Warderick Wells Cay
Bahamas
24.23.820N
76.37.958


Well, as luck would have it, TS Barry and his associated squalls moved in quicker than we first thought. We had one good day to travel but needed two to transit to another secure anchorage, so we ended up staying on our mooring ball this entire time.

I wish that I could say that we explored, swam, and thoroughly enjoyed our visit here but considering that the wind was howling and it rained the entire time, we did absolutely nothing except our normal, rainy weather routine: watched movies, read books and played on the computer. It was a good thing that when we checked in, we noticed a book swap in the corner and exchanged a bag of paperbacks for a handful of a few more.

Dale did take a walk over to Boo Hill on Thursday but then ended up getting caught in a little shower on his way back. Throughout the day, boats continued to come in. Our neighbor on mooring ball #9 was a female single handler; the first that we’ve seen. I wish that I could say that she did her gender proud but she dang near ran Dale over when he dinghied out to hand a line up to a Park guide who had gone out to give her assistance with coming into the tricky mooring field. She ended up making 3 passes at the ball and screaming at the Park guide before Dale threaded her line through the eye on the mooring ball and then made a hasty retreat back to the Palace. I noticed that as soon as the line was secure, the Park guide made as quick a retreat back to the station. By evening, most of the mooring balls in the north field were occupied and approaching boats were being directed to the southern field.

In any event, except for the trailing “comma” of storms associated with one of the outside rain bands from Barry, we anticipate being able to get underway to the north tomorrow. Once again we’ll try to make Ship Channel Cay on the first day and Spanish Wells on the second. Wish us luck.

Exuma Land & Sea Park
Warderick Wells Cay
Bahamas
24.23.820N
76.37.958W

41.3 NM
6.4 Avg. Kts
8.1 Max Kts.
5.54 Hrs.

Current Odometer:
7760.0


Another beautiful day of sailing! We listened (as usual) to the weather at 6:30 am and learned that there may be a low forming in the Caribbean that might cause some nasty weather in this area by the weekend. So instead of stopping and checking out the sights, we’ll be making our way to another secure anchorage as far north as we can get prior to Friday night. As you’re well aware, we can get stuck sometimes for weeks at a time waiting for weather, so we might as well make it interesting.

We hoisted anchor at 8 am and made our way further onto the bank to the deep (as in over 7’) water. Once there, we turned and unfurled both sails completely. Most of our transit was in depths of 10-20’ but the occasional 6-8’ would get us to jump up and confirm that we were still on course and not running into anything solid.

We flew. Most of the time we were sailing at 6-7 kts. Our original destination was Staniel Cay but since we made that by 11:00, we continued on to Warderick Wells Cay and took a mooring inside the Exuma Land and Sea Park. Good thing too. When we reached the waypoint to turn toward the mooring field by 1:20, I wanted to continue on to put some more mileage beneath our keel but Dale said it would take another hour to get into the anchorage and it was time to rest.

We came in on a rising tide so catching the mooring was a little tricky in the narrow area that has deep enough water for us. Picture a circular basin with an island surrounding about a 1/3 of the circle, and 2 more on the far sides of the circle The basin is shallow enough to dry at low tide in the middle and the outside edges of the circle. Only a ring about a 1/3 of the way into the circle is navigable. The mooring balls are centered along the ring so that the boats can swing regardless of wind direction. No normal mooring technique can be used here. We ended up letting the current carry us up to the mooring ball, then put the engine in reverse to slow us down and keep us in place long enough for Dale to grab the mooring line and secure our bridle to it. After that we let the current and wind position us.

The wind is blowing over 20 kts at the moment, so I’m glad we’re partially surrounded by islands. Tomorrow we’ll make our way to Ship Channel Cay where we hope to anchor in some deep sand. Friday we anticipate taking a mooring in Spanish Wells on the Island of Eleuthera. If a storm is coming, we’ll ride it out there.

We’re not sure if it been the constant progression of weather or what but ever since we left the Turks & Caicos Islands, we’ve noticed that its been getting progressively chillier. We’ve actually had to close hatches and pull up covers during the night. I keep reminding Dale that when we took our vacations to the Abacos in May, there were times when it was too chilly to snorkel without a wetsuit. It’s too late now but I think we’re too far north!

We’ll leave bright and early again tomorrow.