I left Georgetown this morning for my trek north. I pulled up my anchor and headed out to Exuma Sound to Black Point about 45 miles to the north. The wind, waves and swell were a little more than forecast which made for a quick but somewhat bumpy ride. After being at anchor for so long it became apparent what "stuff" i failed to put away. It was what some people would call "downright sporty". This afternoon's excitement came in form of a squall that decided to hit about a mile before my exit from the Sound onto the Exuma Bank through Galliot Cut. I had timed this cut to be at slack tide or at least on the flood tide. (going though cuts with strong opposing wind and tide is also downright sporty if not foolhardy). I already had a reef in the main but after hearing some of the boats behind me warning of gusts to 40 knots, I decided to put in my rarely used 2nd reef. Making it though the cut and on to the other side was a welcome relief. The wind never materialized more than 23 knt, which was fine by me.
A beautiful sail up the banks (which averages 7 to 10 feet deep) on a nice beam reach with 19 knts of wind and NO WAVES.... I am now anchored in Black Point where I will be waiting for a window to head back out to cross the Sound to Eleuthera.