Makin' it Up

West End - Here We Come: 10-11 Jul 09

Farewell to the Bahamas

There’s little to tell of this voyage that was noticeably lacking in cruising craft companionship.  We left the Great Bahama Bank via the ancient sea-faring passage of Douglas Cut and toddled into the NW Passage.  At night, this deep sea passage however, became a highway of cruise liners all lit up like Christmas trees, moving their bevy of lovelies from one exotic Bahamas destination to the next.  It was sailing rather too close to one of these white wonders that we suddenly had our ears boxed by a rather stiff squall.  WJ3 lurched under the strength of now too much sail, our trusty Cap’n swore, and GS woke from her beauty sleep, only happy this didn’t happen on her shift!  A moment of madness and it was all over.  But the Cap’n did keep a weather eye out to ensure we didn’t get caught again.

Honey, I think we snagged a shark.  West End

West End, despite being a strategic destination for those travelling to the Abaco Cays, is small with too many resorts-in-progress, suffering no doubt due to the current economic downturn.  The only thing going on in town was a funeral.  We anchored in a shallow cut near a small marina, noticing the ubiquitous barracuda and a large nurse shark (perhaps 8ft) drifting over the swiftly flowing tidal waters on the cut.  We decided to anchor, waiting out a passing storm and Sunday.  This would ensure a working day arrival in the USA.  It also signed off the end of our Bahamas Passage….

One long straight wake across the Gulf Stream

We have to confess to shortening our planned cruise through the Bahamas a little.  The Berry Islands are considered remote and whilst we enjoyed those secluded and very often pristine anchorages we had seen so far, we felt a shameless need for fresh produce and companionship (other than each other!).  So in our own best interests, we decided to forgo swimming, snorkeling and sailing for a bit of motoring up the ICW and hedonistic lifestyle offered by Walmart et al.  Oh, God Bless America!

From: Allens Cay, Exumas  Lat/Long: 24 44N  76 50W Date/Time: 10/7/09: 0630

To: West End, Bahamas  Lat/Long: 26 42N  78 59W  Date/Time: 11/7/09: 1510

Time Taken: 173nm (33.5hrs)  Distance (this year): 1713nm (345.5hrs)

Distance Total (since 2008): 2562nm  (523.5hrs)   Fastest Speed: 7kts**

Weather: Winds SE 10-12kts; Seas 1-2ft; Swell generally SE (getting repetitious?)

(**Another 2 day sail (we’re getting good at this!); 7kts at best)