The Middle Exumas...and Crowds...
30 March 2014 | 24 06.145'N:76 24.307'W, Black Point, Exumas
Steve
That's Ida's laundromat...tomorrow!
So now we're at Black Point in the "middle" Exumas. We're near Staniel Cay and the Staniel Cay Yacht Club and of course, the swimming pigs. The area is sort of the "interstate highway" area for boats moving north and south. We were here in November and there were four boats in Black Point...nice. We turned the corner yesterday and there were 37 boats. Yeah, the place can hold a lot more, but we don't like crowds.
You see, crowds make the VHF crowded, they make the anchorage crowded, they make the Laundromat crowded, they make the restaurants crowded, they make the bars crowded, and they even make the channels crowded. We now have to deal with it...not easy. We like a laid back sort of place. Here now, the VHF is constantly chattering away, and it seems the same boats like to hear themselves talk. They even have a Cruiser's Net in the morning. That's the beginning of the end. Next they'll be setting up rules for all sorts of things, and then there'll be organized activities.
I agree that some new cruisers need help and information, but what about Cruising Guides? Why would you come down here and not have done any research about the various islands, tides, customs, etc.?
Black Point has the finest Laundromat we've ever been in. Ida, the owner, takes pride in her operation and it shows. That's a big draw as is Lorraine's Café. Lorraine's has been a landmark for many years. These people are fantastic and I hope the multitude of boats is good for business.
I guess it's the "adjustment to the numbers" that has us going a little crazy. I'm sure we'll get over it, but it does make us really appreciate where we spend most of our time. I'd rather be surrounded by boats that know what they're doing rather than the various boat "clusters" that don't seem to know anything...as evidenced by what they say on the VHF. Sometimes it's scary when they ask a question that is answered in bold type on page 44 of the Cruising Guide.
I'm sure I'll have more to report soon, but tomorrow is laundry day as today is Sunday and everything is closed.