in Great Harbour - a lovely island with friendly people and there were 2 other Canadian Boats and other boaters with whom we'd have Happy Hour and a Pot Luck supper.If you get a chance to visit this Marina you will enjoy the laid back, simple , friendly lifestyle here but do bring cash as the village has no banks or ATM and all transactions, except the Marina , are done in cash. The people are very accommadating - the girls went to where there was supposed to be a bakery but not open so the lady across the way said: "I'll make you bread if I feel up to it in the morning". The girls went back the next morning & it wasn't done yet but they would deliver it to the Marina - sure enough at noon we had our fresh, baked bread delivered to our boats -still piping hot - it was some good!!
On Sunday we said Good-bye to our friends and with calm seas & winds continued our journey. As we left the harbour we saw a few Dolphins splash by in our wake and 2 Cruise Ships anchored out on the other side of Saddleback Cay. Many Cruise ships visit this area. We crossed to The Abacos first point of land and spent a calm, quiet night anchored by Sandy Point. The next day we cruised on to Lynyard Cay where we met up with Susan & Donald on Old Sam, from Martin's River, N.S. - so good to see them!
The next morning there was another wind/weather front warning so we lifted anchor and headed for a Marina in Marsh Harbour arriving here yesterday. Mangoes Marina is a quiet, small, clean marina with a number of Canadian boats staying here. Quiet day doing laundry, Ruth swam in the pool, and we had supper out at Snapper's - had delicious Blackened Maui. It's been a long journey and Esperanza shall rest here for awhile. She has to - Scott fixed the Bow Thruster today but then decided to tighten the bolts on the "still" leaking Fuel Injector - you guessed it - snap! This story is to be continued......Good night for now!
erator, yes the one i rebuilt when i first came down, the capacitor blew so have to order one from florida $62.00 shipping $96.03, but would never be able to find one here.
Did get the boat fishing several weeks ago, rae the marina rigged esperanza with outriggers and we took off for the day with new friends Pearly and Francois we managed to get a 40lb wahoo still have some in the freezer. once generator is fixed i will be heading out to the moorings . Still have several projects to do one being the front head yes that head, is not working again but i have all the parts ordered them last year before i left Florida knowing it would give me problems will try to publish photos
buy for now
