Author: BobS

Happily read another guide book that stated the Cut should be done at either high or low slack. Low slack would occur within the hour so we busily got the boat ready and went through the Cut about 9:30. There was only about a knot of current on the north side so the Cut was easily traversed.

Had a good sail down the shore to Hatchet Harbour with some tacking. Saw the Glass Window Bridge that Brad will take us to tomorrow. Quite a sight with the Atlantic waves washing through the “window”.

The coast line had beaches and jagged rocks/coral with many caves. The water was about 20’ and we were able to get in to only a few hundred yards offshore.

The man made cut into Hachet Harbour is very narrow and required a lot of concentration especially with crew bodies in the line of sight!

We anchored close to the dinghy dock where Brad met us, gave us a brief tour of Alice Town and drove us to his place. Brad built his place which is high on a hill and overlooking the non-Atlantic side which for some unknown reason is referred to as the Caribbean side. The front is all porch and windows and is a very pleasant place to hang. Out back they have a platform that gives views onto the Atlantic. We did laundry and a few drinks were consumed before heading back to the boat.

 

Brad had told us all about taking the ferry to visit Dunmore Town as a must see, unique spot. Sadly when we went to buy ferry tickets we had chosen the one day of the week that the ferry is freight only. So after a some more grocery shopping we set off just before noon to do the 2 1/4 hour sail to Current Cut. Current Cut has a wicked current and it is recommended that one proceed through at slack tide about an hour after high tide in Nassau. This would put us through tomorrow afternoon about 3pm leaving quite a hike to Hachet Harbour which would most likely be after dark once we arrived.

We anchored 150 yards off the beach but it was a windy and overcast afternoon so no swimming just cocktails. Anchorage a bit bumpy that night.

Since we were the only boat in this wonderful harbour we lingered the whole  morning before leaving just after noon for the one hour trip to Spanish Wells. Gorgeous sunny day and got distracted talking on the radio with the marina as entered the harbour entrance. Got a bottom touching bump as a wake up !! Tied up at the Yacht Haven but as they have fixed docks it became a struggle to get ashore at low tide.

As we were enjoying a post docking beer, Brad Strawbridge from KYC arrived. He had driven up from his home near Hatchet Harbour, taken the ferry and then rented a golf cart to get to us. We all jumped in the cart and Brad gave us a great tour of Spanish Wells. Along the way we were able to pick up groceries and liquor to replenish our supplies.

Before dinner we walked around the coast of the town starting with the very, very long working docks complete with a marine railway for larger vessels. We ended up at the open beach at low tide near sunset and had a beautiful stroll across rippled sands to the water’s edge.

Easily left our slip at 9:45 and headed to the fuel dock. Made a perfect landing that the manger of the charter company complimented. Very unfortunately the same can not be said for the departure which went to hell quickly. However, nothing was broken and no one died so we were able to continue on with our tails between our legs.

Spent an hour picking our way through coral and around obstructions named Porgee Rock and Booby Cay.

It was a beautiful day even by Bahamian standards and with 12 knots of wind just forward of the beam we had a wonderful four and a half hour sail arriving at our anchorage at Royal Island Harbour just before 5pm.

 

This is a mile by 1/3 miles protected anchorage which shelters from any point of wind. Amazingly we had the whole anchorage to ourselves. Enjoyed cocktails and a gorgeous sunset. 

 

Jan 28 – Flew back from home in Kingston ON out of Toronto to West Palm. Rented a car and arrived back at the Fort Pierce City Marina at the same time our friend, Chris McDonnell, arrived from St Petersburg.

The next day we did some provisioning and worked out if we should leave today or the next. Decided to get on with it so left the slip late morning and stopped at the fuel dock to fill the two jerry cans with diesel.

Easily covered the 22nm and were anchored just after 5pm in Peck Lake. The ICW runs right through this lake making it an easy anchorage to stop at. There were about 15 other boats there already.