Royal Island
Bahamas
25.30.894N
76.50.768W

44.2 NM
5.6 Kt Avg.
7.6 Avg.
7.50 Hrs.

Current Odometer:
7840.5

What can I say. Last night was miserable. We did have a steady wind all night long as we had hoped for which definitely kept us into the waves but the seas never moderated to a reasonable level. Sleep was elusive to say the least.

We were both up early and actually had to wait for the 6:30am weather report. The forecast was for occasional showers in the Central Bahamas and since we were in the northern end of the Central Bahamas, we figured that we would have less than that. Once again, Mother Nature had other ideas and we played dodge and weave with the clouds dropping rain the entire day. However, the seas did eventually moderate and by noon, the winds died as well and we had to turn on the engine for the remainder of our trip.

At one point our wind indicator went from a couple of knots to 36; we both saw it but there was no accompanying dramatic list of the boat. Thinking that the next cloud might hold some unpredictable weather we quickly furled our sails and continued on expecting the worst. However, nothing materialized. We’re wondering now if there might be something wrong with our wind instrument.

We passed by several islands that we’ve never visited before but with the rain and haziness, we really couldn’t see very much. About 3pm, we approached Royal Island and entered into a well protected harbor. There was only one other boat when we arrived but by nightfall there were 4. There appears to be the ruins of at least two structures on the hillside overlooking the harbor and perhaps what may have been terraced gardens leading down to the water. I would have liked to have explored the area a little but didn’t want Dale to have to unsecure the dinghy for a little joyride. What I was surprised to see was a ferry running to the little harbor. We obviously picked the wrong place to anchor but will be gone before the sun comes up tomorrow and the ferry starts its daily runs.

The skies cleared just as the sun went down and Dale says there are loads of stars to be seen tonight. We’re hoping that this is the signal for the great weather the Bahamas is noted for has finally arrived. In any event, the seas are down and we’ll make a quick trip to the Abacos tomorrow while we can.