Thank you Terri
My last post talked about the anchorage at Hoffman’s Cay but our task that day was to get ashore and walk through the woods to the blue hole. Because it was later in the afternoon we had the beach all to ourselves. It was a cool salty swim and on the way back to the boat we saw a large manta ray come fully out of the water. For once we were both looking in the right direction.
At sunrise we started moving out of the anchorage and on our way to Royal Island Harbor in the north Eleuthera Chain. It took most of the day to sail down the Berry’s, the top of Nassau, through the Egg island cut and into the anchorage. We chose this harbor for it’s protection because over the next five days two fronts would be coming through with winds over 30knots. Anchor down, set well, snubber on and settled in for the first storm front to come through overnight
On a boat the wind makes a certain pitch and if it stays constant you stay asleep. I woke up a couple of times to check on the weather and the boat. It’s 4:30 am and out of a deep sleep, at the height of the winds Sheri calls out that another boat had gotten very close. Up on deck with the wind howling we went about turning on deck lights, setting out fenders and starting the engine with the possibility of having to move away. The best I could tell at that point was that a large catamaran had dragged it’s anchor and was now at times a boat length away. Another monohull was close off the starboard bow. Steadfast, and Hunters in general, always swing back and forth in the wind so at one moment we looked fine but not the next. All three boats were awake with lights on and taking the measures to feel secure. Our anchor was holding and soon the situation stabilized. Again the constant wind, though strong, lulled me (but not Sheri) back to sleep.
The sea has settled so Friday afternoon we headed out in the dinghy for a 3.5 mile ride to the Sandbar bar and Grill on Russell Island. We started talking with a group from the states who had a home here for the last 40 years and later good discussion with a group who had been going to the Abacos and how the changes impacted the community and them. After good food and beverage we had a bumpier ride back just as the last light was fading. Now to prepare for storm two.
We had learned that a lot of boaters put out significantly higher scope or chain length than we had so in the morning we moved a quarter-mile further in to the protection of the harbor.Throughout the morning as the winds increased more boats arrived and one anchored near us. The storm did not create the drama of dragging anchors through the winds reached 40 knots.
Sunday we were visited by Jim Kane on the neighboring boat Blackthorne. Shortly after his friend Bob from a 50’Morgan came by to visit. We accepted an invitation from Jim and Sue to gather late that afternoon on his boat.
Since I offered to bring some homemade coconut candies I had my work cut out for me since I have never made this before. I have been trying to figure out good uses for the coconuts I keep collecting. While Sheri rested I chopped and mixed and soon came out with coconut truffles with roasted almond and sea salt as well as a Jamaican candy with coconut, ginger, almond slivers and chocolate topping. You would almost think I knew what I was doing!
Our gathering went well as we swapped stories of boating and families. Sue really liked the candies and we made new boat friends with this central Massachusetts couple and Bob and Marie on Carrie May. Back to Steadfast with the plan of moving 5 miles after 5 nights to visit Spanish Wells.
** This blog is dedicated to Teri Hire who passed away January 31..too young and too soon for me. I will miss my friend greatly and will seek to approach life with the passion he brought to everything. Thank you God for letting me get to know him and his lovely bride Dianne.
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| Beautiful saltwater blue hole |
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| Ironstone seahorse |
At sunrise we started moving out of the anchorage and on our way to Royal Island Harbor in the north Eleuthera Chain. It took most of the day to sail down the Berry’s, the top of Nassau, through the Egg island cut and into the anchorage. We chose this harbor for it’s protection because over the next five days two fronts would be coming through with winds over 30knots. Anchor down, set well, snubber on and settled in for the first storm front to come through overnight
 Sheri looking East as we head for Spanish Wells |
On a boat the wind makes a certain pitch and if it stays constant you stay asleep. I woke up a couple of times to check on the weather and the boat. It’s 4:30 am and out of a deep sleep, at the height of the winds Sheri calls out that another boat had gotten very close. Up on deck with the wind howling we went about turning on deck lights, setting out fenders and starting the engine with the possibility of having to move away. The best I could tell at that point was that a large catamaran had dragged it’s anchor and was now at times a boat length away. Another monohull was close off the starboard bow. Steadfast, and Hunters in general, always swing back and forth in the wind so at one moment we looked fine but not the next. All three boats were awake with lights on and taking the measures to feel secure. Our anchor was holding and soon the situation stabilized. Again the constant wind, though strong, lulled me (but not Sheri) back to sleep.
Thursday morning with the wind still strong all the boats stayed in position and we worked on fixing the macerator which allows the boat toilet to flush properly. We took it apart fixed the problem and put it together. Then for the next 15 hours we took it apart again and put it together to fix the leaks.It is rare that a boat part that’s broken is easily accessible or fixed simply. We work through our list of fixing items and researching items that need to be fixed from Thursday through Friday at noon. We also established a plan to go back to Nassau on the 15th and meet Barbara and David Berry. He is bringing the necessary tools and fasteners needed to attempt a repair of the auto helm which leaves
Sheri and Barbara a chance to shop.
The sea has settled so Friday afternoon we headed out in the dinghy for a 3.5 mile ride to the Sandbar bar and Grill on Russell Island. We started talking with a group from the states who had a home here for the last 40 years and later good discussion with a group who had been going to the Abacos and how the changes impacted the community and them. After good food and beverage we had a bumpier ride back just as the last light was fading. Now to prepare for storm two.
We had learned that a lot of boaters put out significantly higher scope or chain length than we had so in the morning we moved a quarter-mile further in to the protection of the harbor.Throughout the morning as the winds increased more boats arrived and one anchored near us. The storm did not create the drama of dragging anchors through the winds reached 40 knots.
Sunday we were visited by Jim Kane on the neighboring boat Blackthorne. Shortly after his friend Bob from a 50’Morgan came by to visit. We accepted an invitation from Jim and Sue to gather late that afternoon on his boat.
Since I offered to bring some homemade coconut candies I had my work cut out for me since I have never made this before. I have been trying to figure out good uses for the coconuts I keep collecting. While Sheri rested I chopped and mixed and soon came out with coconut truffles with roasted almond and sea salt as well as a Jamaican candy with coconut, ginger, almond slivers and chocolate topping. You would almost think I knew what I was doing!
Our gathering went well as we swapped stories of boating and families. Sue really liked the candies and we made new boat friends with this central Massachusetts couple and Bob and Marie on Carrie May. Back to Steadfast with the plan of moving 5 miles after 5 nights to visit Spanish Wells.
** This blog is dedicated to Teri Hire who passed away January 31..too young and too soon for me. I will miss my friend greatly and will seek to approach life with the passion he brought to everything. Thank you God for letting me get to know him and his lovely bride Dianne.
So sorry to hear of the loss of your friend...…….
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