Eleuthera to the Exumas

Eleuthera to the Exumas   … Monday 25 - Tuesday 26 February 2013

We've been getting up early to ensure that we catch Chris Parker's weather update for the Bahamas on our single sideband radio. This really is the most comprehensive and impressive summary of current and predicted weather. Based on these forecasts we decided that we should aim to cross to the Exumas on Tuesday because the winds should be most favorable for a good sail and reasonable sea conditions. So on Monday morning we quickly rowed the dinghy to shore to pick up a few last minute groceries. We walked up the road to the highest point on Eleuthera and climbed an observation tower for a terrific 360o view. Governors Harbor looked great from high up - needless to say I'd left my camera on the boat. Anyway, once we were squared away we pulled up anchor and motor sailed south to Rock Sound. Initially the wind was fairly light and pretty close to on our nose, but seemed to move  a little east and certainly increased in speed as the journey progressed. By the time we pulled in to Rock Sound it was probably blowing 20 knots. We anchored in a deserted area with good protection from any chop and enjoyed a pleasant evening. We hauled out the dinghy, deflated it and stored it on the foredeck and we also put up the inner forestay and stay sail in preparation for out deep water crossing on Tuesday. The wind dropped and we sat out and watched the full moon light up the entire bay. 

24 49.777 N, 76 10.733 W

We planned our passage across Exuma Sound in reverse, to ensure that we arrived at Highbourne Cut at slack tide. We estimated 2 hours  at 5.5 knots to reach our jumping off point at Powell Point, Cape Eleuthera and then four hours at 6.5 knots to cross the Sound. Aiming to be at the cut at 2.30 pm we pulled up anchor and headed out at 8.30 am. Winds were predicted to be S or SSE at 15-20 knots diminishing to 12-15 knots in the afternoon. Our journey was initially almost down wind then slightly forward of a beam reach for the main part. The first part of the route to Powell Point needed to be fairly precise to avoid sand banks and coral heads. We started out with a single reef in the main and added the stay sail once we completed the first down wind leg. The next section was in a SSW direction and close to the bearing we would be following offshore, so it was a good chance to assess conditions and refine our sail plan. It was pretty choppy and we decided to leave it as it was, but as we passed into the deep water of Exuma Sound we felt the stay sail was performing poorly and decided to lower it and raise our genoa. The sea state settled into longer swells abeit with a fair bit of chop on top. We roared along at around 7 knots, but after an hour the seas and winds seems to pick up and we felt overpowered and partly furled the genoa. We still made excellent speed and shortly after 2pm we reached our waypoint off Highbourne Cay. Sadly we didn't catch any fish (again), but today we recovered most of our tackle. We did manage to lose one small lure - it appears the steel leader snapped  - how can that be? Anyway we negotiated the cut and almost immediately turned into Highborne Cay marina where we had reserved a slip. This our first night at a dock since we arrived at West End in the Bahamas on January 2nd. Even if it's expensive ($2.30 per foot) it's great to take  a real shower ($4 extra each) and fill up with reverse osmosis water ($0.5 per gallon). Tomorrow we head south to the Exumas Land and Sea Park where we hope to be able to get a mooring for a couple of nights. The wind is going to swing to the NW and by Saturday night/Sunday will be blowing 30 knots so we need to plan to be somewhere safe. That's it for now.

24 42.591 N, 76 49.337 W

Mike

Gloria scans the sea for coral heads as we approach Rock Sound 

The moon sets over Rock Sound early Tuesday morning

7 knots under reefed main and Genoa - Exuma Sound

Gloria - seriously concentrating on steering the boat - Exuma Sound