Bahamas Passage

In November of 2012, Christie, Stuart Wade, Clay Chick and I delivered Galadriel to the Abacos in the northern Bahamas. We waited until hurricane Sandy passed, which resulted in generally very nice sailing.

For those readers who have never crossed the Gulfstream, one of the interesting sights is the well defined and dramatic difference in color between it and the surrounding ocean.

Once we were in the stream, Stuart baiting up the trolling rigs with ballyhoo.

We relaxed a bit while waiting for the lines to sing out.

We didn’t have to wait long though to start seeing the results of Stuart’s expertise and Clay’s muscle. First came a small mahi, then a bonita and finally this large bull mahi. Pretty tasty too!

Afterwards, Clay enjoyed a bit of well deserved down time on the fantail.

Unfortunately, we lost our transmission on the way down and as we approached the islands we learned that a “rage” was in progress. This is the local term for strong northerly winds which can render all channels allowing transit from the ocean into Great Albaco sound very dangerous. When the locals learned that we didn’t have engine propulsion they recommended that we sail to west end over 100 miles to the west to make a safe entry. We weighed that lengthy diversion against the risk and after much discussion decided to proceed.

Clay agreed to pilot Galadriel through the breaking seas in the unmarked channel.

I nervously stood watch on the bow for shallow spots or coral heads.

Needless to say, we made it through unscathed and received numerous hugs when we arrived at the marina, from the other sailors who had been monitoring the whole thing on their radios.

For the rest of the winter Bluffhouse on Green Turtley Cay and the marina/resort’s wonderful staff would make us feel at home as we explored the Abacos.  

  

 

Chesapeake Bay Tour

In July, after Galadriel’s refit had been going on since the previous November, we decided that Galadriel was ready to go on her first cruise. In part because we were invited and in part because I wasn’t at all confident sailing her yet, we piggy backed with Harry and Janie Tenney on their 10 day cruise around the Bay on their 40 ft. sloop, Margarita.

Our first destination was Jackson Creek off the Piankatank River. After a nice sail up the Bay, the new Sirius Weather module confirmed what our eyes already told us. Typical of many late afternoons in July, after a long hot day, Mother Nature was working up a major squall for us.

Luckily, by the time it hit, both vessels were safely tucked into Jackson Creek and we just fishtailed around at anchor for a few hours as the storm provided a great electric display and cooled everything down.

This was the first cruise on Galadriel for our dog Peanut as well and he wasn’t digging it. Despite some training we had been giving him at home to “go” on a pee pad, he held it as long as he could, then peed on my feet.

The next day we continued up to the Tides Inn, one of our perennial favorites over the years.

We decided to visit the Indian Creek yacht club next since they offer reciprocal privileges to NYCC members. This also gave us a chance to rendezvous with Carl and Sue who were cruising on their Beneteau fast trawler.

Harry and Janie launched their dinghy to explore the creek a bit.

And Peanut even got to go. He seemed to greatly prefer the dinghy ride to being on the “mother ship” for some reason.

The next day the winds were light again so we decided to motorsail over to Tangier Island. On the way over we could see another nasty thunderstorm building in the distance. I had not yet figured out how to switch fuel tanks and tried to make it across; only to run out of fuel in sight of Tangier. Luckily Janie made the bastard Harry turn around and help me figure it out. Thank heavens I didn’t get an air lock and have to bleed the injectors; which I had learned in a course but had never actually done!

Tangier is really cool of course, with all the work boats;

And crab shanty’s on stilts;

With shedding pens full of crabs in various staging of molting.

Needless to say, we munched on a few fresh soft shells.  

We docked for the night at Mr. Park’s and enjoyed an end of the day beer (or two) on the Margarita; then walked up the street for dinner at Mrs. Crocketts.

The next day we continued across the Bay to the Eastern Shore and Onancock Creek. After a couple of scary moments, Carl and Sue managed to launch their dinghy and we explored the creek a bit.

All three boats rafted up for dinner on Galadriel but predictably another squall hit just as we were finishing up and turned a lovely dinner into a Chinese fire drill as the Margarita and Carl and Sue untied from us and frantically tried to anchor at the height of the storm.

The sunrise next morning was beautiful though.

We decided to turn south and begin the trip home. On the way we entered Pungoteague Creek and anchored off a little town called Harborton. There is also another yacht club with NYCC reciprocity at the head of the creek which we paid a brief visit to.

But the highlight was picking hard crabs that Harry lined up from one of the local commercial guys at the nearby wharf….

As you can tell from the wreckage and the satisfied looks on Harry and me.

The next day we sailed down to Cape Charles and I’m pleased to report that we had enough wind to keep up with Harry for most of the sail. (we had light air for most of the cruise and I was sick of the bastard always pulling away from me)