Releasing the feline from the sack
As mentioned yesterday, the weather front that was predicted hit and even in our super-sheltered hideaway, our boat snapped to attention when the wind jumped from 20 knots to 38 knots in a blink of an eye. A couple of other boats made it in here just before that ugliness started, one of whom I spoke to on VHF radio, sharing what info I could on the entrance just before he headed in. It was ironic because while I was doing so, I had the following video uploading which shows the entire track to follow to get in here. The “secret” is now out!
There really was no secret at all. As I already wrote, the info is in the charts and guidebooks. If a couple of first-timers like us can make it in here, anyone with a shallow-draft boat could too.
What have we been doing while hidden away in here? Playing around and exploring a bit mostly.
Rebecca and I broke out our snorkel gear for the first time in the Bahamas.
The water is still a bit chilly, even for us Canadians!
Our Rocna, lying in the sand yesterday when the wind was calm. I am pretty sure it didn’t look like that when the wind was blowing 20+ knots.
Exploring the island. There are roads like this going every which way.
After more than 12 months without a haircut, I finally broke down yesterday and had Rebecca cut my bangs. I couldn’t go to Christmas dinner looking too too shaggy.
As a follow-up to yesterday’s post on Skype, I did as most people suggested and added 10 bucks to our account. We have yet to use it to call any real phones but did have the opportunity to do another video chat to Rebecca‘s sister and family who are now vacationing in New Zealand. Doesn’t technology rock? 🙂
Nice haircut – As Sugarland would sing – you look so pretty! Good job Rebecca! That clear water looks like fun . . did you find any treasures?
No treasures, yet!
Hi guys,
Been extremely busy on the work end, and following you daily.
Glad you are safe. A very merry Xmas to you two. Looking at that video you lookedas if you were going quite fast.
Did you have a strong current going in your direction? The Rocna anchor seems to be working well. Ill have to add that one to my anchor arsenal.O yah! And what is cool water to us hearty Canadians.
Ron and Kath
Hi guys
Merry Christmas!
I’m going to let you in on a secret… that video was shot from our dinghy. 🙂
We went back and filmed it the day after we arrived. We were a bit too stressed to be filming it the first time we went in.
As for the Rocna, it is the bomb. If you need a new anchor that is the only one to get IMO (or perhaps its clone, the Manson Supreme).
Water temps? I’m not really sure. We have gone in Lake Ontario in early May so it’s no where near that cold. A wet suit would sure make it a bit more comfortable if you were going to be in the water here for an extended period of time.
You keep mentioning Swallow draft, just how shallow is the Pond?
I was thinking, I said “sWallow?”
We went in close to high tide and the least amount of water we saw was about 4.7′. The Pond is not shallow…. the ENTRANCE is shallow in 2 spots though. And if you go outside the narrow channel, it is VERY shallow!
Do you feel it would be safe to be cruising single handed in the shallow waters of the Bahamas?
Or do you often need someone up front watching for coral and other dangerous shallow spots ahead?
We have been prudently having one of us on the bow when venturing into waters less than 5 feet or so. Our charts have pretty much been bank on thus far.
Filmed from the dinghy! That makes sense. We thought ya’ll were cruising at a pretty good speed. Love the video … it really gives us a sense of what it’s like to arrive at the islands! Thanks for sharing it. It’s beautiful, and we love that white sandy bottom … nothing like the muddy bottom here in Louisiana.
We are so looking forward to those sort of places our underwater metal detector should come in handy 🙂 & the Pond is a lot bigger than it looks . have a fab day 🙂
PS Mike that hair cut has made you look younger than when you started the trip 🙂 in fact you are both looking healthier & younger 🙂