Compared to Tuesday's 10 hour crossing, yesterday's passage was a breeze. Phylis was close hauled (yes we were actually sailing) in a 10-15 kts wind and calm seas. The main concern of the trip was timing the passage through the infamous Current Cut, where tidal streams can reach 10 kts. We timed our passage through the cut for high tide slack water and indeed it was, no drama here.
Leaving Royal Island
Approaching Current Cut
Hatchet Bay used to be an inland lagoon until somebody blasted a hole in the limestone cliff creating a very narrow but relatively deep channel. Coming in from the West the entrance is impossible to see until you are more or less upon it, it certainly looked tight, but we popped through with no effort. We picked up a mooring ball at 3pm and settled down for the evening. True to the forecast, spectacular thunder clouds were building early evening as the sun set and the norther came through in the night and is expected to last at least until tomorrow.
Is That the Entrance?
Entering Hatchet Bay
We are contemplating a dinghy ride into Alice Town for lunch, although we are not sure if anywhere will be open as it's Thanksgiving. Tomorrow we are hoping the weather will moderate slightly to allow us to make Cape Eleuthera Marina some 38nm to the South-West. This will be our jumping off point for the Exumas.