Leaving Rock Sound.
We planned to get off the anchor by 10 and we actually made it off about 945 by the time the anchor was up and fully secured. The first leg out of the harbor was about 2 miles straight into the wind. So we used the opportunity to get the sails out and ready for the next leg. As we turned at the waypoint we picked up the wind nicely and started sailing. With the true wind about 10-12 we were sailing 7-8 kts. because the apparent wind 15+. We covered the 5 miles to the next waypoint quickly and then fell off the wind to avoid some dangerous rocks along the recommended route but we were able to broad reach for several miles at 6+ kts until it was time for the spinnaker.
The Bahamas have had excellent charts prepared and excellently maintained for many years known as the Explorer Charts. The authors Monty and Sara Lewis have waypoints and recommended routes for almost every conceivable route in the Bahamas on their charts. It is unusual for there to be dangerous rocks on any of their routes but they were marked so we could go around them. The only danger of the routes is that everyone uses them and some don't pay attention when they're traversing them so accidents happen. It's not unusual to pass lots of traffic on some of the more common routes as sailboats, trawlers and megayachts use the same waypoints and routes.
We were all set for a nice run with the spinnaker as I made the set and realized I had twisted the sheet around the lifeline when I had tied it off while I hoisted the chute. After some effort it got cleared and we started the run. During the run the wind actually came up higher and we were running almost at a broad reach. The forecast was for the wind to shift to the northeast (right on or nose) between 2 and 5 in the afternoon so I was watching for the switch because when it turned we would need to bring down the chute in a hurry.
About 3/4 of the way to GH the wind started coming ahead of us and I doused the spinnaker and went to sail only to find it was going back and forth. As it turned out we could have continued with the spinnaker the entire trip. But we were sailing nicely albeit a little slower.
The sail was beautiful. A nice bright sunny day with a pleasant breeze and only a gentle following sea. We had music on the stereo and it was one of those sails you just wait for. The adage about sailing fast must be judged against making a sail last. When you have a great sail you just want it to continue. Trim the sails, set the course and enjoy the ride.
We made it to GH about 2 pm after a sail of just over 4 hours for the 25 nm trip most of which was downwind with about 10 kts of breeze.
We called the marina about our mooring assignment and found no other boats in the harbor. As we got in we noticed the gentle swell became a great swell and when we turned into the wind to get the mooring we were bouncing wildly with 3-4' waves. We got the mooring but at that point weren't sure we wanted to stay.
The wind was blowing only about 8-10 kts but the chop would have indicated much more. Forecast was for it to turn to the northeast by 5 and that should solve the chop.
About quarter of 5 I saw a cloud bank approaching and assumed that was the front that wold make our anchorage tenable. It quickly passed over, the wind shifted and the chop became subdued. We had dropped our dinghy earlier in anticipation of being able to go ashore but decided not to lower the motor until the chop subsided. With it subsiding we talked to our friends on Free Spirit and made plans to go ashore. After cleaning up we dinghied to shore and enjoyed dinner at the resort.
The night was quiet and peaceful after a great sail and calm seas. Tomorrow exploring the town.
No comments:
Post a Comment