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Bobthebuilder's next adventure - Part 1, Ft. Lauderdale to Turks & Caicos
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Bobthebuilder
Charter Member
Nassau to Georgetown, Exumas (the long way)
Sundays April 19th boating
We depart PI (Paradise Island) with Hans, Mark and Shawn for Allen Cay leaving my Canadian crew Randy, Pauli and Rick behind. They have one more day at PI before flying back north.
The wind is blowing a good 15 to 20 knots out of the SE and will increase as the day goes on. We pound our way in 4 – 6 ft seas back across the Bank the 35 miles to Allen Cay. This time we brought grapes which the iguanas love. The day before they rejected an apple but ate bread and BBQ chips. LOL
From there it was the short hop over to Highborne Cay again where I fueled and we had lunch. No cheese and crackers this time as we actually had the foresight to bring sandwiches. At Highborne someone was cleaning fish and the nurse sharks had congregated to eat the entrails. Got some great pics of that.
The most direct route to Georgetown was a deep water crossing with no protection. There was no way that was possible with conditions as they were and forecast to be worse Monday and beyond. So the longer but somewhat protected route would take us down the leeward side of the islands. This was about 60 miles longer as we had to zig zag a lot and go 20 miles further south to a cut that would take us thru to the east side of Little Exuma and back north to Georgetown in a following sea. I'm sure anyone following us on Spot was confused. It worked out ok but seemed to take a long time and we still took a pounding. Every bone and muscle in my body is aching but I feel some better this morning after a great sleep last night. I have to say it was worth it as we saw the most beautiful waters I have ever boated in my life. I just hope the pictures capture it as we saw it.
Today we will relax and explore Great Exuma some. It's doubtful we will do any diving or snorkelling today as it's way too rough and I need a day off the water.
I've made a few decisions on where I want to go from here with this trip and will share that a bit later. Time for breakfast and some time poolside.
Bob
Sundays April 19th boating
We depart PI (Paradise Island) with Hans, Mark and Shawn for Allen Cay leaving my Canadian crew Randy, Pauli and Rick behind. They have one more day at PI before flying back north.
The wind is blowing a good 15 to 20 knots out of the SE and will increase as the day goes on. We pound our way in 4 – 6 ft seas back across the Bank the 35 miles to Allen Cay. This time we brought grapes which the iguanas love. The day before they rejected an apple but ate bread and BBQ chips. LOL
From there it was the short hop over to Highborne Cay again where I fueled and we had lunch. No cheese and crackers this time as we actually had the foresight to bring sandwiches. At Highborne someone was cleaning fish and the nurse sharks had congregated to eat the entrails. Got some great pics of that.
The most direct route to Georgetown was a deep water crossing with no protection. There was no way that was possible with conditions as they were and forecast to be worse Monday and beyond. So the longer but somewhat protected route would take us down the leeward side of the islands. This was about 60 miles longer as we had to zig zag a lot and go 20 miles further south to a cut that would take us thru to the east side of Little Exuma and back north to Georgetown in a following sea. I'm sure anyone following us on Spot was confused. It worked out ok but seemed to take a long time and we still took a pounding. Every bone and muscle in my body is aching but I feel some better this morning after a great sleep last night. I have to say it was worth it as we saw the most beautiful waters I have ever boated in my life. I just hope the pictures capture it as we saw it.
Today we will relax and explore Great Exuma some. It's doubtful we will do any diving or snorkelling today as it's way too rough and I need a day off the water.
I've made a few decisions on where I want to go from here with this trip and will share that a bit later. Time for breakfast and some time poolside.
Bob
glh
Charter Member
"leeward" what the heck is that for us motorboat dudes!!!!
My guess is "on the inside"...
We have to rid you of those sailing terms!!! I had this issue before I saw the light dowsed in 93 Octane fuel burning bright!
Magic Medicine
New member
very cool trip, great thread
glh
Charter Member
Ohhhh! you mean leeward!!!
:sifone:
Salesmanship
Sponsor
I believe legend has it that Lee Ward was Montgomery's older brother. He lived on the less windy side of Chicago.
MarylandMark
Charter Member
I'm hoping Port Tobacco, MD :26:
jayboat
Banned
You are a funny man. :26:
pullmytrigger
Charter Member
MattBMiller
New member
Great pictures! I'd love to make that trip someday
baywatch
New member
It Looks like based upon the Spot you guys are staying in Town. If you are @ the Peace and Plenty look out because the "Doctor" serves the drinks up pretty stiff. "Glen" will take good care of you at the inside bar as well.
I spent quite a bit of time there a year ago trying to get a project going and as I got tired of eating Cow Tongue soup and fish stew for breakfast I realized that just because it isn't on the menu doesn't mean they won't make it for you. Sams will make you about anything you can come up with for breakfast and over on the other side of the lake @ the edgewater they have great mashed potatoes even if they aren't on the menu. When you go over to the Chat N Chill be sure to get fresh Conch Salad.
Man I am Jealous, wish I could be there to throw back a couple rum punches with ya.
Here is a pic of what your view looked like coming back up after going around the bottom of little exuma off of Tropic of Cancer Beach (The wind wasn't blowing much the day I took this pic).
I spent quite a bit of time there a year ago trying to get a project going and as I got tired of eating Cow Tongue soup and fish stew for breakfast I realized that just because it isn't on the menu doesn't mean they won't make it for you. Sams will make you about anything you can come up with for breakfast and over on the other side of the lake @ the edgewater they have great mashed potatoes even if they aren't on the menu. When you go over to the Chat N Chill be sure to get fresh Conch Salad.
Man I am Jealous, wish I could be there to throw back a couple rum punches with ya.
Here is a pic of what your view looked like coming back up after going around the bottom of little exuma off of Tropic of Cancer Beach (The wind wasn't blowing much the day I took this pic).
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Bobthebuilder
Charter Member
Update
With no letup in the winds in the 5 day forecast we have made a decision to secure the boat and fly out. We have had a great couple of days here on Great Exuma but with Mark and Hans needing to get back to business there is no point in me sitting for a week when I can get some things done on Marco or may even fly back to Canada until we get the forecast we need.
I knew going into this that April was a bit early to do it. Normally the summer months are better as the wind usually lets up. For me this was an ideal time with our spring Ft Myers Offshore schedule complete and things not yet starting up in Canada.
The boat is in a safe place at February Point Marina with on site security. I will fly back with a fresh crew and continue to Turks and Caicos when I get a 2 day window with 5 to 10 knots max. It may be that it is just too windy in April to get all the way to BVI. If that is the case we will enjoy some time in the Turks and Caicos and make our way back. I will reserve making a decision on that sometime later. Either way our adventure will continue for some time yet. I will keep everyone posted as events unfold.
Bob
With no letup in the winds in the 5 day forecast we have made a decision to secure the boat and fly out. We have had a great couple of days here on Great Exuma but with Mark and Hans needing to get back to business there is no point in me sitting for a week when I can get some things done on Marco or may even fly back to Canada until we get the forecast we need.
I knew going into this that April was a bit early to do it. Normally the summer months are better as the wind usually lets up. For me this was an ideal time with our spring Ft Myers Offshore schedule complete and things not yet starting up in Canada.
The boat is in a safe place at February Point Marina with on site security. I will fly back with a fresh crew and continue to Turks and Caicos when I get a 2 day window with 5 to 10 knots max. It may be that it is just too windy in April to get all the way to BVI. If that is the case we will enjoy some time in the Turks and Caicos and make our way back. I will reserve making a decision on that sometime later. Either way our adventure will continue for some time yet. I will keep everyone posted as events unfold.
Bob
MarylandMark
Charter Member
Sure there is! :sifone: Make the next one a double and you will see the reason why. If that doesn't work; repeat until it does..
Have a safe trip!
Bobthebuilder
Charter Member
Hi Doug. Now I never knew that pic existed. On the dock at Kilarney, Georgian Bay, ON last summer. That was a great little trip as well.
Say hi to Susi for me and keep well.
Bob
Bobthebuilder
Charter Member
He, he. Thanks, Mark. Glad I do not drink as I would miss way too much. Not everyone would agree with me on that but that's OK.
I'm sure some of the locals thought I was drunk this morning as after I dropped the crew off at the airport I got on the wrong side of the road. Can't get used to this right hand drive thing but as Hans was saying, hey, that's where the helm is on your boat !
Bob
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