Steadfast Travels

Weather notes...After a while it just doesn’t matter  I listen to the weather briefing but as soon as it’s mostly done we are moving through the chop on the west side of Norman’s Cay ready to make our way across Exuma sounds 4800 foot depths back to   Rock Sound Eleuthera. Following two catamarans and a trawler from the anchorage on a path sketched on our electronics. From the coral fields we go in three different directions. Soon the current is carrying Steadfast through the cut and onto the sound. There are places along the Exumas to hide out from the much touted blow but we’re comfortable with the Harbor at Rock Sound and happy to return. The crossing is mostly good but as the morning winds on we find ourselves changing course to avoid the scattered showers but there is no running from what’s next. We were supposed to have till mid afternoon but by lunch Friday this prefrontal boundary was on the doorstep and we were shortening the jib in so we were ready when the 25...

February 17 -  20 Monday’s weather briefing was important since there isn’t one on Sunday and I had been too busy to study the upcoming details. We will have a few good weather days before the next front comes in on Friday/Saturday. So after we digest that and the last of the coconut french toast we are off to Allen Cay Exuma.   Making the islands power  Coral head watching is the equivalent of spotting and dodging lobster pots in Maine. An attentive crew with needed course changes and you are all set. This started 100 yards from the West Bay anchorage as I decided to take the longer way out and around a small island keeping away from a questionable exit at low tide. If you leave from the east end of New Providence the route to Allen’s is through the yellow banks but our west departure is through the white banks which has fewer coral heads to avoid. Also I was able to use the newly repaired autopilot for more than half of the 7 hour transit. Very helpful. R...

February 13-16   In the lee of Current island a steady breeze builds out of the SE. The sky lightens and it’s just the waning half moon in the sky. An occasional rooster, bird chirp and wave complete the canvas of the morning. As I await the 630 weather breifing and coffee thoughts of a return to Nassau take hold. It has been 5 years (2015) since we stayed in the Guannahani timeshare at cable beach. At the last visit we brought both sets of parents. I sat with my Dad in chairs at the waterline looking out at a sailboat anchored by North Cay saying I expected to bring Steadfast there. We had spent 5 weeks there with good friends and family with only Lindsey not sleeping there though she visited the property when we went to Nassau on a cruise. Four years ago due to extensive storm damage the timeshare began the process of dissolving and releasing owners without compensation. An effort began to sue but after a couple of years that also dissolved and all that is left are empty pockets...