Saturday, January 6, 2018

Pushing on through the Bahamas - Bimini to Chub Cay

So, after six days (5 nights) in Bimini, its time to move on.  We arrived the day before New Year's eve, and while we planned to stay for NY, the weather kept us here with 30+ kt winds.

Santa's Seaplane
A few boats tried to leave - the wise ones turned back.  Austin was scheduled to travel back to Miami on the 3 rd, but the seaplanes and the fast ferry were grounded, so he was delayed a day, but got out on the 4th via seaplane to Ft. Lauderdale, then  got a ride to Miami and a flight to Atlanta - long days of travel!

We heard a few storm stories locally - not sure how true they were, but the small oil tanker bringing fuel to Bimini did ground attempting to come in to port, they got off and held offshore until it could come in.  We also heard a cruise ship in Freeport ahad broken free of moorings - but I could not substantiate this.
Austin's seaplane trip to Ft Lauderdale
Before we left Bimini, new friends on their cat decided to complete the re-naming process with a re-naming ceremony.  Her new name was "Good Karma" - apparently they had had a string of breakages  after renaming the boat, but had not performed the re-naming ceremony.

So of course, we helped with a champagne toast to the new boat name "Good Karma" and wished them luck for the future.  Good Karma is also headed to Chub Cay next..........so let's hope that Poseidon looks on them favorably!

Re-naming ceremony for "Good Karma"

January 5 -  Bimini to Chub Cay

We left late afternoon seeing a marginal break in the weather to head for Chub Cay.  We were out of the channel by 4pm and headed around the top (north) side of Bimini before crossing the Bahama Bank to Chub Cay.  It started out a great sail, but as we shifted course the wids came off the bow giving us a close haul in 15-20 with building seas.  Electing comfort over pureist sailing, we first reefed the jib.......sailed on more......but as it became less comfortable, we rolled is up and motor-sailed with main only.  We still arrived early - 6am and we were almost there.  We cut the motor to slow down and arrived at 7am as the marina was opening up and the sun was rising.  We are moving farther south.....little by little.  Actually this was more east in order to get south.

Chub Cay
Arriving in Bimini, the 3 boats chose different options - Midnight Sun and Navigo took the marina at $3/ft, and TraSea elected to take the anchorage.  Midnight Sun had a dog in need of land, and excess laundry. Navigo has a water tank/heater issue, and laundry needs.  So now we are watching the building winds as another front rolls through.  At $3/ft we are not staying and the plan is to leave early tomorrow - likely with sporty 15-20 winds and try to make the 30 mile hop to Nassau.  Not our first choice, but we are trying to get south to pick up friends and guests on Saturday from Georgetown and days are slipping away.
Salty stretches his legs at Chub Cay

So we will see how it goes tomorrow - the plan (always flexible) is to sail to the west end of Nassau and anchor in West Bay.  We will likely be there until Tuesday to ride out this next front.  We shall see how it goes!

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