Sophie's Spanish Wells Trip

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!