2024 Bahamas: Moving on to Long Island

24 March 2024
Depart: Emerald Bay Marina 3:20
Arrive: Georgetown anchorage 5:30
Distance: 13.7 nm

 Today was Sunday so we had no Chris Parker weather report and could remain in bed past 6:30! Ev spent the day pumping out Blog updates. Clark read and played his guitar for a portion of the day. In preparation of leaving we disposed of garbage and took land-based showers. By mid-afternoon we had taken care of everything that needed / could be done at the marina.

 With no water, electric, or pump-out at the slip, it resembled anchoring but tied to a dock. We decided that it cost no more / no less to leave this afternoon as opposed to in the morning. We could get a couple of hours start on the trip to Long Island and make stop at the Georgetown food market before leaving in the morning.

 Thus, we said goodbye to our friendly neighbor who was, and had been, polishing his boat all day long, pulled in our lines, and were on our way to more adventures.

 The trip to Georgetown from the marina took about two hours, so we arrived well before sunset. We saw the now familiar monument sight as we motored towards our chosen anchoring spot.

We passed by the monument anchorage and, instead, selected a spot near the rock pile landmark that we now know is close to the bridge / tunnel entrance to the Exuma Market dinghy dock.

Approaching Georgetown anchorage

We chose to be near the rockpile landmark

We were blessed with a pretty sunset to close out the day.

 

25 March 2024
Depart: Georgetown anchorage 9:35
Arrive: Long Island anchorage at Thompson Bay near Salt Pond Cay 2:50
Distance: 38 nm
Conditions: 22+ knot winds, sunny, waves on the nose and then on the beam

 Clark was up at 6:30 to hear the weather report, which unfortunately started late again today. When I came out around 7:30, he was still listening and taking notes on upcoming weather. To avoid dealing with lowering the dinghy, Clark planned to take a kayak and go into Georgetown to the Exuma Market this morning.

 However, I asked if we could use the dinghy so I could do the shopping. We had a lot of wind and wave action and some nasty wakes from boats entering or departing Georgetown. It seemed like taking the kayak would be more hassle and perhaps take longer than the dinghy, and I knew that Clark would not be great at the shopping part of this endeavor.

 We had the boat down and were motoring into town shortly after 8:00. Clark had the dinghy VHF radio tuned to Channel 72, so he could continue listening to the cruisers’ net broadcast. This morning’s broadcast included discussion about damage boats in the anchorage had sustained due to the lightning storms the day before. Sailboat masts seem to attract lightning.

 We heard about damaged electronics mostly. Someone announced that they would be at “Chat & Chill” with a bucket ready to collect a donation of $20 from anyone willing to help out another boater there. I do not know what damage he sustained but it must have been significant.

 Another boater offered that he had a spare tablet with navigation software. He said if someone needed it, they could borrow it, and mail it back to him when they came into the US. Cruisers like to help fellow cruisers.

 The sun was shining brightly on Georgetown as we approached. Even the rock pile was bright and shiny.

Exuma Market, here we come

Making good use of all the rocks around here

As we approached the bridge, we saw another dinghy entering ahead of us. The two gentlemen sitting on the bridge waved at them as they went through the tunnel.

Colorful buildings in the sun

When we got to the dinghy dock, Clark decided to stay with the boat while I ran in for supplies. Unlike the day I had to stand in line behind a dozen people, today the store was pretty empty. Apparently, the supply boat had not come in as there was not a slice of bread nor a roll of any kind to be seen on the bread aisle. Surprisingly, I did manage to buy lettuce, tomatoes, and some delicious looking blueberries.

 By 9:30 we had the food on board, the dinghy stowed, and the engines running ready for departure.

 Clark was not sure if we could make it to Long Island today or not. We had wind and waves, and he thought we might have to tuck in somewhere and finish the trip another day. We clocked the wind at about 20 to 23 knots. We had a few waves splash over the boat.

We noted other vessels out on the water with us – all sailboats. S/V “Sea Biscuit” was sailing the same direction as us albeit on a slightly different trajectory. For a while it looked like we were converging into a collision course. Our speeds of about 7.5 knots were similar. Eventually we passed in front of them and they followed behind us.

We could also see “Dance Me To …” on the AIS under sail at 5.4 knots. Eventually we caught up to them. Both “Sea Biscuit” and “Dance Me To …” were boats we saw at Georgetown.

 Once again we marveled at the color of the water in the Bahamas!

As we navigated towards Long Island, we left the Exumas behind us. We followed the waypoints on the charts to plot a course to Salt Pond Cay area where we planned to anchor.

White Cay Bank > Indian Hole Point

Anchored in Thompson Bay

 

Indian Hole Point

Entering the anchorage, we saw a person standing on the back of her boat waving at us. Clark asked, “Do we know them?” I thought it was probably just waving hello until we saw the name of the boat – “Bagus”! We know them quite well from spending time with them in Marlin Bay Marina in Marathon, Florida. Amazing to find someone we know so far from our normal boating area!

Seeing someone he knew lit a fire under Clark and as soon as we had the anchor down, he got busy getting the dinghy deployed. As soon as we were ready, he had us in the dinghy on the way to say hello to our friends – Anette and Bill.

Going to visit M/V Bagus!

Anette served drinks and homemade coffee cake, and we chatted our heads off. I practically had to drag Clark off the boat as time pressed onwards towards 6:00.

Unfortunately, they have been here for a while and are moving tomorrow to Cat Island. It looks like they will be one step ahead of us as we travel, but perhaps our paths will cross again. Boating is pretty marvelous that way.

By the time we were back on board with the dinghy tied up for the night, it was time to make dinner. 

Looking at the sky, Clark wondered if we were in for some interesting weather.

Internet was poor so blogging was not really feasible tonight. I struggled along anyway and managed to put something together, but it took a very long time!