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| Great Beam Winds sailing for Great Sale Cay |
After arriving West End and clearing into the Bahamas for our first time, we all enjoyed the pool and dinner at the Tiki Hut. From West End, we sailed 55 miles out to Great Sale Cay with a fleet of six Island Packets.
Dropping the anchor in 10 feet of water, we easily watched the 44 lb Bruce dig into the sandy bottom as we laid out 100 feet of 5/16″ chain. Sunset that night was so special and the clouds after sunset were even more beautiful.
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| One of our buddy boats, 420 Flatlander, yes from Kansas sails for Spanish Cay past Island Spirit |
The next day we raised anchor at 0700 and set a reefed main sail at the north end of Great Sale Cay for a 35 mile sail on a close reach for Spanish Cay Marina. The winds were building as we were outrunning a well known frontal system predicted to arrive soon. This front we have been watching since Miami and we planned to take shelter at the docks on Spanish Cay. Now with winds 20-25 and 60 degrees off the starboard bow, we sailed at hull speed all day long.
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| Four Island Packets docked at Spanish Cay Two more are out of this picture to the left |
We arrived Spanish Cay at 1430 and with 25 knots of cross winds and 2 foot seas, docking was a bit of a challenge for all members of the fleet. But with fantastic dock hands and help from Spanish Cay Marina, we all were secured and docked by 1530. Spanish Cay Marina has a very friendly staff and a fantastic chef who knows how to make the best conch dinners. Anita, the facility manager, made us all fee so welcome and we nearly had the entire facility to our fleet.
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| Exploring our first Bahamas Beach on Spanish Cay |
We stayed at Spanish Cay Marina Sat and Sun and, with the frontal system through and the winds now down to 20 knots, we plan to move into the Abacos farther and take up base at Green Turtle Cay. The current weather system is blowing hard from the NE and then N and then E with winds forecasted to be 25-30 and even 35 knots! With weather like this, we have all decided to take slips at Green Turtle Club Marina. This is very unusual because most of us always anchor out, but then again the weather is usually 10-15 knots here in March.
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| Beam Reaching in 10-15 across the Little Bahama Bank |
Overall, this trip into the Abacos has been a dream trip because we have sailed beam winds of 20-25 knots every leg from Miami!
Today, we will sail beam winds south into the Green Turtle Cay….this is unreal….lucky us….and we appreciate every second….
More Photos of this leg into the Abacos.
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| The fleet enjoys a sunset anchored off Great Sale Cay |
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| Our first Bahamas Sunset from anchor, Great Sale Cay |
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| The clouds illuminated after sunset over our bow. Notice the SW winds |
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| SunRISE over our buddy boat 37 Dragon’s Toy from California! |
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| Empty beaches, empty chairs…beautiful sand…beautiful day |
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| Radeen walks the pink sand beach at Spanish Cay The sun is at noon and hats and shade are a must have |
Yes…the Bahamas are really special and we have only seen TWO islands so far. We can’s wait to discover more as we plan to spend two months here exploring only the Abacos. A dream come true….Thank you for following us.
Thank you for sharing. It's such a joy following you – only slightly jealous 😉