Well we finally got to Nassau… our first venture south! We were in Miami Beach for 2 weeks waiting for weather to get across. There sure were alot of high East winds this early winter. We were surprised after talking with various cruisers that its better to do it all in one shot as the marinas are expensive and anchorages not that good. So I was surprised and thought that maybe next time would be better to go further north BUT then I don’t know. We left to Nassau around noon on 1-1-07 with 10-15 other boats, 30 hours, 170nm going across Atlantic gulf stream (day time), Bahamas banks (8-20 ft deep at night – full moon so could see bottom which was scary) to tongue of ocean in day time (where open Atlantic gets to kick up if wrong wind direction) going to Nassau. We had a GREAT crossing and had a every 2 hour cruiser crossing VHF net to keep us sane and in touch/assist with issues/etc. We motor sailed with main/genoa most of the way. Alot of these 15 I never had met until some of us stayed at the same marina/anchorage. 20 cruisers that left the following early AM had a more challenging crossing. I felt bad for them as we spent before x-mas and New Year Eve with some of them. Going south should be abit easier as not so far and better protection from wind/wave.
Now we are going to buy a 15hsp dinghy motor in Nassau (cheaper!) as our 4hsp is just abit small for the distances you have to travel to snorkel around the islands and if wind picks up you need to get back to secure your boat. So I guess it could be thought as a safety measure as well as pleasure. It is our car after all! Another hit to our budget so more beans/rice! Then we have to sell our 4hsp somewhere and have 2 outboards on our SKINNY transom.
We’re getting another high East blow at anchorage in Nassau tonight +20 knots. Chose not to go to more protected anchorage as needing to deal with motor on this end of harbor. So far our anchor has been faithful to Sojourn/Us and are blessed! At least its cooler and dryer as this MIDWEST girl is not yet used to the heat! At times the sheets feel abit humid from the WARM salt air but at $6/load to wash I’ll deal with it
and wash in buckets when necessary!
I guess we’ll be in Exumas for a several weeks and then continue south so let us know if
you want to come visit and we’ll let you know if it will work out. We love to continue to hear from everyone and will have to do it via skype (voice) or email since our cell phone was shut off permanently.