In the George Town, Bahamas harbor (Elizabeth Harbor) there are several places to anchor, all with good holding in sand in no more than 20 feet of water. George Town is on Great Exuma Island, to the West. To the East is Stocking Island and we are nestled very close to it, at the Volleyball Beach anchorage barely out of the channel that goes about a quarter mile East to the St. Francis Resort. The resort is the location for the Internet signal, such as it is ($2 for 75 minutes). Users must go to the resort and pay in person to receive a ticket with an assigned username and password, so that is an annoyance, but at least service is available usually. Immediately to the North is Honeymoon Beach, Monument Beach and Hamburger Beach, each with their anchorages. To the South is Sand Dollar Beach and its anchorage. Near Great Exuma Island, to the West, Kidd's Cove and its anchorage provides easy access to George Town. The harbor is about one mile wide so winds from the East or West only have a short fetch. There is good protection from the North and excellent protection from the Northeast. When winds go South the protection is not so good, but usually the South winds are very short lived. We have had strong winds, over 20 knots, mostly 25 - 30 knots, gusting to 36.2 knots (gale force = 34 knots) from the East northeast, East and East southeast since Sunday night. With winds from the East at 30, even the short quarter mile fetch produces waves that rock us, but after several days, we are used to it. We ran one propane tank dry (we have another tank) on Tuesday, the windiest day so far. We try to refill tanks as quickly as possible and Wednesday was the weekly propane delivery, so timing-wise, that was excellent; weather-wise, not so much. We prepared for a rough dinghy trip across the harbor wearing bathing suits and plastic bags, high fashion cruiser style. We went cautiously through three foot waves arrived and obtained our propane, got some gasoline for the dinghy, got some groceries, disposed of trash and found the aluminum recycling dumpster. The ride back was more difficult as the wind blew spray into our faces. A freshwater shower upon our return sorted us out again. Tonight, we have the crew and guests from Aventura and Sea Star aboard for dinner. They each have an Island Packet 440 and we think it will be fun for them to meet each other.
We had no intention to be in George Town for Regatta, but the timing was such that being with and meeting our friends put us all here then and we got caught up in the activities. We had been traveling with Gone With The Wind since we were in Northern Eleuthera and we enjoy these Aussie's company very much, mates. Barb convinced Liam to enter their boat in the races and that we would crew. No worries thah! (translate as "there".) Phil and Karol, fellow Australians and Atlantic crossing buddies of Liam and Annie, on Tahani Lee joined us all on the 52' catamaran on both race days. We had agreed to meet Sea Star here to visit and get information about their travels to Jamaica and South to Panama, because that is our plan as well. They had had guests aboard and toured the Northern Exuma chain while we headed South. By the time we got to George Town they were held up by weather. A few days later, they were heading to George Town when a vessel nearby lost its transmission and Sea Star towed them into the nearest cut. This diversion (an action required on the seas when vessels are in distress. Incidentally, Sea Star was on the scene when we all made the sea rescue of Kersti off the coast of Cartagena.) cost them their arrival in George Town, but they got to discover the safety of the Pipe Creek area during the passage of the cold front over course of the following few days. They arrived last Sunday and anchored next to us. We were pleased to see Aventura again as we knew they were in the Bahamas, but did not know where. They were receiving our position reports so they knew our location. They arrived Thursday, just as we passed by on Gone With The Wind during the In Harbor Race. The next day they moved to take a mooring just in front of us. Monday, during the 30+ knot winds, their guest arrived by water taxi. We think that the arrival of guests and the severe weather is coincidental, but....
The results of the races in which Gone With The Wind was entered will not be announced until Friday night so while we did well, we don't know how well, yet. Aventura entered the Around the Stocking Island Race last Saturday with us (different division) and they intend to depart on Friday to sail with their guest so, if they leave, they won't be here to see if they are awarded a trophy or not.
No comments:
Post a Comment