CURRENT LOCATION: Anchored off of Fox Town, Little Abaco Island, south of Hawksbill Cays, Northwestern Bahamas
26 55.490' N, 077 48.046' W (
CLICK HERE for Google Maps), or try to 'Copy > Paste' the numbers into Google Earth
We had set an alarm in order to be certain that we were up for Chris Parker's weather forecast; however, we woke just a few minutes before it went off, with the first rays of sunlight warming the v-berth. Over coffee and oatmeal, we heard the forecast and the advice Chris was dispensing to others who are planning to make the crossing over the next few days. We are so happy to have that behind us. Our only worry now is to be settled into a secure anchorage before a cold front sweeps through the area on Monday night.
For today, the plan is to go as far as Fox Town, about half-way between our Sale Cay anchorage and Green Turtle Cay. Since it is the weekend (and a Bahamian holiday, no less), we are in no particular hurry to get to Green Turtle Cay to clear in with officials. As soon as we entered Bahamian waters, we raised a yellow flag (which stands for "Q" or quarantine). As long as we do not go to land, we are legal in these waters with our Q-flag flying. Once we reach Green Turtle Cay (an official entry port), we will need to immediately clear in with Bahamian Customs and Immigration as soon as we go to land.
The perfect cruising day allows us to take our time in preparations, since our destination is only about 35 nautical miles away. We check the engine oil, uncover the sails, and stow all gear. By 8:00 AM, the sun is up and we are ready.
After we pre-warmed the engine with the glow plugs, I pushed the starter button and nothing happened. Only slight panic set into my bones, because we have been having this problem intermittently. In fact, it was a stubborn start when we departed Stuart. A few pushes of the button, until finally the starter engaged, and the engine was kicked to life. A perfect cruising day has no engine issues, while an almost perfect cruising day has no
critical engine issues.
The wind is slightly north of east, giving us the ability to put up some sail; however, it is a light wind (about 7-8 knots), and it is only slightly off the bow. Good for motor sailing, but not sufficient to make our rhumb line under sail alone. Oh well, after the slight scare with the engine start, perhaps it is best to just leave it running anyway. The perfect cruising day has the wind 5 knots stronger and about 50 degrees further aft, while an almost perfect cruising day allows you to motor along with full sails giving you a lift towards your destination.
The day was sunny and warm, but not at all hot. Sheryl and I took turns watching "Otto" (the autohelm) steer the boat and keeping an eye on the depth. No issues were encountered with either one. During our 'off time' Sheryl read a book, while I puttered about with little things like putting up our new US flag off the stern of the boat or drying out the slightly soggy stern light for our dinghy. The perfect cruising day allows a relaxed approach to piloting and navigation, and the attention of only one crew member at a time.
The final leg of the journey was completed by early afternoon. We navigated our way into the anchorage area, just south of Hawksbill Cays, where we dropped the anchor just off of Fox Town, on Little Abaco Island. We were the only boat here, so we had our choice of spots. It was 2:00 PM, the anchor was down, and the engine was off. The perfect cruising day finds you at your destination (with no other boats anchored nearby) early enough to enjoy it before the sun goes down.
My first swim out to check the anchor yielded less than satisfactory results. We had drug about 5 feet, but the anchor was not set. We started the engine again (good to report that it fired up with the first push of the starter button), and backed down on the anchor again. A second swim confirmed that we had drug the anchor another 5 feet, but this time it appeared snug. Not a perfect set, but good enough for one night with the mild weather conditions we are expecting. The perfect cruising day has the anchor set perfectly the first time. An almost perfect cruising day has the anchor set without having to pull all the rode back in and start again.
We did a quick check to see if we could pick up wifi internet from Fox Town, but the booster saw nothing. Guess we will have to wait until Green Turtle Cay to post these blogs. However, this left plenty of time to focus on dinner. I sat in the cockpit chopping garlic, onions, carrots and potatoes for another batch of vegetarian Caldereta (spicy stew). It was the perfect meal on a somewhat brisk Bahamian evening, and we dined in the cockpit while the sun set over the horizon.
Sheryl programmed tomorrow's route in the GPS and together we double-checked waypoints. With Chris Parker's morning weather forecast captured on our digital recorder, we gave another listen, made a few notes, and reviewed the weather faxes I had collected on the computer while we slept last night. The perfect cruising day ends with a good feeling about the weather conditions and the plans for moving the boat tomorrow. Now it is time for some gently rocking slumber. Good night, dear Reader.