PORT LUCAYA TO GRAND CAY HARBOR IN THE BERRY ISLANDS (58 NM)

December 16, 2011 Friday

Finally, we have a small break in the Wx with wind and seas coming down to comfortable levels: Wind ENE 15-18; seas 6'.  We departed the marina at 0700 hrs for a crossing over to the Berry Islands.  The plan is to anchor in Grand Cay Marina tonight and continue through the Northwest channel tomorrow to Chub Cay on the southern end of the Berry Islands.  I have given up hope on trying to sail around the windward side of Eleuthera via the Northwest Passage.  At this time of the year the Trade Winds and Frontal Systems are just too strong.  I've been accused of sadistic tendencies but never have I been a masochist!!  So, Plan B is to thread our way through the reef passages into Northeast Passage and Tongue of the Ocean, then continue into Exuma Sound via one of the reef passages.  Looking at the charts there are several: Highborne, Ship Channel, etc.

We started out the day with a double reefed mainsail, staysail and reefed jib.  The wind had veered into the East x South and our course was 140 T degrees.  The closest we can point into the wind is 50 degrees so we held onto whatever course we could make and planned on making a tack to get back on the course line.  In the end, the wind hauled even more into the ESE so we had to do some motor sailing to make up all the distance we fell off the course line but it was fun while it lasted.  The boat sails beautifully as a cutter rig: mainsail, staysail, roller furling jib.  We were averaging about six kts.

It is taking some time to get used to the motion of a monohull.  We don't like being heeled over 12-15 degrees and jumping all over the place.  It makes even the simplest task difficult.  A Catamaran provides far more stability in the sailing conditions we have encountered.  I have felt a little seasick on two occasions so far: coming out of Ft Lauderdale and crossing over the Gulf Stream and a little on the crossing over to the Berry Islands.  It doesn't last long but it's there which is unusual for me.  Also, Phyllis has had about the same experience.  I have to believe that one becomes accustomed to the motion in due time.  As we move farther South and get the Trade Winds on our Stern, the overall motion of the boat will improve.

We dropped anchor (25 deg 45' N x 77 deg. 53' W) @1936 hrs EST in  very calm waters with 3ft under the keel.  We draw 6 ft so the waters of the Bahamas are restricted to us in many places.  An ideal draft in these waters would be under 4.5 ft.  A Catamaran is perfect draft.  All that said, the waters are crystal clear and a delight to behold.  I can actually see the anchor on the bottom!!  That hasn't happened since we were in the Caribbean over 33 years ago.