07 December 2023
05 December 2023 | Chubb Cay Marina, Berry Islands
24 February 2023 | Little Farmer’s Cay
22 December 2022 | Man of War Cay
08 December 2022 | Lee Stocking Island
07 December 2022 | Rudder Cut Cay
01 December 2022 | Blackpoint settlement
30 November 2022 | Staniel Cay
29 November 2022 | Cambridge Cay, Exumas
28 November 2022 | Shroud Cay
27 November 2022 | Allens Cay South
26 November 2022 | Bond Cay, Berry Islands
10 November 2022 | Cumberland Sound
08 November 2022 | Cumberland Sound, Ga
02 November 2022 | Butler Island, Waccamaw River, South Carolina
28 March 2022 | Arriving Brunswick, Ga
01 March 2022 | South of Hawksnest off Cat Island
19 February 2022 | Hog Cay, Ragged Islands
24 November 2021 | Governors Harbor
24 November 2021 | Spanish Wells
Staniel Cay
20 December 2019 | North of Big Majors Spot
Jean Crossman | Windy!
We powered across the deep clear blue Exuma Sound about 50 miles to Staniel Cay in the Exumas. The sudden changes in depth create the most spectacular shades of blue, teal, and turquoise. The tide was running hard against us, but no wind. It was impressive, but manageable.
Weather is everything (second only to attitude). You study all the models in the wind apps and listen to Chris Parker at 6:30am daily. He advises NO TRAVEL from 12/18 until at least Christmas, but where do you go? (No Quissett Harbors here) We have good holding at Big Majors with 30+k ENE today, but will have no protection when it clocks to West at 25-30 Monday. Our anchor on our “D1” never let us down. It’s about to be tested on this boat.
Yesterday, in the calm before the storm, I decided to snorkel over the anchor to make sure it didn’t foul when shifting west the night before. Half way to the anchor, a shark was heading in my direction (yes, it was a nurse shark- but he looked hungry enough to me!) I never swam so fast back to the boat. Thats what Looky buckets are for!
Weather is everything (second only to attitude). You study all the models in the wind apps and listen to Chris Parker at 6:30am daily. He advises NO TRAVEL from 12/18 until at least Christmas, but where do you go? (No Quissett Harbors here) We have good holding at Big Majors with 30+k ENE today, but will have no protection when it clocks to West at 25-30 Monday. Our anchor on our “D1” never let us down. It’s about to be tested on this boat.
Yesterday, in the calm before the storm, I decided to snorkel over the anchor to make sure it didn’t foul when shifting west the night before. Half way to the anchor, a shark was heading in my direction (yes, it was a nurse shark- but he looked hungry enough to me!) I never swam so fast back to the boat. Thats what Looky buckets are for!
Comments
| Vessel Name: | Desiderata II |
| Vessel Make/Model: | Beneteau 423 |
| Hailing Port: | Quissett Harbor |
| Crew: | Michael and Jean Crossman |
| About: | Married over 30 years, Michael is now retired and I resigned my job last summer. Michael's lifelong dream will be finally realized. Mike (Jr) will be joining us for our off shore trip to the Bahamas. Our first time true off shore adventure . . . To be continued? |
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Desiderata II's Photos - Main
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Traveling from the Berry Islands thru the Exumas and on . . .
22 Photos | 1 Sub-Album
Created 30 November 2022
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Cumberland Island, Georgia
10 Photos | 1 Sub-Album
Created 1 November 2021
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Thompson Bay LI to Conception and back 3/2020
6 Photos
Created 9 March 2020
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Our preferred “home base” in the Bahamas. It’s a “Family Island”, 80 miles long, about 4 miles wide, in the south central Bahamas. There is not a lot of development so jobs are scarce - especially for young adults. Hurricaine Joaquin devastated this island 5 years ago. It’s a rugged place with warm, resilient people. We rented a car to explore a bit, again.
9 Photos
Created 9 March 2020
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Ragged Island has the only small settlement in this remote chain of tiny cays south of the Exumas - just a day sail from Cuba. The cays offer limited protection from weather and no services, so any visitors must be self sufficient and prepared to stay for weeks, if waiting on weather. It’s a beautiful, stark wilderness.
15 Photos
Created 10 February 2020
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Most of our time in the Exumas were spent between Staniel Cay and Georgetown. That is where Dan, Steve, and Usha joined us for a week. So much to explore.
17 Photos
Created 10 February 2020
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Beautiful area. Awaiting next BIG front, currently boat bound. Staying put until Christmas, for now
4 Photos
Created 20 December 2019
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There was so much destruction. The tiny streets lined with debris, no electricity, but people are working together, even decorating for Christmas.
35 Photos
Created 1 December 2019
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Work party hauling wood for benches to be made followed by beach party
9 Photos
Created 13 February 2018
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A perfect weather window to visit Conception Island for 36 hours. Absolutely beautiful!
24 Photos
Created 26 January 2018
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Threading our way south along the Exumas (with our 6'8" draft).
18 Photos
Created 6 December 2017
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From the Glass Window and Queens Baths working our way south on the way to Exumas
10 Photos
Created 4 December 2017
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We sailed from Cape Cod and joined the ARC Bahama rally in Virginia. With Mike Jr’s help, we sailed off shore to Marsh Harbor, Abaco in the Bahamas in 5 days. We ventured on to the Dominican Republic, the Virgin Islands, St Martins, & St Bart’s before we turned around for home. 223 days living on a 38 ‘ sailboat. We did pretty well, & met so many interesting people. Quite an adventure.
1 Photo | 12 Sub-Albums
Created 2 November 2017
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We spend 2 nights here on anchor just off the Museum and The Inn at Perry Cabin (quite nice, I'm sure!). It was worth the stop on our way to Norfork. The town has beautiful, old architecture, lots of shops and restaurants. It's pretty and quaint, but upscale. The local
supermarket is now closed. Always sad to see amenities for the average visitor get squeezed out.
8 Photos
Created 18 October 2017
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Who: Michael and Jean Crossman
Port: Quissett Harbor
