Life Aboard Persephone: 2/17/16

To be ready for the weather window to cross to the Bahamas we topped off our fuel and water tanks and headed south to the anchorage near the inlet at Lake Worth. The winds were forecast to settle down during the day so that we could head out around midnight. Jerry decided to put on his wetsuit and clean the bottom and the propeller to make sure Persephone was as fast and slick as could be for our passage. He was pleasantly surprised to find the water temperature at 74 degrees. Not his preferred 80 but it wasn’t bad. The winds settled to about 12 knots around 5 pm so we hauled anchor and left. When the window is open – go! It was a fast ride out with the current to a gentle ocean swell, a nice breeze, and the sun low on the horizon. Dinner and sunset at sea. Then onto our designated watches – I’m on from 9-midnight, Jerry from midnight-4 am, and I’m back on from 4 am to 7 or so.

It was difficult to tell when we were in the gulfstream as we didn’t notice much difference in the seas. A calm crossing.

The area between Freeport, Bahama and Great Isaac Light to the south is a busy highway for freighters! We studied the raange lights coming and going around us to make sure we were not in the path of any vessels and altering course when needed. At dawn we were on the banks – the shallow bank of water that made for little traffic and smooth sailing down towards Andros Island and a deep body of water called the Tongue of the Ocean between another area of shallow banks south of Nassau. This route was new for us and Jerry had chosen this direction for the forecast. It all worked out perfectly as we continued south on the Tongue of the Ocean to the DECCA Channel that took us across another shallow bank. Although the chart warned of areas of 7 feet we saw nothing less than 14 feet. On we sailed with the wind 12-15 knots on the beam, down along the Exuma chain, through Galliot “cut” to the Exuma Sound. The wind had picked up to 16-18 from the northeast and the seas meeting the tide going out through the cut were steep. Once outside they settled down to ocean swells and a fast sail to Georgetown where we anchored.

A record for us! From Lake Worth, FL to Georgetown, Bahamas in 50 hours!

All day and night Sunday and Monday in Georgetown we saw winds at 20-25 knots with higher gusts. Nice to be safely anchored before the winds picked up as forecast. Nice to be in the Bahamas where every view could be a postcard. Nice to be where it is warm!

On Monday we took the dinghy across the harbor in the high winds and choppy water to clear into customs and immigration. Now we’re officially in the Bahamas.

While in town at the library we met up with Lee and Sherry from Ithaca. They have a catamaran “Alesto” anchored here in Georgetown. We started to chat when a group of excited Bahamian 8 & 9 year olds in uniform came in from the school next door. Unbeknownst to me Lee and Sherry were there to tutor. “I want to work with you! I want to work with you!” once girl exclaimed clutching my arm. So I spent the first half hour of our shore visit reading with Asia. I enjoyed every minute. Later Jerry and I had a plate of chicken, rice and beans and coleslaw in true Bahamian style before heading back into the wind across the harbor in the dinghy.

The winds settled down Tuesday and we hoisted the sail and headed back north 50 miles to Black Point. Donna and Jerry of Bluejacket were there and we were anxious to visit with them. Perfect sailing and fishing conditions. 12 knots of wind downwind made it easy to haul the mahi on board that we caught. Actually – 2 mahi on board. Guess what we had for dinner! We anchored next to Jerry and Donna. They came over to visit and for mahi dinner with a game of 99 after. The wind died down and it was a still night. Donna and I looked through the crystal clear water to spy a starfish in the sand with the flashlight as they were boarding their dinghy to go home. We’re in the Bahamas!

We have no plans on exactly where we will be here in the Bahamas. Every day begins with the SSB radio forecast with Chris Parker. There are lots of wonderful places to anchor with the prevailing north or east winds. Not so many with protection from the west to travel plans have to be made accordingly.

Looking forward to hearing from you! What’s going on in your part of the world?

Karen & Jerry