Little Harbor, 
Great Abaco,
Bahamas
26.20.292N
77.00215W
55.6 NM
9.57 Hrs. Min.
5.6 Kt Avg.
7.3 Kt Max
Curent Odometer: 7895.4 NM
It was a blissfully quiet night during which we got some restful sleep. We got up about 5:45am, unfurled our mainsail and lifted our anchor at 6:15am. We were somewhat surprised to see that the little sailboat that had been inside of us was also a Hunter and left just ahead of us.
We exited the Royal Island harbor and rounded to the west before turning north and finally northeast toward the Abacos. It looked to be a fine day dawning. About this time, Escape with Tom & Babette (originally from Vermont) hailed us on the VHF to introduce themselves since we were clearly taking the same path. By this time, we had determined that our wind indicator had indeed quit working and since we were traveling in the same direction, we asked them to let us know when the wind picked up to over 15 kts as we were preparing to fly our spinnaker. Babette teased that she knew that at some point we would blow past them but with the spinnaker, it would be sooner rather than later. However, as in the past, Mother Nature had other ideas.
We were pleased that we were able to sail as long as we did but Escape was motor sailing and pulled far enough in front of us that we could no longer see them in the haze. Eventually the wind died to the point where we were having problems keeping the giant, however lightweight, chute open. Clouds were getting thicker to the west and when the first raindrops found their way to our position, we decided to bring it down and put it away for another day.
Each time we fly the spinnaker, we learn something new and its been getting easier and easier to bring out the monstrosity and put it away. This time, for some reason, we must have forgotten a step. We had already doused the chute into its sock and I had loosened the spinnaker halyard leaving several wraps on the winch before running down below to hold the big bag that it is stored in. Dale pulled the spinnaker down a little at a time and we were in the process of stuffing it into the bag when it suddenly collapsed half on the deck, half off and in the water. Dale was able to quickly pull it back on board but now we needed to dry the part that had fallen overboard. About this time, Escape radioed back that it was starting to rain where they were.
We decided the best place to dry the chute in the rain was snaked through the interior of the boat. You can’t truly appreciate how big this sail is, even in its sock, until you stretch it out. Thank goodness, the rain let up and we were able to hoist the wet half out of the forward hatch and up high enough to allow it to dry in the wind. We certainly didn’t look very Bristol but it was effective. We had just stuffed it back into its bag when the next rain shower came through. So much for the anticipated good weather.
With the engine in gear, we soon pulled close enough to see Escape on the horizon, caught up to them and eventually passed them before sighting land. A few more showers passed by but no nasty winds were associated with them. You really don’t need wind instruments but it makes it a lot easier to see a change in pattern. I put a couple of lengths of Christmas ribbon on the standing rigging to show direction and we have a mop standing next to the arch that starts blowing in about 20kts so we have secondary instruments until the other one can be repaired.
We arrived at the entrance of Little Harbor on Great Abaco at 3:00pm and were anchored by 3:30pm without any drama entering onto the bank. There is a little roll to the boat where we’re anchored but Dale wants to go to Pete’s Pub tomorrow and this is the closest anchorage to the famous watering hole. I’ll take pictures to prove he’s been there in case anyone has any doubt.
Great Abaco,
Bahamas
26.20.292N
77.00215W
55.6 NM
9.57 Hrs. Min.
5.6 Kt Avg.
7.3 Kt Max
Curent Odometer: 7895.4 NM
It was a blissfully quiet night during which we got some restful sleep. We got up about 5:45am, unfurled our mainsail and lifted our anchor at 6:15am. We were somewhat surprised to see that the little sailboat that had been inside of us was also a Hunter and left just ahead of us.
We exited the Royal Island harbor and rounded to the west before turning north and finally northeast toward the Abacos. It looked to be a fine day dawning. About this time, Escape with Tom & Babette (originally from Vermont) hailed us on the VHF to introduce themselves since we were clearly taking the same path. By this time, we had determined that our wind indicator had indeed quit working and since we were traveling in the same direction, we asked them to let us know when the wind picked up to over 15 kts as we were preparing to fly our spinnaker. Babette teased that she knew that at some point we would blow past them but with the spinnaker, it would be sooner rather than later. However, as in the past, Mother Nature had other ideas.
We were pleased that we were able to sail as long as we did but Escape was motor sailing and pulled far enough in front of us that we could no longer see them in the haze. Eventually the wind died to the point where we were having problems keeping the giant, however lightweight, chute open. Clouds were getting thicker to the west and when the first raindrops found their way to our position, we decided to bring it down and put it away for another day.
Each time we fly the spinnaker, we learn something new and its been getting easier and easier to bring out the monstrosity and put it away. This time, for some reason, we must have forgotten a step. We had already doused the chute into its sock and I had loosened the spinnaker halyard leaving several wraps on the winch before running down below to hold the big bag that it is stored in. Dale pulled the spinnaker down a little at a time and we were in the process of stuffing it into the bag when it suddenly collapsed half on the deck, half off and in the water. Dale was able to quickly pull it back on board but now we needed to dry the part that had fallen overboard. About this time, Escape radioed back that it was starting to rain where they were.
We decided the best place to dry the chute in the rain was snaked through the interior of the boat. You can’t truly appreciate how big this sail is, even in its sock, until you stretch it out. Thank goodness, the rain let up and we were able to hoist the wet half out of the forward hatch and up high enough to allow it to dry in the wind. We certainly didn’t look very Bristol but it was effective. We had just stuffed it back into its bag when the next rain shower came through. So much for the anticipated good weather.
With the engine in gear, we soon pulled close enough to see Escape on the horizon, caught up to them and eventually passed them before sighting land. A few more showers passed by but no nasty winds were associated with them. You really don’t need wind instruments but it makes it a lot easier to see a change in pattern. I put a couple of lengths of Christmas ribbon on the standing rigging to show direction and we have a mop standing next to the arch that starts blowing in about 20kts so we have secondary instruments until the other one can be repaired.
We arrived at the entrance of Little Harbor on Great Abaco at 3:00pm and were anchored by 3:30pm without any drama entering onto the bank. There is a little roll to the boat where we’re anchored but Dale wants to go to Pete’s Pub tomorrow and this is the closest anchorage to the famous watering hole. I’ll take pictures to prove he’s been there in case anyone has any doubt.
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