Just got back from the Bahamas

[tcbro]

Some of the regulars on this site might remember a post last December offering a "shared expense" sail in the Bahamas. Some felt that "crew" should be paid, not pay for the privilege of sailing. Others (like me) thought it was a very reasonable offer. Well, I signed on and did 17 days sailing on a 40' Beneteau. I had a great time, saw lots of cool stuff, did some great sailing, ate some great food and met some people who will be friends in my heart forever. The eventual cost was higher than the estimated daily range but I still feel I got my monies worth. The weather was unusual for this time of year. We had plenty of wind, too much at times. The temps were comfortable and it only rained during the day a few times. We did get some rain at night during the first week. The winds kept the bugs away. Our planned course was to San Salvator but that would have meant sailing into the 30-35kt winds and up to 20' seas. Instead, we sat anchored across from Georgetown for 4 days waiting for the winds (and seas)to die down. This delay kept us from making San Salvator but we had a great time in the Exuma chain, Nassau and Chub Cay.I kept my eyes open for Empty Pockets but never saw them (it is a big place with plenty of places to hide). Have they posted on this site yet? Are they back yet?Toms/v Orion's Child

 

[KayakDan]

Still windy?

Seems this has been a really windy year in the Exumas. We were there in March and the wind just wouldn't quit,and we were told it was the longest windy cond in memory.Getting stuck in George Town would just be hell. Ya have to go to the Chat n Chill for a beer all the time,hangin' on Volleyball Beach,snorkeling in 85o water. Sorry you had to endure that-I'd switch places with you if I could!

 

[PrincessoftheLake]

I'd like some more information

on what a share the expense sail is. What are the costs? What are required tasks? How did you find out about this?

 

[CalebD]

There are web sites for crew positions

such as this one: http://www.latsandatts.net/forum/viewforum.php?f=4Tcbro can tell you how much it cost him per day. He found the boat he went to the Bahamas on right here on this forum.As far as tasks/responsibilities I would assume that you would be expected to take part in the watch schedule for any long passages.There are lots of wolves out there advertising for 'Female first mate wanted' so I would expect you might want to bring along Captain Grumpy to keep an eye on things.

 

[tcbro]

Princess

I found out about it on this forum. The boat owner posted a note here and I responded directly to him with my interest and a bit of a sailing resume. We worked it out from there. He had 3 guys sail with him from Pensacola FL, around Key West and over to the Bahamas. 2 guys flew home from there and the wives of the remaining 2 flew in. They cruised for 2 weeks and the wives flew home. Me and another guy flew in and cruised for another 2 weeks. The plan was for us to help get it back to FL but we cut it kind of close and then a weather hold took away our "cushion" to make the crossing so me and the other guy that joined when I did ended up flying back to FL from Chub Cay. The owner and the 3rd guy are making their way back to Pensacola as we speak.The shared expense part of the cruise was for provisions, marina costs (we only stayed in marinas 4 nights) and any fuel used while we were aboard. I'm assuming we also paid our share of the Bahamas Cruising Permit (total $300)and other incidentals that came up. The owner had estimated $25/day for provisions (not counting liquid refreshments which he stocked for us before he left). My final tally for all "shared" expenses, not counting travel costs, restaurants and my bar tab was $46/day. If I take the marina costs and fuel costs out of the equation the daily provision costs were about $30-$35/day. Higher than estimated but still a good deal. We also shared cooking, cleaning, and sailing chores.The captain had a Coast Guard 6 pack rating, he was very knowledgeable about our cruising grounds and he made sure we got to see and do lots of cool stuff. The boat was 2 years old and very well equipped (we had A/C and movies every night). Obviously, signing on to do 17 days on a 40' boat with 3 people you never met is a bit of a crap shoot (they say a boat gets 1 foot shorter every day on an extended cruise). In this case, there was an occasional bit of friction but all in all, we all got along pretty well. It could have been a lot worse.Kayak Dan, The Kaliks at KB's Chat 'n' Chill were icy cold and we took advantage of that several times. We were anchored about 200 yds off of his beach. Unfortunately, we raised our anchor on Sun. am so we did not get to go to his famous Pig Roast. Maybe next time!Again, any word from Empty Pockets?Toms/v Orion's Child

 

[PrincessoftheLake]

Hmm, maybe I like wolves...

Tom-Thanks for the great information. Do you have any pictures of your trip that you might be posting?Caleb-Thanks for the heads up. Now I just have to decide what to do with Captain Grumpy....