Clouds before the squall.
A couple of days before leaving Stuart a squall blew through the anchorage bringing winds in the mid 30 knot range with gusts in the mid 40s. It didn't last long, but when it was through a 40 something foot sailboat was on the rocks. I dinghied over to see if I could help and then was joined by 4 other dinghies. The group tow didn't work, so 2 dinghies tied up to the halyard that is led to the top of the mast. At full throttle, they were able to heal the sailboat over far enough so that the 3 remaining dinghies were able to pull him off the rocks.into deeper water. We were all pretty sure the boat would start to sink, but the hull was intact.
The captain had us tow him to his original spot where he reanchored, with the shaft of his Danforth anchor now bent at an 80 degree angle. Oh well... We basically pulled him off so that he could drag into other boats when the wind piped up again.
Sunset on our last night in Stuart.
The captain had us tow him to his original spot where he reanchored, with the shaft of his Danforth anchor now bent at an 80 degree angle. Oh well... We basically pulled him off so that he could drag into other boats when the wind piped up again.
Sunset on our last night in Stuart.
On Saturday morning we left Stuart headed for Lake Worth where we dropped the anchor in early afternoon. After installing the jacklines and properly securing the dinghy, we tried to catch some sleep. Lisa was successful, I was not.
At 11 pm we were headed out the inlet headed for the Abacos. We should have waited another day to let the seas die down some more (the wind had been blowing hard against the Gulf Stream for several days), but we were tired of waiting and the forecast didn't sound too bad.
It was a miserable crossing. The seas were only 5 or 6 feet, but once again they were square and very close together. Without any wind in the sails to help stabilize the boat it was very uncomfortable. Once again, in a washing machine with the gentle cycle busted.
We entered the Little Bahama bank just after sunrise and were anchored at Great Sale Cay by late afternoon. The following morning we headed for Green Turtle Cay where we paid our money and got legal with Customs and Immigration.
Customs, Immigration, Post Office.
The Bahamas are mostly limestone with very little dirt (I believe that's why the water is perfect), so large trees are not common, but they have some very beautiful flowers. If you have your camera ready, you catch a beautiful woman in front of them.
The Calaboose.
At 11 pm we were headed out the inlet headed for the Abacos. We should have waited another day to let the seas die down some more (the wind had been blowing hard against the Gulf Stream for several days), but we were tired of waiting and the forecast didn't sound too bad.
It was a miserable crossing. The seas were only 5 or 6 feet, but once again they were square and very close together. Without any wind in the sails to help stabilize the boat it was very uncomfortable. Once again, in a washing machine with the gentle cycle busted.
We entered the Little Bahama bank just after sunrise and were anchored at Great Sale Cay by late afternoon. The following morning we headed for Green Turtle Cay where we paid our money and got legal with Customs and Immigration.
Customs, Immigration, Post Office.
The Bahamas are mostly limestone with very little dirt (I believe that's why the water is perfect), so large trees are not common, but they have some very beautiful flowers. If you have your camera ready, you catch a beautiful woman in front of them.
The Calaboose.
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