If the departure was 3 am on the 23 the crossing was probably good but I don't know about going to Mangrove Cay. Winds were very light here this morning, Little Abaco, and I finally had to motor the last 8 miles into Fox Town. First time I had to use the motor since leaving Hard Bargain 100 miles ago. Since I got in here about 3 hours ago the wind is really ramping up and is suppose to be out of the east at 15-20 gusting into mid 20's for the next 4-6 days and maybe longer. Being out there trying to go east on the Little Bahama bank is not going to be fun. Looking at the charts it doesn't look like much in the way of protected anchorages at West End either. I'm not in a great one myself here at Fox Town.kasmith21 wrote:...We are planning on landing in west end at old baham bay at about 1 in the afternoon. The marina there is sold out so we may head to mangrove key...
Hi, I'd move back west a few miles to Cave Cay where I came out of the Bight and it is right on the south route over to West End but no internet there and having internet where I can get to some weather has been worth it sitting here. Wind and waves on the nose only in the anchorage here so I sleep fine.Chinook wrote:Hi Sum,
We've been to Foxtown, and I can't think it's a very good place to be at in a blow. If you get a break, Moraine Cay just north of Foxtown is a really nice place to visit. Double Breasted Cay further west is also nice, with better protection and shallow water anchoring opportunity. If continuing west doesn't look good, you can always cut across Grand Bahama Island via the canal. You would need to lower your mast to sneak under the fixed bridge, which has 24 feet of clearance, as I recall. The canal empties out just east of Lucaya. You're really getting some tough windy weather. So glad you're picking your times to move, and that you have the luxury of time to do it in. You're correct in figuring that West End doesn't afford much in the way of anchoring opportunities in anything other than settled weather. Those marina rates have really gone up. They charged us $70 in 2004, and we opted to anchor in the little bay on the north side in settled weather when we staged there for our Florida return, in 2011.
You're becoming quite the salty dog. Hope the rest of your return to Florida goes well.
)Mainland isn't going anywhere, have a safe trip back!8 am Update: Looking at a couple different weather sites they give Sunday as having a lower chance for thunderstorms vs. Sat. so think I"ll take their advice over Chris's and that gives the seas one more day to calm down and better ESE winds vs. E on Sat.
Glad you have the time into later June. I've seen pictures of Double Breasted and it looks great. You should have some great times on the trip. The wind here today wasn't near as bad as the last couple. I'm leaving in the morning, almost did today but I'm glad I waited. There is a difference in what is possible and what is enjoyable. I hope to have the later the next 3 days.kasmith21 wrote:Hi Sum
Thanks for the weather info.
I have been having some radio problems with my fixed VHF...I have an antenna on my mast that I installed on my Standard Horizon vhf and it was working great in March and getting me 20 plus miles reception...unfortunately it is now only getting me 7-8 miles, so I have been struggling with the NOAA forecasts (my backup west marine handheld seems to be getting better reception). Anyhow, we have been hanging out here in Grand Cay marina (Rosie's) until the weather clears some more. Tommorrow I think we are headed to Double Breasted Cay (short 3.5 mile trip and then on saturday if the swells are not too bad we will head to Moraine Cay on Chinooks advice. Grand Cay is very nice but we have been here for 2 days and it is time to move on if weather permits. We have to be back in Florida by June 18 so we have some time....but it has been crazy windy here the last few days.
Sum- be careful on the crossing back. We are going back lake worth inlet which is very well marked and pretty straightforward for navigation.
I had dinner at Sailfish marina and was talking to one of the young guys working the docks about getting a slip the nite before we left. He suggested that after dinner I just grab one of the private mooring balls that are not being used . Apparently there are several that are rarely used and he said if they are notl by 9pm your fine just grabbing one....you may want to try that yourself instead of the St. Lucie inlet.
Keep well and thanks so much for the updates on your trip and your weather insight...as always much appreciated and taken into consideration.
Cheers and safe travels
Kevin
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