The New Sail!
14 January 2007 | Black Point Settlement
Sunny, 76F, wind N-E 5-10
Our plan for today was to leave Black Point and sail about 5 miles south towards Little Farmer Cay and to find an anchorage that would be both sheltered and near some coral. Last night was an unusual night... no wind! I think that's the first night since we arrived in The Bahamas that we had a perfectly calm night. And this morning, except for a short rain squall that we welcomed, as it washed the salt off the boat, the wind remained light. We hoisted the main, raised anchor and left just behind a Bristol 38.8 that was heading for Little Farmers and rounded the point out onto the banks.
Once clear of Black Point, we unfurled some of the new jib and quickly tied a reef in the main, as the wind had recovered to its usual 20 knots. Under reefed sails, we had a beautiful beat up to White Point where we hoped to snorkel. But as we got off the point, furled the sails, and headed in, it was apparent that we would not be anchoring in any shelter, so we rounded up, and backtracked to behind White Point, (not Black Point) where there was more shelter. And in behind us came Star, the Bristol 38.8.
Although we were out of the wind and the large swell on the banks, there was still a swell coming round the point. This is called The Cape effect, where waves will actually curve around a point and come in at an angle to the wind.
So with the boat pointed into the wind, there is a swell coming at it across the beam, creating an annoying (and for some a sickening) roll. Securely anchored, we headed in with the dinghy to the beach and walked, climbed some dunes to another beach (both empty) and had a swim. On the point was the largest osprey nest I have ever seen. Perched on the rocks, it was at least six feet in both height and diameter. And as we watched, one adult landed with a huge fish. Although we couldn't see, there must be young in the nest, although its an odd time of year. But I guess seasons don't matter much to a bird in The Bahamas. On the way back to the boat we checked a few dark patches for coral, but found none, so after a short chat with Bob & Gail on Star, we headed back to the boat for a late lunch.
Although Star were staying the night, we decided to return to Black Point for a quiet night out of the swell. So we had a beautiful downwind sail with the new genoa full out in all its splendor. As it turns out, we were not the only ones who decided to return, as two others that were anchored next to us and left before us were back here ahead of us. Tomorrow the winds are supposed to lighten up, so we will try some snorkeling again at a spot where we know there is coral. Watch out fish (and lobster (yum)!!!