Yep we are back in Manjack Cay today. Cut the cord at the Green Turtle Club Marina this morning and pushed on.
We first wanted to go to Allans-Pensacola Cay -- 24 miles away, then backed off to Powell Cay which is 11 miles away then decided since this was a nice sail north we would have to beat our way back here in a few days -- I turned tail and went into MANJACK which was only 4 miles away.
We had the hook down by 10:30am and relaxed with a leisurely lunch of leftovers then went into the Manjack beach.. Today we followed the signs to the Ocean Beach. Damn it must have been a 2 mile walk along exposed roots and rough rocks. It took 30 minutes to walk the path one-way.
The beach is very nice but very clean. Beach combing found little to nothing.
The anchorage only has a few boats here this afternoon so no crowding.
We are kicking around thoughts of possibly heading back to the USA this weekend in a short window but still haven't decided yet. We went a more leisurely crossing with only daytime movement and light seas. A tough combination but we will see.
We will relax here tonight then probably back to GTC tomorrow -- for some reason we are out of fresh vegetables -- poor planning on our part.
Ohh the boat felt like her ol self today for the brief period we motor sailed. Ol Phil did a GREAT job scrubbing the hull of this boat. He spent 2 hours working on it.
Hopefully we will be back soon before the growth comes back -- my bottom paint is SHOT!!
Tuesday, April 7, 2015
Sunday, April 5, 2015
Happy Easter!!
Wow sure doesn't feel like Easter over here. They do celebrate but mostly Good Friday and Easter Monday.
We are here at the Green Turtle Club Marina for a few days. Enjoying the AC at night, long hot showers and all the other amenities of a nice Marina. I have Phil Roberts coming tomorrow to clean the bottom of my boat. He does a great job - He did Victoria Gaye this morning but said he couldn't do 2 in one day -- arthritis.. He said "yours looks bad". I guess it will cost me more but that's what I get for not doing a fresh bottom job before this trip.
I met Bob and Cheryl Ray on New Passages out of San Fransico today. They had trouble getting a new computer to control their SSB Winlink Icom 710 and SCS Pactor modem. I worked with them for a couple of hours and got some of it working but not all -- I had to direct them to Gary at Dockside Radio for further consultation. It's old equipment and there could be a hardware issue.
We have just been enjoying GTC since Wednesday. On the anchor until yesterday when we came to the marina for a few days for R and R. We hoped to leave Tuesday for a crossing back to the USA and that looks good for salty sailors but not us "pleasure Boaters". May be next week before we can cross. In the meantime we will enjoy GTC and maybe run up to Allens Pensacola for a few days and Powell Cay before the next blow next weekend.
Happy Easter everyone!!
We are here at the Green Turtle Club Marina for a few days. Enjoying the AC at night, long hot showers and all the other amenities of a nice Marina. I have Phil Roberts coming tomorrow to clean the bottom of my boat. He does a great job - He did Victoria Gaye this morning but said he couldn't do 2 in one day -- arthritis.. He said "yours looks bad". I guess it will cost me more but that's what I get for not doing a fresh bottom job before this trip.
I met Bob and Cheryl Ray on New Passages out of San Fransico today. They had trouble getting a new computer to control their SSB Winlink Icom 710 and SCS Pactor modem. I worked with them for a couple of hours and got some of it working but not all -- I had to direct them to Gary at Dockside Radio for further consultation. It's old equipment and there could be a hardware issue.
We have just been enjoying GTC since Wednesday. On the anchor until yesterday when we came to the marina for a few days for R and R. We hoped to leave Tuesday for a crossing back to the USA and that looks good for salty sailors but not us "pleasure Boaters". May be next week before we can cross. In the meantime we will enjoy GTC and maybe run up to Allens Pensacola for a few days and Powell Cay before the next blow next weekend.
Happy Easter everyone!!
Wednesday, April 1, 2015
Life is easy when you have a Green Turtle
We had a nice run up to Treasure Cay yesterday. We were in by 11:30am. As usual the wind was stronger than forecast and of course -- wrong direction than forecast -- on the nose as usual. Not too crowded but had to pick a spot between some boats. It was a good one because we had good internet from the Marina.
After a quick lunch of leftovers we went to the beach for one last swim on that amazing beach. It is just so beautiful. Picked up a few things at the grocery and fixed Bratwurst for dinner.
A very nice evening even with more boats coming in. There is a mass exodus a foot right now with folks scrambling to get back to the USA. The radio is just full of crossing chatter. Not sure why the rush because the window this Friday/Saturday is not great.
The area is looking like little Canada with so many Canadian flags flying. I would say there are about 2 Canadian boats for one American right now in the anchorages. Most have come up from the Exumas and are heading back to the states.
We were off early this morning for Green Turtle Cay and a trip around the infamous Whale Cay Passage. Naturally more wind than forecast and wrong direction. The passage around the whale was fine with little rocking and rolling. Apparently White Sound in Green Turtle cleared out from yesterday with many boats leaving today to stage for a Saturday crossing. We had the pick of the anchorage almost and found a nice spot with good internet coverage from the Green Turtle Club Marina. No worries -- we plan to go into the marina Saturday for 3 days and they will be well compensated.
I did some work this afternoon changing the main engine oil and the water/fuel separator on the dinghy. I had to change a fuel fitting on the dinghy fuel hose too. Naturally the oil change was messy and compounded by a bottle of CLR that I found and had leaked most of it contents -- what a mess to cleanup.
I took the dinghy out for a test run of the new filter and went to a little beach at the front of White Sound and saw a huge manta ray swimming gently in very shallow water -- real cool.
Well we are throwing financial caution to the wind to night and going for dinner at the Green Turtle Club -- Steak Nite -- and stay awhile to watch the local band the "Gully Roosters" perform.
I just LIKE Green Turtle Cay. So relaxed and friendly.
After a quick lunch of leftovers we went to the beach for one last swim on that amazing beach. It is just so beautiful. Picked up a few things at the grocery and fixed Bratwurst for dinner.
A very nice evening even with more boats coming in. There is a mass exodus a foot right now with folks scrambling to get back to the USA. The radio is just full of crossing chatter. Not sure why the rush because the window this Friday/Saturday is not great.
The area is looking like little Canada with so many Canadian flags flying. I would say there are about 2 Canadian boats for one American right now in the anchorages. Most have come up from the Exumas and are heading back to the states.
We were off early this morning for Green Turtle Cay and a trip around the infamous Whale Cay Passage. Naturally more wind than forecast and wrong direction. The passage around the whale was fine with little rocking and rolling. Apparently White Sound in Green Turtle cleared out from yesterday with many boats leaving today to stage for a Saturday crossing. We had the pick of the anchorage almost and found a nice spot with good internet coverage from the Green Turtle Club Marina. No worries -- we plan to go into the marina Saturday for 3 days and they will be well compensated.
I did some work this afternoon changing the main engine oil and the water/fuel separator on the dinghy. I had to change a fuel fitting on the dinghy fuel hose too. Naturally the oil change was messy and compounded by a bottle of CLR that I found and had leaked most of it contents -- what a mess to cleanup.
I took the dinghy out for a test run of the new filter and went to a little beach at the front of White Sound and saw a huge manta ray swimming gently in very shallow water -- real cool.
Well we are throwing financial caution to the wind to night and going for dinner at the Green Turtle Club -- Steak Nite -- and stay awhile to watch the local band the "Gully Roosters" perform.
I just LIKE Green Turtle Cay. So relaxed and friendly.
Monday, March 30, 2015
Marsh Harbour one last time
Well we cut the cord to HopeTown today and made it over to Marsh Harbour around 10am. Should have been here sooner but the boat is sluggish. The growth is bad. I hope to have it cleaned off soon in Green Turtle Cay.
Marsh was crowded. There were 62 boats here when we got here. Most have come up from the Exumas. You can tell because their lifelines are full of diesel and water jugs.
We launched the dinghy immediately and headed to the grocery. The public dock was too full of dinghies to tie to so we went to the Jimmies dock between Harborview and Mangoes. It was full too but we found one cleat to tie to.
After a long walk to Maxwells grocery we bought enough groceries to last 2 weeks. It was too much to carry back so I asked a taxi there to take us back -- they said $10. A little high because others have charged $6 but I give them $10.
Once at Mangoes I go to pay and I hand her a $20 and she says "Thank You". I said what about my change -- she says she has none. She could tell I was flustered so she got change from someone -- NO TIP here today. Damn she thought a $10 tip on a $10 ride was normal... What this ain't NY!
Well we hit Jimmies and the Wholesale grocer and are full up for the most part.
There has been a steady stream of boats leaving this afternoon. I guess some want to cross back this week but there is no big window. Well I guess they will make their own -- not us we are pleasure boaters.
Off to Treasure Cay tomorrow to fuel up and water up and spend a day or two there then off to Green Turtle Cay to watch for a very nice weather window.
Marsh was crowded. There were 62 boats here when we got here. Most have come up from the Exumas. You can tell because their lifelines are full of diesel and water jugs.
We launched the dinghy immediately and headed to the grocery. The public dock was too full of dinghies to tie to so we went to the Jimmies dock between Harborview and Mangoes. It was full too but we found one cleat to tie to.
After a long walk to Maxwells grocery we bought enough groceries to last 2 weeks. It was too much to carry back so I asked a taxi there to take us back -- they said $10. A little high because others have charged $6 but I give them $10.
Once at Mangoes I go to pay and I hand her a $20 and she says "Thank You". I said what about my change -- she says she has none. She could tell I was flustered so she got change from someone -- NO TIP here today. Damn she thought a $10 tip on a $10 ride was normal... What this ain't NY!
Well we hit Jimmies and the Wholesale grocer and are full up for the most part.
There has been a steady stream of boats leaving this afternoon. I guess some want to cross back this week but there is no big window. Well I guess they will make their own -- not us we are pleasure boaters.
Off to Treasure Cay tomorrow to fuel up and water up and spend a day or two there then off to Green Turtle Cay to watch for a very nice weather window.
Sunday, March 29, 2015
So Long HopeTown
Ahhh it is getting to be that time to plan to head back to the USA.
Tomorrow we will leave HopeTown and go to Marsh Harbour for a few days to reprovision for a couple of weeks. Then it is on to Treasure Cay to await a weather window to cross the Whale Cay Passage to Green Turtle Cay where we will await a weather window to cross the Gulf Stream back to the USA.
Today is a little sad as we realize it is our last full day in HopeTown for this cruising season. It has been both fun and comforting in this nice snug harbour where we weathered many a cold front this winter. This weekend has been a very strong cold front but good sleeping weather. This has been the first time in weeks where the temps dropped below 70 degrees for the night. It was 66 degrees this morning and most folks where wearing there winter clothes until the sun warmed us up to about 77 degrees.
We went to the beach to fly a kite and go swimming and Karen went on one last sea glass hunt. It has been grand.
Unfortunately now they we said it -- "go back to USA" it is all we think of now. Time to prep the engines and filters and get everything ready. Clean or get cleaned the boat bottom before leaving -- we have a thousand miles to travel to get home. Expected ETA is mid May.
Hey we aren't going to rush home. There is plenty of cruising destinations left to visit.
Tomorrow we will leave HopeTown and go to Marsh Harbour for a few days to reprovision for a couple of weeks. Then it is on to Treasure Cay to await a weather window to cross the Whale Cay Passage to Green Turtle Cay where we will await a weather window to cross the Gulf Stream back to the USA.
Today is a little sad as we realize it is our last full day in HopeTown for this cruising season. It has been both fun and comforting in this nice snug harbour where we weathered many a cold front this winter. This weekend has been a very strong cold front but good sleeping weather. This has been the first time in weeks where the temps dropped below 70 degrees for the night. It was 66 degrees this morning and most folks where wearing there winter clothes until the sun warmed us up to about 77 degrees.
We went to the beach to fly a kite and go swimming and Karen went on one last sea glass hunt. It has been grand.
Unfortunately now they we said it -- "go back to USA" it is all we think of now. Time to prep the engines and filters and get everything ready. Clean or get cleaned the boat bottom before leaving -- we have a thousand miles to travel to get home. Expected ETA is mid May.
Hey we aren't going to rush home. There is plenty of cruising destinations left to visit.
Wednesday, March 25, 2015
Living is Easy in HopeTown
Gosh one day just runs into another here in HopeTown. We are taking it pretty easy with few boat chores. The toughest was today -- laundry and I hauled 48 gallons of water from the Marina. That little fresh water pump assembly I built last winter is working great. I can pump the water from the Jerry cans in the dinghy directly into the water tank. No lifting and pouring. Very important after I pulled that muscle in my back back in December hoisting these 50lb water jugs.
The best entertainment is watching all the boats coming through here each day looking for a mooring. There are only about 3 a day right now that turn over. Many are reserved and it is frustrating to see an open mooring then a reserve bottle on it. Tempers are a little short here right now.
The water has warmed to near 80 degrees now so I'm swimming every day right now. Boy that ocean water fills good. I've been flying the dragon kite too. Looks great with the wind going out to sea. I usually launch it from the top of the dune near the memorial Cholera Cemetery. It looks great in the sky with that 30 foot Dragon tail and smiling face and streaming earnings.
Oh did I say it is hitting 80 degrees each day right now with temps in the low to mid 70s at night. I haven't slept with a cover in a month now.
Well time to go for that afternoon swim now.
Ohhh Jack's Bingo was a bust for us. No winners here Monday night however a good time was had by all.
The best entertainment is watching all the boats coming through here each day looking for a mooring. There are only about 3 a day right now that turn over. Many are reserved and it is frustrating to see an open mooring then a reserve bottle on it. Tempers are a little short here right now.
The water has warmed to near 80 degrees now so I'm swimming every day right now. Boy that ocean water fills good. I've been flying the dragon kite too. Looks great with the wind going out to sea. I usually launch it from the top of the dune near the memorial Cholera Cemetery. It looks great in the sky with that 30 foot Dragon tail and smiling face and streaming earnings.
Oh did I say it is hitting 80 degrees each day right now with temps in the low to mid 70s at night. I haven't slept with a cover in a month now.
Well time to go for that afternoon swim now.
Ohhh Jack's Bingo was a bust for us. No winners here Monday night however a good time was had by all.
Monday, March 23, 2015
Lynyard Cay -- FINALLY!
The weather forecast finally had some nice mild days for a visit to Lynyard Cay. Unfortunately from up in Treasure Cay that is a long run of about 30+ miles. We left early from Treasure in no wind. Had a nice motor ride to Point Set Rock then turned towards Boat Harbour and had a night wind to sail by. Once we turned south the wind was on the nose and piping up. About 7 miles out from Lynyard a rain squall appeared overhead -- just built there -- and covered us all the way to Lynyard -- I had to anchor in a driving rain. In fact we had to navigate the trickiest parts of the trip around the North Bar Channel and Sandy Cay in limited visibility -- Ol GPS did not let me down.
At Lynyard the wind was strong out of the SW which was not forecast. It wasn't too bad but bouncy for putting the engine on the dinghy so we didn't. We had a nice late afternoon and watched all the boats coming up from Elutheria coming to the Abacos. We counted some 14 boats... That is a lot and they did not have an easy passage judging by how many had poorly wrapped Genoas and one with having a reverse wrap on part of the sail.
Nice evening and the next day Victoria Gaye joined us. Hi Flite with Dale and Cory were there too and we all took our dinghies to Pete's Pub for lunch. It is a 2 mile run from the anchorage and best done in the company of other dinghies because if your engine quits you could be swept out the cut into the ocean. Lunch was fine. I had the Lemon Pepper Trigger fish -- great. After lunch we retuned to the boats and then we had a nice day beach combing and sea glass hunting. Karen got quite a cache of Sea Glass.
Early the next morning we left to catch the high tide into HopeTown and possibly pickup a mooring. They have been tough to come by with so many boats passing through right now. We were lucky. We saw two shortly after entering and took one near Jack's. It was actually a Jack's Mooring - nicely maintained. I checked in today and found that his weekly rate of $105 was far better than the others at $120. With the current forecast of squalls through Thursday and a possible Cold Front Saturday I took a week. This is a real nice safe harbour.
After lunch it was to the beach for me to swim. Ahh the water was very cool but nice. I picked a clear bottom area to be alert for sharks.
Back on the boat to rest and watch the parade of boats coming through looking for moorings. Very frustrating since there are about 5 that look free but are reserved. Most boats had to leave but a few got lucky.
Nice evening and a great spaghetti dinner. Got to watch them light the lighthouse -- yellow kerosene flame. I never get tired of that.
Today just some mild chores on the boat, took a bunch of books back to the temporary HopeTown library. Had a great lunch of BLTs.. Boy they taste great on the boat. After lunch back to the beach to fly my 30 foot Dragon Kite. Boy it looks good in the sky.
Well we are here in HopeTown on a Monday night so what to do ?? Let me think?? Why JAck's BINGO of course.
Wish us luck.
At Lynyard the wind was strong out of the SW which was not forecast. It wasn't too bad but bouncy for putting the engine on the dinghy so we didn't. We had a nice late afternoon and watched all the boats coming up from Elutheria coming to the Abacos. We counted some 14 boats... That is a lot and they did not have an easy passage judging by how many had poorly wrapped Genoas and one with having a reverse wrap on part of the sail.
Nice evening and the next day Victoria Gaye joined us. Hi Flite with Dale and Cory were there too and we all took our dinghies to Pete's Pub for lunch. It is a 2 mile run from the anchorage and best done in the company of other dinghies because if your engine quits you could be swept out the cut into the ocean. Lunch was fine. I had the Lemon Pepper Trigger fish -- great. After lunch we retuned to the boats and then we had a nice day beach combing and sea glass hunting. Karen got quite a cache of Sea Glass.
Early the next morning we left to catch the high tide into HopeTown and possibly pickup a mooring. They have been tough to come by with so many boats passing through right now. We were lucky. We saw two shortly after entering and took one near Jack's. It was actually a Jack's Mooring - nicely maintained. I checked in today and found that his weekly rate of $105 was far better than the others at $120. With the current forecast of squalls through Thursday and a possible Cold Front Saturday I took a week. This is a real nice safe harbour.
After lunch it was to the beach for me to swim. Ahh the water was very cool but nice. I picked a clear bottom area to be alert for sharks.
Back on the boat to rest and watch the parade of boats coming through looking for moorings. Very frustrating since there are about 5 that look free but are reserved. Most boats had to leave but a few got lucky.
Nice evening and a great spaghetti dinner. Got to watch them light the lighthouse -- yellow kerosene flame. I never get tired of that.
Today just some mild chores on the boat, took a bunch of books back to the temporary HopeTown library. Had a great lunch of BLTs.. Boy they taste great on the boat. After lunch back to the beach to fly my 30 foot Dragon Kite. Boy it looks good in the sky.
Well we are here in HopeTown on a Monday night so what to do ?? Let me think?? Why JAck's BINGO of course.
Wish us luck.
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