Roger likes it here. Sandy beach, resort, nice marina, and not overly commercial. This is his Bahama dream to be lived day after day. The resort is looking for business and volunteered to give him, Tari and Lyn a tour. From my boat, the resort and beach look fantastic, although empty.

This morning I inflated and launched the dinghy. It was a bit gusty, so I had to pick my spot to launch it over the side. Some folks thought that they would never see my dinghy (I always went with Roger, then Keith the last few days). After such a long period of disuse, I worried that the cooling water flow would be clogged on the motor. Sure enough, that was an issue. Some water came out, but not the required solid stream. After restarting the motor a third time, the blockage cleared and the water came streaming out as it should. I also tried to reduce the idle speed, unsuccessfully. I might need to break down and read the manual for that.

This afternoon I went in the water with my fins and mask. The first time I went under the water, a long gar fish was on the other side of the rudder. We both looked at each other thinking - what are you doing here? The anode on my shaft is gone. The anode at the back of the propeller is still there. I think the shaft anode came off and I don’t plan to replace it. Barnacles are everywhere under the boat. Every time I scrape them off, I somehow end up with several small cuts on my hands, even though I am using tools. My snorkeling career is just starting, so I’m not very good at it, nor that comfortable. Tomorrow I will go down again and work on the engine intake hole and the keel cooler on the hull for the refrigerator. And maybe the paddle wheel, if I still have energy. The water is in the upper 70’s.

Someone posted a comment on my blog about our anchoring in the middle of the Grand Bahama Bank. They are at this very same anchorage, so I got Roger and we both went over to say hi. John finished his story about evading the other boat that he almost hit after he motor sailed past our encampment. His blog comment is interesting reading.

Tari finally had Roger and I do dishes after dinner. I dried, as per usual, and Roger washed. Roger did his incompetent best so that Tari would get up and take over, but she held firm ... either that, or else it was because she was laughing so hard, gasping for breath and crying that she couldn’t get up off the bunk. The entertainment was free, and I’m pretty sure Roger and I aren’t ready for the big time.

The other Last Chance is in this nearby marina and is a sport fishing boat. It is quite strange to see him motor by with the name Last Chance on his stern!