On to the Exumas

Jan 27 - When cruising, there are many factors that determine your next move but weather is always the biggest concern and is always changing.

Leaving Nassau

Today, we were planning to move 6 miles to an anchorage at Rose Island, but we decided to just go to the Exumas now...based on our anaylsis of the weather and winds of course. All the guide books recommend to make the 34 mile trip to the Exumas in the sunshine to see the rocks and coral heads easier...soon we will be experiencing the Exumas! The seas were as expected as we made our way out of Nassau harbour towards Porgee Rock where we will turn 30 degrees towards Allen’s Cay, Exumas...our destination for today. The wind and waves are almost on our stern (coming from behind us), then suddenly a few larger waves hit us on our starboard beam (right side of boat) which tossed us from side-to-side as a few things below that we thought were well secured, went flying across the cabin. These waves (remnants of distance winds) continued to hit us every few minutes for the rest of our passage today...I remain at the helm for the next 6 hours. The crew, Julie and Wally keep watch for large dark spots in the water indicating rocks or coral heads as it's only ~20feet deep for the 30+ miles today...we pass closely to a few...having the sun overhead sure helps to identify them.

The Captain studying charts and weather

Again electronic charts make it easy to find the entrance to Allen’s Cay.

Approaching Alans Cay

We quickly discover that the anchorage seems larger on the charts than in real life. There were already 7 boats anchored with little room for us. As we search for a spot to drop the hook (anchor), we touch bottom but plowed through...no damage done.

Anchoured next to Vaiata in Alans Cay

Cionincidently, we anchored next to Johnny and Cathy on Vaiata, the couple we had met in Chub Cay who we shared the purchase of the dozen conch with. We invited them over for happy hour...it was just a few days but we had so much to catch up on. We had dolphin for dinner again and were in bed by 20:15.

What a lousy night’s sleep. We were protected from the 15-20knt winds from the WNW but waves were ricochetting off the rocks and with surge we were rolling from side-to-side all night...apparently its a great anchroage for fair winds.

 Before leaving Allen's Cay, I looked around and reflected...rock shore lines everywhere, a small piece of beach, we had touched bottom upon arriving, winds were blowing strong, lousy night sleep...and I thought...what happened to sipping Pina coladas in a quiet lagoon watching the sunset?...It's got to get better!

Anchoured in Alans Cay

Sunset from Alans Cay