Voyage of Seawing

The Crew of Seawing are preparing to embark on an epic adventure, sailing southward through the Caribbean. Follow along on this site and experience the adventure with them.

05 October 2009 | Staniel Cay, Exuma, Bahamas
05 May 2009 | Long Island, Bahamas
04 May 2009 | Georgetown, Exuma, Bahamas
20 April 2009 | Stocking Island, Exuma Cays, Bahamas
19 April 2009 | Stocking Island, Exuma Cays, Bahamas
18 April 2009 | Sand Dollar Beach, Exuma Cays, Bahamas
07 April 2009 | Stocking Island, Exuma Cays, Bahamas
04 April 2009 | Elizabeth Harbour, Great Exuma, Exuma Cays, Bahamas
03 April 2009 | Little Farmers Cay, Exuma Cays, Bahamas
31 March 2009 | Little Farmers Cay, Exuma Cays, Bahamas
30 March 2009 | Staniel Cay, Exuma Cays, Bahamas
28 March 2009 | Big Major Spot, Exuma Cays, Bahamas
26 March 2009 | Big Major Spot, Exuma Cays, Bahamas
25 March 2009 | Staniel Cay, Exuma Cays, Bahamas
24 March 2009 | Big Major Spot, Exuma Cays, Bahamas
24 March 2009 | Staniel Cay, Exuma Cays, Bahamas
24 March 2009 | Big Major Spot, Exuma Cays, Bahamas
23 March 2009 | Big Major Spot, Exuma Cays, Bahamas
21 March 2009 | Normans Cay, Exuma Cays, Bahamas

Little Farmers Cay & Staniel Cay

05 October 2009 | Staniel Cay, Exuma, Bahamas
Glenn.
Around 1130 this morning we dropped the mooring pendant we'd been moored to and left Little Farmers Cay to the north entrance to the harbour, out onto the very shallow, but clear banks leading north past Black Point.

It was good to drop back into Little Farmers Cay and see folks that we'd gotten to know during our previous stay. Jacquie and Ben quickly disappeared into the island, finding the friends they'd made on their last visit. We found them under a palm tree plaiting (braiding) palm fronds; showing each other different patterned weaves each had learned in different places. We love this little island and it's inhabitants.

As it was high-tide as we left, it wasn't too difficult to find our way through the shoals out onto the banks. A little north of 24 degrees 01 minutes north, I stood on the bow to watch for charted coral heads. We saw several and altered course to avoid two sets. I'm not sure how shallow these actually are. Maybe we could simply sail right over them, but hate to grind/bang into them.

For a while we were able to sail without help of the engine (ol' thumper), but after a bit had to fire her up again as the winds died. We might have sailed more, but were pushing to get to Staniel Cay as Lori's sunburned legs were very swollen and blistered.

We tied to the fuel-dock on Staniel Cay around 1430 (2:30pm). While the kids and I fuelled and tended to Seawing, Sue and Lori scooted off to the medical clinic to see about Lori's leg. I took on diesel and gasoline and quite enjoyed peeing in a shore-side toilet and washing my hands in warm endless water (life's simple pleasures).

Around 1600 (4pm) the girls returned from the medical clinic and we left the dock heading towards the small anchorage near Thunderball Cave (names after a James Bond movie of the same name). Almost immediately after leaving the dock, I noticed that as I increased RPM the boat would shutter. I checked the engine room but already knew what must be wrong. We limped up-stream in the strong current of the incoming tide and anchored. After anchoring, Sue and I dove on the bottom of the boat and found the predictable mass of line (rope) tangled in our propeller. With a sharp fishing knife, I was able to dive down and cut it all off. Funny enough I saved the ball of several different types of line and have been using it to secure a number of things on deck. The current is really strong here when the tide is in flood or ebb. It took some doing not to be carried away with the current.
Comments
Vessel Name: SeawingI
Vessel Make/Model: Gulfstar Aux. 41'
Hailing Port: Edmonton, Alberta Canada
Crew: Glenn, Sue, Jacquie & Ben
Home Page: www.seawing.net

Who are these crazy sailors anyhow?

Who: Glenn, Sue, Jacquie & Ben
Port: Edmonton, Alberta Canada
Q: Why "Seawing"? A: "If I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea; Even there shall thy hand lead me, and thy right hand shall hold me." (Psalms 139:9-10)
"And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent: Because he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead." (Acts 17:30-31)