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.
Our approach
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.
Caught the 6am bridge to get to the Fort Lauderdale inlet. Note the 2 300’ yachts on the left. When we cleared the bridge Chris McDonnell saw a flashing blue light and neither of us were sure what it meant other than it was an official boat of some kind. When Chris looked left he could see why. Inbound passenger ship. Official boat gave us clearance to proceed out to sea on the ship’s north side. Interesting being within 200’ off such a large vessel. Little Issac Light by 6pm we hope.
Short day today. Stopped into see a boat that Chris McDonnell is considering. We were turfed off the dock but were done anyway. More bridges today but had some luck including a special opening for a barge we managed to use. Now anchored in Lake Sylvia in Ft Lauderdale. Ran aground twice trying to make the entrance. All good now, great lunch on deck enjoying the sunshine and warm temps. Tomorrow the Bahamas??
Coming up to one of the 17 bridges we transited yesterday. Some on demand but most on a schedule. Most we arrived in time but for 3 it was holding station for up to 30 mins. Very windy day at 20 knots sustained and gusts to high 29s and low 30s. We covered almost 50nm so it was a long tiring day. But Chris McDonnell bought me a very nice dinner at the Royal Palm YC.
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.
Fog! Trust me there is a bridge .4nm away. Could see the top but not the bottom so I pulled off the channel about a thousand feet. Hung there for 30+ mins but kept the motor on so I could take evasive action. Saw a sailboat on my radar slowing moving down the channel. Never did see the boat but could make out the top 1/3 of the mast. So radar is useful!
Yet another great sunset …. just 10 mins ago I had just completed some on deck tasks and I looked up and saw a beautiful rainbow. Immediately I heard a rusting sound like leaves and looking the opposite way saw a wall of rain a few boat lengths away. Dove for cover cause we aren’t talking drizzle here. What a nutty place for weather ☔️?
Not much to say about Sunday. It was a sunny day and we made really good time to the anchorage due east of Sebastian, got there around 1:30. The Atlantic was just on the other side of a narrow causeway and I’m pretty sure I could hear the waves breaking on shore later at night when there was little road traffic on the A1A. One other sailboat anchored in the bay.
We left early on Monday morning, before 7am, the sun wasn’t over the horizon yet but there was lots of light to see and avoid the crab pots. We wanted to time arriving at Fort Pierce at what we thought would be slack tide. Bob had read warnings about tricky currents entering the marina.
Before sunrise – heading to Fort Pierce
Monday had more interesting sights and variety on the ICW than the last couple of days. There were lots of little islands with sandy beaches and many had small boats pulled ashore with families fishing from shore. We also went through a couple of areas with huge mansions on manicured properties. Since arriving in Florida we’ve continued to see a lot of storm damaged boats, either beached on shore or in some cases sunk off channel with just masts sticking out of the water – could be Matthew or Irma.
Sunken boat near New Smyrna – early AM
We arrived at the channel to the marina a little after 11 and despite our calculations there was quite a bit of current. However, other than dealing with a large trawler coming out of the channel who didn’t seem to want to move out of the middle of the channel – we ended up passing starboard to starboard instead of the usual port to port, Bob did just fine.
Our slip is in the live aboards area, not on floating docks, but the tide is only about 1.5 feet so it’s not an issue. We are stern in and with a bit of current/wind had a moderately interesting time getting into the slip. Randy the dock hand was waiting for us and passing him an extended boat hook to start with did the trick. It’s a half finger dock so Bob got to practice lassoing to attach lines to pylons at the front of the boat. The rub rails have come in handy in Florida, especially at fuel docks lined with wooden pylons but also docking at our slip today.
At Fort Pierce City Marina
This is probably the last post until we’re back here in late December. We’ll be doing boat clean up and maintenance for the next few days. Jim and Terri our friends (and business partners) who live near Atlanta are coming here on Saturday for few days and we’ll be going back to their place for Bob & Jim to do a bit of business stuff. We’re flying home from Atlanta on December 9.
ended up at the open beach at low tide near sunset and had a beautiful stroll across rippled sands to the water’s edge.
