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dock bragging about a record long run
and the problem is that there are less
experienced boaters looking to duplicate
that feat as if it’s a badge of honor. I tell
my customers they get a gold star if they
take a month or more to travel from the
Chesapeake to Florida. You’re retired
or can manage your time and cruising
is about taking it easy.” Bob and Carrie
certainly understand this sentiment.
We discuss the alteration and Bob
begins to plot the course while we’re
on the eastern end of the Bank. Althoff
suggests working out these Plan B
scenarios back at the dock.
“I’ll plot separate routes to bailout
points so I can say, ‘Hey, in a few hours,
we can decide whether we run for shelter
behind an island, or into an inlet, etc.,’” he
says. “This lets everyone know that there
are options when things are changing for
the worse or people are uncomfortable.”
After spending the night anchored
off Chub, we head out before dawn
and begin to make our way toward
the Exumas. It’s snotty, gray and
windy. Again we contemplate making
a detour, maybe to Lyford Cay. We
futz around with our waypoints
and begin to simply drive the boat,
heading toward the western end of
New Providence to gain some shelter
from the strong southeasterly winds.
In a sense, we’re tacking the boat—and
it works. Then once over the Yellow
Bank things lie down completely and
become downright civilized.
We anchor off Norman’s Cay before
making our way to George Town the
next day to clear customs and refuel. A
side note, the customs and immigration
process was a royal pain in the ass.
During the transaction, I’m concerned
that Bob’s temper is going to create
an international incident. We have the
impression that they really don’t want
to let us in the country. Thankfully
I’ve transitioned over to Bob’s cruising
mode and we all roll with the program.
However, the process consumes the
entire day. If you are in “delivery” mode,
you may want to plan your clearance
choices accordingly.
We were finally able to leave after
adding a few hundred gallons of diesel.
I look forward to getting back on the
boat every single time, no matter how
beautiful the port. My cruising buddy
and I joke that when things get too
gnarly on land, “it’s time to escape to
the safety of sea.”
During the first night out of George
Town, I realize that my ugly American
side is evident when it comes to the
temperature in the cabin while under way
during these long passages. It’s just plain
hot and airless. I’m unable to get a good
rest off watch while lying in a puddle of
my own sweat. Bob and I have differing
points of view about running the generator
while under way. Simply put, I run a genset
24/7 and keep the air flowing. Bob ... not
