Update on the boat maintenance.  Walter found a small drip on the raw water shaft pump seal.  He replaced the impellor, but it still dripped out the seal.  The raw water pump is what cools the heat exchanger for the engine making us dead in the water.  Now what???

Thank goodness this was found while at a  location where we could try to order a pump from the states and have it shipped to Staniel Cay.  There is a shipping company called Makers that fly’s into Staniel Cay 3 times a day.  Walter was on it, he located a pump in Tampa and was able to express ship the pump to Makers in Ft Lauderdale .  Then we spent the next few days trying to get Wi-Fi so we could track the pump.  This all may sound easy but was a real challenge.  Not only did we need to coordinate the ordering, and shipping of the pump to Makers we also had to create a import/export license for the Bahamas, be able to upload our boat documents, passport and the approved import/export documents. Now all we needed was for the pump and documents to be in the hands of Makers before they would be able to allow customs to schedule the package to be on a plane.  So, while waiting for all this to be coordinated we have been lucky enough to still be on a mooring ball with high winds and rain for the last few days. Today we got notified that everything was in order and Makers will try and have the pump on their 3pm flight, but not sure what the process will be to get the pump in our hands once it arrives. 

While trying to coordinate getting a pump, we ran into some friends we met back in Nassau, John and Peddy on a boat called Rumbo.  We shared our situation, John said hey I have 2 extra pumps that he had rebuilt, happy to give you one.  Walter was so excited he almost peed his pants. We rushed back to the boat installed the pump and the engine ran like a charm (no drip). We immediately went back to Rumbo gave John our broken pump so he could rebuild it and paid him for the one he gave us.  This was a true generosity, a blessing!

Even though we had the pump and the boat was good to go we had come so far into the process of getting one shipped that we are waiting for it to arrive so we will have a spare.

Side note: Went to shore to get a look at some nurse sharks that hang out by a fish cleaning station. Walter wanted me to move down to the next step, I hope he was kidding.

More to follow 😊

 

We have been chased by bad weather and no Wi-Fi, finally able to update.

Three days in Point Harbor Marina!!!!

Before I get to the status of the outboard motor, wanted to share our experience at the Point Harbor Marina AKA Margaritaville.  We originally made reservations at the marina based on a fellow cruiser’s recommendation.  Since we had to get the outboard worked on why not enjoy ourselves as well.  The day we pulled into the marina there was only one other boat, that should have been a sign. So, we got situated in the slip but it was rolley and the water was swishing all over the place rocking the boat, we put extra dock lines to try and keep the boat stable (we thought).  Not being familiar with this harbor we were totally unaware that it was close to the harbor entrance and a lot of boat traffic including all the cruise ships.  For the next few days the best way to describe the how the boat was handling being in the slip is “washing machine.”  With wakes coming from all directions moving the boat in circles you could barely stand.  We were committed to staying because we still could not get the motor fixed and knew we could not continue further south with out one.  We were able to get the name of a Honda mechanic, called and left a message about our situation.  After half a day with no call back we got a taxi and went to his shop, only to find out that he was offsite on a job, but his staff promised he would call us as soon as he returned.  As luck would have it there was a marine store across the street that we decided would be a good place to check out.  We had the part numbers for some of the things that might help get the motor fixed but none were in stock, and it would be two weeks to order them. Just down from this store was another marine store but they did not carry Honda parts at all, only Yamaha.  Still not having heard from the Honda mechanic, we noticed this store also sold Yamaha outboards as well.  Still no word from the Honda mechanic we to a serious look at the cost of the Yamaha’s.  We killed a little more time in this part of town and found a Fresh Market organic food store, it was awesome, thankfully we brought our backpack and were able to buy some fresh vegetables as we were almost out.  Still no word from the mechanic, so we had to make some serious decisions on what were going to do.  Being stuck for up to two weeks waiting for parts or repairs and paying for a slip that was horrible or do we buy a new outboard and get back to the water as originally planned.  We buy a new outboard!  

The marine store was able to deliver the new motor to the boat.  It was a orchestra of dock lines and wenches getting the motor on board and but with the assistance from one of the dockhands Walter was able to get the motor on board and secured.  We were so thrilled to know that the next morning we would be able to leave and head south so we celebrated (again) and went out for some jerk chicken at a local restaurant.

Morning came and we decided that our next destination would be Allen Cay after crossing the Exuma bank.  Weather was supposed to be turning with high winds out of the west and Allen Cay would have good protection.  We arrived with a beautiful sunny day (before the winds) set anchor and grilled some steaks, had some wine and watched another terrific sunset.  Night came and so did the winds.  Allen Cay is a known inlet to cruisers to hide from the winds, with sand bars and some shallow water, boat after boat came in looking for a place to anchor and hide.  It was full, spent most of the night watching our anchor alarm to make sure we did not drag into anyone or anyone drag into us.  With so many boats in one location it would been catastrophic.  Morning came and the winds were still blowing 18 kts with gusts of 20-25.  By afternoon the winds died enough that we were able to take the dinghy to Iguana Beach.  The Iguana is the Bahamas only natural land animal and are now protected because they were becoming endangered.  True to form Walter brought some oranges to feed them, what a sight.  The big and little Iguanas came out to get a taste.  It was almost like a scene from Jurassic Park.

We decided to stay another night on anchor there because the winds were still too high to sail further south.  As mentioned there were a few sand bars in this area and the boat had swung over one allowing the keel to bounce on the sand, so we decided to pull anchor and reset it in a different spot.  All was going well, found a spot to drop anchor but the anchor got caught on a coral head the size of a basket ball instead of the sand.  We pulled the anchor up but the coral head came up too.  We could not reset the anchor until the coral head came off.  With a boat pole in hand Walter struggled to get it off while a drove the boat in circles.  The coral was on the anchor so hard, whoops, it pulled the boat pole right out of his hands into the water, never to be seen again. Thank goodness we had a second pole, got the coral off and re-anchored, settling in for another windy night and anchor drag watch.

Storm that has been chasing us

Still being chased by the winds and  some bad weather the next morning we were off at first light to Hawksbill Cay in the Exuma Sea Land Park where they had mooring balls. This area should protect us from high winds that now will be coming from the north.  We arrived and got situated early enough that we were able to dinghy to the close by beaches and go for a walk and do a little swimming.  Night came and the predicted northly winds were now coming from the west, we were totally exposed, it was a rough night.  What weather reports we were able to get, indicated that the winds would turn and come from the north, but they didn’t they continued from the west (argh).  This was the first time I had to wear “relief band” anti-nausea bracelet it was so bad.  Even though we were on a mooring ball we had to make a decision to stay or go, we went.  Fours hours later we were at Warwick Wells another mooring ball anchorage in the Exuma Sea Land Park.  The winds were now coming from the north, and we were well protected so much so, that we stayed for three days.

bones of a sperm whale that washed up on shore, they say due to the plastics in the water that eventually clogged its airway

Warwick Wells is known for Boo Boo Hill, a place where cruisers write their boat name on a piece of drift wood and place it at the top of the hill as a rite of passage they say.  After a mile hike up the hill we arrived and left our mark.

We dinghied to all the close by beaches making the best of our time there.  

Soon it was time to leave as the park has no resources and we were running low on fresh water, propane and fuel.  Off to Staniel Cay we go, who as all the resources we need even a tiny grocery store.  Staniel Cay has mooring ball field that was on a first come basis’s, whoop whoop we were able to get the last one.  We decided to stay for 4 days, so we could fuel up and fill the freshwater tank.  We needed propane too, learned from the local folks that you can take it to the grocery store and drop it off for a fill and pick up the next day, the store was just a dinghy ride to the other side of the island.  

Time to play.  We dinghied to pig island, where as soon as your dinghy arrives the pigs swarm over looking for food.  I thought they were going to be cute little piglets but now they were huge.  Again, in true form Walter brought some carrots to feed them.  But before he could get some carrots out he was swarmed and just through the carrots as quickly as possible, I jumped back in the dinghy. As other boats arrived the pigs went to them, making it so we were able to walk on the beach and soak in all that was going on.

In the afternoon we went to the Thunderball Grotto from he James Bond film and did some snorkeling.  We are still here and will leave in another day.  

Today we woke up to rain that is expected to last most of the day.  So, boat maintenance is on the agenda.

Headed out to make way to our next anchorage spot called Bird Cay.  We did not have as much wind as we had hoped so we did some motor sailing but that was a great opportunity to put the fishing poles out.  A few hours into the trip we had a hit on one of the poles.  As we reeled it in we can tell it was a snaggle tooth barracuda in need of a really good orthodontist.  He was a real fighter making it hard to get him off the hook to release him.  We reset the pole and got another hit, now we are getting excited thinking we were going to have fish for dinner.  As luck would have it or not have it, it was nice sized trigger fish but he got off the hook just before we could grab him.  After traveling 52 NM, we dropped the anchor in a inlet between Bird Cay and Whale Cay but it would not set, to much rock and coral so we moved to a more sandy bottom area and the hook set great.  We decided that we would stay here for two nights, the anchor was set, and the view was beautiful.  The water was so clear you could see to the bottom, which made it very inviting for a late afternoon swim.  Because there was a slight incoming tide we hooked up a line and a floating fender to swim with and make it easier to get back to the boat.  Which  has since been nicknamed Wilson (corny but appropriate)

After dinner we celebrated with a bit of the bubbly with another beautiful sunset followed by a perfect full moon.

Next day we woke to another beautiful morning, no one around but us.  You could hear the birds in the near by trees and mangroves chirping in sync with the water hitting the shoreline.  Time to be adventurous and get the dinghy in the water to do a little exploring.  Sadly the outboard motor was misbehaving again and would not start, so we rowed to shore instead. We had read that both Bird Cay and Whale Cay were private islands but could not find any info as to who owned them but did find some interesting information of its past, fascinating.

https://www.everythingbahamian.com/blog-1/v2t3q3eun5ssiasawvn2514kc6ib0y

Once we got to shore there was a “private island” sign.  So we just walked the shore line but the temptation to walk inland more was rough. 

We made our way back to the boat so Walter could do so diagnostics on the outboard, still no luck.  We had planned on sailing toward Nassau but now it was a for sure destination so we can work on the outboard or find someone to fix it for us.  We took off at first light and head south. 

We made reservations at Point Marina for the next few days.  Point Marina is a part of the Margaritaville experience.  Wow, it is like Disney for adults.  Not to mention the marina is right by the cruise ship terminal.  5 ships docked, times 5000 passengers each, equals 25,000 people poured in to the streets of Nassau all ready to party and have a good time. By that night they were all leaving, pretty impressive to see these big metal monsters gracefully pull out, they don’t make a sound, just glide by.

Working on a outboard while on the boat can be a challenge.  We hoisted it up into the cockpit for easy access and catch any parts if they drop and don’t end up in the water. 

 Engine status to follow.

 

 

 

Back when we were at the free dock in Jacksonville on the ICW we had met some great folks on the boat Duchess, Rob and Allison, they were heading south as well.  So far south that we reconnected with them In Great Harbor Cay.

Our first day in Great Harbor Cay we took advantage of some bikes to check out the island and see what the local market had.  Was not until we were well into our bike ride that we realize there were so many hills to go up and down and to make even worse the bike I was on had a bad wheel that was rubbing the fender so every peddle took the energy of two.  Those hills started to feel even bigger, ended up walking the bike up a few hills. 

Day two new adventure decided to take a dinghy ride to the other side of the island through Shark Creek.  It was suggested that you go through the creek at hightide because to all the mangroves and shallow water.  We had to go outside of the harbor to find the entrance.  Once there it started out great, we hit the creek shortly before high tide quickly finding out that the water was still shallow for the outboard and had to paddle like a canoe for awhile.  No worries we were up for the challenge. We were able to see sea turtles, puffer fish, grouper, needle fish.  It was truly its own eco system, even saw a shark. Once we got to deeper water and a clearing, we could not get the motor started, so now we are taking turns rowing, but Walter did most of the work.  We finally got to the beach and open water on the of the side of the island and called for a rescue.  Duchess was anchored there, and Rob came to our rescue, not before we gave the engine one more try to start, OMG it started, we think the engine got flooded when it was tilted up for the shallow water  We motored to Duchess and visited for a while we gave the motor time recover before we motored back down Shark Creek, as that was the only way to get back to the other side of the island and our boat. 

We made it back to the boat in time to shower and meet Rob and Allison for dinner.  We owed them a drink.

Day three, decided to walk to the other side of the island and play in the water. On the walk we came across what the locals call the “Old Club House” ruins.  Apparently during the 1960’s this was a hot spot for many of the Hollywood types and the infamous Rat Pack.  Tried to find some history but only found a little.

https://escapetoghc.com/the-old-clubhouse-still-breaths/

 Made it to the beach, swam for a bit and then headed back to the boat with a slight delay when we happened upon the Beach Club that was open, so we decide a beer and rum drink were in order.

 

Spending day four prepping for heading south toward Nassau. Use the wi-fi, do laundry, fill the water and fuel tanks all things that can only be done at a marina.  The next few days we will be on anchor.