N24*12.513 W076*28.394 : This is our current location, tied up at the Sampson Cay Marina, with the forecasted front we decided against anchoring between Little and Big Majors Islands. After having spent Monday, 2/8, anchored just outside the harbor, a wonderful star filled sky and a gentle rocking of Boto lulled us into a peaceful nights sleep. Tuesday, 2/9, brought a beautiful sunrise and a promise of another wonderful calm day. Well that is what Tuesday was, but the forecast for Wednesday through Sunday is not so wonderful nor peaceful. We dinghied into the marina and checked on the availability of a slip for two nights, not a problem. We later learned after we tied up and went to check in that the folks in the office had taken bets on us wanting to stay even longer; and after getting the weather update we made such a request and thankfully they had already penciled us in through Sunday.
So we were assigned to Dock 2, Slip 1, right up against the bulkhead. Let us go into some detail here; Boto is 40' LOA, with another 4-5' of Davit hanging off the stern although high above the waterline the davits do pose an issue when docking. With three fishing boats ranging from 15-25' tied up along the bulkhead in front of us and a MiniMega Yacht (it's only 55') tied up behind we were going to have to parallel park Boto in a space which is about 46' long.. Our plan was simple, come in hot at a 45* angle to the dock, Vicky tosses the bowline to someone on shore then grabs the stern line, meanwhile Ed throws the wheel hard over to Port and pushes the Yanmar Full Reverse, flawless plan. Keep in mind that the lanes between the slips are very narrow, that's VERY NARROW, as in we would not be able to abort and turn around.
So here we come and as usual just as we make the turn into the lane the wind pipes up on our backside pushing us towards the bulkhead, even with Boto in reverse we were making headway. After Vicky threw a vicious forearm at the MiniMega (MM) fending off our beam, she tossed off the bow line then grabbed the stern; meanwhile our intrepid skipper threw the helm hard to Port and went full reverse as the back end slid effortlessly into the dock. Oh, all of this was accompanied by the shouts of TOO FAST, SLOW DOWN, STOP, LOOKOUT. Those doubting souls ashore, all they could do was stare in AWE as Boto and her Crew made it look easy, there were the usual attaboys, and good job Captain afterwards, but the crew simply went about their chores of securing Boto. After everyone had departed and things were ship shape the crew reviewed the landing, with nervous laughter and a cold beer, Hey better lucky than good; And remember any landing you can walk away from is a good landing.
So we were assigned to Dock 2, Slip 1, right up against the bulkhead. Let us go into some detail here; Boto is 40' LOA, with another 4-5' of Davit hanging off the stern although high above the waterline the davits do pose an issue when docking. With three fishing boats ranging from 15-25' tied up along the bulkhead in front of us and a MiniMega Yacht (it's only 55') tied up behind we were going to have to parallel park Boto in a space which is about 46' long.. Our plan was simple, come in hot at a 45* angle to the dock, Vicky tosses the bowline to someone on shore then grabs the stern line, meanwhile Ed throws the wheel hard over to Port and pushes the Yanmar Full Reverse, flawless plan. Keep in mind that the lanes between the slips are very narrow, that's VERY NARROW, as in we would not be able to abort and turn around.
So here we come and as usual just as we make the turn into the lane the wind pipes up on our backside pushing us towards the bulkhead, even with Boto in reverse we were making headway. After Vicky threw a vicious forearm at the MiniMega (MM) fending off our beam, she tossed off the bow line then grabbed the stern; meanwhile our intrepid skipper threw the helm hard to Port and went full reverse as the back end slid effortlessly into the dock. Oh, all of this was accompanied by the shouts of TOO FAST, SLOW DOWN, STOP, LOOKOUT. Those doubting souls ashore, all they could do was stare in AWE as Boto and her Crew made it look easy, there were the usual attaboys, and good job Captain afterwards, but the crew simply went about their chores of securing Boto. After everyone had departed and things were ship shape the crew reviewed the landing, with nervous laughter and a cold beer, Hey better lucky than good; And remember any landing you can walk away from is a good landing.
Now for our weather forecast:
Wed 2/10 PC winds NW 20-25k, gusting to 30k Thr 2/11 PC NNW 20-254k, moving NNE and dropping to 5-10k Fri 2/12 MC E-SE swinging to the SW at 25-30k in the morning, kicking up to SW 40'-50k in the afternoon Sat 2/13 Who cares about the clouds, Squalls, SW 40-50k moving to NW and dropping to a calmer 20-25k Sun 2/14 Valentines Day, ahhh, N 10-15k, calm seas Mon-Tues, it starts all over again.
Wed 2/10 PC winds NW 20-25k, gusting to 30k Thr 2/11 PC NNW 20-254k, moving NNE and dropping to 5-10k Fri 2/12 MC E-SE swinging to the SW at 25-30k in the morning, kicking up to SW 40'-50k in the afternoon Sat 2/13 Who cares about the clouds, Squalls, SW 40-50k moving to NW and dropping to a calmer 20-25k Sun 2/14 Valentines Day, ahhh, N 10-15k, calm seas Mon-Tues, it starts all over again.
February! Wow, how time flies when you are having fun. We made our way over to Allan's Cay (Key…is how they actually pronounce it around here) on Monday, 2/1, in good weather with just a few passing showers. Rain in 70+ degrees is almost enjoyable when we look back at the rain we had in 35 degree weather! And it comes with benefits. One, it washes the salt off your boat and two it can produce a rainbow…and a spectacular one at that! The anchorages were fairly occupied so we spent the night on the 'Bank' just to the west of the cay.
With everyone scouting for good anchorages to ride out the upcoming storm front (will they ever stop coming???) we decided we liked the looks of Warderick Wells Land and Sea Park. Tuesday, 2/2, we decided to try Allan's Cay later in the season and head down to our next 'hunker down' spot. Warderick Wells, inside (with 360 degrees of protection) was full when we got there but we took a spot just to the south by Emerald Beach and put our name on the waiting list. We had the most beautiful beach almost all to ourselves with a swim pontoon platform right off our stern. Because it is a park, fishing is not allowed so we also entertained ourselves watching the fish right from our cockpit. We didn't even need to jump in and snorkel the water was so clear and some of the fish were SO big!
The next morning they had a spot for us so we moved into our temporary home for the next 5 nights. This park is a 'must see' for anyone coming to the Exumas. They have miles of incredible hiking trails, reefs for snorkeling, fantastic beaches and the park HQ where the finches will eat right out of your hand. 
Basically, when you come into the anchorage it makes a big U. The U is carved out by the current and is about 10-12 feet deep. BUT…just outside the swinging room of your boat is 1-3 feet of water depending on the tide. You can see what we mean in the picture of the dogs playing in the water. This is the middle of the U at low tide where we went to play ball.
One of the hikes brings you up to the top of Boo Boo Hill where there is a blow hole and a view to the Exuma Sound (east) and The Banks (west). The picture is looking toward The Bank and shows the boats in the anchorage. Yes, the deep blue water is the 'deep' water and the light blue is the 1-3 feet of sand. Pretty narrow and shallow but we are slowly getting accustomed to it! What's the worst that could happen….go around?....done that before! In Nassau, Tom and Cathie (Interlude, who we met in Marathon, FL) told us to look up Rob and Mary (Sojourn). We didn't get a chance in Nassau so as luck would have it they were at Warderick Wells. We enjoyed a very nice happy hour with them on board their boat. Ed and Rob started talking boat geek (yes, Ed is now a techie!) and determined they both had MMSI numbers and wanted to try them out. I must admit, I was impressed. In non-techie, using the VHF radio they programmed in our number, like speed dial, and it actually called our VHF radio. It even rings like a phone….something I haven't heard in a long time! Ah, the only downside would be that it has a 20-30 mile range but very Maxwell Smart-like and cool.
We also met numerous others and I am sure our paths will cross again. The cruising community is quite large but amazingly small at the same time. Most we talk to are cruising 'for the season' and then heading back home. We haven't met up with any other boats that are continuing down the island chains but we know they will be out there!
We also met numerous others and I am sure our paths will cross again. The cruising community is quite large but amazingly small at the same time. Most we talk to are cruising 'for the season' and then heading back home. We haven't met up with any other boats that are continuing down the island chains but we know they will be out there!
The big, huge storm front that dumped tons of snow in the NE has now passed and so we made our way south to Sampson Cay. Now everything is a hop, skip and a jump away. I think we went 14 miles today…what a treat. After dropping the hook we went up to the marina. Lovely! I don't think I have seen a nicer one yet but will keep you posted. At $2.75 per foot it should be nice right?! There is a small general store, restaurant, bar and about 10 guest cottages/rooms. Us…we are in our floating hotel! The dogs went to the beach again….yes, more sand in the boat, and then we dingied over to check out our next anchorage for the west blow coming Wednesday and the front coming this weekend. I know, you people in the north are saying stop your whining but I want to know, "When will this winter weather end!" We have heard this has been an unusual year but we don't have anything for comparison so to us it has been fine. Really, it just takes planning so that you are comfortably settled for the upcoming 5 days worth of wind. Ah, that word comfortable! Yes, we are cruisers…not sailors. We like being comfortable.
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