5/25/14 Surprise, Surprise, Surprise. Our quick trip to Schooner Bay includes wifi. We took off early to have enough tide to get out of Little Harbour and came down the coast 14 miles to Schooner Bay. It is a planned development community.

They dug the harbor in one of the few places alone the southeast coast of Great Abaco that would allow entry from the Atlantic in most sea conditions. Then they planned the community around boating, fly fishing on the other side of Great Abaco (only a mile wide here), and environmental concerns. It is quite nice and if not completely overpriced, it may make a go of it. However, it is 28 miles from Marsh Harbour and there is nothing here yet.

That said, we got an hour tour of the area, and then were taken to the grill and bar to have lunch. Again, delicious blackened mahi over fresh greens grown hydroponically in the community. They have a mini marina with wifi, water, and electricity. Only thing big is the dock fee but then again. . .

Tomorrow off around the end of Great Abaco Island and to Sandy Point. Expect no contact there but who knows.

5/26/14 We left Schooner Bay at 6:30 since we had a long day ahead of us. The seas were not as calm as they forecast but weren’t bad considering it is the Atlantic Ocean. Mostly 1-2 foot waves with larger rollers that rock and roll you. There was enough wind to keep up about 4.5 knots and we wanted to make better time so we motor-sailed and made about 6.5. We sailed down around the end of Great Abaco Island past the lighthouse at Hole in the Wall.

Passing that point the seas were confused by the coming together of two large, deep areas but not too bad and it settled down quickly. We made such good time that we bypassed Sandy Point Settlement and Castaway Cay (the Disney island where they don’t let you land anyway). We made it to More’s Island and anchored just south of the town of Hard Bargain. Just missed a thunderstorm but got to see a water spout approaching from the other side of the island. We got a few sprinkles but no near lightning strikes (yeah).


5/27/14 we got underway from Hard Bargain at 6:30 to cross the Northwest Providence Channel to the Lucaya area. Shortly after leaving More’s Island, the bottom falls away to over 2000 feet deep and stayed that way until we arrived at Lucaya. The seas were smooth and the wind never stabilized and just was real light and variable. It was motor all the 57 miles. During the first 5 hours we didn’t see a boat or any wildlife. Finally 2 porpoises came and played for a few minutes. They were only about 3-4 feet long and really fast. Later we saw something with a large white head which was a small whale or a Risso porpoise.

We entered the Grand Luyacan Waterway and anchored in a little cul-de-sac. The Waterway cuts Grand Bahama Island in half and was man made in 1967, trying to establish a “Venice of the Bahamas.” It is a 250 foot wide channel that has concrete seawalls and many branches that were to be developed as resorts or home sites. It never worked out but it is a way to take a short cut to the Abacos from the US. Only problem is the depth, 4 feet in the northern approach, and a 27 foot tall fixed bridge.

5/28/14 Wednesday was a short 8 mile trip from the waterway to the Bell Channel in Lucaya. First we motored up the Grand Lucayan Waterway a few miles to see what we could see. A very nice waterway with 99% vacant land. There is an abandoned condo/apartment building from the 1980’s and several smaller places that are abandoned. Finally we saw some very nice houses. An amazing place that failed badly.

We got to Lucaya and tied up at the Flamingo Bay Marina which is about 8 docks with power and water. It is hot and the airconditioner is a must. Even with it running it is 89 down below. But there is wifi and laundry facilities so I will have clean clothes and sheets again. If the weather forecast holds, we will spend three days here and then cross over to West Palm.