An old girlfriend just called.....

[Frank]

Interesting question…
Days and travels are pretty well determined by weather and events.
Green Turtle Cay is “home base” and I feel like a local here.
I enjoy breakfast with the lads at a small cafe, then often at 5-6 social time with happy hour at Sundowners bar.
Beyond that it’s visiting other boats, helping with repairs or other projects.
I can’t sit too long so depending on weather, will head nw to Manjack, Powel or Allan’s-Pensacola. Sometimes all the way up to Grand.
Then, if passable, se to Treasure, Marsh Harbour, Guana, Elbow Cay (Hopetown) on down to Little Harbour.
It is upcoming events and weather that dictate most days..
Blowing and overcast today so a lazy down day…

[Frank]

Jim, I should mention that boat repairs typically become male social events. If you or they need a hand, often there will be 5-6 lads involved as well as a bit of rum. The old saying that cruising is “doing boat repairs in exotic locations” is actually pretty accurate.

[Jim_ME]

The old saying that cruising is “doing boat repairs in exotic locations” is actually pretty accurate.

Ha. Seems like a good time.  :)

[Frank]

Always ends up fun, and it seems that no matter what is needed, some one some where has that part.

[wolverine]

Being somewhat layed up with a recent knee replacement, this thread has been most enjoyable.  Thank you Frank for sharing your adventure with us!

[Frank]

Thanks.
Bev flys in next Monday to Marsh Harbour.
Windy weather…
I’m headed out tomorrow towards Guana Cay.
To get there, you must either go around Whale Cay in the ocean with no barrier reef or across the bank at “Don’t rock pass”
Being shallow draft, it’s easier at Dont Rock.
It will be wind on the nose and blowing 12-14 for the first 6 miles.
Not looking forward to it… outboards into a chop and 14 knots simply aren’t fun…
Once through, I’ll tuck into Fisher Bay at Guana until Friday when the wind shifts and I’ll have a fast sail into Marsh Harbour.
Looking forward to taking her to Hopetown. Plan on renting bicycles for a day and touring.
After that we will go to ??
It’s all about weather when you’re out…

Friends Tartan 31
Check Rogers home port

Someone posted this picture of the historic New Plymouth Inn getting restored. If you look beyond it into the little bay, there’s Deja Vu tucked in

[Frank]

Plans change with the weather…
New forecast this morning and looks like Friday I could sail all the way, so I’m off to Manjack Cay until then.
Love “no schedule”

[CapnK]

Someone posted this picture of the historic New Plymouth Inn getting restored. If you look beyond it into the little bay, there’s Deja Vu tucked in

What's the depth there at that spot?
Could an Ariel fit with 3' 6"?
Or is it a "Centerboarders Only - No Keels Allowed" kind of place?
Are you worried about becoming a shallow draft snob?
;D ;D ;D

[Frank]

Locals say 3ft at low tide but…..
It’s getting into it that’s worst then being in there.
Quite a dog leg to avoid shoals.

Had a wonderful downwind sail to Manjack (2 sailboats passed me under power, sails furled… WTF?)
Grabbed a friends mooring in Cresent Bay, 3 ft at low.
I always know that mooring is 5here for me…

Shallow draft does have advantages!

That said, 3ft 8in isn’t very limiting at all Kurt…
Katie would go “almost” as many places and much better in a seaway

Pictures are “just now”

[Frank]

No sooner secure and a voice from shore yelling “Frank, come for turkey dinner”
Ya gotta love small communities! All sailors
This is a beautiful, classic, hand built (no plans) Abaco dingy made by Winer Malone
Stunning lines and they sail great too!
Dinner n dessert
No schedule is the the best schedule  😁

[CapnK]

Food looks *great* but, the lines on that boat? Even better. Would love to feel what it is like to get a handful of tiller with her sails bellied out...

[Frank]

And a nice butt, ah… stern too 😂

Notch for skulling

[Bob J (ex-misfits)]

Love it when you talk dirty to us Frank ;)

[Frank]

Quite the day…
Gusting over 30 in wee hours
Got up and took the sunshade down..
Driving rain by 10
Predicted wind shift made the mooring rock n roll
Continued shift led to a beautiful broad reach back to Green Turtle Cay
Grabbed my in town anchorage and treated to 2 dolphins fishing around me
Clouds opened to a beautiful sunset!
Awesome day!
Blessed!

[CapnK]

Blessed for sure. :)

[Frank]

Bev flys into Marsh Harbour Monday so I took the opportunity to go through “don’t rock pass” with a SW wind, albeit 15+
Was a fast, rolling sleigh ride down with the genny poled out.
Another “feeling blessed” day!

[CapnK]

Doing some anchor chores today and it got me to thinking (yes, ouch), wondering if you've run into much thick grassy bottom down there? I've read that grass won't grow well in less than 6' of clear water (or in over ~20'), which would mean you probably haven't seen much... What hook(s) are you using?

[Frank]

Capt K
Thee number one item cruising is anchor choice!
Do you “really” want to go there?
Kinda like politics n religion….
It’s dark
Yep, grassy bottom occasionally
Yep, some grass often
Yep sand
Yep mud
Yep coral
Yep…. Ya NEED a good anchor..

[Frank]

Here ya go Capt K
The dreaded anchor talk 😄

I launched November 17th, over 4 months ago.
Total of 4 nights at a dock (1 checking in, 3 at a friends)
12 nights on a mooring
The remainder, basically 3-1/2 months, have been on the hook

I believe your ground tackle is THEE most important item on board.

Primary anchor- 27lb rocna Vulcan. Overkill on a 4000lb boat. Excellent in grass, sand and mud. 65ft of 1/4 chain, 150ft rode, 5/16th shackles

Secondary anchor- 10lb aluminium spade. Easy could be primary as it’s huge for 10lbs. Excellent in all the above, 15ft 1/4 chain, 100ft rode, 5/16 shackles

As I’m typically anchored in 6-7ft of water or less so rarely into rode out.
I feel you should carry as much chain as possible. Truly helps in the big gusts.

Your milage may very 🤣

[CapnK]

Thx. I'm with you on anchor philosophy. I'm toting:

Manson Boss 25#
Original Bruce 33#
Fortress FX-11 7# (IIRC)
Northill 6-R 12#(folding, steel)
200' chain, in 3 sections (a 100', and 2x 50')

I also have available a Delta 22#, CQR 25#, and another Delta 45#, my "Oh poop" anchor. :)