26 30.987 N
78 38.035 W
This morning the "Monday window" (to cross to the USA) slammed shut. The next "window" looks like the end of next week! Apparently this windy and stormy weather is quite unusual for this time of year. Our friends Barb and Don are approaching from the Abacos and were planning to meet us at West End on Sunday. Fortunately we were able to make contact with them and change the meeting spot to Lacaya. Our job was to find a less expensive marina
The "Port Lacaya Marina" was right down town but was costing us $100 a day, and it was not worth that kind of money. We had spec'ed out the alternatives before we arrived and made contact with Flamingo ($30 a day!) but had decided that we wanted to be "downtown" and not out in the sticks. Well, we had now "done" downtown and we were ready for some cheap space.
But we had a problem - we could not get out of our slip. We had a 50' sport fishing boat next to us and the marina had parked a beautiful 120' long luxury yacht opposite. That left us barely 65'-75' (?) to pull out of the slip and turn 90 degrees to port and into the fairway. The wind was blowing strongly onto our port side. I could not start the turn until we had cleared the SFB which would leave me about 10' at each end to turn into a 20/30 kt wind. I now know enough about Tide Hiker to realize that she would not want to turn into the wind.
So I visited the marina office and explained the issue. There response was "you should be OK!". I asked them "If I lose control in the wind, which boat would you prefer I collide with - the $M 5.0 yacht or the
$M 1.0 SFB?" They had no answer, so I returned to Tide Hiker and ruminated. Bahamians seem nice but they are not into customer service (I may have mentioned this before.) I had explained the issue to the guys next door on the SFB. They seemed to take pity on my issue and decided to take a ride for an hour or so. With them gone we fired up the engines and let go the lines. Deidre dropped the bow line last - this way the wind had pushed the stern over 30 or 40 degrees in the right direction before we moved forward - no probs!
The ride over to Flamingo was only a mile or so. We had spec'd out the location using the satellite view on the iPad, so knew what to expect. There was only one issue - the boat next to us was loaded with young girls in skimpy bikinis. But I managed OK without crashing into the dock.
Once secure we explored our new digs and we were delighted. We have complete access to the hotel facilities - a big pool with a water slide and swim up bar, hot tub, and a good looking restaurant on the beach.
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| Navigational hazard |
Sunday May 18, 2014
Barb & Don were set to arrive today and Deidre had invited them to dinner so we needed a visit to the market. It was about a 3 mile ride but the trail was 100% flat. Deidre's ankle was really hurting by the time we were back. Its a shame as she enjoys the exercise.
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| I needed this! |
"Cavara" arrived at about 2PM after a stressful ride from Great Sale. They had not eaten lunch so Deidre provided sandwiches. It was fun to catch up and exchange stories. R & R at the pool tomorrow.
Monday May 19, 2014
The weather forecast is looking promising for later this week. Hosed down the boats and the four of us headed off to the beach, pool and swim-up bar. Fun day.
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| Deidre made it down the slide - and liked it! |
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| In the swim up bar with barb & Don |
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| "Happy Hour" in swim-up bar in "the grotto" |
Tuesday May 20, 2014
Easy day. Barb and Don took the ferry over to "down town" to shop. We followed later on and met them for lunch. Met some Aussies on the ferry back - they complained a lot about Australia.
Wednesday May 21, 2014
The decision has been made. We leave in the morning at 4 AM and go straight to Ft Pierce in Florida. It will be a long day - 114 NM. Weather looks good.
Easy day. Deidre decided to take the "glass bottom boat" trip as she feel she missed out on some of the sights. She was the only person on the 11:30 AM trip. This afternoon we wandered over to the pool bar and sat in the sun. Early to bed.
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| At dinner |
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