12 November 2021 | Approaching Great Harbor Cay, Berry Islands, Bahamas
21 October 2021 | Great Dismal Swamp
30 September 2021 | Annapolis, Maryland
26 September 2021 | Chesapeake City
24 September 2021 | Off New Jersey coast
21 September 2021 | West Harbor, Fishers Island
25 July 2020 | Cuttyhunk Island, Ma
30 May 2020 | Cobbs Marina, Little Creek, Va.
02 May 2020 | Deep Point (south of Alligator River) North Carolina
24 April 2020 | ICW to Edisto Island, SC
01 April 2020 | Spanish Wells, leaving the beach after cleaning the dinghy
05 March 2020 | Conception Island
02 March 2020 | Thompson Bay, Long Island, Bahamas
17 February 2020 | Hog Cay, Ragged Islands
15 February 2020 | Hog Cay, Ragged Islands
10 February 2020 | On to the Raggeds
07 February 2020 | Outside Hog Cay Cut, south of Little Exuma Island
28 December 2019 | Great Guana Cay, Exuma
25 December 2019 | Big Majors to Cambridge Cay to Black Point, Exumas
20 December 2019 | North of Big Majors Spot
Fast-forward through Exumas
07 December 2023
Jean Crossman
Yesterday, we had a brisk downwind sail (to 25k apparent) from West Bay, New Providence to Cambridge Cay (mid Exuma chain). We arrived just after sunset. The entrance is very skinny, and especially scary without the light of day to see the bottom.
We decided to pick up a mooring (which was a bit challenging đŤ˘) as the strong breeze opposed an even stronger current.
Today we sailed to Staniel Cay where there are 2 small grocery stores. We bought a few things then sailed a bit further south to Blackpoint Settlement. The weather next week looks potentially scary. We hate to rush through the Exumas, where there is little protection from west component winds. if we are going to get stuck next week and find good protection, we may head south to George Town now before the wind turns against us. There are so many beautiful anchorages in the Exuma chain, but they will have to wait to be enjoyed when the weather is settled.
Bahamas bound, round #6
05 December 2023 | Chubb Cay Marina, Berry Islands
Jean Crossman | Sunny, light air, 85 degrees
This year we tried something different - a compromise. In September, Michael headed south, single-handed, while I spent more time at home. I joined him in Vero Beach after Thanksgiving and we crossed over to the Bahamas together on 12/4. We had a beautiful sail across the Gulf Stream and landed in Chubb Cay in the Berry Islands the next day. We spent one night in a beautiful resort, but we're too busy with clearance, and other such chores, we didn't spend much time there.
So far the weather has been calm, but a cold front is moving through tonight with strong winds from the NW. We will be heading to the Exumas tomorrow.
First Friday in February Farmer’s Festival
24 February 2023 | Little Farmerâs Cay
Jean Crossman
We made it to the 5Fs at Farmers Cay, in the Exumas, finally! It's a 2 day regatta of traditional Bahamian sloops from the various Family Islands. The race begins at anchor and the crew quickly raise the anchor and sails to begin the race. Cruisers follow in their dinghies or watch the from the beach. We don't usually like crowds, but the weather cooperated, and it was a lot of fun and a sight to behold!
The festivities began on Thursday with a cruiser race organized by the local Yacht Club, and followed by a feast. I'm not very competitive, and not a racer, but with the help of crew from Ursa Minor, we came in second! Won a bottle of rum!
George Town, Great Exuma
22 December 2022 | Man of War Cay
Jean Crossman
George Town is a great place to provision- especially if your planning to head south to the Raggedâs. The Chatân Chill experience is fun for while, but it can get old. There are many other beautiful places to explore outside of GT proper. We found a nice âhidey-holeâ when a cold front passed, and great walking along pristine sandbars near Man-O-War Cay near Rolle Town. We also met up with some of our favorite cruisers from past years and enjoyed our time together.
A very sad event happened shortly after we arrived. Another cruiser had gone fishing alone in a dinghy between the islands and never retuned. That swell that looks so magnificent, can be deadly. We did not know him. It reinforces how fragile we are. The community effort to recover him was impressive.
Chase
08 December 2022 | Lee Stocking Island
Jean Crossman | Sunny, 85 degrees, ENE 16-22
We had never been to shore on Lee Stocking Island before. It's also private. There had been a Marine Research Center, abruptly abandon in 2012. The island has been sold and development is underway for residential, resort, and research center. We asked permission before we went ashore, and the workers were very friendly. Their dog, Chase, was a great tour guide (at least a 2 hour walk). He showed us the path back from the Atlantic side. He stayed with us until back to the dinghy. As we got to the boat, preparing to get him food and water, he took off to join the workers. 5 minutes later, we see him perched on the bow of the workboat racing to get home to Great Exuma!
Southern Exumas
07 December 2022 | Rudder Cut Cay
Jean Crossman | As good as it gets!
We took our time traveling through the southern Exumas this time. There are numerous small cays that are mostly private, many uninhabited, and a few very exclusive resorts ($60k/ night for up to 12 people!). In 2011, David Copperfield had a sculpture - a mermaid at a piano, placed in 15' of water off his adjacent private island for the enjoyment of divers. Privacy is important to their guests. Apparently, We didn't bother them and they didn't bother us. There is plenty of room and very few people.
The bank (leeward side) is mostly shallow white sand bars with carved deep blue "rivers", that have strong reversing currents. Anchoring can be a challenge. Tide is influenced by the wind and timing is important to make it past the shallows. On the east (windward) side, it's another world. Even on the calmest days, the ocean swell (with depths of thousands of feet) abruptly meets shore. It's amazing to watch.
On a very calm day, we attempted to dinghy near a very narrow opening between the cays, aptly named, "Pucker Cut". The waves generated by the ocean swell were sufficient to quell our curiosity and head right back to the boat!