sv4everandaday

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 We originally made reservations at the marina based on a fellow cruiser’s recommendation.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.