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Published: March 30th 2011
'O'Bama' Bay Marina
Woopee. This feels like a milestone.If you're saying 'finally' bite your tongue. Time to celebrate and say thanks again to the loyal folks who helped us over the years, so we could get here!
After turning back from the crossing Wednesday night, due to extra choppy seas, last Thursday we left Lake Worth at 7 a.m. and aimed south west to cross the Gulf Stream. It was a sunny, relatively peaceful crossing. Beginners need this kind of good luck to keep them going.
We got to West End, the nearest north western port in the Bahama chain of 700 islands and scooted into the marina before 4 p.m., for an @ 9 hour crossing. Once we passed the midpoint we seemed to pick up speed as the Gulf Stream gave us a boost.
Note to Pat and John... we were startled to hear 'O'Bama' Bay on channel 16. That's short for Old Bahama Bay Marina!
Clearing customs was very civilized, despite the numerous legal size sheets to fill. Even Ginger was a non-issue after getting her 2 International Certificates. Why do we worry so?
The entrance to the narrow marina channel has a very strong surge, especially with the south west
Sunrise leaving Lake Worth
Heading east to the Bahamas wind blowing you in cockeyed. A single, bare pole marks the channel.
After we got into the very tight marina, a sunken sailboat was brought in to the turning basin for safe keeping. Their motor had failed the night before and they sailed into rocks north of the channel . All hands were saved and the boat may be also.
The next morning the wind had picked up more from the west than the 20kn predicted and the channel was daunting. Mostly everyone stayed put for the day. The full marina doubled their luck this time, compared to the sparse trade they have been experiencing since the downturn.
In the afternoon Frank was luck to be invited to go sportfishing on a magnificent boat, 30 miles south on the banks. So he had a second fishing lesson but no fish yet. The protocol is that people catch and release large fish, (maybe blue marlin?) for the sport. Fuel for these day trips could easily run $2000 to $100,000 for longer adventures. If the fish only knew how important they really are!
The evening brought a wonderful treat, reconnecting with friends from Lake Worth and discovering new
friends from Quebec. It's a divine experience (aka blessing) to meet experienced people, who are living their lives choicefully, generous with their wisdom and good humour. Merci Giva!
We had the option to follow north over the banks or continue with our plan to go south to Freeport. Hard to know what's best. We would love to go and learn more, while enjoying good company. If in doubt we stay with plan A, the one that has the most thought and preparation.
And as cruisers seem to know, the special people that you click with seem to magically re-appear at the best of times.
We moved on to Lucaya the next day and will be here for a month. We'll catch up soon.
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Kathryn
non-member comment
Oh, Yeah!
Chris and Frank...what an adventure! (an understatement despite the exclamation mark) Chris, your pix are getting better and better (and it isn't the scenery, although that gets a plus too). Frank, your fishing can only improve. Stay sailing in the area until August when I'm freer. Yet in my state, which isn't leaving quickly, I do find myself getting enthusiastic and then having to back out of promises, which is very frustrating and against my nature. I'm dreaming about Marrakech -- a writing and painting excursion -- but have a budge to balance (boohoo). Enough about me and my ups and downs...I'm hoping there are many more "divine experiences" in your future -- you both have the karma to attract them. Love.