Bahamas

We are heading south from Brunswick, Georgia in late January... Destination, Bahamas. Leaving time is indefinite... our daughter will be delivering our first grandchild in late December.

We plan to paint the bottom, polish the topsides and do some minor maintenance in Brunswick, before heading down the ICW to West Palm Beach or Ft. Lauderdale. From there we will head to West End, Grand Bahamas and then...

Interested in comments and opinions.

Glen
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Glen Roger, IP 38-190, Blue Pearl, Vancouver - lying Brunswick, GA
glenroger.wordpress.com

Glen:

We've been to the Bahamas three times - Abaco's and Exhumas. Many folks will tell you that the Exhumas are better as the fronts do not penetrate down that far South. We found the opposite to be true. We prefer the Abacos for many reasons and would be happy to share our experiences with you.

Two of the three times we left from Lakeworth and cleared in at West End - third time we left from Rodrigues Key but again cleared in at West End. Easy trip over and around the Banks over to Munjack and Green Turtle Cay. Whale passage is an issue but again we can provide some helpful info. From there is it good cruising/sailing in the Sea of Abaco with great stops in Marsh Harbor for provisions as needed and many nice anchorages. Several very nice anchorages for protection when the fronts blow though and some good fishing off shore to the East.

Bobby

Bobby,

We are also planning to make a visit to the Bahamas for the first time and I would appreciate any insights/advice you could provide.

Currently in Beaufort, NC heading to Amelia to leave Gratitude for the holidays then heading south and across in mid to late January.

Right now am planning to cross from Lake Worth to West End unless otherwise advised.

Thanks for any input.

Mike
S/V Gratitude
IP 32-110

Mike,
We will have to keep in touch closer to the time. We are only a day from Amelia Island. We expect to leave there in late January. It would be good to have a crossing buddy.
Glen

Bahamas info:

Charts – We prefer the Explorer Charts for the Bahamas.

Phones – We did not use one, relied on Skype or a prepaid calling card. AVOID Direct to the US phone booths – 3 min call to the US can cost $50 US or more. Pictures of the Bahamas and the phones are located on IPPHOTOS.

www.islandpacketphotos.com/view_ad.asp?Ad_ID=543

Email – We subscribed to Out Island Internet with 1, 3 or 6 month plans and had WiFi in almost every anchorage in the Abaco’s. In some of the anchorages you will also be able to pick up unsecured WiFi from onshore residences or from some of the Pubs.

Weather in the Bahamas – Abaco’s – Barometer Bob (Patti) does a great job with the daily net on VHF out of Marsh Harbor and the info is updated daily on the Barometer Bob Website. Basra weather on SSB is just a recap of the NOAA weather forecasts.

Departure for the Abaco’s is relatively straightforward from Lake Worth Inlet. We crossed from here twice and then from Rodriguez Key once. We anchor just inside the inlet (let me know if you want the waypoint) and use a new website for graphical weather info -

www.weather.gov/forecasts/wfo/sectors/mfl.php .

You will see this info elsewhere but if the wind is forecast with any Northerly component you can expect rough conditions in the Gulf Stream – basically delay your departure until the wind shifts and you have had at least a day for the GS to settle down. Each time we crossed to West End and cleared in there.

Once across we take a slip at Old Bahama Bay Marina and clear in there. We top off with fuel at the fuel dock and then clear in. If you clear in here you will be charged one days slip rental so it just made sense to stay for the night. We love Cracked Conch and have found the best here!

Fuel and water is readily available in the Bahamas. If you do not have a water maker then you probably should take 3 – 4 collapsible water jugs so you can ferry water back to the boat – think water is in the range of about $.50 US per gallon. No need for on deck Jerry Jugs for fuel or water – unless you want the look! We did carry one 5 gal spare jug of diesel and one of water just as a precaution. Fuel for the dink is in one 3 gallon tank strapped to the foredeck and we kept an empty 1.5 gal gas jug that I use for mixing gas/oil before adding to the fuel tank. Carry spare oil for the Yanmar and for your outboard – easy way to save some money as oil is probably 2 – 3 times what you are used to paying.

www.oldbahamabay.com/bahamas-luxury-resort-marina.aspx

There is an anchorage just outside the marina but the holding there is NOT GOOD.

When we leave West End we head to the Berry Islands (Exhuma’s bound) or over to Great Sale Cay if headed for the Abaco’s. You can anchor on either side of Great Sale as needed and the water here is clear and warm. Once we leave Great Sale Cay we travel to Allans-Pensacola Cay, then Manjack Cay (free WiFi here), Green Turtle Cay (see Whale Cay Passage below) and then once around the Whale we do Treasure Cay, Great Guana Cay, Marsh Harbor, etc. If you are interested let me know your email addresses and I will send you a copy of our log entries.

Whale Cay Passage – Opening here where you leave the Sea of Abaco, cross briefly into the Atlantic and then back into the Sea of Abaco. Can be nasty and when it is the Wind/Waves are on the nose and the waves are very steep with a short period. We found that the Explorer Chart waypoints for the passage were not as good as those in the Maptech Guide. Let me know if you are interested and will scan and pass along Maptech info.

Provisions are readily available in Marsh Harbor but are more expensive than the US. Our Favorite rum – Bacardi Anejo – is cheap here and we buy the local beer, Kalik in bottles. Marsh Harbor is the main anchorage in the Abaco’s and a great place to sit and wait out storms. Other good storm anchorages are Treasure Key (anchor or mooring ball) and Little Harbor (mooring ball home of Pete’s Pub).

The water is very shallow in and around the Abacos – at some points you may see 5.5 – 6 ft as you enter some of the channels and small anchorages. Routes shown on the charts are tried and true and believable. Holding is generally good (we have a Rocna) and found that sometimes the thick sea grass would present a little problem – just make sure your anchor is set.

When leaving the Bahamas we have used two routes. One was from Nassau, West across the Bahamas Bank and then off shore at South Riding Rock up to Miami. The other was from West End to Port Canaveral. My suggestion – avoid Miami........

I did not go in depth on the Exhuma's as we did not care for them so avoided references.

I could probably go on – if I missed something let me know and will try to answer any questions you may have.

Bobby

Glen & Bobby

Good afternoon, Glen let's keep in touch as we get closer to January, my email is This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Bobby thanks for the info, anything you think would be useful please forward to my email address. When do you head back to the Islands? We actually crossed paths under the Veranzano Bridge when you were on your way to Maine and I was returning to NJ from Newport back a couple of years ago.

Take care guys and safe travel.

Mike

Some very valuable info for us, as we will also be in the Bahamas for the first time this winter.

As you mentioned, we were told about the cold front in the Abacos. I was not planning on going but my wife would like to go. I will look your route on my maps.

Thanks