Winter in the Bahamas

[Sumner]

.... I suggest you pick up a Yachtsman's Guide to the Bahamas. It's full of useful info. We used Explorer's Chartbook and electronic chart. They served well. . ....

Thanks for the tip on the Yachtsman's Guide.....

http://yachtsmansguide.com/product_info ... cts_id=131

..... Do you also have the Exuma Guide? I saw it listed ...

http://www.amazon.com/The-Exuma-Guide-3 ... gy_b_img_y

....on Amazon with the other one.

.. I'd strongly recommend buying a single side band receiver. Portable units are available for under $200, and they're quite compact. ....

We bought this Sony....



http://www.amazon.com/Sony-ICF-SW7600GR ... B00006IS4X

...after I think you recommended it. I've used it a little at home, but need to use it more as it does take some understanding to make it useful. Have you ever seen if you can get any of the cruiser's networks at home?

Sum

===================================
Our MacGregor 26-S

Our Endeavour 37

Our Trips to Utah, Idaho, Canada, Florida

Mac-Venture Links

[KayakDan]

Lots of good information here,and I appreciate everyones' input.

As far as the dinghy goes,I'm not too keen on stowing the inflated Brig on the deck. At 10'4" it would be a lot of windage,and weight up high. With the sling,it will create minimal drag,and its readily accessible if we need it. I would really love some nice ss dinghy davits,but this is a 26M,not an Island Packet(maybe someday but not right now)

Sumner,I have a Garmin 178C with Blue Charts for S. Florida and the Bahamas. I also have The Explorer charts for Near Bahamas,Far Bahamas and Exuma. Along with that I also have chart books for So Florida and the ICW,Skipper Bob guide to ICW anchorages in FL,and lastly Stephen Pavlidis' Exuma Guide. If it's out there,I got a book for it! Probably add the Abacos Cruising guide before we go.

Dave,I understand your concern and I'm going into this very carefully,and we really have an open ended schedule,so we can take as much time as it takes to wait for a weather window. I know how rough it can get in the open water there. We will most likely power across to minimize exposure,and with a departure from Angelfish Creek,we will use the northerly push from the Gulfstream to cover distance quickly. And I will be carrying 5 cases of beer,as well as lots of provisions. My wife still reminds me of the $7 pineapple I bought several years ago in GT

Chinook,we are pretty familiar with the routine at George Town,and it's part of what we love about the Bahamas. I have been lucky enough to hang out at the Chat n' Chill,play volleyball with the cruisers,and enjoy Doralees' famous Conchburgers. I have several friends who are Exuma cruisers,and I actually picked out my "parking spot" already.A couple of years ago,there were moorings set in Hurricane 1,and that's supposedly why they no longer let you anchor in there. When we bought our dinghy,we did it with Elizabeth Harbor in mind. Same thing when we bought ground tackle for the M. As I understand it,Exuma Docking is reasonable priced for an overnite if we take the M across for groceries.
I will probably get an SSB receiver to cover the areas whwere VHF info is thin. I already have a container for fuel,as well as collapsible containers for topping up at the Exuma Market dock.

As I understand it the pumpout boat is a regular fixture in the harbor lately.

Looking forward to the Friday night buffet at 2T's

[Sumner]

....Sumner,I have a Garmin 178C with Blue Charts for S. Florida and the Bahamas. I also have The Explorer charts for Near Bahamas,Far Bahamas and Exuma. Along with that I also have chart books for So Florida and the ICW,Skipper Bob guide to ICW anchorages in FL,and lastly Stephen Pavlidis' Exuma Guide. If it's out there,I got a book for it! Probably add the Abacos Cruising guide before we go......

Thanks. I forgot to add the other day that if anyone is using OpenCPN (free) that you can use it with NV-charts for the Bahamas, and other places.

They have a 3 region chart set that looks to cover all of the Bahamas for $149.00 that also has ...

http://www.nv-charts.com/nv_cd_boxes.php

...CD's with the digital version of the charts. I think we will try that if we go over along with the Explorer charts that seem to be a must have.

We have Canadian friends that were over last year and are down there getting ready to go back now that said they had pretty good luck with WiFi at Georgetown so we expect updates . Sounds like you are getting most of your bases covered,

Sum

===================================
Our MacGregor 26-S

Our Endeavour 37

Our Trips to Utah, Idaho, Canada, Florida

Mac-Venture Links

[apsaunders]

I lived 13 years on the island to the east of GT....Long Island. We lived in Deadman's Cay. I was a pilot and regularly flew over to GT. I have flown up the Exumas hundreds of times. Since those days I have dreamed of returning in my to spend 3-4 months cruising the Exumas. I trust you will keep a detailed report of preps and trip for all of us to help keep our dreams alive.

[Ormonddude]

This is a long time dream of mine, I am nowhere near ready having just bought my but in a year or 2 i plan to make the bimini hop and get more comfortable with careful open water navigation living in florida, I am doing some open water sailing and learning the boat. I just want to say god bless and fair winds i am envious but i will make the trip sometime soon. I hear the bimini hop is not that big of a deal as power boats and offshore fishing vessels are making the trip all the time so your not alone in a emergency but still prepare for the worst and hope for the best.

[KayakDan]

....Sumner,I have a Garmin 178C with Blue Charts for S. Florida and the Bahamas. I also have The Explorer charts for Near Bahamas,Far Bahamas and Exuma. Along with that I also have chart books for So Florida and the ICW,Skipper Bob guide to ICW anchorages in FL,and lastly Stephen Pavlidis' Exuma Guide. If it's out there,I got a book for it! Probably add the Abacos Cruising guide before we go......

Thanks. I forgot to add the other day that if anyone is using OpenCPN (free) that you can use it with NV-charts for the Bahamas, and other places.

They have a 3 region chart set that looks to cover all of the Bahamas for $149.00 that also has ...

http://www.nv-charts.com/nv_cd_boxes.php

...CD's with the digital version of the charts. I think we will try that if we go over along with the Explorer charts that seem to be a must have.

===================================
Sum,
I'm not familiar with NV Charts. Strange,as I have walked right past their location in Newport. Maybe a new location for them. I would like to see a sample chart,but I didn't see any available One nice feature with the Explorer Charts is the free online updates.
I will be trying wi-fi in George Town. Possibly use St Francis Marina signal late at night. I will be posting updates whenever possible. Living on "Spice" for about 4 months will be very interesting. By the time we come back we should know if there's a bigger boat in our future.
I think Sumner can relate to this.
I,m thinking that "Spice" will be our coastal Maine cruiser,and I;ll end up tearing up an early 80's Something in Florida,for a Bahamas cruiser. A bigger boat would make the British V.I. a possibility,and that is some great sailing.
Stay Tuned....

[KayakDan]

Greetings fellow Mac owners!
We are sitting in a slip at the Indiantown Marina. This is a great place,very laid back friendly vibe,and at $1.00 a foot,it can't be beat. Everyone here is in some stage of preparing to head for the Abacos and/or Exuma,so everyone has a boat project under way. This place is a great place to get a project boat ready,and some folks even have campers next to their boat in the huge owner friendly workyard.With free showers,a full kitchen,a screened in patio with a flat screen and comfy chairs,this place could be a destination in itself.
So far the only issues have been a broken roller on the trailer,a leaky water line in the galley,and a rudder line. Now ,if the rest of the trip goes that easy......
We were planning on leaving sooner,but a cold front with 27knot winds has convinced us to stay put until Sunday. Works out great because now we'll be here for the big Saturday night potluck! The marina supplies the burgers and sausages,and the cruisers supply the side dishes.

Solar Panels-we've been getting 4-5 amps average until late afternoon. Because they can be swiveled on the rails,I can get the most out of late afternoon sun.Battery never drops lower than 12.5.
Edgestar fridge/freezer. We run it on Fast Freeze most of the day,and we have the temp down to 18 degrees so far,and that's on an 84 degree day. We shut it down at sundown,and the temp is about 30 in the morning. Each day we get the low temp down another 2-3 degrees,so I think it's a sucess.

Sunday morning we head for Key Largo to visit Macgregor friends,and wait for a weather window....stay tuned!!

[seahouse]

Glad to hear you’re having a good time. While waiting for the storm to move through here , I’m looking forward to your next update , Dan.
My curiosity is piqued, though, wondering what the problem with the rudder line could have been?
- Brian.

[Sumner]

Thanks for the update and sounds like you are having fun . Keep the updates coming,

Sum

===================================
Our MacGregor 26-S
Our Endeavour 37
Our Trips to Utah, Idaho, Canada, Florida
Mac-Venture Links

[slugbug]

Just want to say I am enjoying this post greatly and will be following your adventure with envy. Merry Christmas and happy holidays and the best new year to all!

[DaveB]

Thats great the trip is doing well.
We are planning trailering the boat over to South Dade Marina this Thursday for a 5 day cruise with 5-6 other Trailer Sailers, mostly from the WCTSS.
We will be stoping over first day Friday at Alabama Jacks for fritters and Grog than set Campfire S. on Island. Than Sail over to Elliot Key marina and stay over Night (Around $10) Than Head to Boca Chica or Sands cut.
I also am hooking up 2- 40 watt panels on bimini to power the Edgestar 63 quart frig. I am running it on a 100 watt inverter since my DC unit doesn't work.
Maybe we will see ya. Group moniters channel 71 on vhf.
You can reach me at cell 239-850-0281.
Dave

Greetings fellow Mac owners!
We are sitting in a slip at the Indiantown Marina. This is a great place,very laid back friendly vibe,and at $1.00 a foot,it can't be beat. Everyone here is in some stage of preparing to head for the Abacos and/or Exuma,so everyone has a boat project under way. This place is a great place to get a project boat ready,and some folks even have campers next to their boat in the huge owner friendly workyard.With free showers,a full kitchen,a screened in patio with a flat screen and comfy chairs,this place could be a destination in itself.
So far the only issues have been a broken roller on the trailer,a leaky water line in the galley,and a rudder line. Now ,if the rest of the trip goes that easy......
We were planning on leaving sooner,but a cold front with 27knot winds has convinced us to stay put until Sunday. Works out great because now we'll be here for the big Saturday night potluck! The marina supplies the burgers and sausages,and the cruisers supply the side dishes.

Solar Panels-we've been getting 4-5 amps average until late afternoon. Because they can be swiveled on the rails,I can get the most out of late afternoon sun.Battery never drops lower than 12.5.
Edgestar fridge/freezer. We run it on Fast Freeze most of the day,and we have the temp down to 18 degrees so far,and that's on an 84 degree day. We shut it down at sundown,and the temp is about 30 in the morning. Each day we get the low temp down another 2-3 degrees,so I think it's a sucess.

Sunday morning we head for Key Largo to visit Macgregor friends,and wait for a weather window....stay tuned!!

[KayakDan]

eHello All!
We're currently in Key Largo visiting friends(fellow Mac owners who conveniently have a dock in their back yard).
The trip down the ICW was very interesting. First day,8 miles down the OWW heading towards Stuart,our GPS decided to expire.Then it worked sporadically,not a wiring issue,but something internal. A call to a friend in Indiantown,a quick trip to West Marine and we have a shiny new Garmin 441S,which had a great sale price. And just the day before,we had been in the WM in Stuart,and the Admiral suggested getting one because of the sale!
Go figure! At anchor that night,I wired the new unit,and on we go.
Second day out we ended up running short on daylight,and didn't want to go into Lake Worth anchorage in the dark,so we grabbed the fuel dock at North Palm Beach Marina,and that was our Christmas Eve.
Third day outafter enjoying a day of viewing multimillion dollar real estate,and lots of bridges,we spent a great night at the Lighthouse Marina,in Lighthouse Point. The marina staff was great,and the waterfront restaurant was excellent. $2.25/ft,and worth it.
Fourth day,as we're travelling,I realize my Florida chart book won't get me all the way to Key Largo. Can't beleive I missed that! The sailing gods were with us,and I pulled into a marina with a WM just a mile away. And off we go
We did one more day,with a stay at the Bill Bird marina in N. Miami. The slip they gave us was useless for a sailboat,it was built for megayachts-and then they closed-so there we are.... So we stayed for free on the floating dock in the public park. All around us are megayachts,nothing under 3 million,some probably over 10 mil.
One more night in a public marina,$1.25/ft,nice slip,and a nice restaurant. Very helpful staff.
Next day we made it to Key Largo. Nice day,motoring to Lake Surprise,and here we are.
What we learned-
Biscayne Bay is endless
No,they won't hold that brige for you,even if you go really fast.
So far it's been a really fun trip,and we're almost ready for crossing.
Oh,the ruddr line was frayed,but it only took ten minutes to replace
Stay Tuned...

[K9Kampers]

Line frayed from dragging too many Penobscot Bay lobster pots, eh?!

[cptron]

I too will be glued to this post as the admiral and I plan a trip to Bimini sometime in 2014. I guess we will have to live vicariously through you for now.

[KayakDan]

Line frayed from dragging too many Penobscot Bay lobster pots, eh?!

Hey,Iv'e done some of my best sailing attached to a lobster pot!

And I never sailed in the ramp parking lot with my rudders down!