Saturday, April 28, 2012

Waiting on Weather

Hi all, we are on the west side of Norman's waiting for a blow/squalls. The weather has been cool we are sleeping under covers for a change. Should be moving in a few days.
Peace to All
Myron

Posted via Ham radio.
{GMST}24|36.673|N|076|49.202|W|Anchored|Norman's Cay{GEND}

Wednesday, April 25, 2012

Shroud Cay

We had fun at Staniel Cay visiting with our friends on Motu and new friends on Island Girl and Layla. We stayed on the mooring during the distasteful weather. I must say it was interesting when the long fetch from the strong winds and the five knot tidal current pushed us around in unison. The mooring line wound down to a thread, turning our backup line into the primary line - and the only line. We waited on deck like expectant fathers for the tide to go slack so Myron could swim to the mooring and affix new lines. We thank God it all worked out well in 20 knots of wind and that it happened during the day. We slept well that night knowing there were three lines between Hold Fast and the mooring.
On Tuesday, once the winds moved east of north, we slipped the mooring and moved to Big Majors Spot. We tucked up near Fowl Cay, a private resort but it had the calmest waters in that massive anchorage. We dropped anchor about 11 a.m. and by 1 p.m. most of the other boats relocated to that side. There is a herd mentality in the cruising community. No worries, there was plenty of room.
This morning we set sail about 8 am. Myron said it was one of our best sails yet. I would rate the sail at the upper edge of 'Shari sailing.' Since we were on the banks, we had relatively flat seas, but the gusts were close to 20 tending to put us over now and again. We made record time and often saw 7.6 knots. Since the weather was agreeable, we tested out some sail combinations. The mizzen can have quite an impact on the helm. Initially Hold Fast was not on a tight reach, yet it was something short of a broad reach. We had up the full jib, full main and a double reefed mizzen, which we left a little loose. It seemed to work well on that point of tack. As our course pushed us into a tight reach, we had to drop the mizzen. We left the other two sails up full and were still seeing over six knots. Yes, it was a good day.
The view of Pigeon Cay from our current position is breath-taking. I am sure the pictures will not do it justice. As we watched the sun set tonight, Myron mentioned that it seems like it has been a year since we were here last, yet it has only been just shy of three months. I do not know to what I can attribute the expanse of time. I have a sneaking suspicion that it has to do with meeting so many new people and serving God in ways we never expected.
Love to all,
Dena

Posted via Ham radio.
{GMST}24|31.341|N|076|47.637|W|Anchored|Shroud Cay{GEND}

Friday, April 20, 2012

Staniel Cay - Thunderball Grotto

For some reason, Black Point has a special place in my heart. Maybe it is because it has a delicate balance of remoteness and civilization. Or maybe it is the free internet! Seriously, I miss it already. We had a nice reunion, not just with Barb and Barry on 'Beach Cruiser,' but also with Mark and Jennifer on 'Starlet.' It was a satellite Ortega Yacht Club Marina meeting! All docks were represented! We were re-acquainted with Paul and Sue on the trawler 'Odyssey,' who we originally met in the Abacos. As it goes in cruising though, we all parted ways shortly after reuniting. Starlet back to OYCM, Beach Cruiser and Odyssey to Georgetown.
Our newest acquaintances are John and Shawna on 'Island Girl,' a Bahamian style cat ketch - double masted with two mains. The boat is cold-molded wood and has the basic amenities. During our hike yesterday, we could see them tacking up to Staniel Cay in the afternoon sun. It was a sight to behold.
Yesterday we ran the Dotham Cut to move north on the outside in the hopes of landing a fish. Unfortunately we did not even get a strike. The great news is that we took a mooring right next to our buddies Stephen and Marja on Motu. They are having engine trouble, waiting on parts, before they head north to meet a friend flying into Marsh Harbour. We spent the remainder of the day together, catching up, hiking several miles on Staniel Cay and enjoying a well earned dinner. Their parts should be in today but we may remain in the same vicinity to wait out a blow from the southwest and west. It is more difficult to find protection from such non-prevalent winds and we may be in one of the few spots that provides moderate 360 degree protection. The tidal current is strong here. While it is something to contend with, it also makes for glorious visibility in the water. I thank God we have not yet come to take for granted the incredible hues of blue water against white sand - and we are still awed by the view.
We had another piece of equipment fail - the windless. It was on our replacement list for the Jacksonville stop and we really expected it to last until then. We can still hand crank it, but that is slow and hard going. When Myron pulled it apart, the four brushes were not stuck but rather completely gone and the springs were acting as brushes. We broke out the 'German sweat shop' again and cannibalized old alternator parts. Myron soldered the alternator brushes on to the windless brush housing, sanded the brushes to the right size and I wound the springs on to each. Thus far, it is working as long as it is not used to dislodge the set anchor. We pray that this temporary fix lasts until we are at OYCM.
Love to all,
Dena

Posted via Ham radio.
{GMST}24|10.806|N|076|26.768|W|Moored|ThunderBall{GEND}

Friday, April 13, 2012

Black Point

We spent the last few days preparing Hold Fast to begin a journey north - including snorkeling for hours to scrub the bottom. It was a big chore and the one time I missed the small displacement of our little 26 foot Islander. Today we bid farewell again to Georgetown. We were hopeful for good gradient winds on our quarter stern all the way up to Galliot Cut. What we experienced instead was a theft of the gradient winds by ever looming squalls. The result was a lot of wind on the stern, then no wind, then wind on the nose then conflicting swells. It can make for tedious sailing but we were pleased with the overall result of a record 5.5 hour passage from Sand Dollar Beach to Galliot Cut, a ride on the tide through the cut (over seven knots going in), followed by brief (about an hour) but intensely enjoyed 'Shari sailing' downwind on the banks. We had to bring in the poled out jib when a squall headed us with about 30 knots of wind (deduced by the spendrift on the water's surface). It was a good thing the main was already reefed because we were busy closing up the cockpit due to rain so heavy that we lost visibility. We fired up the radar to look for traffic and turned on our running lights (at 3 pm in the day!) The radar also indicated the location of the squalls and Myron could see that we were in for a break within the hour - just in time to round Black Point and head in to anchor.

It was a long day and we worked hard. We anchored to starboard of our friends, Greg and Luba, on the Mason 44 'Rhapsody,' and to their port side rests 'Beach Cruiser.' We hailed Barb and Barry on Beach Cruiser but did not get a response. Greg stopped by in the rain to welcome us. We talked briefly but he could tell we were not up for socializing until we got some food and rest. We have been anchored for about five hours. A strong wind is now upon us and forecast to remain for the next four days. All the more reason to stay here and visit with Barb and Barry until they depart for points south.

Love to all,
Dena

Posted via Ham radio.
{GMST}24|06.107|N|076|24.295|W|Anchored|Black Point{GEND}

Sunday, April 8, 2012

Happy Resurrection Day!

Though the winds were too high to venture across the harbor for church, we were fortunate to join two other boaters on the beach early this morning to read scripture and celebrate our Risen Savior. We have reason to celebrate everyday but it is also nice to have a specific day of corporate remembrance.
We did not expect to be back at Georgetown. We have learned on this journey that it is unwise to attempt to out-muscle weather. Our time at Conception Island was cut short due to a change in the weather forecast. If the forecast held true, we would not have a safe haven at either Conception or Cat Island, so we opted to sail back to Georgetown. We managed to squeeze in a dinghy ride of the turtle creek, view some turtles and the beauty of the island and then head back to Hold Fast. Our anchorage at Conception Island lost its serenity, turning the breakdown and storage of the dinghy and engine into a lively event. Sure enough, back at Georgetown we had strong winds that clocked from SW to W, then NW accompanied by about four hours of squalls - in the wee hours of the morning of course! We were pleased to be well protected in Elizabeth Harbor.
As always, it is a delightful stay here in Georgetown, even though the town is buttoned up until Tuesday for the Easter holiday. After we get propane, our next weather window for sailing northwest appears to be Friday. We are looking forward to spending more time in the Exumas and hope to see some places we skipped on the way down.
Our wishes to you for a wonderful Resurrection Day!
Love to all,
Dena

Posted via Ham radio.
{GMST}23|30.783|N|075|44.755|W|Anchored|Sand Dollar Beach{GEND}

Wednesday, April 4, 2012

Conception Island

We said our farewells in Georgetown and sailed off for the uninhabited Conception Island. It is an open roadstead and unfavorable for any kind of westerly wind, so we plan to only stay two sleeps. It is truly beautiful here. A long curved sandy white beach with the breath-taking varied aqua blue waters. It is also littered with reefs and coral heads. I hope you can see some of the details on Google Earth. We explored by dinghy this afternoon and hope to do some hiking tomorrow.

Today's fishing efforts did not land a fish, however we hooked a very large wahoo. It did some dancing and then managed to get off the hook before Myron could even get to the aft deck and start working the reel. Alas, we will fish again and hope someday soon to report a catch. We eat well enough in the meantime and just polished off a chicken dinner with broccoli and mushroom couscous.

Time to prepare for bed.

Love to all,
Dena

Posted via Ham radio.
{GMST}23|50.872|N|075|07.262|W|Anchored|Conception Is{GEND}

Tuesday, April 3, 2012

Say Goodnight Georgetown

Our visits to Georgetown have provided us with fond memories of boater camaraderie, easy provisioning, fun surf play, long beach walks, good eats and breathtaking views. Our most recent addition to our treasured memories is the visit by Paul, Shari and their precious stuffy ‘Bearett.’ Someday I will explain the ‘stuffy connection.’ Paul and Shari flew in to Georgetown shortly after we returned here to renew our visas. We had our concerns that the weather would be untenable. Certainly March came in like a lion and the strong winds often had us confined to the boat in a safe anchorage. Indeed their first 36 hours was just that. It included a wet ride back to Hold Fast from town. Shari was wise enough to put their soft luggage in garbage bags so it was a simple matter of changing into dry clothes once on the big boat. After that first 36 hours, the weather turned spectacular. March went out like a lamb. We were able to experience ‘Shari sailing’ (winds under 15 knots and flat seas). We set out to sail coupled with fishing. Our auto pilot was still not functioning (the new pump does not work – extremely frustrating) so Paul stayed on the helm for hours at a time. Our new nick-name on the boat was ‘Auto Paul!’
Here is video of 'Shari Sailing:'

The plan was to fish and sail for a few hours but we busted on the fishing and before we knew it we were at Long Island and anchored at Hog Cay. It was a calm stay and a nice diversion. Our three hour tour turned into an overnighter. Auto Paul sailed us back, sometimes with the motor to allow us sufficient speed to fish. Fish we did for two days, but no catching of our target species.
This is a sailfish we caught on another trip:
From Blogger Pictures
After we returned to Sand Dollar Beach off of Georgetown we experienced a new phenomenon we have now dubbed ‘Shari beaching.’ We have never seen this ocean that calm – there was no body surfing to be had but hey, Shari went for a dip!
From Blogger Pictures
I only planned out our dinners for their stay and figured we would just wing the other meals. I have to plan in order to properly provision. Nothing special, our normal eats, we just needed to double it – however Paul and Shari considered it a ‘culinary cruise!’ I think a good time was had by all. Both Myron and I moped around after they departed. Lord willing, we will see them again in Jacksonville. Today we spent time re-provisioning and re-organizing Hold Fast. Hopefully tomorrow we will be on our way to explore other sites. We expect our general direction will be north and we are hoping to meet up with Kenny somewhere before Jacksonville. He is in Puerto Rico with his sights set on to Jacksonville. It will seem like old times back at OYCM.
Love to all,
Dena