No problem, I do not like to Stern to a dock. To much of a risk of damage to Motor or Rudders when something is out of adjustment. This dock is unusual as the slips are at an angle and there is about 6 feet of boards on the side of the boat so I can pull the boat over and get off the bow. Not too bad except at low tide.
One advantage of these wider docks is that you can rig your dinghy to move yourself from the boat to the dock by hand.
Winds are blowing here and fronts are comming through. Nice to have a good dock at about the price of a mooring ball. A Mac advantage!!
What a great adventure and trip, thanks for sharing with us! Your Pics were just wonderful and did much to inspire the Admiral. Your advice on places and conditions were heeded and I have started a small notebook based on those observations. Hopefully one day in the not too distant future we will be sending pics and adventure stories, from the Islands, back to this site.
Awesome trip James. Great pix. Just got back from a Bahamian cruise myself, though not in my boat and only one week. We were in the sea of Abacos the whole time. Looks like you really got around to the different islands. Must have been amazing to have had 5 months out there. I bet you really enjoyed the shallow draft capabilities of you Mac with all those reefs and shallow anchorages. I was in a 40 footer w/ fixed keel, drawing 6'. Average depths were 12 feet. Many of the harbors couldn't be entered with a 6' draft boat... at least in Abacos.
I have been back in the USA a week and I wanted to put some final thoughts on my 5 months Bahamas cruise.
Doing something for 5 months does change someone. I do not know what yet - but seeing the USA again with all the people and stuff was culture shock. I do not drink much and do not do drugs. Those types of parties I stayed away from. It was rarely was below 68 degrees and most of the time sunny with a few clouds. Very nice. If it was little warmer and it may have been to warm to sleep well. From what I was told it was a warm winter in the Abaco’s. Of the 5 months I spend 3 of them on a Mooring Ball or in a slip. I found the holding to be poor and very few places to anchor offered protection from all winds. I saw to many boats drag including myself. The water was so nice. That alone made the trip worth it. I am glad that I went. I really think that the Abaco’s is a great place to start cruising, there is so much to learn and it is easy to get to safety if in trouble.
Some of the problems I created – (others say they have not had these)
The Abaconians are a proud people and have been told how to do things so many different ways. I made the mistake of telling them how to do things. I suggest that you do not. They have been told so many times already and if they wanted to change they would have. If you have problems with the way they are doing things then leave. When you offend
someone you may not have a pleasant experience in the next day or 2.
They need money, just like in the USA, and will try to get more out of you, just like in the USA.
The Quality and Caliber of service is less that what I expected. I should have done it myself or left. I was not expecting so many people not knowing much English. I also suggest that one should not go to non-tourist areas.
When I took cash out from a Bank, everybody knew.
I was a bit naïve to believe that there “Was no Crime in the Abaco’s”. This is my observations - the cruisers are the ones who are breaking the law most – speeding in harbors, stealing water and showers, anchoring in mooring ball fields, etc. The tourists are next and then the locals. I see very few non-working/local people jailed except for fighting. (I should note that you can say that you are going to hit someone and in the Bahamas it is the same as hitting them). The jailable crimes that I saw were mostly related to drugs. A few was because people did not have enough money for food. However this number was about 10% of the small Island population per year. The numbers are few.
Summer ’07 and winter ’07 – ’08 season has been slow, not much money coming in. Next winter season may be slower. If so there may be more crime for food and less places open. I do not think it will ever be as bad as what one would expect in the USA but you should take more precautions than in the past.
There is a Bahamas politician who does not want the cruisers there. As a group we probably spend less per person and complain more. However, we also promote to a lot of people. During peak season there is an estimate $ 1,000,000 USD per month spent by the cruisers in the Bahamas. That does not include any of the people who come to the Bahamas through reading or listening to our adventures. The Bahamian Government must come to terms with this. We can spend less money cruising in the USA than in the Bahamas. The holding is better, goods are cheaper, food is better/cleaner, better medical service and we have more rights.
Let me end by saying I am glad that I came and thank the Bahamians who service me and allowed me to be there. One always weighs where one will spend their time. For me it will be in the USA winter ’08 – ’09. I am glad that you enjoyed my pictures.
Thank-you for taking us along on your trip and sharing your great stories and pictures with us. You have given us a great gift to alow us to dream of our cruising in the Bahamas at a future time. Thank-you again for sharing and taking us along!
I appreciate the honesty as well as the information. It is nice to know what to watch out for and is good to understand that it is not all sun and fun. It will make all of us better and safer, Sailors/Cruisers.
Interesting take on cruising life in Abacos. Much of it similar to what happens in Exuma.
Exuma is very safe,and the crime rate is very low. That said,the room of one of our friends was broken into one night,while they slept. First time there has been a b&e in this inn in 40 years of operation. The police responded immediately,took it seriously,and had the culprit in custody in 15 minutes! Turns out he was a construction worker from Nassau. My faith in the people of Exuma was redeemed.
Americans have trouble dealing with locals,when they fail to follow the customs of the locals. Even being polite,we are too direct for them.
A Bahamian conversation should be more like
"Good afternoon my friend,and how are you on this wonderful afternoon?"
" I'm doing wonderous sir,on this glorious day. Bless you."
" My friend,I would like a Kalik when you have a moment"
" My pleasure sir,and enjoy the day".
Even the kids are amazing. A "good afternoon" from every uniformed school kid you pass on the street.
James,I'm curious about the politician who doesn't wan't the cruisers. Is he a local politician,or a national govt?
From our experience,Exuma caters to the cruisers,and I haven't heard any negatives. Exumas' economy relies very heavily on the cruiser $$,so maybe the attitude is different.
I would also say that you probably found,as I did, that when you befriend a Bahamian,you will find them to be warm and friendly people who are a joy to know.
The polititan is from the National Govt. I believe from the North. It is interesting to watch the local news from Nassau.
Way to much powerboat traffic in the Abbaco's. The people who do bad things to the cruisers are seldom caught. However, it is rare. The money given to the locals from the rentals and the fisherman per person is a lot more. Just a day hop from the USA at 30+ mph.
The negatives are kept very quite. There is even an Abaco's form that will NOT allow any negeatives. Even a little bit will scare away tourest dollars.
