Our Extended stay in the Bahamas

boatbum

boatbum

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Well our time here is winding down quickly. We arrived at West End on 11/28 and now it's only a few more weeks more of the clear water before we are back in the U.S..
All along the path of this trip (including the planning stages) people have been questioning why we would do it, what possible fun is there along the ICW, and how will you keep yourself occupied for such an extended stay.
I'll start off by pointing to our blog at danmapes.blogspot.com. We have all of the Garmin data linked there as well as links to a pile of photos.
But to summarize, most of the trip has been very rewarding because of the people we met. Heck we even ran into Pete B. in West Palm even though he boats right up the creek from us in NY! Everywhere we stayed there were either boating adventures or lessons learned about the ICW, crossing the Gulf Stream, anchoring, finance, or happy hours. We learned more about our boat's capabilities and systems thus isolating a few weak spots in equipment.
The staff at ALL of the marinas here are extremely helpful and very happy to have customers. And there are many good stops to spend time at. By moving around every month we were able to keep things more interesting merely by being somewhere else.
Having a solid RIB dink down here makes it more interesting as well. We'd be lost without it. We hardly took it off the transom on the way down but I am sure there are a number of miles on it down here. Perhaps I'll add them up. (edit: roughly 160 nm in the dink so far all in the Abacos) We've seen all sorts of fish and even wildlife riding around in the dink (Avon 340 rover with 18HP tohatsu 4 stroke).
In spite of the fact that this Winter was one for the books as far as cool weather is concerned, and yes we had some wind down here that hit gale force, everyone was able to 'hole up' some where and ride it out either at the dock or a solid mooring. People coming back from the Exumas were also griping about cool water and air.
But the water is clean, the air fresh, and the mood is right. And that's enough for us. With wifi and directv available we were able to stay in touch, and even drive a webcam once in a while.
Keep in mind the Bahamas are not about rushing around and having everything dropped at your feet for you since you are paying. If that's what you want this isn't the place for you.
Our favorite stop?
Now that's a tough one. They were all great in different ways and we can't wait to do it again and hook up with all of the folks we met down here.
 
I hear you Dan. We're counting down the weeks as well. 3 more until we load the boat on the trailer, drive 1,000 nerve-racking miles to Stuart, FL, and wait for our window to cross over. We'll have 4 weeks this year instead of 3. Nothing like the amount of time you had, but at least it's something. And it's worth every ounce of effort to do it for those of us that like such things (clear water, beautiful beaches, Kalik, and of course, living on "island time").
 
Yesterday after I wrote that update we went out in the dink. We went in between the reef and shore on the Atlantic side of Noname. While I was busy with the dink in knee deep water a little ways down th beach Deb was following a 6 foot hammerhead.
Given this observation we elected to forego snorkeling. Ok it wasn't full grown. But it was in very shallow water on the hunt and given we've fattened up a bit we felt like low hanging fruit.
 
I hope you cruised the real Out Islands. Going to the Abaco's and saying you have been to the Bahamas is like going to New York City and saying you have been to America.
 
Dan--Thanks for the report. Some things never change-too much. I took the family Bertram over 12 years ago and had a similar adventure. I agree 100% with the observation that the Islands are really a great do-it-yourself opportunity. I still recall the home baked bread and pastry available in some of the small places. Let's hope more good guys/girls get the chance!
 
Indeed Bill! We just got back from a ride into New Plymouth where we picked up a loaf of Raisin bread.

L. Keith we stopped in at Green Turtle, Guana, Elbow, Marsh Harbour, Little Harbour and used the dink to hit several other places including Whale cay, Noname, Nunjack, Crab, Hill's Creek etc.. We would have gone further South (Exuma) but the water maker crapped out. Maybe next year. I'm thinking with a larger anchor and chain, and more weather data we could have done better. The way the fronts were hauling through this winter it would have been tough to put in a couple of days at some stops and anchor out.
 
Dan,

What did you use for weather? I use barometerbob.com along with bouyweather.com
 
Kurt we use passageweather.com which has some long term wave predictions (good for gulf stream crossing and running inlets to some extent), http://www.wunderground.com/MAR/, local forcasts for Marsh Harbour (which always seem to be a bit off when referenced via Weather Underground local forcasts), and barometerbob's web site.
We've heard alot of folks subscribe to Chris Parker but he (for what we have seen) tends to be pessimistic.
 
Dan, sounds like you had a great time. We are in the process of buying a new to us boat, if it passes the rest of the survey,we will have it on the Chesapeake in a couple of weeks. We have been to the Abacos before in our 280 Sundancer, and our planning to bring our new boat down to Florida in June and spend around three weeks in the Bahamas. The question I have for you is that the new boat (really hoping it passes) is 50 feet and I dont want to get near to any reefs or questionable areas. Where as I could tilt the drives up on the Sundancer with IOs I cant with the inboards on the new boat. We have an inflatable with a 6 HP that we have always used in the Abacos that we used for short day trips or to go to town for dinner.

It sounds like you used your RIB to go on the atlantic side. Is it feasible to use the RIB to dive and snorkel off of to avoid bringing the big boat too near to the reefs? Can we use a 25 HP RIB for day trips to no name or to the reefs on the outside of GTC or Guana if weather is OK?

Rick
 
quote:
Originally posted by boatbum

Kurt we use passageweather.com which has some long term wave predictions (good for gulf stream crossing and running inlets to some extent), http://www.wunderground.com/MAR/, local forcasts for Marsh Harbour (which always seem to be a bit off when referenced via Weather Underground local forcasts), and barometerbob's web site.
We've heard alot of folks subscribe to Chris Parker but he (for what we have seen) tends to be pessimistic.

Click to expand...


I've used Chris on and off over the years. And I like him.

As to him being pessimistic, can't say I've noticed that. But in a weather man for the sea, I'd rather have one who is a bit pessimstic myself. :-)

For do it your self weather, it's hard to beat Ocens. http://www.ocens.com/index.htm

Sounds like you had a great time. Glad you enjoyed it. But L. Keith is right, get down island next time. And get a taste of the real Bahamas. Or at least what's left of them.

Way to many white people in the Abacos these days.
 
Rick in a word yes! And use your judgement with the weather. It seems that using the Cays (large ones like GTC or Guana for examplee) being on the lee side things are calm. I don't think I'd go outside the marina with the 6hp model tho. As long as you are fit enough to haul yourself into the 25hp dink you should be good to go?

Bill hear you loud and clear. But we recall a mess of folks holding to go around the Whale because of his reports when local info had it calm. We need to get SSB/Ham before we will go further south. That and perhaps weather works or some other satellite weather service.
 
I think its cool that you went at all. Most of us just get to dream about it. your trip sound plenty exciting for me ( especially for a first couple or dozen trips ). While I can appreciate the thinking behind go farther and more remote, I would hardly use the arguement to say you havent been to the bahamas.. Oh and whats wrong with white people ? Aside the fact they cant jump or dance ?
 
"Oh and whats wrong with white people ?"

Many tend to bring to much baggage along with them to the Bahamas. And then try to turn the unfamiliar into the all to familiar.
 
While we were there a couple was renting a house. They wanted to go snorkeling. They went to a local who takes folks out on these trips and he indicated that there were not enough folks to go. In after thought the couple was upset with the vendor because he did not read their minds and offer a private charter. There is a certain mentality you need to bring with you. Part of it includes having thicker skin so you can absorb some inconveniences and the other part includes not insulting anyone who does not live up to your expectations.

So now we are back in Florida.

I have to admiit we pushed our limits a bit more on our return trip. I know this is going to sound like we are wuzzy but "it is what it is". There was a window we passed up on because a front came through and afterwards the GS was supposed to lay down. It seemed pretty close in time for it to lay down that much and I did not want to cross starting late in the day. That left no margin for error with the window slamming shut given higher winds and darkness that evening. So we passed some more time at West End waiting for the GS to lay down again. It was always above 2-4 and was frequently 4-6 or worse. So the other day (4/23) we got a break and a gang of boats all left with a forecast indicating subsiding to 2-4. This was not anything like we crossed over with. That was less than 2 and actually turned out to be flat. Anyway 2-4 turned into 4-6 here and there. After passing to Little Harbour inside North Bar we knew better about stowing even tho we normally do a good job. So everything stayed put. But this slop was on the beam and we found ourselves in a washing machine that lasted for about 3 hours of the 6 it takes us to cross. We probably averaged about 8 and change knots. Some were lucky and had lower stations. One couple indicated that they were looking up at the waves from their lower stations. Since we don't have that option, the S.O. was chokin' it down in spite of taking bonine.

But after witnessing a Mako 17 come into West End after crossing the GS in 4-6 following, we can't complain although we might offer up some opinions on the stunt.
 
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