As readers of this blog know from such expressions as “waiting for a weather window”, weather is the controlling factor in all we do. Not only is it a concern for safety, but traveling in bad weather can be downright uncomfortable. We listen to Chris Parker at 6:30 am to get the overall forecast for the US, North Atlantic, and the Bahamas, and then the specific forecast for the areas we will be cruising. When we can, we also download a variety of weather data and information and try to make our own assessments and plan accordingly. (The old fashioned barometer also can be a very helpful instrument as well as watching the clouds and their formations.) Sometimes all is in agreement, but often each different source yields a different forecast, so we indeed have to make up our own minds.

Originally, we had planned to leave Georgetown on Thursday, in part in order to spend a final day with friends Burt and Pru on Exuberant. However, the forecasts for Thursday and Friday were deteriorating, and we have learned (the hard way) not to expect deteriorating conditions to get better. So, we made our excuses and departed a day early to get north ahead of the threatened squalls and west winds. We sailed virtually the entire distance on our spinnaker (well, we also used the iron genny – i.e. the engine – to maintain speed and enable us to get to our destination with enough light for safe entrance) but doused it when a line of squalls approached. As the winds started to get fluky, we dropped the light fabric spinnaker, stuffed it into its sail bag, and deployed the heavier jib. Fortunately, the squalls passed to our south and east, but we could see heavy rain in the passing. Most interesting was a small water spout up in the clouds. It was about 5 miles away, so not a threat to us, but we never had seen one before and we watched it intently in case it decided to join forces with other squall attributes and head our way.

Now we are at anchor in Black Point, were we may do laundry tomorrow unless the squalls that are forecast for tomorrow move in and keep us on board. The sky is getting darker and more threatening as we write this, so the weather still is reminding us to pay attention.