We are now two months into our grand adventure with one month in the Bahamas. The past several weeks we spent an amazing eighteen (18) consecutive days tied to various mooring balls in the southern Abacos. Prior to refitting the boat with a Spectra water-maker and increased battery charge capacity, we could not have stayed untied from the dock for so long. However, with these, and other additions, we had pleasant stays and extended safe harbor.
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Yesterday we took advantage of a brief weather window and exited Little Harbor Cut, off Great Abaco Island, out into the open waters of the North Atlantic. The weather data we reviewed called for six to eight foot (6′-8′) seas with 15-20 knot winds out of the NE, all of which we encountered during our passage. Additionally, we had occasional ten foot (10′) waves splashing over our bow. This gave us, and our wiper blades, vigorous exercise and served as a reminder to respect the powerful energy of the sea.
Everyone on board had firm sea legs beneath them and handled the rough sea conditions well. While Patton did appear a little green at times, and had difficulty finding a spot to lay comfortably, he too mustered up strong sea legs for the journey (all four of them).
Latitude 25° 32.478″ N, Longitude 76° 45.427″ W
We transited 48 nm south in the North Atlantic. The boys got a practical life geography lesson when we crossed one degree further south towards the equator and the chart plotter position rolled over from 26o north to 25o north. The seas calmed when we rounded the point and entered the lee of Royal Island, although the winds were still producing white caps even there. This made for a sporty entry into the narrow channel as we glided into Spanish Wells mid-afternoon.
As I write this, today it is Thanksgiving Day in the USA. While Thanksgiving is not a holiday that is celebrated in the Bahamas, we intend to celebrate it in traditional style, on board with a turkey and all the fixings. After all, we have innumerable blessings to be grateful for, not the least of which are safe passages, good weather and amazing family and friends, including those new friends we have made along the way.
Since our last post we have covered quite a bit of ground. We spent five fabulous days moored in Hope Town Harbor on Elbow Cay. As most people familiar with the Abacos already know, Hope Town is a very quaint little town with a well protected harbor that is a strong draw for cruisers as they work their way through the Abacos. The harbor has one of the last kerosene fired lighthouses still in existence, plus numerous shops and eateries that make re provisioning easy and convenient.
While we were in Hope Town, we were all treated to some fantastic views from atop the lighthouse. From the lighthouse you can see the Atlantic on one side and the Sea of Abaco on the other with a commanding view of the Hope Town harbor thrown in for good measure.
In addition to the spectacular daytime views, we got a unique opportunity to climb the lighthouse with the lighthouse keeper and Ryan and Ronan got to light the giant kerosene lantern and hand crank the light house lens.
We could have easily spent another week or more hanging out in Hope Town but believe it or not, we are actually beginning to come under some schedule pressure. We still need to get down to Staniel Cay in the Exumas by December 1 so that we can pick up some friends who are flying down from New Hampshire, therefor it is time for us to move on.
BAHAMAS ROYAL DEFENSE BOARDING
The day we left Hope Town was a beautiful clear day with light winds on the Sea of Abaco, making our transit south to Little Harbor both scenic and comfortable. About half way into our day, we passed a Royal Bahamian Defense Force patrol boat that captured the boys attention when they saw the multiple deck guns and 50 caliber machine guns mounted to the rails. We were all caught by surprise when the patrol boat launched a twin engine RIB (rigid inflatable boat) crewed by 7 heavily armed sailors who pulled alongside the Pilots’ Discretion and advised us that we were about to be boarded.
Bahamas Royal Defense Force
Although I participated in many such boardings as a crew member in the Coast Guard many years ago, I must confess that I felt some apprehension as we had to heave to and allow the armed crew members aboard. The good news is that all of the Bahamian sailors were extremely professional. They conducted a thorough search of the Pilots’ Discretion (we did not learn until after they had completed their search that there had been a boat carrying 100 Haitian refugees in the area and the Bahamian Defence Force was involved in a large scale search for them), after which they wished us a safe journey and were off to their next boarding. An hour after our boarding we were gliding smoothly into Little Harbor where we picked up a mooring ball and settled in for the night.
LITTLE HARBOR
Pilots Discretion position 2014 November, Litle Harbor, Abaco, Bahamas
Little Harbor as the name implies, is a small harbor located on the southeastern coast of Great Abaco Island. There are a few very nice homes, a completely protected harbor teeming with marine life of all descriptions, a great reef for snorkeling and some magnificent beaches. Beyond the natural beauty of this harbor, it is also known as a favorite stop for cruisers because it has one of the Bahamas better known cruiser hangouts known as Pete’s Pub. The pub is named appropriately enough for it’s owner Pete Johnston, a world renowned sculptor. Pete also has a gallery on the island to display his works plus the works of the many artisans who travel to work with Pete on various projects. We were looking forward to visiting the pub and gallery but since they are only open Thursday thru Sunday this time of year and it was Wednesday afternoon when we pulled in, we did not expect to do anything but chill the first night on the mooring. After getting the Pilots’ Discretion secured for the evening, we all took the dinghy to shore to look around.
Pete’s Pub Dock, Little Harbor, Great Abaco, Bahamas
As we were walking down the dock, a big, booming voice called out from the closed pub and said “you guys look like you could use a drink”. It was none other than Pete himself and the next thing we know, we are sitting with Pete and a dozen other folks, both cruisers and locals. Pete proceeded to cook dinner and provide drinks for all and as he said “the restaurant is open tomorrow, you can’t buy a drink on this island tonight.” Ryan and Ronan were eating like they had not been fed for weeks. Ronan was very impressed with the small, freshly cooked “chickens” and he told Pete how good they were. Pete, much to Ronan’s surprise replied ” those aren’t chickens, those are pigeons, I shot them out of that tree over there, this afternoon.” Ronan who at times has been accused of being a finicky eater was pleasantly surprised by Pete’s culinary skills.
pilotsdiscretiondotcom 