Fine Lion flying the spinnaker
18 April 2009 | Highborne Cay
Mike
April 13th... Big Majors to Highborne Cay
We left the anchorage shortly after 8am and motored out to Sandy Cay a couple of miles to the west. Once there we hoisted sails and turned off the engine. We wouldn't hear it again for 9 hours. It was one of those days that reminded us of just why we like to sail.
Much of the morning was spent running under 5 knots with winds behind us. We ran wing on wing for a few hours as the wind veered more to the south. Finally we were able to bear more to the north which put the wind just behind the beam. We spent the last three hours between 6 and 7 knots flying along.
"Fine Lion" started the day in Black Point and were about 4 miles behind us when we started sailing. They had their spinnaker deployed and passed us about noon. They were making at least one more knot all day and arrived about an hour before we did. We got some nice photos of them as they passed us.
Once the boat was squared away, we dropped the dinghy and ran over to plan our next hop and to deliver their propane tank which we had picked up in Staniel Cay. We stayed for an hour or so and then returned to cook some chicken and fried potatoes.
Kathy talked to Nancy via cell. They are heading north on the eastern route up Cat and Eleuthera Islands. We'll catch up with them in the Abacos if not before.
April 12th... Big Majors Spot, Exumas
Today, Easter Sunday, was perfectly calm. It was the first calm day we've seen all winter. There have been a few times when the winds were down for a few hours, but today the water was flat for the full 24 .
After some coffee I made the 2 mile trip to the Yacht Club for another load of water and returned to begin topping off our tank. It only took about 10 gallons so we have a little extra water which I will add in a day or so.
By 10 am it was 85 degrees and with no breeze, really hot. We stayed in the shade most of the morning reading and weaving. After lunch I removed the carbeurator from the outboard. It hasn't been idling lately and usually that means that it needs a cleaning. There is one tiny port especially that is prone to clogging.
With the outboard running better than it has in weeks, we took off for a beach about 2 miles away for a swim. We returned to the boat for a moment and then left again on a slow cruise abound Big Majors. On our way to the cut to the north we passed a boat at anchor that was from North Muskegon. As it turns out the guy built Larry and Carol's radar mount back at Wesley's Marina in White Lake. We're often reminded of just how small our world is...
After our tour of the island, which used up most of the afternoon, I chopped up some conch and vegetables for a salad. Adding the juice last, it went into the refrigerator to cool and cook for an hour. We really can't explain how good a conch salad can be.
There are about 10 very large (150 + feet) motor yachts in the anchorage. Vava has been right next to us for the last few days and we've had fun watching the crew play with the owners away for a few days. They have lots of toys and lots of friends.
April 11th... Big Majors Spot, Exumas
We were up at 6:30 and had some coffee while Ellie and Matt completed their packing. At around 8 Steve came over on his way to town so we split the load and both of us were able to get up on plane for the trip to the Airport. Due to the Easter festivities at Black Point, Flamingo Air schedules were all messed up . Matt and Ellie's 8:45 flight left at 10:10 which didn't leave them much time in Nassau to complete customs and make their connecting flight.
We had a great time with Ellie and Matt and were sorry that their stay seemed so short.
I stopped at the grocery on the way back to the boat to pick up a few items. We had some left over Mac and Cheese for lunch and then spent a couple of hours reading. I transferred what water we had in jerry cans into the main tank and then we headed back to the Marina for a load of water.
We walked over to Isles General to pick up "Fine Lion's" propane which wasn't filled this morning and then had a beer in the Yacht Club before heading back to the boat with our load of water.
The rest of the afternoon was spent reading and transferring water into the main tank. I make some chicken fried rice for dinner... which was a little crunchy but edible.
We watched some video into the evening.