Sailing ketch “Sophie”, with Bill Braught & Linda Presz aboard, has just returned from a seven-week cruise to the Bahamas.
We set out in mid-May, with former MYC member Jan Lampkins aboard for her first Gulf Stream crossing. Jan soon thought that “this Gulf Stream thing” was no big deal, as we had lovely southwesterly breezes and kindly seas all the way.
We checked in at Morgan’s Bluff and were surprised at the number of boats anchored there. This held true for our entire trip. Our ultimate destination was Spanish Wells, and we are used to being the only boat on the moorings there in the summer. This year, however, there was a steady stream of boats passing through. Many stop there on the way from the Exumas to the Abacos.
Jan left us in Spanish Wells, flying home from the North Eleuthera airport. Bill soon found where the snapper live, and we had mixed success flyfishing for bonefish (meaning Bill caught some and Linda caught none.)
We stopped at the Berry Island Club (Frazer’s Hog Cay) on the way back to Florida, intending to spend only a night on a mooring there. However, locally stormy weather kept us there for several days. Berry Island Club has new docks and moorings and is making several additional improvements, including a new bathhouse. The restaurant was closed while we were there, but thankfully the bar was open. It also had the only fuel available on the island. It is a pretty spot, but it is an open harbor with very little protection. Frequently there is chop there, but no surge. We crossed the reef into the Keys on Friday, July 4th, right at dark. We anchored at Rodriguez Key and enjoyed the beautiful sight of fireworks up and down the islands. The next day, we were lucky enough to avoid the many thunderstorms in the area as we made our way “jib & jigger” (headsail and mizzen sail) to our home at Harbour Cay Club. The Richters spotted us from their home in Grassy Key as we sailed by. Wish we had known – we would have waved!
Friday, July 11, 2008
Wednesday, December 5, 2007
Thanksgiving Cruise
Yacht Club Invades the Everglades!
Five boats attended the Thanksgiving Cruise up the Little Shark River to Tarpon Bay. Stephanie and Lou Vedros aboard “Irie”, and Bill Ross and Ken Baker aboard “Paw P A” started the trip on Tuesday and anchored out overnight. The power boats, “CW” with Duke Martin and Cheryl Wilcox aboard, “Defiant” with Rich and Eileen Dugan aboard, and “Ghost” with Ned and Sandy Lankford aboard, journeyed up the bay on Wednesday. All boats rendezvoused at the mouth of the Little Shark River at 1:00 as planned. Ken led the way up the river to Tarpon Bay, and was the center boat in the raft up.
“Paw P A”, with its 24’ beam was the perfect gathering place for all of the meals we enjoyed together. The main course on Thanksgiving was Turducken: that’s a chicken inside a duck inside a turkey. The side dishes were delicious, and the desserts were magnificent! Our continental breakfast on Friday morning was accompanied by Bloody Marys and Mimosas. The Friday evening meal was spiral ham with more wonderful side dishes. These meals provided a great way to enjoy the company of our fellow boaters.
In between meals, folks took dinghy rides, exploring the area and looking for alligators, birds, and orchids. Duke was crabbing off his back deck, and caught numerous fish as well as crabs. Lots of pages were turning and heads nodding. It was a relaxing time.
The moon was almost full the evenings we were there, and the sunsets and moon made beautiful backdrops to a scenic anchorage. We were blessed with good weather on both legs of the trip. We look forward to our next cruise together.
Five boats attended the Thanksgiving Cruise up the Little Shark River to Tarpon Bay. Stephanie and Lou Vedros aboard “Irie”, and Bill Ross and Ken Baker aboard “Paw P A” started the trip on Tuesday and anchored out overnight. The power boats, “CW” with Duke Martin and Cheryl Wilcox aboard, “Defiant” with Rich and Eileen Dugan aboard, and “Ghost” with Ned and Sandy Lankford aboard, journeyed up the bay on Wednesday. All boats rendezvoused at the mouth of the Little Shark River at 1:00 as planned. Ken led the way up the river to Tarpon Bay, and was the center boat in the raft up.
“Paw P A”, with its 24’ beam was the perfect gathering place for all of the meals we enjoyed together. The main course on Thanksgiving was Turducken: that’s a chicken inside a duck inside a turkey. The side dishes were delicious, and the desserts were magnificent! Our continental breakfast on Friday morning was accompanied by Bloody Marys and Mimosas. The Friday evening meal was spiral ham with more wonderful side dishes. These meals provided a great way to enjoy the company of our fellow boaters.
In between meals, folks took dinghy rides, exploring the area and looking for alligators, birds, and orchids. Duke was crabbing off his back deck, and caught numerous fish as well as crabs. Lots of pages were turning and heads nodding. It was a relaxing time.
The moon was almost full the evenings we were there, and the sunsets and moon made beautiful backdrops to a scenic anchorage. We were blessed with good weather on both legs of the trip. We look forward to our next cruise together.
Sunday, August 5, 2007
4 MYC Boats in the Bahamas
It's Sunday, August 5th, and four MYC boats are in the marina at Compass Cay in the Exuma chain of the Bahamas. The members and boats are: George and Jeanne Richter on the Avalon, Rich and Eileen Dugan on the Defiant, Bob and Dee Murphy with their daughter Pam on the Freestyle, and Ron and Connie Foster with their dog Punkin on the Parrot Head. We left Marathon on July 24th, and crossed to Bimini on the 25th. Since then we've travelled to Nassau, Highborne Cay, and Compass Cay. Our next leg takes us to Staniel Cay, and then on to Cape Eleuthera.
We're having good weather for the most part, with some rain. Most of the cruises have been quite comfortable, except for the trip from Highborne to Compass, when we had a salty ride. Unfortunately, the water-maker here is broken, and the part still hasn't arrived. So most of us have used some precious fresh water from our tanks to wash at least some of the salt off--no rain to help.
This is an amazing place with protected sealife and a beautiful beach on the opposite side of the island from the marina. People swim in the marina lagoon with nurse sharks, bonefish, and all sorts of other fish. You are asked to put table scraps in the water to feed the fish. The beach is crescent shaped and so clear. Some days there are small waves coming into the shore.
We're hoping for the calm weather to continue, and looking forward to seeing everyone at the yacht club at the end of August when we get back
We're having good weather for the most part, with some rain. Most of the cruises have been quite comfortable, except for the trip from Highborne to Compass, when we had a salty ride. Unfortunately, the water-maker here is broken, and the part still hasn't arrived. So most of us have used some precious fresh water from our tanks to wash at least some of the salt off--no rain to help.
This is an amazing place with protected sealife and a beautiful beach on the opposite side of the island from the marina. People swim in the marina lagoon with nurse sharks, bonefish, and all sorts of other fish. You are asked to put table scraps in the water to feed the fish. The beach is crescent shaped and so clear. Some days there are small waves coming into the shore.
We're hoping for the calm weather to continue, and looking forward to seeing everyone at the yacht club at the end of August when we get back
Friday, July 27, 2007
Back in Marathon
Sophie left Spanish Wells on Friday, July 20 and arrived back in Marathon on Tuesday July 24th. The return crossing was mostly a motor. We sailed when we could, but winds were very light. Weather was a bit unsettled, with several thunderstorms in the area, but we were not hit with any until we were anchored at Rodriquez Key on Monday night, and they were not strong.
We tied up at our dock on Tuesday around 5:30 pm, secured the boat, called Customs to check in, showered, and made it to the Yacht Club in time to catch the Tuesday Night Buffet. It was fun to catch up on the news. On the day we arrived back in the States, 5 or 6 boats from the Yacht Club headed out to the Bahamas. We're hoping we hear about their trips here in the Blog.
- Bill Braught & Linda Presz
We tied up at our dock on Tuesday around 5:30 pm, secured the boat, called Customs to check in, showered, and made it to the Yacht Club in time to catch the Tuesday Night Buffet. It was fun to catch up on the news. On the day we arrived back in the States, 5 or 6 boats from the Yacht Club headed out to the Bahamas. We're hoping we hear about their trips here in the Blog.
- Bill Braught & Linda Presz
Wednesday, July 18, 2007
For those who prefer to be at anchor
Checking in at Morgan’s Bluff
Checking in at Morgan’s Bluff is an easy alternative for those who prefer to be at anchor and would like to avoid Chub Cay. Morgan’s Bluff has a very easy, straightforward entrance and a large anchorage. To check in, just dinghy in to Willie’s Bar, enjoy a cold one, and they will call the customs and immigration officer from the airport for you. Morgan’s Bluff has an abundance of free fresh water. It can be jerry canned out from the inner harbor, or, if you are brave enough, tie up to the big concrete dock when the water tanker leaves and fill your tanks from the hose there.
West Bay
We stopped in at West Bay, on the west end of New Providence. This is a large bay with a broad opening, and it’s only a quick hop from Morgan’s Bluff. There’s a public beach on the south part of the bay, but the rest of the shore is off limits – all private houses, and one very odd-looking resort on the north point.
Checking in at Morgan’s Bluff is an easy alternative for those who prefer to be at anchor and would like to avoid Chub Cay. Morgan’s Bluff has a very easy, straightforward entrance and a large anchorage. To check in, just dinghy in to Willie’s Bar, enjoy a cold one, and they will call the customs and immigration officer from the airport for you. Morgan’s Bluff has an abundance of free fresh water. It can be jerry canned out from the inner harbor, or, if you are brave enough, tie up to the big concrete dock when the water tanker leaves and fill your tanks from the hose there.
West Bay
We stopped in at West Bay, on the west end of New Providence. This is a large bay with a broad opening, and it’s only a quick hop from Morgan’s Bluff. There’s a public beach on the south part of the bay, but the rest of the shore is off limits – all private houses, and one very odd-looking resort on the north point.
Friday, July 6, 2007
Nassau, Unexpectedly
Sophie, with Bill Braught and Linda Presz aboard, usually avoids Nassau in favor of quieter spots in the Bahamas, but we have pulled into Nassau Yacht Haven Marina to make a couple of minor repairs (and to allow me internet access in order to prepare the next issue of the Bell!)
The weather could not have been better for our crossing. With light southwesterlies, we were able to sail across on a direct course! Sailboats NEVER have that kind of luck.
Nassau is the same noisy, bustling place we remember from the 21 years since we have been here, only more so. And, of course, there is all the glitz, etc., of Atlantis over on Paradise Island. I was delighted to find a Starbucks up the street. A cool frappiccino in their chilly air conditioning was a decadent treat.
We plan to continue up to Spanish Wells in a day or two, seeking quieter harbor and some good fishing.
The weather could not have been better for our crossing. With light southwesterlies, we were able to sail across on a direct course! Sailboats NEVER have that kind of luck.
Nassau is the same noisy, bustling place we remember from the 21 years since we have been here, only more so. And, of course, there is all the glitz, etc., of Atlantis over on Paradise Island. I was delighted to find a Starbucks up the street. A cool frappiccino in their chilly air conditioning was a decadent treat.
We plan to continue up to Spanish Wells in a day or two, seeking quieter harbor and some good fishing.
Fleet Fishing Tournament
The second quarter fishing tournament ends on July 28, and the concluding day will be a special one day tournament, followed by the awards dinner that evening. Full rules and sign-up sheet is on the club bulletin board. Five species do not have a weight fish entered as of this posting.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
