Bahamas Trip

[Don Baker]

Me and my two buddies just got back last month from a three week trip to the abacos on my Hunter 33. The fishing, conching, and the lobstering were great. One night at West End we feasted on eleven lobsters. We visited Mangrove,Great Sale,Doublebreasted,and grand Cays,Including touring Grand Bahama. Spent the good weather days on the hook and the bad weather days at a marina if we could reach one. We left from Lake Worth on the 19 of Oct and returned to Ft. pierce on the seventh of Nov. I would quickly describe the voyage as days of great fun and relaxation puncuated by hours of total terror. I also would like to say that the 33 was all that I expected that it would be and more. Thanks to J.C. That is John Cherubini,and the big guy in the sky ( there are no atheists riding around on 33 foot sailboats in the middle of the gulfstream) If any of you guys would like any first hand info on this trip or a possible trip of your own feel free to call me at 904 261 6858, email me at donald@express56.com or respond to this article. I have lots of info that I could share.

 

[Bob Keller]

Sounds Like an Interesting Trip

Sounds like you had a great trip. I will save your email and contact you at a later date for more info. My wife and I chatered a 402 Beneteau in the BVI the day after you returned. We unfortunately encountered a tropical depression for the entire week we were there. That coupled with a very leaky boat (we did have 23 inches of rain) also made for an interesting week. We actually held up on a mooring at the Bitter End Yacht Club for four nights and three days - there could have been worse places to be. But we will be going back.Thanks for sharing your adventure.Bob and Camille, sv Kathryn, H356, Stamford, Ct

 

[Don]

Tell us about some of the horror...

I can imagine what the good days were like, but it would be good for us here to hear what problems you encountered. I'm planning to head over to the island this winter for a few weeks and would like to hear your experiences first hand.

 

[Marvin Muller]

Don't stop there

Total terror? You've got my attention. I'm dying to hear the stories. Leave no detail unwritten. I'm refurbishing my '79 H33 and have plans to sail her from the Chesapeake to the Bahamas next year. I'll be waiting to hear more.-Marvin

 

[Don Baker]

wind reversal at doublebreasted cay

Oct. 29 at double breasted cay was a beautiful day all day, we spent the whole day on the hook inbetween two small island chains with the bow pointing into the north east wind. The snorkling and fishing was good and we sent Issy aloft on the mast mate to take some pictures. Had a quiet night but with building clouds and a weather report that was not good,calling for thunder storms. Shortly after breakfast the next morning we got our storm, which switched the wind from north east to south and with increasing volocity. we felt the boat lurch,I looked out the portlight and I could see mangroves and rocks passing by the boat,the cqr had broken loose. Lucky the battry switches were on and the key was in the ign. I jumped on dech and called for the guys to get their arses on deck, the old 2 qm 15 came to life and issy jerked the anchor and we came less than 5 feet from grounding on some very nasty rocks. If you know anything about that part of the abacos you also know that there is not too much hope of saving a srricken vessel out there . About twice a day you might see a native in a whaler going for conch or crawfish. He could save you but your boat would be screwed. The weather reporting over there is almost non existant.Sometimes you can get a report on fm from Grand Bahama. Thats all for tonight, Maby tomorrow I'll tell you about the trip from west End to Fort Pierce In 18 to 25 with the two waterspouts and the breaking inlet