Back in Cape Coral

Thursday, June 7, 2018 - Day 57

Bill and I enjoyed breakfast at the Stuffed Pig and then walked over to Marlin Bay Yacht Club.  This is a new marina facility just opening in Marathon.  It was fabulous in every way, slips, grounds, game room, pool, outside bar, and much more.  We will definitely plan a SFYC cruise to this new marina. 

Marlin Bay Yacht Club Docks

Marlin Bay Pool and Outside Bar

Marlin Bay Game Room

Friday, June 8, 2018 - Day 58

We were up early and headed for home!  The seas were fabulous, the best we have seen the entire trip.  What a nice way to be welcomed home:)

Seas like all boaters dream of

Departure Time: 7:00 AM
Arrival Time: 12:25 PM
Travel Time: 5 hours and 25 minutes
Trip Distance: 126.00
Winds: SSW 5 or less
Seas: 0-1 foot, calm.  Some bigger rolls between Cape Sable and Cape Romano - "the death square"
Average Speed: 23.4 kts.
Max. Speed:  33.1 kts.

Argonaut arrive back in Cape Coral at about 6:45 PM.  We meet them at the dock to help with their last docking (of this trip) and then we all enjoyed dinner at Pinchers. 

Argonaut

Final Cruising Statistics:

Total Cruise:  46 hours and 7 minutes
Average Speed:  19.2 knots
Maximum Speed:  33.1 knots
Total Trip Distance:  897.8 Nautical Miles

The Welcoming Committee

Bill's sister, Dee, his brother-in-law, Bob and nephew, Shane welcomed us home at the dock. 

This year's cruise created a endeared Bahama terms:

49 Degrees
10 footers with "scary" stuff on top
Quite "sporty"
Not a Mary Alice day
The death square

For more information about the Bahama terms, please talk to the cruise participants. 

Thank you for joining us on our 2018 Bahamas Cruise.  

Moving to Cross the Pond

Sunday, June 3, 2018 - Day 53

Our trip from Chub to Bimini was beautiful in calm seas.  In route we did see a small waterspout, a beautiful rainbow and ran beside a thunderstorm but other than a brief shower, it was a nice ride.

We arrived in Bimini to hot temperatures.  We rented a golf cart and had lunch at the Big Game Club so we could see the improvements since we had bee there last.  We had heard from Alibi that there had been changes and yes, it was wonderful. In the future if we are only doing a short stopover, our Bimini marina of choice would be Big Game.  World Resort (Formerly Bimini Bay) is very nice and has two section, Mega Marina and Fisherman's Village.  The Mega Marina is located right at the Hilton Hotel, and has great pools right at the docks, but is expensive.  Fisherman's Village is next to the shops, but most are closed and you need an expensive golf cart get get to the pools and restaurants.  It took us over an hour to get docked coming in and over an hour and 45 minutes to get checked out.  Not good! One day was plenty in Bimini.

No travel data.  Our primary chart plotter locked up in route.  This is why we have redundant systems.  This could have been a big problem but the back up computer routing worked.  The computer came back up once we shut it down and restarted it.

Seas had been so rough since the beginning of the trip that Steward got confused when it was calm and thought that the water hose was comfortable:)

Monday, June 4, 2018 - Day 54 - Crossed the Pond

What a great ride across the Gulf Stream back into the United States.

We arrived into Miami Beach Marina.  This marina is very close to the Atlantic opening so it is easy in and out.

We had dinner at Texas de Brazil restaurant which is located right at the marina.  Wow!  What an experience.  There is a fabulous unlimited salad bar.  The salad bar had many unique items such as Palm of hearts, salmon, lobster bisque and much more.  Then meats start showing up at the table.  The meats are on large skewers and carved at the table. Some of the meats were Filet Mignon, Beef Ribs, Lamb Chops, Brazilian Sausage, Pork Loin, Chicken, and more.  A total of 15 different meats that were all fabulous.  My husband was in heaven.  We all ate too much and it was pricey but well worth the price.




Texas de Brazil Restaurant




Departure Time:  10:00 AM
Arrival Time:  12:30 PM
Travel Time: 2 hours and 32 minutes
Trip Distance: 48.9 NM
Winds: 5-10 ESE
Seas: 1-3 feet, calm on the Florida side
Average Speed:  19.2 kts.
Max. Speed:  33.4 kts.

Tuesday, June 5, 2018 - Day 55

After planning our course for travel to Marathon tomorrow, Bill and I rode our bikes down to Miami South Beach and checked out the area.  We stopped for lunch at a Lobster Shack.  The lobster sandwiches were great.  The rest of the day was spent relaxing.

The Point Lighthouse Miami Beach - modern working art

Wednesday, June 6, 2018 - Day 56

We traveled to Marathon.  The day was fabulous.  The seas were calm, sun was out and all was good.  Argonaut is still having engine overheating problems so they took the route down Hawks Channel while Marlin Striker took the outside, deep water route.  Upon arrival into Marathon we had lunch at Lazy Days.

Departure Time: 6:50 AM
Arrival Time: 11:20 AM
Travel Time: 4 hours and 17 minutes
Trip Distance: 105.00
Winds: SSW 5 or less
Seas: 0-1 foot, calm
Average Speed: 24.5 kts.
Max. Speed:  29.3kts.

We had dinner on the Marlin Striker when Argonaut arrives at Marathon Marina. Following dinner we watch a slide show of the trip pictures.

Oops!

Somehow I did something that sent out an old blog from 2 years ago.  I apologize.  I will have a new blog update soon. 

We are back in Florida:)

Catch Up from No Internet

Wednesday, May 23, 2018 - Day 42

Our last day in Compass Cay, the sun actually came out for the afternoon so we headed to Thunderball Grotto.  With the sunlight coming through the openings it was beautiful.  The fish were spectacular.  We saw several Queen Angels, huge Lion fish, Triggerfish and much more.  This was the first time on this trip that I wished that I had brought dive gear.

Thunderball Grotto

Queen Angel Fish

Following our adventure at Thunderball Grotto we decided to go over to Staniel Cay Yacht Club for a drink.  We sat outside to enjoy the view.  While we were there our friends from Dusty Seas and Wild Child came and joined us.  It was a fun afternoon.

Thursday, May 24, 2018 - Day 43

As luck would have it, the seas were the best they have been in several weeks and today we are going to Palm Cay Marina on New Providence Island (Nassau) to meet Whit's brother.  The travel to Palm Cay was great.

Departure Time: 10:07 AM
Arrival Time: 1:00 PM
Travel Time: 2 hour 52 minutes
Trip Distance: 64.6 NM
Winds: 5-10
Seas: 1-3 feet, 5-10 ESE
Average Speed: 22.5 kts.
Max. Speed: 28.2 kts.

The entrance to Palm Cay is rather thin and narrow, but well marked.  Be sure to go through the middle of the goal posts to enter the channel.  On entering there is a large coral head near the surface on the port side.

Palm Cay Marina has 194 slips which are shared with the housing residents.  They are in the process of building more condos.  The pools are nice and well kept, the beach is very clean and the restaurant is acceptable.  It has a limited menu and expensive. Some of the slips are a very long walk to the main areas with the restaurant and pool.  We discovered that the marina in general is a long way from anywhere.  They do offer a courtesy car for 2 hour trips but there was a long waiting list.

Friday, May 25, 2018 - Day 44

The seas are building and the weather report is rain and wind until sometime early next week.  Both boats spent a rolling night as we are located on a T head just inside the front entrance which is exposed to open water.  Given all of this and the fact that Whit's brother and his wife tend to get sea sick easily we decided to see if we could move over to Hurricane Hole Marina which is very protected from weather.  After a few calls and some help from Raquel, the marina manager, we were able to get both boats into Hurricane Hole.  So we packed up and moved the 8 miles around the end of the island to Hurricane Hole marina.  The trip around the end of the island was quite rough but well worth the move.

Departure Time: 3:09 PM  We had to wait until high tide to be sure we could clear the rolls at the entrance (exit) of Palm Cay marina.
Arrival Time: 4:00 PM
Travel Time: 44 minutes
Trip Distance: 8.79 NM
Winds: 25-30 kts.
Seas: 4-5 feet, 30-35 ESE (on the beam)
Average Speed: 11.8 kts.
Max. Speed: 32.8 kts. in the river

We were all very glad the   move was over and happy to be back in Hurricane Hole (never thought I would say that).  Exhausted we went to Carmines for a great relaxing dinner.

Saturday, May 26, 2018 - Day 45

Whit's brother, Urskine and his wife, Dawn arrived to torrential down-pouring rain.  The rain and wind continued all day so we hunkered down and binged watched Outlander.

Sunday, May 27, 2018 - Day 46

The first tropical storm of the season is named, Alberto.  Today here is actually better than yesterday.  Today we have light rain and overcast.  We all made reservations to go to dinner at Dunes Restaurant (formerly The One and Only) located at the Four Seasons Resort.  For the first time since we left Fort Myers we had to dress for dinner.  The men had long sleeve shirts and long pants, and the ladies were dress slacks and fancy tops.  It was fun.  The dinner was excellent and although we had to sit in  covered area outside, it was overlooking the beach and open water.  The nearby bar had a great vocalist that sang everything that we all enjoyed and it was great background music.  Following the dinner we went to Atlantis Marine Shops and walked around the large boats and got an ice cream at Ben & Jerry's.  To top off the night we ate our ice cream sitting on a bench occupied by a very large yellow cat, Garfield.  The cat totally ignored us and held his ground on the bench.  The whole evening was fun.

We also learned about the Whats Up App to talk to anyone in your contacts for free.  Including overseas calls.  We don't know much about it yet, but it seems pretty cool,  Check it out.

Monday, May 28, 2018 - Day 47

During the night Whit and Erskine got word that their uncle had a stroke and was not expected to live more than a few days at the most.  Erskine is Power of Attorney so this morning Erskine and Dawn scurried around and got a flight back to Louisville, KY.  We are sorry that they had to cut their vacation so short and give prayers for their uncle.

More changes to our "flexible" agenda.  Whits good friend, Drew, who is suffering with bladder and lung cancer has invited them to go on a cruise June 23rd.  Whit and Mary Ann feel like they would really like to join him.  With the less than desirable weather and seas continuing we have agreed to travel back to Cape Coral with them.  Thus we all spent the afternoon making and changing reservations to begin our journey back to the states.  The new plan is to be back in Cape Coral by approximately June 18th or before.

After a day or turmoil and "work" we all enjoyed a great steak from the grill on Marlin Striker.

We made plans to go visit the new Bahia Mar tomorrow which is said to be much bigger and more elaborate than Atlantis. 

Tuesday, May 29, 2018 - Day 48

The day at Baha Mar was a pleasant experience.  The hotels and grounds were beautiful and very modern.  If someone is coming to this area for vacation or a get away, this is the place to come.  It is beautiful, has 7 pools, beautiful beach, and very reasonably priced rooms.

Wednesday, May 30, 2018 - Day 49

The winds have been continual thus making the seas rough most of our trip thus far and that does not seem to be changing any time soon.  We have given up on going to Spanish Well and Harbour Island as it looks like the crossing would be bumpy at best and getting back may be a long wait.  So we are opting to head for home and move to Chub Cay Marina tomorrow if the winds and seas allow for a move. The day was spent putting things away and getting laundry done for the move tomorrow,

Thursday, May 31, 2018 - Day 50

The winds are down slightly and it looks like today is our day to get to Chub Cay Marina.  The ride was the best we have had so far this trip.  It is still mostly cloudy but no rain so all was good.  We arrived at Chub about lunch time so we went to the Clubhouse to check-in and have lunch.

Departure Time: 9:30 AM

Arrival Time: 11:00 AM
Travel Time: 1 hour 44 minutes
Trip Distance: 38.5 NM
Winds: 10-15 kts. ESE with an east roll
Seas: 1-3 feet
Average Speed: 22.1 kts.
Max. Speed: 27.8 kts.

The day got even better, we had lunch with Eric Trump. He was visiting Chub to do a little fishing.  The weather seemed to be getting better so we decided that tomorrow we would try to do some fishing ourselves.

I have no problem with staying at Chub Cay a few more days.  It is beautiful and pool and beaches are pristine.  It does not hurt that there is a wide variety of boats, large and small as well as a good selection of sport fish boats.  The people are all very friendly and at any given time there is "fish" talk on the docks.

We will spend some time relaxing in the pool overlooking the beach and "Tongue of the Ocean".

Is L'll Sum'n Sum'n Back?  Oh No, just a look alike.

Friday, June 1, 2018 - Day 51

Marlin Striker trolling

Whit Courtenay

I believe this was the first morning that we actually woke up to bright sunshine.  We got a late start for a fishing day but after some breakfast we all (Bill, Debbie, Whit and Mary Ann) headed out for a day on the water. That seems strange to say considering we have been living on the boat for the last 51 days.  We only caught a small barracuda and king fish.  There were lots of boats out and no caught much of anything.  We talked to several other boats on the docks that night and we were told that no one has caught much of anything for the whole season.  It was a little disheartening to hear that the only place that seems to be catching fish right now is near Marathon. The good news is that we are headed in that direction.

Fishing Stats:
Time: 4 hours 40 minutes
Average speed: 9.3 kts.
Trip Distance: 43.6 NM
Fish: 1 Barracuda, 1 King Fish
Seas: Flat


Saturday, June 2, 2018 - Day 52

We had planned another day of fishing before moving on to Bimini but given all of the poor fish reports, it appears that the fish are not here at this time.  We just cannot catch a break on this trip! So we will spend the day putting away the fishing gear and tidying the boat and a little rest and relaxation at the pool before heading off to the World Resort in Bimini tomorrow.

Making the Best of Very Windy Days

Saturday, May 19, 2018 - Day 38

We are going stir crazy with not being able to get out due to the high winds and high seas.  Bill has been ready to fish since we got to Compass but the seas have been in excess of 5-7 feet with little sign of dropping any time soon.  Today we decide to see if we could just do a little exploring in the dinghy's, no luck.  At one point I was not sure we were going to make it back to the marina even in the dinghy.  We had to "tack" and go with the waves to the back side of a small island just to be able to turn around.  Argonaut made out a little better than we did but it still got very dicey very fast just on the bay side of Compass. Today I would say the bay side was 4-5 feet and the Sound side was in excess of 10 footers. 

Once in a safe area we watched a space age boat named Jedi come into Compass.  They too later stated that they were very happy to be in a marina. 

The entire marina did cocktail hour and a pot luck dinner. 

Sunday, May 20, 2018 - Day 39

It rained most of the day so Argonaut came over to the Marlin Striker and we played Sequence all afternoon.

Monday, May 21, 2018 - Day 40

The waters inside the islands calmed down so we ventured down to Staniel Cay again for lunch. This weather is getting very old so we decided at lunch that we would move to Palm Cay, Nassau on Thursday which should be a fairly good day and Whit needs to be Nassau by Saturday to pick up his brother.  We had planned to go to Spanish Wells and Argonaut was going to meet us there next week but in light of the continued weather forecast for the possibility of tropical storms we are going to stay together and all go the Palm Cay Marina.  From there we will watch the weather and decide whether we will venture on to Spanish Well and Harbour Island or work on making other plans.  Either way, we are going to hope to get better weather/seas by the time we get back to Chub and maybe Bill will get a chance to fish from Chub.  We will go day to day.

Tuesday, May 22, 2018 - Day 41

The waters inside the islands has calmed so we went exploring in the dinghy again today.  We went to the Blue Hole (be the Aquarium), which had very white sand and we could walk on the sand at low tide all around the Blue Hole.  We also walked around much of the little bay which was  visible at low tide and picked up some shells. 

Bill saw an old buoy on one of the islands so we stopped and picked it up.  He wanted to make something out of it to leave at Compass from the Marlin Striker. 

When we left the Blue Hole we went over to the old Navy outpost and checked it out.  This was a great place to anchor out or tie off to a concrete wall that was very secluded and had deep water.  We checked out the old buildings and walked on the beach on the opposite shore.  We picked up more shells and some sand dollars. 

It was a great day of exploration!

Note:  It is my understanding that the returning part of our group traveled from Nassau Yacht Haven to Chub Cay Marina today.  The seas were challenging at approximately 5 feet. 

Tomorrow will be a day of getting ready to move to Palm Cay Marina.  We will need to clean and load the dinghy, stow away everything that we have brought out like chairs, canopy, etc. and secure all cabinet drawers to ready the boat for travel again. 

MORE of the Same

Wednesday, May 16, 2018 - Day 35

Time to make the best of another rainy day.  Bill, Steward and I walked the beach.  Stew loved it!
 

The afternoon cleared a little so Argonaut and Marlin Striker decided to take our dinghy's to Staniel for lunch.  After lunch we headed over to Bitter Guana Cay to feed the iguanas.

The day turned much better so after feeding the Iguanas we headed to Black Point.  By the time we reached Black Point it was getting late so we decided not to go ashore.

Our traveling companions who are on their way home, left Highbourne today and headed to Nassau.  Due to higher seas, approx. 5 feet following, the group decided to go west and cross over White Bank instead of venturing across Yellow Bank.  This was a good option in light of the Howard's boys flying out of Nassau on Friday.  It is our understanding that the Howard's, and Houlders are in Atlantis Marina and the Mager's and Spiller's are at Nassau Yacht Haven.  Howard's and Houlders are expected to move to the Nassau Yacht Haven after the boys leave because the weather and sea conditions are making it look like they are going to be there for awhile.  The long range forecast looks like it will be next Thursday before they get a weather window.

Thursday, May 17, 2018 - Day 36

We awoke to another day of overcast, rain and high winds (20-25 with gusts over 30 kts.).  This was a good day to stay close to the boat and watch the shows in the marina.  The shows were not all good, due to the high winds and strong current.  The marina completely filled with boats mostly larger than ours and at times 2-3 entering the narrow harbor entrance at the same time.  One boat, Temptation, which is a charter boat out of Staniel Cay, gave every boat and every person in the marina a scare.  The captain, Joel, tried to dock on the end next to Argonaut and during the approximately 30-45 minute attempt, he managed to break a pile, completely tear off a cross bar, and caused one man to fall into the water when it was decided that the lines that were attached to the dock needed to be cut before the entire dock went into the water.  After the lines were cut, the boat drifted around the inside of the marina coming VERY close to all of the docked boats such that one at a time crews ran to move their tenders and other "toys" before they became crushed.  Now your question might be what was the problem, did the boat have a mechanical problem?  No, just a captain that did not know how to operate the boat properly and in addition had wind, current, and lack of good crew all accompanying the captains poor judgement and bad day.

Friday, May 18, 2018  - Day 37

More overcast and the occasional rain, wind gust of 30-35 knots.  We all (Whit, Mary Ann, Bill and I), played Sequence all afternoon.  We did a Mexican dinner and then fed some food scraps we had been saving to the sharks.

At least we have a good "camping" spot and the island is pet friendly.

Compass Cay and More Thunderstorms

May 11- 15 (Days 30-34) 

The weather has been relentless of overcast, rain, thunderstorms and more of the same. 

On Saturday Bill and Whit took the dinghy out to try a little fishing.  They had some success but not what they really wanted.  They got some yellowtail snapper, red hind, and gray trigger,

On Sunday we managed a dinghy ride to Staniel for an excellent Mothers Day lunch.  On the way back we visited with some of our other boats that had decided to spend a few nights in Big Major.  That evening Marlin Striker provided dinner and a movie (Talladaga Nights).

Monday was a cleaning and wash day as it rained hard most of the day. Argonaut provided a great dinner that evening, 

On Tuesday, our friends on Dusty Seas (from Jupiter) and Bluenose (from Naples) arrived in Compass.  In addition their friends, Wet Dreams, Tuff Life, and Salty Seas arrived.  The rain let up just long enough for all of us to enjoy a marina wide cocktail hour which lasted well into the night.  We also met another boat from Cape Coral, Adventure. 

It looks like the rainy weather and big seas are going to continue for several more days so we are going to just make the best of it and try to take the dinghy to the Iguanas, and maybe Black Point tomorrow.  Either way, we will make the best of it!  At least it looks the like the weather is the same or even worse in Florida. 

Weather

Sunday, May 6, 2018 – Day 25

The weather had been relentless, wind and rain continuously. We did get a little break today just long enough to get over to the Rocky Dundas caves.  There are two large caves with impressive stalamite and stalactite formations.  To enter the caves we swam underwater for a very short distance.  Not everyone in our group ventured in but those who did found it very unique and well worth the swim.   

Monday, May 7, 2018 - Day 26

Rain, rain, and more rain overnight and into most of the morning.  Early afternoon we caught a break in the rain just long enough to dinghy to a nearby beach and do a little snorkeling.  The Howard's and Mager's are planning on heading to Big Major to anchor out tomorrow so we did a dock party and feed the Compass sharks.  Shark feeding is always a good time.  

It is a tradition at Compass Cay Marina to leave a memento to signal you have arrived "home" (the motto at Compass) and that you hope to return again some day.  When you do your memento will be waiting for you.  

Note:  the Handeecleat.  Thank you Harvey and Alina Steele, we have made good use of this trip. 







Tuesday, May 8, 2018 - Day 27

More wind and rain so the Howard's and Magers decided to stay at Compass another night.  The ladies filled the afternoon with another game of 5 Crowns and started some hands of Canasta.  After dinner we all got together on Mary Alice to watch the movie "Captain Ron".  

Wednesday, May 9, 2018 - Day 28

The weather finally turned for the better so the Howards, Magers and Spillers all moved their boats to Big Major to anchor out for a night or two and then they will be moving on to Staniel where the Howard's will pick up their boys for a week of family vacation in Staniel.   

The Houlders, Courtenays and Lussiers took dinghy's down to Big Major to feed the pigs, enjoy lunch at the restaurant and then rented a golf cart to tour the island.  This is where we will loose part of the group in the log as this is where the boats who are returning early to Florida split off.  This was a planned departure from the start.  I hope and believe that everyone has had a good time traveling together to the Bahamas.  The weather has been less than cooperative but we tried to make the best of it.  Safe travels to the boats who will start their voyage home at various times during the next week.  

Swimming Pigs at Big Major

This group did a little off-roading with the golf cart  and went to visit Thunderball Cave, from the top.  This cave is featured in the movies Never Say Never  (James Bond) and Disney movie Splash.  

Thunderball Cave 

The view was fabulous from the top of the cliffs over Thunderball Cave. 











Thursday, May 10, 2018 - Day 29

As planned the Houlders (Moon Shadow) left this morning to join the group in Staniel.  They will all be traveling back together or at least fairly close together.  The cruising speeds of the returning boats are quite different, but at least they should be within earshot.  Mary Alice is still anchored out at Big Major.  

Marlin Striker and Argonaut took the dinghy's to the Sea Aquarium by O'Brien Cay this afternoon.  The weather was finally a fabulous day and so was our experience at the sea aquarium and just exploring.  

Moving to the Exuma's

Sunday, April 29, 2018 - Day 18


Departure Time: 9:59 AM
Arrival Time: 12:45 PM
Travel Time: 2 hour 38 minutes
Trip Distance: 36.7 NM
Winds: 5-10
Seas: Yellow Bank – 1-2 foot waves, this made it fairly easy to see the large coral heads.  Our route this time seemed good as we had very few coral heads to navigate around even though we ended up crossing at a low tide.

Average Speed: 13.9 kts.
Max. Speed: 31.7 kts.

Alibi - Patrick and Laura Magers

Upon arrival in Highbourne we unloaded our dinghy’s and headed for the beach on the north end of the island, Horseshoe Bay. 

Monday, April 30, 2018 – Day 19

We packed a lunch, drinks, our mask and snorkel and headed back to Horseshoe Beach to spend the day enjoying the beach, snorkeling and just relaxing at the cabana.  


Upon returning from the beach we met up with another group of 5 boats from Fort Myers and Fort Myers Beach.  This group call themselves – the Gamers.  Among them was Tony (and Karen), owner of Pincher’s Restaurants, Texas Tony’s and Deep Lagoon.  His boat name is Lazy Eye. 

That evening Mike Spiller from Mary Alice played another concert/comedy night on Mary Alice and we were joined by many others who enjoyed the music and comedy filled evening. 

Tuesday, May 1, 2018 – Day 20

The weather is extremely windy and the seas on the Atlantic side are at least 7-8 feet.  After a morning of everyone doing odds and ends, we all managed to either bike (Mike, Kerry and Rob), walk (Sandy and Jerry) or use a golf cart (Whit, Mary Ann, Debbie and Sandy) to check out the island by land from end to end.  We visited the power plant, herb gardens, turkeys and goats along with the ****.  I was really surprised at the new furniture, garbage bins, really clean grounds, umbrellas on the beach and in general the island has really been cleaned up and much of it new.  The hurricane must have really helped in the long run for this location. 

Wednesday, May 2, 2018 – Day 21

We were supposed to go to Warderick Wells and the National Park.  The weather is so windy and the seas on the outside are 7-9 plus and 3-4 feet on the inside.  Given the option we would spend another day or two here in Highbourne but they are full so we have to move on.  Staying on a mooring at the park for two nights in this wind does not really appeal to any of us.  In addition, due to the wind many people are not leaving the park so there are not enough moorings for us in the main mooring field at Headquarters.  We could get in at Cambridge Cay but we have never been there before and it is very close to Compass Cay marina.  I called Compass to see if we could get in a couple of days early.  As luck would have it, there were slips available so we decided to move to Compass two days early rather than chance finding our way through the shallows and islands to Cambridge Cay only to stay out on a mooring in 25-30 knot winds. 

Depart Highbourne:  9:24 AM

Arrive Compass:  12:30 PM

Travel Time: 2 hours 55 minutes

Travel Distance:  41.2 NM

Winds: E 20-25 with gusts recorded of 36 knots

Seas:  Varied depending on how close to the islands we could get around the shoals.  In some locations the seas were pushing 3-5 feet and close together.  

Avg speed 14.1 knots

Max speed 28.7 knots

Due to the sea conditions we spent quite a bit of time jockeying trying to find smoother water, especially for our friends in the Plucke Baum (house boat).  It was also a very difficult day for Alibi (the sailboat), their cruising speed is 7 knots and with the winds they were not able to put up sails and in fact when the front sail came partially deployed it made it almost impossible to control the direction of the boat.  They were not able to fix the sail at sea so they traveled about half the distance with a “floppy” sail.  Patrick Mager did an amazing job but this caused them a nine and a half (9.5) hour cruise in what should have been about 4 hours. 

Mary Ann and Debbie provided dinner for the evening.  It was served up on Argonaut.  

Thursday, May 3, 2018 – Day 22

The group was anxious to get the dinghies out and make their way to Staniel Cay for lunch.  The Howard’s and Connie Spiller also needed to make some departure arrangements.  Connie planned on flying home for a wedding on June 2^nd so she needed to know where she could fly out of and then also make arrangements fly back into Harbour Island to meet back up with us.  The Howard’s had previously arranged for their son’s and a friend to meet them in Staniel Cay but still needed to make slip arrangements and decide on whether they wanted to reserve a golf cart.   So although it was not the best of sea days, we all headed to Staniel Cay in our dinghies.  although many of us got quiet wet from spray. All of the plans were made, we ha It was a little rough where the Exuma Sound was open to the islands but it was all manageable a delightful lunch and headed back to Compass. 

Staniel Cay Yacht Club

Staniel Dinghy Docking

That was not enough riding for some so we decided to go to Rachael's Bubble Bath while the Exuma Sound waves were high (7-10 feet).  Everyone who went seemed to have a good time and enjoyed this unique swimming hole. 

Rachael's Bubble Bath

After dinner everyone enjoyed feeding the sharks from Marlin Striker. 

Friday, May 4, 2018 – Day 23

Rain, rain and more rain.  The wind has been endless the last few days so the morning was very slow and everyone did their own thing.  The girls spent the afternoon playing Mexican Train Domino again.

The group was invited to cocktails by Bill and Sharon Nuckolls the owner of La Sirena.  Bill was originally from Tennessee (now living in New Smyrna Florida) and was amazed that the Spillers brought their house boat to the Bahamas.  So through Mike we all got an invitation onto his boat. 

Connie and Sandy provided dinner.  What a nice treat not to have to prepare anything. Thank you. 

Saturday, May 5, 2018 – Day 24 (Kentucky Derby and Cinco de Mayo)

Our hearts and sincere sympathies go out to Rob (and Kerry) Howard and all of his family of the passing of his brother, David Howard. 

Each of us spent the morning in our dinghy's just checking out the islands and riding around on our own.  In the afternoon, we met up with the group from La Sirena and EVERYONE went swimming with the sharks. 

Easing into the idea of swimming with Nurse sharks.

Kerry Howard pets a shark

Jerry Houlder

The entire marina here at Compass joined into a party night.  Each boat signed up to bring a dish to pass and following the dinner party, Mike Spiller provided music on the docks. The Viking, La Sirena and crew cam to join us by boat (in the background).