Dollar Harbour Anyone?

We had a great day and are trying to decide on whether or not to go to Rum Cay. The wind and seas are not in our favor for a crossing in that direction. Karin on Dream Weaver has a brilliant option.  Let's go to Dollar Harbour, Long Island instead!. Looks like bonefish/ conch heaven. I had looked at this in the past but from the north there were no easy routes. From here in French Wells it's a cinch. And what a spot it is!  It's stunning in here and for 4 days there are only 3 of us at anchor. The pictures say it all

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More on French Wells, Crooked Island

What a destination! Today we take the tenders and go to Goat Cay. Paul makes a cast off the beach and hooks up on a nice mutton snapper with his first cast, then trips on a conch. At low tide we walk out and pick up conch in 6" of water. Conch salad and snapper for supper tonight. Yum!

The carcass of that mutton snapper we're going to have for dinner.

Fire on the beach at Goat Cay, French Wells.

French Wells

Tricky getting in! VPR (Visual Piloting Rules)and 'puckering' on the low tide, Sandy came through here in force. The channel between the bars at the entrance has shifted south. You will easily see the bars as long as the light and conditions are right. We saw 6+ feet most of the way, then briefly 5.2 to 5.6.Pucker time! This was VPR in good conditions, DO NOT FOLLOW YOUR CHART!
Once inside there is plenty of water but tons of current and holding is spotty, some of the bottom scoured, so look for a sandy spot closer to the sand bars that suit the winds and tides.

French Wells

Spring Point in a Clocking Wind

The wind is clocking to 160 @ 12 - G22+kts. Supposed to go SSE-S-W tonight with no protection from the west. Hopefully the shallow bank means all we get is a chop. We move to Spring Point for hopefully a comfortable night. It took a while for the Delta to grab, then it held in 20kts and 800 RPM. Should be good as long as it does not pull when the wind shifts around to the west.

Where Is Everyone?

We are now in the Bight of Acklins anchored at Jamaica Cay with Dream Weaver. Not another boat or light in sight. The sky is clear so the stars are brilliant as are Venus and Mars (at least we think it's Mars).

Working hard at relaxing under the pine trees at Jamaica Cay.

 

 

On to Acklins

We  decided a night crossing would be best. In order to leave in the light and arrive in the light meant we could go really slow, save a bunch of fuel and just enjoy being at sea on a beautiful night.  I just love night crossings and going offshore, so this suited us just fine.  We travelled at 1400 rpm, 6.5 kts burning 1.4 gph. Perrrrfect! Stars, and clouds, and yes a few squalls in the distance that were not a threat to us.

The Ragged's

What can I say that you don't already know? We spent a week here in the Jumentos and Raggeds with Karin and Paul from 'Dream Weaver'. Flamingo Cay is rolly but really beautiful with conch right under the boat. Buena Vista Cay is awesome! Hog Cay in the Raggeds is a "mini George Town". We rounded the corner to see approximately twelve boats anchored there. Great times as well as we all gathered on the beach for cocktails.
Yes, it's remote and yes some anchorages are rolly. Yes the fishing is awesome and yes the locals are happy to meet you. They'll chat and answer your questions regarding local island life and the out islands. It was very cool

A nice gathering on Hog Cay, Ragged Islands.

Red Shanks

We are now in George Town at Red Shanks. We had lunch at Peace and Plenty with Bill, Ann and Sarah from 'Ann Louise' as well as with Paul and Karin from 'Dream Weaver'. Picked up some supplies on the way back and met sailor Ted, a Jumentos veteran. He might go to Thompson Bay, Long Island, Saturday, then on to the Jumentos if the weather is favorable. Bill and Ruth on Nordhaven 'Tautaug' are also here in GT and meet us on the beach for a short visit at Chat n' Chill. They are anchored near Sand Dollar Beach.

Pan Fish

We are at anchor at Big Galliot Cay. Paul says let's go fishing, the tide is going out. We use white jigs tipped with bits of shrimp and reel in wahoo, snapper, grunts, porgies and hinds. Fun and tasty to boot. Ah! The Bahamas!

She blew last night!

25kts gusting 30-32 @ Sampson Cay, a little rocky but a good night at anchor just the same. It's cool and still a bit breezy this am. We depart with Dream Weaver, going to stop near Blackpoint Settlement, a real Bahamian village with really nice people. It's a favorite spot for many cruisers.

Sylken Sea and Dream Weaver at Sampson Cay.